Soybean Education

The Miracle Bean

As one of Kentucky’s cash crops, soybeans have a significant role in the economy of the state! Soybean oil which comes from 20% of the bean is sold as vegetable oil and is the most frequently consumed oil in the United States. Soybean protein, which constitutes 40% of the bean, can be found in animal feed, food products and hundreds of industrial uses. The hulls, or outer shell, are used in dairy feed and water purification research.

Surprisingly, soybeans are not native to Kentucky or even the Midwest. They made their debut in America in the early 1800s as ballast aboard a clipper ship from China. Today this renewable resource can be found in hundreds of products every day. The soybean is sometimes called the "Miracle Bean" because of its many uses. Its high protein content makes it a healthy choice for both humans and other animals. It is the only bean with complete protein. In addition, soybeans or soy products can be found as:

• the protective coating on CDs.
• the ink base for over 80,000 newspapers in the country.
• an ingredient in some crayons.
• lecithin, a main ingredient in cooking spray, also helps to keep chocolate smooth and creamy.
• biodiesel fuel. This fuel is being sold for use in truck and bus fleets, boats and lawn equipment.
• vegetable oil used in many homes and fast food restaurants.
• building materials used for counter tops and flooring.
• an ingredient in infant formula.
• ingredients in sunscreen, lip balm, hand lotion and other make-up products.

The Seemingly Simple Soybean

The soybean is a part of our daily lives and many times we are unaware of its presence. This seemingly simple bean is anything but simple. In fact, the soybean is used in a broad range of products… from roasted soy nuts, to salad dressings, to crayons, to lubricants and inks. The soybean is processed into so many products we use everyday, it's no wonder why it's called the "miracle bean".

History of the Soybean

The soybean dates back 5,000 years ago to China, where the crop was cultivated from its wild state into a food crop.

In the early 1800s soybeans made their debut in America, arriving as ballast aboard a clipper ship from China. By the end of the century, many American farms were growing the crop for food.

In the early 1900s, agricultural scientist George Washington Carver conducted studies that showed soybeans to be an excellent source of protein and oil.

Automotive pioneer Henry Ford saw the potential to use soybeans in industrial products. He manufactured car parts made from soybean based plastic.

The Mighty Soybean

In processing, soybeans are cleaned, cracked, dehulled and rolled into flakes. This ruptures the oil cells for efficient extraction. After removal of the soybean oil, the remaining flakes can be processed into various edible and industrial soy protein products or used to produce protein meal for animal feed.

The soybean's protein and oil find their way into many edible, as well as, indus-trial products. The soybean's components can be used for everything from chocolate candy coating to plastics and shampoo.

Approximate Composition of a Soybean

• 40% Protein
• 20% Oil
• 17% Cellulose
• 7% Sugars
• 6% Ash
• 5% Crude Fiber
• 5% Misc.

Soybean Oil

 Edible Oil 

The World's Favorite Oil
Soybean oil's consistent supply, relatively stable price, neutral taste, culinary adaptability, and good nutritional profile all contribute to its dominating presence as America's #1 oil.

• Soybean oil is cholesterol-free.
• Soybean oil is the #1 edible oil in the world and the most frequently consumed oil in the United States.
• Since 1989, United States' oil consumption has risen over 17%.
• More than 80% of the total United States' oil production is for the food industry.
• Soybean oil is found in 95% of prepared salad dressings, 85% of margarines and 70% of solid shortenings.

 Industrial Oil

Making Products From A Renewable Resource

Once soybean oil is extracted from the bean, it can be used in its raw form, or refined and used in a variety of industrial products.

Extensive research is conducted by top institutions throughout the United States to find new and improved uses for soybeans as a renewable resource. These innovations help to maintain our standard of living by decreasing our dependence on non-renewable resources like petroleum from foreign markets.

• The United States produces approximately 15 billion pounds of soybean oil each year.
• Each bushel of soybeans can be crushed to yield over 10 pounds of soybean oil.
• Nearly 60 million pounds of biodegradable soybean oil are used in printing inks each year.

 
Whole Soybeans

Nutritious Legumes 

Soyfoods Are Good Foods
Soybeans belong to the legume family and are native to East Asia. Whole soybeans are the basis of tofu, tempeh, miso, soy sauce, some soy flours and soy milk. High protein, mineral-rich and unsaturated based whole soybean foods are a unique nutritional source to help reduce saturated fat and total fat in the diet.

• Medical research shows a strong connection between soyfoods and the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer and menopausal symptoms.
• Soyfoods are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, calcium and iron.
• 1 bushel of soybeans produces 39 pounds of soy flour.
• 1 bushel of soybeans produces 11.8 pounds of isolated soy protein.
• The United States accounts for half of the world's soybean production.
• American soybean farmers produce over 2 billion bushels per year.
• The United States exports 840 million bushels, $4.6 billion worth per year.
• Ohio produces nearly 175 million bushels of soybeans per year, and Ohio is the fifth largest soybean producing state in the United States.

Soy Proteins

Protein for Soybean Meal

Good For Animals Too
Made from soybean flakes and hulls, soybean meal is universally accepted as the most important supplemental protein ingredient in livestock feed, such as swine, poultry, beef, fish, dairy cattle and also pets.

• 79.2% of a bushel of soybeans is manufactured into soybean meal.
• The United States produces approximately 34 million metric tons of soybean meal per year.
• The United States uses 27 million metric tons of soybean meal for livestock and poultry feed.
• Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, China, and the Philippines are the primary export markets for United States' soybean meal.

Industrial Protein

Good For The Environment
Extensive research by the soybean industry has enabled important innovations to take place. It's these innovations that are helping to improve the quality and efficiency of many industrial products, while conserving our limited resources and remaining…

• non-toxic
• biodegradable
• friendly to the environment
• renewable

Edible Soy Protein

The Complete Protein Source
Soybeans are the only vegetable food that contain complete protein – a primary component of all cells. Complete protein is essential to build and repair body tissue and to manufacture vital enzymes that are specific catalysts for many of the chemical reactions that take place in the body. The quality of soy protein matches that of animal protein, so consumers can get the protein they need in a healthy, nutritious way.

• The soybean is composed of 40% protein.
• Soybeans are cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

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	Kentucky Soybean Association 1001 U.S. Hwy 62 P.O. Box 30 Princeton, KY 42445 1-800-BEANSOY
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