Profile analysis and correlation across phenolic compounds, isoflavones and antioxidant capacity during germination of soybeans (Glycine max L.)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of germination on the content of phenolic compounds, isoflavones and antioxidant activity of soybean extracts obtained from ungerminated soybeans and those germinated for 2 and 6 days. After 6 days of germination, the content of most phenolics, including isoflavones, significantly increased compared with that of samples from ungerminated soybeans and soybeans germinated for 2 days. The free phenolic compounds, benzoic and vanillic acids, decreased during the germination process. The antioxidant activity of the soybeans increased with germination time, and a high correlation was observed among total phenolic contents (TPCs), Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Isoflavones also showed high correlations with TEAC and FRAP assays, and only glycitin showed relatively low correlations. The process of germination allowed for increases in bioactive phenolic compounds and isoflavone aglycon. These effects enhanced the functional properties of the soybean.