Factors affecting the concentration of health-beneficial compounds in soybean

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Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] contains high concentrations of isoflavone and tocopherol, which both have putative health-beneficial properties. The North American market value for soybean isoflavones alone is of 500 million $. The proposed research program aims at providing an understanding of the factors affecting the concentrations of isoflavone and tocopherol in soybean. Using studies conducted in multiple environments we will identify among a wide range of abiotic factors (i.e., air and soil temperature, soil moisture, fertility, etc...) those affecting the most soybean isoflavone and tocopherol concentrations. In controlled environments, we will also determine if particular growth stages are more responsive to specific abiotic factors, focusing on the impact of air temperature and soil moisture, which were previously reported to significantly affect isoflavone and tocopherol concentrations in soybean. In these later studies we will look at the impact of several stress treatments on soybean isoflavone and tocopherol concentrations using HPLC, as well as gene expression. We will use real-time QRT-PCR technology to quantify transcript levels of genes involved in isoflavone synthesis [phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone reductase (CHR), isoflavone synthase (IFS), malonyl transferase (MT), and glucosyl transferase (GT)] and tocopherol synthesis [homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT), 7,2-methyl-6-phytyl-1,4-benzoquinol methyltransferase (MPBQ MT), tocopherol cyclase (TC), and gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase (gamma-TMT)] in different plant tissues throughout soybean development, following different abiotic stress treatments. In order to determine how stress affects soybean isoflavone and tocopherol concentrations, we will study their relation to genes expression. Ultimately, this research will contribute to the development of new value-added productions and create economic opportunities for Canadian agricultural producers and associated agri-industries.