1998 Volume 48 Issue 4 Pages 409-413
Isoflavone contents of 15 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Effects of environ mental and genetic factors on isoflavone contents were evaluated by analysing the seeds produced in three sowing dates in two locations (Londrina - 23°11'50” S latitude and Ponta Grossa - 25° 05'58” S Iatitude), of Parana state, Brazil. Cultivars IAC 100, IAS 5, IAC 8, GO/BR-33 and BR-37 showed the highest levels of total isoflavones (ranging from 146.9 to 119.5 mg/100g), while cultivars BA/BR-31 and BR-36 showed the lowest levels (57.5 and 53.7 mg/IOOg, respectively), in both locations. Average total isoflavone concentration in Londrina was 31% Iower than in Ponta Grossa (82.0 mg/100g and 119.7 mg/IOOg, repectively), probably as a consequence of local temperature (23°C, and 20°C, respectively), and other environmental differences such as soil.