Quantification of Phytoestrogens in Woody Plants (Leguminosae) Using HPLC

Phytoestrogens are considered to exhibit biological activities in human and animal. There are few data on the contents of phytoestrogens in woody plants. This study was undertaken to examine phytoestrogen contents in five species (Albizzia coreana, Albizzia julibrissin, Gleditsia japonica var. koraiensis, Maackia fauriei and Sophora japonica) of leguminosae. An HPLC method was employed for the first time to analyze phytoestrogens in five species. The contents of daidzein and genistein were in the range of 2.9~170.5 ㎍/g and 1.3~118.4 ㎍/g, respectively. Daidzein and genistein were most abundantly present in the Sophora japonica among the samples examined.