Abstract: A group of phytochemical compounds extracted from whole germinated or not germinated black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and/or their dry milled fractions such as seed coats or hulls and cotyledons is described. These phytochemicals are classified as phenolics, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins, triterpenes such as saponins, phytosterols and other antioxidant compounds that proved to be effective to decrease cancer proliferation of hormone dependent mammary (MCF-7), hormone independent hepatic (HepG2) and colon (Caco2) cancer cells. They also effectively protect against chemical damage induced with DMBA and furthermore prevented cancer induced by this chemical in Wistar rats and also reduced tumor size when consumed after tumor detection. Methanol, acetone, ethanol, water and mixtures of these solvents were used to obtain the extracts from raw, cooked, and germinated black beans of different varieties, both from the whole grain and the hulls.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes or methods for the production of compositions comprising extracts of black beans containing phenolics, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, phytosterols, and triterpenoids such as saponins and other natural products with proven antioxidant capacity, colorant capacity, and uses thereof, e.g., as antioxidants, nutritional supplements, as food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical antioxidants or colorants, as antineoplastic or anti-cancer or anti-tumor preparations, e.g., to treat, prevent and/or inhibit cancers or cancer cell growth, such as hormone dependent or hormone independent tumors or cancers or cancer cells. such as mammalian mammary, prostate, colon, hepatic, leukemia cancer or cancer cell growth, as active ingredient(s) in compositions for lowering cholesterol or lowering oxidation of LDL or for inhibiting cholesterol synthesis (or the enzyme therefor), as an active ingredient(s) in compositions, e.g., nutritional supplements.