Fermentation Characteristics of Whole Soybean Meju Model System Inoculated with 4 Bacillus Strains

Abstract

Whole soybean meju was fermented with four Bacillus strains for 45 hr in its model system. The pH range of the product was , the contents of amino nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen were , respectively and that of reducing sugar ranged . During fermentation, the enzyme activities increased up to of fermentation and slightly decreased after 45 hr. Stachyose was special sugar components for B. licheniformis and raffinose was for B. natto. The components of the organic acid showed distinctive patterns among four products and the patterns of amino acids and fatty acids were almost similar to those of other reports. The main and common odor concentrates of meju were pyrazine components, 3-methyl-1-butanol, acetic acid and ethanol. Chunggukjang, mixed with B. natto and B. licheniformis showed more acceptabilities than other combinations. Soybean paste, mixed with B. megaterium and B. subtilis, soysauce, mixed with B. megaterium and A. oryzae showed excellent acceptability, respectively.