Soybean
Soybean is an annual plant from the legume family with the scientific name Glycine max L, which is one of the very old plants and has an origin of 5000 years and it is related to the northeastern regions of China “Manchuria State”. Soy is one of the five holy grains (wheat, rice, barley, millet and soybean). Soybeans have various names, the most important of which are: soja, oil beans, and Chinese beans. This plant is called Soybean in English. This plant belongs to the Rosales order, Fabaceae family, Papilionaceae subfamily, Glycine genus and max species, which was obtained from the wild and diploid species (2n=40) Glycine Osorensis .
Soybean cultivation in Iran
In 1931 and 1937, for the first time, varieties of soybeans were imported from China by Mr. Dr. Mahdavi, the then head of Karaj Agricultural Faculty, and cultivated in the experimental farm of this faculty. In 1982, Behshahr Industrial Group imported some soybean seeds from Japan and after signing a contract with the farmers, they tried to increase the cultivated area. In 1977, the amount of soybean production in Iran reached more than 100,000 tons in an area of 60,000 hectares. Subsequently, soybean cultivation by a special joint-stock company for the development of oilseed cultivation became common in some parts of the country. In 1978, the highest amount of production equal to 113 thousand tons was achieved, but in the following years, due to various reasons, the production decreased. The most important areas of soybean cultivation in Iran include Gorgan, Gonbad, Babol, Sari and the provinces of Lorestan, East Azarbaijan and Dasht Moghan. It is obvious that paying special attention to the development of soybean cultivation will be effective in reducing oil imports.
The importance of soy
Soybean cultivation is done in most countries to produce oil, vegetable protein and fodder. The global importance of soy, especially from the point of view of protein percentage, can be deduced from Table 1-1, therefore, if the nutritional value of milk is assumed to be 100, the nutritional value of meat will be 77, and the nutritional value of soy will be 71 and as a result, soy is in the third place in terms of value in the common human diet.
Due to the high percentage of protein, soybean has more nutritional value among protein-producing plants such as legumes, and in this respect, its value is the same as meat.In today’s world, there are few plants that are defined by words such as yellow gold, miracle plant and yellow jewel. If we pay attention to the value of soybean compounds, which have been used for a long time, it will become clear that a plant with a production capacity of more than 5 tons of product under suitable conditions, with a content of 35-50% protein and 16-22% oil, is able to provide the food needs of 7 billion people from the best and most complete sources. When an oil-protein plant has about 40% protein containing the main amino acid needed by the body, in fact, in each hectare with access to 3500 kg per unit area, which is a conventional performance, equivalent to 1850-1206 kg of protein is produced per hectare. Considering that the protein of pure beef or sheep meat is 15-20%, it can be imagined that by cultivating one hectare of soybeans, the protein equivalent to the protein of 220-280 heads of sheep is extracted. Today, more than 180 main and usable products are extracted from soybeans by common industrial methods, some of which are: crude oil, flour, various protein derivatives, vegetable oil, margarine, pharmaceuticals, salad dressing, milk, various cheeses. , industrial oils, wire coating, insecticides, printing ink, soap, shampoo, yeasts, stabilizers, cosmetics, textiles and resistant fibers. In recent years, extensive studies by nutritionists and medical researchers have revealed incredible facts about this unique plant. These studies make it clear that soy is not a substitute for drugs, but it plays the role of a very strong nutritional supporter, and this is the belief of the Food and Grain Organization of the United States of America. Experts believe that a long and rich soy diet has a therapeutic effect on many diseases, including some cancers. Soybean oil protects the heart, phytoestrogens in soy compounds limit the spread of prostate cancer in men. Eating soy, especially in women, is the key to health. A group believes that soy protein lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. The result of research published in 2002 shows the significant effect of soy in maintaining general health and strengthening memory.
University of North Carolina studies are related to the effect of phytoestrogens and cardiovascular health in patients. The effect of these compounds on human health has been proven in many countries, and soy has a high rank in having these compounds. Most experts believe that medicinal plants, if used properly and in sufficient quantity, can reduce the risk of cancer (Isoflavones in soy for breast cancer) Soybean plant is used as wet and dry fodder. Soybean fodder together with corn fodder forms silage fodder for cattle. The nutritional value of soybean dry fodder is equal to the nutritional value of alfalfa and clover dry fodder. Soy flour contains vitamins A, B and 2B. Soybean flour is used in the production of sweets, pasta, bread and dairy products. By adding soybean flour to breads made from corn and sweet potato flour, the nutritional value of the resulting bread can be increased. For example, in Brazil, according to the law, it is mandatory to add 5% soybean flour to the flour to be cooked. Soy flour is used in the preparation of powdered milk and soy milk. Soy cheese is obtained by adding whey to soy milk. The nutrients in soybeans are listed in Table 1-2
Soy oil
Soybean oil obtained from its seeds is one of the major vegetable oils used in human nutrition. Soybean oil contains a large amount of linoleic and oleic fatty acids, which are very important in nutrition physiology. The fatty acids of soybean oil are listed in Table 1-3. Linoleic fatty acid in soybean oil is more abundant than other fatty acids. In humans, this fatty acid plays an important role in the synthesis of a hormone called prostaglandin , which has a positive effect on the smooth muscles of the heart. Soybean oil is widely used in paint, soap, varnish, candle, glue, printing ink, and flooring industries, apart from kitchen uses (Alyari et al., 2000).
-15%
