Winged bean

Not to be confused with Lotus tetragonolobus.
Winged bean
Winged bean flowers and leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Psophocarpus
Species: P. tetragonolobus
Binomial name
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
(L.) D.C.

The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), also known as the Goa bean, asparagus pea, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, Manila bean, Mauritius bean, and winged pea, is a tropical legume plant native to New Guinea. It grows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries, from the Philippines and Indonesia to India, Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It is widely known, yet grown on a small scale in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea.[1] Winged bean is well-recognized by farmers and consumers in the Asian region for its variety of uses and disease tolerance. Winged bean is nutrient-rich, and all parts of the plant are edible. Leaves can be eaten like spinach, flowers can be used in salads, tubers can be eaten raw or cooked, seeds can be used in similar ways as the soybean. The winged bean is an underutilized species but has the potential to become a major multi-use food crop in the tropics of Asia, Africa and Latin America.[1]

The winged bean is a species that belongs to the genus Psophocarpus, a genus of 6-9 varying species.[1] Species in the Psophocarpus genus are perennial herbs grown as annuals.[2] They are generally considered to be from Africa. Species in the Psophocarpus species are capable of climbing by twining their stems around a support. Species in the Psophocarpus genus have tuberous roots and pods with wings.[3]

Appearance

The winged bean plant grows as a vine with climbing stems and leaves, 3–4 m in height. It is an herbaceous perennial, but can be grown as an annual. It is generally taller and notably larger than the Common bean. The bean pod is typically 15–22 cm (6–9 in) long and has four wings with frilly edges running lengthwise. The skin is waxy and the flesh partially translucent in the young pods. When the pod is fully ripe, it turns an ash-brown color and splits open to release the seeds. The large flower is a pale blue. The beans themselves are similar to soybeans in both use and nutritional content (being 29.8% to 39% protein).

There is abundant variation in the appearance of winged bean. The shape of its leaves ranges from ovate, deltoid, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate and long lanceolate.[1] The leaves of winged bean also vary in colour appearing as different shades of green.

Stem colour is commonly green, but can vary from shades of green to shades of purple.

Pod shape is most commonly rectangular, but can also appear flat. Pod colour may also vary from shades of cream, green, pink or purple. The exterior surface of the pod also varies in texture. Pods can appear smooth or rough depending on genotype. Seed shape is often round, but oval and rectangular seeds are also found. Seed colour changes based on environmental factors and storage conditions.[1] Seeds may appear white, cream, brown or dark tan in appearance. The shape of winged bean tuberous roots also show variation

Human consumption and nutrition

One of the advantages of the winged bean is its ability to produce food from many different parts of the plant.

Pods- Can be eaten unripe as a crunchy vegetable, cooked or raw

Seeds- Require cooking for 2–3 hours to destroy trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins that inhibit digestion.[4] Seeds can be roasted like peanuts and have nutrient value comparative to soy beans. Average about 35% protein and 17% oil.

Roots-Can be eaten raw or cooked. Tubers are high in protein and nutrient rich. Tuberous roots have 20% protein, which is much higher than other edible roots.[4]

Leaves and Flowers- Can be eaten raw or cooked. Flowers and leaves also have a high protein content at 10-15%.[4]

Germination

Winged bean is a self-pollinating plant but mutations and occasional outcrossing, may produce variations in the species.[1] The pretreatment of winged bean seeds is not required in tropical climate, but scarification of seeds has shown to enhance the germination rate of seedlings.[1] Seed soaking may also increase speed to germination, as is typical, and may be used in conjunction with scarification. Seedlings under natural field conditions have been reported to emerge between 5–7 days.[1]

It is recorded that winged bean can grow as fast or faster than comparative legume plants including soybeans.[16] There is a 40-140 day period of germination from sowing to flowering of the winged bean plant.[1] The pod reaches its full length and can be gathered to use as a vegetable 2 weeks after pollination. Three weeks after pollination, the pod becomes fibrous and after six weeks mature seeds can be harvested.[3] Tuber development and flower production are dependent upon genotype and environmental factors. Some varieties of winged bean do not produce tuberous roots.[1] The winged bean is a tropical plant, and will only flower when the day length is shorter than 12 hours, though some varieties have been reported as day-length neutral.[1][5] All varieties of winged bean grow on a vine and must grow over a support. Some examples of support systems include: growing against exterior walls of houses, huts, buildings; supporting against larger perennial trees; stakes placed in the ground vertically; and structures made from posts and wires.[1]

Because the early growth of winged bean is slow, it is important to maintain weeds. Slow early growth makes winged bean susceptible to weed competition in the first 4–6 weeks of development.[1] Khan (1982) recommends weeding by hand or animal drawn tractor two times before the support system of the winged bean is established.[1]

Winged bean can be grown without added fertilizer as the plant has a bacterium on the nodules of the roots that fixes nitrogen and allows the plant to absorb nitrogen.[3] Factors that influence nitrogen fixation include, Rhizobium strain, interactions between strain and host genotype, available nutrients and soil pH.[1]

Climate

Winged bean thrives in hot weather and favours humidity, but it is an adaptable plant. It is reported that the winged bean can adjust to the climate of the equatorial tropics.[1] Winged bean production is optimal in humidity, but the species is susceptible to moisture stress and waterlogging.[1] Ideal growing temperature is reported to be 25 degrees Celsius.[1] Lower temperature is reported to suppress germination, and extremely high temperatures are detrimental to the yield of the plant.[1]

Moderate variations in the growing climate of winged bean can result in variations in yield. It is reported than growing winged bean in lower than favourable temperatures can increase tuber production.[1] It is also reported that leaf expansion rate is higher in a warmer climate. In addition to adequate temperature, winged bean requires sufficient soil moisture at all stages of growth to produce high yields.[1] Although the winged bean plant is indigenous to the humid tropics, it is possible for the plant to succeed in drier climate with plenty of irrigation.[3] Success has been noted when the maturity of the plant and the drier part of the growing season correspond.[1]

The hot, humid, and relatively wet summers of the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast are sufficient to raise the plant to crop, though the shorter growing season and day-length flowering issues will restrict the timing and amounts of yields.

Uses

This bean has been called the "one species supermarket" because practically all of the plant is edible. The beans are used as a vegetable, but the other parts (leaves, flowers, and tuberous roots) are also edible. The tender pods, which are the most widely eaten part of the plant (and best eaten when under 1" in length), can be harvested within two to three months of planting. The flowers are often used to color rice and pastries. The flavor of the beans has a similarity to asparagus. The young leaves can be picked and prepared as a leaf vegetable, similar to spinach. The roots can be used as a root vegetable, similar to the potato, and have a nutty flavor; they are also much richer in protein than potatoes. The dried seeds can be useful as a flour and also to make a coffee-like drink. Each of these parts of the winged bean provide a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and other vitamins.[6] The seeds contain 35% protein and 18% oil.

Potential

The winged bean is rich in protein and tocopherol, an antioxidant that increases vitamin A use in the body (National Research Council (U.S), 1975). Its ability to grow in heavy rainfall makes the species a good candidate to adequately nourish the people of tropical equatorial countries in Africa.[7] The wing bean can also be used to produce winged bean milk made from water, winged beans, and emulsifier.[8] Winged bean milk has similar characteristics as soymilk without the same bean-rich flavour.[8] Winged bean has also been reported as an effective remedy for smallpox and as a cure for vertigo in Malaya.[2]

The winged bean also provides many opportunities for economic benefit. Many parts of the winged bean can be sold. Mature seeds can bring in a high price .[3] There is evidence of smoked pods, uncooked tubers, cooked tubers, dry seeds, and leaves being sold in domestic markets in South East and South Asia.[1] Winged bean also has the potential to be used as animal feed for livestock and poultry.[1] The winged bean also has the potential to be used as a replacement for fish meal used to raise African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), a highly valued food fish in Africa.[9] Feeding fish represents a large portion of operating cost for fish farmers and fishmeal is scarce and high-priced. Winged bean can be used as the primary protein source for fish feed to reduce farmer dependence on fish meal availability.[9]

Winged bean also shows potential as a cover crop and a restorative crop. Planting winged bean uniform with the ground can reduce weeds and function well as a cover crop.[1] The winged bean can also function effectively as a restorative crop that can improve nutrient poor soil with nitrogen when it is turned over into the soil.[1]

Local names

Winged beans, mature seeds, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 1,711 kJ (409 kcal)
41.7 g
Dietary fiber 25.9 g
16.3 g
Saturated 2.3 g
Monounsaturated 6 g
Polyunsaturated 4.3 g
29.65 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1)
(90%)

1.03 mg

Riboflavin (B2)
(38%)

0.45 mg

Niacin (B3)
(21%)

3.09 mg

(16%)

0.795 mg

Vitamin B6
(13%)

0.175 mg

Folate (B9)
(11%)

45 μg

Trace metals
Calcium
(44%)

440 mg

Iron
(103%)

13.44 mg

Magnesium
(50%)

179 mg

Manganese
(177%)

3.721 mg

Phosphorus
(64%)

451 mg

Potassium
(21%)

977 mg

Sodium
(3%)

38 mg

Zinc
(47%)

4.48 mg

Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psophocarpus tetragonolobus.

South-East Asia:

South Asia:

Japan:

Pacific

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 Khan, T. (1982). Winged Bean Production in the Tropics. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 1.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hymowitz, T; Boyd, J. "Ethnobotany and Agriculture Potential of the Winged Bean". Economic Botany 31 (2): 180. doi:10.1007/bf02866589.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 National Research Council (U.S.). (1975). Underexploited Tropical Plants with Promising Economic Value. 2nd Edition. U.S. National Academies.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 National Research Council. The winged bean : a high-protein crop for the tropics : report of an ad hoc panel of the Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation. Board on Science and Technology for International Development, 1981
  5. ↑ http://www.echobooks.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=s407
  6. ↑ Nutrition Facts for winged bean seeds, leaves, and tubers
  7. ↑ Village Earth. (2011). Appropriate Technology: Sustainable Agriculture. Appropriate Technology Library. Chapter: Tropical Legumes. Retrieved from http://villageearth.org/pages/sourcebook/sustainable-agriculture
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Yang, J., Tan, H. (2011). Winged Bean Milk. International Conference on New Technology of Agricultural, May 2011, 814-817.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Fagbenro, A. (1999). Comparative evaluation of heat-processed Winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus meals as partial replacement for fish meal in diets for the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Aquaculture 170 (1999), 297-305.

References