• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2010

Cheongkukjang was prepared by addition of medicinal herb powder (from Lentinus edodes, Codonopsis lanceolata BENTH et HOOK, or Houttuynia cordata THUNB) to improve Cheongkukjang quality and functional properties. Redness and yellowness (measured using Hunter’s color values) increased with increasing amounts of medicinal herb powder, whereas lightness (the third Hunter's color value) and pH decreased. Crude protein and lipid levels of Cheongkukjang decreased with increasing amounts of added medicinal herb powder, whereas powder addition did not affect either the moisture or crude ash content of Cheongkukjang. The major organic acids of Cheongkukjang were lactic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, and citric acid, and acid levels increased as the proportion of medicinal herb powder in the Cheongkukjang preparation increased. The major amino acids of Cheongkukjang were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, arginine, and lysine and the principal fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid. Addition of medicinal herb powder to Cheongkukjang increased both crude saponin and quercetin contents. Sensory scores of Cheongkukjang containing 2% (w/v) medicinal herb powder were optimal in terms of both quality characteristics and sensory evaluation.