C. ensiformis seeds were obtained in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Impurities and damaged seeds were removed. Sound seeds were milled in a Mykros impact mill until passing through a 20-mesh screen (0.85 mm). Reagents were analytical grade and purchased from J. T. Baker (Phillipsburg, NJ, USA), Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA), Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (Hercules, CA, USA).

Two technological processes were used to obtain the fiber residues. In the first process (residue A), C. ensiformis flour was suspended in distilled water at a 1:7 (w/v) ratio, the pH was adjusted to 12 with 1 mol/L NaOH and it was allowed to stand for 12 h [3] . This suspension was wet-milled with a Kitchen-Aid^® mill and the fiber solids separated from the starch and protein mix by straining through 80-mesh sieves followed by five washings of the residue with distilled water. The fiber residue was milled through 80- and 150-mesh sieves, oven-drying at 50˚C for overnight and then milled in a Mykros impact mill until passing through a 20-mesh screen (0.85 mm). In the second process (Residue B), whole flour was suspended in distilled water at a 1:6 (w/v) ratio, pH adjusted to 11 with 1 mol/L NaOH, and the dispersion stirred for 1 h at 400 rpm with a mechanical agitator (Caframo Rz-1, Heidolph Schwabach, Germany) [4] . This suspension was wet-milled with a Kitchen-Aid^® mill and the fiber solids separated from the starch and protein mix by straining through 80- and 150-mesh sieves followed by five washings of the residue with distilled water. The fiber residue was oven drying at 50˚C for overnight and then milled in a Mykros impact mill until passing through a 20-mesh screen (0.85 mm).

Standard AOAC [9] procedures were used to determine nitrogen (method 954.01), fat (method 920.39), ash (method 925.09), crude fiber (method 962.09), and moisture (method 925.09) contents in the C. ensiformis fiber residues. Nitrogen (N₂) content was quantified with a Kjeltec Digestion System (Tecator, Höganäs, Skåne län, Sweden) using cupric sulfate and potassium sulfate as catalysts. Protein content was calculated as nitrogen × 6.25. Fat content was obtained from a 1 h hexane extraction. Ash content was calculated from sample weight after burning at 550˚C for 2 h. Moisture content was measured based on sample weight loss after oven-drying at 110˚C for 2 h. Carbohydrate content was estimated as nitrogen-free extract (NFE) by difference from the sum of the protein, fat, ash and crude fiber content.

This parameter was determined with the gravimetric enzymatic method proposed by Prosky et al. [10] . Briefly, 1 g of sample was weighed into each of four flasks and 50 mL of phosphate buffer (50.0 mM, pH 6) were added to each. The flasks were then placed in a water bath at 100˚C, 0.1 mL of thermostable α-amylase enzyme (Sigma A-3306) was added to each and then they were agitated at 60 rpm for 15 min. After cooling, pH was adjusted to 7.5. The flasks were returned to the bath at 60˚C, 0.1 mL protease (Sigma P-3910) added to each and then they were agitated at 60 rpm for 30 min. After cooling, pH was adjusted to 4.0. The flasks were again placed in the bath at 60˚C, 0.3 mL amyloglucosidase (Sigma A-9913) added and then they were agitated for 30 min. Finally, ethanol 95% (v/v), preheated to 60˚C, was added at a 1:4 (v/v) ratio. In a vacuum, flask content was filtered into crucibles containing celite (Sigma C-8656). The residue remaining in the flask was washed three times with 20 mL of ethanol 78% (v/v), twice with 10 mL of ethanol 95% (v/v) and twice with 10 mL acetone. Crucible content was dried at 105˚C. Protein (N × 6.25) was determined for the residue in two crucibles and the residue in the remaining two was burned at 550˚C for 4 h.

This was determined following the method of Prosky et al. [10] , which is similar to that for TDF, except that addition of ethanol 95% (v/v) at 1:4 (v/v) is omitted.

Calculated by the difference between TDF and IDF:

.

RS was measured using the modified method suggested by Saura-Calixto et al. [13] . The method uses the principle of determining RS from the insoluble dietary fiber. It consists of the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch with heat stable α-amylase (Sigma No. A-3306) followed by a proteolyticdegradation with a protease (Sigma No. P- 3310). Subsequently the starch hydrolysis was realized with an amyloglucosidase (Sigma A-9913) to yield glucose. The insoluble dietary fiber was obtained after several steps of rinsing and centrifugation. The RS was extracted from the insoluble residue with 4MKOH and retreated with amyloglucosidase (Boehringer Mannheim No. 102857). Glucose was determined in the supernatant with the reagent GOD-POD (glucose oxidase/peroxi- dase). RS was calculated as glucose (mg) × 0.9 (conversion factor due to starch hydrolysis).

The tannin content of the samples was determined using the International Standardization Organization method [14] . This method consist in extraction by shaking with dimethylformamide, then after centrifuging, addition of ferric ammonium citrate and ammonia to an aliquot part of the supernatant liquid and spectrometric determination, at 525 nm, of the absorbance of the solution thus obtained, and determine of the tannic content using a calibration curve prepared using tannic acid.

Phytates were determined by the Anion-Exchange method as described by AOAC [15] method number 986.11. Phosphate was used as a standard. Samples were weighed (2 g) and transferred to Erlenmeyer flasks to which 2.4% HCl (40 mL) was added. The mixture was homogenized for 3 hours. Columns were prepared by adding resin (0.5 g) into the columns. After forming, resin beds were washed with 0.7 M NaCl and distilled water. Homogenized samples were filtered and the filtrate (2 mL) transferred to 25 ml volumetric flasks. The Na₂EDTA- NaOH reagent (2 mL) was added and the solution diluted to volume with water. The solution was mixed and transferred to the column and the eluate then discarded. Water (15 mL) and 0.1 M NaCl (15 mL) were eluted through column and eluate discarded. A 0.7 M NaCl (15 mL) was eluted through the column and eluate collected in digestion flasks. Concentrated H₂SO₄ acid (1 mL) and HNO₃ acid (6 mL) were added to the flasks, and digested until active boiling ceased. After cooling, water (10 mL) was added; flasks swirled and heated at low temperature for 10 min to dissolve the salt. The cooled solution was transferred to a volumetric flask (50 mL); molybdate solution (4 mL) and sulfonic acid (2 mL) were added. The solution was diluted to volume with water and left to stand for 15 min. Absorbance was read at 640 nm using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

The reference method used was that proposed by Tilley and Terry [16] . Briefly, 0.25 g of sample was weighed in triplicate and incubated for 48 h with a mixture of Mc Dougall (1948) buffer solution and inoculated with rumen fluid and the mixture was saturated with CO₂. This was followed by an incubation period of 48 h with 25 mL of a solution of acid pepsin. The residue obtained after filtration with filter paper was dried at 105˚C. This method was employed with rumen liquors obtained from rumen fistulated calves that were fed ad libitum with alfalfa and pasture.

All results were analyzed using descriptive statistics with a central tendency and dispersion measures. One-way ANOVAs were run to evaluate proximate composition, dietary fiber content and functional properties. All analyses were done according to Montgomery [17] and processed with the Statgraphics Plus version 5.1 software.

The proximal composition of the fiber residues from Canavalia ensiformis registered values of moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber and NFE of 7.14% ± 0.289%, 3.17% ± 0.090%, 9.14% ± 0.015%, 1.34% ± 0.017%, 23.84% ± 0.277% and 62.51% ± 0.226% for residue A and of 4.74% ± 0.108%, 2.68% ± 0.026%, 7.73% ± 0.076%, 1.39% ± 0.023%, 23.76% ± 0.490% and 64.44% ± 0.488% for residue B (Table 1). The low fat content of both fiber residues suggests that could be used like food for communities that requires low fat diets. The crude fiber content was similar for C. ensiformis fiber residues obtained for different technological process and had high amounts of crude fiber and carbohydrates. Fiber has a useful role in providing roughed that aids digestion and carbohydrates contributes to fat metabolism and spare proteins as energy source for human beings. Considering the primary nutrient composition of the C. ensiformis fiber residues, these could be used as functional foods.

^a-bDifferent superscript letters in the same row indicate statistical difference (p < 0.05).

According to Verma and Banerjee [8] the term dietary fiber was used first by Hipsley [18] to include lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, and later broadened to include soluble substances (non-cell-wall derived materials) such as pectins, gums and mucilages. This broad definition acknowledges the significance of fiber as a chemical and physiological component of the diet as compared with the static definition of crude fiber—“the residue of plant food left after extraction with solvent, dilute acid, and dilute alkali”. Trowell et al. [19] adopted Hipsley’s term in conjunction with a number of health-related hypotheses they were developing, referred to as their “dietary fiber hypotheses”. The term was used to describe the remnants of plant components that are resistant to hydrolysis by human alimentary enzymes. Thus it was a physiological-botanical description, characterizing dietary fiber’s indigestibility in the human small intestine, with plant cell walls being the major source of digestion-re- sistant material. The components included were cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and associated minor substances, such as waxes, cutin, and suberin. One widely accepted definition from the American Association of Cereal Chemists states: “Dietary fiber is the remnants of the edible parts of plants or analogous carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine. According to this definition dietary fiber includes polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lignin, and associated plant substances. Dietary fibers promote beneficial physiological effects including laxation, and/or blood cholesterol attenuation, and/or blood glucose attenuation” [20] . These are an integral part of the foodstuffs we consume daily plants, vegetables, cereal grains, woody plants, fruits, legumes, leguminous plants, etc. [21] . The latest definition proposed by Codex Alimentarius includes carbohydrate polymers with a degree of polymerization not lower than 3. They can be naturally present in or extracted from food raw material, or synthesized. The debate continues and some recent opinion has favored a return to the original fiber definition along the lines that “Dietary fiber consists of intrinsic plant cell wall polysaccharides” [8] .

Based on their simulated intestinal solubility, dietary fiber is conventionally classified into two categories: soluble dietary fiber such as pentosans, pectin, gums, and mucilage and insoluble dietary fiber such as cellulose, part of hemicellulose, and lignin [8] . TDF content in the C. ensiformis fiber residues were 47.06 (Residue A) and 54.96 (Residue B) g/100g sample, with most of this content represented by IDF 45.46 g/100g sample in Residue A and 52.75 g/100g of sample in residue B. The remainder was constituted by SDF (Figure 1). The soluble or easily digestible fibers of C. ensiformis could increase transit time through the digestive tract, delay gastric emptying, and slow glucose absorption so that the amount of starch reaching the colon is increased. The C. ensiformis insoluble fiber, on the other hand, could increase fecal bulk and excretion of bile acids, while decreasing intestinal transit time.

Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber are widely used analytical methods for the estimation of the nutritive qualities of feed. They were originally proposed by Van Soest [22] , but have undergone significant

changes over the years [11] . Van Soest’s fractionation makes it possible to measure the total cell wall content (NDF), lignocellulose content (ADF) and lignin content (ADL). Figure 2 shows NDF, ADF and ADL content of fiber residues from C. ensiformis. NDF includes mainly insoluble hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and cutin. The NDF content was slightly higher in residue B. ADF that include principally cellulose, lignin and cutin, and ADL that include lignin and cutin were higher in residue B and similar for both residues, respectively. The Van Soest components from C. ensiformis fiber residues could play significant roles towards various physicochemical characteristics of foods besides improvement of various physiological and health values. These functions are contributed by different interlinked inherent attributes of fiber such as solubility, water and fat binding capacity as well as viscosity. Such properties of dietary fiber make them a vital ingredient while design and development of different products.

Figure 3 shows the hemicellulose and cellulose contents of C. ensiformis fiber residues. Hemicellulose content was higher in residue A and cellulose content in residue B. Hemicellulose content was estimated by difference between NDF and ADF. Cellulose content was estimated by difference between ADF and ADL. Cellulose and hemicellulose are components of insoluble dietary fiber. Insoluble fiber increasedfecal bulk, excretion of bile acids and while decreasing intestinal transit time. For the above mentioned, the cellulose and hemicellulose contained in C. ensiformis fiber residues may be due an alternative in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.

Starch has always been considered fully digestible, but it has been found that, for various reasons (biological origin by technological processes and/or food preparation) some of the starch remaining in the residue is not digestible by enzymes in the intestine thin, i.e. it passes into the colon along with the polysaccharide to form the fiber. Therefore, the concept changed this nutrient that is believed fully digestible, a fact confirmed in vivo when tested in ileostomised patients [23] . The RS level found in C. ensiformis fiber residues was higher in residue B (0.607%) than residue A (0.358%). According to Zulueta [23] the digestion rate of the starch is affected by the inherent and acquired through food. The physical matrix is highlighted, which influences the accessibility of digestive enzymes. This rigid matrix is relevant in the amylose content, which in the majority of starches reaches about 25%. Another factor is the ratio of amylose and amylopectin starch: the amylose molecule is mainly linear, which is stiffer and less sensitive to the action of amylase, whereas amylopectin is a branched structure that facilitates the enzymatic action. Although the C. ensiformis fiber residues registered low levels of RS, this can contribute with the physiological properties of dietary fiber.

Figure 4 shows the tannins and phytates content of C. ensiformis fiber residues. No statistical difference was registered in the tannins content of both fiber residues (p > 0.05). However, the phytates content was higher in the fiber residue obtained with the first technological process (residue A). The low tannins and phytates levels registered here could be due to the technological processes employed during the fiber residues extraction. At this respect, Bressani [24] establish that processing practices as soaking at alkaline pH, extruded, germ and frying reduce the tannin and phytates content. Also, the low-phytate content could be because these components are found in higher proportion in cotyledons and poorly in pericarp.

According to Goñi [25] , vitamins, carotenoids and phenolic compounds such as tannins are recognized as the main groups of antioxidants present in plant foods. Dietary fiber and antioxidants are healthy food constituents and functional ingredients that are generally addressed separately in both chemical and nutritional studies. However, it has been proven that a substantial proportion of the antioxidant polyphenols [26] and carotenoids [27] contained in plant foods are linked to dietary fiber, and that they are a substantial part of the total antioxidants in the diet. It therefore seems logical to suppose that the association between antioxidants and dietary compounds such as tannins present in C. ensiformis may contribute significantly to the health effects, and that some of the postulated benefits of the fiber intake can be attributed to the dietary fiber-antioxidants complex. This capacity of the fiber matrix to act as a carrier of antioxidant compounds is an essential physiological function of dietary fiber. The release of some antioxidant compounds in the colon improves antioxidant status and

yields different metabolites with potential systemic effects [25] . Therefore, C. ensiformis dietary fiber or its constituents such as tannins, and antioxidants could be approached jointly in nutrition and health studies, combining the properties of both dietary fiber and antioxidants in a single material.

Tilley and Terry [16] method is a biological method in which, under conditions which simulate those within the rumen of a sheep (anaerobic, near neutral pH, blood heat), small samples of fiber residues can be digested with crude rumen liquor rich in microorganisms. In vitro digestibility was higher in residue A (85.81%) than that residue B (81.51%). The high levels of digestibility registered here could be due to the low lignin contents as well as to the high NFE, which is the digestible portion by microbial enzymes.