Correct packaging enables processors to pack fresh produce and extend its shelf life. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different packaging materials on the weight loss, pH, O2, CO2 and sensory characteristics of soybean sprouts during their storage at 5℃ for seven days. Soybean sprouts (320±20 g) were packaged with oriented polypropylene (OPP) and cast polypropylene (CPP) films, respectively. The O2 transmission rate of the packaging materials was set to have a control of 10,000 cc/m2․day․atm, and an OP15 and CP15 with 15,000 cc/m2․day․atm through a pre-screening test. The average weight loss of the soybean sprouts during their storage was less than 10%, and that of the soybean sprouts with a CPP film was higher than that of the OPP film. The pH of the soybean sprouts increased during their storage regardless of their packaging materials; but compared to the pH of the soybean sprouts packaged with OPP, those packaged with CPP were higher. The CO2 content of the packaging increased with a decrease in the O2 content. The ratio of CO2 to O2 in the soybean sprouts with the OPP film was 3.5 times higher than in the soybean sprouts with the CPP film. The results of the overall sensory test showed that the marketability of the soybean sprouts packaged with OPP film and stored at 5℃ seemed to have been maintained effectively for six days (at a 15,000 cc/m2․day․atm O2 transmission rate). When the correlation coefficients of the control, OP15 and CP15 were analyzed, the highest correlation was shown between a control and OP15 (0.986; p<0.01).

• 황태영(중원대학교 한방식품산업학과) | Tae-Young Hwang Corresponding author