A physiologically active substance of aglycon type, in particular, aglycon
isoflavone, can be efficiently produced, without resort to any
acid/alkali treatment or fermentation and substantially without changing
the physical properties of a material, by treating the material with a
sufficient amount of diglycosidase for a sufficient period of time at an
appropriate temperature and pH so that a physiologically active substance
of glycoside type contained in the material can be converted into the
physiologically active substance of aglycon type. Moreover, by using
diglycosidase and/or a specific enzyme preparation, the aglycon content
in a protein or protein-containing food can be increased and the flavor
thereof can be improved.