This study was carried out to investigate the variation of triterpene soyasapogenol A and B in soybean cultivars. Soyasapogenol A and B were isolated from acid hydrolysis of 80% aqueous ethanol extract of soybean and the structures of these soyasapogenols were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR analysis. And the distribution of soyasapogenol A and B were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with variable wavelength detector (VWD). The soyasapogenol A and B contents of soybean cultivars ranged form 49.9 ㎍/g (Geomjeongsaeol) to 701.5㎍/g (Sorog) and from 91.4㎍/g (Danmi) to 2,315.9 ㎍/g (Daewonkong), respectively. Sorog cultivar showed the highest total soyasapogenol contents (2,773.8 ㎍/g), whereas Geomjeongkong 3 cultivar displayed the lowest (83.5㎍/g). The average content ratio of soyasapogenol B (1,061.4㎍/g) was significantly higher than that of soyasapogenol A (292.5 ㎍/g).

• Tae Joung Ha(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA) Corresponding Author
• Jong-Min Ko(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)
• Chan-Sik Jung(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)
• Sang-Ik Han(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)
• Myoung-Hee Lee(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)
• Yu-Na Jeong(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)
• Keum-Yong Park(Dept. of Functional Crop Science, National Institute Crop Science, RDA)