This study investigated the effects of blanching conditions on the quality characteristics of burdock, lotus root, and garlic scape. The selected plants were blanched at varying temperatures (70-100oC) for 1-5 min, and moisture content, shear force, color, and total microbial count were analyzed. Burdock exhibited browning discoloration when it was blanched at a relatively low temperature (70-80oC). In addition, thermal tenderization of burdock was not evident in the blanching conditions adopted in this study. Blanching affected the tenderness and moisture content of lotus root without deteriorative discoloration. In particular, low temperature blanching (80oC) was favorable to blanching lotus root. Alternately, thermal tenderization of garlic scape was possible by blanching at 80- 100oC for 3-5 min, while discoloration of the blanched garlic scape dominated at high-temperature blanching (100oC). Consequently, the result indicated that low temperature for a long time (80oC and 3-5 min) provided a better blanching condition for lotus root and garlic scape than high temperature applied at a short time (100oC and 1-3 min).

A protein-lipid film formed on the surface of soymilk by heating can be applied in various areas such as edible package film, cosmetic sheet, and meat analog. In this study, a colloid formulation of isolated soy protein (ISP) and soybean oil (4:1) was used to make protein-lipid films and it compared with the product using soymilk (Glycine max L. Merrill) for making a meat analog of fibrous shape. The colloid with 2.3 cm depth in a pan at 85︒C produced 8 sheets of protein-lipid films. The films were collected from the pan as a bundle to make a fibrous shape. Color parameters and texture profile analysis (TPA) were measured depending on the order of the film formation. Color parameters (Hunter-values) of the films using ISP and oil notably decreased the lightness and increased the redness as the order of the films. And changes of color differences in the films using ISP and oil were larger than those in the films using soymilk. TPA Parameters of the film such as hardness, resilience, springiness, cohesiveness, and gumminess were increased as increasing the order of the films formation. In the films using ISP and oil, lipid concentration was the highest in the first formed film rather than other films. However, in the films using soymilk, lipid concentration was similar among the order of the films. Consequently, the films using ISP and oil were produced non-uniformity of color, texture, and lipid composition in the order of the film formation compared with the films using soymilk. Combination of the soy protein-lipid films as a bundle could be used as a meat analog which had non-uniformity and fibrous shape.

This study investigated the effects of blanching time (1-5 min), types of blanching solution (1% NaCl vs 1-3% sucrose), addition of packaging with blanching solution, and thawing methods (thawing in packaged versus depackaged units) on the qualities of frozen Aster scaber. As quality parameters, drip loss, moisture content, shear force, color, and sensory test were conducted. Aster scaber was blanched in 1% sucrose for 4 min and packaged with the same solution prior to freezing whereas frozen Aster scaber exhibited palatable quality when it was removed from the package and thawed in running water. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the optimized processing condition provided qualities like non-frozen control.

This study investigated the changes in the physicochemical properties of soybean sprout, radish, and pork loin during frozen Bibimbab production. The qualities of soybean sprout were affected by the blanching, thawing, and cooking processes, with the blanching process particularly regarded as an important process to attribute the overall quality of the soybean sprouts in the final product. High weight loss of radish was found in the thawing and cooking processes, while the weight loss was relatively lower than that of soybean sprout. However, mixing with hot rice can be attributed for the steep decrease in shear force of the radish. For pork meat, normally thermal treatment such as mixing with hot rice and cooking manifested quality deterioration. Based on the results, mixing process appeared to be the most important process which affected the final quality of the materials. To improve the quality of final frozen Bibimbab, therefore, it was recommended to freeze the food ingredient separately from rice prior to packaging, which warranted the follow up exploration.

In previous experiment, drying efficiency of infrared and hot air dryers was investigated. On this study, drying rate of sweet potato according to different infrared interval was performed to find the optimal interval range. Steamed sweet potato was cut to a thickness of 0.5cm, the width and length were 1.5*3cm. The condition of infrared drying was 60 to 40°C, which range of interval was adjusted 5 to 20°C. Moisture content, brix, color, and texture were estimated as quality parameters. Drying rate was increased with decreasing temperature range and soluble solid contents were increased as drying time was increased, but there was no difference after 4 hours. Hardness was resulted in highest value at small temperature range and hard texture was affected by drying time. However, there were no significant differences in L, a, b value. In conclusion, small interval range of infrared was indicated highest drying efficiency and the optimal condition of drying time was 4 to 6.

This study investigated to find optimal blanching conditions for pre-treatment of Korean Cahmchi (Aster scaber) before freezing to maintain qualities as food ingredient. Blanched A. scaber were blanched in water, 1% sucrose solution and 1% salt solution for 2min. After blanching, each sample packed with water, 0.5% and 1% sucrose solution, which were half quantity of sample. The samples were then frozen at -30°C freezer for 24h. Frozen samples were thawed in water at 4°C. Color, thawing loss, water content and texture analysis were evaluated. Water content was not significantly different among samples. Thawing loss of A. scaber was low value in sugar and salt additive samples. Sugar additive sample indicated the lowest redness and yellowness value. Also sugar added samples showed tender texture. In conclusion, sugar contents in blanching water were affected to qualities of A. scaber.

Recently, additive-free sweet potato has been commercialized as a healthier snack food. However, these products are producing by semi-dried form to extend shelf-life, hence the products also possesses hard texture during chewing. To produce crispy sweet potato snack, this study was attempted to dry the semi-dried sweet potato instantly by a hot-press (HP) process. Mashed sweet potato was reformed and semi-dried at 65°C for varying time to provide various final moisture contents. The semi-dried samples were subjected to HP at the process temperature of 175-180°C for 2 seconds. As quality parameters, moisture content, brix, color, texture and sensorial test of the products were evaluated. Based on the results, optimal quality of the product was obtained by the semi-dried sample with 15~18% moisture at which the products exhibited good crispiness with bright yellow color. When the moisture content of the sample before HP was lower than 15%, the final products were normally broken during the HP process. In addition, extreme browning appearance was generated in this condition. Conversely, the sample with more than 18% of moisture was not completely dried by HP and the final product did not possess the crispy texture, although this product showed bright yellow appearance. Consequently, this study demonstrated the potential application of HP in sweet potato processing and the best condition was greatly affected by moisture content of sample prior to HP process.