The quality and health functional effects of ganjang fermented
in onggi and other ordinary containers were studied. The
containers employed for ganjang fermentation included
non-glazed onggi (onggi without glaze, OWOG),
glazed onggi (onggi with glaze, OWG), ceramics
(CRM), stainless steel containers (STL), and glass bottles (GLA). Grain-type
meju with salt and water was fermented in each container at
37°C for 40 days. The pH decreased slowly and the acidity gradually
increased, whereas the amino-type nitrogen content increased, although the
ammonia-type nitrogen content was significantly decreased (p<0.05) for
ganjang fermented in onggi. The abundance
of yeasts, molds, and lactic acid bacteria was significantly increased whereas
the total bacteria content decreased in OWOG and OWG during fermentation
compared to that in the other types of containers. Ganjang
fermented in onggi exhibited better antioxidant, antimutagenic,
and anticancer effects than the samples fermented in other container types.
Overall, the obtained results indicated that onggi, especially
OWOG, was the best container for the fermentation of ganjang to
ensure high food quality and health functions.