Genistein 98%

The main aglycone isoflavone of soybean, genistein is isolated here from the seed of Glycine max by ethanol extraction and purification. It is a planar polyphenol with three hydroxyl groups on a 3-phenylchromone skeleton, and in the seed it occurs mainly bound to sugar as the glycoside genistin.

The primary grade is 98% genistein by HPLC, in Food / Dietary Supplement Grade. The off-white powder is insoluble in water. It is used where the single free isoflavone, not the glycoside and not a mixed soy isoflavone extract, is the defined ingredient.

SKU: BOT-PHY-0027 Category: Phytochemicals Tags: Ethanol Extracted, Isoflavones, Plant Compounds, Seed & Grain, Softgels & Oil Fills, Soybean

Genistein Chemical Identity

Genistein has the molecular formula C15H10O5 and a molecular weight of 270.2. The skeleton is an isoflavone, in which the phenyl B-ring is attached at position 3 of the chromone core and not at position 2 as in the more common flavones. Hydroxyl groups at positions 5, 7 and 4′ complete the structure. The hydroxyl at position 5 forms a hydrogen bond to the neighboring carbonyl, which lowers its acidity and helps explain the low water solubility.

The natural source is the seed of Glycine max (L.) Merr., where genistein is released from its glycosides by hydrolysis during processing. The glycoside forms genistin and malonyl genistin are the usual storage forms in the bean, and the aglycone is what this product supplies. Soybean also provides Black Soybean Extract 5–25% Anthocyanins, Soybean Extract 20–80% Isoflavones and the 10:1 Black Soybean Extract Powder. Those materials contain a mixture of isoflavone forms, whereas genistein here is one aglycone with its own identifiers.

Genistein is one of three major soy isoflavones, and the other two, daidzein and glycitein, differ by one or two hydroxyl or methoxy groups. Because the three share the skeleton, chromatographic resolution is the way to tell them apart.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Natural Source	Glycine max seed
Plant Part	Seed & Grain
Processing	Ethanol Extraction & Purification
Compound Class	Isoflavones, Flavonoids, Polyphenols
Chemical Name (IUPAC)	5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one
CAS Number	446-72-0
Molecular Formula	C15H10O5
Molecular Weight	270.24
PubChem CID	5280961
InChIKey	TZBJGXHYKVUXJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES	C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=COC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)O
Purity	98% (HPLC)
Grade	Food / Dietary Supplement Grade
Appearance	Off-White powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Insoluble in Water
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Genistein Purity Grades & Impurities

The 98% figure is an HPLC result that compares the genistein peak with the other detected peaks, usually at a wavelength near 260 nm where isoflavones absorb strongly. It leaves out water, ash and any component without absorbance. Since many isoflavone samples are first hydrolyzed to convert the glycosides to aglycones, a total-isoflavone assay and a free-genistein assay are different measurements, and the specification states that this is the free aglycone.

The related substances are the other soy isoflavones. Daidzein is the usual neighbor and is separated from genistein by a few minutes on a reversed-phase column, and glycitein and biochanin A are possible traces. Residual glycosides, genistin and daidzin, indicate incomplete hydrolysis, while malonyl and acetyl forms appear in lots that were not heated. These are removed by purification at the 98% grade and should show only as minor peaks.

Soybean material also brings non-isoflavone impurities such as saponins, phytosterols and lipids, which are removed during purification and checked by their effect on appearance and solubility. A white to off-white color indicates a clean lot, and a yellow tone suggests residual pigment. Plant-derived and synthetic genistein share the same main peak, so the source statement and the impurity profile together tell a buyer which origin the lot has.

Genistein Solubility & Delivery

Genistein is insoluble in water and dissolves in ethanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide and dilute alkali. The flat molecule packs tightly into crystals, and the intramolecular hydrogen bond hides the 5-hydroxyl, which together explain the slow dissolution. Solutions in alkali are yellow and can degrade on standing, so they are made fresh. Its logP is moderate to high, and it favors lipid phases over water without dissolving well in pure oil.

Delivery therefore depends on dispersion and on particle size. Fine milling, wetting agents, cyclodextrin and phospholipid complexes, and oil-based suspensions are the approaches described in the literature. In dry blends the main effort is uniform dispersion of a small weight of fine powder. Static and cohesion are common, so anti-static scoops and a two-stage premix with a dry carrier give a more even result. Heat and light are tolerated reasonably well in the dry state, though prolonged exposure to alkaline conditions and metal ions discolors the powder.

Crystal form influences handling more than the assay does. Genistein can crystallize in different habits depending on the solvent and the cooling rate, and a needle habit packs less densely and wets more slowly than a blocky one. Two lots with the same HPLC purity can therefore differ in bulk density, flow and dissolution rate, which is why particle size and bulk behavior are checked on receipt and a retained sample is kept for comparison.

Application Areas

Capsule Fills of the Free Aglycone

Capsules take genistein at small weight and low inclusion. The cohesive powder bridges in hoppers, so vibration, a flow agent and a sieved premix keep the fill weight steady from one lot to the next.

Softgel Suspensions

Softgels suspend milled genistein in oil with an emulsifier. Check settling before encapsulation, since the crystals are denser than the oil, and keep the fill under nitrogen so the polyphenol ring does not discolor in the tank.

Complex Systems With Cyclodextrin

Cyclodextrin and phospholipid complexes are used to raise the dispersion of the insoluble solid. The complex is built in a solvent step, dried and milled, and a retained sample of each lot is kept to compare dissolution when the process is repeated.

Isoflavone Comparison Blends

Formulators comparing soy isoflavone forms blend genistein with the glycoside and with daidzein in set ratios. Each ingredient is weighed on its own and premixed in steps, and an HPLC trace of the blend confirms that the ratios have not shifted.

Opaque Stick Premixes

Sticks carry genistein only at high dilution in a masking base, since the solid does not dissolve and leaves off-white specks in water. Add it to opaque, flavored mixes, sieve the premix twice, and use a thickener so the particles stay suspended long enough to be consumed.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.