[Metabolism of isoflavones and coumestanes in cell and callus suspension cultures of Phaseolus aureus Roxb].

The isoflavone daidzein, the coumestanes coumestrol and soyagol as well as 2',4,4'-trihydroxychalcone were isolated from callus and cell suspensions of root tip tissue from Phaseolus aureus Roxb. Upon prolonged culturing callus suspensions gradually became cell suspensions, a process which was accompanied by a decrease in the accumulation of phenolics. Upon transfer of the cells into 3 different media containing β-indolyl acetic acid, kinetin or α-naphthalene acetic acid, a drastic increase in the amount of coumestrol was measured.The data are discussed in relation to the observed differentiation of the cultures after application of the various hormones. The cultures were shown to metabolize daidzein and other phenylpropanoid compounds. A pronounced binding of daidzein to polymeric, ethanol-insoluble material is discussed in relation to our earlier findings in isoflavone metabolism.