Protein quality of Asian beans and their wild progenitor, Vigna sublobata (Roxb)

The small seeded tropical Asian beans of the so-called mung group (Vigna species), mung bean (green or golden gram, V. radiata), and urd bean (black gram, V. mungo), and their wild progenitor V. sublobata (wild bean), were assessed for their nutritional composition and protein quality. The protein content of these legumes varied from 20.7 to 23.8%. It was rich in lysine and the aromatic amino acids. However, S-containing amino acids were most deficient for childrenʹs diets. Tryptophan was the second limiting amino acid. The protein score ranged from 40 to 64% of the reference protein recommended for child nutrition. In the adult human diet beans can fulfil the requirements of all essential amino acids and thus can serve as supplemental sources of protein in cereal based diets.