Effect of fermentation containers on the taste characteristics and microbiota succession of soy sauce

Modernization of the traditional fermentation industry has been a major trend recently, such as the upgrading of fermentation containers. This study investigated the taste differences and their material basis of soy sauce fermented in tank and pond (SSFT and SSFP), and further explore the key influencing factors of taste. The intensities of umami, kokumi and sour taste in SSFT were weaker than SSFP, which were associated with 9 basic taste-active compounds, including acetic acid, lactic acid, propanedioic acid, citric acid, glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, d-galactose and erythritol. Moreover, 270 peptides and amino acid derivatives were potential compounds for taste difference, of which 78 % were more abundant in SSFP. Five bacterial genera (Kocuria, Tetragenococcus, Pediococcus, Staphylococcus, Weissella) and 4 fungal genera (Wickerhamiella, Millerozyma, Candida, Zygosaccharomyces) may be the functional core microbe for flavor differences in SSFT and SSFP. This study will provide theoretical value for quality improvement in the modern large-scale production of soy sauce.