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genistein

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ415957· pop 26· linked from 1,693 articles

Also known as 5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone, 4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone, Differenol A, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, Sophoricol, 4',5, 7-Trihydroxyisoflavone, Prunetol, Genisterin

Genistein (C15H10O5) is a plant-derived, aglycone isoflavone. Genistein has the highest content of all isoflavones in soybeans and soy products, such as tempeh. As a type of phytoestrogen, genistein is classed as an endocrine disrupting chemical due to its estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, excessive consumption of soy products has been linked to disruption of the reproductive organs, such as the uterus, breast, and testis.

Chemical data

Formula
C15H10O5
Molecular weight
270.24 g/mol
IUPAC name
5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one
SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=COC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)O
InChIKey
TZBJGXHYKVUXJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
2.7
Polar surface area
87 Ų
H-bond donors
3
H-bond acceptors
5
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

~6 min read

Encyclopedic overview

11 sections
Contents
  • Natural occurrence
  • In soybean products
  • Biosynthesis
  • Metabolism, bioavailability, and safety
  • Potential for estrogenic activity
  • Human research
  • Laboratory research
  • Anthelmintic
  • Related compounds
  • See also
  • References

Genistein (C15H10O5) is a plant-derived, aglycone isoflavone. Genistein has the highest content of all isoflavones in soybeans and soy products, such as tempeh. As a type of phytoestrogen, genistein is classed as an endocrine disrupting chemical due to its estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, excessive consumption of soy products has been linked to disruption of the reproductive organs, such as the uterus, breast, and testis.

It was first isolated in 1899 from the dyer's broom, Genista tinctoria; hence, the chemical name. The compound structure was established in 1926, when it was found to be identical with that of prunetol. It was chemically synthesized in 1928. Genistein is a primary secondary metabolite of the Trifolium species and Glycine max (soy).

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “genistein” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.