This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics of low-salt kimchi with salt partially replaced by Salicornia herbacea L. powder (SH). We prepared kimchi with seasonings in which salt was replaced by 0% (S00), 10% (S10), 20% (S20) and 30% (S30) SH. The salinity level of kimchi was about 1%, and there was no significant difference between the experimental groups. Although lactic acid bacterial numbers of kimchi replaced with SH (S10~S30) increased significantly compared to those of control (S00), the pH and titratable acidity of kimchi replaced with SH were not significantly different. Hardness of kimchi tended to increase as fermentation progressed and with SH addition. The results of the sensory evaluation corroborated the physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, the sensory characteristics of kimchi were not significantly different upon addition of SH. The physicochemical and sensory characteristics of kimchi were not significantly different despite replacement of salt in kimchi seasoning by SH up to 10%.

본 연구는 들기름을 농도별로 배추김치에 첨가하여 6주의 발효기간 동안 pH, 산도, 젖산균수, 산가, 과산화물가, 색도 등의 품질특성과 관능특성을 조사하였다. 또한, 들깨로부터 볶지 않고 냉압착한 들기름과 볶은 후 가열 압착한 들기름을 같은 농도별로 배추김치에 첨가하여 분석하였다. 모든 실험군에서 발효가 진행됨에 따라 pH는 감소하였으며 6주 후에는 최적 pH인 4.48~5.38 범위였고, 산도도 점차 증가하여 1.20~2.09% 범위였다. 젖산균 수는 발효 0~1주 사이에 급격하게 증가하여 발효 6주에는 4.48~6.04 log CFU/g에 도달했으며, 냉압착 및 가열압착 들기름을 첨가하였을 때 젖산균이 더 증가하였다. 산가와 과산화물가는 발효기간에 따라 점차 증가하였으며, 들기름 첨가비율이 높아짐에 따라 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 가열압착 들기름 첨가군에 비해 모든 실험군에서 발효 기간 경과와 더불어 색도 중 L 값과 a 값은 점차 증가하였으며 b 값은 1주까지는 증가하다 점차 감소하는 경향이었다. 들기름을 첨가하여 제조한 김치의 관능평가를 한 결과 5% 냉압착 들기름을 첨가하였을 때 관능성이 가장 우수하였다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하면 배추김치 제조 시 냉압착한 들기름의 첨가는 발효 시 유용한 젖산균을 증가시키고 관능특성을 향상하는 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 순환형 감압 건조 장치를 제작하여 이를 통해 건조한 김치의 품질 변화를 연구하였다. 종래 건조 기술인 열풍 건조 방법은 60oC 이상의 열풍에 노출시키는 방법으로 40oC 이상의 높은 온도로 높아지면 식품에 함유되어 있는 성분들이 파괴되거나 변형되어 품질이 저하되고, 외형사의 변형을 일으켜 소비자들에게 거부감을 가질 수 있다. 동결 건조 방법은 -50oC 이하의 온도와 진공 상태에서 건조하는 방법으로 열풍 건조의 문제점인 식품의 변형 및 영양소의 파괴를 막을 수 있지만, 24시간 이상의 건조 시간 및 높은 비용으로 생산 효율이 나쁘다는 문제가 있다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위하여 순환형 감압 건조 장치를 제작하여 본 연구에 적용하였다. 건조 시간 별 함수율에서는 순환형 감압 건조의 건조 속도가 10시간으로 가장 짧았으며, 함수율도 시간 별로 일정하게 감소하여 가장 효율적인 건조방법으로 나타났다. drying rate 또한 순환형 감압 건조의 변화 폭이 가장 짧고 안정적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 이에 따른 건조 수율 또한 가장 높게 나타났다. pH, 적정산도 및 염도 측정은 순환형 감압 건조 김치가 일반 건조 전 김치와 비교하여 비슷한 수치를 보여 특성 변화 없이 안정적으로 건조가 되었다. 건조 김치의색도는 순환형 감압 건조 김치의 적색도가 일반 건조 전김치와 가장 비슷한 수치를 나타내어 pH, 적정산도 및 염도의 결과와 함께 가장 안정적으로 건조된 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 향기 성분의 분석에서도 건조 전 김치의 황화물과 ethanol 및 acetic acid 등의 성분함량과 비슷한 수치를 나타내어 순환형 감압 건조 과정에 있어 김치의 풍미를 유지하였다. 관능 평가의 경우 색과 Texture에서 감압 건조김치가 가장 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 순환형 감압건조 방법을 이용하여 김치 등의 식품을 건조하는 것이 가장 안정적이고 우수한 건조 방법으로 나타났다. 이러한 건조 김치의 품질 평가를 통하여 순환형 감압 건조 김치가 가장 안정적이고 효율적인 건조 방법이라는 것을 알 수 있었으며 이러한 건조 방법을 이용하여 김치를 상품화 한다면 기능성 식품으로 다양한 식품으로 활용하는데 가능성이 큰 것으로 기대된다.

This study is conducted to investigate to the consumption pattern of Kimchi and perception about the functional Kimchi of consumer. The survey was done between October 1 to October 15, 2011 among 294 male and female adults aged 19 and over in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do areas. The gender distribution of subjects was 33.3% males and 66.7% females. 64.3% of subjects prepared Kimchi by themselves, 23.5% of subjects received Kimchi from relatives and 12.2% of subjects purchased Kimchi from the market. In addition, the rate of preparing Kimchi at home is highest in those aged fifty or over. Only 41.8% of subjects knew how to make Kimchi. 72.1% of subjects responded that they ate Kimchi one or more a day. 46.6% of subjects have purchased commercial Chinese cabbage Kimchi. The amount of one-time purchase of commercial Kimchi were investigated; 45.2% of subjects have been buying 500-1 kg, 34.4% of the subjects bought less than 500 g, and 11.2% of subjects bought 1-3 kg. 28.2% of subjects buy Kimchi at the supermarket and warehouse market. With regard to the evaluation of Kimchi taste, most consumers were not satisfied with the sweetness of Kimchi. In this result, the perception about functional Kimchi was very low. Consumer's demands were as follows: nutrient enhancement, strengthening of biologically active substances, lactic acid bacteria enhancement in order. Small sales units were preferred by the consumers, and complementation of sweetness of kimchi was required. Various Kimchi including functional Kimchi must be developed to meet the needs of consumers.

This paper investigated the purchase behavior of Kimchi products by surveying housewives in Jeonbuk area who have purchased Kimchi products. The studied consumers purchased Kimchi products for the convenience and time-saving aspects. Factors taken into account when purchasing Kimchi were hygiene, taste and ingredients. The main places of purchase for Kimchi products were large discount markets. The purchase information paths were product displays at stores and recommendations from acquaintances. The most purchased type of Kimchi products was cabbage Kimchi. An one-time purchase amount was 10,000~30,000 won. The most purchased size was to be 500 g~1 ㎏. Desired improvements for Kimchi products were a display of the ingredients origin, exclusion of monosodium glutamate, freshness, and hygiene. Based on the results, this research aids in analyzing the marketing mix (4P: product, price, place, promotion) of Kimchi products for Kimchi manufacturers.

This study is being performed to confirm the container effects during the fermentation processes of kimchi. Kimchi fermentation was prepared in the laboratory with four different types of containers; namely, a traditional Onggi vessel (Korean traditional clay pot, TOV), plastic airtight covered Onggi vessel (PAOV), plastic covered vessel (PCV) and plastic airtight covered vessel (PACV). The kimchi fermentation in the different containers was followed by taking samples at 48 hour intervals for 10 days. In all fermentation containers, the pH changes of kimchi were decreased with fermentation days, while salt content was the same for all types of containers. The number of lactic acid bacteria in kimchi were 1.09×108 CFU/㎖ at first. But the TOV, PAOV, PCV, and PACV after fermentation for 10 days were 1.42×1010, 9.13×109, 4.93× 109 and 7.46×109 CFU/㎖, respectively. The kimchi fermented in the TOV with the most dominant bacterial species were the following 5 strains: Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. safensis, Lactobacillus brevis and B. pumilus. The use of different types of containers therefore influenced the number of L. brevis and the four Bacillus species. in kimchi, and may influence the characteristics of the fermented kimchi products. The TOV offered the greatest L. brevis numbers and suggested that it could be the best suited for preparing traditional kimchi fermentation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness, eating experience, and preference of kimchi, and the sensory evaluation of kimchi from Chinese and Korean students residing in Korea. General information (including age, sex, duration of staying, living status) was collected. A questionnaire was used to collect the information on awareness, eating experience, and preference of kimchi and dishes made with kimchi. Sensory evaluations were carried out on a 10 point scale. All subjects (37 Koreans, 43 Chinese) were aware of kimchi, with 98% of the Chinese subjects recognizing kimchi as a Korean traditional food and 65% having eaten kimchi at least once a day. The types of kimchi preferred by Chinese subjects were generally sweet and not over-bearing in seasoning, hotness, or ripeness. The more frequently eaten foods made with kimchi were jjigae, bokkeumbap, bibimbap and kimbap. However, the more preferred dishes made with kimchi were bossam, jeongol, bokkeum, jeon, and ramyeon. The Chinese subjects were especially sensitive to spicy odors (4.6±2.2/10), salted seafood odors (4.6±2.3/10), offodors (4.4±2.3/10) and aftertaste (5.9±2.1/10) compared to Korean subjects. Taken all together, the perception as well as sensory characteristic of kimchi needs to be improved for the globalization of kimchi.

The effects of stevioside-containing sweetener (SCS) on kimchi quality were evaluated by investigating acid production, growth of lactic acid bacteria, sensory properties, and several volatile odor component (VOC)s of SCS-added kimchi. The concentrations of SCS added to kimchi instead of 1% white sugar were 0.165, 0.33, 0.66, and 1.32% (w/w). The pH of kimchi with higher amounts of added SCS generally increased, and the acidity of kimchi with higher amounts of added SCS generally decreased. Addition of higher amounts of SCS generally inhibited the growth of lactic acid bacteria in kimchi. Scores of overall acceptability for 0.33 or 0.66% SCS-added kimchi were significantly higher than those for other samples (p<0.05), whereas those for 1.32% SCS-added kimchi were significantly lower than those for other samples (p<0.05). The optimum concentration of SCS added to kimchi appears to be 0.33%. Among major VOCs identified in kimchi, the concentrations of seven components including ethanol generally decreased with addition of higher amounts of SCS, whereas that of diallyl disulfide was not changed markedly. The major VOCs contributing to desirable sensory properties of kimchi were likely dimethyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide.

This study investigated the fermentative characteristics and immunomodulating activity in Kimchi added with various salts(salt replacement and herb-salt with Acanthopanax senticosus and Glycyrrhizae uralensis) for the reduction of Na concentration in Kimchi. Kimchi using a salt replacement and herb-salt showed a higher level of acidity (0.8～0.84%) than that of the control (0.7%) at 7-day fermentation. Kimchi using a salt replacement and herb-salt showed a lower level of salinity (1.72～1.98%) than that of control (2.3～2.57%) during fermentation. The growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. recorded the highest level (2.3×10⁸ and 2.8×10⁶ cfu/g, respectively) in control at 6 day fermentation. However, those levels in Kimchi prepared with salt replacement and herb-salt were 3.5～5.4×10⁸ and 6.1×10⁶ cfu/g, respectively. It is assumed that the high level of acidity of Kimchi prepared with salt replacement and herb-salt was caused by the increase in the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc spp.. When the macrophage stimulating activity of salt replacement kimchi (Salt-R kimchi) supplemented with hot-water extract from Acanthopanax sentisus (AS) or Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU) was investigated on aging period, Salt-RA kimchi with AS 5% at 6 days (2.78-fold of saline control at 100 ㎍/㎖) and Salt-RG kimchi with GU 5% at 9 days (2.02-fold) significantly increased compared to the Salt-RA kimchi without AS or GU. In addition, Salt-RAG kimchi with AS 3% and GU 3% improved the bitter taste of Salt-RA and potently stimulated the macrophage at 6 days (1.28-fold of Salt-R kimchi) even though its activity was lower than Salt-RA (5%, 1.39-fold).

Ginsenosides, ginseng saponin, are the principal components responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities of ginseng. In order to improve absorption and biological activities, the biotransformation of major ginsenoside to minor ginsenoside, as the more active compound, is required. In this study, we isolated Lactobacillus brevis THK-D57, which has high β-glycosidase activity, from Kimchi. The major ginsenoside Rb₁ was converted to the minor ginsenoside ‘compound K’ during the fermentation of L. brevis THK-D57. The results propose that the biotransformation pathway to produce compound K is as follows: ginsenoside Rb₁→ginsenoside Rd→ginsenoside F₂→ginsenoside compound K.

This study was designed to investigate foreigner preferences for the sensory characteristics of kimchi with different fermentation periods. After fermentation in a 5 freezer for 1, 7, and 15 days, Red Chinese Cabbage Kimchi, White Chinese Cabbage Kimchi, Kkakdugi, Chonggak Kimchi, Cucumber Kimchi, Green Onion Kimchi, and Mustard Kimchi were served to the respondents. The respondents had resided in Seoul and Kyunggi province for 3 years or less, and were from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Most respondents (62.9%) consumed a Korean meal daily, and 45% of all respondents reported eating kimchi 3 or 4 times a week. As a result, it can be said that foreigners residing in Korea preferred to eat kimchi as a side dish. Based on the respondents answers, we were able to determine the relative popularity of the different types of kimchi. They were, from most popular to least popular, Red Chinese Cabbage Kimchi, Kkakdugi Kimchi, Cucumber Kimchi, White Chinese Cabbage Kimchi, Chonggak Kimchi, Green Onion Kimchi, and Mustard Kimchi. Among those fermented for 1 day, Cucumber Kimchi was most preferred for its. When evaluating the overall preference of Kimchi, the best was in the order of Chinese cabbage (red)>Kkakdugi>Cucumber>Chinese cabbage (white)>Chonggak>Green onion>Mustard Kimchi. For 1 day in a fermented period, Cucumber Kimchi had the most preferred taste (5.76), appearance (5.66), odor (5.89), and texture (5.70). However, Cucumber Kimchi was least popular after 15 days of fermentation (p<0.01). The most preferred Kimchi after 15 days of fermentation was Red Chinese Cabbage Kimchi. Among the kimchi fermented for 7 days, White Chinese Cabbage Kimchi was most preferred. While foreigners indicated that they were satisfied with all the types of kimchi fermented for 1 day and 15 days, they were not satisfied with any of the kimchi fermented for 7 days, save for the White Chinese Cabbage Kimchi. Kkakdugi Kimchi had very high satisfaction scores for appearance, but low scores in taste. On the other hand, Chinese Cabbage Kimchi had low scores in odor (5.02-5.29), but high in texture (5.37-5.62) and taste (4.80-5.30), which are not factors sensitive to a change in acidity. These results showed that foreigners were generally satisfied with Kimchi, but became less satisfied as the Kimchi ripened. Most foreigners were not satisfied with the types of Kimchi that had a strong flavor. Chinese Cabbage Kimchi became the least sour after fermentation, and Cucumber Kimchi became most sour after fermentation.

n this study, Kimchi usage was examined by nationwide consumers. 1, 000 consumers between 20～60 years olds from 15 cities/province based on an administrative district participated in this questionnaire, which were one-on one interviews from September 23th to October 14th, 2009. 76.1% of the customers prepared Kimchi by them self, 26.9% customers received Kimchi from relatives and, 13.1% purchase Kimchi from the market. In addition, the rate of preparing Kimchi by themselves increased with age(p<0.05). 4～6 cabbage heads(34.5%) was the most preferred quantity for preparing Kimchi at a time, which was followed by more than 10 heads(25.2%) and 2～3 heads(22.9%). Chinese cabbage Kimchi was the most preferred type for purchase. 49.1% of customers purchased Kimchi at the supermarket and warehouse market and the origin of the ingredients, taste and-, price of Kimchi were considered important factors. The satisfactory scores of selling Kimchi were variety 3.60, taste 3.11, freshness of main ingredient 3.10, hygiene 2.86, -appropriate salt usage 2.99 and-, the origin of ingredients 2.94. There were significant difference between gender in taste and hygiene of selling Kimchi (p<0.05). In conclusion, to provide more appropriate Kimchi based on changes in Kimchi usage and consumption patterns at home and in the community, new types of Kimchi should be developed.

Salted Cabbage products purchased from different companies at 4 different districts in South Korea were detected in this study. Cabbage and salt are the main materials for kimchi manufacture. The results of general bacteria contaminated in the samples were 1.4 × 10^5, 6.4 × 10^5, 1.7 × 10^7, 3.6 × 10^7 CFU/g in cabbage and 2.7 × 10³ CFU/g in salt,respectively. The results of coliforms were detected as 2.4 × 10⁴ CFU/g, and there was no Escherichia coli in any sample. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in cabbage as 9.9 × 10², 8.0 × 10¹, and 3.0 × 10³ CFU/g, Bacillus cereus was also found in cabbage as 4.1 × 10³ and 1.0 × 10¹ CFU/g. The results of Campylobacter jejuni and Vibrio paraheamolyticus were 2.4 × 10^6 and 1.0 × 10⁴ CFU/g in cabbage, respectively. 1.0 × 10³ CFU/g for Yersinia enterocolitica was determined in salt. In case of Listeria monocytogenes, the results were 1.5 × 10¹, 1.1 × 10², and 4.5 × 10¹ CFU/g in cabbage. Total batcteria ranged from 1.4 × 10¹ to 4.4 × 10^5 CFU/g were detected in salting solution, from 1.5 × 10⁴ to 1.2 × 10^8 CFU/g in dehydrated salted-cabbage, from 9.4 × 10⁴ ~1.3 × 10^8 CFU/g in minced salted-cabbage. The results of E. coli in samples from different companies were different from one to anther. The results of the contamination of S. aureus and B. cereus showed positive in salting solution and dehydrated salted-cabbage at a portion of companies. V. paraheamolyticus was detected in salting solution. The contamination of Y. enterocolitica ranged from 9.5 × 10² to 1.8 × 10³ CFU/g in salting solution, from 1.7 × 10¹ to 2.7 × 10² CFU/g in dehydrated salted-cabbage, from 1.2 × 10² to 1.3 × 10^8 CFU/g in minced salted-cabbage. The contamination of L. monocytogenes ranged from 8.0 × 10² to 1.7 × 104 CFU/g in salting solution, from 2.8 × 10² to 1.2 × 10⁴CFU/g in dehydrated salted-cabbage. During the manufacture processing of Kimchi, microorganisms were detected in cabbages salted in different concentrations of salt solution at 8%, 10%, 12% and 15% for 5-20 hours. As the results, 3.5 × 10^5 -1.7 × 10^6 , 3.4 × 10^5 - 2.5 × 10^6 , 5.4 × 10^5 - 2.3 × 10^6 , 4.0 × 10^5 - 2.3 × 10^6 CFU/g were detected for E. coli in samples at different treatment conditions. 1.9 × 10⁴- 4.1 × 10⁴, 4.1 × 10³ - 2.8 × 10⁴, 1.5 × 10³ - 7.8 × 10³ , 2.2 × 10⁴- 6.6 × 10⁴CFU/g were detected for S. aureus in samples at different treatment conditions. Salmonella typhimurium was detected in salted cabbage with various salt concentration after salting for 5 hrs, the result ranged from 2.5 × 10^5 to 3.8 × 10^6 CFU/g, and change of microorganism was the smallest in salted cabbage under the concentration of salting solution at 10% for 15 hours. The cabbage salted in 10% salting solution for 15 hours were washed with water for 2 and 3 times, with chlorine for 3 times, and with acetic acid for 3 times. E. coli was detected in the samples washed with water for 2 and 3 times, washed with chlorine for 3 times. The contamination of S. aureus was 3.0 × 10^5 CFU/g in the samples washed with water for 2 times,5.6 × 10³ CFU/g in the samples washed with acetic acid for 3 times, 3.6 × 10^5 CFU/g in the samples washed with water for 3 times and same amount in the samples washed with chlorine for 3 times. According to the results, the contamination of S. aureus was 5.6 × 10³ CFU/g lower in samples washed with chlorine and acetic acid than that in samples washed with water. In case of S. typhimurium, it has been detected in samples washed with water and chlorine, 3.0 × 10¹ CFU/g as the lowest concentration among all the samples was measured in the samples washed with acetic acid for 3 times.

The removal amount of pesticide residue which were remained in baechu (Chinese cabbage) and perilla leaf were measured during the preparation process of kimchi. The amounts of diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan applied to chinese cabbage were 9.18 ± 0.03 mg/kg, 22.27 ± 0.22 mg/kg and 10.46 ± 0.02 mg/kg respectively. When chinese cabbage was brined with 10% salt solution for 12 hours, the removal rates of three pesticides were 22.5%, 25.3% and 0.6% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively. When chinese cabbage was brined and rinsed 3 times with water, the removal rates of three pesticides were 69.9%, 85.6% and 11.2% for diazinon,procymidone and endosulfan, respectively. When kimchi was prepared and fermented for 28 days at 4oC, the removal rates of three pesticides were 79.4%, 94.4% and 21.0% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively. The relative percentages of removal dose of pesticides during brining were 28.4%, 26.9% and 3.2% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively and which were 59.7%, 63.8% and 50.4% during rinsing and which were 11.9%,9.3% and 46.4% during fermentation, respectively. The amounts of diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan applied to perilla leaf were 18.11 ± 0.62 mg/kg, 31.80 ± 0.33 mg/kg and 12.01 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. When perilla leaf was rinsed 3 times with water, the removal rates of three pesticides were 60.5%, 52.0% and 23.7% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively. When perilla leaf was rinsed and brined with 10% salt solution for 14 days, the removal rates of three pesticides were 93.9%, 92.4% and 49.6% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively. The relative percentages of removal dose of pesticides during rinsing were 64.5%, 56.3% and 47.8% for diazinon,procymidone and endosulfan, respectively, and which during brining were 35.5%, 43.7% and 52.2% for diazinon, procymidone and endosulfan, respectively.