CHANGES IN ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE ACTIVITY AND OLIGOSACCHARIDES DURING GERMINATION AND INCUBATION OF COWPEAS (VIGNA-UNGUICULATA)

Germination of cowpeas at 24 and 30°C resulted in increased alpha-galactosidase activity during the first 6 to 12 h and leveled off subsequently. Stachyose content declined by 38% during 12 h of germination at 24°C. Incubation of a cowpea flour paste for 24 h at 24°C resulted in a large reduction of the stachyose and sucrose concentrations, and in their practical elimination at 34°C. Incubation for 12 h at 24 and 34°C of a cowpea paste made from 6-h germinated seeds resulted in a large decrease in stachyose content. Incubation of flour or germination of seeds effectively reduced the stachyose concentration of cowpeas. © 1990.