Quality Characteristics of the Mashes of Takju Prepared Using Different Yeasts

Quality characteristics such as alcohol, acid, and sugar contents of takju brewing mashes prepared using several yeasts were investigated during 12-days of fermentation. Among the yeasts examined, S. cerevisiae led to the highest level of ethanol (10.2-13.4%) and total minor alcohols (0.729-0.831 mg/mL). Regardless of the yeasts used, the acidity showed drastic changes (pH from 3.4-4.2 down to 2.4-2.7) during the first 2 days, and displayed negligible changes from day 4. The total acid contents rapidly increased to the first 4 days of fermentation and leveled off from 4 to the end of fermentation period. The common organic acid components were lactic, succinic and acetic acids. The total and reducing sugar contents varied depending on the yeasts used, with mashes prepared using S. coreanus and S. rouxii producing the maximum total sugar contents (5.43-5.5%) at the end of fermentation. The reducing sugar showed its maximum (7.53-14.89%) at day 2, after which it decreased to its minimum levels (3.04-4.52%). The common free sugar components were glucose and fructose, while S. ellipsoideus led to a higher free sugar level (0.35-5.29%).