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Abstract The chemical composition, lectin content and nutritional value of selected cultivars of kidney beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) were determined. Mainly due to different amounts of reserve globulins deposited, seed N content varied between 3.4 and 5.0%. The amino acid composition and the corresponding chemical score values of 40‐60 however, were similar for all the beans, with the sulphur‐containing amino acids limiting. Despite similarities in composition, 11 out of the 13 cultivars examined were highly toxic for rats in the raw state. These were all found to contain high concentrations of haemagglutinating lectins (over 10% of the total protein). On the other hand, two low‐lectin bean varieties, Pinto III and Great Northern, had no appreciable disruptive effects on the intestines and were essentially non‐toxic for rats.
Pusztai et al. (Sat,) studied this question.