Physiological activities of Chungkookjang (Korean traditional soybean paste) pill as a functional food

Abstract

Chungkookjang, Chungkookjang pill and mushroom (Lentinus edodes) had fibrinolytic activities. The mushroom had a higher level of fibrinolytic activity (15.1 unit/mg) than Chungkookjang pill (10.0 unit/mg) and Chungkookjang (0.6 unit/mg) in spite of heat treatment. Hot-water extracts of Chungkookjang and Chungkookjang pill showed slightly higher macrophage-stimulating activities than the positive control, lipopolysaccharide. Also, Chungkookjang pill (3.58 mu g/g) had lower cyclo-His-Pro content than Chungkookjang (26.5 mu g/g). In addition, Chungkookjang pill had less content of flavor components than Chungkookjang and, especially, the 2,5-dimethylpyrazine content of Chungkookjang pill was less than that of Chungkookjang. When comparing with Chungkookjang, Chungkookjang pill had similar physiological activities and more palatable flavor.