메주와 누룩은 한국 전통 발효 식품에 사용되는 스타터로, Aspergillus속 곰팡이나 aflatoxin에 노출되기 쉽다. 본 연구에서는 우리나라에서 시판되는 57개의 메주 시료와 18개의 누룩 시료로부터 Aspergillus 속 곰팡이를 분리하고 동정하였다. 분리주의 aflatoxin 생성 가능성을 평가하기 위하여 multiplex PCR을 통해 aflatoxin 생합성 유전자 (aflO, aflP, aflR)를 확인하고, 이들 분리주에 의해 생성되는 aflatoxin 함량을 HPLC로 조사하였다. 뿐만 아니라 시판 메주와 누룩 시료 중 aflatoxin 함량을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 메주 시료로부터 130개, 누룩 시료로부터 47개 균주가 분리되어 총 177개의 분리주를 확인 및 동정하였다. 각 각 메주와 누룩으로부터 분리된 19.2% (25/130), 10.6% (5/ 47)의 분리주가 3 종류의 aflatoxin 생합성 유전자를 모두 보유하였으며, 그 중 메주로부터 분리된 5개의 분리주가 실제 로 aflatoxin을 생성하였다. 시판 메주와 누룩 시료 중 aflatoxin 함량을 분석한 결과, 88% (51/58)의 메주 시료의 aflatoxin 오염 수준은 모두 검출한계 미만으로 나타났고, 누룩 또한 시료의 39% (7/18)가 검출한계 미만으로 확인되었다. 메주와 누룩에서 분리된 분리주 중 aflatoxin 생합성 유전자를 모두 보유하거나 배지 상에서 aflatoxin 생성을 보여준 aflatoxigenic 균주는 존재하였으나 유통되고 있는 시료에서 aflatoxin 오염 빈도는 낮은 수준임을 확인할 수 있었다.

This study examined the methods used in household doenjang (Korean soybean paste) production. Nine hundred fortythree responses were obtained using a nationwide, questionnaire-based survey (2018-2019) with non-probabilistic snowballing sampling. Consistent with previous studies, the respondents were primarily over the age of 50 years (97.1%) and female (97.9%). In addition to soybeans, the most used ingredients were red pepper (85.8%) and charcoal (85.5%), which most respondents obtained through direct farming (50.4-59.9%). Seasonal production occurred later in the higher latitude regions (Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do) (p < 0.01), which have lower average temperatures, and the fermentation period was shorter in the lower latitude regions (Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeju-do) (p < 0.01), which have higher average temperatures. There were no significant regional differences in the season when doenjang was made, with most production occurring during January and February (81.1%). Most respondents (71.3%) made doenjang using homemade meju (soybean block used as a starter) in a traditional way to allow the microorganisms to be naturally inoculated. These results could be used as a basis for future research on topics such as starter development, standardized production, and safety of household doenjang.

Muscle strength and endurance activities of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer; KG) were compared with those of wild simulated cultivation ginseng (WCG) in mice. Fifty male ICR mice were divided into five groups: A (vehicle); B (WCG 100 mg/kg); C (WCG 500 mg/kg); D (KG 100 mg/kg); E (KG 500 mg/kg). Subsequently, the mice were subjected to the forced swimming test (FST) and treadmill test at the 4th and 7th weeks. The glycogen content in the muscle and blood analysis (levels of glucose, triglyceride (TG), IGF-1) were also performed immediately after the last FST and treadmill test at the 7th week. Immobility times in FST were shorter in WCG- than KG-treated groups, and the results of the treadmill tests were also significant except for KG-treated at 100 mg/kg. The glycogen content was increased in both groups with a peak at 500 mg/kg of WCG groups. Serum concentrations of TG and glucose were decreased by administration of KG and WCG and all treated groups showed increase in the level of IGF-1 in serum. These results suggest that KG and WCG supplementations are effective in escalating the muscle strength and endurance.