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Abstract
Soy isoflavones are naturally occurring phytochemicals, which are biotransformed into functional derivatives through oxidative and reductive metabolic pathways of diverse microorganisms. Such representative derivatives, ortho-dihydroxyisoflavones (ODIs) and equols, have attracted great attention for their versatile health benefits since they were found from soybean fermented foods and human intestinal fluids. Recently, scientists in food technology, nutrition and microbiology began to understand their correct biosynthetic pathways and nutraceutical values, and have attempted to produce the valuable bioactive compounds using microbial fermentation and whole-cell/enzyme-based biotransformation. Furthermore, artificial design of microbial catalysts and/or protein engineering of oxidoreductases were also conducted to enhance production efficiency and regioselectivity of products. This minireview summarizes and introduces the past year's studies and recent advances in notable production of ODIs and equols, and provides information on available microbial species and their catalytic performance with perspectives on industrial application.
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1 School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
3 School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Bioengineering Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Institute of Bioengineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea