Arcadia Biosciences, an agricultural biotechnology company focused on developing products that benefit the environment and human health, today announced that it has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop soybeans with desired levels of soy isoflavones. Soy isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens, are phytochemicals that have been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms in women, as well as decrease the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Some studies have also suggested that because of similarities to estrogen activity in the human body, there may be situations where high levels of soy isoflavones could be undesirable. Arcadia will use its proprietary TILLING(R) advanced screening technology to develop soybean plants that, through genetic variation, contain various levels of soy isoflavones, ranging from very high to very low or none at all. The products that could be developed through this effort would be used to satisfy demands of food manufacturers who desire particular levels of soy isoflavones for specific uses.
