In a study on the metabolism of flavonoids, the isoflavone genistein was administered orally to rats. Urine samples were collected and treated with beta -glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Genistein and its metabolites, 4 ' ,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavanone (MI), 4 ' ,7-dihydroxyisoflavan (M2), and p-ethylphenol (M3) were isolated from the urine following treatment with enzymes. The structures of M1, M2, and M3 were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral data.