Metabolism of daidzein by Nocardia species NRRL 5646 and Mortierella isabellina ATCC 38063

The phytoestrogen daidzein was metabolized by Nocardia species NRRL 5646 to give two metabolites obtained by hydroxylation and methylation. These metabolites were spectrally characterized as 7-methoxy-4′-hydroxyisoflavone (isoformononetin) and 7,8-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxyisoflavone. Mortierella isabellina ATCC 38063 was able to metabolize daidzein to the unusual metabolite daidzein-4′-rhamnopyranoside