Contains 2.8 Times More Antioxidants Than Traditional Black Soybeans
Soman Extract Proven to Inhibit the Proliferation of Cancer Cells Including Brain Tumor, Breast Cancer, and Skin Cancer
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) has found that the black soybean variety 'Soman', developed by the agency, contains a high amount of antioxidant substances, which have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, including brain tumors, breast cancer, and skin cancer. The RDA plans to expand the distribution of Soman starting next year.
On May 21, the RDA announced that Soman, a black soybean variety developed to stabilize rice supply and demand and to promote the consumption of domestic soybeans, contains a high level of antioxidants, confirming its excellent functional properties.
According to the RDA, the anthocyanin content among the antioxidants in Soman is 2.8 times higher than that of traditional black soybeans. In particular, the content of isoflavone aglycones (isoflavones not bound to sugar), which are known for their cancer-preventive effects, is 2.9 times higher than that of traditional black soybeans.
The RDA research team, in collaboration with Professor Lee Jongho's team at Dong-A University, studied the actual efficacy of the antioxidants contained in Soman. As a result, when Soman extract was applied to three types of cancer cells?brain tumor, breast cancer, and skin cancer?the number of brain tumor cells was 52.2% lower, breast cancer cells 40.6% lower, and skin cancer cells 58.4% lower compared to the untreated group. In animal experiments, the volume of skin cancer tumors in laboratory mice administered with Soman extract was 72.3% smaller, and the weight was 64.7% less than those in the untreated group.
The RDA published these experimental results in the international journal 'Antioxidants' and has applied for a related patent. The RDA plans to secure a large quantity of raw grains through field demonstration projects this year, which will be used for industry-linked evaluations next year. In addition, the agency will continue to cooperate with agricultural companies and medical and health functional food companies to support industrialization. The certified seeds produced this year will be distributed through the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency starting next year. Currently, companies that have acquired the technology are selling Soman in small packages.
Kwak Doyeon, Director of the National Institute of Crop Science at the RDA, stated, "Now that the functional effects of Soman have been scientifically proven, we will strengthen cooperation with industry so that it can be used as a material for various health functional foods. We will also accelerate the development of functional soybean varieties based on digital breeding technology, leading the creation of new demand and expanded consumption for domestic soybeans."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
