Quantitative determination of acetyl glucoside isoflavones and their metabolites in human urine using combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

To investigate whether the bioavailability of isoflavones could be an alternative to fermented soy foods, the conjugated forms of soy nutritional supplement (containing 98% acetyl glucoside isoflavones) were consumed by eight human volunteers (three were Asian people and five were British). Their daily urine samples were collected before and after a 5-week consumption of supplementation period. Conjugated isoflavones of genistein, daidzein and glycitein were hydrolyzed by enzyme, extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether and analysed using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Daidzein, genistein, glycitein, dihydrogenistein, dihydrodaidzein and O-desmethylangolensin were identified and quantified simultaneously with high recoveries. The levels of free isoflavones and total isoflavones were compared, and isoflavone glucuronides were identified much higher than the corresponding sulfates or aglycone isoflavones. This method provided the measurement of isoflavones with high sensitivity and specificity and simplified the sample pre-treatment procedure. The limitation of detections of dihydrodaidzein, 3'-hydroxydaidzein, glycitein, daidzein, genistein, dihydrogenistein and O-desmethylangolensin were 37, 23.5, 12.2, 15.4, 14.8, 2.20 and 0.31 pmol, respectively. Only 0.5 ml of urine sample was needed.     

Analysis of isoflavones in soybeans employing direct analysis in real-time ionization-high-resolution mass spectrometry

A direct analysis in real‐time (DART) ion source coupled to a high‐resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer was used for the quantitative analysis of isoflavones isolated from soybeans. For the isolation of genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and their respective acetyl, malonyl, and glucoside forms, an extraction employing 80% aqueous MeOH enhanced by sonication was used. As far as the total isoflavones (expressed as aglycones) were to be determined, an acid hydrolysis with 80% aqueous EtOH and refluxing had to be employed, while in the latter case a good agreement of the results with the data generated by the UHPLC‐orbitrap MS method was achieved, in the case of the analysis of non‐hydrolyzed extracts, some overestimation of the results as compared with those generated by UHPLC‐orbitrap MS was observed. A careful investigation of this phenomenon showed that the free aglycones originated from the conjugated forms of isoflavones in the DART ion source, thus contributing significantly to the “free” genistein/daidzein/glycitein signals during the DART analysis. Good recoveries (95–102%) and repeatabilities (RSD: 7–15%) were obtained at the spiking levels of 0.5, 1, and 0.05 g/kg, for daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, respectively. The limits of detection estimated for the respective analytes were 5 mg/kg.     

Optimization of a rapid microwave assisted extraction method for the liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry determination of isoflavonoid aglycones in soybeans

A very fast chromatographic separation of isoflavonoids genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin A was developed on a C18 high-speed column under isocratic conditions. The method was validated in terms of detection limits, quantitation limits (LOQs), linearity and precision. LOQs in 0.04-0.2 microg/g range were calculated, making feasible the determination of these compounds of nutritional concern at trace levels. Good linearity was demonstrated over three concentration orders of magnitude for each analyte (r2 0.990-1.000). The intra-day and inter-day repeatability was evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD%) at two concentration levels for each analyte (RSD% <9%). An optimization strategy was adopted to find the best conditions for the extraction of isoflavonoid aglycones from yellow soybeans using microwave-assisted extraction. The most relevant parameters resulted to be the microwave power, the extraction time and the acid concentration, optimal values being 600 W, 1 min and 12 M, respectively. When performing sample treatment on a fortified soybean sample, high recovery percentage was obtained for both compounds (94+/-8% for daidzein and 97+/-5% (n = 4) for genistein). The concentration level at which daidzein and genistein were found in the soybean sample were 1.21+/-0.15 mg/g and 2.38+/-0.09 mg/g (n=4), respectively.     

Determination of some phytoestrogens in soybeans and their processed products with HPLC and coulometric electrode array detection

A reliable and sensitive method for quantification of daidzein and genistein by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detection is presented using bisphenol A as internal standard. Acid hydrolysis during extraction of foods allows the quantitative determination of total phytoestrogens as aglycones. The substances are separated on a reversed phase column (Hypersil^® Elite C-18), eluted with methanol/acetonitrile/50 mM sodium acetate pH 4.8 (40/ 20/40, v/v/v) and detected in a coulometric electrode array detector using an oxidative detection mode (+390 to +810 mV in increments of 60 mV, vs palladium reference electrode). Phytoestrogen levels from several food items were determined. High levels of daidzein (819 mg/kg) and genistein (960 mg/kg) were found in soy products whereas biochanin A could not be detected in any of these food samples. The recovery depends on the kind of food and was found to be between 72 and 94% for daidzein and genistein.     

Determination of some phytoestrogens in soybeans and their processed products with HPLC and coulometric electrode array detection

A reliable and sensitive method for quantification of daidzein and genistein by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detection is presented using bisphenol A as internal standard. Acid hydrolysis during extraction of foods allows the quantitative determination of total phytoestrogens as aglycones. The substances are separated on a reversed phase column (Hypersil^? Elite C-18), eluted with methanol/acetonitrile/50 mM sodium acetate pH 4.8 (40/ 20/40, v/v/v) and detected in a coulometric electrode array detector using an oxidative detection mode (+390 to +810 mV in increments of 60 mV, vs palladium reference electrode). Phytoestrogen levels from several food items were determined. High levels of daidzein (819 mg/kg) and genistein (960 mg/kg) were found in soy products whereas biochanin A could not be detected in any of these food samples. The recovery depends on the kind of food and was found to be between 72 and 94% for daidzein and genistein. Received: 29 September 1998 / Revised: 30 November 1998 / Accepted: 4 December 1998     

Simple Extraction and Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Isoflavones in Soybean Seeds

A simple extraction and rapid HPLC method, suitable to separate and quantify the isoflavonoids in soybean seeds, are proposed and discussed. The method has been applied to the separation and quantification of seed isoflavonoids in five naturally grown soy cultivars; the total amount of isoflavones ranged from 1.83 g kg^–1 to 11.88 g kg^–1 of fresh weight. The detection limits (200 g/kg^–1), evaluated for genistein and daidzein, are presented together with a list of the soy polyphenols analysed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS.     

Analysis of isoflavones in foods and dietary supplements

Isoflavones are phytochemicals found in many plants. Because of their structural similarity to beta-estradiol, health benefits of isoflavones have been evaluated in age-related and hormone-dependent diseases. Daidzein, genistein, and glycitein are present as free forms or derivatives in foods containing soy or soy protein extracts. The analysis of isoflavones has become more complex, because preparations contain isoflavones from multiple sources (e.g., red clover, kudzu). Red clover contains primarily formononetin and biochanin A, while kudzu extracts, which are becoming increasingly common in dietary supplements, contain puerarin and daidzein, among other components. Isoflavones are present in foods and dietary supplements as free compounds, glucoside derivatives, 6"-O-malonyl-7-O-beta-D-glucoside derivatives, and 6"-O-acetyl-7-O-beta-D-glucoside derivatives. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry has been applied to the identification of isoflavone derivatives based on the fragmentation pattern of the parent ion, providing high selectivity and sensitivity in the quantitation of isoflavones in complex mixtures. HPLC with ultraviolet detection is often chosen for routine analysis, but a preliminary acid or basic hydrolysis of isoflavone derivatives is often required for the investigation of samples containing extracts from multiple sources. Several internal standards have been used in the analysis of isoflavones from a single botanical source (e.g., soy, red clover), but the identification of a general internal standard remains a challenging process.     

Solubility enhancement of isoflavonoids by complexation with acyclic hexadecasaccharides, succinoglycan dimers isolated from Sinorhizobium meliloti

Sinorhizobium meliloti produces succinoglycan, an acidic exopolysaccharide composed of a monomeric octasaccharide repeating unit with acetyl, succinyl, and pyruvyl groups, in both low- and high-molecular-weight forms. Among the low-molecular-weight succinoglycans, dimers were isolated from S. meliloti and purified using various chromatographic techniques. The dimers were classified as four types (D1, D2, D3, and D4) based on the number of succinyl moieties in their structure. The effect of succinoglycan dimers on the aqueous solubility of isoflavonoids, daidzein and genistein was investigated. The solubility of isoflavonoids increased in the presence of succinoglycan dimers, and the complexation between isoflavonoids and succinoglycan dimers was analyzed by UV–Vis (ultraviolet–visible) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy. In the phase solubility study, succinoglycan dimer D3 was shown to have the highest stability constants (4951 M^?1 for daidzein, and 4452 M^?1 for genistein) among the four succinoglycan dimers. The morphological structures of daidzein and genistein with D3 were studied using scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry. The results showed the natures of the complexes significantly different from the free isoflavonoids. Herein, we suggest that the succinoglycan dimers are able to act as effective complexing agents for the isoflavonoids.     

Biomolecules and Nutritional Quality of Soymilk Fermented with Probiotic Yeast and Bacteria

Soymilk was fermented with five isolates of probiotic lactic acid bacteria and in combination with probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Nutritional profile like fat, protein, ash, pH, acidity, polyphenol, and protein hydrolysis were analyzed. Polyphenol content decreased from 265.88 to 119 microg/ml with different cultures. Protein hydrolysis ranged from 2.46 to 2.83 mmol l(-1) with different cultures. The antioxidant activity was assessed using different methods like 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging assay, inhibition of ascorbate autoxidation, and measurement of reducing activity. The activities varied with the starters used but, nevertheless, were significantly higher than those found in unfermented soymilk. Bioconversion of the isoflavone glucosides (daidzin + genistin) into their corresponding bioactive aglycones (daidzein + genistein) was observed during soymilk fermentation. Total glucosides in soyamilk were 26.35 mg/100 ml. In contrast, aglycones genistein and daidzein were quantitatively lesser accounting 2.91 mg/100 ml (genistein 1.17 mg/100 ml and daidzein 1.19 mg/100 ml). Soymilk fermented with probiotic cultures resulted in the reduction of glycosides ranging from 0.40 mg to 1.36 mg/100 ml and increase in aglycones ranging from 6.32 mg to 13.66 mg/100 ml.     

Comparison of various extraction techniques for isolation and determination of isoflavonoids in plants

In the present paper, the following extraction techniques have been used for extracting isoflavonoids from the species Matricaria recutita, Rosmarinus officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, and Agrimonia eupatoria L.: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized fluid extraction, matrix solid phase dispersion, ultrasonic extraction in an ultrasonic bath (USE) and by means of an ultrasonic homogeniser (HOM), extraction by means of Soxhlet apparatus (SOX), and solid phase extraction. Experimental optimization of all techniques has been carried out using a soybean flour. Subsequent analyses of the extracts were carried out by liquid chromatography with UV detection. The maximum yields of daidzein and genistein were obtained by extraction with the SOX, USE, and HOM techniques. The maximum yields of apigenin and biochanin A from herb samples were obtained by SFE.     

An improved method for basic hydrolysis of isoflavone malonylglucosides and quality evaluation of Chinese soy materials

Basic hydrolysis procedure is often included in the sample preparation in order to quantify malonylglucosides or acetylglucosides of soy materials. However, it is preferable not to use NaOH as a hydrolytic reagent considering the effect of its alkalinity on the successive injection to HPLC and low acidity of soy isoflavones. This paper presents an improved method for basic hydrolysis using ammonia as a hydrolytic reagent without the additional neutralization step. Moreover, by means of HPLC and LC-MS methods, a systematic quality evaluation of natural soy materials from Chinese markets were established and discussed, inclusive of soybeans, black soybeans, defatted soy flours, as well as the distribution of isoflavones in the seed coat, hypocotyl and cotyledon. The results indicate that HPLC profiling patterns of originating various isoflavone constituents of Chinese soybeans was similar to those of Japanese ones, and those of Chinese black soybeans was similar to those of American ones. The average content level of total soy isoflavones of Chinese soybeans and black soybeans were a little lower than that of American and Japanese ones. Additionally, the thorough analysis for Semen Sojae Praeparatum, a Chinese herbal medicine made from fermented black soybeans or soybeans was done for the first time and the characteristic of its HPLC profiling patterns shows the higher content of isoflavone glucosides and aglycones than those of natural soy materials.     

Determination of isoflavones in ready-to-feed soy-based infant formula

An alkaline hydrolysis/liquid chromatography (LC) method was developed for determination of isoflavones in ready-to-feed soy-based infant formula. The method consists of a 15 min methanol extraction, 10 min alkaline hydrolysis, HCl neutralization, gravity filtration, aqueous dilution, and 50 min LC analysis with UV detection at 262 and 250 nm to quantify 6 isoflavone analytes: daidzin, glycitin, genistin, daidzein, glycitein, and genistein. The concentration averages for 10 commercial batches (microg aglycone/g formula) were daidzein, 6.12 +/- 1.23; glycitein, 1.19 +/- 0.16; genistein, 12.8 +/- 2.35; and total, 20.1 +/- 3.61. Validation experiments demonstrated extraction completion and analyte stability to alkaline hydrolysis. Spike recoveries ranged from 97.6 to 104.1%, and a series of accuracy assessments showed that isoflavone concentration determined by the method was within 5% of the true value. The relative standard deviation values for repeatability ranged from 0.4 to 2.2% (n = 10), and from 0.3 to 2.7% (n = 4) for intermediate precision. Isoflavone peak purity was verified by comparing sample and standard peak area ratios (262/250 nm). The limits of detection and quantitation (microg/ formula) ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 and 0.08 to 0.18 microg/g, respectively. The difference between our concentrations and those reported by others in 1995-1998 is attributable to the well-established seasonal variation in soybean isoflavone levels. Although the method was applied exclusively to ready-to-feed formula in the present study, it is equally suitable for powder and concentrated liquid infant formulas.     

Phytoestrogens as bioactive ingredients in functional foods: Canadian regulatory update

Some food products naturally contain phytoestrogens, but there are few in Western diets that are significant sources. The foods that are the most significant sources are soy beans, containing isoflavones, and flaxseed, which contains lignans. These foods have, however, until recently been relatively little used in Canada and the United States in the human diet. While the Japanese diet contains from 20 to 80 mg of isoflavones per day, Canadian and U.S. diets tend to be below 1 mg/day in the absence of soy protein. The number of foods sold in the West that have ingredients derived from soybeans has been increasing. Many of these have soybean oil, soy protein, or other ingredients serving functional roles in the food. However, with increasing interest among consumers in dietary choices that help to improve health and reduce risk of disease, products in which soy is featured are quite readily available, and it is common, at least in Canada, to find bread and other bakery products with flaxseed added. Soy foods sales in the United States increased at a 15% compounded annually growth rate between 1992 and 2003, with a major increase occurring between 2000 and 2001 (1). Growth rates are reported to have declined somewhat in 2004 (2). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of a health claim associating soy protein intake with reduced risk of heart disease in 1999 is attributed with fueling the very sizable growth since 2000. The claim identifies 25 g/day as the amount needed to derive the claimed health benefit. Because the isoflavone content of soy products is highly variable, depending on the method of processing (3), it is difficult to estimate quantitatively the impact of the increased rate of soy product consumption on soy isoflavone intake, although an overall increase can be expected. In contrast,     

Determination of isoflavones in dietary supplements containing soy, Red Clover and kudzu: extraction followed by basic or acid hydrolysis

Isoflavones are phytochemicals found in many plants. Because of their structural similarity to beta-estradiol, health benefits of isoflavones have been evaluated in age-related and hormone-dependent diseases. Dietary supplement preparations contain extracts from soy, Red Clover and kudzu. Soy products contain primarily genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, while Red Clover products contain primarily formononetin and biochanin A. Kudzu extracts contain puerarin and daidzein among other components. Previous methods of analysis focused on the determination of isoflavones from a single botanical source, while dietary supplements are often a blend of extracts from different plants. We developed a method for the analysis of isoflavones in dietary supplements regardless of their botanical composition, using HPLC-PDA because of its applicability to routine analysis. Isoflavones are found as free compounds, glucoside derivatives, 6'-O-malonyl-beta-d-glucoside and 6'-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucoside derivatives. In this study, the samples were extracted at room temperature with 50:50 (v/v) MeCN/water, and then analyzed before and after hydrolyzing the isoflavones by acid or basic digestion. 2'-Methoxy-flavone and 6-methoxy-flavone were used as internal standards and were added together to every sample. Daidzein, glycitein, genistein, puerarin, calycosin, pratensein, pseudobaptigenin, formononetin, biochanin A and prunetin were among the isoflavones determined.     

Validation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of isoflavonoids in soybeans. Study of the extraction procedure by experimental design

Summary An improved analytical method, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a narrow-bore C₁₈ column, has been developed for the simultaneous determination of genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. The method was validated in terms of detection limits, quantitation limits (LOQ), linearity, and precision.LOQ in the 0.04–0.1 μg mL⁻¹ range were calculated, enabling determination of these compounds of nutritional concern at trace levels. Good linearity was demonstrated over three orders of magnitude of concentration for each analyte (r ²=0.998–1.000). The intra-day repeatability was evaluated in terms ofRSD (%) at two concentration levels for each analyte (RSD (%) <1.8%). Good inter-day reproducibility of data was proved by performing homoscedasticity and ANOVA tests (P>0.05 at the 95% confidence level). The method was applied to the determination of genistein and daidzein in yellow soybeans, after optimization of the method for extraction of isoflavonoid aglycones from soybeans by experimental design, i.e. central composite design. Extraction recoveries up to 87±4% were obtained when the corresponding glycosidic forms (genistin and daidzin) were added to soybean samples.     

Quantitative determination of isoflavones and coumestrol in soybean by column liquid chromatography

Four different stationary phases and a variety of solvents in varying proportions were examined in this study. Daidzein, genistein, formononetin, biochanin A and coumestrol were separated within 24 min on a phenyl column with acetonitrile-water (33:67, v/v) as eluent. The proposed method showed an acceptable repeatability with a RSD of quantitation <6%. The mean recoveries of daidzein, genistein, formononetin, biochanin A and coumestrol from soybean ranged from 89 to 104%. The identity of the individual analytes was confirmed by LC-MS-MS. The four isoflavones and coumestrol were isolated from soybean by hydrolysis with acid and heat. Neutralization of the soybean samples prior to identification did not alter the concentration of daidzein and genistein in soybean.     

Flavonoid profile in soybeans by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Flavonoid profiling of a soybean sample has been performed by liquid chromatography/positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI(+)-MS/MS) using a quadrupole-linear ion trap (QLIT) instrument with an information-dependent data acquisition (IDA) protocol that looped, in a single run, an enhanced MS scan and an enhanced product ion scan. As compromise between time and obtainable information, spectra acquisition was split into two distinct runs: 220-450 Th and 400-800 Th, respectively. The isoflavones daidzein and genistein were identified as aglycones, monoglycosides, diglycosides, triglycosides, acetylglycosides, malonylglycosides, malonyl diglycosides, and dimalonyl diglycosides, whereas glycitein triglycosides, acetylglycosides, and dimalonyl diglycosides were not detected. Also kaempferol di- and triglycosides, malonylglycosides and malonyl diglycosides, previously reported in soy leaves and pods, and four naringenin malonylglycosides were identified.     

Simultaneous analysis and retention behavior of major isoflavonoids in Radix Puerariae lobatae and Radix Puerariae thomsonii by high performance liquid chromatography with cyclodextrins as a mobile phase modifier

In order to differentiate two species of Radix Puerariae (Radix Puerariae lobatae and Radix Puerariae thomsonii) and to determine major isoflavonoids (puerarin, daidzin, daidzein and genistein) in the samples, a simple high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with isocratic elution employing cyclodextrins (CDs) as mobile phase additives was developed. Various factors affecting the retention of isoflavonoids in the C₁₈ reversed-phase column, such as the nature of CDs, the concentration of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and the methanol percentage in the mobile phase, were studied. Experimental results confirmed that HP-β-CD, as a very effective mobile phase additive, could markedly reduce the retention of isoflavonoids, especially daidzein and genistein. The elution of four isoflavonoids could be achieved on a Kromasil^® C₁₈ column within 56 min by using the methanol–water contained 5 mM HP-β-CD (25/75, v/v) mixture as the mobile phase. The formation of the inclusion complexes between isoflavonoids and HP-β-CD explained the modification of the retention of analytes. The apparent formation constants determined by HPLC confirmed that the stoichiometry of HP-β-CD-isoflavonoid complexes was 1:1, and the stability of the complexes depended on the size and property of isoflavonoids. The optimized method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of major isoflavonoids in P. lobatae and P. thomsonii samples. This work provides a useful method for the analysis of traditional Chinese herbs.     

Potential Effects of Soy Isoflavones on the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

Isoflavones are polyphenols primarily contained in soybean. As phytoestrogens, isoflavones exert beneficial effects on various chronic diseases. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death due to arteriosclerosis in individuals with various pathological conditions, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Although the health benefits of soybean-derived isoflavones are widely known, their beneficial effects on the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. This review aims to describe the association between soybean-derived isoflavone intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome development. We reviewed studies on soy isoflavones, particularly daidzein and genistein, and metabolic syndrome, using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. We describe the pathological characteristics of metabolic syndrome, including those contributing to multiple pathological conditions. Furthermore, we summarize the effects of soybean-derived daidzein and genistein on metabolic syndrome reported in human epidemiological studies and experiments using in vitro and in vivo models. In particular, we emphasize the role of soy isoflavones in metabolic syndrome-induced cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, this review focuses on the potential of soy isoflavones to prevent metabolic syndrome by influencing the onset of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and arteriosclerosis and discusses the anti-inflammatory effects of isoflavones.     

The presence of three isoflavonoid compounds in Psoralea corylifolia.

The optimization of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method to determine three isoflavonoids (daidzein, genistein, and biochanin A) in the fruit of Psoralea corylifolia is developed and validated. Dried psoralea fruit powder is extracted with aqueous methanol followed by the hydrolysis of the analytes' conjugated glycosides with hydrochloric acid. The HPLC assay is performed on a reverse-phase C18 column with gradient elution using acetonitrile and 10% acetic acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Flavone is used as the internal standard and the substances are detected at 260 nm. Calibrations are linear (correlation coefficient > or = 0.995) for all three analytes. The limits of detection are 0.01 microg/mL for daidzein and genistein and 0.1 microg/mL for biochanin A. The overall intra- and interassay precision range from 2.5% to 4.9% and from 0.5% to 4.7%, respectively. The method proved to be sensitive, specific, accurate, and precise for the determination of daidzein, genistein, and biochanin A in Psoralea corylifolia.