Isoflavones are a group of naturally occurring heterocyclic
phenols found mainly in soybean (Glycine max)
and have been credited with performing several healthpromoting
functions. Twelve isoflavone components
have been isolated from soybeans; three aglycones
(daidzein, genistein and glycitein) and their respective
nine glucosidic conjugates (Fig. 1). The glucosides include
three 7-O-glucosides (daidzin, genistin and
glycitin), three 6-O-acetyl glucosides (6-O-acetyldaidzin,
6-O-acetyl-genistin and 6-O-acetyl-glycitin)
and three 6-O-malonyl-glucosides (6-O-malonyldaidzin,
6-O-malonyl-genistin and 6-O-malonylglycitin).