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Contents and bioconversion of β-glycoside isoflavones to aglycones in the processing conditions of soybean tempeh

Conteúdo e bioconversão de isoflavonas β-glicosídeos em agliconas nas condições de processamento do tempeh de soja

Abstract:

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the processing conditions of soybean tempeh on the contents of β-glycoside isoflavones and on their bioconversion into aglycones. Different times of soaking (6, 12, and 18 hours), cooking (15, 30, and 45 minutes), and fermentation (18, 24, and 30 hours) with Rhizopus oligosporus at 37°C were evaluated for tempeh preparation. Grains from the cultivar 'BRS 267' were used, and the experiment was carried out according to a central composite design (23). The response functions comprised the contents of genistin, malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin, daidzein, and genistein, quantified by ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Soaking, cooking, and fermentation times change the content, profile, and distribution of the different forms of isoflavones in tempeh. The highest bioconversion of glycoside isoflavones into aglycones occurred in 6-hour soaked soybean grains, whose cotyledons were cooked for 15 minutes and subjected to 18-hour fermentation.

Index terms:
Glycine max; Rhizopus oligosporus; daidzein; fermented soybean; functional food; genistein

Resumo:

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito das condições de processamento do tempeh de soja sobre o conteúdo de isoflavonas β-glicosídeos e sobre sua bioconversão em agliconas. Diferentes tempos de maceração (6, 12 e 18 horas), cozimento (15, 30 e 45 minutos) e fermentação (18, 24 e 30 horas) com Rhizopus oligosporus a 37°C foram avaliados na preparação do tempeh. Foram utilizados grãos da cultivar 'BRS 267', e o experimento foi realizado de acordo com um delineamento composto central (23). As funções-respostas compreenderam o teor de genistina, malonildaidzina, malonilgenistina, daidzeína e genisteína, quantificadas por cromatografia líquida de ultraeficiência (CLUE). Os tempos de maceração, cozimento e fermentação alteraram o conteúdo, o perfil e a distribuição das diferentes formas de isoflavonas no tempeh. A maior bioconversão de β-glicosídeos em agliconas ocorreu em grãos de soja macerados por 6 horas, cujos cotilédones foram cozidos por 15 minutos e submetidos à fermentação por 18 horas.

Termos para indexação:
Glycine max; Rhizopus oligosporus; daidzeína; soja fermentada; alimento funcional; genisteína

Introduction

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food of high nutritional quality, obtained by fungal fermentation of dehulled, soaked, and cooked soybean grains (Starzyǹska-Janiszewska et al., 2014 STARZYǸSKA-JANISZEWSKA, A.; STODOLAK, B.; MICKOWSKA, B. Effect of controlled lactic acid fermentation on selected bioactive and nutritional parameters of tempeh obtained from unhulled common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, v.94, p.359-366, 2014. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6385.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6385....
). It is commercially available in different forms, such as fried, boiled, steamed or roasted. In general, the tempeh is obtained by fermentation of soybean grains with Rhizopus oligosporus, and it is an excellent protein source that has all the essential amino acids for human nutrition, in addition to dietary fibers, calcium, vitamin B12, folic acid, low sodium content, and unsaturated fats (United States Department of Agriculture, 2008UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. National nutrient database for standard reference. 2008. Available at: <Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/smi_appendices.pdf >. Accessed on: 10 May 2014.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/smi...
). Moreover, fermented soybean foods contain several health beneficial bioactive compounds (Murooka & Yamashita, 2008MUROOKA, Y.; YAMASHITA, M. Traditional healthful fermented products of Japan. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, v.35, p.791-798, 2008. DOI: 10.1007/s10295-008-0362-5.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0362-...
) of which the most important are folate, vitamin B12, and isoflavones (Mo et al., 2013MO, H.; KARILUOTO, S.; PIIRONEN, V.; ZHU, Y.; SANDERS, M.G.; VINCKEN, J.-P.; WOLKERS-ROOIJACKERS, J.; NOUT, M.J. R. Effect of soybean processing on content and bioaccessibility of folate, vitamin B12 and isoflavones in tofu and tempe. Food Chemistry, v.141, p.2418-2425, 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.05.017.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013....
).

The preparation process of soy tempeh includes soaking soybean grains, cooking their cotyledons and fermentating them by the inoculation with Rhizopus oligosporus; however, these processes are not standardized. Usually, soybean grains are soaked in water for 10 to 12 hours, at room temperature, in order to facilitate the removal of the hulls. Cotyledons are then cooked in boiling water, drained, cooled at 35 to 40°C, inoculated with microorganisms, and fermented at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours (Nout & Kiers, 2005NOUT, M.J.R.; KIERS, J.L. Tempe fermentation, innovation and functionality: update into the third millenium. Journal of Applied Microbiology, v.98, p.789-805, 2005. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02471.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004...
). Rhizopus oligosporus is the most often used fungus for fermentation of soybean tempeh, due to its rapid growth between 30 and 42°C (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2001SHURTLEFF, W.; AOYAGI, A. The book of tempeh. 2nd ed. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2001. p.103-113.).

Fermentation is the major processing stage for obtaining tempeh, due to the changes that occur in the sensory characteristics and chemical composition of the food, mainly associated with the bioconversion of isoflavones (Chang et al., 2009CHANG, C.-T.; HSU, C.-K.; CHOU, S.-T.; CHEN, Y.-C.; HUANG, F.-S.; CHUNG, Y.-C. Effect of fermentation time on the antioxidant activities of tempeh prepared from fermented soybean using Rhizopus oligosporus. International Journal of Food Science and Technology v.44, p.799-806, 2009. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2009.01907.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2009...
). The fermentation process depends on soybean tempeh processing conditions, such as time, temperature, pH, inoculum amount, and relative moisture content (Nout & Kiers, 2005NOUT, M.J.R.; KIERS, J.L. Tempe fermentation, innovation and functionality: update into the third millenium. Journal of Applied Microbiology, v.98, p.789-805, 2005. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02471.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004...
). In this stage, β-glycosidase hydrolyzes β-glycoside forms to aglycones, which are more bioactive and absorbable isoflavones in the intestine, compared to their glycosidic forms (Izumi et al., 2000IZUMI, T.; PISKULA, M.K.; OSAWA, S.; OBATA, A.; TOBE, K.; SAITO, M.; KATAOKA, S.; KUBOTA, Y.; KIKUCHI, M. Soy isoflavone aglycones are absorbed faster and in higher amounts than their glucosides in humans. Journal of Nutrition, v.130, p.1695-1699, 2000. ; Liggins et al., 2000LIGGINS, J.; BLUCK, L.J.C.; RUNSWICK, S.; ATKINSON, C.; COWARD, W.A.; BINGHAM, S.A. Daidzein and genistein contents of vegetables. British Journal of Nutrition, v.84, p.717-725, 2000. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114500002075.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S000711450000207...
). Isoflavones, and mainly the aglycones forms, have drawn attention because of their ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Zhuo et al., 2004ZHUO, X.-G.; MELBY, M.K.; WATANABE, S. Soy isoflavone intake lowers serum LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials in humans. Journal of Nutrition, v.134, p.2395-2400, 2004.), to inhibit cancer cell growth (Sarkar & Li, 2003SARKAR, F.H.; LI, Y. Soy isoflavones and cancer prevention. Cancer Investigation, v.21, p.744-757, 2003. DOI: 10.1081/CNV-120023773.
https://doi.org/10.1081/CNV-120023773....
; Lund et al., 2004LUND, T.D.; MUNSON, D.J.; HALDY, M.E.; SETCHELL, K.D.R; LEPHART, E.D.; HANDA, R.J. Equol is a novel anti-androgen that inhibits prostate growth and hormone feedback. Biology of Reproduction, v.70, p.1188-1195, 2004. DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.023713.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.103.0...
), to alleviate the menopause symptoms (Messina & Hughes, 2003MESSINA, M.; HUGHES, C. Efficacy of soyfoods and soybean isoflavone supplements for alleviating menopausal symptoms is positively related to initial hot flash frequency. Journal of Medicinal Food, v.6, p.1-11, 2003. DOI: 10.1089/109662003765184697.
https://doi.org/10.1089/1096620037651846...
), and to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis (Arjmandi et al., 1996ARJMANDI, B.H.; ALEKEL, L.; HOLLIS, B.W.; AMIN, D.; STACEWICZ-SAPUNTZAKIS, M.; GUO, P.; KUKREJA, S.C. Dietary soybean protein prevents bone loss in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosisJournal of Nutrition, v.126, p.161-167, 1996.). The bioconversion of β-glucoside forms into aglycones (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) requires hydrolysis by β-glycosidase.

Nakajima et al. (2005)NAKAJIMA, N.; NOZAKI, N.; ISHIHARA, K.; ISHIKAWA, A.; TSUJI, H. Analysis of isoflavone content in tempeh, a fermented soybean, and preparation of a new isoflavone-enriched tempeh. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, v.100, p.685-687, 2005. DOI: 10.1263/jbb.100.685.
https://doi.org/10.1263/jbb.100.685....
concluded that the content of three isoflavones aglycones (daidzein, glycitein and genistein) in soybean tempeh had increased about two times after 24 hours of fermentation. During soybean tempeh processing, glycosides isoflavones are converted to their corresponding aglycones, increasing the concentrations of daidzein and genistein, and decreasing the ones of some isoflavones (Haron et al., 2009HARON, H.; ISMAIL, A.; AZLAN, A.; SHAHAR, S.; PENG, L.S. Daidzein and genestein contents in tempeh and selected soy products. Food Chemistry, v.115, p.1350-1356, 2009. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.01.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2009....
). The bioconversion of glycosides isoflavones into aglycones occur during fermentation, with higher contents found after long fermentation times (Villares et al., 2011VILLARES, A.; ROSTAGNO, M.A.; GARCÍA-LAFUENTE, A.; GUILLAMÓN, E.; MARTÍNEZ, J.A. Content and profile of isoflavones in soy-based foods as a function of the production process. Food and Bioprocess Technology, v.4, p. 27-38, 2011. DOI: 10.1007/s11947-009-0311-y.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-009-0311-...
). Ferreira et al. (2011) FERREIRA, M.P.; OLIVEIRA, M.C.N. de; MANDARINO, J.M.G.; SILVA, J.B. da; IDA, E.I.; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C. Changes in the isoflavone profile and in the chemical composition of tempeh during processing and refrigeration. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira v.46, p.1555-1561, 2011. DOI: 10.1590/S0100-204X2011001100018.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201100...
showed that the total glycoside forms (daidzin and genistin) in soybean cotyledons decrease, and that the malonyl forms, which react unsteadily to heat treatments, reduced greatly as a result of cooking. These authors also mention that aglycones forms (daidzein and genistein) increase after 24 hours of fermentation. Bavia et al. (2012)BAVIA, A.C.F.; SILVA, C.E. da; FERREIRA, M.P.; SANTOS LEITE, R.; MANDARINO, J.M.G.; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C. Chemical composition of tempeh from soybean cultivars specially developed for human consumption. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.32, p.613-620, 2012. DOI: 10.1590/S0101-20612012005000085.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-2061201200...
observed a 43% reduction in malonyl forms after cooking soybean grains, and a 50% increase in the aglycones levels after fermentation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the processing conditions of soybean tempeh on the contents of β-glycosides isoflavones and on their bioconversion into aglycones.

Material and Methods

Soybean cultivar 'BRS 267' harvested in Londrina, PR, Brazil, in 2011/2012, was used to prepare the soybean tempehs. Lyophilized Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus was obtained from Intsoy (International Soybean Program, University of Illinois, EUA). Isoflavone standard solutions were prepared from 6''- O-acetylglucosides and 6''- O-malonylglucosides (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan), and from β-glucosides and aglycones (Sigma-Aldrich Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). The other reagents were of analytical grade and obtained from different sources.

To evaluate the effects of tempeh processing variables on the bioconversion of β-glycoside isoflavones into aglycones, a central composite design (2³) was used, with 3 replicates of central point, totaling 17 random assays. The tempehs were prepared according to the traditional method described by Wei (1991)WEI, L.S. Domestic soybean consumption in Asia. In: TANTEERATARM, K. (Ed.). Soybean processing for food uses. Urbana: INTSOY: University of Illinois, 1991. p.162-183., with modifications. The following processing variables were investigated: X1 (soaking time, h), X2 (cooking time, min), and X3 (fermentation time, h). For each assay, 100 g of soybean grains (proportion 1:10, w/v) were soaked (X1), and grains were manually dehulled. Cotyledons were cooked in boiling water (X2), and then they were drained and cooled at 25°C. For the inoculation, 2 g of R. oligosporus were used per 100g of cooked and cooled cotyledons. After inoculation, the cotyledons were homogenized, packaged in perforated polypropylene bags, maintained at 37°C, and fermented (X3) according to the experimental design. Table 1 shows the coded and real levels of the independent variables. These levels were established in a preliminary test. The produced tempehs were lyophilised in a freeze-dryer, model Alpha 2-4 LD plus (Martin Christ, Osterode am Harz, Germany) and stored at -26°C, for the extraction and quantification of isoflavone contents.

Table 1:
Components of the central composite design (23) and response functions (Y) to different isoflavone forms in tempeh produced with grains of soybean cultivar 'BRS 267'.

The response functions (Y) to different isoflavone forms in tempeh, Y1 (μmol genistin g-1), Y2 (μmol malonyldaidzin g-1), Y3 (μmol malonylgenistin g-1), Y4 (μmol daidzein g-1), and Y5 (μmol genistein g-1), were determined according to the following mathematical model:

Y = β0 + β1x12x23x311x1 222x2 233x3 212x1x2 + β13x1x3 + β23x2x3 + ε

in which: Y is the response function; x1, x2, and x3 are coded variables; β is the estimated coefficient of the response surface model; and ε is the pure error. The response functions were evaluated by regression analysis and analysis of variance. The equation model was fitted to experimental data to propose the model. Response surface graphs and desirability parameters were generated for each response function, in order to obtain a tempeh with the maximum content of aglycones. All analyses, desirability parameters, and response surfaces were performed with the software Statistica, version 8.0 (StatSoft, Inc.,Tulsa, OK, USA).

The lyophilised and milled tempehs were defatted with hexane, in a 1:10 ratio (w/v), for 1 hour at room temperature by continuous and rotary agitation, followed by vacuum filtration. The isoflavone extraction was performed in triplicate with 0.1 g of the defatted sample, using 2 mL of an extraction solution containing ultrapure water, acetone and ethanol (1:1:1, v/v/v) (Yoshiara et al., 2012YOSHIARA, L.Y.; MADEIRA, T.B.; DELAROZA, F.; SILVA, J.B. da; IDA, E.I. Optimization of soy isoflavone extraction with different solvents using the simplex-centroid mixture design. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, v.63, p.978-986, 2012. DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2012.690026.
https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2012.69...
). The separation and quantification of isoflavones were performed in triplicate, using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system, as described by Handa et al. (2014)HANDA, C.L.; COUTO, U.R.; VICENSOTI, A.H.; GEORGETTI, S.R.; IDA, E.I. Optimisation of soy flour fermentation parameters to produce β-glucosidase for bioconversion into aglycones. Food Chemistry, v.152, p.56-65, 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.11.101.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013....
. Since different isoflavone forms have different molecular masses, in order to improve the comparisons, the isoflavone concentrations were expressed in micromoles of isoflavones per grams of lyophilized and defatted tempeh.

Results and Discussion

Grains of 'BRS 267' soybean cultivar had the following isoflavone components quantified by UPLC: 1.48 μmol β-glucoside isoflavones g-1 (1.12 μmol genistin g-1, and 0.36 μmol daidzin g-1), 4.25 μmol malonylglucosides g-1 (3.04 μmol malonylgenistin g-1, and 1.21 μmol malonyldaidzin g-1), and only 0.33 μmol genistein g-1. The aglycone forms were present in lower concentrations than the other isoflavone forms (Carrão-Panizzi et al., 2003CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C.; SIMÃO, A.S.; KIKUCHI, A. Efeitos de genótipos, ambientes e de tratamentos hidrotérmicos na concentração de isoflavonas agliconas em grãos de soja. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.38, p.897-902, 2003. DOI: 10.1590/S0100-204X2003000800001.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X200300...
). However, this same cultivar, harvested at different times and with isoflavones quantification by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), showed the following contents (Silva et al., 2009SILVA, J.B. da; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C.; PRUDENCIO, S.H. Chemical and physical composition of grain-type and food-type soybean for food processing. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.44, p.777-784, 2009. DOI: 10.1590/S0100-204X2009000700019.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X200900...
; Bavia et al., 2012BAVIA, A.C.F.; SILVA, C.E. da; FERREIRA, M.P.; SANTOS LEITE, R.; MANDARINO, J.M.G.; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C. Chemical composition of tempeh from soybean cultivars specially developed for human consumption. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.32, p.613-620, 2012. DOI: 10.1590/S0101-20612012005000085.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-2061201200...
): 2.16 μmol daidzin g-1, 1.71 μmol genistin g-1, 2.33 μmol malonyldaidzin g-1, 1.70 μmol malonylgenistin g-1, 0.24 μmol daidzein g-1, and 0.80 μmol genistein g-1. This differences in isoflavone contents can be attributed to the genetic variability and to different environmental conditions (Wang & Murphy, 1996WANG, H.-J.; MURPHY, P.A. Mass balance study of isoflavones during soybean processing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, v.44, p.2377-2383, 1996. DOI: 10.1021/jf950535p.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf950535p....
; Carrão-Panizzi et al., 2003CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C.; SIMÃO, A.S.; KIKUCHI, A. Efeitos de genótipos, ambientes e de tratamentos hidrotérmicos na concentração de isoflavonas agliconas em grãos de soja. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.38, p.897-902, 2003. DOI: 10.1590/S0100-204X2003000800001.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X200300...
).

The X1 variable (soaking time, h) showed a significant linear negative effect (β1x1 = − 0.05x1, p<0.05) on the Y1 response function (μmol of genistin per g of tempeh). The effects of the X2 (cooking time, min) and X3 (fermentation time, h) were not significant (p>0.05). Based only in the significant variable, the mathematical model Ŷ1 = 0.24 − 0.05x1 was developed, indicating that the genistin level in tempeh is independent of the cooking and fermentation times. The lack-of-fit of the model was not significant (at 95% confidence interval), and 77% of the experimental data were properly adjusted (R2) to the model. The response surface (Figure 1 A) and the desirability parameters (Figure 1 B) showed a region where Y1 was maximum (Ŷ1 = 0.40 μmol g-1), and obtained when the following conditions were used: x1 = − 1 or X1 = 6 h of soaking; x2 = 0.5 or X2 = 22.5 min of cooking; and x3 = − 1 or X3 = 18 h of fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus. These processing conditions of soybean tempeh agreed with the assay 3, in which the experimentally obtained Y1 was 0.40 μmol of genistin per g of tempeh.

Figure 1:
Response surface (A) and desirability parameters (B) for the response function Y1 (μmol of genistin g-1 of tempeh).

Genistin content in the tempeh was 36% lower (0.40 μmol g-1) than in the grains (1.12 μmol g-1), and daidzin content was neglectable (while its contents in the grains were 0.36 μmol g-1).

For the Y2 response function (μmol of malonyldai-dzin per g of tempeh), the X2 (cooking time, min) and X3 (fermentation time, h) variables showed significant linear negative effects (β2x2 = − 0.21x1 and β3x3 = − 0.05x3, respectively), and the interaction between X1 and X2 resulted in a significant linear positive effect (β12x1x2 = 0.07x1x2) (p<0.05). The other effects were not significant, and the following mathematical model was developed: Ŷ2 = 0.32 − 0.21x2 − 0.05x3 + 0.07x1x2. The lack-of-fit of the model was not significant (at 95%), and 95% of the experimental data were properly adjusted (R2) to the model.

For the Y3 response function (μmol malonylgenistin per g of tempeh), the X1 (soaking time, h), X2 (cooking time, min), and X3 (fermentation time, h) variables showed significant linear negative effects (β1x1 = − 0.11x1, β2x2 = − 0.46x2and β3x3 = − 0.09x3, respectively). The interaction between X1 and X2 variables had a significant linear positive effect (β12x1x2 = 0.134x1x2) (p<0.05). The other effects were not significant, and the mathematical model Ŷ3 = 1.11 − 0.11x1 − 0.46x2 − 0.09x3 + 0.13x1x2 was developed, indicating that low levels of the three variables (X1, X2, and X3) are recommended, in order to prepare tempeh with the maximum malonyl content. The lack-of-fit of the model was not significant (at 95%), and 99% of the experimental data were properly adjusted (R2) to the model. The response surface (Figure 2 A and C) and desirability parameters (Figure 2 B and D) suggested a region where Y2 (0.58 μmol malonyldaidzin g-1) and Y3 (2.01 μmol malonylgenistin g-1) were maximal, with the following conditions: x1 = − 1 or X1 = 6 h soaking time; x2 = − 1 or X2 = 15 cooking time; and x3 = 0 or X3 = 24 h fermentation time. These conditions coincided with the assay 1, in which Y2 (0.58 μmol malonyldaidzin g-1) and Y3 (2.02 μmol malonylgenistin g-1) were experimentally obtained. In the grains, the contents of malonylglucosides were 4.25 μmol g-1, with 3.04 μmol malonylgenistin g-1.

Figure 2:
Response surface (A and C) and desirability parameters (B and C) for the response functions Y2 (μmol malonyldaidzin g-1) and Y3 (μmol malonylgenistin g-1).

The X2 variable (cooking time, min) showed a significant linear negative effect (β2x2 = − 0.01x2) on the Y4 response function (μmol of daidzein per g of tempeh). The X1 and X3 variables showed a significant quadratic effect (β1x1 2 = 0.01x1 2 and β3x3 2 = − 0.01x3 2, respectively). The interaction between X1 (soaking time, h) and X2 showed a significant linear positive effect (β12x1x2 = 0.01x1x2), and the interactions between X1 and X3 (fermentation time, h) and X2 and X3 showed significant linear negative effects (β13x1x3 = − 0.01x1x3 and β23x2x3 = − 0.01x2x3, respectively) (p<0.05). The other effects were not significant, and the mathematical model Ŷ4 = 0.08 + 0.01x1 2 − 0.01x2 − 0.01x3 2 + 0.01x1x2 − 0.01x1x3 − 0.01x2x3 was developed. The lack-of-fit of the model was not significant (at 95%), and 90% of the experimental data were properly adjusted (R2) to the model. The response surface (Figure 3 A) and desirability parameters (Figure 3 B) suggested a region where Ŷ44 = 0.11 μmol g-1) was maximal, when obtained by using the following conditions: x1 = − 1 or X1 = 6 h soaking time; x2 = − 1 or X2= 15 min cooking time; and x3= + 0.5 or X3 = 30 h fermentation time. This processing conditions did not differ from the assay 7, in which the experimentally obtained Y4 was 0.11 μmol of daidzein per g of tempeh (Table 1).Therefore, according to the equation Ŷ4, in order to obtain the maximum daidzein content in the tempeh, it is recommended to use low levels of x1 (−1) or X1 (6 h of soaking); for x2 (−1) or X2 (15 min of cooking); for x3 (+ 0.5) or at least X3 (30 h of fermentation).

Figure 3:
Response surfaces (A and C) and desirability parameters (B and D) for the response functions Y4 (μmol daidzein g-1) and Y5 (μmol g-1 genistein g-1)

For the Y5 response function (μmol of genistein per g of tempeh), only the X3 variable (fermentation time, h) showed significant linear negative effect (β3x3 = − 0.17x3) (p<0.05). Based only in this significant variable, the mathematical model Ŷ5 = 1.07 − 0.17x3 was developed. The lack-of-fit of the model was not significant (at 95%), and 86% of the experimental data were properly adjusted (R2) to the model. The response surface (Figure 3 C) and desirability parameters (Figure 3 D) suggested that the maximum genistein content (Ŷ5 = 1.35 μmol g-1) was obtained when using the following conditions: x1 = +1 or X1 = 18 h of soaking time; x2 = 0 or X2= 20 min of cooking time; and x3 = − 1 or X3 = 18 h of fermentation time. This estimated result of the maximum genistein content coincided with the assay 7 (Y5 = 1.35 μmol g-1) (Table 1). Therefore, according to the equation Ŷ5, in order to obtain a higher genistein content in tempeh, it is recommended to use the lower level condition (x3 = − 1 or 18 h fermentation time), which was independent of the X1 or X2 variables.

Based on the confidence interval (CI) of the assay 7 (CI = 1.03 to 1.49), and on the response functions of the assays 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, and 17 where x3 = − 1, all response functions were within the interval of the assay 7, confirming that X1 (soaking time) and X2 (cooking time) were independent variables to obtain tempehs with maximum genistein content. In the grains, 'BRS 267' showed only 0.33 μmol g-1. For tempeh obtained in the assay 7, the aglycone levels (0.11 μmol daidzein g-1 and 1.35 μmol genistein g-1) increased by 4.4 times, mainly due to the fermentation of cotyledons.

The processing variables for tempeh preparation changed the level, profile, and distribution of the different isoflavone forms (Table 1). However, when comparing tempeh with cooked soybean grains, tempeh showed a 57% reduction in the content of glucosides, and the aglycone levels increased 6.5 fold due to the action of β-glucosidase produced by the fungus during fermentation (Wang & Murphy, 1996WANG, H.-J.; MURPHY, P.A. Mass balance study of isoflavones during soybean processing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, v.44, p.2377-2383, 1996. DOI: 10.1021/jf950535p.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf950535p....
). The cooking of soybean grains does not change the profile or distribution of the isoflavones, but it causes a drastic reduction in malonylglucosides. The isoflavone malonyl forms are unstable at high temperatures and are converted into their respective β-glycosides forms, due to the cleavage of malonyl ester groups, to daidzin and genistin forms. Kudou et al. (1991)KUDOU, S.; FLEURY, Y.; WELTI, D.; MAGNOLATO, D.; UCHIDA, T.; KITAMURA, K.; OKUBO, K. Malonyl isoflavone glycosides in soybean seeds (Glycine max Merrill). Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, v.55, p.2227-2233, 1991. DOI: 10.1271/bbb1961.55.2227.
https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb1961.55.2227....
reported that the content of malonylglucosides increased, after 12 to 24 h of fermentation. Bavia et al. (2012)BAVIA, A.C.F.; SILVA, C.E. da; FERREIRA, M.P.; SANTOS LEITE, R.; MANDARINO, J.M.G.; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C. Chemical composition of tempeh from soybean cultivars specially developed for human consumption. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.32, p.613-620, 2012. DOI: 10.1590/S0101-20612012005000085.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-2061201200...
observed an increase of 78% in the content of isoflavone aglycones (from 27.22 to 82.72 mg 100g-1 of tempeh) in tempehs prepared from different soybean cultivars. The authors also observed an increase of 15.01 to 26.74 mg 100g-1 in tempeh by soaking for 17 h, cooking for 30 min, and fermenting for 26 h. In the present work, the fermentation for 24 h resulted in the conversion of glycosides isoflavones and in the increase of the concentration of the corresponding aglycones, which agrees with other studies (Nakajima et al., 2005NAKAJIMA, N.; NOZAKI, N.; ISHIHARA, K.; ISHIKAWA, A.; TSUJI, H. Analysis of isoflavone content in tempeh, a fermented soybean, and preparation of a new isoflavone-enriched tempeh. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, v.100, p.685-687, 2005. DOI: 10.1263/jbb.100.685.
https://doi.org/10.1263/jbb.100.685....
; Haron et al., 2009HARON, H.; ISMAIL, A.; AZLAN, A.; SHAHAR, S.; PENG, L.S. Daidzein and genestein contents in tempeh and selected soy products. Food Chemistry, v.115, p.1350-1356, 2009. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.01.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2009....
; Ferreira et al., 2011 FERREIRA, M.P.; OLIVEIRA, M.C.N. de; MANDARINO, J.M.G.; SILVA, J.B. da; IDA, E.I.; CARRÃO-PANIZZI, M.C. Changes in the isoflavone profile and in the chemical composition of tempeh during processing and refrigeration. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira v.46, p.1555-1561, 2011. DOI: 10.1590/S0100-204X2011001100018.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201100...
; Villares et al., 2011VILLARES, A.; ROSTAGNO, M.A.; GARCÍA-LAFUENTE, A.; GUILLAMÓN, E.; MARTÍNEZ, J.A. Content and profile of isoflavones in soy-based foods as a function of the production process. Food and Bioprocess Technology, v.4, p. 27-38, 2011. DOI: 10.1007/s11947-009-0311-y.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-009-0311-...
). However, in the process of fermentation, despite the nonsignificant losses of isoflavones, the β-glycosidase enzyme hydrolyzes β-glucosides forms to aglycones, which have high biological activity and are the isoflavones readily available to humans (Izumi et al., 2000IZUMI, T.; PISKULA, M.K.; OSAWA, S.; OBATA, A.; TOBE, K.; SAITO, M.; KATAOKA, S.; KUBOTA, Y.; KIKUCHI, M. Soy isoflavone aglycones are absorbed faster and in higher amounts than their glucosides in humans. Journal of Nutrition, v.130, p.1695-1699, 2000. ).

Therefore, the models established the following conditions to obtain tempeh with maximum content of different isoflavone forms, which would favor its classification as a functional food: x1 (− 1), for genistin; x1, x2, and x3 (− 1, − 1, and 0), for malonyl; x1, x2, and x3 (− 1), for daidzein; and x3 (− 1), for genistein. To achieve the maximum content of different isoflavone forms, including aglycones, it is recommended to use the minimal amount of time for the processing variables, which corresponded to the assay 1, as follows: 6 h of soaking, 15 min of cooking and 18 h of fermentation.

Conclusions

  1. In the preparation of soybean tempeh, the processing variables including soaking, cooking, and fermentation times with Rhizopus oligosporus change the level, profile, and distribution of the different isoflavone forms.

  2. The highest bioconversion of β-glycoside isoflavones into aglycones occurs when soybean grains are soaked for 6 h, cotyledons are cooked for 15 min, and the fermentation with R. oligosporus lasts for 18 h.

Acknowledgements

To Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, for funding and for scholarships; to Fundação Araucária, Paraná, PR, Brazil, for funding.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Mar 2016

History

  • Received
    28 May 2015
  • Accepted
    28 Jan 2016
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