Equol is a nonsteroidal phytoestrogen metabolized by intestinal bacteria from daidzein, an isoflavone found in high concentrations in soy products and other legumes. The ability to produce equol only occurs in 30-50% of humans and has been hypothesized to result in greater health benefits via its affinity to -estrogen receptor. Calibration curves were made to determine lowest levels of detection using HPLC UV-Vis. Concentrations below 1ppm were not detectable and thus required LC/MS/MS. An ongoing time-study was also performed, looking at the stability of equol in a solution of 50% v/v H20/MeOH when left at ambient temperatures. Weekly analysis of a 50ppm concentration was performed using HPLC UV-Vis. The kinetics of the isoflavone daidzein will be studied using assays of recombinant Corning® Supersomes™ enzymes. Both the conjugation and deconjugation of glucuronide to equol are of interest, with various added substrates to determine possible inhibitors. The Michaelis-menten model for kinetics will be followed to measure the results. An understanding of what factors affect the rates of glucuronidation of equol may contribute to our ability to derive more efficacious health benefits.
