Effects of genetic variability and planting location on the phytosterol content and composition in soybean seeds

Phytosterols present in soybean seeds have specific physiological activities related to serum cholesterol reduction. Therefore, soybean seeds containing high levels of phytosterols are required for soybean products as functional foods. However, little is known about effects of genetic variability and planting location on the phytosterol content and composition in soybean seeds. In this study, we analyzed phytosterol composition of 510 germplasm accessions of cultivated soybean seeds by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) as well as oil content. Phytosterol contents were in the range of 202 and 843 μg/g seed, and they depended on varieties of soybean seeds, but there was no significant difference between the phytosterol content in Japanese and non-Japanese seeds. The phytosterol content was higher in high oil soybean seeds. β-Sitosterol was the major phytosterol (43–67%) in soybean seeds, followed by campesterol (17–34%) and stigmasterol (10–30%). The phytosterol proportions were almost the same in all soybean seeds and it was not influenced by genetic variability and planting location.