Beta-carotene is the most prominent member of the group of carotenoids, natural colorants that occur in the human diet. Beta-carotene is also an effective source of vitamin A in both conventional foods and vitamin supplements, and it’s generally safe. In this study, we explored the beta-carotene contents in agricultural products widely and specifically grown in Korea. The beta-carotene contents were ranging from 223 to 27,908 μg/100 g in leaves, and 0 to 7,588 μg/100 g in vegetables. In leaves and vegetables, the amount of beta-carotene was the highest in green tea powder (27,908 μg/100 g), followed by pepper (7,588 μg/100 g). In fruits, the beta-carotene content was found to range from 0 μg/1,011 g to maximum of 293.66 μg/100 g(plumcot). However, there beta-carotene was not detected in strawberry. In the case of cereals and specialty crops, the beta-carotene contents were 326 μg/100 g for non-glutinous rice, 313 μg/100 g for glutinous rice, 57 μg/100 g for amaranth and 15 μg/100 g for pine nut, respectively. However, the beta-carotene content was not detected in other samples. This study revealed the presence of beta-carotene content in agricultural products specifically grown in Korea for nutritional information and food composition database.

본 연구에서는 대추즙을 첨가하여 양갱의 품질 특성에 미치는 영향을 알아보고, 나아가 노인 및 운동선수를 위한 고열량 간식 등으로 기능성 식품을 개발하고자 하였다. 수분함량은 실험구의 경우는 대조구에 비해 다소 낮은 수분함량을 나타냈으나, 대추즙 함량이 증가할수록 낮아지거나 혹은 높아지는 경향성은 나타나지 않았다. 대추즙의 첨가량이 증가할수록 양갱의 pH는 감소하였고, 총산은 증가하였다. 색도의 경우 대추즙 첨가량이 증가할수록 오히려 명도(L값) 및 적색도(a값)는 유의적으로 감소하였고, 황색도(b값)는 유의적인 차이는 있었으나, 경향성은 보이지 않았다. 양갱의 조직감은 대추즙을 첨가하지 않은 양갱보다 대추즙을 첨가하여 제조한 양갱의 경도가 농도 의존적으로 증가하였다. 대추즙의 함량을 증가시키면서 제조한 양갱의 총폴리페놀, 항산화능 및 탄닌의 함량은 농도 의존적이며, 유의적으로 증가하였다. 따라서, 대추즙을 첨가한 양갱은 고기능성 간식으로 개발 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

This study was conducted to investigate quality characteristics of red bean gochujang prepared with different ratios of meju for eight weeks. We determined quality characteristics such as pH, moisture content, total microbial flora counts, amino-type nitrogen content, total polypenol content, and antioxidant activity. The pH decreased by fermentation period, whereas total acidity was 0.36~0.39% in the early stage of fermentation, 0.63~1.16% at four weeks of fermentation, and decreased to 0.43~0.65% after the eighth week of fermentation. Moisture content of the control (no red bean, no rice) decreased 62.13% to 50.93%, but in case of the treatment, it slightly decreased. Total cell counts revealed similar tendency at the beginning of fermentation, and at eight weeks of fermentation. In case of lactic acid bacteria, all samples except RB-1.5 (gochujang added meju made of mixing ratio of rice:soybean:red bean (1:2:1.5) slightly increased. Amino nitrogen and total polyphenol of all samples increased in the fermentation period, especially RB-1.5 sample had the highest levels than other samples. By increasing the amount of red bean, DPPH radical scavenging activities increased. In taste sensing analysis, all treat samples except RB-1.5 revealed lower sourness than the control. Also, in case of bitterness, all samples revealed low content than the control. So, by adding red bean, it can enhance taste and function of gochujang.

This study investigated the nutritional compositions and physiochemical properties of three domestically cultivated jujube fruits (Boeun, Sangwhang, and Bokjo). Nutrient contents were analyzed by freeze-drying the jujube fruits. The results showed that the proximate compositions of the three jujube cultivars ranged from 7.85~13.52% for moisture, 4.65~5.24% for crude protein, 1.29~2.38% for crude ash, 0.17~1.09% for crude lipid, and 7.66~16.63% for crude fiber. The above proximate contents of jujube cultivars were significantly different. Mineral contents of Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, and K in the three jujube fruits were also determined. Mn, Cu and Zn were not detected in any of the varieties. The content of Al was higher in Sangwhang, while Boeun had higher contents of Ca and K. The total polyphenol, ABTS values, and hypoglycemic effect were slightly higher in Boeun as compared to the other varieties. Taken together, Boeun could be an important source of natural antioxidant as a functional food.

This study investigates the quality characteristics of sweet persimmon jam added with aronia juice. Sweet persimmon jam was prepared with sweet persimmon, sugar, pectin and various amounts (20, 40, 60, 80%) of aronia juice, and it was assessed for pH, total acidity, color, sensory evaluation and hydrogen donating ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging effects and content of the total polyphenols, respectively. Increasing the amount of aronia juice decreased the pH, whereas the total acidity gradually increased. In addition, with an increased amount of aronia juice, the lightness (L) and yellowness (b) significantly decreased, while redness (a) gradually increased. By increasing the amount of aronia juice, the polyphenol contents, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were increased. The results of the sensory evaluation showed that the sweet persimmon jam added with 80% aronia juice had the highest overall-acceptability scores. The results suggest enhancing the quality, palatability and acceptability of sweet persimmon jam by adding 60~80% of aronia juice.