Abstract
Application of omija(Schizndra chinensis Baillon) to improve the quality and preservation of nabka kimchi was attempted and the optimal amount of omija level and its effect on the sensory and microbiological properties of nab마 kimchi during fermentation were examined. Effects of omija juice which had been prepared by extracting omija seeds for 9 hr at room temperature (22.5$\pm$0.5$^{\circ}C$) with different ratios (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0%;w/v) of water were examined against control (kimchi prepared without omija). Organoleptic and microbiological properties of nabak kimchi were measured up to 25 days at 1$0^{\circ}C$ after preparation. Sensory properties were evaluated in the aspects of both acceptability and intensity characteristics. In whole, 0.5 and 1.0% treatments showed higher values of evaluation, compared to control, 1.5, and 2.0% treatments throughout the fermentation period. As fermentation progresses, however, sample of 1.0% treatment ranked first between day 4 to 7 and also so did sample of 0.5% treatment along with 1.0% treatment from behind day 10. As for color, control, 0.5% treatment, and 1.0% treatment were more favored than rest of the samples. In texture, 2.0% treatment showed the highest values, whereas control was rated the lowest. In the intensity of characteristics 1.5% and 2.0% treatments showed higher values except sweet taste in which 1.0% treatment ranked top during the initial 7 days and then 0.5% treatment took the first place at behind day 10. total cell counts and number of lactic acid bacteria were gradually increased and then decreased showing the maximum levels of microbial counts on different days, to say, day 2 for control and 0.5% treatment nd day 7 for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% treatments. The application of omija juice in nabak kimchi enhanced eating qualities of the fermented product and the fermentation-retarding effect of omija juice was clearly shown during the initial seven days of fermentation. The optimum levels of omija juice in nabak kimchi obtained through experiments were between 0.5 to 1.0% for color, fermentation-retarding effects, and savory taste of the product.