In this study, changes in the quality and headspace O2/CO2 concentrations of cubed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) kimchi (CR-kimchi) packaged using multilayer airtight film (MAF), half-area breathable film (HABF), partial area breathable film (PABF), and one-way degassing valve-mounted film (ODVF) were investigated during storage under altering temperature conditions. The total lactic acid bacteria count in CR-kimchi samples stored for 6 days at 0℃, followed by 8 days at 6oC, increased to 7.8-7.9 log CFU/g, regardless of the packaging. The titratable acidity of the CR-kimchi samples increased to 0.6-0.7% during storage at 0oC for 6 days and then at 6oC for 8 days; it was maintained at 0.6-0.8% for 32 days of storage at 3oC. After 46 days of storage, the reduced sugar content of CR-kimchi packaged using MAF, HABF, PABF, and ODVF decreased to 26.8-30.3 mg/g, indicating no significant (p>0.05) differences. However, during storage, headspace CO2 concentration and film volume were lower in the HABF treatment than in the control, PABF, and ODVF treatments, indicating that HABF packaging combined with supercooled (3oC) storage can extend the optimal ripening period of CR-kimchi without packaging expansion during storage.

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals in salted vegetable foods from diverse origin in Korea which were sold in Korea. The levels of heavy metals were determined using an ICP-MS. The values of metals [minimum~maximum (mean), mg/kg] in kimchi were as follows; Pb 0.0~0.074(0.018), Cd 0.0~0.027 (0.004), As 0.0~0.024(0.002), Hg 0~0.002(0.0). The weekly average intakes of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury from kimchi take 0.06~0.13% PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) that the FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee has set to evaluate their safeties.