Antioxidant Activity and Quality Characteristics of Stew Sauce Mixed with Smilax china L. Extract During Storage

토복령 추출물을 첨가한 소스의 항산화 활성 및 저장 중 품질 특성

This study investigates the effects of a China root (Smilax china L.) extract on the chemical and microbiological characteristics and antioxidant activity of the sausage stew sauce and the soft-tofu stew sauce over a 5-week storage period. Commercial sauces were obtained from the market, and samples were prepared using four different concentrations of the China root extract (0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. Over the 5-week storage period, pH and salinity showed slight changes in both the sausage and soft-tofu stew sauces, but there was no significant difference (p<0.05) regardless of the extract amount and temperature. At 5 weeks, there were significant decreases in the total microbial count in groups with the China root extract (p<0.05) for both the sausage and soft-tofu stew sauces at $5^{\circ}C$. Over the whole storage period, no coliform, yeast, and mold were detected in any sample. S. aureus counts were not detected in 1.0% and 1.5% China root groups at $5^{\circ}C$, but 1.00-1.60 log CFU/g was found in the control and 0.5% groups. DPPH radical scavenging activity at 5 weeks showed an increase with an increase in the amount of the China root extract in both sauces. These results indicate that the China root extract inhibited microbial growth during storage as well as scavenging activity and thus that it can be considered to prolong the shelf life of commercial sauces.