Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of preservatives for extending storage life and maintaining the quality of minimally processed Chinese cabbage. Cut Chinese cabbage was treated with either 1% CaCl2, 1% NaCl, 3% sucrose, 1% Ca-lactate, 1% vitamin C, 0.05% chitosan＋1% vitamin C, 0.1% Sporix＋1% vitamin C or hot water(6$0^{\circ}C$) and then packed with polyethylene film(60${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) and stored at either 2$0^{\circ}C$ or 4$^{\circ}C$. To evaluate biochemical changes and quality of minimally processed Chinese cabbage, the samples were tested to determine the amount of vitamen C, titratable acidity, organic acid and fiber contents. Changes in color were also examined. The quality of kimchi prepared form minimally processed cabbage was affected by the treatments. REsults indicate that the minimally processed Chinese cabbage treated with either 1% CaCl2 at 2$0^{\circ}C$ and 4$^{\circ}C$ or 1% NaCl at 2$0^{\circ}C$ minimized biochemical changes in plant tissue and those treatments were most effective in maintaining product quality. The cabbage treated with 1% vitamin C or 1% NaCl at 4$^{\circ}C$ resulted in kimchi with improved color, texture, flavor and the best overall acceptability, as determined by a sensory test.

Keywords

• Chinese cabbage;
• kimchi;
• preservative treatment;
• storage life