Soybeans have nutritional value , especially protein , similar to animal protein sources , such as meat , fish , milk , and eggs . For decades relied upon as a source of soy protein most Indonesian people . Increase in soybean prices now threaten the adequacy of protein lower middle class population .
Various references indicate , soy is rich in vitamins , especially vitamin A and vitamin B complex , as well as a variety of important minerals such as iron , phosphorus , zinc , magnesium , calcium . Be a source of soy protein-building amino acids that the body needs .
" Amino acid content of soy is almost equivalent to the amino acids contained in animal products , only to lose in the amino acids methionine and cystine , " said Nelis Imanningsih , researchers at the Center for Biomedical and Healthcare Technology Association , the Agency for Health Research and Development , Monday ( 2/9 ) , in Jakarta . High amino acids in soybean include isoleucine , leucine , lysine , phenylalanine , valine , and arginine .
Content of phytoestrogens , in this case ganestein and deidzein , the soybeans are the bioactive components that have physiological functions such as estrogen to help the absorption of calcium in premenopausal and postmenopausal women to maintain bone mass , thereby preventing osteoporosis .
Soy contains polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA ) that are lower cholesterol levels .
Something similar is made Professor of Food and Nutrition , Bogor Agricultural University , Made Astawan . Soy contains antioxidants which can counteract free radicals that can prevent a variety of degenerative diseases such as cancer , hypertension , and diabetes as well as premature aging .
If soybean fermented with Rhizopus sp into tempeh , soy amino acids will break down into shorter chains so easily digested .
Nelis said , soy peptides have hypocholesterolemic effects ( lowering cholesterol ) . In addition , due to fermentation , vitamin B12 arise as a result of mold metabolites that play a role in the fermentation of tempeh . " Vitamin B12 is normally only present in animal products , but there are special in soybean , " said Nelis .
According Astawan , tempeh decades a source of cheap protein for the population of Indonesia is now going international . " Currently, tempeh is in stage 5 of the 8 stages to get the Codex ( international standard for a product ) Tempe . Expected existing Codex 2015 Tempe , " said Astawan .
The problem , further Astawan , about 70 percent of imported soybean in Indonesia , only 30 percent of local products . If soy tempeh and tofu manufacturers affordable , it could threaten the adequacy of the protein .
Astawan stated , there are a number of nuts that have nutritional value of soybeans approached , for example nuts komak ( Lablab purpureus ) , winged bean , lentils . However , there are not many on the market . In addition, said Nelis , if the nut was made tempeh , need time to be accepted by society at large.
Best move , according to them , in the long run improve the local soybean production . In the short term , the government should import soybeans to increase the affordability of the population .
