In this study, an appropriate modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) condition to minimize physiological disorders while lowering weight loss was sought. To reduce weight loss during storage, kimchi cabbages packed with 0, 32, 40, 48 perforated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films, with a diameter of 14 mm, were stored in pallet units for 90 days at 1-2oC, and their loss rate, physiological disorders, total bacteria count, pH, and solid content were analyzed. It was found that as the number of holes increased, the weight loss ratio increased proportionally. However, the difference between the perforations was relatively small compared with the sample without film packaging. On the other hand, it was also observed that the lower the number of holes was, the lower the incidence of physiological disorder was because the cold air penetrated through the perforated hole while inhibiting physiological effects, releasing heat and carbon dioxide generated by respiration. Considering the weight loss rates and physiological disorders such as black speck and soft rot, the kimchi cabbage packed with 48 perforated films (73.9 cm2) exhibited the most satisfactory condition. Using this storage condition, along with 2-3oC temperature and 91-95% relative humidity inside the pallet, a highly suitable condition for kimchi processing was obtained to secure kimchi cabbage.

Spring kimchi cabbage was stored fresh for 90 days in a commercial cold storage house. It was sanitized by spraying fungicide on the field before harvesting. The plastic boxes of spring kimchi cabbage were put on the pallet, covered with a 40-hole film, then stacked in the cold storage room at once. The room was maintained for 90 days at 0.7oC after cooling gradually at 2 oC/day. After 90 days, the weight loss was 4.73% and the total trimming loss was 8.26%. The weight loss was 8.08% and the net trimming loss was 3.26% after 90-day storage with partial stack cooling at 2.7oC covered with a 56-hole film. The quality of spring kimchi cabbage after 90-day storage was fresh without physiological disorders.