Development of a Novel Medium with Chinese Cabbage Extract and Optimized Fermentation Conditions for the Cultivation of Leuconostoc citreum GR1

In the kimchi manufacturing process, the starter is cultured on a large-scale and needs to be supplied at a low price to kimchi factories. However, current high costs associated with the culture of lactic acid bacteria for the starter, have led to rising kimchi prices. To solve this problem, the development of a new medium for culturing lactic acid bacteria was studied. The base materials of a this novel medium consisted of Chinese cabbage extract, a carbon source, a nitrogen source, and inorganic salts. The optimal composition of this medium was determined to be 30% Chinese cabbage extract, 2% maltose, 0.25% yeast extract, and 2 salt stock (2% sodium acetate trihydrate, 0.8% disodium hydrogen phosphate, 0.8% sodium citrate, 0.8% ammonium sulfate, 0.04% magnesium sulfate, 0.02% manganese sulfate). The newly developed medium was named MFL (medium for lactic acid bacteria). After culture for 24 hr at 30, the CFU/mL of Leuconostoc (Leuc.) citreum GR1 in MRS and MFL was 3.41/109 and 7.49/109, respectively. The number of cells in the MFL medium was 2.2 times higher than their number in the MRS media. In a scale-up process using this optimized medium, the fermentation conditions for Leuc. citreum GR1 were tested in a 2 L working volume using a 5 L jar fermentor at 30. At an impeller speed of 50 rpm (without pH control), the viable cell count was 8.60'109 CFU/mL. From studies on pH-stat control fermentation, the optimal pH and regulating agent was determined to be 6.8 and NaOH, respectively. At an impeller speed of 50 rpm with pH control, the viable cell count was 11.42/109 (1.14/1010) CFU/mL after cultivation for 20 hr / a value was 3.34 times higher than that obtained using the MRS media in biomass production. This MFL media is expected to have economic advantages for the cultivation of Leuc. citreum GR1 as a starter for kimchi production.