Physicochemical Properties of Kochujang Prepared by Bacillus sp. Koji

A part of Aspergillus oryzae koji was replaced with Bacillus sp. koji to improve the quality of kochujang, and the resulting effects on enzyme activities, microbial characteristics, and physicochemical properties were investigated during fermentation. The activity of amylase was higher in the kochujang prepared with Asp. oryzae koji. The activity of protease increased as the ratio of Bacillus. sp. koji increased. Viable cell counts of yeast and bacteria of the kochujang increased with increasing ratio of Bacillus sp. koji. The Hunter a-values of the Bacillus sp. koji kochujang were higher, and the degree of increase in the total color difference was lower in the Bacillus sp. koji group. Consistency and water activity of the kochujang prepared with Bacillus sp. koji was higher, and the pH and titratable acidity of the kochujang also changed slightly. As the ratio of Asp. oryzae koji increased, sugar content decreased. However, the ethanol content of the kochujang did not significantly change. Amino nitrogen content of the kochujang increased, while ammonia nitrogen content decreased as the ratio of Bacillus sp. koji increased. After 12 weeks of fermentation, the result of sensory evaluation showed that C kochujang (75% of Asp. oryzae koji replaced by Bacillus sp.) was more acceptable (p