• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.751-759
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate quality characteristics of red bean gochujang prepared with different ratios of meju for eight weeks. We determined quality characteristics such as pH, moisture content, total microbial flora counts, amino-type nitrogen content, total polypenol content, and antioxidant activity. The pH decreased by fermentation period, whereas total acidity was 0.36~0.39% in the early stage of fermentation, 0.63~1.16% at four weeks of fermentation, and decreased to 0.43~0.65% after the eighth week of fermentation. Moisture content of the control (no red bean, no rice) decreased 62.13% to 50.93%, but in case of the treatment, it slightly decreased. Total cell counts revealed similar tendency at the beginning of fermentation, and at eight weeks of fermentation. In case of lactic acid bacteria, all samples except RB-1.5 (gochujang added meju made of mixing ratio of rice:soybean:red bean (1:2:1.5) slightly increased. Amino nitrogen and total polyphenol of all samples increased in the fermentation period, especially RB-1.5 sample had the highest levels than other samples. By increasing the amount of red bean, DPPH radical scavenging activities increased. In taste sensing analysis, all treat samples except RB-1.5 revealed lower sourness than the control. Also, in case of bitterness, all samples revealed low content than the control. So, by adding red bean, it can enhance taste and function of gochujang.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.26 no.4 s.87
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• pp.487-495
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• 1998

The mycotoxins, $Aflatoxin\;B_1(B)$ and Ochratoxin A(A), were measured from the various mejus manufactured under the artificial or natural conditions by the indirect competitive ELISA; The various fungi isolated from the Korean traditional home (KTH) made meju collected were observed to produce each mycotoxin mentioned above in the toxin producing broth, but only few in the sterilized cereals of soybean under the artificial conditions. Thus, the isolated fungi were not found to produce both A and B toxins in the artificial conditions. Particularly, the any mycotoxin was not determined at the range of 0.01 to 100 ng per gm of the mejus made under the conditions of KTH widely collected in Korea. The mycotoxins produced by the meju-fermenting fungi were seemed or speculated to be degraded in KTH's mejus under the natural conditions. The species of Mucor involved in the initial stage of fermentation were discussed to be important in the fermentations of KTH mejus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.498-503
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• 1999

Protease produced from Bacillus sp. FSE-68 was isolated from Meju, a Korean fermented soybean starter, and was purified by a two-consecutive aqueous two-phase system. The change of partition coefficient (K) in the polyethylene glycol (PEG)/potassium phosphate buffer (PPB) aqueous two-phase system was measured at different pHs (6.0- 9.2), PPB concentrations (8-12%), and temperatures (4 and $20^{\circ}C$). As the PPB concentration in the aqueous two-phase system increased, the protease concentration in the top phase (PEG-rich phase) increased, thereby enhancing the partition coefficient. The minimum partition coefficient of the protease was achieved at pH 7.0, whereas that of the total protein was at pH 6.0. The biggest difference in partition coefficients of total protein and protease occurred at pH 6.0. It was interesting to note that the partition coefficient of protease decreased as the temperature increased. The optimum condition of the primary aqueous two-phase extraction of Bacillus sp. FSE-68 was pH 6.0, 14% (w/w) PPB, and 16% (w/w) PEG at $4^{\circ}C$, and the crude enzyme concentration in this system was 50% (w/w). The protease, which was concentrated in the top phase, was further mixed with 15% (w/w) PPB (pH 7.0) in the ratio of 1:1 at $20^{\circ}C$ to elute the bottom phase (PPB-rich phase). Using these steps, the purification fold achieved was 9.2 with a 44.7% yield.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.422-428
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• 1986

The bacteria were isolated from ordinary Korean soy sauce and soybean Paste. After isolation, we investigated the bacteria which produces the characteristic flavor of ordinary Korean soy sauce and soybean paste, nothing the aroma, presence of amino acids, and free sugars. The results were obtained as follows. The bacteria isolated from ordinary Korean soy sauce and soybean paste were various Bacillus species. The isolated bacteria produced characteristic orders: 'Meju' order, the characteristic saline odor of ordinary Korean soy sauce or ordinary Korean soybean paste order, and enzymes: protease and amylase. The good characteristic saline odor of ordinary Korean soy sauce was produced by Bacillus licheniformis$(SSB_3)$. The good odor of ordinary Korean soybean paste was produced by Bacillus polymyxa$(SSB_4)$, Bacillus species$(SPB_1)$, Bacillus brevis$(SPC_2)$, and Bacillus lichniformis$(SPC_{2-1})$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.609-615
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• 1994

Fermented traditional soybean paste(doenjang), koji soybean paste by Aspergillus oryzae, natto soybean paste by Bacillus natto and koji & natto soybean paste by Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus natto were analyzed for compositions of amino acids and contents of nitrogens. Amino type nitrogen was the highest in fermenting for 90 days as $271{\sim}868\;mg/100g$, and its contents were in the order of koji soybean paste>traditional soybean paste>koji & natto soybean paste>natto soybean paste in all samples tested. In compositions of total amino acids, glutamic and aspartic acids were rich in koji soybean paste but big differences were not observed in all samples. But some differences were observed in free amino acid compositions in all samples, that is, glutamic acid, tyrosine, lysine and aspartic acid were detected more abundantly. Sum of free amino acids for 90 days were in order of koji soybean paste>traditional soybean paste>koji & natto soybean paste>natto soybean paste. The ratios of free to total amino acids were $3.28{\sim}19.81%$ for 45 days, but increased to $10.88{\sim}25.10%$ for 90 days, and in order of traditional doenjang>koji doenjang>koji & natto doenjang>natto doenjang. Methionine and histidine showed higher ratios of free to total amino acid but lower in glutamic acid and aspartic acid. These results suggest that koji and traditional soybean paste of having high ratios of free amino acids to free and total amino acids may be more favorable in soybean paste fermentation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2004

A correlation between fibrinolytic activity and microflora in Korean traditional soybean fermented food was investigated. The fibrinolytic activities of traditional soybean pastes and commercially processed samples were 2.42$\pm$1.01 unit/g and 1.58$\pm$0.98 unit/g, respectively. The cell density of Bacillus in traditional soybean pastes was about 10$^{7}$ CFU/g and its commercially processed one was 10$^{6}$ CFU/g. Acid producing bacteria, fungi and yeast group were higher in commercially processed one. The correlations of fibrinolytic activity and microflora in traditional and commercial Doenjang were positively correlated in Bacillus ($R^2$≒ 0.69), negatively correlated in fungal group ($R^2$≒0.40), and there were no significant correlations in acid forming bacteria and yeast group ($R^2$<0.16). Fibrinolytic activities in Meju and Koji were 6.54$\pm$1.97 unit/g and 1.46$\pm$0.43 unit/g respectively, and were positively correlated with Bacillus. Yeast and acid forming bacteria were grown by 5∼6 decimal induction during fermentation period of Doenjang, but Bacillus, fungal cells and fibrinolytic activity were nearly stable. Results indicate that fibrinolytic activity of Doenjang depends on enzyme induction in Meju or Koji processing by Bacillus, Doenjang fermentation process.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.438-446
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• 2020

Meju and nuruk (respectively soybean and malt) are traditional Korean fermentation starters that are vulnerable to contamination by harmful microorganisms such as aflatoxigenic fungi and their associated aflatoxins (AFs). In this study, Aspergillus spp. were isolated and identified from a total of 57 meju and 18 nuruk samples collected from Korean markets. Their potential aflatoxigenicity was investigated by examining the presence of three aflatoxin biosynthetic genes (aflO, aflP, and aflR) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays. Thereafter, aflatoxin production of isolates and the natural occurrence of AFs in meju and nuruk samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 177 Aspergillus isolates were identified and 130 isolates were obtained from meju samples. Of these, 25 isolates (19.2%) contained all three aflatoxin biosynthetic genes, and five (20%) of these isolates produced aflatoxins. Forty-seven of the Aspergillus isolates were obtained from nuruk samples, five of which (10.6%) expressed all three AF biosynthetic genes; however, none of these strains produced AFs. HPLC analysis showed that 88% (51/58) of the meju samples and 39% (7/18) of nuruk samples were not contaminated with AFs (below limit of detection). Among the isolates isolated from meju and nuruk, there were aflatoxigenic strains containing all three aflatoxin biosynthetic genes or producing aflatoxin in medium, but the frequency of aflatoxin contamination was low in the meju and nuruk samples.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.908-915
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• 1998

By using Korean native soybean, traditional meju was prepared in Chuncheon, Kangweondo according to the traditional process. Analysis of physico-chemical, enzymatic and microbiological changes during meju fermentation were carried out in order to obtain a basic information for industrial scale production of meju. The enviroments for natural meju fermentation were $10{\sim}15^{\circ}C$ and $60{\sim}70%{\;}RH$. Moisture content decreased from 59% to 11% (exterior section) and 19% (interior section). the pH of meju rapidly increased up to 8.5 at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation and thereafter decreased down to 7.9 at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Souble protein content was 1.47% at initial stage and increased up to $6.31{\sim}7.34%$ at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Amino nitrogen content was $460{\sim}770{\;}mg%$ at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. the color of meju became gradually black and decreased in redness and yellowness. During the process, protease and lipase seemed to play an important role in the digestion of soy protein and fat. Acidic protease activity increased up to $135.9{\sim}152.4{\;}unit/g$ at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation and were $181.3{\sim}272.6{\;}unit/g$ at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Lipase activity increased up to 6 unit/g (interior section) and 15 unit/g (exterior section) at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. the viable cell count of meju was at the level of $10^8{\;}CFU/g$ during the overall fermentation period. Aerobic halophilic count was $1.51{\times}10^7{\;}CFU/g$ at initial stage and maintained $10^8{\;}CFU/g$ level during the process. Initial anaerobic cell count was $2.0^9{\times}10^4{\;}CFU/g$ and increased up to $10^5{\;}CFU/g$ level at 47 days. Yeast and mold counts were $10^4{\sim}10^5{\;}CFU/g$ for the fermentation period.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 1981

Fermented foods available in Korea may be classified into four groups, namely, fermented soybean products, fermented cereal products, fermented vegetable products, and fermented fishery products based on raw materials used. The representative fermented foods based on soybean are Kanjang(soysauce), Doenjang(fermented soybean pastes), and Kochujang(red pepper added-fermented soybean paste). Such fermented products are made using Meju(functioning as a starter and prepared by fermentation of steamed soybean mash) as an essential ingredient, and used widely as a soup base and/or in seasoning side-dishes for everyday meals year around. Excepting Sikhae, all fermented products based on rice and other cereal grains are of alcoholic nature. Takju (Makgeolli) used to be made using rice as the major raw material, however, mainly due to the shortage of rice in recent years, other cereals, such as, barely, corn, and wheat flours are also used to replace rice today. Owing to such changes in the raw materials. the popularity of Takju has been somewhat reduced, yet it is still widely consumed in rural areas. Although Chungju is a popular rice wine with superior qualify over Takju, the amount consumed is considerably limited. The highest qualify rice wine, Bupju, in particular, is made by a low temperature fermentation using glutinous rice. Kimchi is an unique fermented vegetable product of long tradition in Korea. Although it was for consumption mainly in winter season serving as a source of vitamins, today it is widely used throughout the year. Except Kkakdugi and Dongchimi, all of the fermented vegetable products contain salted Korean cabbage as an essential item, while they abound in varieties depending on material composition and methods of processing, and also on seasons and localities Next to Kimchi in this category is Kkakdugi made of raddish in popularity and quantity consumed. The four groups of fermented food products described above are reviewed in some detail and evaluated in terms of their nutritional significances, processes and microorganisms involved. and their commercial potentials. Jeotkal (or Jeot) is a name given to all fermented products of fishery origin. A number of Jeot can be prepared by adding salt and allowing fermentation to the raw materials such as shrimp, anchovy octopus, clam, oyster, etc.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.835-848
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• 2015

In the past, Korea had many kinds of jeupjang (succulent jang), a rapidly maturing original Korean jang (fermented soybean paste) of which there is no record in Chinese cookbooks. However, this local delicacy has almost been forgotten. Therefore, we looked for information about jeupjang in cookbooks written prior to the Joseon Dynasty in Korea (1392~1910) and in the 1950s. Among the recipes, there were 34 jeupjangs prepared with vegetables, such as eggplant and cucumber, and 9 without. The main ingredients of jeupjang are soybean, bran (wheat crust), and barley, and wild wheat is also used. Jeupjang is made in small portions to expedite its rapid maturation, but the most common form is egg-shaped, and there is also a flat or round, hilt-shaped version. In most cases, jeupjang consists of a mixture of meju powder (moldy soybean), water, and salt. Other ingredients can include nuruk (moldy bran), bran, wheat flour, an alcoholic beverage, maljang (dried fermented soybeans), ganjang (liquid soy sauce), malt, and takju (Korean murky wine). Jeupjang meju can be fermented in a vessel, most widely in baskets made of straw (sum and dungumi) or willow or interwoven twigs (chirung), but jars can also be used. The leaves of the paper mulberry are generally used for the mat and cover, but straw or leaves of the sumac, mulberry, or pine tree, soy, and fallen leaves are also used. Unlike other jangs, jeupjang is matured at $60^{\circ}C$ to $65^{\circ}C$, using heat emitted from the decomposition of horse dung, haystacks, or manure. Jeupjang became defunct or was transformed into jeomjang, jiraejang, mujang, paggeumjang, makjang, jipjang, and tojang. These jangs differ from jeupjang in that they use rice, malt, or hot pepper powder.