Efficiency in extracting four isoflavone derivatives (daidzin, glycitin, genistin and malonyl genistin) from freeze-dried ground soybeans was compared for mix-stirring extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, using different solvents and extraction temperatures with both. The efficiency of the extraction of soy isoflavones was improved by ultrasound but was dependent on the solvent employed. Optimization of the ratios of sample quantity to solvent volume and length of extraction time was also performed. Isoflavones can be quantitatively extracted from soybeans with 50% ethanol at 60 degrees C using ultrasound-assisted extraction in 20 min.