Abstract: The quality changes of a cultivar of Stizolobium cochinchinensis from Guangdong during the growth process were investigated to determine its appropriate harvest time. The results indicated that during the growth period (49 days) under investigation, whole bean moisture decreased progressively, crude protein content showed an increasing trend, the contents of free amino acids, crude fiber and soluble sugar first increased to the maximum values at 36 days after the full blossom period and then decreased, and the contents of crude fat, VC and L-dopa tended to first decrease and then increased. Crude protein content decreased, and soluble sugar content first decreased and then increased in the pod of the bean. In addition, the changing patterns of other nutrients investigated were substantially similar to those of the whole bean. At 36－44 days after the full blossom period, the bean was found be plump and highly nutritional, thus being suitable to be harvested.

Key words: Stizolobium cochinchinensis, harvest time, quality