초록
This study was conducted to restore our traditional Cheongtaejeon tea and to develop the special products. We inoculated Cheongtaejeon tea with lactobacilli (Lactobacillus plantarum CHO 25) and the mixed microbial strains (L. plantarum CHO 25 + Saccharomyces cerevisiae + Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CHO 104). We also examined the sensuous characteristics and physiological activity of Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced by the inoculation of microbial strains. The external appearance of Cheongtaejeon teas were not significant among the teas which were produced with or without the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25 and the mixed microbial strains. The taste of the tea increased most in Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced without the inoculation of microbial strains. The taste and liking of Cheongtaejeon tea which was inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger decreased significantly, and it was not suitable to drink. Total phenolics compound contents, total flavonoid contents and DPPH ($\alpha,\alpha$-diphenyl-$\beta$-picryl-hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of Cheongtaejeon tea extracts increased much more in the order of that produced with the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25, control and that with the mixed microbial strains. However, nitrite radical scavenging activity in 1,000 mg/L Cheongtaejeon tea hot water extracts were in the order of the control (94.4%), the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25 (93.6%) and the mixed microbial strains (91.1%). Overall results indicated that the sensuous characteristics increased most in Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced without the inoculation of microbial strains, and those physiological activities in tea with the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25.