Detection of Immunomodulating Activities in an Extract of Japanese Edible Seaweed,Laminaria japonica (Makonbu)

A significant immunomodulating activity was found in the hot-water-soluble extract of the most popular edible seaweed in Japan, Laminaria japonica (Makonbu in Japanese) which showed an enhancing activity for DNA synthesis of spleen cells from endotoxin-nonresponder, C3H/HeJ mice. This activity was divided into polysaccharide and non-polysaccharide fractions and the former fraction exhibited much higher activity than that of the latter fraction. The polysaccharide fraction caused stimulatory effects on the ingestive activity of mouse phagocytic cells against Staphylococcus aureus and the release of cytokines, interleukin-1α and tumour necrosis factor α from the same cells. Furthermore, the polysaccharide fraction exhibited enhancing effects on polyclonal antibody (IgM and IgG) production in spleen cells. These immunomodulating activities were associated with polysaccharides themselves, but not contaminating endotoxins in the fraction judged by comparative experiments. The significance of this finding is discussed from the viewpoint of the immunopotentiation by edible seaweeds in host animals.     

Antimutagenicity and mutagen-binding activation of mutagenic pyrolyzates by microorganisms isolated from japanese miso

The microbiological flora of miso, a traditional fermented food in Japan, were investigated. Bacteria, a yeast and a mould were isolated and identified as Pediococcus acidilactici, Leuconostoc paramesenteroides, Micrococcus halobius, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Aspergillus sp. P acidilactici strains were dominant bacteria in miso. The binding and antimutagenic activities of all microbial strains towards mutagenic pyrolysates were investigated. The lyophilised cells of strains of the bacteria and yeast showed the largest antimutagenic effect on 3-amino-l-methyl-[⁵H]pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), but the mould was less antimutagenic than the bacteria and yeast. Most strains tested had no effective antimutagenic activity against 2-amino-3-methyl imidazo[4,5-f] quinoline (IQ). Trp-P-2 was effectively bound by all non-mould strains but binding of IQ to cells was much less effective. Among the strains tested, Leuconostoc paramesenteroides No 28 indicated the highest binding activity, not only to Trp-P-2 but also to IQ (30% binding capacity). As the concentration of Trp-P-2 was increased, the limits of binding ability of P acidilactici No 23, Z rouxii No 6 and Aspergillus sp 1 were 650, 500 and 400μg per 5 mg respectively. The binding ability and antimutagenicity for Trp-P-2 of all strains was reduced by autoclaving at 100°C for 5 min or 121°C for 15 min, by 6–20% and 7–28%, respectively. Aspergillus sp 1 was unaffected by autoclaving. The binding ability and antimutagenicity of cell walls towards Trp-P-2 was very high, being more than 85 YO effective, but it was lower than that of cytoplasm.     

In vitro antioxidative and antimutagenic activities of oak mushroom (Lentinus edodes) and king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) byproducts

The in vitro antioxidative and antimutagenic activities of ethanolic extracts from oak mushroom (Lentinus edodes) and king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) byproducts were investigated. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was assessed by determining the ferricyanide reducing power, scavenging activity on nitrite, DPPH radical, superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, ferrous ion chelating ability, and inhibitory effect on linoleic acid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase. The antimutagenic activity, on the other hand, was based on the suppression of mitomycin C-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli cells. Both the mushroom extracts showed strong antioxidative and antimutagenic effects at higher concentrations. In general, extracts from the oak mushroom byproduct had greater antioxidative and antimutagenic abilities than that of the king oyster extract. Results of this study demonstrate that the mushroom byproducts possess strong antioxidant capacity in vitro and may be useful as a functional biomaterial in the preparation of health-promoting food products and animal feeds.     

Possible immunodulating activities in an extract of edible brown alga,Hijikia fusiforme (Hijiki)

A significant immunomodulating activity was found in the hot-water-soluble extract of an edible brown seaweed, Hijikia fusiforme (Hijiki in Japanese) which showed an enhancing activity for the proliferative response of spleen cells in endotoxin-nonresponder C3H/HeJ mice. This activity was separated into polysaccharide and nonpolysaccharide fractions. The former fraction exhibited a much higher activity than that of the latter fraction. The enhancing effect of the polysaccharide fraction on the proliferative response of spleen cells was associated with the response of the B cell population, but not with that of the T cell population judged by experiments using nylon wool column-purified T cells and antisera against B cell- or T-cell-specific antigens. The active component of the polysaccharide fraction was further fractionated using DEAE cellulose column chromatography which also caused enhancing effects on polyclonal antibody (IgM and IgG) production and the release of interleukin-1α or tumour necrosis factor-α from peritoneal macrophages of C3H/HeJ mice. In addition, these immunomodulating activities of the polysaccharide fraction were associated with the polysaccharides themselves, but not with the artificial activities induced by contaminated endotoxins. The biochemical and physicochemical properties of the immunoenhancing polysaccharides were partially characterised and the significance of the present finding is discussed from the viewpoint of the immunopotentiating activity of edible seaweeds against carcinogenesis. © 1998 SCI.     

Suppressive effect of poly-gamma-glutamate on SOS response of Salmonella typhimurium induced by chemical mutagens

We studied the suppressive effect of poly-gamma-glutamate (PGA) on the SOS response of Salmonella typhimurium induced by several direct [furylframide, AF-2; N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, MNNG; and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, 4NQO] and indirect [3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido-(4,3-b) indole, Trp-P-2; 2-amino-3-methylimidazo (4,5-f) quinoline, IQ; and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo (4,5-f) quinoxaline, MeIQx] mutagens. PGA preparations with average molecular masses of 50, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 kDa from Bacillus subtilis (chungkookjang) were used. When we used PGA Na salt with a molecular mass of 4000 kDa, the suppression rate increased with increasing PGA concentration; 3% PGA showed 80-90% suppression irrespective of the type of chemical mutagen. PGA preparations with molecular masses of 50 kDa and more than 6000 kDa were less effective. Glutamate and acidic polymers such as carboxymethylcellulose and xanthan gum showed lower suppressive effects than PGA. PGA proved to have high antimutagenic activity.     

Fractionation of green tea extracts: correlation of antimutagenic effect with flavanol content

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of individual flavanols in the antimutagenic potential of green tea. Aqueous extracts of green tea were fractionated into four fractions, each of which was fully defined with respect to its content of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin and gallic acid. The ability of each fraction to antagonize the mutagenicity of four model mutagens, namely N-nitrosopyrrolidine, benzo(a)pyrene, 2-aminoanthracene and Glu-P-1 (2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a: 3,2-d]imidazole), was investigated in the Ames test. No correlation could be established between any of the flavanols and antimutagenic potential. Similarly, no correlation was evident between the flavanol content of each fraction and its ability to inhibit CYP1A, as exemplified by the O-dealkylations of methoxy- and ethoxy-resorufin. Furthermore, no relationship could be established between CYP2B activity, as exemplified by the O-depentylation of pentoxyresorufin and the antimutagenic potential of green tea. Using a modified Ames test procedure, the ability of each tea fraction to scavenge the metabolically generated reactive intermediates of the model mutagens was investigated, this being an additional mechanism of the antimutagenic potential of green tea. Generally, fractions with high flavanol content were more effective scavengers. It is concluded that the contribution of flavanols to the antimutagenic activity of green tea is, at best, limited. ©1997 SCI     

Bioactive peptides from collagen hydrolysates from squid (Dosidicus gigas) by-products fractionated by ultrafiltration

The bioactive properties of peptide fractions obtained from the hydrolysis of squid (Dosidicus gigas) by-products collagen, using Protease type XIV and ultrafiltration (UFI), were studied. The basic objective was to improve the bioactivity of squid hydrolysates via the application of UFI. Peptide fractions obtained after UFI had higher antioxidant and antimutagenic activities, but the antiproliferative activity did not improve after UFI. Peptides <5 kDa (Fraction F3) showed higher antioxidant and antimutagenic activities, as well as lower antioxidant and antiproliferative activities than both, peptides >10 kDa (F1) and those within the range of >5 to <10 kDa (F2). Band at lower field observed in FT-IR spectra and proton-peaks observed at higher ¹H-NMR fields, both associated to aromatic amino acids, as well as to other antioxidant amino acids such as hydroxyproline, glycine, arginine and lysine, may explain F3 bioactivity. Ultrafiltration can, therefore, be used to improve some bioactivities of squid collagen hydrolysates.     

Antioxidant,antiradical and antimutagenic activities of phenolic compounds present in maple products

The phenolic compounds in maple sap and syrup were extracted at different periods of the season and were separated to collect the glycosylated compounds and the aglycone compounds. The antioxidant and antiradical activities of each phenolic compound were studied using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and the N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD) decoloration test to measure the free radical scavenging. The results showed that in general the phenolic compounds had a good antioxidant and antiradical properties. The glycosylated compounds from maple sap and maple syrup showed a better activity than the aglycones. The antimutagenic effects of each phenolic compounds from maple sap and syrup were also investigated as the inhibition of SOS induction by chemical agents in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 containing the fusion gene umuC-lacZ. Induction of the SOS gene (umuC) expression was assayed by measuring accumulated β-galactosidase activity using a modified Umu test. The antimutagenic properties were studied per se and after metabolisation by S9 fraction. The results showed that an optimum of antimutagenic properties of the glycosylated metabolites phenolic compounds from sap and syrup was observed at 75% of the season for the sap and at 25% of the season for the syrup. A higher antimutagenic activity was observed at 25% and 100% of the season for aglycones present in syrup and at 75% of the season for aglycones present in sap.     

Bio-guided fractionation of the antimutagenic activity of methanolic extract from the fruit of Randia echinocarpa (Sessé et Mociño) against 1-nitropyrene

Randia echinocarpa is a native plant from Mexico that produces an edible fruit with several ethnopharmacological uses (e.g. cancer, kidney ailments, and diabetes). Extracts of this fruit have shown antimutagenic activity. In this report, a methanolic extract of R. echinocarpa and a bio-guided chromatographic strategy were used to obtain an hexanic fraction (HF) with strong antimutagenic activity (microsuspension assay with Salmonella typhimurium YG1024) using 1-nitropyrene as mutagen (1-NP, 50 and 100 ng/tube). The HF (500 ng/tube) showed the highest inhibition percentage of mutagenic activity (PI) (75%, 1-NP 50 ng/tube; 84%, 1-NP 100 ng/tube). HF chromatography with silica produced HF₁ which was further separated to produce the fractions with the highest antimutagenic activities (HF_1–1 and HF_1–2, PI ≥ 60%). These fractions were chemically characterized by chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; among the main components of HF, HF_1–1 and HF_1–2 were registered linoleic acid, palmitic acid and β-sitosterol, which could be responsible for the antimutagenic activity of R. echinocarpa fruit. The samples evaluated were neither toxic nor mutagenic. Randia echinocarpa is an underutilized plant and its fruit has been used traditionally as food/medicine; fruit consumption could provide human health benefits and it has potential to be exploited under conditions of ecological sustainability.     

Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Activity of Dietary Chlorophyll Derivatives Determined by Radical Scavenging and Bacterial Reverse Mutagenesis Assays

In vitro antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of dietary chlorophyll derivatives was assessed. Antioxidant activity was determined by the ability of each compound to scavenge the long‐lived free radicals 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) (ABTS+). Antimutagenic activity was assayed with a modified microscreen bacterial reverse mutagenicity assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and benzo[a]pyrene as the tester strain and mutagen respectively. Derivatives of chlorophyll a were found to be more effective radical quenchers than those of chlorophyll b. Furthermore, metal‐free derivatives such as chlorins, pheophytins, and pyropheophytins exhibited significantly lower antiradical capacity than metallo‐derivatives such as Mg‐chlorophylls, Zn‐pheophytins, Zn‐pyropheophytins, Cu‐pheophytina, andCu‐chlorophyllins. Both metal‐free and metallo‐chlorophyll derivatives demonstrated similar dose‐dependent inhibitory activity against B[a]P induced mutagenesis. These results demonstrate that dietary chlorophyll derivatives prevalent in both fresh and processed foods and dietary supplements have antioxidant and antimutagenic activities.     

Functional properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus metabolites

BACKGROUND: This study addressed the characteristics of metabolites synthesized by Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2, with particular attention paid to exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, proline peptidases and antibacterial compounds. RESULTS: The strain Lb. acidophilus 5e2 synthesizes low‐molecular‐mass polysaccharides (340 kDa) constituted by glucose, galactose and glucosamine at a ratio of 3.3:2.8:1.0, as well as biosurfactants with a molecular mass of 32 kDa built from a protein fraction, a polysaccharide fraction and phosphate groups. It additionally synthesizes extra‐ and intracellular proline peptidases, including prolyl endopeptidase and thermostable low‐molecular‐mass (<3.5 kDa) compounds with antimicrobiological activity against Escherichia coli strains. CONCLUSION: The strain Lb. acidophilus 5e2 may be applied to the production of functional food. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Porcine plasma protein as proteinase inhibitor in bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus) muscle and surimi

Porcine plasma protein (PPP) showed inhibitory activity towards trypsin, papain, digestive enzymes and modori‐inducing proteinases from bigeye snapper. Among the fractions prepared, fraction IV‐1 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against all proteinases tested and the autolysis of fish muscle. At a level of 0.5% (w/w), both PPP and fraction IV‐1 effectively prevented the degradation of myosin heavy chain in fish muscle. The inhibitory activity of fraction IV‐1 was stable up to 60 °C. Incorporation of fraction IV‐1 significantly increased the breaking force, deformation and water‐holding capacity of surimi gel from bigeye snapper (P < 0.05). However, no increase in breaking force and deformation was found when fraction IV‐1 was added at a level above 0.3% (w/w) (P > 0.05). No significant change in whiteness of surimi gel was observed with the addition of fraction IV‐1 (P > 0.05). © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterisation and partial purification of an antimutagenic peptide produced by Lactobacillus plantarum JNU 2116

The antimutagenic activities of sixteen strains of Lactobacillus were evaluated using three mutagens (4‐nitroquinoline‐N'‐oxide, 4‐NQO; N‐methyl‐N'nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine, MNNG; and 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazole quinoline, IQ). Among the tested Lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus plantarum strain JNU 2116 had the highest antimutagenic activity in the presence of 4‐NQO, MNNG and IQ (21.5, 25.8 and 34.54% inhibition, respectively). The molecular weight of the antimutagenic peptide was estimated at approximately 762 Da, and the N‐terminal amino acid residue sequence of the purified peptide was identified as NH₂‐ XLEXKKAEXITTXX. This peptide may be able to counteract the activity of carcinogens and other toxins if it is added to functional dairy products.     

Antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of pu-erh tea

The biological action of water extract of pu-erh tea (WEPT) was evaluated by Salmonella mutagenesis assay and bacteria test. Like green tea, oolong tea and black tea, WEPT showed neither cytotoxicity and nor mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 with or without S9 mix (an external metabolic activation system). WEPT at 0.5-5 mg/plate expressed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect against both the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), an indirect mutagen which requires metabolic activation, and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (NQNO), a direct mutagen, in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. In general, the antimutagenic activity of WEPT against AFB₁ and NQNO was weaker than other tea extract because of the least amount of total catechin in WEPT. For antimicrobial action, WEPT, green tea, oolong tea and black tea at 2.0 mg/ml showed inhibitory effect on growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, but no effect on Escherchia coli. Obviously, WEPT has potential antimicrobial effect on gram-positive Staphylcoccus aureus and B. subtilis than that of gram-negative E. coli. In addition, caffeine and epicatechin (EC), main polyphenolic compounds in WEPT, showed both antimutagenic and antimicrobial effect against strains mentioned above, which may partially account for the antimutagenic and antimicrobial action of pu-erh tea.     

Effects of three biological thiols on antimutagenic and antioxidant enzyme activities

The antimutagenic and antioxidant enzyme activities of captopril (CAP), cysteine (CYS), and glutathione (GSH) were evaluated for finding concentration-dependent inhibitory effects against: (1) the mutagenicity of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), an indirect mutagen; and (2) N-methyl-N′-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a direct mutagen toward Salmonellatyphimurium TA98 and TA100. Of the three thiols, CYS and GSH exhibited better inhibitory effects against IQ-induced mutation toward TA98 and TA100, respectively. GSH also showed a protective effect against MNNG-induced mutation toward TA98 and TA100, meanwhile, CAP showed the least inhibitory effect. CYS, GSH, and CAP also dose-dependently increased the activities of glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in hepatic BNL cells. CAP showed the superior inducing effects on glutathione transferase activity. These data suggested that the bioactive properties of biological thiols might contribute to their effects of antimutagenic activities as well as regulation on activities of antioxidant enzymes.     

Isolation of some active compounds from Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare and determination of their genotoxic potentials

Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) is a flavoring herb widely used around the world. In the present study, crude extract of O. vulgare L. (oregano) and its petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, water fractions were prepared in order to isolate and investigate antimutagenic compounds from the active extract through the bacterial genotoxicity assay guided fractionation procedures. The methanol extract and its n-butanol fraction showed significant antimutagenic activity. In the end of sub-fractionation process of the n-butanol extract, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide and luteolin 7-O-xyloside were isolated. These compounds showed significant antimutagenic activity against 9-Aminoacridine and N-Methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenicity. The inhibition rates ranged from 22.1% (luteolin 7-O-xyloside: Salmonella typhimurium TA1537 – 0.4 mM/plate) to 67.8% (luteolin 7-O-glucuronide: S. typhimurium TA1537 – 0.8 μM/plate). In conclusion, the results revealed that luteolin 7-O-glucuronide and luteolin 7-O-xyloside are two of the antimutagenic compounds of O. vulgare L. ssp. vulgare.     

Macrophage stimulating polysaccharide purified from peels of grape (Vitis labrusca)

To characterize the macrophage stimulating polysaccharide in grape (Vitis labrusca) peels, the active crude polysaccharide (VL-3) has been fractionated from the hot-water extract of grape peels. A macrophage stimulating polysaccharide-rich fraction (VL-3IIb-1-1) was purified from VL-3 by 3 successive column chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, Sepharose CL-6B, and Sephacryl S-300. VL-3IIb-1-1 was eluted as a single peak on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its molecular weight was estimated to be 194 kDa. VL-3IIb-1-1 consisted mainly of Ara and Gal in addition to uronic acid (GalA+GlcA) (molar ratio 1.00:0.81:0.72). Methylation analysis indicated that VL-3IIb-1-1 consisted mainly of terminal Araf, 4- or 5-linked Ara, 2,4-branched Rha, 6- or 3,4- or 3,6-branched Gal, and 3,4,6-branched Glc. Single radial gel diffusion also indicated that VL-3IIb-1-1 showed an intermediate reactivity with β-glucosyl-Yariv antigen. In addition, oral administration of VL-3IIb enhanced the stimulatory responses of macrophage stimulating activity ex vivo. Therefore, VL-3IIb-1-1 purified from grape peels is suggested to be pectic polysaccharide with arabino-3,6-galactan, and it is assumed that VL-3IIb-1-1 plays an important role for expression of its activity.     

Inhibition of amylases present in ruminal particle‐associated micro‐organisms

The effect of different substances potentially inhibitory of ruminal amylase activity in sheep was assessed using biochemical and electrophoretic assays. Most amylase activity was detected in the particle‐associated fraction (70%) of the ruminal contents (which was selected for the assays) in comparison with the bacterial (21%) and extracellular (9%) fractions. Salts of divalent ions such as Sn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ produced 90, 82, 65 and 44% inhibition of amylase activity respectively when assayed at a relative concentration of 5 × 10^?3 mol l^?1. Organic acids such as tannic, formic, ascorbic and benzoic acid produced 79, 48, 43 and 37% inhibition respectively, whereas chelators such as EDTA, EGTA and 1,10‐phenanthroline produced an inhibition ranging from 32 to 37%. Substrate SDS‐PAGE zymograms allowed the identification of different amylase‐active bands in ruminal extracts, showing a wide range of relative molecular masses (from 36 to more than 100 kDa). Such zymograms also confirmed the effect of some inhibitors. The reversibility of the inhibitory effect of some of the assayed substances was assessed. ZnSO₄ was the most persistent inhibitory substance even at low concentrations and, owing to its low toxicity, appears to be an adequate substance to reduce the high in vitro ruminal degradation of starch. Implications for the process of enzymatic digestion of starch are discussed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Partial purification and characterization of peroxidase from olives (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis> cv. Koroneiki)

The enzyme peroxidase (POD) activity was extracted from olives (Olea europaea cv. Koroneiki) and was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel permeation chromatography (Sephacryl S 300). Further characterization of the POD was performed using the ammonium sulfate purified fraction. POD showed a molecular mass of 44 ± 2 kDa and it expressed catalytic activity with 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and some olive fruit phenols. However, the enzyme was found ineffective as regards the oxidation of oleuropein, the major polyphenol of olives, as well as with coumaric, ferulic, ascorbic and p-hydroxy benzoic acids. pH optimum of the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation depended on the substrate used and it varied from 4.0 to 6.0. Olive peroxidase shows high thermal stability. Oleuropein, the major polyphenol of olives, drastically inhibited ABTS peroxidation by the POD preparation with an IC₅₀ value of 47 μM. The presence of POD enzyme activity in virgin olive oil samples was also confirmed.     

Antinutritional and/or toxic factors in soybean (Glycine max (L) Merril) seeds: comparison of different cultivars adapted to the southern region of Brazil

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merril) seeds are known to contain different proteins displaying antinutritional and/or toxic effects, such as soybean agglutinin (an N‐acetylgalactosamine‐specific lectin), proteinase inhibitors (Kunitz‐ and Bowman–Birk‐type trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors) and urease (seed and tissue isoforms). Two other toxic proteins were previously isolated from soybeans, soyatoxin (21 kDa) and soybean toxin (18.4 kDa), which are immunologically related to canatoxin, a toxic protein from Canavalia ensiformis (jackbean) seeds. In this work we have screened crude extracts from seeds of six different soybean cultivars, which together represent most of the crop harvested in the southern region of Brazil, for the presence of urease, trypsin inhibitory and haemagglutination activities, intraperitoneal toxicity in mice and immunoreactivity against anti‐canatoxin antibodies. Significant differences were found in the contents of proteinase inhibitors, lectin, urease activity and lethality in mice. The relevance of these findings to the agronomic qualities and to the choice of soybean cultivars to be used as food or feed is discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry