Fermentation temperature affects the antioxidant activity of the enzyme-ripened sufu, an oriental traditional fermented product of soybean

In this study, sufu, a Chinese traditional fermented product of soybean, was prepared by ripening salted tofu cubes in the mash of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented rice-soybean koji possessing various hydrolytic enzymes at 25°C, 37°C and 45°C. Antioxidant activity including 2,2-diphenyl-2-picylhydoxyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, Fe(2+)-chelating ability and reducing power exerted by the methanol extract of sufu was determined and compared with that of the non-fermented tofu extract. It was found that antioxidant activity of the sufu extracts was, generally, higher than the non-fermented tofu extract. Ripening temperature and the duration of ripening period affected the antioxidant activity of the sufu extracts. Taking into account of extraction yields, the sufu product ripened at 45°C for 16 days showed the most profound enhancement in the DPPH radical-scavenging effect and Fe(2+)-iron-chelating ability, which is 3.4 and 11.5 folds, respectively, that noted with the non-fermented tofu.     

青方腐乳发酵过程中大豆异黄酮的转化研究

本文比较了青方、红方、白方和低盐红腐乳中大豆异黄酮组成和含量差异,并对青方腐乳发酵过程中大豆异黄酮含量和构型变化规律进行研究。结果表明,四种类型腐乳中大豆异黄酮基本以苷元形式存在,青方腐乳大豆异黄酮含量明显低于其他类型腐乳,仅为红方腐乳的33.01%,从单一异黄酮来看,大豆苷元和染料木素在四种类型腐乳中的含量明显高于黄豆黄素;青方腐乳发酵过程中大豆异黄酮转化研究发现,白坯中大豆异黄酮以糖苷型为主,染料木苷含量高于大豆苷和黄豆黄苷,前酵过程中糖苷型大豆异黄酮转化为苷元型大豆异黄酮,盐腌过程中糖苷型大豆异黄酮含量有轻微降低,发酵过程中苷元型大豆异黄酮总量在后酵前30 d显著下降,其中大豆苷元可能部分转化为雌马酚,导致青方腐乳大豆异黄酮含量明显低于其他类型腐乳,对其转化物质需进一步鉴定。     

Effects of Ripening Process on the Mutagenicity and Antimutagenicity of Sufu, a Chinese Traditional Fermented Product of Soybean

In the present study, sufu, the cheese-like fermented product of soybean, was prepared by ripening salted tofu cubes in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented rice?Csoybean koji mash at 35?°C for a period of 16?days. This mixture was held at room temperature (ca. 25?°C) for another 1?month. The mutagenicity and antimutagenicity exerted by the methanol extract of non-fermented tofu and sufu against 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4-NQO), a direct mutagen, and 3, 2-dimethyl-4-amino-biphenyl hydrochloride (DMAB), an indirect mutagen, on Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 were examined. Results revealed that the methanol extract of non-fermented tofu and sufu samples collected at various ripening intervals exhibited neither toxicity nor mutagenicity, yet did display antimutagenicity against mutagens across the dose levels examined. Generally, a dose-dependent antimutagenic effect was noted across the dose range examined. The antimutagenicity of the tofu extract toward 4-NQO and DMAB was enhanced significantly (P?<?0.05) through fermentation. Generally, the antimutagenicity of the sufu extract increased with the extension of ripening period. Furthermore, the extract of the non-fermented tofu and sufu, regardless of ripening period, showed a significantly higher (P?<?0.05) antimutagenicity against DMAB than 4-NQO.     

Interactions between yeasts and bacteria in the smear surface-ripened cheeses

Sufu or furu is a fermented soybean product originating in China. It is a cheese-like product with a spreadable creamy consistency and a pronounced flavour. Sufu is a popular side dish consumed mainly with breakfast rice or steamed bread. It has a long history and written records date back to the Wei Dynasty (220-265 AD). Sufu is made by fungal solid state fermentation of tofu (soybean curd) followed by aging in brine containing salt and alcohol. The present review is based on scientific data published in Chinese and international sources. Several types of sufu can be distinguished, according to processing method or according to colour and flavour. Choice of processing can result in mould fermented sufu, naturally fermented sufu, bacterial fermented sufu, or enzymatically ripened sufu. Depending on the choice of dressing mixture, red, white or grey sufu may be obtained. The stages of the process are discussed and include the preparation of tofu, the preparation of pehtze, salting and ripening. Fungal starters include Actinomucor spp., Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp. The chemical composition is discussed with particular reference to the proximate composition, the amino acid content and profile, as well as the volatile flavour components of various types of sufu.     

Addition of acid whey improves organic dry‐fermented sausage without nitrite production and its nutritional value

In this study, the effect of acid whey on the physicochemical properties and nutritional value of non‐nitrite organic fermented sausage made from beef and tallow was investigated. Fermented sausage was prepared in three formulations: C (cured), S (salted) and SAW (salted with liquid acid whey). Each sample was analysed during the ripening process: at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of ripening in a temperature of 16 °C. The obtained results indicated that the addition of acid whey improves physicochemical properties of organic dry‐fermented sausage without nitrite and its nutritional value. The application of acid whey resulted in a significantly lower pH and a higher lactic acid bacteria content in organic fermented sausage without nitrite than in the sample with curing salt (respectively, by 0.12 units and 0.66 log CFU g^?1). Acid whey successfully protected against haem iron loss in salted sausage during ripening. The salted sample with acid whey addition was characterised by a higher PUFA content (6.41%) at the end of ripening as compared to the cured sample (4.91%) and salted sample (5.58%). The addition of acid whey improves organic dry‐fermented sausage without nitrite production and its nutritional value.     

青腐乳发酵的初步探讨

该试验研究以北京市腐乳厂的青腐乳为例，对其生产工艺分为白坯、毛坯、盐坯，后发酵7d、14d、21d、28d、35d、42d等9个阶段，在各阶段采样进行微生物的分离和理化检验以及黄曲霉毒素B1的分析。基本搞清楚了青腐乳发酵机理及腐乳风味与产品各成分之间的关系，在腐乳生产工艺上是一突破。     

Volatile components of the enzyme-ripened sufu, a Chinese traditional fermented product of soy bean

In the present study, sufu, a soft cheese-like oriental fermented food, was prepared by ripening the salted-tofu cubes in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented soybean-rice koji at 37°C for 16 days (16-day sufu). Sufu was further held at room temperature for another 30 days (46-day sufu). The volatile components of the non-fermented tofu cubes and the sufu products were identified and quantified by GC and GC-MS. A total of 70 volatile compounds including 20 aldehydes, 18 alcohols, 16 esters, 5 ketones, 5 acids and 6 other compounds were identified. Sufu products contained more volatile compounds than non-fermented tofu cubes qualitatively and quantitatively. After 16-days of ripening, fatty acid, aldehyde and ester were noted to be the dominant volatile fractions. In contrast, the 46-day sufu contained ester, and alcohol as the major volatile fractions. They comprise approximately 63.9% of the total volatile components.     

Changing soybean isoflavone composition and concentrations under two different storage conditions over three years

Soybean in Asia have been consumed in various forms, including soymilk, tofu and fermented products such as miso, temph and sufu. It is popularly regarded as a healthy food, partly owing to the isoflavones contained in their seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of isoflavone concentration in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds under different storage conditions for long storage periods. Isoflavone concentrations varied from 699.7 to 2581.6 μg g⁻¹ with cropping year, and acetylglucoside groups and glycitein were only detected in small amounts or traces in the eight soybean cultivars. The Daweon cultivar showed a variation between storage at room (−2039.0 μg g⁻¹) and low temperature (−1822.0 μg g⁻¹) over three years, while the isoflavone concentration in the Hannam cultivar only varied slightly (room temperature: −91.6 μg g⁻¹, low temperature: −81.2 μg g⁻¹). With storage at room temperature, the acetylglucoside group (+7.2 μg g⁻¹) slightly increased the isoflavone concentration, while the other three groups decreased it. In particular, the malonylglucoside group (−519.0 μg g⁻¹) showed a severe decrease. In the Myeongjunamul cultivar, genistin (+105.0 μg g⁻¹) resulted in the highest increase, while malonylgenistin (−958.7 μg g⁻¹) resulted in the greatest decrease in the Daweon cultivar. With storage at low temperature, other than malonylglucoside (−438.1 g g⁻¹), the other three groups, aglycon (+11.4 μg g⁻¹), glucoside (+45.2 μg g⁻¹) and acetylglucoside (+12.8 μg g⁻¹), increased the isoflavone concentration. Genistin (+136.0 μg g⁻¹) in the Muhan cultivar showed the highest increase, and malonylgenistin (−833.4 μg g⁻¹) in the Daweon cultivar showed the greatest decrease for storage under low temperature for three years. The variation of isoflavone concentration was positively correlated with the two different storage conditions (r² = 0.33), and total isoflavones were correlated with the concentration of the malonylglucoside (r² = 0.88***) and glucoside (r² = 0.80***) groups. Our study suggests that it may be feasible to improve the preservation method of soybean isoflavones as high functional substances for longer storage periods.     

Effects of Processing and NaCl on Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Content During Sufu Manufacturing

In the present study, sufu, the cheese-like, traditional fermented soybean food from China, was prepared by solid-state fungal fermentation and ripened in dressing mixtures with different NaCl content. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content were determined during sufu manufacturing. The influence of NaCl on ACE inhibitory activity and GABA content was also investigated. The ACE inhibitory activity and GABA content of sufu were significantly affected by processing and NaCl content. During fermentation, the ACE inhibitory activity percentage increased from 11.55 to 37.61 %, whereas the GABA content increased from 32.64 to 133.13 mg/100 g dry matter. The salting process caused a decrease in both. Generally, the ACE inhibitory activity and GABA content increased during ripening. The ACE inhibitory activity at the same ripening interval was inhibited by NaCl. After ripening for 8 weeks, the sufu samples with 5 % NaCl had the highest ACE inhibitory activity, with an IC₅₀ of 0.79 mg/mL, whereas the samples with 8 % NaCl had the highest GABA content at 193.5 mg/100 g dry matter. A significant correlation was found between ACE inhibitory activity and peptide content. These results indicated that sufu could be useful in alleviating hypertension because it contained ACE inhibitors and GABA as antihypertensive substances. Low NaCl content could increase the antihypertensive activity.     

Effects of the β‐glycosidase reaction on bio‐conversion of isoflavones and quality during tofu processing

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones are the most common group of phytoestrogens which are present in significantly large amounts in soybean and soy products such as tofu. Isoflavones occur naturally in glycoside forms having lower bioavailability than their aglycone forms. β‐Glycosidase acts as a bio‐catalyst for the conversion of isoflavone glycosides to isoflavone aglycones, raising the bioavailability of isoflavones; therefore, it can be used to improve the quality of tofu. We need to establish process conditions for the optimal outcome of the enzyme reaction in tofu. RESULTS: By using the β‐glycosidase (0.02% w/v) reaction at 55 °C for 30 min, a maximum 84.5% conversion of isoflavone glycoside to isoflavone aglycone was obtained. The enzyme reaction caused no significant effects on the sensory acceptability of soft tofu. The hardness of enzyme‐treated hard tofu increased with the coagulant amount whereas prolonged heating resulted in decrease of hardness. Incorporation of enzyme reaction before the coagulation process during soft tofu processing provided a sufficient bio‐conversion of isoflavones at optimal conditions. CONCLUSION: β‐Glycosidase can be effectively used for the bioconversion of isoflavones in soft tofu manufacturing process at optimal reaction conditions before the onset of coagulation process. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Storage Conditions on the Stability of Isoflavone Isomers in Lactic Fermented Soymilk Powder

In this study, the powder of the Streptococcus thermophilus-fermented soymilk was stored under five conditions for 10 weeks: (1) at 25 °C with no added desiccant or deoxidant, (2) at 25 °C with added deoxidant, (3) at 25 °C with added desiccant, (4) at 25 °C with both deoxidant and desiccant added, and (5) at 4 °C with both deoxidant and desiccant added. It was found that the isoflavone content of the fermented soymilk powder declined during storage depending on storage condition and the kind of isoflavone isomer. The highest residual of isoflavone was found with the fermented soymilk powder stored at 4 °C with deoxidant and desiccant. Under this storage condition, total isoflavone, β-glucosides, acetylglucosides, malonylglucoside, and aglycone isoflavone in fermented soymilk powder showed residuals of 89.7%, 83.5%, 87.8%, 61.0%, and 93.1%, respectively, of its original content after 10 weeks of storage. Meanwhile, the smallest respective residuals of 71.2%, 29.3%, 47.9%, 51.8%, and 79.2% were noted with powder stored at 25 °C with neither deoxidant nor desiccant. However, the percentage of aglycone, the bioactive isoflavone, increased from an initial value of 77.95% to 86.76% in this sample.     

Content composition and antioxidant activity of isoflavones in commercial and homemade soymilk and tofu

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones, found in soymilk and tofu, are one of the phytochemicals in soy‐based products that may promote good health. Homemade tofu and various homemade soymilk samples were made using different soaking, grinding, and cooking methods. The homemade samples were compared to commercial tofu and soymilk for total isoflavone content and composition as well as their antioxidant capacity. All samples were freeze‐dried and extracted with a 58% acetonitrile solution which was subsequently used to determine the isoflavone content by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using a modified 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) method and total antioxidant capacity was reported as ascorbic acid equivalents. RESULTS: The total isoflavone, aglycone, and antioxidant levels were significantly higher in homemade soymilk and tofu (1571 µg) than in commercial samples. Homemade soymilk made by the extended boiling method yielded the highest total isoflavone (2567 µg) and glucoside (1525 µg) content. A strong positive correlation was observed between the total isoflavone, aglycone conjugates, and genistein series concentration and antioxidant capacity of soymilk. CONCLUSION: Increased moist heating time yielded the highest concentration of total isoflavones as well as aglycone conjugates and the genistein series. Increasing the duration of boiling can increase the isoflavone content of both homemade and commercial soymilk and tofu. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of phenolic compounds and isoflavones in soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merill) and sprouts grown under different conditions

Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merill) are popularly known as a healthy food in many Asian countries and are mostly consumed as soymilk, tofu, and fermented products such as miso, temph, and sufu. The objective of this study was to determine the variation and composition of phenolic compounds and isoflavone contents in soybean seeds [Glycine max (L.) Merill] and sprouts [Kongnamul] grown under dark conditions (producing yellow soybean sprouts) and in green and yellow boxes (producing green soybean sprouts). In seven soybean cultivars, the total phenolic content ranged from 6.67 μg⁻¹ in Pureunkong to 72.33 μg⁻¹ in Poongsannamulkong. The average total phenolic content in the green soybean sprouts (48.33 μg⁻¹) was higher than in the yellow soybean sprouts (29.75 μg⁻¹). The total phenolic content in the yellow soybean sprouts varied from 9.88 μg⁻¹ to 47.71 μg⁻¹, and the total phenolic content in the green soybean sprouts varied from 29.21 μg⁻¹ to 79.70 μg⁻¹. Only four phenolic compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid, were detected in all soybean cultivars. Syringic acid was not detected in yellow soybean sprouts, and myricetin was only detected in yellow soybean sprouts (4.65 μg⁻¹) from the Pureunkong cultivar grown under dark conditions. The total isoflavone content in soybean seeds ranged from 2.1 μg⁻¹ in Sowonkong to 33.0 μg⁻¹ in Pureunkong, and the mean total isoflavones was 10.61 μg⁻¹. Green soybean sprouts had higher average total isoflavones (1389.4 μg⁻¹) than yellow soybean sprouts (559.2 μg⁻¹), and the total isoflavone content was highest in the Pureunkong yellow soybean sprouts (756.3 μg⁻¹) and the Sowonkong green soybean sprouts (2791.6 μg⁻¹). In soybean sprouts, the higher the (malonyl)-daidzin or (malonyl)-genistein content, the higher the total isoflavone level. Our study suggests that producing soybean sprouts enriched in isoflavones under coloured-light sources is feasible.     

Isoflavone content in soy germ flours prepared from two drying methods

Isoflavone glucosides and aglucons in various soybean varieties (Chiang Mai‐60, S.J.‐5, Chiang Mai‐2, Srisumrong‐1, and Nakhonsawan‐1) harvested from dry vs. rainy seasons were quantified. Isoflavone contents of all soy germs ranged from 16.5 to 30.6 μmol g^?1. Regardless of varieties, isoflavone contents in germ of seeds from dry season were higher (P < 0.05) than those from rainy season. The Chiang Mai‐60 germ, having the highest isoflavone content (30.6 μmol g^?1), was selected for germ flour production. Freeze‐dried germ flour contained higher isoflavone aglucons (17.72 μmol g^?1 daidzein; 6.48 mg g^?1 glycitein; 4.28 μmol g^?1 genistein) than those (15.07; 5.59; 3.41) of drum‐dried germ flour. However, isoflavone glucoside contents in freeze‐dried germ flour (3.27 μmol g^?1 daidzin; 1.86 μmol g^?1 glycitin; 1.41 μmol g^?1 genistin) were lower than those (5.22; 3.15; 1.89) of drum‐dried germ flour. Total isoflavone contents of drum‐dried and freeze‐dried germ flours were comparable (34.32 vs. 35.02 μmol g^?1) but more than that (30.16 μmol g^?1) of unprocessed germ flour.     

腐乳前发酵和盐制过程中大豆异黄酮组分的变化研究

研究腐乳前发酵和盐制过程中大豆异黄酮组成和含量的变化。研究结果表明:在腐乳前发酵和盐制过程中,大豆异黄酮的总含量逐渐减少;大豆异黄酮总含量的损失主要是由白坯的制作和盐制过程引起的。在腐乳前发酵和盐制过程中,大豆异黄酮组分也发生改变:随着大豆异黄酮糖苷(daidzin和genistin)含量的减少,其相应的苷元(daidzein和genistein)明显增加。盐制过程中较低盐含量下的大豆异黄酮的含量较高。     

Transformation of Isoflavones During Sufu (A Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean Curd) Production by Fermentation With Mucor flavus at Low Temperature

This study evaluated the changes in contents and composition of soybean isoflavone as well as the β-glucosidase production during sufu preparation by Mucor flavus (M. flavus) at low temperature. The results showed that sufu processing not only led to the losses of isoflavones but also caused the redistribution of isoflavone isomers. The levels of aglycones increased during sufu fermentation, while the corresponding levels of glucosides decreased. β-Glucosidase accumulation by M. flavus mainly contributed to the transformation of isoflavone glucosides into aglycones, which was affected by the NaCl supplementation. The highest content of aglycone isoflavones occurring was recorded as 99.4% at 15% NaCl content under investigated conditions. This work suggested that M. flavus had possible application as an alternative starter to produce sufu with the enhancement of the physiological function at lower temperature.     

Characterization of fermented black soybean natto inoculated with Bacillus natto during fermentation

BACKGROUND: To make nutrients more accessible and further increase biological activity, cooked black soybeans were inoculatedwith Bacillus natto and fermented at 37 °C for 48 h. The changes in physiochemical properties of fermented black soybean natto were investigated. RESULTS: The inoculation procedure significantly increased moisture, viscosity, color, polyphenol compounds and anthocyanin, and significantly decreased hardness after 48 h fermentation. Fibrinolytic and caseinolytic protease, β‐glucosidase activities, TCA‐soluble nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen contents in the inoculated samples significantly increased as fermentation time increased. Genistin and daidzin concentrations gradually decreased with increased fermentation time. However, genistein and daidzein increased with fermentation time, which reached 316.8 and 305.2 µg g^?1 during 48 h fermentation, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activities of the fermented black soybeans increased linearly with fermentation time and concentration. Compared with the soaked black soybeans and cooked black soybeans, the fermented black soybeans with B. natto resulted in higher scavenging activity towards DPPH radicals, which correlated well with the content of total phenols (r = 0.9254, P < 0.05) and aglycone isoflavone (r = 0.9861, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Black soybean natto fermented by B. natto has the potential to become a functional food because of its high antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Proteolysis of Fynbo Cheese Salted with NaCl/KCl and Ripened at Two Temperatures

Cheeses salted in solutions of 100g NaCl/L and 100g KCl/L and ripened for 90 days at 12°C and 16°C were compared with cheeses salted in brine of 190g NaCl/L and ripened at the same temperatures. Peptides of the water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) fraction were quantified by the Kjeldahl method and analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC. There were no differences (P>0.05) attributable to salt treatments; and the cheeses stored at 16°C showed higher levels of WSN/Total Nitrogen (TN) than cheeses ripened at 12°C. HPLC profiles of WSN extracts showed differences in the hydrophilic zone for cheeses ripened at different temperatures, but profiles were similar for cheeses salted with NaCl and with NaCl/KCl.     

Enhancements of isoflavone aglycones, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of black soybean by solid-state fermentation with Rhizopus spp.

In the present study, a solid-state fermentation process of black soybean was developed. Three filamentous fungi including Rhizopus oligosporus (BCRC 31996), R. oligosporus (NTU-5), and Rhizopus oryzae (BCRC 30894) were cultivated with steam-cooked intact and dehulled black soybeans. It was found that fermentation enhanced the total phenolic and isoflavone aglycone content as well as antioxidant activity of the black soybean methanol [80 % (v/v)] extracts. Among the three candidates, R. oligosporus BCRC 31996 was chosen as the working strain, and dehulled Tainan NO.3 black soybeans were used as the substrate based on the relatively high total phenolic content, isoflavone aglycone accumulation, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect of the fermented extracts. In a 6-day fermentation, extracts of the fermented dehulled black soybeans yielded higher total phenolic content (2,876.2 μg/g) which was 1.16 times of the result from the intact soybean extracts. The DPPH scavenging effect of the fermented dehulled black soybean extract reached its maximum on the third day. The activity of β-glucosidase of dehulled black soybean samples increased with time and resulted in accumulation of isoflavone aglycones. The product of solid-state black soybean fermentation serves as a functional ingredient in the products of nutritional supplements and health foods.     

全发酵腐乳生产工艺研究

文中初步探讨了以大豆为原料 ,通过乳酸菌发酵所产酸使蛋白质变性凝固 ,来代替传统的凝固剂 ,然后再在毛霉的作用下酿造腐乳的工艺 ,采用这种工艺制作的腐乳氨基酸含量高 ,口感独特