This study aimed to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of mixed Makgeolli with barley and wheats under, fermentation at different temperatures (20, 25, and 30℃) and time (3, 6, and 9 days). The pH and sugar of mixed Makgeolli were 3.68~4.26 and 12.30~17.31 ∘Brix, respectively. The total acidity showed proportionate increase with fermentation temperature and time; whereas, reducing sugar contents decreased with increasing fermentation temperature and time. The alcohol contents of mixed Makgeolli varied significantly by fermentation temperature and time (p<0.05). In terms of color values, the L value decreased with increasing fermentation temperatures, and a value increased significantly with increasing fermentation time. The number of microorganisms (yeast, total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria) in mixed Makgeolli decreased progressively with increasing fermentation temperature and time. Among the organic acids (citric, lactic, malic, and pyruvic acids) in mixed Makgeolli, citric and lactic acid was present at the highest concentrations. From these results, the optimum fermentation conditions of mixed Makgeolli with barley and wheat were 20~25℃ for 6 days.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality characteristics of wheat-Makgeolli (WM), a traditional Korean cereal alcoholic drink, using three varieties of wheat, namely Jokyoung (JK), Baegjoong (BJ) and Keumkang (KK). Samples of WM brewed from 100%, 85% and 70% milling rates of the three Korean wheat cultivars were analyzed for alcohol, pH, coloring degree, total acids, soluble solid, free sugars, and organic acids. As the milling rates in wheat decreased, total sugar content in WM increased while the pH of all samples decreased. The WM exhibited 0.95~1.27% in acidity, 10.2~12.5 °Brix in total sugar, and 14~16% in alcohol content. The most organic acids in WM was lactic acid, ranging in all the samples from 85.3~650.3 mg%. The results showed that BJ under a 70% milling rate had the highest reducing sugar contents and 15.97% in alcohol content. The carbohydrate content increased with the milling rate of wheat. Resulting in a positive correlation between carbohydrate content of wheat and total acids, reducing sugars (p<0.001), and alcohol content (p<0.05) in WM. Total sugar content is positively correlated with alcohol and reducing sugar content (p<0.001). Considering the yield, the milling rates will be adjusted to raw material prices.

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of barley (Huinchalssalbori) and domestic wheats (Keumkangmil, Baegjoongmil, Jogyeongmil). The pH and total acidity of mixed Makgeolli were 4.04~4.12% and 0.94~1.06%, respectively. The total acidity, sugar and alcohol contents of Makgeolli, but not pH, varied significantly by wheat cultivar (p<0.05). In terms of color values, the L-value of Baegjoongmil, a-value and b-value of Keumkangmil were highest. The reducing sugar contents was approximately 5.65~7.85 mg/mL, and those of Jogyeongmil and imported wheat were approximately 5.70 mg/mL lower. The yeast cell numbers did not differ significantly, with the exception of in the rice Makgeolli (p<0.05). Among the organic acids (citric, malic, pyruvic and lactic acids) in Makgeolli, citric acid was present at the highest concentration. Regarding the sensory characteristics of Makgeolli mixed with barley and wheat, taste and overall acceptability were highest in Baegjoongmil, and appearance and flavor were highest in Keumkangmil. The rice Makgeolli showed the lowest sensory values, with the exception of appearance. The results of this study suggest that mixing Makgeolli with barley and wheat is an expected to replace the wheat materials in the domestic wheat to be imported.

This research was carried out in order to discover acid-forming bacteria during fermentation of Makgeolli, as Makgeolli loses its commercial value due to overproduced acidic materials. In Makgeolli kept at 25℃, a sudden increase of acidity as well as the disappearance of yeast cells occurred at day 6, whereas the total cell count and bacterial type remained unchanged; the result implies that a succession of bacterial types, including acid forming bacteria, occurred. Two acidforming bacteria were isolated from acidified Makgeolli and were identified as Acetobacter pasteurianus and Lactobacillus casei. When fresh and heat-treated Makgeolli were inoculated with Acetobacter pasteurianus and/or Lactobacillus casei, the greatest amount of acid was formed in Makgeolli inoculated with Acetobacter pasteurianus and Lactobacillus casei and also in Makgeolli with Acetobacter pasteurianus alone. This result indicates that Acetobacter pasteurianus is the main acidifier; furthermore, it shows the synergy effect in acid formation with Lactobacillus casei.