Isoflavones, associated with soy protein consumption, constitute a group of substances involved in anti-carcinogenic activity, reduction of the loss of bone mass and decrease of blood cholesterol, are considered functional compounds. Isoflavones in commercial soy foods produced in Brazil were determined. Five soy flours (SF), four textured vegetable proteins (TVP), two hydro soluble extracts (HE) and four formulated infant foods (IF) were analyzed. Isoflavone extraction was with ethanol and acetic acid and quantification and identification were accomplished by HPLC. Soy flour and textured vegetable protein contained mostly conjugated malonyl-glucosides, a SF (96mg of aglycons equivalent/100g) and TVP (70mg of aglycons equivalent /100g), obtained from the same cultivar were different in concentration and distribution of the compounds due to processing conditions. Hydro soluble extracts and formulated infant foods had aglucones varying from 8% to 28% of the total isoflavones, but the predominant isomers were beta-glucosides. Twenty-five grams of soy protein a day, from SF or TVP, contribute with more than the recommended consumption of 50mg of total isoflavones a day. In the formulated infant food the concentration of total isoflavones was lower than in the other products due to addition of other ingredients.
Glycine max; soybean; isoflavones; soy foods; functional foods
