A green approach for genistein and apigenin extraction optimization from by-products of soybean crops

What if the waste from soybean fields could be turned into a treasure trove of health-boosting compounds? Scientists just found a greener way to unlock it.

Soybeans are packed with genistein and apigenin—bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential for various health issues. But what if we could extract them from the leftover branches, pods, and beans after harvest? That's the promise of a new green approach.

Researchers used computational tools like Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) and COSMO-RS to screen green solvents and natural eutectic solvents (NAES) for extraction. They tested 18 candidates in the lab using dynamic maceration, an industry-friendly technique. The winners: an ethanol-water mix (8:2, v/v) and a betaine-ethylene glycol NAES (1:2, mol/mol).

Using Design of Experiments, they optimized these solvents for soy branches, the largest by-product by mass. Then they applied the best conditions to all collected plant parts. The standout result: apigenin at 591.49 ± 26.7 μg/g from soy pods with the ethanol-water mix, and genistein at 54.04 ± 3.39 μg/g from soybeans with the same solvent.

But here's the twist: the predictions weren't perfect. The study highlights the need for caution when relying on in silico results for complex biological matrices. It's a trade-off—computational speed versus real-world accuracy.

Key Points

• Green solvents screened via HSP & COSMO-RS
• Best: EtOH:H2O (8:2) and betaine:ethylene glycol (1:2)
• Top apigenin: 591.49 μg/g from soy pods