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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #170470
Title: OXALATE AND PHYTATE CONCENTRATIONS IN SEEDS OF SOYBEAN CULTIVARS (GLYCINE MAX L.)

Author
item HORNER, HARRY - ISU
item CERVANTES-MARTINEZ, TERESA - ISU
item HEALY, ROSANNE - ISU
item REDDY, MANJU - ISU
item DEARDORFF, BETSY - WSU
item BAILEY, THEODORE - ISU
item MASSEY, LINDA - WSU
item Palmer, Reid

Submitted to: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2005
Publication Date: 9/28/2005
Citation: Horner, H.T., Cervantes-Martinez, T., Healy, R., Reddy, M.B., Deardorff, B.L., Bailey, T.B., Massey, L.K., Palmer, R.G. 2005. Oxalate and phytate concentrations in seeds of soybean cultivars (Glycine max l.). Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 53:7870-7877.

Interpretive Summary: Oxalate in fungi, animals, humans, and plants has been known for many years. Consumption of plant parts and foods with oxalate by humans can produce detrimental effects. For example, insoluble calcium oxalate in the crystalline form, can occur in urine and result in kidney and bladder stones. Soybean seed and human food contain high levels of insoluble calcium oxalate. Phytate also occurs in soybean seed. This compound has both beneficial and detrimental effects on human nutrition and health. Our objective was to survey 90 soybean lines, both food grade and commodity grade, for seed oxalate and 3 of the 90 lines for phytate content. The 90 lines ranged from 44.1 to 99.4% insoluble oxalate. The 31 lines ranged from 0.77 to 2.22 g/100 g phytate. There was no statistical correlation between percentage insoluble oxalate and phytate concentration. Thus breeding for the desired oxalate and phytate levels should be possible. This would be useful for producing soy foods beneficial to populations at risk for kidney stones (oxalate), and for improved mineral bioavailability (phytate).

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to characterize soybean seeds for oxalate (Ox) and phytate (Ph) concentrations because of their potential adverse effects to human nutrition. This survey of 90 cultivars (Cvs) of soybean analyzed seeds for total, insoluble, and soluble Ox using a modified method. Ninety Cvs ranged in total Ox concentration from 82.3 mg to 213.6 mg per 100 g dry seed weight; seven contained greater than 90.0% insoluble Ox (<10.0 % soluble Ox); 18 were between 89.9 and 80.0%; 25 were between 79.9 and 70.0%; 15 were between 69.9 and 60.0%; 12 were between 59.9 and 50.0%; 12 were between 49.9 and 40.0%; and one was between 39.9 and 30.0%. Determination of soluble Ox may be important to Ox ingestion by humans. Of 90 Cvs, 31 (10 lowest in total Ox, 11 medium, and 10 highest in total Ox) were tested for total Ph content to determine whether any correlation existed between Ph and total Ox. Among 31 Cvs, there was no statistical correlation. Two Cvs with low total Ox had high Ph, and five Cvs with relatively low total Ox also had low Ph. These seven Cvs (as well as other untested Cvs) could be useful for producing soy foods beneficial to populations at risk for kidney stones, and for improved mineral bioavailability. Pedigrees of some of these latter Cvs indicate specific parents could generate F1 seeds, and selection in subsequent generations should result in Cvs with desirable Ox and Ph concentrations.