Changes in Taste Characteristics of Traditional Korean Soy Sauce with Ripening Period - Analysis of Nitrogen Compound Contents and Sensory Characteristics -

숙성 기간에 따른 전통 간장의 맛 특성 변화(II) - 질소 화합물 분석 및 관능 특성 -

This study was carried out in order to analyze the changes in nitrogen containing taste compounds of traditional Korean soy sauce with varying Meju concentrations (Meju-water ratios of 1:4 and 1.3:4) and ripening periods (up to 2 years), and to investigate correlation between sensory characteristics and taste compound contents via contents assay and sensory evaluation of soy sauce samples. Nitrogen compound contents were higher in 1.3:4 than in 1:4 for all nitrogen compounds. Free amino acid contents were highest in soy sauce ripened for 210 days. Among amino acids, glutamic acid was highest concentration. Nucleotides and their related compound contents did not vary with concentrations and were highest in the sample ripened for 210 days. In direct sensory evaluation of soy sauce, overall taste preference showed positive correlation to sweet taste. Likewise, overall taste preference showed positive correlation to umami, nutty, sweet taste in the sensory evaluation of seaweed soup seasoned with soy sauce. Sensory evaluation score was higher in 1.3:4 than in 1:4. According to the correlation assay of taste compound contents and sensory evaluations, nitrogen compounds (such as amino type nitrogen), amino acids (such as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and lysine, and etc.), nucleotides (such as AMP, IMP, and etc) had significant influence on the sensory characteristics of soy sauce, and therefore we can conclude that these compounds affect the taste and quality of soy sauce.