Soybean: Bio-Active Compounds

This book provides an overview of the importance of soybean all over the world. The authors contributed with 24 chapters dealing with various topics.

Soybean consumption benefits, especially in several chronic diseases, have been related to its important protein content, high levels of essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Consequently, Chapter 1 provides ideas on Critical Evaluation of Soybean Role in Animal Production Chains Based on the Valorisation of Locally Produced Feedstuff.

We can also learn that new marketing strategies are necessary to make consumers aware of the importance of the overall characteristics of local production chains in defining the quality of a final product and to ensure at the same time a profitable price for the producers. Chapter 3 brings an overview of the types of equipment used for industrial processing of soybeans for obtaining vegetable oil in small plants and Chapter 4, for example, highlights the international literature which suggests that phytoestrogens have a potentially high clinical impact and the expansion of knowledge on soy, soy foods, and soy products which will lead to novel future developments in the field of cancer treatment.

Other chapters aim at the comprehensive characterization of the antioxidant and antiplatelet activities of bioactive compounds, of soybean and its derivatives, and the extent to which soybean is a health-promoting food.

This book will be useful for soybean researchers and other academic staff and will provide its readers with valuable insight into the last developments in the field.