Bioactive action of β‐glucosidase enzyme of Bifidobacterium longum upon isoflavone glucosides present in soymilk

Summary Bioconversion of isoflavone glucosides and antioxidant activity by probiotic strain ( B ifidobacterium longum ) during soymilk fermentation was investigated, as well as partial characterisation of the produced enzyme β‐glucosidase. The enzyme has higher affinity for genistin than for other substrates assayed. Maximum activity occurred at 42 °C and at pH 6.0; keeping 70–80% of activity for 60 days stored at low temperatures. B ifidobacterium longum grew well in soymilk (8.26 log CFU mL −1 and pH of 3.9 at 24 h) and were produced in good quantities of organic acids. High hydrolysis degree of isoflavone glucosides (81.2%) was observed at 24 h. Enhancements in bioactivity were assessed in fermented soymilk by monitoring the radical‐scavenging activity, antioxidant activity and DNA protective action. The use of probiotic B ifidobacterium strain as β‐glucosidase producer increased bioactive isoflavone content and demonstrated that this enzyme plays a key role in the bioavailability of soymilk isoflavones, reducing the bioconversion time compared to other studies.