Intestinal absorption of D-galactose in rats fed extruded Pisum sativum, and Phaseolus vulgaris

A feeding experiment was conducted with male Wistar rats to determine the effects of the extruded legumes Pisum sativum, and Phaseolus vulgaris on the in vivo and in vitro intestinal absorption of D-galactose. Extrusion abolished haemagglutinating activity, and trypsin, chymotrypsin and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. Condensed tannins and phytic acid were also significantly reduced by processing. Rats fed raw kidney beans (RKB) died after day 9. There was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in growth rate and a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of in vivo and in vitro intestinal absorption of galactose with raw peas (RP) compared with rats fed casein (C). Rats fed extruded peas (EP) and extruded kidney beans (EKB) had a significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth rate and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the rate of in vivo and in vitro intestinal D-galactose absorption compared with the RP and RKB groups. Animals fed extruded legume based diets had a marked reduction in growth and in in vivo and in vitro intestinal D-galactose absorption compared with casein fed rats.