• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.569-577
• /
• 2013

Soy sauce is a traditional fermented seasoning in several oriental countries, such as Korea and Japan, and recently it has been reported to have biological activities. In Korean soy sauce, soybeans and wheat are the two main raw materials. Polysaccharides that originate from the cell wall of soybeans are resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis. These polysaccharides remain in the soy sauce even after fermentation and are termed Kanjang polysaccharides (KPS). In this study, polysaccharides were obtained from dialysate of different soy sauces labeled as A~T and manufactured by fermentation or the acid-hydrolyzate method. We investigated anti-inflammatory activities by examining the effects of these KPS on proinflammatory cytokine release and mRNA expression in mast cells. Histamine and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release were strongly decreased by the KPS treatment in RBL-2H3 cells. Treatment with KPS clearly reduced mRNA expression and the release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In particular, KPS derived from fermented Kanjang products showed a significant anti-inflammation effect on mast cells compared to the acid-hydrolyzed Kanjang products. This study suggests that KPS appear to be effective in suppressing allergic inflammatory reactions.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.930-937
• /
• 2011

To develop natural preservatives or functional health foods from soybeans (Baektae and Taekwang), the antioxidant and fibrinoytic activities of the water and 70% (v/v) ethanol extract of soybeans and fermented soybean paste (Chungkukjang) were examined. The polyphenol contents of water extracts from Baektae and Baektae Chungkukjang were 189.25 mg/100 g and 814.58 mg/100 g, respectively, whereas those from Taekwang and Taekwang Chungkukjang were 210.23 mg/100 g and 834.23 mg/100 g. The polyphenol contents of the water extracts from Chungkukjang was 4.0~4.3-fold higher than those from soybean. The electron-donating abilities (EDAs) and superoxide dismutase-(SOD)-like activities of the water and ethanol extracts from Chungkukjang were higher than those of the extracts from soybean. Both extracts were found to have had fibrinolytic activity, and the highest activity was present in the water extracts of Baektae Chungkukjang. The polyphenol contents and antioxidative and fibrinolytic activities of the extracts from Chungkukjang were higher than those of the other soybean extracts. These results indicate that Chungkukjang can be used as a material for health foods or natural antioxidants.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.280-286
• /
• 2014

This study investigated to changes in the sensory characteristics of cheonggukjang made with smoked soybean. The total organic acid content of cheonggukjang made with smoked soybeans (CSS) increased to about two times in comparison with cheonggukjang made with non-smoked soybeans (CNS). Among the organic acids, the amount of succinic acid was highest for both CSS and CNS. The total free sugar content of CSS ($228.6{\pm}8.8mg%$) was significantly reduced compared to that of CNS ($350.1{\pm}13.7mg%$). Further, the total free amino acid content of CSS ($10,123.3{\pm}301.4mg%$) was significantly increased compared to that of CNS ($8,912.5{\pm}286.5mg%$). The contents of sweet, savory and bitter taste compounds were significantly elevated in CSS when compared to that of CNS. However, there were no significant differences in the total content of fatty acids in CNS and CSS. The sensory evaluation of aroma, taste and overall quality of CSS were significantly increased compared to that of CNS. Taken together, it was expected that a smoking process is useful for the development of new fermented foods.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.874-880
• /
• 2010

We sought to develop natural preservatives or functional health foods from black soybeans (Yakkong, Seoritae and Chungkukjang). These materials were extracted with distilled water or 70% (v/v) ethanol, and the extracts sanalyzed for polyphenol content and tested for antioxidative and fibrilytic activities. The polyphenol contents of water extracts from Yakkong and Yakkong Chungkukjang was 316.23 mg/100 g, 896.01 mg/100 g, respectively, whereas those from Seoritae and Seoritae Chungkukjang were 304.28 mg/100 g and 875.23 mg/100 g. The polyphenol contents of water extracts from Chungkukjang were 2.8-fold higher than those from black soybean. The electron-donating abilities (EDAs) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of water extracts from black soybean Chungkukjang were higher than those of water extracts from black soybean, but both extracts had fibrinolytic activity, the highest activity was present in water extracts of Yakkong Chungkukjang. The polyphenol contents, and antioxidative and fibrinolytic activities of extracts from black soybean Chungkukjang were higher than those of other black soybean extracts from black soybeans. These results indicate that black soybean Chungkukjang can be used for development of a health food or as a natural antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.69-75
• /
• 2012

To investigate the effects of soybean germination time on the quality of cheonggukjang, the physicochemical characteristics and enzyme activities of cheonggukjang during fermentation were compared. B. subtilis SCD 115035 strain isolated from traditional cheonggukjang was selected for making cheonggukjang. Germinated (12-h) soybeancheonggukjang produced the highest amount of viscous substance (13.22%) after 48 h of fermentation, and the contents were inversely proportional to the germination time of the soybeans. The acidic- and neutral-protease activities of ungerminated soybean-cheonggukjang were higher than those of germinated soybean-cheonggukjang. The amino nitrogen content of ungerminated soybean-cheonggukjang was the highest (436.93 mg%) at 48 h of fermentation, and its content was similar to that of 12-h germinated soybean-cheonggukjang. However, the total isoflavone content of 36-h germinated soybean-cheonggukjang was the highest after 72 h of fermentation, and its content was higher than those of cheonggukjang made from soybeans germinated for 0, 12, and 24 h.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.415-424
• /
• 2023

This study investigated the nutritional characteristics of before and after fermentation of domestic soybean (Glycine max L.) by Rhizopus oligosporus. The soybean storage proteins, β-conglycinin (11S globulin) and glycinin (7S globulin), were the most abundant in Seonyu (SY) and Danbaegkong (DBK), with concentrations of 253.4 mg/g and 193.0 mg/g, respectively. For 11S/7S related to sulfur-containing amino acid, DBK had a value of 0.95, making it the most excellent nutritionally among all the cultivars. The free amino acid content significantly increased from 0.04~10.45 mg/g before fermentation to 1.37~16.95 mg/g after fermentation, and the essential amino acid composition increased, confirming an improvement in protein quality after fermentation. Phytic acid, known as a nutritional inhibitor of soybeans, decreased from 1.66~2.13 g/100 g before fermentation to 0.90~1.58 g/100 g after fermentation, suggesting that mineral absorption inhibition was alleviated. In addition, the trypsin inhibitor content is suppressed by 76.20% to 81.25% after fermentation, which is expected to improve protein utilization in the body. This study confirmed some properties of fermented products by Rhizopus oligosporus using domestic soybeans, and these results are presented to serve as the basic data for establishing new uses of Korean soybean cultivars.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.279-288
• /
• 2017

This study investigated the manufacturing of fermented soybean oil using a fermenting strain commonly processed for soybeans [Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA), Bacillus subtilis (BS), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA), and B. subtilis+L. acidophilus (BLO)] and evaluated its anti-obesity activities. Cytotoxicity of four kinds of fermented soybean oils was not observed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at 10 and $50{\mu}g/mL$. Triglyceride content was reduced by 20.6% in the BLO group at a treatment concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. The simultaneous treatment of fermented soybean oil and differentiation induction medium decreased $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ gene expression at a concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$ and blocked adipocyte differentiation by increasing adiponectin gene expression. The inhibitory effect of adipocyte differentiation was greatest in the BLO group. C57BL/6J mice were examined for 4 weeks after being separated into seven groups [normal diet group (N), high fat diet group (C), group fed high fat diet combined with regular soybean oil (SO), group fed non-fermented soybean oil (NF), and groups fed high fat diet combined with 5% fermented soybean oil (BA, BS, LBA, and BLO)] to identify the effects of soybean oil on body weight, serum lipid, adiponectin, insulin, and leptin levels in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity. The body weight and serum lipid level of the C group increased drastically compared to those of the N group. In contrast, the group fed a diet combined with fermented soybean oil showed decreases in weight, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to those of the C group. Moreover, soybean oil was found to be effective in the BLO group. In conclusion, fermented soybean oil has positive effects in prohibiting adipocyte differentiation increased by high fat diet and improving serum lipid composition. Therefore, fermented soybean oil can be used as a functional food material with anti-obesity activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2016

A test meju (meju 1) was prepared by inoculating two strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (EMD17, MJ1-4), Pichia farinosa SY80, and Rhizopus oryzae into cooked soybeans. A control (meju 2) was prepared by inoculating Bacillus subtilis KACC16450 and Aspergillus oryzae. Another control (meju 3) was prepared using rice straw as the source of microorganisms. Three different mejus were fermented for 56 days outdoors. Meju 1 and meju 2 showed higher pH values than meju 3, whereas meju 3 showed higher titratable acidity than meju 1 and meju 2. Meju 1 showed the highest fibrinolytic activity. Bacillus cereus was not detected in any mejus, but various microorganisms were detected in meju 2 and 3. Histamine was detected in meju 2 and tyramine in meju 3 at lower concentration, which were not detected in meju 1. It was concluded that microbially safe, fermented soybean products could be produced from meju fermented with starters such as B. amyloliquefaciens EMD17 and B. amyloliquefaciens MJ1-4.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.270-277
• /
• 2010

In order to manufacture Bacillus cereus-free fermented soybean products, an antimicrobial agentproducing isolate against B. cereus was obtained from 150 traditionally fermented soybean products. The morphological and biochemical tests and the phylogenetic relationship among 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate named as the strain SCK 121057 was most closely related to Bacillus licheniformis. The B. licheniformis isolate began to produce the antimicrobial agent after 48 h of incubation. The agent was nonproteinaceous and insensitive to heat, long term storage and protease K. Electron microscopic observation indicated that the agent attacked the membrane of B. cereus, leaving the ghost cell. The isolate inhibited growth of B. subtilis, Lactobacillus brevis and various types of pathogenic strains including Escherichia coli, E. faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus, A. ochraceus, and A. parasiticus as well as B. cereus. After coinoculation of B. licheniformis SCK 121057 and B. cereus in the ratio (as the basis of CFU/g sample) of 10 to 1 on the surface of cooked soybeans, cell numbers of B. cereus had been dramatically reduced after 31 days of incubation compared to those of single inoculation of B. cereus.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.10
• /
• pp.922-928
• /
• 2021

To profile the microbial compositions of Korean traditional fermented paste made from whole soybeans, Doenjang and Cheonggukjang, and compare their taxonomic differences, we analyzed the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA of naturally fermented foods by using next generation sequencing. α-Diversity results showed that values indicating bacterial community abundances (OTUs) and richness (ACE, Chao1) were statistically significant (p=0.0001) in Doenjang and Cheonggukjang. Firmicutes was the most common phylum in both groups, representing 97.02% and 99.67% in the Doenjang and Cheonggukjang groups, respectively. Bacillus was the most dominant genus, accounting for 71.70% and 59.87% in both groups. Linear discriminant (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analysis was performed to reveal the significant ranking of abundant taxa in different fermented foods. A size-effect threshold of 2.0 on the logarithmic LDA score was used for discriminative functional biomarkers. On the species level, Bacillus subtilis, Tetragenococcus halophilus, and Clostridium arbusti were significantly more abundant in Doenjang than in Cheonggukjang, whereas Bacillus thermoamylovorans, Enterococcus faecium, and Lactobacillus sakei were significantly more abundant in Cheonggukjang than in Doenjang. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) showed that the statistical difference in microbial clusters between the two groups was significant at the confidence level of p=0.001. This research could be used as basic research to identify the correlation between the biochemical characteristics of Korean fermented foods and the distribution of microbial communities.