• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.586-592
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant effects of Korean soybean paste extracts (SPE) on 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced liver damage in rats. Thirty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were selected and divided into 5 groups. Isoflavone contents were measured using HPLC technique. The antioxidant activity was measured in the plasma and liver of the rats with the following results. Levels of isoflavone in fermented soy paste, red pepper paste and soy sauce were 28.9, 30.3 and $3.4\;{\mu}g/g$ for daidzein and 244.3, 187.7 and $6.1\;{\mu}g/g$ for genistein, respectively. The activities of glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were significantly higher in the AAPH-treated group in the SPE-AAPH group (p<0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) production was significantly increased in the AAPH-treated liver tissue (P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase in the liver were significantly (p<0.05) decreased by AAPH administration. The glutathione (GSH) concentration was higher in the SPE-treated (Ed- confirm) group than in the control and other groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that SPE led to increased anti oxidative activities against AAPH-induced peroxyl radical.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.123-129
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• 2008

To isolate Bacillus cereus presenting at a level of 5 log CFU/g in kochujang, a primary dilution ($10^{-1}$) of kochujang was heated at $85^{\circ}C$ for 5 min. Two isolated strains Voges-Proskauer positive colony (KBC) and a negative colony (KBM) were identified as B. cereus and Bacillus mycoides, respectively, by biochemical test and 16S rDNA sequencing. $D_{100^{\circ}C}$-Values of KBC and KBM strains was 8.37 and 7.08 min, respectively. When spores of KBC strain were inoculated to kochujang at the level of 4-5 log spores/g, the number of spores was no significant difference (p<0.05) for each sample from 1 up to 60 day of aging. When kochujang was inoculated with 4 log spores/g and heated at $85^{\circ}C$ for 15 min, the number of spores was similar to that of unheated kochujang. Therefore, we estimated that B. cereus isolated from kochujang resistant on the heat treatment ($85^{\circ}C$, 15 min) and its heat resistance characteristics could be used to count the number in kochtjang.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.592-596
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the levels of glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form (GSSG) in more than 40 kinds of plant materials including seedling plants, grains, vegetables, and processed foods. The glutathione contents in the seedling plants were ranged from 0 to $120{\mu}mol/100g$. In addition, the different levels of glutathione were observed within the same family and between species. In the case of marketed grains and vegetables, azuki and kidney beans of leguminosae contained the high levels of glutathione, whereas glutathione was scarcely detected in the processed bean foods (bean paste, soybean sauce, etc.). Overall, a higher GSH content in food may contribute to a higher added value.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.2 s.86
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• pp.163-170
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• 2005

Soybean is an important plant as the source of protein and oil, as well as phytochemicals such as genistien, daidzein, phenolic acids, phytic acid, tocopherol, and saponin. Chungkukjang, a fermented soybean paste, is common in Korean meals and bacillus is usually used in the fermentation of steamed soybean. For its processing, whole soybeans are boiled in water until the beans are soft, and then the drained beans are wrapped with rice straw or starter and set in a warm place at $65^{\circ}C\;for\;3\;\~\;4\;days$. Normally, the remaining cooked water which was drained from the steamed beans is discarded. We supposed that this water possesses hish amounts of useful components, and we therefore developed a modified method using the cooked water. After fermentation, we added the remaining cooked water which had been drained from the beans to the fermented soy beans and boiled them together. To investigate the bio-functionality of the modified Chungkukjang, the total antioxidative activity, isoflavones contents, phenolic acids, and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) were measured at each stage of the preparation of chungkukjang. The original and modified chungkukjang possessed a high antioxidative activity compared with the other samples, as did the drained water after steaming of the soybean. The contents of genistein, daidzein, and phenolic acids, which contained antioxidative activity, were also increased in the original chungkukjang and their contents were similar in the modified chungkukjang. The content of 3-DG was increased in the modified chungkukjang compare with the original. It is suggested that the active soybean components delivered to the drained water during the steaming process were useful for increasing the bio-functionality of the modified chungkukjang.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.1-23
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• 2005

Kochujang, a fermented hot pepper soybean paste, is a spicy condiment mixed with red pepper, boiled rice and mold fermented soybean (as koji) which is then fermented for several months. It has unique taste of hot, sweet, salty and savory flavor by all mixed ingredients by fermentation, and is one of most famous Korean traditional foods. The scale of the kochujang industry is about 200 billion won in Korea, and 7.8 million dollars and 4,500 tons in exports. Although it is still not a large part of the food industry in Korea, the scale of soy products will increase because it is a major subsidiary food in our dietary life and has grown from a homemade to a mass produced product. Kochujang has the largest market in the scale of sales among fermented soybean products and has merit because of its domestic base and its ability to grow to an international market due to its unique fermented taste. In order to make kochujang an international food, it Is necessary to study the scientific development of kochujang and the diversity of products using kochujang that are fitted to the taste of people around the world. In addition, participation in various exhibitions and food fairs supported by the government should help to promote kochujang throughout the world. In addition, these should be actively supported by the related businesses. Red pepper, a major ingredient in kochujang, has been widely studied and shown to have a positive effect on the reduction of fat, on the strengthening of the immune system, and on active biological functions. A fermented spice like kochujang has been shown to be beneficial for the body due to the process of fermentation rather than from the red pepper itself. If we prove the various biological functions of kochujang with a particular taste and flavor, it will energize a new market. It is necessary for business to make a continuous effort supported fly the scientific world and by government policy, in order to introduce this traditional food to the world. In the present day, the kochujang market is now on a firm basis and has been activated in the field of its study. Now, it is possible to achieve the birth of a secondary international market by concentrating on these efforts.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented soybean paste with significant health-promoting effects. On the other hand, there have been insufficient studies on the safety and efficacy of Cheonggukjang, which is produced using traditional methods containing toxins and biogenic amines (BAs). This study compared the laxative effect of Cheonggukjang, containing high or low levels of toxins and BAs (HTBC or LTBC) in a loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce constipation, Lop (5 mg/kg) was administered orally to ICR mice twice a day for 4 days, and the dose was increased to 8 mg/kg after a 3-day rest period. Cheonggukjang (500 mg/kg, HTBC, or LTBC respectively) was administered for four weeks before the Lop treatment. RESULTS: The number of stools, fecal weight, water contents, gastrointestinal transit, and histological alterations were recovered significantly in the HTBC or LTBC groups. HTBC and LTBC administration did not induce significant changes in body weight, dietary intake, and behavior. The opioid-receptor downstream signaling pathway in colon tissues was also evaluated. The c-Kit, stem cell kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38, were all downregulated in the HTBC or LTBC-administered mice colon compared to the Lop group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Cheonggukjang, containing high levels of toxins and BAs, have a similar laxative effect in a mouse model of Lop-induced constipation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1295-1302
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• 2004

A gene encoding the mannanase of Bacillus subtilis WL-7, which had been isolated from Korean soybean paste, was cloned into Escherichia coli, and the gene product was purified from the culture filtrate of the recombinant E. coli. This mannanase gene, designated manA, consisted of 1,086 nucleotides, encoding a polypeptide of 362 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly homologous to those of mannanases belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 26. The molecular mass of the purified mannanase was 38 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme had a pH optimum at 6.0 and a temperature optimum at $55^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was active on locust bean gum, konjak, guar gum, and lichenan, while it did not exhibit activity towards yeast mannan, laminarin, carboxymethylcellulose, $\beta$­glucan, xylan, and para-nitrophenyl-$\beta$-mannopyranoside.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.571-575
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Glycyrrhizia uralensis water extract on the quality of Cheonggukjang(fermented soybean paste). Soybeans were soaked for 24 hrs, steamed for 1 hr at 121, mixed with G. uralensis extract(0, 1, 3 and 5%) and fermented for 54 hrs at 40 after inoculation of Bacillus lichenifomis. The amounts of viscous substance and reducing sugar, and pH of the products were increased when the G. uralensis extract was added. The color of the products was changed to dark yellow by the addition of G. uralensis extract. Ammonia odor and bitter taste decreased as the G. uralensis extract content increased. The products added with 5% of G. uralensis extract showed higher acceptability scores than the others. Results suggest that the water extract of G. uralensis could be used as an additive to improve the quality of Cheonggukjang.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.273-278
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• 2008

Various biological resources from plants, animals, mushrooms, microorganisms, and foods were tested for the inhibitory activity against squalene synthase (SQS). Among 32 samples, more than one fourths (9 samples) exhibited significant SQS inhibitory activity. Interestingly, SQS inhibitory activity was detected in the samples such as green tea, fermented soybean paste, and plum juice. The SQS inhibitory activity of green tea was not only high but also stable. Its SQS inhibitors were supposed to be catechin derivatives, which have been known to be main bioactive components in green tea. The galloyl catechins showed higher SQS inhibitory activity compared to the nongalloyl catechins. Especially, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate appeared to be strongest inhibitor against squalene synthase ($IC_{50}=90{\mu}M$).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.736-742
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• 2008

To evaluate changes in functional characteristics of traditional Doenjang during aging, Doenjang was prepared using an extract of Phellinus linteus (Phellinus extract). Control Doenjang was aged without the extract. The protease activity of Doenjang prepared with Phellinus extract was 3.15 units/mL. Tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities were 45.78% and 55.18% of control, respectively, in the treated sample. When Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TA100 was used as a reporter strain, antimutagenic activities against the mutagens MNNG and NPD were 90.42% and 82.57% of control values in the treated sample. When S. enterica serovar Typhimurium TA98 was used, antimutagenic activities were 60.28% and 50.33% of control, respectively. Hydrogen-donating activity was 86.65% in the treated sample, which was higher than that of the control (61.69%). Daidzin (an isoflavon glucoside) levels in Doenjang prepared with Phellinus extract were higher, by 35.49 mg/kg, than the control, whereas genistin was not detected in either group. Daidzin and genistin aglycone levels were 263.01 mg/kg and 262.60 mg/kg in the control and test groups, respectively.