Agro Produce Processing Division, CIAE (ICAR), Nabi Bagh, Baresia Road, Bhopal, M.P-462038

                                                           Dept. of Biotechnology, Beehive College, Dehradun U.K

                                 Department of Biotechnology SVP University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut INDIA 250110

                                     Department of Biotechnology D.D.U Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, 273 009, INDIA

                                                                   ICFAI University, Mohbewala, Dehradun, U.K

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds which have oestrogenic and/or anti-oestrogenic activity. They are present in many human foodstuffs including beans, sprouts, cabbage, spinach, soybean, grains and hops. Among these phytochemicals is the broad class of nonsteroidal estrogens called phytoestrogens, and in the past decade there has been considerable interest in the role of isoflavones because of their relatively high concentrations in soy protein. The isoflavones in modest amounts of ingested soy protein are biotransformed by intestinal microflora, are absorbed, undergo enterohepatic recycling, and reach circulating concentrations that exceed by several orders of magnitude the amounts of endogenous estrogens. These phytoestrogens and their metabolites have many potent hormonal and nonhormonal activities that may explain some of the biological effects of diets rich in phytoestrogens. Epidemiological studies suggest that foodstuffs containing phytoestrogens may have a beneficial role in protecting against a number of chronic diseases and conditions. For cancer of the prostate, colon, rectum, stomach and lung, the evidence is most consistent for a protective effect resulting from a high intake of grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables; it is not possible to identify particular food types or components that may be responsible. Dietary intervention studies indicate that in women soya and linseed may have beneficial effects on the risk of breast cancer and may help to alleviate postmenopausal symptoms. Soya also appears to have beneficial effects on blood lipids which may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. It is concluded that dietary phytoestrogens may have a role in the prevention of several types of chronic disease including certain cancers.

    Keywords: Electrophoresis, Esterase isozymes, Tissue specificity, Macrognathus aculeatus,   Mastacembalus armatus