Can I eat soybeans with mold spots? Why are there purple spots on soybeans?

Soybeans are very common legumes. Stewing them in soup or making them into soy milk or tofu is very helpful for absorbing protein. Soybeans can generally be stored for one or two years, but if they have mold spots, you should be careful. So can you eat soybeans with mold spots?

Can I eat soybeans with mold spots?

If mold spots are found on soybeans, it means that the soybeans have been moldy, mainly caused by Aspergillus flavus. Such soybeans cannot be eaten or fed to livestock. Aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus is a type of mycotoxin that is extremely harmful to human health. Aflatoxin is a highly toxic substance. The harm of aflatoxin lies in its destructive effect on human and animal liver tissues. In severe cases, it can cause liver cancer or even death.

Why are there purple spots on soybeans?

There are three possibilities for purple spots on soybeans.

The first is the black spot disease. Black spot disease mainly harms leaves and pods. When soybean leaves are infected, the spots are irregular in shape, brown, with concentric rings, and black mold grows on them, which are the conidiophores and conidia of the pathogen.

Second, if there is no problem with the quality, it may be a variation of the bean variety. In the past, farmers called it thief beans. Not only is this kind of bean hard, but the protein content is also low, so people are generally unwilling to use it to make tofu and soy milk. But it is okay to cook it.

The third possibility is that the purple color is caused by moisture or high temperature, which leads to deterioration and mold. This kind of soybean usually has an unpleasant smell, is relatively light in weight, and has a dull surface. This kind of soybean has no edible value.

Why do soybeans grow worms?

In fact, in summer, when the temperature is high, not only soybeans will be infested with insects, but most grains will be infested with insects. Even the bagged rice and millet bought from the supermarket will be infested with insects after a few days. Every time you use it, you have to tie the bag tightly, otherwise it will be a problem.

When the temperature is high, various bacteria and microorganisms are most easily generated and reproduced. Some are born from insect eggs, and some are born naturally. For example, peanuts, red beans, mung beans, cowpeas, etc., the insects are born from the inside. The insects can eat the inside of the grains, but the outer shell still looks intact. Nature is so magical!