Metabolomics
Japanese: メタボロミクス
The comprehensive study of metabolites in biological systems. An omics technology for grasping the full picture of fermented food flavor and functionality.
Metabolomics is the comprehensive study of metabolites produced by living organisms. It is one of the 'omics' disciplines alongside genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
Metabolomics analysis of miso simultaneously detects hundreds of amino acids, organic acids, sugars, fatty acids, and volatile compounds. Tracking metabolite changes at each aging stage enables molecular-level understanding of 'why this miso tastes this way.'
This field is enabled by analytical instruments like LC-MS/MS and GC-MS combined with bioinformatics data analysis. As a key to opening fermentation's 'black box,' it has developed rapidly in recent years—translating artisanal experience into the language of science.