Intestinal absorption of D-galactose in the presence of extracts fromPhaseolus vulgaris hulls

Abstract
The relatively low nutritional value of protein from legume seeds has been attributed to the occurrence of some antinutritional factors and the poor content in sulphur aminoacids, which leads to undesirable physiological and biochemical alterations. However, the intimate nature of these processes remains unclear. In order to evaluate the influence of naturally occurring substances of legume constituents on nutrient utilization, the intestinal absorption of D-galactose in the presence of aqueous or alcoholic extracts, obtained fromPhaseolus vulgaris hulls, has been measured by use of thein vivo successive absorption technique. Aqueous extracts inhibited significantly (pV max values for D-galactose absorption and alsoK T data. This inhibition appeared to be reversible after short periods of exposure, affecting mainly the active component of transport. Therefore, it can be suggested that some substances, contained in aqueous extracts ofPhaseolus vulgaris reduce sugar absorption. Furthermore, our studies seem to indicate that polyphenols are, at least partly, involved in this phenomenon.