• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.1279-1284
• /
• 2008

When cheonggukjgang was manufactured using a Bacillus subtilis CH10-1 starter culture, a short-term fermentation for 14-18 hr appeared to be the optimal for the raw cheonggukjang to avoid the formation of a bitter taste and to contain a high concentration of free sugars, whereas a long-term fermentation for more than 4 days was the optimal for the cheonggukjang for stew in order to contain a high concentration of free amino and organic acids, which are responsible for sweet, savory, and bitter tastes present in stewed cheonggukjang, During activation of murine splenic T cells with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the presence of either poly-$\gamma$-glutamic acid ($\gamma$-PGA) or partially hydrolyzed $\gamma$-PGA resulted in reduction in the level of interferon-$\gamma$ production and enhancement in the level of interleukin-5 production, possibly due to suppression of Th1 activity and augmentation of Th2 activity. Taken together these results indicate that the raw cheonggukjang and the cheonggukjang for stew are different in their quality and taste as well as immunomodulating activity.

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

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.515-520
• /
• 2013

Bacterial communities derived from cheonggukjang and raw rice straw collected from a Mireuksan farm and a Heungup cheonggukjang in Gangwon province were investigated using both culture-based method and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Pure cultures, which were isolated from raw rice straw and cheonggukjang and cultured on tryptic soy agar plates (53-76 colonies per plate), were identified by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences. The traditional culture-based method and analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA by DGGE revealed that for samples collected from the Mireuksan farm, Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus subtilis were the predominant species in the raw rice-straw and cheonggukjang, respectively. For samples collected from the Heungup cheonggukjang, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was the predominant species in both raw rice straw and cheonggukjang. Other microorganisms, including members of Pantoea, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, and Acinetobacter, were also present in the raw rice-straw and cheonggukjang, as were bacteria that could not be cultured.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.742-750
• /
• 2014

This study was done in order to investigate the changes in quality of Cheonggukjang for soybean cultivars during fermentation. Cheonggukjang of 14 cultivars that were inoculated with Bacillus subtilis 15893 was produced, and, then, it was measured for hardness, proximate composition, amino nitrogen, enzyme activity, and total aerobic bacteria counts. In a raw bean, the highest hardness value was 16,975 g from Sunyu. In a steaming bean, Jangwon had the highest hardness value and the lowest aerobic bacteria counts of forty-eight hours fermented Cheonggukjang. Saedanbaek, whose protein contents was highest in raw bean, was also highest in Cheonggukjang. The amino nitrogen content of twenty-four hours fermented Cheonggukjang was highest in Saeol and Sunyu while forty-eight hours fermented Cheonggukjang was highest in Singi, Daol, and Milyang 231. In the protease activity, Saedanbaek had the highest and total aerobic bacteria count that were either increased or held as time went on ; twenty-four hours fermented Cheonggukjang was highest in Milyang 231 and Keunol while forty-eight hours fermented Cheonggukjang was highest in Chunsang.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.66
• /
• pp.282-288
• /
• 2023

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the immuneenhancing health functional food market that protects our bodies from pathogens such as viruses continues to grow. In this study, we aimed to prove the Cheonggukjang, a high-nutrient food with high protein, fat, and dietary fiber content, as an immuneenhancing nutraceutical. Cheonggukjang water extract (CWE) increased the production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and cytokines such interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α without affecting viability in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, CWE significantly upregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 cells. CWE enhanced the phosphorylation of I kappa B kinase α/β and I kappa B (IκB)α, as well as the degradation of IκBα. CWE also induced increased phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and facilitated the redistribution of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in RAW 264.7 cells. These findings suggest that CWE has potential as a health functional food material that can enhance the innate immune response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.324-333
• /
• 2010

Off-flavor in foods and in raw materials is quite concerning, as it could signify deeper-rooted problems. Methods of reduction of "off-flavors" in traditional food such as Cheonggukjan and Kimchi, and in raw materials of soybean paste were studied by means of a literature review. It was found that the major components of "off-flavor" were due to butyric acid, valeric acid, alkylpyrazines, ammonia, and sulfides for Cheonggukjang, and for Kimchi were sulfur containing components such as methyl allylsulfide, dimethyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, methyl allyl trisulfide, methyl 2-propenyldisulfide, dipropenyldisulfide. There is a demand for a scientific and systematic approach in overcoming the "off-flavor" problem. Nutritional aspects and safety should be considered. Several methods have been attempted, such as masking, binding, improving cooking process, inhibiting rancidity, and controlling the growth of micro-organism. Methods of masking were the most frequently ones used for the reduction of "off-flavor", and in some cases, othertechniques were additionally applied. The masking method would be useful in the reduction of "off-flavor" in traditional Korean foods, i.e. Cheonggukjang, Kimchi, as well as in new product development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.11
• /
• pp.1300-1307
• /
• 2017

Cheonggukjang is well known as a traditional fermented food in Korea and has various biological activity. In this study, immune-enhancing activity of extract of cheonggukjang fermented with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (SRCM100730) was examined in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Treatment with extract augmented production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) from RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, increased mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was observed. In addition, the extract synergistically enhanced production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Analysis of intracellular pathways revealed that the immune-enhancing activity of cheonggukjang extract was related to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$). These results suggest that cheonggukjang fermented with B. amyloliquefaciens (SRCM100730) is a beneficial food effective for activation of immune responses.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.141-145
• /
• 2009

Cheongyukjang, a Banga food, is a heavy soy-soup prepared by boiling cheonggukjang, sea foods, and meats. Soybeans roasted at 140$^{\circ}C$ for 21.0 min and 220$^{\circ}C$ for 6.0 min, respectively, were used for cheonggukjang preparation. Distributions of isoflavones in raw soybeans, roasted soybeans, cheonggukjang, and cheongyukjang were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The total isoflavones in roasted soybeans, cheonggukjang and cheongyukjang were about 79-80, 56-65, and 47-50% of those in raw soybeans, respectively. Roasting caused significant increases in acetyl derivatives and ${\beta}$-glucoside isoflavones, and significant decreases in malonyl derivatives (p < 0.05). The major isoflavones in cheonggukjang and cheongyukjang were ${\beta}$-glucosides. Succinyl-${\beta}$-daidzin and succinyl-${\beta}$-genistin, which are recognized as new metabolites of isoflavones, were not detected in raw and roasted soybeans. Peak areas of succinyl-${\beta}$-genistin were higher than thse of succinyl-${\beta}$-daidzin, in both cheongyukjang and cheonggukjang.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.96-101
• /
• 2006

Isoflavone distribution and ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity in cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean whole soybean-fermented food prepared with or without addition of Bacillus subtilis, were analyzed every 6 hr for 36 hr. Thermal cooking of raw-soaked soybeans significantly increased ${\beta}$-glucoside isoflavone level by 57.1 % and decreased malonyl-${\beta}$-glucosides by 57.6% (p<0.05). Consistent changes of isoflavone profiles in cheonggukjang without B. subtilis addition (COB) and samples with addition of B. subtilis (CWB) were not observed during 36 hr fermentation. ${\beta}$-Glucosides of isoflavones are major forms in both COB and CWB. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in cheonggukjang decreased significantly compared to that of soaked soybeans due to thermal denaturation, while recovery of enzyme activity in COB was observed. Two new unidentified peaks were detected, and their relative peak areas in CWB were significantly larger than those in COB with increasing fermentation period (p<0.05), which indicates both peaks could be associated with fermentation metabolites.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.643-646
• /
• 2006

Cheonggukjang, a popular Korean traditional fermented soyfood, was manufactured by fermenting steamed soybeans in a temperature-controlled room by traditional methods in which steamed soy was exposed to rice straw naturally rich in Bacillus species. B. subtilus and B. licheniformis were found to be the major microorganisms present in cheonggukjang made by the traditional method. We analyzed the composition of 12 kinds of isoflavones and their glycosides present in cheonggukjang collected at various fermentation times. Total isoflavone content in raw soybeans was 2,867 mg/kg and this decreased by about 50% during cooking prior to cheonggukjang preparation. However, total isoflavone content changed slightly during 45 hr of fermentation. Total content of isoflavone glycosides, consisting mainly of daidzin, glycitein, and genistin, decreased by about 40% during 45 hr of fermenting cooked soybeans. The contents of tree isoflavones including daidzein, glycitein, and genistein showed a dramatic increase during fermentation in cheonggukjang preparation, with a 2.9-, 54.0-, and 20.6-fold increase in concentration, respectively, by the end of fermentation (45 hr). In conclusion, short-term fermentation of cooked soybeans with Bacillus species caused conspicuous changes in the composition of isoflavone derivatives, and its implication in terms of health benefits deserves further study.