LAUSR

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality characteristics of got mul-kimchi during storage by type of kimchi container using a plastic ark shell. The pH level, acidity, hardness, color, sensory evaluation, and microbiological activity were performed. Kimchi containers were prepared with 0%, 2%, and 3% plastic ark shell. The pH level of 2% container samples showed no significant difference compared with that of the control, whereas pH levels of 3% container samples were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the control and 2% sample. Acidity was not different among treatments up to 4 weeks, whereas acidity of 3% container samples was significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the control and 2% samples after 8 weeks. Hardness significantly decreased (P<0.05) upon 0, 2, and 3% treatments with increasing storage time, but there was no significant difference among the treatments. Hunter color L values increased in the order of 0, 3, and 2% with increasing storage time. In sensory evaluation of crunchiness, 3% container samples had significantly (P<0.05) higher crunchiness than the control. Total viable cells in the 3% container with got mul-kimchi were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of other samples at 12 and 16 weeks of fermentation. Numbers of lactic acid bacteria in the 2% and 3% container samples were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the control samples after 16 weeks of fermentation. These results show that the plastic ark shell kimchi container extended storage compared with the control.