Daidzein and genistein which are responsible for the undesirable bitterness and astringency of soybean products, increased during soaking of soybean. The production of these substances is inhibited by glucono-δ-lactone which is a competitive inhibitor of b-glucosidases. The results showed, that b-glucosidases were responsible for the production of daidzein and genistein during soaking. The inhibition of the b-glucosidases activity in two cultivars (Paraná and UFV-5) were examined by adding the inhibitor in the soaking water. The production of isoflavones aglucone on these varieties was reduced 33% and 23%, respectively.
b-glucosidase; glucono-δ-lactone; isoflavones
