Development of Kanjang (Traditional Korean Soy Sauce) Supplemented with Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.)

Abstract

Five types of meju were prepared from 100% defatted soybean (DFSG0), a mixture of 90% DFS and 10% glasswort (DFSG1), a mixture of 80% DFS and 20% glasswort (DFSG2), a mixture of 70% DFS and 30% glasswort (DFSG3), and a mixture of 60% DFS and 40% glasswort (DFSG4). Five types of kanjang were separately prepared from the 5 types of meju by ripening in brine for 6 months. The contents of certain minerals (Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn), organic acids (citric acid, malic acid) and the antioxidative effects in the kanjang were increased in proportion to the glasswort content in the meju. However, the free amino acid contents in the kanjang were reduced in proportion to the glasswort content in the meju. DFSG1- and DFSG2-kanjang did not show distinct differences from DFSG0-kanjang based on aroma, flavor, and taste that were compared simply by panel tests. The bacterial and fungal community in the fermented meju and kanjang was not affected by the addition of glasswort to the meju-making process. Bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus and Bacillus genera and the Lactobacillus family predominated, and yeasts belonging to the Saccharomyces genus and fungi belonging to the Aspergillus genus predominated in the fermented meju and kanjang. In conclusion, the glasswort was a supplement that nutritionally improved the kanjang (except for free amino acid contents) but didn’t influence the growth of microorganisms that are responsible for the fermentation of meju and kanjang.