The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting acceptance of four kinds of dak-jjim samples in third year schoolaged children (n=100). Soy sauce, red pepper paste, Vietnam fish sauce, and star anise were applied to samples for their familiar and exotic characteristics. Significant differences among samples were observed in odor, taste, and acceptance (p<0.001). Soy (Soy sauce sample), RPPaste (Red pepper paste sample), and Soy_FishS (Soy sauce and Vietnam fish sauce sample) samples scored higher than Soy_StarA (Soy sauce and star anise sample) sample. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in intensities of saltiness, sweetness, and hot spicy flavor (p>0.05). Liked attributes in samples were saltiness, sweetness, chicken flavor, potato flavor, moistness of chicken, hot spicy flavor, and color. Disliked attributes in samples were hot spicy flavor, saltiness, and ginger flavor. Significant differences among samples were observed in familiar intensity and willing to try again (p<0.001). Soy, RPPaste, and Soy_FishS samples scored higher than Soy_StarA sample. Panels considered taste (46%) and nutrition (45%). Higher familiar intensity of sample was associated with higher acceptance in samples. In other words, familiarity of food affects acceptance of food. Therefore, familiar ingredients such as soy sauce and chicken can be used for development of Korean menu items considering taste and nutrition with enhanced Korean food acceptance in school-aged children

This study was carried out in order to investigate Korean food acculturation by married immigrant women and how it affects their children’s eating habits. Using an in-depth interview method, 26 domestically residing married immigrant Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian women in Korea were surveyed to investigate adaption to Korean food at the time of their immigration, their current dietary life, their preferred Korean food, major factors in managing their children’s eating habits, etc. The results reveal that depending on the married immigrant women’s country of birth, which plays an important role in a family’s dietary life and health, acculturation phenomena occurred in which the specific eating habits of each country were grafted into Korean food. Furthermore, due to their school-age children’s display of acceptance of both their homeland’s and Korea’s food culture, we believe that this can become a pivot point for non-governmental diplomacy where Korean food can be understood along with the mothers’ countries.

The subacute toxicity of xylooligosaccharide (XO) was evaluated in SD rats. Groups of 60 male and 60 female rats were orally administered with 0, 333, 1000 or 3000 mg/kg of XO for 13 weeks. The changes of body weight, food and water consumption were investigated for 17 weeks, while heamatological values and histopathological findings were investigated at the end of the 13 weeks and 17 weeks including 4 weeks of recovery periods. No death and toxic effects were observed during the test periods. There were statistically significant changes in several parameters, but these change had no direct relationship to dosage. Clinical changes were general occurrence and no specific toxicity was related to XO. Gross necropsy and histopathology revealed that no target organs were found in the treated mouse with XO. According to the results, no-observed effect level of XO is estimated to be above 3000 mg/kg.

To evaluate the bacterial reverse mutation of xylooligosaccharide(XO)s the in vitro Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2 uvrA) was performed. XO was negative in Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli with and without rat liver microsomal enzyme (S-9 fraction). According to the results, XO does not cause bacterial reverse mutation.

The acute toxicity of xylooligosaccharide(XO) was evaluated in SD rats. Groups of 15 male and 15 female rats were orally administered XO (0, 5000 or 10000 ㎎/㎏). The changes of body weight and clinical signs were investigated for 14 days after treatments. No death and toxic effects were observed for 14 days. Soft stool and diarrhea appeared right after treatment for over dose and non-digestive feature of XO but these clinical signs disappeared on the next day. No significant changes in body weight and abnormal gross findings were observed in relation to XO. According to the results, XO has no special toxic effects and LD50 values of XO are above 10000 ㎎/㎏ in male and female rats.