• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.11a
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• pp.39-39
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• 2015

Korean traditional Nuruk has been developed with various materials and shapes according to geographical environments and climates of their origins. Nuruk is also known as kokja in Korea, reflecting the understanding that microorganisms such as wild fungi, yeasts, and lactobacillus bacteria are naturally inoculated and reproduced. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of traditional Nuruk through recreating traditional production methods detailed in ancient Korean documents. In the present study, a total of 58 different kinds of Korean traditional Nuruk were prepared, including 46 kinds of recreated products. Each Nuruk sample was evaluated for its enzymatic activities, including glucoamylase, protease, and glucanase. Their suitability for alcoholic beverage production were compared to each other. To isolate valuable microorganisms from Nuruk samples, alcoholic beverages produced using each sample were subjected to sensory evaluation to determine their taste. In addition, metabolite changes in traditional alcoholic beverages fermented with different kinds of Nuruk were analyzed through mass-based metabolomics approach. This study presents, for the first time, the traditional production methods written in ancient Korean documents using workable production methods supported by modern technologies. In addition, this study analyzed the characteristics of reproduced Nuruk. It could be utilized as a basis for studying traditional Korean traditional alcoholic beverages and their valuable microorganisms.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2020

Beer production with rice or other malt substitutes suffers from a lack of suitable enzymes for saccharification. For this reason, rice nuruk (fermentation starter) was tested as a starch replacement for malt in the saccharification process of beer production. The results of this study show that the enzyme activities of rice nuruk made with brewing fungi were higher than those of malt. Saccharification and glucoamylase activities were high in Aspergillus awamori KCCM 30790 and α-amylase activity was high in Aspergillus oryzae CF1003. Overall, malt beer had significantly higher alcohol, pH, total acid, volatile acids, amino acids, free amino nitrogen, bitterness unit and ΔE than rice nuruk beer. Where as Aspergillus awamori KCCM 30790 beer had significantly higher soluble solids, reducing sugar than malt beer. According to a sensory evaluation, malt beer was better color, flavor and Aspergillus oryzae CF1003 beer was better taste, texture, overall acceptability than other beer. Therefore Aspergillus awamori KCCM 30790 beer was suitable considering enzyme activities (saccharification, glucoalmylase) and physicochemical characteristics (soluble solids, reducing sugar). And then Aspergillus oryzae CF1003 beer was suitable considering sensory evaluation (taste, texture, overall acceptability). Therefore rice nuruk like Aspergillus awamori KCCM 30790 and Aspergillus oryzae CF1003 were suitable as a substitute material that can replace for malt in beer proceccing.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

To investigate the mycoflora of indoor air in a Sogokju, traditional rice wine, factory, fungi were sampled and analyzed from the air of several rooms in the factory using an Anderson air sampler and from two kinds of Nuruk. Twelve fungal species belonging to the genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Gibberella, Cladosporium, and Talaromyces were isolated. Species belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium genera were the major species. Seven different species of Penicillium were isolated from each different room of the factory. The Aspergillus species found from indoor air of the factory was also found from Nuruk. Rhizopus sp. was commonly isolated from Nuruk but not from indoor air of the factory. This is first report of fungi present in indoor air of a traditional rice wine factory in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.110-116
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• 2012

Nuruk plays a significant role in the flavor and quality of Takju and Yakju, which are produced through saccharification and alcohol fermentation by various microorganisms. In this study, we identified microbial strains isolated from a plate count and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis targeting the 16S and 28S rRNA genes, in order to characterize bacterial and fungal diversity in Sansung Nuruk. The numbers of bacteria and fungi in Nuruk were $1.5{\times}10^9$ CFU/g and $2.2{\tims}10^8$ CFU/g, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the predominant bacteria in the isolates and PCR-DGGE profile of Nuruk were Kocuria spp., Pantoea spp., Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp., Weissella spp., Staphylococcus spp., endophytic bacterium, uncultured Gamma-proteobacteria, uncultured Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Dominant bacteria from the PCR-DGGE profile were Pediococcous pentosaceus and uncultured Cyanobacteria. The 28S rRNA gene sequence indicated the predominant fungi in the isolates and PCR-DGGE profile to be Trichomonascus spp. Pichia spp., Torulaspora spp., Wickerhamomyces spp., Sacharomycopsis spp., Lichtheimia spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp. Aspergillus spp., and Cladosporium spp. Dominant fungi from the PCR-DGGE profile were Pichia kudriavzevii and Aspergillus oryzae. The PCR-DGGE technique was used for the first time in this study to assess a microbial community in Nuruk and proved to be an effective protocol for profiling microbial diversity.

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.103-109
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• 2018

Aspergillus luchuensis 34-1 was inoculated into wheat pellets with different conditions of raw materials to produce nuruk. The degree of substrate reactivity improvement of steam treated raw materials compared with that of non-heat treated was analyzed. The water content of the pellet was adjusted to 25% and 35%, and steam treatment for 10 minutes improved the substrate reactivity at 2.1-fold and 3.1-fold, and sterilization was also possible. The characteristics of improvement pellet nuruk were investigated according to the degree of crushing and water content of raw materials according to the temperatures and humidities ($23^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$ and RH 60%, RH 80%). The pH of the pellet nuruk was higher depending on the temperature, humidity and moisture content of the koji were lower, and the pH of the flour-pellet nuruk was lower than that of 2 mm milling wheat-pellet nuruk according to milling degree. It can be seen that the milling degree affects the growth of mold. The acidity and amino acid were generally higher as fermentation time increased. Also, the higher the incubation temperature, humidity and moisture content, the higher the value. Glucoamylase activity was significantly the highest in moisture content 35% D2b nuruk, cultured at $30^{\circ}C$ and 80% RH for 38 hours. This is higher than the previous reports on glucoamylase of rice-koji or commercial nuruk using fungi isolated from traditional nuruk. From these study, it is expected that making of improvement pellet nuruk would save the fermentation time considerably compared with traditional nuruks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.789-799
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• 1998

Literatures on microorganisms of traditional Korean nuruk published since 1945 were reviewed in this paper. Traditional Korean nuruk consists of raw barley and various grains. Traditional Korean nuruk consists of unbolied raw barely and various grains. They are ground to paste and moistened, and then naturally inoculated by airborne microorganisms. Therefore, many kinds of microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, and bacteria grwo in nuruk. Since 1945, new 14 species of Aspergillus and 9 species of Penicillium have been identified from traditional Korean nuruk. Total number of fungal species identified so far is now up to 38 species among 12 different genus. Among newly isolated fungal species, Aspergillus penicilloides and Penicillium, expansum showed not only high production rate of acid and amylase but also extreme stability of the enzyme at room temperature for 3 months. As examples of newly isolated yeast species, there are 5 species of Candida, 4 species of Hansenula, 1 species of Pichia and 1 species of Schizosaccharomyces. Total number of yeast species isolated so far is up to 18 species from different 8 genus. Newly isolated bacteria, were Bacillus pumilus, Lactobacillus casei and Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.987-994
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• 2000

Aspergillus coreanus NR 15-1, Asp. oryzae NR 15-3 and Asp. oryzae NR 2-5 isolated from traditional Korean nuruk were screened as parental strains producing starch hydrolyzing enzymes. They were mutagenized by N-methyl -N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and mutants were isolated for analysis of various amylase activities and the ability of acid production. Among them, the mutants harboring high saccharogenic activity, dextrinogenic activity, and the ability of acid production were selected. Fifteen, six, and five strains of mutants were isolated from Asp. coreanus NR 15-1, Asp. oryzae NR 2-5, and Asp. oryzae NR 15-3, respectively followed by NTG mutagenesis. Among these mutants, thirteen strains were identified as auxotrophic mutants. \ulcorner (Arg.￣) mutant from Asp. coreanus NR 15-1 showed high glucoamylase activity and total acid productivity. Z6 (Ade.￣) mutant from Asp. oryzae NR 2-5 showed the highest $\alpha$-amylase activity, therefore \ulcorner and Z6 mutant were selected.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2012

Nuruk is a fermented ingredient used for production of traditional Korean rice wine. In this study, quality characteristics of mixed-grain nuruk was made by brewing with different fungal strains was analyzed. Quality elements including enzyme activity and organic acids constituents were measured. The fermentation time of the nuruk did not make a significant difference in terms of its pH, but the acidity and amino acid content for nuruk made from a mixture of two fungal strains was higher than that seen with a single fungal strain. Overall, the enzyme activity for two fungal strain nuruk was higher than that observed for single fungal strain nuruk, with ${\alpha}$-amylase and acidic protease activity in the mixed strain nuruk observed to be more than twice that of the single strain. The major organic acids observed in the manufactured nuruk were identified as acetic, citric, formic, fumaric, lactic, malic and oxalic acids. The total amount of organic acids contained in the nuruk made with the two fungal strain was (2,116.3 mg%). The fungal strains used were A. kawachii SC60 nuruk (1,608.5 mg%) and A. oryzae RIB1353 nuruk (1,146.7 mg%).

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.164-173
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• 2012

For development of new high-value Korean traditional fermented food by using bioactive fungi and bacteria, Nuruk, Makgeolli and Cheonggukjang were prepared by mold, yeasts and bacteria from Korean traditional fermented foods and their physiological functionalities were investigated. Aspergillus oryzae N152-1 Nuruk showed the highest antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity(57.2%), and Makgeolli made by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y111-5 and commercial JS Ipguk (solid cultures of saccharifying enzyme-producing mold) was showed 42.0% of anti-obesity ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Among various Cheonggukjang, No 463 Cheonggukjang made by Brevibacterium iodinum NCDO 613(T) was showed the highest fibrinolytic activity (size of clear zone: 28 mm) and good anti-obesity ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2010

Studies on standardization and quality upgrade of nuruk which is a basic component in brewing are required to increase the quality level of Korean traditional rice wines and to develop the technology for practical use of it. It is important to isolate best strains, to improve the properties and effectively preserve them for brewing industry. In this study, 16 commercial nuruk samples were obtained from the commercial markets located in Chungcheong areas in Korea. 174 fungal strains were isolated from the samples on DG18 medium using a dilution plating method and then screened for enzyme activity and acid production. The active strains were identified based on the morphological characteristics and ITS sequence analysis. Out of 174 strains, 12 strains showed high amylase activity. Especially, Rhizopus sp. CN084, CN174, Aspergillus sp. CN161 and Mycocladus sp. CN042 showed high saccharogenic power and dextrinogenic enzyme activity on cooked wheat bran medium. On the other hand, Aspergillus sp. CN010, CN161, Rhizopus sp. CN105, CN168 and Rhizomucor sp. CN088 produced high acid production on the same medium. Our results showed that the active strains may be used as microbial sources for nuruk starter with good quality in brewing.