Abstract
The effects of germination, cooking and canning on the changes in total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus and phytate retention in black‐eyed, red kidney, mung, and pink beans were determined in this study. Soaking the dry beans in water for 12 hr at 24°C resulted in a slight decrease in phytate. After germination for 96 hr or longer there was a significant breakdown in phytic acid, and an increase in inorganic phosphorus. Cooking the dry beans at 100°C for 3 hr had little effect on phytate retention. Heat processing the dry beans at 1155°C for 3 hr in cans resulted in some increase in inorganic phosphorus and a reduction in phytate.