Effect of Processing on Certain Antinutrients in Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)

Four Nigerian cultivars of cowpeas were analyzed for raffinose, stachyose, phytic acid, tannins, and trypsin inhibitory activity after dehulling, cold-soaking, hot-soaking, and cooking as ewa-ibeji and moin-moin (two popular Nigerian cowpea foods). Dehulling decreased stachyose and removed the tannins. Hot-soaking caused a significant reduction in stachyose and trypsin inhibitory activity. Ewa-ibeji and moin-moin contained similar quantities of antinutrients, except for tannins which were absent in moin-moin.