Physicochemical Properties of Long-term Fermented Kimchi

Physicochemical properties of commercial long-term fermented kimchies which are widely available in Korea were investigated. The commercial long-term fermented kimchies were fermented almost more than 6 months. Average values for saltiness, pH and acidity of the long-term fermented kimchies were $3.0{\pm}0.5%$, $4.0{\pm}0.2$, and $1.88{\pm}0.76%$, respectively. The long-term fermented kimchi showed similar Leuconostoc sp. and Lactobacillus sp. counts as baechu kimchi ripened properly during fermentation. The amount of Leuconostoc sp. and Lactobacillus sp. of the long-term fermented kimchi were $10^{7\sim8}$ CFU/mL and $10^{4\sim7}$ CFU/mL, respectively. The long-term fermented kimchi showed $0.32{\pm}0.18$ lightness, $1.73{\pm}0.98$ redness, $0.52{\pm}0.31$ yellowness. Long-term fermented kimchi showed higher lightness, redness, yellowness than well-fermented standardized baechu kimchi. Breaking strength of long-term fermented kimchi was higher than that of well-fermented standard baechu kimchi.