This study was conducted to assess blood components caused by metabolic syndrome increasing in postmenopausal elderly women. The blood samples of these subjects were analyzed to investigate the correlation of plasma taurine levels and plasma homocysteine levels, and serum lipid profiles. The subjects were 33 elderly women(72.8±4.4 years). Their mean height, weight and BMI were 150.5±5.7㎝, 57.5±6.3㎏ and 25.4±2.5㎏/㎡. 16 women of this study subjects have been chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. Their fasting blood glucose was 98.2±24.0㎎/㎗, and their plasma total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride(TG) were 216.5±29.9, 52.1±10.7, 145.7±27.9 and 141.2±59.6㎎/㎗, respectively. Their blood lipid profiles were higher than the standard levels of metabolic syndrome, thus these levels of lipid profiles may play a role as risk factors on the elderly person. Plasma taurine level of the subjects was 278.5±48.1 μMol/ℓ, and their plasma homocysteine level was 12.8±2.9 μMol/ℓ. The concentration of plasma vitamin B12 was significantly decreased by aging(p<0.05). The correlation of plasma homocysteine and plasma folate showed significantly negative(p<0.05). Thus, the decreased levels of plasma vitamin B12 and folate by aging might affect on the plasma homocyteine concentration acting as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases for elderly person. The correlation of plasma taurine and hemoglobin, and their platelet showed significantly positive(p<0.05). In conclusion, the diet on the elderly person is one of the important factors to prevent their health from chronic diseases. This study recommends that well balanced diets are needed for elderly person to keep their health and prevent from metabolic syndrome.

Pigment concentrates with violet-red color and sweet taste were obtained from purple-fleshed sweet potato(PFSP) using ethyl alcohol and water. Extract from general potato(GP) were used as a control. The relative stability of PFSP pigment concentrate(PFSPPC) in a storage test over 15 days was confirmed in the order of dark > fluorescence > sun-light irradiation. The relative stability of GP pigment concentrate(GPPC) in a storage test over 15 days was confirmed in the order of sun-light > fluorescence > dark storage. The RRP of PFSPPC was higher than that of GPPC, but the color strength of GPPC was 1/2 that of PFSPPC. Treatment of PFSPPC with aluminum potassium sulfate(0.2～0.3%, w/w) best improved its stability. The improved RRPs of PFSPPC were 45.16～47.31% in sun light irradiation, 55.91～60.22% in fluorescence irradiation, and 76.34～75.97% in dark storage conditions. In substituting aluminum potassium sulfate for chitosan, an amount of 0.2～0.3%(w/w) was suitable, giving similar results in improving pigment stability for all concentrates tested. Also, freeze-dried PFSPPC powder was manufactured as a substitute for dextrin, and also as a substitute for chitosan to the extent of 0.25%(w/w). The results of storage stabilite for freeze-dried PFSPPC and GPPC powder over 15 days, irradiation were, PRRs of 74.47～89.36% and 61.54～76.92%, respectively. The stability improving effect of freeze dried PFSPPC powder was confirmed by the results of storage experiments at various conditions. The use of freeze-dried PFSPPC powder was therefore confirmed to be an effective treatment for general foods.