Journal
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
Volume 86, Issue 2, Pages 563-570Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.15567
Keywords
amino acid metabolism; daikon; pickles vegetable; stress response; takuan-zuke
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Funding
- Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from The Japan Science Society [2018-6006]
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The study analyzed the free amino acid levels, enzyme activity, and gene expression in takuan-zuke pickles, finding that genes encoding alanine, proline, and GABA synthases were significantly upregulated during dehydration as a cellular stress response. These findings suggest that the biological response of daikon during the pickling process contributes to the health-promoting properties of takuan-zuke.
Takuan-zuke is a traditional Japanese fermented pickle, prepared by dehydration of radish root (daikon) by salt-pressing or sun-drying followed by aging with salt. We previously reported that alanine, proline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulate during daikon dehydration, whereas the level of glutamic acid, their precursor, decreases. We have also reported that dehydration and salt-aging markedly influence the dynamics of free amino acids. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed free amino acid levels, enzyme activity, and gene expression to characterize takuan-zuke amino acid metabolism. Enzyme activities related to alanine, proline, GABA, and glutamic acid metabolism were sustained during dehydration. Moreover, genes encoding alanine, proline, and GABA synthases (ALT1, P5CS1, and GAD4) were significantly upregulated during dehydration. These effects may represent cellular stress responses to the dehydration process. The biological response of daikon contributes to the healthy functional aspects that characterize takuan-zuke. These findings could guide the selection of suitable vegetable varieties to produce pickled vegetables with health-promoting properties.
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