Glycine max
Soybean
Glycine max, commonly known as soybean, is a versatile legume valued globally for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in bioactive compounds like isoflavones, antioxidants, and essential amino acids, it supports cardiovascular health, hormonal balance, and bone density, making it a cornerstone in functional medicine and dietary supplementation.
- Scientific name: Glycine max
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Glycine max, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Glycine.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Glycine | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Glycine max, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In English, it is commonly called the soybean, while in Italian, it is referred to as la soia. In German, the plant is known as the Sojabohne, and in Arabic, it is called فول الصويا. Additionally, in Amharic, it is identified as ሻማ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | soybean | Wikidata |
| it | soia | Wikidata |
| de | Sojabohne | Wikidata |
| am | ሻማ | Wikidata |
| ar | فول الصويا | Wikidata |
| ast | Pleuronectes platessa | Wikidata |
| be | соя культурная | Wikidata |
| bg | соя | Wikidata |
| bn | সয়াবিন | Wikidata |
| bo | སྲན་སེར། | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found throughout Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Its range further extends into Eastern Europe, specifically within Belarus. Together, these locations highlight the diverse geographical footprint of Glycine max across various European landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Belarus | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Central European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | North European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Glycine max, is primarily valued for its nutrient-dense seeds, commonly referred to as soya seeds. Within these seeds, the large, fleshy cotyledons serve as a vital storage organ, packing the plant with essential proteins and fats. Furthermore, the plant plays a crucial role in nitrogen fixation through the specialized nodules found on its roots, which interact with soil bacteria to enrich the environment.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| soya seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nodules | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cotyledons | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Glycine max has 246 reported phytochemicals identified across 407 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein, daidzein, isoflavones, soy isoflavones, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 246
- Scientific sources
- 407
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| genistein | 21 | ★★★★★ |
| daidzein | 17 | ★★★★★ |
| isoflavones | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| soy isoflavones | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| lectin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| phytoestrogens | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| indole-3-acetic acid | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| methionine | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
Activities
Glycine max has 13 reported activities identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Anticarcinogenic, Estrogenic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 26
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiangiogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiestrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Glycine max has 101 reported medicinal uses identified across 166 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 101
- Scientific sources
- 166
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| breast cancer | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| osteoporosis | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| obesity | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| prostate cancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| hypertension | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| salt stress | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malnutrition | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |