This study evaluated the consumers’ demands and points of improvement for restaurant meal replacement through importance–performance analysis by the restaurant meal replacement segment market using food involvement. The results were as follows. First, after segmenting the restaurant meal replacement market using food involvement, it was classified into three markets (multiple involvements, exploration-oriented, and product quality-oriented). Second, an analysis of the importance of restaurant meal replacement selection attributes revealed taste, sanitation, quality, freshness, price, saving time, texture, ingredients, preparation process, and quantity to be highly important. An analysis of the differences according to the market type revealed the multiple involvement type to be more important than other groups, considering the restaurant meal replacement selection attribute element. Third, an analysis of the importance-performance analysis of restaurant meal replacement selection attributes revealed that quantity and price as the selection attributes that needed to be improved first in all three markets. In addition, in the multiple involvement type, food additives appeared as a selection attribute requiring priority improvement, revealing the characteristics of a market that cares about diet and health.

이 연구는 식품제조업과 음료제조업에 속한 1,045개의 기업에 대한 재무제표 패널자료를 이용하여 한계기업으로의 전락에 영향을 주는 요인을 분석하였다. 한계기업의 식별 기준으로 이자보상배율이 3년 연속 1보다 작을 경우를 선택하였다. 패널 프로빗 모형의 추정 결과에 따르면, 개별 기업의 성장성 하락은 한계기업으로 전락할 확률을 높이는 반면, 수익성이나 활동성 지표의 상승은 한계기업으로 전락할 확률을 유의미하게 낮추는 것으로 분석되었다. 또한 타인자본 비중이 늘어나거나 또는 차입금의존도가 높은 기업일수록, 한계기업으로 전락할 확률이 높았다. 기업의 유동성 또한 한계기업으로의 전락 확률에 유의미한 영향을 주었다. 기업 규모도 한계기업 여부와 연관되었는데, 소기업이 대기업에 비해 한계기업으로 전락할 확률이 상대적으로 높았다.

Protein is an essential nutrient for humans to sustain life, but it is predicted that it will be challenging to secure protein through the traditional livestock industry in the future. Microalgae has high future value as an alternative protein food source due to resource utilization and sustainability advantages. In order to increase productivity, the culture conditions of microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, Dunaliella salina, and Scenedesmus obliquus were examined in this study. The optimal culture conditions of C. vulgaris were mixotrophic culture, 25oC culture temperature, 7.0 initial pH, 10% initial inoculation, stirring culture, 3000 Lux light intensity, and 24L:0D light/dark cycle period with red LED. For D. salina, the optimal culture conditions were mixotrophic culture, 20oC culture temperature, 8.0 initial pH, 10% initial inoculation, stirring culture, 6000 Lux light intensity, and 12L:12D light/dark cycle period with white LED. For S. obliquus, the optimal culture conditions were mixotrophic culture, 30oC culture temperature, 8.0 initial pH, 10% initial inoculation, stirring culture, 4500 Lux light intensity, and 14L:10D light/dark cycle period with fluorescent light. These findings can be used as important information for increasing the production of microalgae as an alternative protein material resource in the future.

This study selected two labor-intensive processes in harsh environments among domestic food production processes. It analyzed their improvement effectiveness using 3-dimensional (3D) simulation. The selected processes were the “frozen storage source transfer and dismantling process” (Case 1) and the “heavily loaded box transfer process” (Case 2). The layout, process sequence, man-hours, and output of each process were measured during a visit to a real food manufacturing factory. Based on the data measured, the 3D simulation model was visually analyzed to evaluate the operational processes. The number of workers, work rate, and throughput were also used as comparison and verification indicators before and after the improvement. The throughput of Case 1 and Case 2 increased by 44.8% and 69.7%, respectively, compared to the previous one, while the utilization rate showed high values despite the decrease, confirming that the actual selected process alone is a high-fatigue and high-risk process for workers. As a result of this study, it was determined that 3D simulation can provide a visual comparison to assess whether the actual process improvement has been accurately designed and implemented. Additionally, it was confirmed that preliminary verification of the process improvement is achievable.

The development of food packaging materials with mechanical and antimicrobial properties is still a major challenge. N, P-doped carbons (NPCs) were synthesized. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), which has an adverse effect on the environment and affects petroleum resources, has been commonly used for applications as food packaging. The development of PBAT composites reinforced with NPCs and studies on their structure and antimicrobial properties are presented in this study. The composite materials in the PBAT/NPCs were processed by solution casting. The plasticizing properties of NPCs enhanced the mechanical strength of composites produced of PBAT and NPCs. The thermal properties of PBAT composites were enhanced with addition of NPCs, according to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). After reinforcement, PBAT/NPCs composites became more hydrophobic, according to contact angle measurements. In studies against S. aureus and E. coli food-borne pathogenic bacteria, the obtained composites show noticeably improved antimicrobial activity. The composite materials, according to the results of PBAT and NPCs may be a good choice for packing for food that prevents microorganisms.

Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (NSCDs) were quickly synthesized by the microwave-assisted method from triammonium citrate and thiourea. NSCDs showed a quantum yield of 11.5% with excitation and emission bands at 355 and 432 nm, respectively. Also, a fluorescence quenching was observed in the presence of Pb(II) ions, and the as-synthesized CDs were used as a sensitive probe for detecting Pb(II) in water and food samples. The results showed the optimal conditions for Pb(II) determination were CDs concentration of 0.02 mg mL− 1 at pH 6.0–7.0 and an incubation time of 20 min. The relative fluorescence intensity of NSCDs was proportional to Pb(II) concentrations in the range of 0.029–2.40 and 2.40–14.4 μmol L− 1 with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.998 and 0.955, respectively, and a detection limit of 9.2 × 10– 3 μmol L− 1. Responses were highly repeatable, with a standard deviation below 3.5%. The suggested method demonstrates the potential of a green, fast, and low-cost approach for Pb(II) determination in water, tea, and rice samples with satisfying results.

본 연구에서는 시가독소 생성 대장균(STEC)을 검출하 기 위해 식품공전의 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)검사 법과 loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)를 비 교하였다. PCR 및 LAMP의 검출 한계(LOD) 및 정량화 한계(LOQ), 민감도, 특이성 및 효율성을 평가하기 위해 다 양한 식품에 STEC를 접종하였다. LOD는 PCR의 경우 104 CFU/mL 이하, LAMP의 경우 103 CFU/mL 이하로 측정되 었다. LOQ 값은 PCR과 LAMP 간에 차이가 없었다. 그러 나 4가지 식품군에서 민감도는 양념육이 최대 11.1%, 간 소고기가 최소 8.1% 차이가 났다. LAMP는 네 가지 음식 유형 모두에 대해 높은 민감도와 100% 특이도를 보였다. 따라서 LAMP는 식품 유형에 따라 검출률이 비슷하고 특 이도와 민감도가 식품공전 PCR보다 우수하기 때문에 STEC 에 대한 신뢰할 수 있는 분자 검출 방법이다.

국내 소비자들의 식품 영양성분에 대한 관심이 계속적 으로 증가하고 있지만 영양성분과 관련된 식품의 소비자 선호도 분석 연구는 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구는 대국민 정보 서비스인 식품영양성분 데이터베이스 플랫폼에 수집 된 빅데이터의 로그분석을 수행하여 소비자들이 영양학적 측면에서 관심을 가지는 식품에 대한 선호도 결과를 제시 하였다. 수집 기간은 2020년 1월부터 2022년 12월까지의 3개년으로 설정하여 총 2,243,168건의 식품명 검색어가 수 집되었으며, 식품명을 병합하여 품목대표 식품명으로 가 공하였다. 분석도구는 R프로그램을 이용하였으며, 영양정 보를 확인하고자 하는 식품명의 검색 빈도를 전체 기간 및 계절별로 분석하였다. 전체 기간 동안 빈도수 분석 결 과, 한국인이 일반적으로 자주 섭취하는 쌀밥, 닭고기, 달 걀의 빈도수가 가장 높았다. 계절성에 따른 선호도 분석 결과, 봄과 여름에는 대체적으로 국물이 없고 뜨겁지 않 은 음식의 빈도수가 높았으며, 가을과 겨울에는 국물이 있 고 따뜻한 음식의 빈도수가 높았다. 또한, 외식업체에서 계절식품으로 판매하는 냉면, 콩국수 등과 같은 식품의 빈 도수도 계절성을 가지는 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과 는 소비자들이 일반적으로 자주 섭취하는 식품의 영양정 보에 관심을 가지는 패턴을 확인할 수 있었으며, 소비 트 렌드와 간접적인 연관성을 가진다는 점에서 외식업계에서 계절별 마케팅 전략 수립 시 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

This study was to identify the effects of education on Korean foods preferred by elementary students and their sustainability. A survey was conducted on 5th-grade elementary school students. Korean food preferences were classified by exploratory factor analysis as creative, healthy, or considerate, and the effects of education on Korean dietary life were classified as cognitive or emotional. Dietary life sustainability was evaluated separately. Results showed that creative and considerate preferences had significant impacts on cognitive and emotional education effects and that a healthy preference type significantly impacted the emotional effect of education. Analysis showed that creative and considerate food preference types significantly influenced dietary life sustainability and that cognitive and emotional education effects mediated these relationships. Sex was not found to have a significant moderating effect. The study shows that Korean dietary life sustainability is influenced by education on topics that promote the value and excellence of Korean food and suggests that experiential education combining practice and theory should be used to increase interest in Korean food among elementary students. Additional studies are required to determine Korean food preferences to facilitate the development of a dietary life education program that enables students to understand and maintain healthy dietary practices.

This study was a qualitative investigation into the food security and food variety among the rural elderly. For the qualitative data collection, nineteen elderly people who lived in Yangpyeong-gun were interviewed individually. Food security and variety was evaluated based on accessibility and affordability. The participants seemed to have difficulty preparing their own meals and eating with their families or others. The frequency of vegetable intake was found to be high, as vegetables were available through cultivation. However, in terms of diversity, the intake of meat and milk, which are sources of protein and calcium, was found to be significantly low. This has to do with very poor physical accessibility. A lack of nutrition education was identified as the biggest reason for not following dietary therapy despite having a pre-existing disease condition. Therefore, for the elderly in Yangpyeong-gun, it is suggested that a basic nutrition policy for food supply that can increase their actual intake is more essential than education on cooking and nutrients. Moreover, periodic nutrition education or a regular counseling system for dietary therapy through local public health centers may help improve the health of the elderly.

From an evolutionary perspective, it is speculated that termites have evolved to construct tunnels in a manner that optimizes search and transport efficiency. While numerous studies have focused on search efficiency, there has been limited research on transport efficiency due to the challenges associated with direct field observations. To address this challenge, we developed an individual-based model to simulate the transport process. Using the model, we examine the effects of several key variables on transport efficiency, Based on our results, we discuss potential strategies that termites might employ to optimize transport efficiency. In addition, we briefly discuss ways to improve the realism of the model.

본 연구는 한국인 인구집단에서 폭식행동, 음식중독을 식별하고, 해당 증상들이 비만 및 섭식행 동, 정신건강, 인지적 특성과 어떠한 연관성을 보이는지 규명하고자 하였다. 이를 위하여 정상체중 및 비만 체중에 해당하는 한국인 성인 257명을 대상으로 섭식문제(예: 폭식, 음식중독, 음식갈망), 정신건강(예: 우 울), 인지기능(예: 충동성, 정서조절)에 관한 임상심리검사 척도를 측정하였다. 비만 여부와 성별에 따라 그 룹을 나누었을 때, 비만체중 여성에서 폭식행동이 46.6%, 음식중독이 29.3%로 가장 빈도가 높았다. 성향 점수 매칭 후 데이터로 독립성 검정을 수행한 결과, 폭식행동 및 음식중독이 비만체중 집단에서 정상체중 집단보다 더 많이 나타나는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 폭식행동과 음식중독 유무에 각 심리검사 척도 요인이 미치는 영향력을 파악하고자, 전진선택법을 적용한 로지스틱 회귀모델을 구축하였다. 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과, 폭식행동에는 섭식장애, 음식갈망, 상태불안, 정서조절(인지적 재해석) 및 음식중독이 주로 관여하였 고, 음식중독에는 음식갈망, 폭식행동과 함께 비만과 연령의 교호작용, 교육년수가 유의하게 작용하는 것으 로 나타났다. 본 연구는 한국인 성인을 대상으로 한 체계적 연구로서, 폭식행동과 음식중독이 여성 및 비만 인에서 특히 더 많이 나타남을 확인하였다. 폭식행동과 음식중독에는 일부 섭식문제(예: 음식갈망)가 공통되게 관여하나, 정신건강 및 인지적 위험요인에는 차이가 있었다. 따라서 음식중독과 폭식행동은 서로 구 별되는 개념으로 두고, 각각의 기질적·환경적 위험요인을 깊이 있게 탐구하는 것이 필요하다.

This study examined the determinants of healthy food purchases before and after COVID-19 in Korea. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumer Behavior Survey data from 2019 to 2021. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the non-intake of healthy food in 2021 compared to 2019, suggesting the impact of COVID-19 on healthy food consumption. Consumption patterns also changed, with a decrease in direct purchases and an increase in gift-based purchases. Several variables showed significant effects on healthy food intake. Single-person households exhibited a higher probability of eating healthy food after COVID-19. The group perceiving themselves as healthy had a lower likelihood of consuming healthy food pre-COVID-19, but this changed after the pandemic. Online food purchases, eco-friendly food purchases, and nut consumption showed a gradual decrease in the probability of non-intake over time. Gender and age also influenced healthy food intake. The probability of eating healthy food increased in the older age group compared to the younger group, and the probability increased significantly after COVID-19. The probability of buying gifts was significantly higher in those in their 60s, indicating that the path to obtaining healthy food differed by age.

This study was conducted to select representative agricultural products (4 types of fruits and 4 types of wild vegetables) in Chungju, define their sensual characteristics, derive suitable flavour-pairing and recipes for each ingredient, and use them as a cornerstone in the development of menus. For the experiment, 10 experts were selected to choose 8 representative agricultural products in Chungju, and 18 menus were selected through a flavour-pairing survey. A consumer panel (a total of 413 people, 105 in their 20s, 103 in their 30s, 103 in their 40s, and 102 in their 50s) for evaluating the characteristics of consumer preferences was selected. After the flavour-pairing survey ‘sweet taste’, ‘light flavour’, ‘soft flavour’, ‘savoury flavour’, ‘familiar flavour’, ‘harmonious flavour’, ‘softness’, and ‘harmoniousness with food ingredients’ were determined as drivers of liking, on the other hand, ‘disturbance with food ingredients’ and ‘soybean fishy smell’ were determined as drivers of disliking. The degree of consumer preference and overall acceptance were found to be related to the consumers' familiarity, suggesting that if a menu should be developed using unfamiliar local agricultural products, it should be configured with familiar recipes and seasoning methods.