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Phytoestrogen content of alfalfa cultivars grown in eastern Canada

2006; Wiley; Volume: 86; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/jsfa.2412

1097-0010

Philippe Séguin, Wenju Zheng,

Natural product bioactivities and synthesis

Abstract Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) contains several phytoestrogens that may have health‐promoting effects in humans. In this study, the concentrations of three phytoestrogens (apigenin, coumestrol, and luteolin) of ten field‐grown alfalfa cultivars were determined in the seeding and post‐seeding year at two sites in Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue, QC, Canada. Herbage and phytoestrogen yield per hectare were concurrently determined. Differences between cultivars were only observed for apigenin concentration and yield and coumestrol yield. There was a 37% variation between cultivars in apigenin concentration. Site‐by‐harvest interactions and harvest main effects were observed for the concentration and yield of all three phytoestrogens. There was a 2‐ and 2.5‐fold variation in coumestrol and luteolin concentrations, respectively, between harvests of both sites. Coumestrol concentration was lower in harvests of the seeding than of the post‐seeding year. Luteolin concentration fluctuated during the five harvests at one site, but was greater in the seeding than in the post‐seeding year at the other site. There was a 5.4‐fold variation in apigenin concentration between harvests of both sites, concentrations being lower in the seeding (avg. 173 µg g −1 DM) than in the post‐seeding year. Results suggest that choice of cultivars have limited impact on alfalfa phytoestrogen concentration, which, however, greatly differ between harvests and sites. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry