This study investigated the microbial community and quality characteristics of traditional soybean pastes (doenjang) based on the aging period in Gyeongnam province. The samples were collected from seven regions in Gyeongnam Province (Goseong, Hadong, Haman, Hamyang, Sacheon, Sancheong and Uiryeong). Contents of moisture, salinity, pH, and acidity of doenjang after 210 days aging were 56.40~65.21%, 9.05~16.08%, 4.88~6.86 and 0.64~2.14%, respectively. Lightness significantly decreased over the aging period, while the redness tended to increase over the aging period. Yellowness was from 21.39~26.81 to 21.10~28.36. Reducing sugar content was from 0.31~1.45% to 0.11~3.13%. The amino-type content increased from 141.87~495.13 mg/100 g to 328.53~823.67 mg/100 g. In contrast, the ammonia-type content declined from 136.74~364.70 mg/ 100 g to 128.62~331.00 mg/100 g. The overall total microbial count did not significantly differ, but it tended to decrease in sample GD4. Fungus declined overall or was not detected. Coliform groups were not detected in all samples. Lactobacillus and Bacillus cereus tended to decrease over the aging period. The common fungus and bacterium were Aspergillus oryzae and Tetragenococcus halophilus, respectively. After the aging period, the predominant fungi were Candida versatilis, Candida apicola, and Debaryomyces hansenii. The predominant bacteria were Tetragenococcus halophilus and Cronobacter sakazakii.

This study investigated the crude protein and amino acid contents of local agricultural products widely and specifically grown in Korea, including 25 vegetables and 13 fruits. The crude protein content of vegetables and fruits ranged from 0.46 to 6.53% and 0.29 to 2.23%, respectively. Totally, 17 types of amino acids were found in most samples. The total amino acid content of vegetables and fruits ranged from 457.38 to 9,303.18 mg% and 368.82 to 3,118.75 mg%, respectively. The total amino acid contents of garlic and passion fruit was higher compared to other vagetables and fruits. The calibration curves of the standard components showed good linearity (r2>0.99), except Met (r2=0.989). The limits of LOD and LOQ were in the range 0.034 to 0.991 μg/mL and 0.009 to 0.474 μg/mL, respectively. The results of the study can serve as a fundamental source of information regarding crude protein and amino acids contents in food, for diet planning.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of superheated steam drying on physicochemical and microbial characteristics of Korean traditional actinidia (Actinidia arguta) leaves. Actinidia leaves were dried at steam temperature of 350℃ and oven temperature of 150℃ for 40-200 sec. Moisture content and water activity decreased with increasing the drying time, while color values including L, a, and b values and total color difference (ΔE) increased as drying time increased. The relationship between moisture content and water activity showed an exponential fit with high correlation vlaue (R2=0.9909). Total phenolics and flavonoids content and antioxidant activity such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP assay of dried actinidia leaves increased with increasing the drying time up to 160 sec, but dramatically decreased at drying of 200 sec. The numbers of total areobic bacteria of leaves was not detected at drying time over 120 sec and coliform of all the samples was not detected. As a results, the superheated steam was an very effective drying method of increase to the nutritional and sanitary quality of dried Korean traditional actinidia leaves.