• Food Science and Industry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.97-102
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• 2016

It is important to encourage the restoration of the production of traditional Korean liquors, which is being undertaken by individuals, companies, and the government. The flavours of traditional liquors differ and depend on the environment and raw materials. This study on the traditional Gangwondo liquor is based on literature review and oral tradition. The history of and the scientific rationale behind the use of malt, which is a characteristic feature of the traditional Gangwondo liquor manufacturing process, must be systematically researched. It is important that independent two-step fermentation is used in Gangwondo, while in other regions simultaneous two-step fermentation is used. We expect that the current research on fermentation will be useful for the production of various traditional liquors. The total production of traditional liquors will need to be increased to meet the needs of the world festival, 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.196-199
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• 2015

The occurrence and characterization of yeast isolated from Korean traditional nuruk were investigated. Sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA were identical for a strain examined and had a similarity value of 100% compared to sequences of the type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NRRL Y-12632). The isolate able to assimilate with trehalose, raffinose, and methyl-glucoside assimilate was also capable of glucose, galactose, maltose, and sucrose fermentation. It did not proliferate at $40^{\circ}C$ or above, but was able to grow in concentration of 50% glucose and 10% NaCl. By combining nucleotide sequence, morphological observation, and physiological characteristics, the isolate was identified as S. cerevisiae.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 2017

Nuruk, a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage starter, was evaluated as an additional saccharifying agent comprising up to 1.5% (w/w) of malt weight in ale-type beer processing. Sample characteristics were monitored during fermentation, ripening, and storage. Beer containing nuruk showed higher numbers of total viable bacteria and yeast cell counts. Additionally, ethanol (6.19-6.35%), color (Standard Reference Method), foam stability ($228.49-368.24{Sigma}$), saccharogenic power (307-417), and reducing sugar (3.83-5.25%) increased as the amount of nuruk was increased, while viscosity (3.13-2.07 cP) and bitterness unit (19.68-13.13) were lower than in samples without nuruk. Overall acceptance and aftertaste of the beer were significantly higher in a preference test. These results demonstrate that nuruk can be used to produce a new type of ale.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.187-190
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• 2012

Various koji were prepared by fungi isolated from traditional nuruk and their quality characteristics were investigated. Acidity and saccharification power of their koji were ranged in 5.0~6.8 and 128sp~241sp. Nine fungi which were showed good quality and sensory evaluation were identified by analysis of their nucleotide sequences with PCR-amplified 18S rDNA internal transcribed spacer-1(ITS-1) and ITS-4 genes. Among them, six strains were identified as Aspergillus oryzae and the other strains were identified as Mycocladus corymbiferus, Rhizo-pus oryzae, Lichtheimia corymbifera.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1077-1082
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• 2007

In this study, killer yeasts were isolated from traditional Nuruk to improve storage and suppress contaminant in food industry. Among killer yeasts, yeast K15 showed strong killer toxin activity and inhibited growth of Salmonella Typhimurium and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Killer yeast K15 was identified with Pichia anomala by the Microlog TM 4.0 identification system and homology of the ITS sequence. Killer toxin generated from P. anomala K15 was inactivated by pronase E and suggested to be a protein. Therefore killer toxin of P. anomala K15 was thought to be safe in human such as bacteriocin. P. anomala K15 was sufficient for growth in 50% glucose and could be used to prevent contaminant in initial stages of alcohol beverage fermentation.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2020

In the Joseon dynasty one in seven houses enjoyed their home-brewed alcoholic beverages, which lead to the development of a variety of Korean traditional liquors throughout the country. However, when Korea was under Japanese rule, Korean traditional alcoholic beverages disappeared during this period. Since the 1980s, the Korean government has tried to revitalize the traditional alcoholic drinks unique to Korean culture and taste. Nevertheless, the development of traditional liquors is subjected to many constraints due to current market demand and liquor laws. To address this, we propose some suggestions that should be implemented ahead. First, it is necessary to revise the term traditional liquor including makgeolli as 'Korean sool' to expand the market size. Secondly, the use of koji and excellent yeast isolated from nuruk should be scientifically modernized. Lastly, the government should establish the National Korean Sool Research Institute. These practices will contribute to the succession of Korean liquor and its globalization.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1702-1710
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• 2010

Korean traditional rice wines yakju and takju are generally brewed with nuruk as the source of the saccharogenic enzymes by natural fermentation. To improve the quality of Korean rice wine, the microorganisms in the nuruk need to be studied. The objective of this research was to improve the quality of Korean wine with the wild-type yeast strains isolated from the fermentation starter, nuruk. Only strain YA-6 showed high activity in 20% ethanol. Precipitation of Y89-5-3 was similar to that of very flocculent yeast (>80%) at 75.95%. Using 18S rRNA sequencing, all 10 strains were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Volatile compounds present in yakju were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass selective detector. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the volatile compounds grouped long-chain esters on the right side of the first principal component, PC1; these compounds were found in yakju that was made with strains YA-6, Y89-5-3, Y89-5-2, Y90-9, and Y89-1-1. On the other side of PC1 were short-chain esters; these compounds were found in wines that were brewed with strains Y183-2, Y268-3, Y54-3, Y98-4, and Y88-4. Overall, the results indicated that using different wild-type yeast strains in the fermentation process significantly affects the chemical characteristics of the glutinous rice wine.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.353-360
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• 2015

Yakju, a Korean traditional alcoholic beverage, is made from rice and Nuruk. In this study, the fermentation characteristics of Yakju was investigated using rice and rice starch. Ingredients was classified into raw material (rice, rice starch) and starter (enzyme supplements, modified Nuruk, traditional Nuruk, and yellow rice koji) for fermentation. The crude protein content of rice, rice starch, and starter were determined as follows (%): rice 6.69, rice starch 0.44, enzyme supplements 7.84, modified Nuruk 15.29, traditional Nuruk 14.28, and yellow rice koji 7.28. The alcohol content of rice with traditional Nuruk ($20.13{\pm}0.12%$) was higher than other Yakju. The concentration of organic acids of rice starch-based Yakju (389.83~538.34 mg%) was higher than that of rice Yakju (259.27~357.70 mg%). The concentration of nitrogen compound of rice Yakju (498.38~5976.93 ppm) was higher than that of rice starch-based Yakju (600.43~4463.79 ppm). In line with these findings, further studies will be necessary for the quality analysis of the rice, rice starch and fermented starter (enzyme supplements, modified Nuruk, traditional Nuruk and yellow rice koji).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.920-925
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• 2015

The microbial composition in Nuruk, a Korean cereal fermentation starter, is a critical factor for the quality and organoleptic properties of traditional alcoholic beverages. This study was aimed at monitoring the compositional change and enzyme activity of culturable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in two types of Nuruk fermented at different temperatures. All culturable LAB were isolated at various time points (0, 3, 6, 10, 20, and 30 days) and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. In traditional Nuruk type A (TN-A), which was fermented at $36^{\circ}C$, the population of total culturable LAB during the fermentation period was between $10^4$ and $10^5$ log CFU/mL. On the other hand, the LAB population in traditional Nuruk type B (TN-B) fermented at $45^{\circ}C$ (primary fermentation for 10 days) and $35^{\circ}C$ (secondary fermentation for 20 days) was $10^2$ log CFU/mL; however, these bacteria could not be detected after 6 days. Major LAB strains were identified in both Nuruk types: (1) from the MRS-culture of TN-A, Pediococcus pentosaceus at 3-30 days; (2) from MRS-culture of TN-B, P. pentosaceus at 3 days and Enterococcus hirae at 6 days. The protease activities of the dominant LAB isolated from the TN-A and TN-B cultures were within the ranges of 0.64~1.03 mg/mL and 0.74~0.81 mg/mL (tyrosine content), respectively, whereas the ${\alpha}$-amylase activities were 0.75~0.98 mg/mL and 0.78~0.79 mg/mL (amylose content), respectively.