The published scientific data concerning the effects of germination on chemical composition, biochemical constituents and anti-nutritional factors of soya bean are reviewed. The amino acid profile did not change to a great extent; only a noticeable increase in aspartic acid was observed whereas there was a gradual decrease in the available lysine level and lipid content as germination progressed. Both the total protein content and the nonprotein nitrogen increased after 5 days of germination. Dietary fibres are partially degraded in germinated seeds. Germinated soya bean is an excellent source of ascorbic acid and riboflavin. Niacin contents increased distinctly after germination. Germination induced a reduction in lipase inhibitor activity. The galactosyl oligosaccharides drastically decreased in germinated seeds. After 4 days of germination, the activity of certain lectins decreased to 4% of that of ungerminated soya beans. The phytic acid in the seeds was degraded by the phytase activated during germination, thus increasing the availability of the minerals present in the germinated seeds. Germination can degrade both Kunitz soya bean trypsin inhibitor and the major Bowman–Birk soya bean trypsin inhibitor; the degradation is enhanced, if germination process lasts more than 4 days. © 1997 SCI.