Taste Components of Traditional Kochujang Prepared with Various Raw Materials

Taste components of traditional kochujang prepared with various raw materials, were investigated during 90 days of fermentation. The major free sugars, maltose and glucose, were higher in malt added kochujang than others. The major organic acids of kochujang were succinic and citric acids, followed by formic acid. The contents of succinic acid in the kochujang decreased during fermentation, whereas that of citric acid increased. Purple sweet potato kochujang was highest in total free amino acids. The major free amino acids were glutamic acid, serine and aspartic acid. They remarkably increased during fermentation. Among the nucleotides and their related components in kochujang, cytidine-5-monophosphate was the most abundant component at the beginning of aging period, while hypoxanthine increased remarkably during fermentation. Kochujang prepared with purple sweet potato Chinese matrimony vine contained higher amounts of organic acids and nucleotides than the others.