Enhancement of Aglycone, Vitamin K2 and Superoxide Dismutase Activity of Black Soybean through Fermentation with Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14715 at Different Temperatures

In the present study, the change in the content and activity of some functional constituents including aglycone, the bioactive form of isoflavone, vitamin K-2, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of black soybeans during their solid fermentation with Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14715 at different temperatures (35, 40, 45, and 50 degrees C) for 18 h was investigated. It was generally found that fermentation resulted in an enhancement of these constituents, regardless of fermentation temperature, while varying the fermentation temperature of black soybeans produced variations in the enhancement. The 50 degrees C -fermented black soybean showed the most marked increase in the content of daidzein and genistein aglycone. On the other hand, the highest SOD activity and vitamin K-2 content were found in the black soybeans fermented at 45 and 40-45 degrees C, respectively. Thus functional properties of black soybeans can be further improved through fermentation with B. subtilis BCRC 14715.