MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF COMMERCIAL CAPSULES OF ISOFLAVONES AND QUANTIFICATION OF THEIR CONTENT

Resumo

The survey awakened a big interest in the production of functional, such as isoflavones, with proven action on the prevention of health problems, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Considering the importance of soybean supplements standardization, this study aimed identifying and quantifying the isoflavones in products sold at different pharmacies. Isoflavones samples were acquired in six different pharmacies specialized in the production of phytotherapic medications. The isoflavones were extracted, quantified and identified in HPLC. None of the samples, from different pharmacies, presented the isoflavones content presented on the label, i.e., 20 mg. In relation to the isoflavones profile, the highest levels found were of daidzein, with up to 66.8 µg, being the lowest levels the ones of genistein. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt methods of standardization and characterization of raw ensure that the content of isoflavones, because they are essential for the purposes prescribed by medical professionals