Abstract
The effects of the water extracts from thyme(TM) and tarragon(TG) on shelf-life and quality of kimchi were investigated by measuring the changes in pH, acidity, number of total microorganisms, number of Lactobacillii and Leuconostoc during fermentation at 1$0^{\circ}C$, and were tested for antimicrobial activities against Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. TM and TG were extracted with water, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Water, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TM showed antimicrobial activities against Lactobacillus plantarum and did not observed against Leuconostoc mesenteroides. On the other hand, water, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TG showed antimicrobial activities against Leuconostoc mesenteroides and did not observed against Lactobacillus plantarum. The decrease of pH and the increase of acidity showed lower in kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM than in products from TG. The number of total microorganisms were also detected less in the kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM. And, the properties of barkless of kimchi measured instrumentally were higher for kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM, also maintaining good crispness. The optimal addition amounts of both TM and TG for good overall and spicy taste of kimchi were 0.03%. The results suggested the possible use of the extracts of TM and TG can be successfully used for the quality and extension of shelf-life of kimchi.