• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.339-346
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• 2003

In order to improve some problems such as contamination of undesirable mold, mycotoxin production and excessive drying on the surface of traditional meju, we developed a capsule type-meju(CM) coated with steamed black bean and Aspergillus oryzae - rice koji(0.3％, w/w) mixture to surface of traditional meju and fermented at 25$^{\circ}C$ for 14 days under 80％ relative humidity. Contamination of undesirable mold on the surface of CM was not detected within 2 weeks and some genus Penicillium molds on control meju without koji were found naturally after 12 days of fermentation. The moisture content of meju was showed to be in the range of 34.7 - 29.4％ being 32.7％(w/w) of mean value. Titratable acidities in CMs prepared with black bean(BCM) and soybean(SCM) were much higher than that in control meju, and BCM was similar to SCM. Free sugar content in BCM(123.98 mg％) was 10 times and 2.1 times higher than that in control meju(15.02 mg％) and SCM(59.85 mg％), respectively. Amino type nitrogen content in control meju was 147.00 mg％ and its content in BCM(255.50 mg％) was 1.37 times higher than that in SCM(187.25 mg％). Total organic acid content in BCM(95.98 mg％) and SCM(1l9.98 mg％) were much higher than that in control meju(26.44 mg％), and then lactic and malic acid contents were markedly changed according to capsulation of meju. Lightness value(L) of Hunter color index was much higher in BCM than in SCM. Fatty acid composition of CM was not different as compared to control meju. Total free amino acid content in BCM(1039.70 mg％) was 4.4 times and 2.4 times higher than that in control meju(236.45 mg％) and SCM(556.07 mg％), respectively.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.6 s.96
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• pp.914-922
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• 2006

Korean traditional rice wines and liquors have been long brewed using nuruk or koji, cooked rice, How, yeast and some medicinal plants or herbs. The rosemary shrub (Rosmarinus officinalis L), belonging to the Labiatae family, is well recognized for its aromatic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumoral properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosemary addition on the quality characteristics of Korean traditional rice wine. Wines containing different rosemary concentrations (0, 10, 20 or 30%) were ripened for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days at 25C. The following quality characteristics were compared: pH, total acid, titratable acidity, amylase activity, color, reducing sugar amount, total sugar and ethanol. Although total acid increased, the pH of rosemary wine rapidly decreased during the rot 5-days of ripening, and these two changes were greatest in the wine containing 10% rosemary. The amount of both reducing sugar and ethanol in the wine rapidly increased during the rot 5-days of ripening, while total sugar content of rosemary wine decreased significantly with increasing ripening periods(p<0.05). According to the Hunter's color results, a significant color change in 'L' value was observed with increasing fermentation period in the wine containing 10% rosemary. Although 'a' value of control (0% rosemary liquor) increased during the ripening period, the addition of rosemary did not significantly affect 'a' or 'b' values. The transmittance of rosemary wines increased with increasing rosemary content but decreased throughout the ripening periods. Amylase activity decreased with increasing rosemary content, especially after a 5-day ripening period.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.1-23
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• 2005

Kochujang, a fermented hot pepper soybean paste, is a spicy condiment mixed with red pepper, boiled rice and mold fermented soybean (as koji) which is then fermented for several months. It has unique taste of hot, sweet, salty and savory flavor by all mixed ingredients by fermentation, and is one of most famous Korean traditional foods. The scale of the kochujang industry is about 200 billion won in Korea, and 7.8 million dollars and 4,500 tons in exports. Although it is still not a large part of the food industry in Korea, the scale of soy products will increase because it is a major subsidiary food in our dietary life and has grown from a homemade to a mass produced product. Kochujang has the largest market in the scale of sales among fermented soybean products and has merit because of its domestic base and its ability to grow to an international market due to its unique fermented taste. In order to make kochujang an international food, it Is necessary to study the scientific development of kochujang and the diversity of products using kochujang that are fitted to the taste of people around the world. In addition, participation in various exhibitions and food fairs supported by the government should help to promote kochujang throughout the world. In addition, these should be actively supported by the related businesses. Red pepper, a major ingredient in kochujang, has been widely studied and shown to have a positive effect on the reduction of fat, on the strengthening of the immune system, and on active biological functions. A fermented spice like kochujang has been shown to be beneficial for the body due to the process of fermentation rather than from the red pepper itself. If we prove the various biological functions of kochujang with a particular taste and flavor, it will energize a new market. It is necessary for business to make a continuous effort supported fly the scientific world and by government policy, in order to introduce this traditional food to the world. In the present day, the kochujang market is now on a firm basis and has been activated in the field of its study. Now, it is possible to achieve the birth of a secondary international market by concentrating on these efforts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.666-670
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• 2008

Lovastatin (Mevinolin, Monacolin K) is a well-known drug for the therapy of hypercholesterolemia. It is an important fungal secondary metabolite as it inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase, EC 1.1.1.34) which catalyzes a major rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Both soybeans and black soybeans with Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 mutant were used as the seed culture for the mass production of lovastatin. The production of lovastatin in soybean seed culture of Asp. terreus was twofold compared to that of black soybean seed culture. The effect of two different vessels (petri dish and Erlenmeyer flask) on lovastatin production was also studied. The production of lovastatin on petri dish was tenfold to that of Erlenmeyer flask. Furthermore, the most lovastatin production on rice bran was achieved when the soybean seed culture was treated by heat shock at $30^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour, representing 82% of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in the koji extract. We estimated that the heat treated soybean seed culture could be a new method for the mass production of lovastatin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.390-396
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• 1997

Meju is a basis for manufacturing Kanjang, Meju was traditionally prepared at home by different types of process depending on the regional area. It is necessary to standardize and simplify the process of Meju-preparation for Kanjang of good quality. For these purposes, the process of Meju and Kangjang making as well as analysis of commercial Kanjang, were compared. Generally, traditional Meju was prepared by steeping and dehulling the whole soybean. After steeping for 24hr. soybean absorbed water up to 110~120% of its weight. The soaked soybeans were steamed for 2hr. and cooled to 5$0^{\circ}C$. Cooked soybeans were crushed down to the size of 10~15 mesh and molded. Molded soybeans were dried for 2 days in the air, hung up by rice straw and fermented for 20~30 days under natural environmental condition. On the other hand, commercial soybean koji was made of defatted soybean. Defatted soybeans were steeped in water and steamed for 15~30min at 0.7~1.2 kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$. Steamed and defatted soybean was cooled to 4$0^{\circ}C$. Separately, wheat power was roasted at 200~30$0^{\circ}C$ by wheat roaster. Mixture of steamed defatted soybean and roasted wheat powder (5/5 to 7/3) were inoculated with 0.1~0.2% Aspergillus sojae and incubated for 2 days at 3$0^{\circ}C$ with occasional stirring. Chemical analysis showed that traditional soy sauces contained the following composition: NaCl, 20.12~25.42%; total nitrogen, 0.64~0.91%; pure extract, 9.47~11.20%; color, 2.34~4.01; pH, 4.92~5.12. Commercial products contained: NaCl, 15.20~17.19%; total nitrogen, 1.25~1.40%; pure extract, 18.17~21.47%; color, 5.41~21.12; pH, 4.51~4.66 and ethalnol. 2.97~3.12%. Organoleptic test on taste, color and flavor of traditional and commercial soysauce indicated that most of the consumers prefer commercial products to traditional products. Preferrable formulation of Kanjang based on organoleptic test of soy sauces was assumed as containing; NaCl, 16.0%; total nitrogen, 1.40%; pure extract, 19.97%; color, 12.98; pH, 4.61 and ethanol, 2.96.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 1981

Brewing method and quality of 15 samples of traditional Kochuzang in Junrabook-do area were investigated. Average combination ratio of glutinous rice: Meju (soybean Koji): red pepper powder was 2 : 0.7 : 1.1. In order to improve the taste of Kochuzang, some amount of natural soysauce was added in the Kochuzang at early stage of fermentation. Average content of sodium chloride was 7.32%; amino nitrogen, 123.3%; total sugar, 31.9%; reducing sugar, 19.4%; ethyl alcohol, 1.13% and the activity of acid protease was 0.07; liquefying amylase, 9.67 and saccharogenic amylase was 15.82. Five samples were selected as excellent Kochuzang through sensory evaluation. These samples were similarly strong in hot and sweet taste with alcoholic flavor, glossy surface and brownish red color.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2007

The goal of this study was to develop a highly valuable Korean traditional ginseng wine containing various bioactive compounds with good acceptability. The effect of some medicinal plants on the quality and physiological functionality of Korean traditional ginseng wine were investigated. Advanced traditional ginseng wine (AG wine) prepared by addition of 0.5% each Pleuropterus multflorus and Pueraria lobata into the rice mash containing 1% ginseng, 0.4% Fermivin(commercial alcohol fermentation yeast) and Koji (2:1 mixture of nuruk and amylase containing 36 Saccharogenic power per g) showed the highest acceptability and ethanol content (16.8%). Changes of functionalities of the AG wine during fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 30 days were investigated. The highest antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity (78.9%) and total acceptability of the AG wine were shown after fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 days. However, antioxidant activity, SOD-like activity and fibrinolytic activity of the AG wines were not detected or very low. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity of the AG wine was also shown to be 8.2% and 9.2% after fermentation for 15 days and 20 days, respectively.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Lovastatin (also known as Mevinolin, Mevacor, and Monacolin K), an inhibitor of the HMG-CoA reductase produced by Aspergillus terreus and other fungi, is used to reduce serum cholesterol levels in human beings. It is derived biosynthetically from two polyketides. One of these is a nonaketide that undergoes cyclization at a hexahydronaphthalene ring system, and the other is a simple diketide, 2-methylbutyrate. Two primer pairs were designed based on the amino acid sequences of lovastatin polyketide synthase and lovastatin diketide synthase for the PCR screening of lovastatin-producing strains. Among the seven selected strains, SJ-2 evidenced the highest level of lovastatin production in both liquid and solid cultures. Soybeans with SJ-2 were treated via 1 hour of heat shock at $30^{\circ}C$ for the mass production of lovastatin. The heat-treated soybeans were inoculated on rice bran and the koji extract was obtained after 15 days of incubation. It yielded the highest level of lovastatin production among the strains, and also evidenced 75% inhibition activity against HMG-CoA reductase. We developed an efficient PCR screening method for lovastatin-producing strains, using lovastatin biosynthesis genes.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.666-672
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of low temperature-adapted Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y297 and fermentation temperatures on the quality of Yakju brewed. Physicochemical properties of Yakju brewed were compared pH, total acidity, ethanol, free amino acid, organic acid contents, and volatile flavor compounds in S. cerevisiae Y297 with control treatment. Cooked non-glutinous rice and saccharogenic amylase in koji were mixed with ethanol-producing yeasts and then fermented at $15^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, and $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 days. Yakju brewed using the Y297 treatment showed the highest ethanol yield (17.9%) at $20^{\circ}C$. Expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 104 was evaluated by immunoblotting as an indication of adaptation to low temperatures ($15^{\circ}C$); levels of the HSP104 protein were higher in the Y297 treatment than in the control. Organic acid analysis showed that the lactic acid content of Yakju brewed using the control was the highest at $25^{\circ}C$. Finally, free amino acid analysis showed that the Y297 treatment had a higher proportion of essential amino acids than the control. Overall, these results indicate that S. cerevisiae Y297 could be used as a suitable yeast for Yakju brewed under low temperature ($15^{\circ}C$) condition.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2014

In this study, we attempted to isolate fungi from soybean fermented foods produced in Sunchang County and to identify Aspergillus oryzae from fungal isolates. Ten fungal isolates were identified with ${\beta}$-tubulin gene. According to the sequences of ${\beta}$-tubulin gene, ten fungal isolates were identified as A. oryzae/flavus complex. For further identification of the ten of fungal isolates, omtA gene, one gene of the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene cluster, was sequenced and the sequences were compared with those of A. oryzae and A. flavus strains from the GenBank database. In addition, identification of the ten fungal isolates was further confirmed using the PCR amplicon of norB and cypA intergenic region, in which a deletion was recognized relative to A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The amplicon size of the ten fungal isolate strains was smaller than those of A. flavus and A. parasiticus, but the same as that of the reference A. oryzae strain. These results indicated that the ten isolates should be identified as A. oryzae. The protease activity in rice koji made with 6, 13, 17, 27, 37 and 38 of strain, respectively was twice higher than that in control. The kojis made with nine of the A. oryzae isolates, respectively, did not produce aflatoxin, suggesting that the strains could possibly be used as starters for soybean products.