Proximate analysis of five varieties of winged beans, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC*

Summary The proximate composition was determined for the mature seeds of five varieties of winged beans, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. The results showed that the varieties analyzed had a high protein and fat content, which was similar to soybeans. The protein content (mean ± standard deviation) of the five varieties as received was 36.0 ± 1.8%, the fat content, 15.2 ± 1.2% and the moisture content 10.4 ± 1.5%. The endosperm in winged bean variety TPT‐2 was found to constitute 84% of the dry weight of the seeds, the hulls about 16%. Whole beans as received contain about 14%‘dietary fibre’ measured as neutral detergent fibre. The dietary fibre is concentrated in the hulls.