This work aimed at characterizing the starch of the cowpea bean in the stages of maturation in which it is consumed both chemically and physically. The unripe and ripe grains of the cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) were submitted to determine the centesimal composition: protein by Kjeldahl, lipids by Soxleth, moisture at 105°C, ashes at 550°C, alimentary fiber by gravimetric-enzymatic method, total carbohydrates by difference, total starch, reductor glícids and non reductor by oxid-reduction in Fehling solution. The isolated starch of the distinct samples was analyzed as to the resistant starch (based in the use of amylolytic enzymes), amylose and amylopectin (by spectrophotometry) and typification (X-ray diffraction). The results obtained showed that the fractions of carbohydrates differed according to the stage of maturation of the grains. The starch of the unripe bean showed a higher content of resistant starch (RS) type 2 in relation to total starch and low content of amylose. Maturation influenced the crystallinity patterns, type C was found for the unripe bean and type A for the ripe bean. The stage of the maturation influenced the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the constituents of the beans. The morphologic aspect of the granules of starch was not influenced by the stage of maturation of the grains. The unripe bean showed a percentage of soluble alimentary fiber compatible with the FDA standards.
chemical composition; crystalinity; resistant starch; Vigna; unguiculata
