Inhibitory Effects of Bacillus subtilis Isolated from Meju (Fermented Soybean Brick) on the Growth of Aspergillus parasiticus

Background: Meju is a base material for making soy sauce, soybean paste, and red chili pepper paste, which are representative ingredients of Korean cuisine. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate a predominant bacterial strain of B. subtilis from meju and to observe its inhibitory effects on an aflatoxigenic mold. Methods: We used yellow soybeans (Glycine mar (L) Mert) grown in South Korea, and meju was produced according to the recommended methods of the Korea Food Research Institute. The identification of the strain was conducted based on its morphological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence. Evaluation of the bacterial effect against A. parasiticus ATCC 15517 was done in yeast extract–sucrose broth at 28 °C. Its inhibitory effect was evaluated using two approaches: mycelial weight and aflatoxin production. Aflatoxins were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: In the meju samples fermented for three months, a B. subtilis strain, K-0924 was identified. At the end of the incubation period of A. parasiticus, dry mycelial weight was significantly reduced by more than 80% (p < 0.01) and total aflatoxin production was inhibited by more than 63% (p < 0.05) in the presence of B. subtilis. Conclusions: These results indicate that B. subtilis K-0924 inhibits the growth and aflatoxin production of toxigenic Aspergillus, which can be contaminated with meju. We could expect more inhibition by other bacteria related to fermentation of meju, and further examination is necessary on species other than B. subtilis.