Abstract
Objectives: To optimize the preservation method of herbal decoction, we investigated the content of principle components of Pyungwi-san, liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and hesperidin according to preservation temperature and period. We also investigated the changing patterns of pH and microbial population in Pyungwi-san decoction as a model case. Methods: With samples preserved at different temperatures, the content of liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and hesperidin was determined using HPLC and microbial population was determined as viable counting method up to 8 times every month. Identification of isolated bacteria was performed by 16S rDNA analysis. Results: The content of liquiritin and glycyrrhizin did not change according to the preservation temperature and period, but that of hesperidin was severely decreased at room temperature. The isolate from the decoction was identified as Bacillus licheniformis by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Microbial population appeared after 3 months' preservation and reached maximum value at 4 months; at all tested temperatures, the pH showed the lowest value (4.4-4.5) simultaneously. Conclusion: From the results, it seems to be that the microbial growth affects the pH of preserved decoction but not the change of liquiritin and glycyrrhizin content.