• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1055-1060
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• 2012

In order to produce Hongkuk-ju, the production and characterization of Hongkuk (Monascus red koji) by Monascus anka KCTC 6121 were investigated. The optimum cultural conditions for the production of enzyme (${\alpha}$-amylase and glucoamylase) and pigment (yellow and red) from this strain on solid culture (steamed rice) were examined. The results showed that the production of ${\alpha}$-amylase and glucoamylase reached the highest for 9 days and 8 days, respectively. Since then, the productions decreased slightly. The production of yellow and red pigments reached the highest for 8 days, decreasing slightly soon after. The optimal content of the initial moisture equally presented 30% in the enzyme and pigment production. After that, the enzyme production decreased slowly, whereas pigment production decreased sharply. The optimal temperature of the culture also showed $30^{\circ}C$ in the production of enzyme and pigment. It was found that the initial inoculum size in enzyme and pigment production was 10% and 20%, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the production of monacolin K and citrinin was 74.35 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg for 12 days, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 1979

Fungi which produce red pigment were isolated from tapioca chips, Korean Koji, air, and plant leaves. Among the Fungi, T-1 strain was selected as test strain. This strain was identified as a Monatcus sp. by the morphological propeties. Various culture conditions, and physical and physiological characteristics of red pigment were studied. According to the studies of culture conditions, optimum condition was found to be pH 6.5; 4 days of incubation; temperature, 32~33 c: 3.5％ of Tapioca chips powder as carbon source, 0.2％ of sodium nitrate as nitrogen source and 100 ml of medium in the 500 ml Erlenmyer flask at a rotary shaker (rpm180) as aeration condition. Also effective levels of vitamins, amino acids and inorganic compounds was found to be l$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of folic acid and niacin; 0.3％ of L-arginine, L-glutamic acid and L-proline; and 0.001％ of manganese dioxide giving good results.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2006

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether a diet supplemented with brown rice koji (BRK) results in a reduced stress response in rats and mice. BRK, which has been suggested as a candidate for use as a stress- and fatigue-fighting supplement, was compared with red ginseng extract (RG) for its stress-reducing potential. The animals in this study were divided into no-stress, stress, RG, and BRK groups of 8 to 10 animals each. Stress was induced by means of immobilization (being restrained in plastic tubes for 30 min and electroshock (0.5 mA in mice or 2 mA in rats for 5 min). The no-stress group was not exposed to stress. Rats in the RG group received oral doses of 200 mg RG extract/kg body weight daily. The BRK group was fed a 30% BRK diet and exposed to stress. Animals were given supplements for 7 days before being exposed to stress, and then were given supplements for 5 days with exposure to stress. When the stress exposure ended, the animals were observed for stress-related changes in behavior and their plasma corticosterone levels were measured. BRK supplementation was associated with a partial blockade of the effects of stress on locomotion and elevated plus-maze test results in rats and mice. It was also associated with a partial reduction in stress-induced behaviors such as freezing, burrowing, smelling, face-washing, and rearing. BRK supplementation did not have a significant effect on plasma corticosterone levels, which were increased in the animals exposed to stress (p<0.01). The mice in the RG group received RG in water (2 mg RG/ mL $H_2O$), and the BRK group received a 30% BRK diet (weight) for 7 days. Both groups were evaluated for signs of fatigue. BRK supplementation increased endurance, as indicated by time on the rota-rod, in cold water, and on the horizontal wire. These results suggest that BRK supplementation partially protects the animal from the effects of stress and may also contribute to resistance to fatigue on physical exertion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2023

Red yeast rice, also known as Hong Qu and red Koji, has been used for a long time in Asian functional food and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, which can potentially be used as nutraceuticals. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) can range from simple steatosis or inflammation to fibrosis and cirrhosis, possibly through leaky gut and systemic endotoxemia. This study examined the liver and gut effects of red yeast rice (RYR) (Monascus purpureus) ethanol extract against binge ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. RYR extract was orally administered to C57BL/6N mice at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 days. Then, mice were administered binge alcohol (5 g/kg/dose) three times at 12 hr intervals. Binge alcohol exposure significantly elevated the endotoxin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity of plasma, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels; however, RYR treatments reduced these levels. In addition, RYR pretreatment significantly reduced the alcohol-induced oxidative maker protein and apoptosis maker in binge alcohol-induced gut and liver injuries. These results suggest that RYR may prevent alcohol-induced acute leaky gut and liver damage.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.65-90
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• 1979

This study was conducted to establish the brewing method which would be useful for the production of Kochuzang. Kojis, which were made from various materials and microorganisms under a covered condition, were investigated and compared. Yeasts (Saccharomyces rouxii and Torulopsis versatilis) were added to Kochuzang, and the enzyme activity, microflora, chemical composition, nitrogen content, alcohol content and free sugars of Kochuzang were investigated and analysed. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Koji making (1) Glutinous rice-soybean group was superior to glutinous rice group in the saccharogenic and liquefying amylase activities of three day-Koji. (2) Protease activity (acid, neutral and alkaline) of glutinous rice-soybean Koji, which was inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae A, was increased till the 5th day, while other groups showed maximum activity after the 3rd day. (3) The maximum cellulose activity of Aspergillus oryzae B-Koji and A-Koji was observed after the 2nd day and the 3rd day, respectively. High cellulose activity of Aspergillus oryzae B-Koji and A-Koji was respectively shown in glutinous rice group and glutinous rice-soybean group at maximum. (4) Compared with glutinous rice Koji, glutinous rice-soybean Koji gave larger number of yeast and aerobic bacteria. 2. Kochuzang Fermentation (1) Each Kochuzang group shoved different liquefying and saccharogenic amylase activities. The highest activities were generally shown in 10 to 40 days after mashing and remarkably reduced in the last stage of aging. (2) Protease activities of each group were strong in order of acid, neutral and alkaline protease. Especially acid protease showed highest activity at the 40th to 50th day Kochuzang. (3) Each group showed maximum cellulase activity in the 40th and 50th day-Kochuzang and then decreased. (4) Osmophilic yeast of yeast-added Kochuzang after one-month aging was distinctively outnumbered compared with non-yeast-added Kochuzang, but two groups were similar after two months. (5) Yeast-added group and non-added group gave almost the same number of halophilic lactic acid bacteria in Kochuzang, but the non-added group gave slightly larger number of aerobic bacteria than the yeast-added group. (6) Amino nitrogen contents in all test group were increased rapidly till the 60th day of Kochuzang aged. After that the contents were increased slowly. (7) Ethyl alcohol contents of 20day-fermented Kochuzang were high in order of Saccharomyces rouxii-added group, Torulopsis versatilis-added group, Saccharomyces rouxii and Torulopsis versatilis mixed group and non-yeast-added group. But all test group showed about 2% in ethyl alcohol content after 40days of aging. (8) Alcohol content in the 7 month-aged Kochuzang of all test groups was high in order of ethyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol and iso-propyl alcohol. Torulopsis versatilis-added group had the highest value of ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol. (9) Reducing sugar in Kochuzang was increased after 20 days of aging compared with the 10days-ferment. The reducing sugar content in Saccharomyces rouxii-added group was distinctively small compared with that of other groups, decreasing after 30days of aging. (10) Rhamnose, fructose, glucose and maltose were isolated from the 10 day fermented Kochuzang. Raffinose was also found after 300 days-aged group, and fructose content was high in the 300days-aged Kochuzang. However, glucose content was smaller than that of 10days-fermented Kochuzang. (11) For the organoleptic tests of Kochuzang, taste, flavour and color of yeast-added group were superior to the non yeast-added group. Especially the complex yeast group among the yeast added groups were the best of all. Yeast-added group after 300 days of aging took higher paint in flavour test than that of non-added group. Therefore, brewing method like complex yeast added group seems to be advantageous for short time brewing Kochuzang.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.8089-8095
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• 2015

Gochujang, a kind of fermented red pepper paste with soybean koji, is a traditionally using spices in Korea and is characterized by its special taste in combination with hot, sweet and salty taste, and its component are consist of protein, carbohydrates, capsanthin and capsinoids, vitamin and other minor components. We tried to develop Gochujang sauce characterized by mild hot and spicy taste, proper viscosity and its strong application to steak, fried food, pizza and others. Gochujang sauce tended to show strong red color and lightness as pH decreases and Paprica oleoresin improved a value to 12.11 and L value to 24.24 which is similar to tomato paste 1:1-1.5:1 ratio of Gochujang and tomato paste was evaluated to be acceptable in the aspect of Gochujang's characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 1965

The enzyme-producing potentials of industrially important strains of Aspergillus spp. were studied. Irradiation of three original isolates of Aspergillus oryzae to ultra-violet rays resulted in the production of mutants which differed from the parent riboflavin and vitamin $B_{12}$ in culture media. 1. Irradition three strains of Aspergillus oryzae to ultraviolet light produced mutants and two strains of them were selected for soy sauce brewing. 2. The two strains are the physiological mutants of Aspergillus oryzae. Both were found to have superior enzyme activity to their relatives. 3. Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 172-722 and 569-713 were more powerful than others in the production of riboflavin and vitamin $B_{12}$. The enzyme activity of these strain were high and decreased only slightly even in 20 percent solution of NaCl. 4. Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 172-722 had more powerful protease producibility in wheat bran media than in modified Czapek's solution. On the contrary, Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 569-713 had more powerful producibility of saccharogenic and dextrinogenic amylase in modified Czapek's solution than in mold bran. 5. Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 172-722 formed the spore rapidly and Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 569-713 did ordinarily. 6. It is found from the results that Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 172-722 is valuable material for the manufacture of soy sauce because of its high protease activity in 20 percent solution of NaCl. Aspergillus oryzae UV-induced mutant 569-713 is suitable for soy bean mash and for fermented red pepper sauce for its high saccharogenic and dextrinogenic amylase activity in 20 percent solution of sodium chloride.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 1979

This study was carried out to investigate effects of iron content on the quality of soy sauce, bean paste and red pepper paste, and to elucidate the origin of iron and change of the contents during production processes. For the first step, the iron contents in commercial soy sauce and changes of the contents during brewing process were determined. The results obtained were as follows. 1, Iron contents of raw materials were 108 ppm in soy bean, 133ppm in defatted soy bean, 79 ppm in wheat, 5 ppm in sodium chloride, 58 ppm in seed koji, 300-2000 ppm in spore of Aspergillus oryzae, 240 ppm in wheat gluten, 20 ppm in sodium carbonate (above figures were of dry weight basis), 6 ppm in hydrochloric acid, 18 ppm in caramel and 0.3ppm in brewing water respectively. 2, Iron contents in koji were 200-240 ppm (as dry weight basis) and increased, more or less, in progress of koji-making period. 3. Iron contents in the mashes during fermentation were 40 rpm after 1 month, 43-47 ppm after 3 months and 49-62ppm after 6 months. 4. In chemical soy sauce, the iron content was 159 ppm after hydrolysis of wheat gluten with hydrochloric acid, and 184 ppm after neutralization. 5. Higher iron contents were detected both in fermented and chemical soy sauce when the concentration of total nitrogen increased, but the levels were higher in chemical soy sauce than in fermented one at the same concentration of total nitrogen. 6. In the case of fermented soy sauce, the iron content in the filtrate was decreased by press-filtration, but no significant change was found between before and after heat-sterilization. 7. Iron contents in commercial soy sauce were varied with the producers, however, the average value was 62.7 ppm as calculated as 1.0 percent of total nitrogen. And the average level of iron in home-made soy sauce produced by conventional method was 37.68 ppm.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 2015

This study was performed to develop the maufacturing processes of Makgeolli using red ginseng starch (RGS). After the fermentation of RGS with koji, nuruk, and yeast, the different temperature effects on the number of the yeast cells, the content of organic acid, free sugars, and total acid, and pH were investigated. There were no changes in the composition of the yeast cell number and content of organic acid amd during 20 days at $4^{\circ}C$. The content of free sugars (sucrose, glucose and mannose) and the pH value of red ginseng Makgeolli decreased during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. This meant that the total acid content and pH value increased after organic acid was produced from fermentation. Therefore, red ginseng Makgeolli is highly acidic and sour. Since high acidity helps improve storage conditions, so this developed red ginseng Makgeolli is considered safe for consumption. Furthermore, the total content of ginsenoside was 2.47 mg/mL, which was differentiate Makgeolli using red ginseng starch, with others. Therefore, new red ginseng Makgeolli is rich in organic acid, free sugars, and ginsenoside. As a result, its storage, taste, and flavor improved.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 1970

The yeasts in the soy sauce mash were isolated and identified, and they were classified by coloring with the treatment of TTC(2, 3, 5, triphenyltetrazolium chloride) agar and counted in process of time. The results obtained were as follows: a) The number of ordinary and osmophilic yeasts in 1 ml. of the soy sauce mash showed a tendency to be increased from the mashing to the mature stages and to decrease in the aging stages: $127{\times}10^3$ immediately after mashing, $83{\times}10^3$ 1 month after, $356{\times}10^3$ 3 months after, $1250{\times}10^3$ 6 months after and $65{\times}10^3$ 2 years after mashing in the case of ordinary yeasts, and 0 after mashing, $40{\times}10^3$ 1 month after, $81{\times}10^3$ 3 months after, $358{\times}10^3$ 6 month after and $23{\times}10^3$ 2 years after mashing in the case of osmophilic yeasts. b) 50 strains of yeasts were isolated from the soy sauce mash optionally in process of fermentation period, and they were identified as 7 genera and 18 species: 10 strains of Saccharomyces rouxii, 1 strain of Saccharomyces marxianus, 3 strains of Saccharomyces rosei, 1 strain of Saccharomyces fermentati, 6 strains of Saccharomyces mellis, 1 strain of Saccharomyces acidifaciens, 1 strain of Saccharomyces pastori, 3 strains of Pichia polymorpha, 2 strains of Hansenula anomala, 1 strain of Hansenula saturnus, 2 strains of Hansenula suaveolens, 5 strains of Nadsonia fulvescens, 8 strains of Debaryomyces hasenii, 1 strain of Debaryomyces nicotianae, 1 strain of Debaryomyces kloeckeri, 2 strains of Torulopsis sake, 1 strain of Torulopsis holmii and 1 strain of Candida pelliculasa. c) Distribution of yeasts according to the fermentation period was as follows: i) Saccharomyces rouxii, Saccharomyces marxianus, Saccharoymces rosei, Pichia polymorpha, Debaryomyces hansenii, Torulopsis sake, Candida pelliculosa, Debaryomyces nicotianae, Nadsonia fulvescens, Hansenula suaveolens and Hansenula saturnus were found in the early stages of fermentation. ii) Saccharomyces rouxii, Saccharomyces rosei, Saccharomyces fermentati, Saccharomyces mellis, Saccharomyces pastori, Hansenula anomala, Saccharomyces acidifaciens and Debaryomyces hansenii appeared in the mature stages. iii) Saccharomyces rouxii, Saccharomyces mellis, Nadsonia fulvescenes, Dedaryomyces hansenii, Debaryomyces kloeckeri, Torulopsis sake and Torulopsis holmii were distributed in the aging stages. d) TTC white yeasts were found in abundance in the early stages of fermentation and TTC red yeasts appeared more than 50 per cent in the mature and aging stages. e) The yeasts belonging to Saccharomyces mellis and Saccharomyces pastori were classified as TTC red yeasts, Saccharomyces acidifaciens were reel pink, Hansenula saturnus Debaryomyces kloeckeri, and Torulopsis holmii were pink, Saccharomyces marxianus and Nadsonia fulvescens were white and the others were the same as the description in the previous report. Saccharomyces rouxii ware classified for the most part as TTC red yeasts, and while some of them were red pink. f) Species of yeasts in the soy sauce mash were similar to those in the soy sauce koji, but the latter were not osmophilic and in the former case, the osmophilic yeasts were increased in process of fermentation period.