• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in microflora, enzyme activity and sensory quality of four kinds of cheonggukjang during fermentation. Three different kinds of cheonggukjang were prepared with germinated soybeans using rice straw, Bacillus natto, B. natto plus Aspergillus oryzae, and the last one was prepared with non-germinated soybeans using rice straw. The pH values of cheonggukjang prepared with germinated or non-germinated soybeans increased up to 36 hr of fermentation and then decreased. The number of bacteria and molds increased significantly up to 24 hr of fermentation and then leveled off during fermentation. Acidic and neutral protease activities of all cheonggukjang continuously increased significantly during fermentation. ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-Amylase activities of cheonggukjang decreased slightly during fermentation except cheonggukjang prepared with germinated soybeans using the mixed culture. The number of microflora, protease and ${\alpha}$-amylase activities were highest in cheonggukjang prepared with germinated soybeans using B. natto plus A. oryzae. The results of the sensory evaluation revealed that for overall acceptability, the cheonggukjang prepared with germinated soybeans using B. natto plus A. oryzae was similar to the cheonggukjang prepared with non-germinated soybeans using rice straw.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.991-995
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• 2013

This study was conducted to develop an edible culture media with various types of cereals and soybeans for the pre-cultivation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To manufacture the edible culture media, LAB enrichment media were prepared using cereals such as brown rice (including germinated brown rice, glutinous brown rice, and germinated glutinous brown rice), yellow soybeans (including yellow soybeans, hulled yellow soybeans, germinated yellow soybeans, hulled and germinated yellow soybeans), and black soybeans (black soybeans, hulled black soybeans, germinated black soybeans, hulled and germinated black soybeans). Seven species of LAB were used in the experiment: Lactobacillus (Lb.) farciminis, Lb. homohiochii, Lb. pentosus, Lb. plantarum, Leuconostoc (Leu.) paramesenteroides, Leu. citreum, and Leu. lactis. For edible culture media from cereals, the average viable cell count of the seven starter cultures was 7.6~8.0 log CFU/mL, while that of the MRS culture medium, a synthetic medium, was 9.2 log CFU/mL; thus proliferation was lower by about 1~2 log CFU/mL in starter cultures from cereals compared to the synthetic medium. In the case of the edible culture media from soybeans, most bacteria showed higher proliferation in the hulled and germinated soybean media. In particular, Lb. plantarum showed the highest cell count at 10.08 log CFU/mL. In the case of edible culture media from black soybeans, the proliferation rate was higher in the hulled and germinated black soybean medium. Lb. homohiochii showed the highest proliferation in the hulled and germinated black soybean medium at 9.90 log CFU/mL. All results show that edible culture media using cereals and soybeans are generally good for LAB. Especially, hulled and germinated black soybeans are optimal for the pre-cultivation of LAB medium.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.499-506
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the taste components of cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans, which is produced by the addition of a smoking process. The total organic acid content of smoked cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans (SCGS) was four times higher than that of non-smoked cheonggukjang made with non-germinated soybeans (NCNS). The total organic acid content of SCGS was lower than that of non-smoked cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans (NCGS). The total free sugar content of NCGS and SCGS was approximately three times higher than that of NCNS. The total free amino acid content of NCGS was significantly decreased compared with that of NCNS, whereas the total free amino acid content of SCGS was 1.2 times higher than that of NCGS. The essential amino acid content of SCGS was significantly increased compared with that of NCGS. The ratio of glutamic acid to the total free amino acid in NCNS and SCGS was 19.6%. Similarly, the ratio of glutamic acid to the total free amino acid in NCGS was 19.1%. There were no significant differences in the total fatty acid content of NCNS, NCGS, and SCGS. The sensory evaluation of appearance, aroma, taste, and overall quality of SCGS was significantly increased compared with that of NCNS and NCGS. These results suggest that smoked cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans could be utilized for the development of a novel fermented food.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

The ascomycete fungus Cordyceps militaris infects lepidopteran larvae and pupae and forms characteristic fruiting bodies. Owing to its immune-enhancing effects, the fungus has been used as a medicine. For industrial application, this fungus can be grown on geminated soybeans as an alternative protein source. In our study, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to identify core gene sets during C. militaris cultivation on germinated soybeans. RNA-Seq technology was applied to the fungal cultures at seven-time points (2, 4, and 7-day and 2, 3, 5, 7-week old cultures) to investigate the global transcriptomic change. We conducted a time-series analysis using a two-step regression strategy and chose 1460 significant genes and assigned them into five clusters. Characterization of each cluster based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases revealed that transcription profiles changed after two weeks of incubation. Gene mapping of cordycepin biosynthesis and isoflavone modification pathways also confirmed that gene expression in the early stage of GSC cultivation is important for these metabolic pathways. Our transcriptomic analysis and selected genes provided a comprehensive molecular basis for the cultivation of C. militaris on germinated soybeans.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2013

In order to investigate changes in quality and enzyme activity during Chungkookjang fermentation, germinated- and nongerminated yellow soybeans were fermented by Bacillus subtilis and traditional methods. When the soybean was soaked for 6 h and then watered for 4 days with 2 h-interval at $25^{\circ}C$, the highest germination rate was obtained. The germinated soybeans had a higher total isoflavone ($988.4{\mu}g/g$) than that of the nongerminated soybeans ($859.5{\mu}g/g$). Amino type nitrogen contents, protease and amylase activities were higher in germinated soybean Chungkookjang, which was fermented with B. subtilis, than nongerminated soybean Chungkookjang, which was fermented with B. subtilis and traditional methods. Reducing sugar and amino type nitrogen contents, the number of viable cells and protease and amylase activities, were higher for Chungkookjang fermented with B. subtilis, than Chungkookjang fermented by traditional methods. ALP and SOD activities in the Chungkookjang diet group were considerably higher than in the control group. AST activity in the germinated soybean Chungkookjang diet group was higher than in the nongerminated soybean Chungkookjang diet group. In conclusion, it is suggested that Chungkookjang prepared with germinated soybeans using B. subtilis D7 could be practically used as a functional product.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.493-498
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the quality characteristics of cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans, which is produced by the addition of a smoking process. The L value of smoked cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans (SCGS) was higher than that of non-smoked cheonggukjang made with non-germinated soybeans (NCNS) and non-smoked cheonggukjang made with germinated soybeans (NCGS). The a value of NCNS was the highest, followed by NCGS and SCGS. The b and ${\Delta}T$ values had a similar tendency compared with the L value. The amino acids in NCGS were significantly decreased compared with NCNS, whereas no remarkable difference in amino acid content was observed between NCGS and SCGS. The moisture content of NCGS ($61.9{\pm}0.9%$) was increased by more than 8% compared with that of NCNS ($53.3{\pm}0.7%$). The moisture content of SCGS was significantly decreased compared with NCGS, whereas the moisture content of SCGS was higher than that of NCNS. The pH of SCGS was significantly the highest, followed by NCGS and NCNS. The viscous substance content of NCGS was significantly increased compared with that of NCNS. No remarkable difference in viscous substance content was observed between NCGS and SCGS. The number of aerobic bacteria in SCGS was significantly decreased compared with NCGS. The levels of total isoflavone in NCNS, NCGS, and SCGS were $1,573.9{\pm}62.5$, $1,759.1{\pm}65.8$, $1,738.0{\pm}68.1mg%$, respectively.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.734-739
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• 2007

This study was conducted to observe the quality characteristics of cheonggukjang fermented with new small-seed soybeans ('Agakong') according to the degree of germination of the raw soybeans. The sprouting rate was $8.6{\pm}5.6%$ after 12 hr of germination, but at 24 hr it increased rapidly to $85.4{\pm}4.7%$. We confirmed that the total isoflavone content immediately after soaking was 273.9 mg%, which was at least 3 times greater than for common soybeans; content increased at the start of germination, and increased to 338.4 mg% by 24 hr of germination, but then decreased. The quantity of viscous substance of the cheonggukjang increased in proportion to the degree of germination of the raw soybeans. The levels of amino acids in the cheonggukjang made from non-germinated soybeans, and soybeans germinated 48 hr, were 12.45 and 10.06%, respectively. The isoflavone levels in the cheonggukjang were determined by the degree of germination of the raw soybeans. There were no significant differences between the odor, sweet taste, savory taste, bitter taste, and overall acceptability of the cheonggukjang with different germination times of 0 to 36 hr.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.359-365
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• 2006

Changes in isoflavone and oligosaccharides, and some physicochemical properties of Chokong, a pickled and dried soybeans, were investigated during pickling in brewed vinegar at $20^{\circ}C$. The used soybeans were 24 hr germinated soybeans, which was maximumly increased in isoflavone content during germination. The isoflavone contents were significantly increased by approx. 80% in both glycosides and aglycone type of isoflavone after 20 day of pickling at $20^{\circ}C$. The isoflavone values of germinated Chokong were significantly higher than those of ungerminated ones. Pickling the soybeans in vinegar resulted in a rapid initial decrease in oligosaccharides, Particularly in raffinose and stachyose. The pH and soluble solids contents in vinegar increased markedly and L values decreased during initial pickling of 24 hr.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.547-553
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• 2012

Cheongkookjang that was prepared with three kinds of soybeans [non-germinated soybean (NG), soybeans germinated for 12 hr (GS12), and soybeans germinated for 24 hr (GS24)] were investigated. The changes in the pH, total aerobes, and slime content of Cheongkookjangs that were prepared with NG, GS12 and GS24 did not significantly differ during their fermentation for 48 hr at $40^{\circ}C$. The total aerobes of the Cheongkookjang variants reached $10^8{\sim}10^9$ CFU/mL after theirfermentation for 48 hr. The total polyphenol content and DPPH-radical-scavenging activities the germionated and non-germinated soybeans did not significantly differ, but increased significantly according to the germination degree during the fermentation. The isoflavone content of the Cheongkookjang with the germinated soybean increased. The isoflavone content of Cheongkookjang variant were 0.141 mg/g (NG), 0.369 mg/g (GS12) and 0.569 mg/g (GS24); their free amino acid contents were 254.26 mg% (NG), 337.49 mg% (GS12) and 528.78 mg% (GS24); and their sensory characteristics such as their taste, color, flavor, bitter taste, texture, and overall acceptability did not significantly differ.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.676-680
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• 2007

This research was conducted to investigate the changes in quality characteristics of cheonggukjang made with 24-hr germinated soybeans during fermentation. Our study confirmed that the pH of the 24-hr germinated soybeans was 6.7, and the value increased as fermentation progressed. The amount of viscous substances in the cheonggukjang produced with the 24-hr germinated soybeans constantly increased to 5.89% at 36 hr of fermentation, and then remained unchanged. Free sugars (raffinose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose) rapidly decreased with the fermentation process. The levels of free amino acids in the 24-hr germinated agakong and the 48-hr fermented cheonggukjang were 391.0 and 10,994.8 mg%, respectively. Glutamic acid content was highest, followed by aspartic acid, lysine, leucine, and proline. The ratio of glutamic acid to total free amino acids at 48-hr of fermentation was 18.0%. Finally, it was confirmed that the sensory evaluation score of the 24-36 hr fermented cheonggukjang, made with the 24-hr germinated soybeans, was superior to that of the 24 and 48-hr fermented cheonggukjang.