EFEITOS DA RADIAÇÃO GAMA NA QUALIDADE NUTRICIONAL DE GRÃOS DE SOJA Glycine max (L.) TAÍS CAROLINA FRANQUEIRA DE TOLEDO SARTORI* SOLANGE GUIDOLIN CANNIATTI BRAZACA** MÔNICA ALESSANDRA TEIXEIRA DOS SANTOS***

EFFECTS OF THE GAMMA RADIATION IN NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF SOYBEAN GRAINS Glycine max (L.) The objective of this study was to determine alterations caused by gamma radiation (doses of 0, 2, 4 and 8 kGy) in two different soybean cultivars (BRS 213 and Embrapa 48). The study included analysis of the lipid profi le, isofl avones and total, free and protein-binding polyphenols. Both cultivars showed similar lipid profi le and the irradiation decreased the amount of linoleic and linolenic acids. The results showed that glycosylated isofl avones were increased at 2 kGy and decreased at 4 and 8 kGy of radiation. The radiation was also responsible for the increase of antioxidant activity and for protein-binding polyphenols reduction. The results of this study indicated that gamma radiation did not change signifi cantly the chemical characteristics of the soybean cultivars. KEY-WORDS: SOYBEANS; GAMMA RADIATION; ISOFLAVONES; LIPID PROFILE; ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY.