胁迫对菜用大豆种子抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol/L NaCl 胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个菜用大豆［Glycine max (L.)Merr.］品种种子的过氧化氢（H2O2）含量及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽（AsA-GSH）循环进行了研究。结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的H2O2含量,但耐盐品种 绿领特早的增幅低于盐敏感品种理想高产95-1。NaCl胁迫期间,绿领特早种子中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性,AsA、GSH含量以及AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值的增幅高于同期的理想高产95-1,或降幅低于同期的理想高产95-1; 脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）、氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量的增幅低于同期的理想高产95-1。表明 绿领特早种子在胁迫期间能够保持较高的AsA-GSH循环效率,可有效地抑制H2O2的积累,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一。     

壳聚糖对NaCl胁迫下菜用大豆结瘤固氮的影响

【目的】研究壳聚糖对盐胁迫抑制菜用大豆结瘤固氮的缓解效应,为进一步探讨壳聚糖抗逆机理提供新的线索。【方法】以蛭石为基质,以菜用大豆‘特早王’–根瘤菌共生体系为研究对象,采用人工气候箱培养,研究NaCl胁迫下壳聚糖对菜用大豆根瘤形成、生物固氮的影响。菌种为与‘特早王’共生匹配性较好的快生根瘤菌N18。接种后的植株进行如下4个处理:1)叶面喷施清水,根部浇灌无氮营养液(CK);2)叶面喷施壳聚糖水溶液,根部浇灌无氮营养液(CTS);3)叶面喷施清水,根部浇灌溶有NaCl的无氮营养液(Cl);4)叶面喷施壳聚糖水溶液,根部浇灌溶有NaCl的无氮营养液(CTS+Cl)。上述各处理施用的水或水溶液均为无菌水配制,NaCl处理的浓度为50 mol/L,CTS处理的适宜浓度为200 mg/L。接种30天后,将大豆植株取出,用清水将根部蛭石冲洗干净后,立即测定根瘤固氮酶活性、根瘤数及根瘤鲜重,然后测定根瘤豆血红蛋白含量和根系活力,最后测植株干重和全氮量。【结果】氯化钠胁迫下,植株干重显著下降,与CK相比降幅达49%,喷施壳聚糖后(CTS+Cl),降低幅度显著减小,但依然显著低于CK (P <0.05)。无盐条件下,与CK相比,壳聚糖处理(CTS)增加植株干重的效果不明显。喷施壳聚糖显著增加了菜用大豆的根瘤数、根瘤鲜重、植株含氮量、根系活力、豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性(P <0.05)。NaCl胁迫显著抑制了菜用大豆的结瘤固氮作用,其中根瘤数、根瘤鲜重分别较CK下降了79%、90%,而壳聚糖处理(CTS+Cl)使菜用大豆在盐逆境下的结瘤数、根瘤鲜重、植株全氮含量、根系活力、豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性等均显著回升,增幅分别达对照的29%、20%、17%、48%、19%、21%,但均显著低于CK。【结论】非NaCl胁迫下,喷施壳聚糖可以显著促进菜用大豆结瘤,提高豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性,最终增加植株含氮量。在NaCl胁迫下,外源壳聚糖可以显著缓解氯化钠胁迫导致的对根系活力和结瘤固氮的影响。因此,叶面喷施壳聚糖是促进菜用大豆结瘤固氮和生长的有效措施。     

空间环境对大豆主要农艺性状及蛋白品质的诱变效应

以"实践八号"育种卫星搭载的3个大豆品种中黄28、中黄29、中黄31为材料,调查了空间诱变后代SP1、SP2代的主要农艺性状分析检测SP2、SP3种子的蛋白质组分(11S/7S球蛋白)、Kunitz胰蛋白酶抑制剂(SKTI)等品质性状分析检测,以为利用空间诱变技术改良大豆品质提供理论依据。结果表明,3个大豆品种对空间环境的反应敏感性不同,中黄28和中黄29的SP1代分别获得3株和12株变异株,变异率分别为0.417%和1.667%,而中黄31的SP1代没有发现变异植株,且中黄28的2株(01-SP2-1、01-SP2-2)和中黄29的5株(02-SP2-2、02-SP2-5、02-SP2-6、02-SP2-7、02-SP2-8)变异株在SP2代发生性状分离;空间环境使大豆11S蛋白亚基发生变异,SKTI基因发生突变。空间诱变既可改良农艺性状,也可改良品质性状。     

大豆蛋白限制性酶解模式与产品胶凝性的相关性

为了改善大豆蛋白的胶凝性,对大豆浓缩蛋白、大豆分离蛋白进行限制性酶解处理,并考察相应产品的蛋白酶酶解模式与胶凝性变化的相关性。该研究以蛋白质的水解度为指标,通过中性蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶的酶解作用,水解大豆浓缩蛋白、大豆分离蛋白至蛋白质水解度(DH)为1%、2%,考察酶性质、蛋白质的DH对产品胶凝性影响,并利用SDS-凝胶电泳进行确认。结果表明:大豆浓缩蛋白经中性蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶的酶解后,产品胶凝性均显著下降;大豆分离蛋白经中性蛋白酶的酶解后,产品胶凝性在DH为1%时增加,但在DH为2%时下降;大豆分离蛋白经胰蛋白酶酶解后,胶凝性显著改善。SDS-凝胶电泳确认,蛋白质的酶水解模式和水解度不同是导致产品胶凝性产生不同变化的原因。     

NaCl胁迫对菜用大豆种子抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个菜用大豆[Glycine max(L.)Merr.]品种种子的过氧化氢(H2O2)含量及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环进行了研究。结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的H2O2含量,但耐盐品种"绿领特早"的增幅低于盐敏感品种"理想高产95-1"。NaCl胁迫期间,"绿领特早"种子中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,AsA、GSH含量以及AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值的增幅高于同期的"理想高产95-1",或降幅低于同期的"理想高产95-1";脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量的增幅低于同期的"理想高产95-1"。表明"绿领特早"种子在胁迫期间能够保持较高的AsA-GSH循环效率,可有效地抑制H2O2的积累,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一。     

火龙果种子清蛋白的理化性质及其胰蛋白酶抑制活性研究

为阐明火龙果种子清蛋白的理化性质和生物学活性,本研究从红心火龙果中纯化获得种子清蛋白(HPA),分析其分子量、氨基酸组成、同源性及胰蛋白酶抑制活性。结果表明,HPA由两条分子量为12.6、13.2 kDa的多肽链(HPA-1,HPA-2)组成。 HPA富含谷氨酸(6.297 g·100g^-1)、精氨酸(3.992 g·100g^-1) 和天冬氨酸(2.694 g·100g^-1)。 HPA与来自甜菜和菠菜2S种子贮藏蛋白具有高度相似性。HPA-2显示出较高的胰蛋白酶抑制活性,比活力为9.19×10³ TIU· mg^-1,纯化倍数为1.86。经大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂-琼脂糖凝胶柱纯化的组分HPA-2-1是胰蛋白酶竞争性抑制剂,抑制常数(Ki)为0.62 nmol·L^-1, 具有Kunitz型抑制剂的摩尔比曲线。 HPA-2-1在一定的pH值(2~10)和温度(30~70℃)范围内具有稳定的抑制活性,且抑制活性几乎不受二硫苏糖醇(DTT)的影响。本研究为挖掘火龙果种子资源,丰富胰蛋白酶抑制剂的种类提供了参考。     

中性盐胁迫对乌拉尔甘草种子萌发的影响研究

本文研究了NaCl和Na2SO4不同浓度下两种中性盐胁迫对乌拉尔甘草种子萌发的效应。结果表明:≤280 mmol/L浓度的NaCl和≤240 mmol/L浓度的Na2SO4处理时,发芽率高于60%,高浓度的Na2SO4抑制种子发芽强于NaCl;不同浓度Na2SO4处理的发芽高峰期出现比对照早3～5天,比NaCl处理的早2～6天;Na2SO4处理种子的发芽势小于相同浓度的NaCl;中性盐胁迫浓度大于200 mmol/L时,种子发芽指数小于对照,NaCl溶液各梯度处理下的发芽指数均高于相应浓度的Na2SO4处理。发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数都与NaCl和Na2SO4浓度呈极显著负相关,发芽高峰期出现的天数与NaCl浓度呈正相关,与Na2SO4浓度呈负相关。     

模拟干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子萌发的影响

为研究干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬(Suaeda glauca)、盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)种子萌发的影响,比较碱蓬和盐地碱蓬逆境生理特性的异同,本研究利用PEG6000、NaCl和Na_2CO_3分别模拟干旱、盐和碱胁迫,配制相同渗透势的PEG6000、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理液,以蒸馏水处理为对照,对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发与胚的生长进行比较研究。结果表明:1)低渗处理(-0.46 MPa)对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发无显著影响;高渗处理(-1.38MPa、-1.84 MPa)抑制碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发。2)当溶液渗透势相等时,NaCl处理下碱蓬种子的萌发率显著大于PEG、Na_2CO_3处理;而等渗PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理对盐地碱蓬种子萌发率的影响无显著差异。3)PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理组碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的最终萌发率与对照无显著差异。4)在幼苗形成阶段,PEG、Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的抑制作用显著大于等渗NaCl处理。5)碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的生长对NaCl、Na_2CO_3胁迫的响应存在差异。-0.92 MPa NaCl处理抑制碱蓬胚的生长,却对盐地碱蓬产生促进作用;-0.46 MPa Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬胚的抑制作用小于盐地碱蓬。综合分析表明:碱蓬、盐地碱蓬均具有很强的抗盐性。在种子萌发阶段,碱蓬种子的抗旱、抗碱能力低于盐地碱蓬;在幼苗形成阶段,碱蓬胚的抗盐性小于盐地碱蓬,但对轻度碱胁迫的抗性高于盐地碱蓬。     

种子引发对水分胁迫下大豆幼苗生理特性的影响

试验研究了种子引发处理对弱抗旱"晋豆19号"和强抗旱"晋大53号"两个大豆品种种子膜透性、可溶性蛋白含量、种子发芽指标的影响及在干旱胁迫下大豆幼苗生理特性的变化.结果表明:种子引发处理使两个大豆品种种子的膜透性显著降低,可溶性蛋白含量显著升高,且不同程度地提高了两个品种的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数;幼苗在水分胁迫加重时(6～9 h),与未引发处理比,引发处理下两个品种幼苗叶片膜透性减小,MDA含量降低,SOD、POD活性和脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量升高.表明对种子进行引发处理,通过提高幼苗保护酶活性、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量,增强了大豆幼苗的耐旱性.试验还表明,引发处理对弱抗旱品种"晋豆19号"产生的耐早效应优于强抗旱品种"晋大53号".     

NaCl 胁迫下外源壳聚糖对菜用大豆叶绿体抗氧化系统的影响

【目的】 叶绿体是植物体产生活性氧 (ROS)、且对盐最敏感的细胞器,本试验研究了外源壳聚糖对 NaCl 胁迫下菜用大豆[Glycine max (L.) Merr.]叶绿体内抗氧化系统的影响,以期探讨壳聚糖对 NaCl 胁迫下光合作用的调节机制。 【方法】 试验于 2014 年 4 月至 6 月在内蒙古民族大学试验基地日光温室内进行。采用蛭石栽培,选用菜用大豆盐敏感品种 ‘理想高产 95-1’ (LX)、耐盐品种‘绿领特早’ (LL)为试材。试验设 4 个处理:1) 叶面喷洒清水,根部浇灌营养液 (对照);2) 叶面喷洒壳聚糖溶液,根部浇灌营养液;3) 叶面喷洒清水,根部浇灌溶有 NaCl 的营养液;4) 叶面喷洒壳聚糖溶液,根部浇灌溶有 NaCl 的营养液。 【结果】 外源壳聚糖显著降低了 NaCl 胁迫下两品种菜用大豆叶绿体 H₂O₂的含量,显著提高了过氧化物酶 (POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶 (APX）、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶 (MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GPX)活性以及胁迫中期还原型抗坏血酸 (AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽 (GSH)含量;与盐敏感品种 LX 相比,耐盐品种 LL 在胁迫 6～15 d 期间维持了相对较低的 H₂O₂含量,相对较高的 DHAR 活性及 AsA 含量,在整个胁迫期间维持了相对较高的 APX、GR、GPX 活性,在胁迫后期(12 d、15 d)维持了相对较高的 GSH 含量。 【结论】 外源壳聚糖对 NaCl 胁迫下菜用大豆叶绿体内 POD 活性及 AsA-GSH 循环产生了显著诱导作用,但对不同品种的诱导效果不同,耐盐品种 LL 的 AsA-GSH 循环维持了相对较强的活性氧清除能力,这可能是其维持较强光合能力,进而维持较旺盛生长的重要原因之一。      

Imbibition of soybean seeds in warm water results in the release of copious amounts of Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor, a putative anticarcinogenic agent

Protease inhibitors play a protective role against pathogenic microorganisms and herbivorous insects. The two predominant protease inhibitors of soybean seeds are the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI). In this study, we report that soybean seeds incubated in warm water release large amounts of proteins into the surrounding media. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the seed exudates resulted in the separation of 93 distinct protein spots out of which 90 spots were identified by LC-MS/MS. The basic 7S globulin and the BBI are the two predominant proteins found in the soybean seed exudates. In addition to 7S and 11S seed storage proteins, others known to protect the seeds against pathogens and pests including KTI, peroxidase, α-galactosidase, and endo-1.3-β-glucanase were also identified in the seed exudates. Soybean seed exudate obtained by incubating the seeds in warm water was also able to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Since soybean seeds release large amounts of enzymatically active BBI when immersed in warm water, our procedure could be exploited as a simplified alternative method for the preparation of BBI concentrate which is being used as a cancer chemoprotective agent.     

Immunoassays of soy proteins

Proteins of soybeans (Glycine max) are widely used in animal and human nutrition. In addition to the bulk of the seed storage proteins, which are classified as albumins and globulins, approximately 6% of soybean proteins are classified as inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin and approximately 0.5% are sugar-binding lectins. The two major classes of inhibitors are the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor, which inhibits trypsin, and the Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), which inhibits both trypsin and chymotrypsin. Unless removed or inactivated, these inhibitors and lectins can impair the nutritional quality and safety of soy-based diets. On the other hand, several studies suggest that BBI can also function as an anticarcinogen, possibly through interaction with a cellular serine protease. Good-quality soybean proteins contribute to the nutritional value of many specialty foods including infant soy formulas and milk replacers for calves, and provide texture to many processed foods. However, they may also induce occasional allergic responses in humans. This paper outlines immunoassays developed to analyze for soy proteins in different soybean lines, in processed foods, and in nonsoy foods fortified with soy proteins. An assessment of the current status of immunoassays, especially of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for soybean inhibitors of digestive enzymes, soy globulins, and soy lectins, demonstrates the usefulness of these methods in plant and food sciences and in medicine.     

空间坏境对大豆主要农艺性状及蛋白品质的诱变效应

以“实践八号”育种卫星搭载的3个大豆品种中黄28、中黄29、中黄31为材料,调查了空间诱变后代SP1、SP2代的主要农艺性状分析检测SP2、SP3种子的蛋白质组分（11S/7S球蛋白）、Kunitz胰蛋白酶抑制剂（SKTI）等品质性状分析检测,以为利用空间诱变技术改良大豆品质提供理论依据。结果表明,3个大豆品种对空间环境的反应敏感性不同,中黄28和中黄29的SP1代分别获得3株和12株变异株,变异率分别为0.417 %和1.667 %,而中黄31的SP1代没有发现变异植株,且中黄28的2株（01-SP2-1、01-SP2-2）和中黄29的5株（02-SP2-2、02-SP2-5、02-SP2-6、02-SP2-7、02-SP2-8）变异株在SP2代发生性状分离;空间环境使大豆11S 蛋白亚基发生变异,SKTI基因发生突变。空间诱变既可改良农艺性状,也可改良品质性状。     

Abundant class III acidic chitinase homologue in tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed serves as the major storage protein

The phyla Leguminosae contains protease inhibitors, lectins, chitinases, and glycohydrolases as major defense proteins in their seeds. Electrophoretic analysis of the seed proteins of tamarind ( Tamarindus indica L.), an agri-waste material, indicated the unusual presence of two major proteins comparable to overexpression of recombinant proteins. These proteins were identified by amino-terminal analysis to be (1) Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor and (2) class III endochitinase (34000 Da). These two proteins were purified to apparent homogeneity by a single-step chitin bead affinity chromatography and characterized. The Kunitz inhibitor was specific toward inhibiting trypsin with a stoichiometry of 1:1. The 33000 +/- 1000 Da protein, accounting for >50% of the total seed protein, is an acidic glycoprotein exhibiting a very low endotype hydrolytic activity toward chitin derivatives. SDS-PAGE followed by densitometry of tamarind seed germination indicates the disappearance of the chitinase with the concomitant appearance of a cysteine endopeptidase. On the basis of its abundance, accumulation without any pathogenesis-related stimulus, temporal regulation, amino acid composition, and very low enzyme activity, this 34000 Da protein designated "tamarinin" physiologically serves as the major storage protein.     

Identification of glycinin and beta-conglycinin subunits that contribute to the increased protein content of high-protein soybean lines

Seed protein concentration of commercial soybean cultivars calculated on a dry weight basis ranges from approximately 37 to 42% depending on genotype and location. A concerted research effort is ongoing to further increase protein concentration. Several soybean plant introductions (PI) are known to contain greater than 50% protein. These PIs are exploited by breeders to incorporate the high-protein trait into commercial North American cultivars. Currently, limited information is available on the biochemical and genetic mechanisms that regulate high-proteins. In this study, we have carried out proteomic and molecular analysis of seed proteins of LG00-13260 and its parental high-protein lines PI 427138 and BARC-6. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the high-protein lines accumulated increased amounts of beta-conglycinin and glycinins, when compared with Williams 82. High-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis utilizing pH 4-7 and pH 6-11 ampholytes enabled improved resolution of soybean seed proteins. A total of 38 protein spots, representing the different subunits of beta-conglycinin and glycinin, were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. High-protein was correlated with an increase in the accumulation of most of the subunits representing beta-conglycinin and glycinin. Comparisons of the amino acid profiles of high-protein soybean lines revealed that the concentration of sulfur amino acids, a reflection of protein quality, was not influenced by the protein concentration. Southern blot analysis showed the presence of genotypic variation at the DNA level between PI 427138 and BARC-6 for the genes encoding group1 glycinin, beta-conglycinin, Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), and the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI). LG00-13260 inherited the allelic variants of the parental line PI 427138 for glycinin, beta-conglycinin, and KTI, while BBI was inherited from the parental line BARC-6. The results of our study indicate that high-seed protein concentration is attributed to greater accumulation of specific components of beta-conglycinin and glycinin subunits presumably mediated by preferential expression of these genes during seed development.     

Dimeric inhibitors of human salivary alpha-amylase from emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) seeds

The proteins belonging to the cereal trypsin/alpha-amylase inhibitor family are abundant water/salt-soluble flour proteins active against alpha-amylases from several seed parasites and pests and inactive against endogenous alpha-amylases. Three alpha-amylase inhibitor families have been described in cereals that vary in size and are differently expressed among Triticeae seeds. The present work investigates the presence of human salivary alpha-amylase inhibitors in emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) flour. The isolation was obtained by a series of chromatography steps, and the purification progress was monitored through the inhibition of human salivary alpha-amylase activity. The purified fraction was subjected to protein sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) of the tryptic digests obtained after the sample separation on 2-DE. MSMS data indicated that the emmer alpha-amylase inhibitory fraction was composed of two newly identified proteins [emmer dimeric inhibitor 1 (EDI-1) and emmer dimeric inhibitor 2 (EDI-2)] sharing very high identity levels with related proteins from Triticum aestivum.     

Molecular properties and activities of tuber proteins from starch potato cv. Kuras

Potato starch production leaves behind a huge amount of juice. This juice is rich in protein, which might be exploited for food, biotechnological, and pharmaceutical applications. In northern Europe cv. Kuras is dominant for industrial starch production, and juice protein of freshly harvested mature tubers was fractionated by Superdex 200 gel filtration. The fractions were subjected to selected activity assays (patatin, peroxidase, glyoxalases I and II, alpha-mannosidase, inhibition of trypsin, Fusarium protease, and alcalase) and protein subunit size determination by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Proteins present in SDS-PAGE bands were identified by tryptic peptide mass fingerprinting. Protein complexes such as ribosomes and proteasomes eluted with the void volume of the gel filtration. Large proteins were enzymes of starch synthesis dominated by starch phosphorylase L-1 (ca. 4% of total protein). Five identified dimeric patatin variants (25%) coeluted with four monomeric lipoxygenase variants (10%) at 97 kDa. Protease inhibitor I variants (4%) at 46 kDa (hexamer) inhibited alcalase. Fourteen Kunitz protease inhibitor variants (30%) at 19 kDa inhibited trypsin and Fusarium protease. Carboxypeptidase inhibitor variants (5%) and defensins (5%) coeluted with phenolics. The native sizes and molecular properties were determined for 43 different potato tuber proteins, several for the first time.     

Nutritional and health benefits of soy proteins

Soy protein is a major component of the diet of food-producing animals and is increasingly important in the human diet. However, soy protein is not an ideal protein because it is deficient in the essential amino acid methionine. Methionine supplementation benefits soy infant formulas, but apparently not food intended for adults with an adequate nitrogen intake. Soy protein content of another essential amino acid, lysine, although higher than that of wheat proteins, is still lower than that of the milk protein casein. Adverse nutritional and other effects following consumption of raw soybean meal have been attributed to the presence of endogenous inhibitors of digestive enzymes and lectins and to poor digestibility. To improve the nutritional quality of soy foods, inhibitors and lectins are generally inactivated by heat treatment or eliminated by fractionation during food processing. Although lectins are heat-labile, the inhibitors are more heat-stable than the lectins. Most commercially heated meals retain up to 20% of the Bowman-Birk (BBI) inhibitor of chymotrypsin and trypsin and the Kunitz inhibitor of trypsin (KTI). To enhance the value of soybeans in human nutrition and health, a better understanding is needed of the factors that impact the nutrition and health-promoting aspects of soy proteins. This paper discusses the composition in relation to properties of soy proteins. Also described are possible beneficial and adverse effects of soy-containing diets. The former include soy-induced lowering of cholesterol, anticarcinogenic effects of BBI, and protective effects against obesity, diabetes, irritants of the digestive tract, bone, and kidney diseases, whereas the latter include poor digestibility and allergy to soy proteins. Approaches to reduce the concentration of soybean inhibitors by rearrangement of protein disulfide bonds, immunoassays of inhibitors in processed soy foods and soybean germplasm, the roles of phytoestrogenic isoflavones and lectins, and research needs in all of these areas are also discussed. This integrated overview of the widely scattered literature emphasizes general concepts based on our own studies as well as recent studies by others. It is intended to stimulate interest in further research to optimize beneficial effects of soy proteins. The payoff will be healthier humans and improved animal feeds.