Caracterizaçäo nutricional do isolado protéico do feijäo-bravo / Nutritional characterization of wild bean protein isolate

Isoeletric protein precipitate of wild beans (Canavalia brasiliensis, Mart) was evaluated. Nutritional indices were: Protein eficiency ratio 1.35 compared to casein as 2.5; Net protein ratio 59.2% and relative net protein ratio (RNPR), 63,6%; Biological value, 60,9%; Digestability 94.4% and net protein utilization, 83% of casein. Although nutritional aspects of the protein isolate were better than those related for black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) they were similar to those observed for most legume seeds and their protein isolates. Heat treatment was sufficient to inactivate antinutritional factors measured throught urease, monetheless the test with animals (Wistar albine rats) showed large variation on weight gain