By genetically engineering microorganisms, the goal is to produce equol, a compound with antioxidant and estrogenic properties that is associated with improved bone, cardiovascular, and skin health, as well as relief from menopausal symptoms.
The project, "Isoflavones: Sustainable Production and Valorization of Soybean Byproducts through Genetic Reprogramming," led by the Protein Technology Group at Universidad ORT Uruguay, has been awarded the Innova Agro grant from the National Agency for Research and Innovation ( ANII), which is funding its development. In addition, ANII is supporting the training of Tomás Tejera, a graduate student who joined the team this year, contributing to the country’s scientific advancement.
Equol is naturally produced in the human gut from soy isoflavones, but only 25% to 50% of people have the ability to convert the isoflavones in their diet into equol, while the rest require direct supplementation to reap its benefits.
Currently, the chemical processes used to synthesize equol are costly and environmentally intensive, which limits their commercial viability. This project aims to offer a sustainable alternative: using genetically engineered bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, to produce equol from soy byproducts like soybean meal.
National and international impact
The project has a significant impact across multiple areas. At the national level, it aims to add value to soybeans—a key crop for Uruguay—by transforming low-cost byproducts such as soybean meal, which is currently used primarily as livestock feed, into high-value-added products. This approach promotes the circular economy and proposes a sustainable and environmentally friendly production model.
Internationally, the project involves collaborations with the National Center for Biotechnology (CNB) in Madrid, Spain—specifically with Dr. Juan Nogales’s Synthetic Biology Laboratory—and with the Asturias Dairy Products Institute (IPLA). In Uruguay, the project works in conjunction with the Institut Pasteur in Montevideo, specifically with the Microbial Genomics Laboratory, fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach.
Technological and social innovation
The innovation of the project lies in transferring the metabolic pathways responsible for equol production—currently found in microorganisms unsuitable for industrial processes—to Escherichia coli, a bacterium that can be scaled up for industrial use. These modular systems, comparable to Lego pieces, can be easily adapted for genomic integration, enabling the production not only of equol but also of other compounds of interest from agro-industrial waste.
From a social perspective, equol could become widely available as a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional hormone therapy for treating menopause. If it can be produced on a large scale and at low cost, many women could have access to this product, thereby improving their quality of life.
Academic impact and human resources development
The project will open a new line of research within ORT’s Protein Technology Group, establishing Dr. Cecilia Ortiz as the principal investigator and generating knowledge applicable to future developments. It will also strengthen the country’s scientific and technical capacity by training two graduate students and two undergraduate students in cutting-edge technologies.
Finally, the domestic industry has already shown interest in finding new uses for soybean meal, which opens up opportunities to transfer this technology to the productive sector. With a focus on sustainability and social impact, this project promises not only scientific advances but also improvements in human well-being and the promotion of a more sustainable economy.