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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406080
Research Project: Utilizing Genetic Diversity within Phaseolus vulgaris to Develop Dry Beans with Enhanced Functional Properties

Location: Sugarbeet and Bean Research

Title: Processing and quality valuation of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in flexible pouches

Author
item WANG, WEIJIA - Michigan State University
item SIDDIQ, MUHAMMAD - Michigan State University
item DOLAN, KIRK - Michigan State University
item Cichy, Karen

Submitted to: Legume Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/8/2023
Publication Date: 1/16/2024
Citation: Wang, W., Siddiq, M., Dolan, K., Cichy, K.A. 2024. Processing and quality valuation of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in flexible pouches. Legume Science. 6(1). Article e213. https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.213.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.213

Interpretive Summary: One of the foremost ways U.S. consumers access dry beans is as a fully cooked canned product. Canned beans are popular because they have a long shelf life and are very convenient to prepare. Flexible pouches are a newer alternative to cans. Pouches are lighter weight, require less energy to process and ship and are easier for consumers to open compared to cans. A pilot-scale pouch processing protocol for beans would be useful to evaluate suitability of various cultivars and seed handling and preparation methods for pouches. The goal of this research was to optimize a pilot scale pouch processing method for dry beans and assess the subsequent quality of pouch-processed beans. Organically grown black and kidney beans were evaluated under two different harvest methods. Pouch processing was conducted with a water retort and processing quality was evaluated through texture, color, and appearance measurements. Quality of pouch processed beans varied based on cultivar and harvest year. The appearance of pouch process kidney beans was impacted by harvest method. This study provides a detailed methodology for pouch processing of dry beans and useful information for researchers and processors in future applications of using pouches as alternative packaging for processed beans.

Technical Abstract: Dry beans, as nutrient-dense food, have been processed in metal cans traditionally, which compared to flexible pouches are heavy and require more energy to deliver the required thermal process to ensure food safety. Flexible retort pouches have been gaining popularity as a food package to replace metal cans. There are many benefits of using pouches for processed bean products, but a pilot-scale pouch processing protocol for beans is needed for wider commercial applications. Our objectives were to optimize a pouch processing method for dry beans and assess the subsequent quality of pouch-processed beans. The beans used in this study included black and kidney bean genotypes from two organic field trials and two threshing methods. Pouch processing was conducted at a pilot facility, and processing quality including texture, color, and appearance as well as cooking time was assessed. It was found that, for black beans, genotype and year had a significant impact on the water uptake and all processing quality traits. Whereas for kidney beans, genotype had a significant impact on water uptake and processing quality traits, while year had a significant impact on water uptake, texture, and color. Threshing method had a significant impact on the appearance of processed kidney beans while it had no significant impact on the processing quality of black beans. This study provides a detailed methodology for pouch processing of dry beans and useful information for researchers and processors in future applications of using pouches as alternative packaging for processed beans.