Changes in Microorganisms, Enzyme Activities, and Gas Formation by the Addition of Mustard Powder on Kochujang with Different Salt Concentration

Kochujang was fermented using hot red pepper, meju prepared with soybean and rice, and malt-digested syrup. To reduce salt content, mustard powder (1.2%, w/w) was added to Korean traditional kochujang with 4-10% salt, and microbial characteristics, enzyme activities, and gas formation in kochujang were evaluated during fermentation for 120 days at $25^{\circ}C$. Yeast numbers of all treatments maintained 2.43-2.86 log CFU/g up to 60 days fermentation, indicating salt concentration had no effect on yeast count. Activities of ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-amylases, and neutral and acidic proteases of kochujang added with mustard powder were slightly higher than those of control group. Total accumulative volume of gas produced during fermentation of kochujang without mustard powder (control group) was 5,892 mL/pack, but decreased to 34-99 mL/pack in low-salted kochujang (4 and 6% salt) added with mustard powder. Major gas produced was carbon dioxide (79-80%) with oxygen content less than 1.25%(v/v). Results indicate salt concentration of kochujang could be lowered up to 6-8% by addition of mustard powder without gas formation and quality alteration during distribution.