Effects of Red Pepper Powder Addition Times on Ethanol Production from Apple Gochujang Mash

Fermentation patterns of apple Gochujang mash prepared with different addition times of red pepper powder were investigated. Red pepper powder was added into Gochujang mash before and after fermentation of the mash. In the apple Gochujang mash without red pepper powder, viable yeast cell counts of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii Y-80 increased to 6.5 log CFU/g shortly after five days of fermentation, and ethanol concentration reached its maximum value (3.8% of the total volume) after 15 days of fermentation. On the other hand, in apple Gochujang mash prepared by the initial addition of red pepper powder before fermentation, viable yeast cell counts increased to 7 log CFU/g after 20 days of fermentation, and ethanol concentration reached 1.3% after 25 days of fermentation. Yeast growth and ethanol production were stimulated in the Gochujang mash without red pepper powder. Sensory evaluation scores were similar in the apple Gochujang regardless of addition time of red pepper powder.