Production of β-glucosidase and hydrolysis of isoflavone phytoestrogens by Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus casei in soymilk

The study determined β-glucosidase activity of commercial probiotic organisms for hydrolysis of isoflavone to aglycones in fermenting soymilk. Soymilk made with soy protein isolate (SPI) was fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI® L10, Bifidobacterium lactis LAFTI® B94, and Lactobacillus casei LAFTI® L26 at 37°C for 48 h and the fermented soymilk was stored for 28 d at 4°C. β-Glucosidase activity of organisms was determined using ρ-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate and the hydrolysis of isoflavone glycosides to aglycones by these organisms was carried out. The highest level of growth occurred at 12 h for L. casei L26, 24 h for B. lactis B94, and 36 h for L. acidophilus L10 during fermentation in soymilk. Survival after storage at 4°C for 28 d was 20%, 15%, and 11% greater (P < 0.05) than initial cell counts, respectively. All the bacteria produced β-glucosidase, which hydrolyzed isoflavone β-glycosides to isoflavone aglycones. The decrease in the concentration of β-glycosides and the increase in the concentration of aglycones were significant (P < 0.05) in the fermented soymilk. Increased isoflavone aglycone content in fermented soymilk is likely to improve the biological functionality of soymilk. © 2007 Institute of Food Technologists.link_to_subscribed_fulltex