The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pretreatments on quality of frozen peach. Pretreatments including steam blanching, water blanching, high pressure, and osmotic dehydration were applied to two varieties (Daeokgye and Hwangdo). Pretreated peaches were frozen and thawed at -20oC and 5oC, respectively. Steam blanching and osmotic dehydration with ascorbic acid reduced ΔE values without change of pH and acidity. Osmotic dehydration with sucrose decreased drip loss and increased brix. Freezing/thawing resulted in an increase of maximum force, while maximum force decreased with increasing time of steam and water blanching. Furthermore, osmotic dehydration with calcium chloride increased maximum force. High pressure decreased maximum force of Daeokgye and increased that of Hwangdo compared with non-treatment. Total polyphenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity were improved by pretreatment including steam blanching, blanching, and osmotic dehydration with ascorbic acid.

This study investigated the effect of various freezing and thawing conditions on the quality characteristics of radish. White radish was blanched and cooled down to corresponding freezing temperatures of -20℃, -40℃ and -60℃ and, thereafter, the radish was finally frozen in a -20℃ refrigerator for 24 h. The frozen radish was thawed at 4℃, 25℃ and with running water, radio-frequency thawing machine. As quality parameters, pH, drip loss, hardness, color, and sensory evaluation were evaluated. No effect of freezing and thawing conditions on color, pH, and total bacterial count was observed for the samples. Samples that underwent immersion freezing (-60℃) had lower drip loss and higher hardness than samples in other freezing conditions. Sensory evaluation showed that color, hardness, and overall acceptability increased with a decrease in freezing temperature. These results indicate that the temperature of freezing affects the quality of radish.

Background: In this study, microwave extraction was used, which is an effective method to extract useful bioactive substances as it requires low quantities of solvent and short time periods. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal extraction conditions for Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. Methods and Results: The independent variables were ethanol concentration, microwave power, and extraction time, each of which had five levels. The dependent variables were total polyphenol and total flavonoid content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity. To determine the optimal extraction conditions for bioactive compounds, a response surface methodology was employed. Contour maps were generated from polynomial equations. The optimal conditions were then assumed by superimposing these contour maps. Based on the resulting graph, the optimal microwave extraction conditions for Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb were determined as 42 - 48% ethanol concentration, 240 - 280W microwave power, and 13 - 20 min of extraction time. Conclusions: Ethanol concentration had a significant effect on microwave extraction, in terms of total polyphenol and total flavonoid content, as well as DPPH radical scavenging activity. Microwave power and extraction time influenced the total polyphenol content, but not the total flavonoid content or the DPPH radical scavenging activity.

This study was conducted to evaluate the control effect of fungicides on control of brown leaf blight, growth characteristics, and dry root yield in the cultivation of Alisma plantago after early maturing rice cropping. All fungicides treated had no effect on the growth and flowering rate of Alisma plantago. The major fungicides were mancozeb Wp, 75%, chlorothalonil Wp, 75%, dithianon Wp, 43%, difenoconazole Wp, 10%, benomyl Wp, 50%, and propineb Wp, 70%. Dry root of yield were increased largely with chlorothalonil Wp, 75%(33 g/20), fungicide than the other fungicides and control. All fungicides had no injury with standard dosage. On the other hand all fungicides had slight injury in the double dosage level for the Alisma plantago.