Lactic Acid Fermentation of Gamju Manufactured Using Medicinal Herb Decoction

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of the lactic fermentation of gamju manufactured using a medicinal herb decoction were assessed. A bacterial strain, LAB19, which is used for the induction of lactic fermentation into gamju, was isolated from dried persimmon and identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides on the basis of morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomical features, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. After 60 hours of lactic fermentation with Leuconostoc mesenteroides LAB19 at , the gamju was determined to contain 141.3 g/L of reducing sugar, 5.33 g/L of acids, and 1.19 g/L of soluble phenolics. Approximately 90% of reducing sugar and 58% of acids were maltose and lactic acid, respectively. Free radical scavenging activities were retained at levels between 76.6 to 75.7% during the lactic fermentation of gamju.