Soya Bean

Glycine max

Physical Characteristics

Glycine max is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Oil Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Coffee Milk Oil Oil Mature seed - cooked[2, 33]. The seeds furnish one of the world's most important sources of oil and protein, they can be eaten as they are in soups, stews etc[183, 269], though they are also very commonly used in the preparation of various meat substitutes[34, 46]. The dried seed can be ground into a flour and added to cereal flours or used for making noodles etc[183]. The Japanese make a powder from the roasted and ground seed, it is called 'Kinako' and has a nutty flavour and fragrance - it is used in many popular confections[183]. The sprouted seed is eaten raw or added to cooked dishes. The toasted seeds can be eaten as a peanut-like snack[183]. The seed is also made into numerous fermented foods such as miso and tempeh[183] and is also used to make soya milk, a valuable protein supplement in infant feeding which also provides curds and cheese[269]. The seed contains 20% oil and 30 - 45% protein[100]. All seeds on a soybean plant mature at essentially the same time. Maturity of the seed is accompanied by a rapid dropping of the leaves and drying of the stems[269]. Average yield of beans is about 1700 kg/ha[269]. High-yielding cvs, adapted to the locality and grown under proper culture and favourable conditions will yield more than twice the average yield[269]. The immature seed is cooked and used like peas or eaten raw in salads[105, 183]. The strongly roasted and ground seeds are used as a coffee substitute[183]. The young seedpods are cooked and used like French beans[116, 183]. An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[269]. It is cooked or can be used as a dressing in salads etc and for manufacture of margarine and shortening[34, 183, 269]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[179, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Astringent Diaphoretic Laxative Ophthalmic Resolvent Stomachic The fermented seed is weakly diaphoretic and stomachic[176]. It is used in the treatment of colds, fevers and headaches, insomnia, irritability and a stuffy sensation in the chest[176]. The bruised leaves are applied to snakebite[218]. The flowers are used in the treatment of blindness and opacity of the cornea[218]. The ashes of the stems are applied to granular haemorrhoids or fungus growths on the anus[218]. The immature seedpods are chewed to a pulp and applied to corneal and smallpox ulcers[218]. The seed is antidote[218]. It is considered to be specific for the healthy functioning of bowels, heart, kidney, liver and stomach[218, 269]. The seed sprouts are constructive, laxative and resolvent[218]. They show an oestrogen-like activity in the body and are also antispasmodic[279].The sprous are used in the treatment of oedema, dysuria, chest fullness, decreased perspiration, the initial stages of flu and arthralgia[176]. A decoction of the bark or root is astringent[240, 269]. Soybean diets are valued for treating acidosis[269]. Since soybean oil has a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acid, it is recommended, like safflower, poppy seed, etc. to combat hypercholesteremia[269]. Commercial grades of natural lecithin, which are often derived from soybean, are reported to contain a potent vasopressor. Medicinally lecithin is indicated as a lipotropic agent[269]. Soybean is listed as a major starting material for stigmasterol, once known as an antistiffness factor. Sitosterol, also a soy by-product, has been used to replace diosgenin in some antihypertensive drugs[269].

Known Hazards

The raw mature seed is toxic and must be thoroughly cooked before being eaten[76]. The sprouted raw seed is sometimes eaten and is considered to be a wholesome food.