Consumers of Ontario grown soybeans could soon be benefiting from the role compounds in soybeans play in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, say industry experts.

Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG), through $30,000 in funding support from the Canada-Ontario Research and Development Program (C-ORDP), are conducting research to develop new value added isoflavone-rich soybean varieties for the Ontario industry.

"The awareness of the health benefits of soybean isoflavones is increasing with consumers all around the world. OSG see this project as an excellent opportunity to develop soybean cultivars that will add value to both the domestic and export food-grade soybean markets," says Matt McLean of OSG.

Isoflavones are compounds - found in high concentrations in soybeans -that are credited with reducing the risk of heart disease, some types of cancer, stroke and osteoporosis, along with decreasing post-menopausal symptoms.

"The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) and the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council (OACC) are excited to be involved in research of this quality that will benefit both consumers and producers of Ontario soybeans," says Bob Down, AAC Board member and Chair of the OACC.

The research, which is being conducted by the University of Guelph, will identify molecular markers tightly linked to genes controlling isoflavone levels in soybean seeds with the resulting markers being used as a novel, economical tool for breeding isoflavone-rich soybean varieties.

"In addition, this research will provide a better understanding of the role isoflavones play in the management of soybean diseases - which is of direct agronomic value to primary producers," says McLean.

Final results from this research are expected by the end of 2003.

The AAC is a non-profit coalition of 54 agricultural, agri-business and rural organizations working together to support Ontario’s agricultural sector and rural communities. The C-ORDP is financed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food through the Safety Net fund. AAC and the OACC administer the program, which supports research and development projects for non-supply-managed farm groups.

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For more information:

Mary Jarvis, Tel: (519) 822-7554, Mary's e-mail

Matt McLean, Tel: (519) 352-7730, mclean@soybean.on.ca