Effect of the genistein metabolite on leptin secretion in murine adipocytes in vitro

► 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (2-HPPA) enantiomers were separated by HPLC. ► We prepared an optically active 2-HPPA from genistein by strain SY8519. ► (S)-2-HPPA was synthesized from (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid. ► We determined the stereochemistry of SY8519-producing 2-HPPA as an R-configuration. ► Genistein attenuates the leptin-reducing activity by the metabolism to (R)-2-HPPA.