비단백질 구성 아미노산인 gamma amino butyric acid(GABA)는 뇌에서 억제성 신경전달물질로 작용하며 혈압 저하, 신경 안정, 이뇨 작용 등에 효과가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 김치로부터 두유에서 커드를 형성하는 40개 균주를 분리하였다. GABA 생산력이 높은 균주를 선별하기 위하여 분리된 균주들을 두유에 접종하여 $37^{circ}C$에서 48시간동안 발효하였다. 분리된 균주들 가운데 발효두부에서 가장 높은 GABA 를 생산하는 383 균주는 API 분석과 16S rDNA sequence를 통하여L. sakei로 동정되었으며 L. sakei 383으로 명명하였다. L. sakei 383은 MRS 배지에서 $35^{circ}C$, 24시간 배양할 때 가장 높은 생육을 나타내었으며 두유에 균을 접종하여 $35^{circ}C$에서 18시간 발효 했을 때를 GABA 생산을 위한 최적 배양 조건으로 정하였으며 최대 GABA 함량은 8.65 mg/100 g이었다.
Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), known as a non-protein amino acid and major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, has several functional properties such as neurotransmission, induction of hypotension, tranquilizer, and diuretic effects. The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria, producing high GABA in fermented soy curd. Thirty-two strains of tofu-forming lactic acid bacteria were isolated from kimchi which a traditional Korean food fermented with many kind of microorganism. Among 32 strains, four strains (strain No. 10, 104, 214, 249) formed firm soycurd. In order to select lactic acid bacteria having high GABA producing potential, the isolated strains were cultured in the soymilk and fermented for 48 hr at $37^{circ}C$. A strain No. 383, which showed highest GABA contents in fermented soycurd, was identified as L. sakei by 16S rDNA sequencing and API analysis, and named as L. sakei 383. L. sakei 383 showed optimal growth up to 24 hr at $35^{circ}C$ in MRS broth. The optimal time and temperature for GABA production were 18 hr and $35^{circ}C$ in soymilk. In the optimal condition time and temperature, GABA content of fermented soycurd by L. sakei 383 was 8.65 mg/100 g.
