Soyasaponin I, II, III and V contents were investigated in seed, cotyledons and sprouts of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) subjected to germination over five days. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS/MS) method was used to evaluate the content of soyasaponins. Soyasaponins contents were different according to the varieties. Germination of soybeans dramatically increased soyasaponin contents in soybean sprouts in a time-dependent manner.

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... dons had a higher contents of soyasaponins compared to dried seed (p<0.05). After five days of germination, Soyasaponin I and II increased 10 times higher after germination. Soyasaponin I and II are major metabolites in cotyledons and hypocotyls. Soyasaponin III and V were also detected in seed and increased depended on the germination stage. Soyasaponin V was at its highest levels in the hypocotyl, almost 7 times higher than the initial content in soybean seeds. Therefore, the germination of soybean sprouts significantly increased soyasaponin content.