Isoflavones and soyasaponins in the germ of Korean soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars and their compound-enhanced BMP-2-induced bone formation

Soybeans are used worldwide as food and as a healthy ingredient. Specifically, soy germ (SG) has received considerable attention owing to its abundant nutritional and biological components. This study aimed to elucidate the contents of isoflavone and soyasaponin of SG in 24 Korean soybean cultivars and the osteogenic activity of individual compounds. The isoflavone content in the SG ranged from 1110.9 to 3131.1 mg/100 g, and the soyasaponin content in SG ranged from 1173.5 to 3582.3 mg/100 g. The isoflavone and soyasaponin content depended on soybean cultivars. All isoflavone and soyasaponin compounds enhanced bone morphogenetic protein-2-mediated osteoblast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, especially soyasaponin Ab. In conclusion, our results suggest that Seonpung cultivar with high soyasaponin Ab is beneficial for developing functional materials.