ARS | Publication request: ARE THERE ANY CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PROTEINS AND BIOACTIVE ISOFLAVONES IN SOYBEANS?

Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 24, 2007
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Citation: Xu, C., Luthria, D.L., Bae, H., Caperna, T.J., Garrett, W.M., Song, Q., Cregan, P.B., Natarajan, S.S. 2007. Are there any correlations between proteins and bioactive isoflavones in soybeans?.[abstract]. BARC Poster Day.

Technical Abstract: Soybeans provide an inexpensive source of proteins with an annual value of $17.7 billion. It is the second most valuable cash crop grown in the US. Soybeans are also the most abundant natural source of bioactive isoflavones. Isoflavone-enriched extracts have been evaluated in the prevention of a wide range of health problems associated with menopause, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and in breast, prostate, and colon cancers. The objective of this research was to evaluate interrelationships between two vital components, proteins and isoflavones. We investigated profiles of storage proteins and isoflavones in two wild and cultivated soybean genotypes. Seed proteins were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and characterized using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS and LC/MS/MS). The isoflavones were separated by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) and identified by comparison of retention time, ultraviolet and mass spectral analyses. The results indicate that there were significant differences in beta-conglycinin and glycinin storage protein subunits in one wild genotype (PI 407047) compared to the other three genotypes (PI 562798, Williams 82 and Essex). The same wild genotype (PI 407047) also showed reduced (> 40%) isoflavone content, thus suggesting a correlation between protein and isoflavone in soybeans. Additional soybean samples from different soybean genotypes grown over multiple time periods will be screened to confirm this observation. Supported by USDA ARS CRIS Project No. 1275-21000-223-00D.