Aspergillus oryzae
A filamentous fungus used in food production and biotechnology
Aspergillus oryzae, commonly known as k_ji mold, is a filamentous fungus used extensively in East Asian cuisine and biotechnology. It is a domesticated species of the genus Aspergillus and is used in the production of traditional fermented foods such as soy sauce, sake, and miso.
Description[edit | edit source]
Aspergillus oryzae is a saprotrophic fungus that grows as a mycelium composed of hyphae. It is characterized by its ability to produce a wide range of enzymes, including amylase, protease, and lipase, which are crucial for the fermentation processes in which it is involved. The fungus is typically cultured on rice or soybeans, where it breaks down complex carbohydrates and proteins into simpler compounds.
Uses in Food Production[edit | edit source]
Aspergillus oryzae plays a vital role in the production of several traditional Japanese and Chinese foods:
- Soy Sauce: The fungus is used to ferment soybeans and wheat, breaking down proteins and starches to produce the characteristic flavor and aroma of soy sauce.
- Sake: In sake production, A. oryzae is used to convert the starches in rice into sugars, which are then fermented by yeast to produce alcohol.
- Miso: The fungus is used to ferment soybeans and rice or barley, creating a paste that is rich in umami flavor.
Biotechnological Applications[edit | edit source]
Beyond its culinary uses, Aspergillus oryzae is employed in various biotechnological applications due to its ability to produce large quantities of enzymes. These enzymes are used in the production of biofuels, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. The fungus is also used in genetic engineering as a host for the production of recombinant proteins.
Safety and Regulation[edit | edit source]
Aspergillus oryzae is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies. It has been used in food production for centuries without any known adverse effects. However, care must be taken to ensure that cultures are free from contamination by other, potentially harmful, species of Aspergillus.
Images[edit | edit source]
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
