AbstractFour field strains ofLactobacillus plantarum(LS 4, 19, 21, 133) obtained from fufu (a semi‐solid product obtained by boiling fermented cassava ‐Manihot esculentaCrantz) and a type strain DSM 2017 were grown on different carbon sources to induce galactosidase production. LS 21 produced the highest concentration of α‐ and β‐galactosidase with 0.28 μmol/1 and 0.28 μmol/1 respectively on lactose and galactose. Milk obtained from soybean seeds treated with the enzyme mixture for 24 h showed a 99, 98 and 96% reduction respectively in the raffinose, stachyose and sucrose content when compared with the dry soybean seed. Glucose and galactose which were not detected in the dry seeds became readily available after soaking in both enzyme mixture and distilled water.Although there was reduction in the nutritional composition of both milk samples, reduction of phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor is beneficial to the consumers. The result of the sensory evaluation showed that the milk prepared from enzyme‐treated soybean seeds was rated better in terms of flavour, texture, appearance and