This study investigated the quality characteristics between spring cultivars of Kimchi cabbage(Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinesis). We measured the weight, length, width, formation index, midrib thickness and moisture contents of fresh Kimchi cabbage for characteristics of growth. And we analyzed the free sugar, amino acid, organic acid, mineral, pectin and cellulose contents of fresh Kimchi cabbage. The hardness and firmness were measured for texture of fresh Kimchi cabbage. The weight of 'K-power' cultivar was the highest than other cultivars. The ‘Jeongsang’ cultivars was the thinnest midrib thickness in cultivars, but it was not significantly different. The free sugar levels of spring cultivars was the highest in ‘Chunkwang’. Malic acid content of ‘Jeongsang’ was significantly different among spring cultivars. Also amino acid content of ‘K-power’ and ‘Chunkwang’ were significantly different among spring cultivars Mineral content in ‘K-power’ and ‘Bomaknorang’ were greater than that of other cultivars. Especially Na, Ca and Mg contents of ‘K-power’ and ‘Bomaknorang’ were higher four times than that of other cultivars. Pectin content of ‘Jeongsang’ was higher than that of other cultivars, but it was not significantly different. Hardness and Firmness were not significantly different among spring cultivars.

This study investigated that anti-browning effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract and L-cysteine combination. Mushrooms were dipped in solutions (0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine) for 3 min. The dipped mushrooms were packaged in a polystyrene (PS) tray and wrapped with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and stored for 14 days at 10℃. The browning inhibition activity (Hunter L, a, b color scale and tyrosinase inhibition activity) and quality changes (weight loss rate, gas composition, firmness and sensory evaluation) were analyzed during storage period. After 14 days, the Hunter L and ΔE value of mushrooms treated in 0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine were 87.24 and 5.56, respectively. The mushrooms treated with 0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine also showed higher firmness (13.31 N) and smaller weight loss rate (2.87%) than the untreated mushroom (11.42 N, 3.04%) on storage day 14. During storage period, the sensory evaluation showed that overall acceptability of mushrooms treated with 0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine were higher than those of the untreated mushrooms, except those that were stored for five days. Overall, the mushrooms treated with 0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine had a higher tyrosinase inhibition activity than the untreated mushrooms during storage period. This study suggests that the browning of the mushrooms treated with 0.1% Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba extract containing 0.05% L-cysteine solution were inhibited, and the that their shelf life was extended.

Mushrooms have a shorter shelf-life than most vegetables because of their very high respiration rates, sensitivity to enzymatic browning and susceptibility to microbial spoilage. This study was conducted to investigate effects of various packaging materials and precooling on the quality of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Mushrooms were precooled at 4℃ for three hours and packaged using the following packaging materials; 1) polyethylene (PE) film bags of 0.03 mm thickness, 2) polypropylene (PP) film bags of 0.03 mm thickness, and 3) polystyrene (PS) tray+polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wrapper. The physiological changes (weight loss, gas composition, color, firmness, and sensory evaluation) associated with postharvest deterioration were monitored for 17 days at 10℃. The results showed that the PP film bag maintained quality of mushrooms most effectively, especially PP film bags inhibited decreasing firmness. The samples also exhibited smaller decreases in weight loss rate (0.57%) and Hunter L value (84.44) than PS tray+PVC wrapper (7.73%, 82.19) and PE film bags (0.89%, 82.96). Sensory evaluation level in all samples remained relatively constant during the first 5 days of storage. However, PE film bags and PS tray+PVC wrapper showed lower score of flavor, texture and color than PP film bags after 8 days of storage. This study suggested that PP film bag packaging effectively extends shelf-life of mushrooms during storage.

This study was investigated the changes in quality of heat treated fresh-cut lotus roots using various packaging materials. Lotus roots were purchased from Daegu, Korea. Lotus roots were washed, peeled and sliced with a sharp ceramic knife. The prepared peeled and sliced lotus roots were dipped for 45 sec in water at 55℃. After air-dried at room temperature, the slices were packaged with polyethylene films, polyethylene terephthalate tray+wrapping, vacuum packaging and then stored at 4℃. Changes in weight loss, color, firmness, microorganisms and sensory characteristics were measured. In general, the weight loss rate was increased slightly in vacuum packaged lotus roots. Application of heat treatment delayed browning of lotus roots, and especially vacuum packaged lotus roots were the most lowest △E value. However, L and △E value of PE film packaged lotus roots were increased highly during storage. The heat treated and vacuum packaging inhibited the growth of microorganisms effectively. The organoleptic quality of vacuum packaged lotus roots showed the best by sensory evaluation.

This study was carried out to investigate the packaging status of the Agaricus bisporus mushrooms and the benefits of storing them after precooling to improve their distribution system using small packages. The packaging status of the Agaricus bisporus mushrooms was surveyed at a farm, a department store, a wholesale market, and a supermarket from May to September 2011. The packaging materials that were used were PS, carton, PP, LDPE, PLA, and PVC. The harvested Agaricus bisporus mushrooms were precooled at 4℃ for three hours and were then stored at 20℃ for three days. The weight loss rate of the precooled sample was slightly lower than that of the unprecooled sample; conversely, the L value of the precooled sample was higher than that of the unprecooled sample. The △E value was lowest in the precooled sample after packaging. The precooling process effectively prolonged the shelf life and enhanced the quality of the Agaricus bisporus mushrooms.

According to lifestyle changes, the consumers’ concern about food also shifts from calories and nutrition to health and convenience. Fresh-cut produce is one of the new turns in the consumption pattern of fruits and vegetables. The increasing demand for it requires processors to make them stable in quality and safe from microorganisms. The results of the evaluation of the production process and hygienic management of fresh-cut lettuce revealed that the facilities used, such as the drainage holes, floors, and door knobs, were severely contaminated with microbes, and that the work equipment, workbenches, landing nets, and centrifuges were highly contaminated. Accordingly, improved production processes and management systems are necessary, as is the implementation of a quality control system from the stage of raw-material purchase to the distribution stage.