Soaking cowpeas (25ЊC, 24 hr) decreased folacin content but did not affect thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin. Boiling soaked seeds for 45 min sharply decreased thiamin, folacin, niacin, and riboflavin. Losses of folacin, niacin, and riboflavin were recovered during fermentation. Soaking reduced trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) by Ϸ20%, whereas boiling of soaked seeds decreased TIA by Ϸ85%. A slight increase in TIA occurred in soaked, cooked cowpeas after 18 hr fermentation.