Abstract

REYNOSO CAMACHO, Rosalía et al. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) consumption and its effects on colon cancer in Sprague-Dawley rats. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2007, vol.33, n.1, pp.43-52. ISSN 0568-2517.

The lower incidence of colon cancer registered in Latin-American countries as compared with other countries, is partially due to the higher consumption of common bean. The objective of the present research was to determine if the consumption of cooked common bean would reduce 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in Sprage-Dawley rats. Four common bean cultivars belonging to commercial classes of high consumption in Mexico were fed at the current average bean consumption in Mexico (0.30/100 g food; equivalent to 11 kg per person per year). Tannins, anthocyanins, phenolic components and oligosaccharides were quantified in dry flour of cooked grain from the four cultivars. The high tannin content in the seed of cultivar Flor de Junio Marcela might have contributed to a low weight increase (30%) and low survival of rats (35%). The incidence of plaque was higher in the distal portion of the colon in rats fed with Pinto Zapata, Flor de Mayo Anita and Flor de Junio Marcela cultivars. Rats fed with cultivars Blanco Tlaxcala (0.3 0/100 g food) and Flor de Junio Marcela (75/100 g food) showed higher incidence of plaques in the middle and proximal portion of the colon and showed a 10-12% reduction in colon carcinogenesis. The consumption of cv. Pinto Zapata reduced 36% the incidence of colon cancer and a lower number and volume of tumours (1 and 0.043 cm³, respectively) as compared with the number (2 to 4) and volume of tumours (0.055 to 0.095 cm³) observed with the consumption of the other bean cultivars. In spite of differences in the phytochemical content in the seed of the bean cultivars, none relationship was observed between those compounds and colon cancer in rats. Results indicated that the inclusion of common bean in the diets reduced colon cancer in Sprage-Dawley rats.

Keywords : Phaseolus vulgaris L.; colon cancer; phytochemicals.

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