This study was conducted to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effects of porphyran and insoluble dietary fiber isolated from laver in rats fed high fat diet containing 1% cholesterol, 0.25% sodium cholate and 12% lard. Rats were fed, ad libitum, diets containing 5% diet fiber as cellulose(normal control or high fat control), porphyran or insoluble dietary fiber for 4 weeks. Among the groups fed high fat diet, liver weight was significantly lower in high fat porphyran group than high fat control. Plasma GOT, GPT, total cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, LDL-cholesterol and liver total cholesterol concentration were significantly lower in high fat porphyran group than high fat control. The feeding of porphyran significantly increased fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretion. The feeding of insoluble dietary fiber had no significant effect on either plasma or liver cholesterol levels, although fecal cholesterol level in the insoluble dietary fiber group was significantly higher than that in the high fat control. The results indicate that porphyran isolated from the laver may exert their hypocholesterolemic effect by increasing excretion of fecal bile acid and cholesterol.

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary management status of chlorine sterilization methods used for raw fruits in a school foodservice, and to suggest basic data for sanitary improvements in the quality of raw fruits. A questionnaire form predicated on HACCP standards was developed and utilized for self-reported evaluations of dietitians regarding their sanitary management practices. The subjects consisted of 257 dietitians that were employed in school (elementary middle high school) foodservices. The collected data were analyzed with the SAS package. According to the results of this study, it was deemed necessary that optimized sterilization and washing methods for good microbiological safety and quality of strawberries and bananas in school foodservice should be determined. Some strategies for future improvement were also suggested. They included the following: (1) Improvement of policy for assuring the quality of raw fruits by designing some sanitation standards and specifications for raw fruits; (2) Strengthening the research and accumulation of background data regarding methods for the sanitation of raw fruits; (3) Enforced improvement of personal hygiene for dietitians and employees; (4) Use of a variety of methods in sanitary education and employee training.

In this study, the preference for Korean Kimchi by Chinese people in Shandong Province was evaluated. Specifically, this study was conducted to aid in the introduction of Kimchi to China by providing information and developing local types designed to meet regional taste preferences. The subjects were comprised of 298 Chinese (male 108, female 190) residents of Weihai, Yantai and Qingdao, in Shandong province, China. The subjects were provided with a self administered questionnaire form designed to evaluate their views on Korean Kimchi. The collected data were then analyzed using the SAS software package. The results revealed that 95.3% of the respondents were aware of Korean Kimchi. In addition, 100% of the respondents who had visited Korea and 98.1% of the respondents who had an interest in Korea were aware of Kimchi. With regard to the origins of their interest in Kimchi, 26.8% of the subjects answered 'through mass media', while 23.9% reported that they learned about Kimchi 'through friends'. Most subjects recognized Kimchi as a 'Korean traditional food' (92.6%), a 'delicious food' (53.2%), and a 'fermented food' (38.0%). Baechu Kimchi was found to be the most well-known Kimchi, followed by Kkakdugi, Oi Kimchi, Yoelmu Kimchi and Nabak Kimchi. Additionally, 69.1% of the subjects knew how it was prepared, most of whom reported that they learned how Kimchi was prepared through 'Korean movie and/or drama'. Moreover, 88.9% of the subjects had eaten Kimchi. Overall, 43.8% of the subjects reported that they ate Kimchi 1~2 times per month, while 32.1% reported that they ate Kimchi 1~2 time per year. The most common places that Kimchi was eaten were a 'Korean restaurant' (67.6%) or with a 'colleague' (32.8%). The primary reasons for not having eaten Kimchi were 'no knowledge or dislike of Kimchi by family' (30.3%), 'difficulty purchasing Kimchi' (21.2%), 'high priced Kimchi' (21.2%), and 'dislike the smell and shape of Kimchi' (12.1%).