ARS | Publication request: Oxalate and Phytate Concentrations in Seeds of Soybean (Glycine Max L.)

Submitted to: Botanical Society Of America Abstracts
Publication Acceptance Date: August 4, 2004
Publication Date: August 4, 2004
Citation: Horner, H.T., Cervantes-Martinez, T., Healy, R., Reddy, M.B., Bailey, T.B., Bernard, R.L., Palmer, R.G. 2004. Oxalate And Phytate Concentrations In Seeds Of Soybean (Glycine Max L.). Botanical Society Of America Abstracts. Paper No. 189.

Technical Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether soybean seeds contain oxalate (Ox) and phytate (Ph) concentrations that could have an impact on human nutrition. Dried seeds of 97 soy food cultivars/breeding lines (C/BLs) of Glycine max (L.) were analyzed for their total, soluble and insoluble Ox content using a modified Ox determination method. From these C/BLs, 30 also were analyzed for their phytate (Ph) content to determine whether there was any correlation between it and Ox. The 97 C/BLs were arbitrarily divided into low, medium, and high total Ox groups based on their total Ox content, and displayed a striking range from 80.3 mg to 213.6 mg per 100 g dry seed weight. In addition, seven C/BLs displayed greater than 90% insoluble Ox (10% soluble Ox); 20 displayed between 89.9% and 80.0% insoluble Ox; 27 displayed between 79.9% and 70.0% insoluble Ox; 15 displayed between 69.9% and 60.0% insoluble Ox; 14 displayed between 59.9% and 50.0% insoluble Ox; 13 displayed between 49.9% and 40.0% insoluble Ox; and one displayed between 39.9% and 30.0% insoluble Ox. The C/BLs having low total Ox and high insoluble Ox may be more suitable for human nutrition. Among the 30 C/BLs assayed for Ph, there was no apparent correlation with Ox concentration. However, five C/BLs with low total Ox also had low Ph, and two C/BLs were low in total Ox and high in Ph. These latter seven C/BLs could be useful to produce food products beneficial to reduce the potential for human kidney-stone formation and to provide the desired iron bioavailability. The pedigrees of these latter C/BLs indicate that selection of parents to generate progeny seeds having Ox/Ph concentrations suitable to produce soy products that achieve these nutritional goals is feasible.