Fitoestrogeni – analiza u prirodnim izvorima i dijetetskim suplementima

Abstract

<p>Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that can exhibit estrogen-like activity. Isoflavones are one of the best studied groups of phytoestrogens. From nutritive and pharmaceutical aspect, soybean and red clover are the most important sources of these compounds, and they are often used as a raw material for production of dietary supplements used for alleviation of menopausal symptoms. The basic aim of this study was to determine different factors that influence isoflavone content in soybean seed and red clover, and also to analyze phytoestrogen content in dietary supplements, their content uniformity and dissolution profile. Analysis of influence of seed coat color of soybeans on isoflavone content determined that black seeds have high phenolic content and antioxidant activity, but that there is no clear connection between isoflavone content and seed color. Red clover plant parts were significantly different according to isoflavone content, and leaves were the richest sources of phytoestrogens. Correlation between geographical origin of red clover and isoflavone concentration was not established. It is interesting that tetraploid red cover cultivars (4n) had significantly higher isoflavone content and phenolic content compared to diploid samples (2n), which was not noticed in earlier studies. Half of the analyzed supplements had different content of phytoestrogens compared to labeling, and their content was not uniform in dosage units. Most of the supplements did not have desired dissolution profile. Obtained results enable selection of cultivars or plant parts, with optimal content and composition of isoflavones, in order to get good quality material for pharmaceutical industry. Investigation of quality of dietary supplements can point out which problems in their production should be corrected, so that efficient final product gets to the market.</p>