METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING NATTO (FERMENTED SOYBEAN)

摘要

PURPOSE:To readily carry out quality control and obtain NATTO (fermented soybean) having quality according to one's preference, by detecting ammonia gas generated from soybean during fermentation process in producing NATTO by fermenting a soybean in a fermentation chamber and controlling a heating and cooling device and humidifying and dehumidifying device based on the detection valve. CONSTITUTION:Bacillus natto is inoculated to soybean and the inoculated soybean is fed into a charging box 28 in a given amount and the box is charged into a fermentation chamber 21 provided with heating and cooling devices 22a and 25 and humidifying and dehumidifying devices 26a and 26b. Then an amount of ammonia gas generated from the soybean during fermentation process is detected with gas detection means 34. The heating and cooling device 22a and 25 and humidifying and dehumidifying devices 26a and 26b are driven by a controlling device 40 based on the detection data to control room temperature and humidity in the fermentation chamber 21 and the aimed natto is obtained. Promotion and suppression of amino acid production having relationship with an ammonia gas can be directly controlled by the above-mentioned method.