In vitro anticancer effect of black soybean (seoritae), black soybean meju, black colored coat and its
fermented coat were evaluated on AGS human gastric cancer cells. Seoritae black soybean (large size)
and its fermented grain type meju showed the highest anticancer activities compared to Hwangkumkong
which is usually used for making meju and doenjang fermentation and Semoctae black soybean (small
size). The seoritae black soybean grain type meju was prepared by autoclaving for 60 min of the soaked
soybeans and the cooked soybeans were fermented with Asp. oryzae for 2 days at 30oC. The black colored
coat of the seoritae soybean showed the highest anticancer effect compared to the whole soybean and
its kernel. However, the activity of the black coat removed after the cooking process. When the cooked
black coats were fermented with Asp. oryzae for 2 days at 30oC the anticancer activity on AGS cells
recovered. It seems that new functional products are synthesized or some active compounds are recovered
during the fermentation process.