Effects of Fermentation Method and Brown Rice Content on Quality Characteristics of Brown Rice Vinegar

To evaluate the quality of brown rice vinegar made by traditional fermentation in terms of Zymotechnic data and material content, vinegars prepared using a traditional leavening agent and yeast were compared. Amino acid, total nitrogen, free sugar, organic acid, and mineral levels were assessed, with vinegars made with initial brown rice contents of 12.36% (w/v). Vinegar made using Nuruk as fermenting agent (traditional fermentation, TF), with a brown rice content of 20% (w/v), and vinegar prepared using yeast for fermentation (control fermentation, CF), with a brown rice content of 12% (w/v) were compared. TF vinegar had a total nitrogen content about 2.0.4.6-fold that of CF vinegar. Total nitrogen in TF vinegar was 350.460 mg/100g, and in CF vinegar the level was 100.140 mg/100g. TF vinegar had more minerals, free sugars, and amino acids compared with CF vinegar. When free sugar was assessed, TF vinegar had a glucose level of 3.45 g/100g, double that of CF vinegar. Amino acid levels were five-fold higher in TF vinegar then in CF vinegar. When brown rice content was 36% (w/v), the amino acid level was in TF vinegar and in CF vinegar.