• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2012

According to lifestyle changes, the consumers' concern about food also shifts from calories and nutrition to health and convenience. Fresh-cut produce is one of the new turns in the consumption pattern of fruits and vegetables. The increasing demand for it requires processors to make them stable in quality and safe from microorganisms. The results of the evaluation of the production process and hygienic management of fresh-cut lettuce revealed that the facilities used, such as the drainage holes, floors, and door knobs, were severely contaminated with microbes, and that the work equipment, workbenches, landing nets, and centrifuges were highly contaminated. Accordingly, improved production processes and management systems are necessary, as is the implementation of a quality control system from the stage of raw-material purchase to the distribution stage.

• Journal of the FoodService Safety
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2021

This study was performed to assess the microbiological quality and safety of microgreen sampled from harvesting farms and food processing plant in Korea. The samples were analyzed for total viable counts, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Total viable counts were highly contaminated in samples collected from farms (7.7~8.2 log CFU/g) and the final products (5.8~7.8 log CFU/g), respectively. B. cereus was detected less than 100 CFU/g, which was satisfied with Korean standards (<1,000 CFU/g) of fresh-cut produce. A predictive model was developed for the changes of total viable counts in microgreens during storage at 5~35℃. The predictive models were developed using the Baranyi model for the primary model and the square root model for the secondary model. The results obtained in this study can be useful to develop the safety management options along the food chain, including fresh-cut produce storage and distribution.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2012

Fresh-cut burdock roots were processed at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. The fresh-cut burdock roots were treated with different browning inhibitors (3% citric acid, 3% sodium chloride, 0.3% cystein, and 3% sodium acetate solutions), and the changes in their quality and browning characteristics were investigated. The respiration rate and browning index of the cut roots prepared at $4^{\circ}C$ were lower than those of the cut roots prepared at $25^{\circ}C$. The soluble solid content was higher in the cut roots prepared at $4^{\circ}C$ than in those prepared at $25^{\circ}C$. The weight loss and flesh firmness were not affected by the processing temperatures. Among the browning inhibitors, 0.3% cystein showed the best browning-retarding effect. There was no difference in phenolic compound content between the browning-inhibitor-treated roots and the nontreated roots, but the PPO activity was higher in the latter than in the former. Therefore, the processing temperatures of fresh-cut burdock roots affected their quality and browning development, and the combination of a low processing temperature and the use of the proper browning inhibitor should be applied for the higher quality of the produce.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2013

The effect of phytoncide solution treatment on the browning and quality of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce during storage was studied. The treatments were applied as four solutions adjusted at $10^{\circ}C$: distilled water (DW) as the control; edible ethanol (EE); 1% (v/v) phytoncide essential oil from pine needle diluted with distilled water (DP); and 1% (v/v) phytoncide essential oil diluted with edible ethanol (EP). Fresh-cut lettuce was dipped in each solution for 60 sec, was rinsed with distilled water, was packaged with an OPP film bag, and was then stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 12 days. The EP group had a significantly high level of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and carbon dioxide, and low total bacteria counts, pH, and oxygen. The sensory score of color in the EP group recorded a high value, but the EE and EP groups recorded low scores in aroma and taste during the storage period. Alcohol and phytoncide were vaporized by opening the package for two hours, and the score of the aroma and taste of EP showed no differences from those of the other groups. Based on the above results, it was determined that the phytoncide essential oil diluted in edible alcohol with 1% solution inhibited the browning of and microbial growth in fresh-cut lettuce, and will be a useful natural compound in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut produce.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2022

This study, conducted during 2018-2021 in Gangseo, Seoul, monitored residual pesticides in 14 types of fresh-cut produce, including lettuce, tomato, and celery, in wholesale market and supermarkets. A total of 589 cases (2.9%) were inspected; 17 cases (2.9%) were detected within the criteria, and 2 cases (0.3%) exceeded the maximum residual limit (MRL). When assessing the distribution stage of the pesticide violation, there were two violations in the wholesale market (before distribution), which differed from the supermarkets (during distribution). The detected pesticides, mainly insecticides and fungicides, appeared in the order of flubendiamide, flufenoxuron, and diazinon. A violation rate of 0.3% was found for wholesale market, which is collection area dedicated to fresh-cut produce, and this was lower than that for general agricultural products (1.4-2.5%). Since fresh-cut produce are consumed immediately after simple processing, residual pesticides significantly affect the human body; therefore, continuous monitoring of pesticide residues is required.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2020

A concept of household container to create and keep the modified atmosphere (MA) beneficial for fresh produce mix was devised and tested under typical chilled storage conditions of 3℃. The container system containing mixed products is initialized by applying weak hypobaric condition (0.9 atm) and subsequently injecting CO₂ gas at an appropriate low level (0.03 atm). The passive atmosphere modification by produce respiration is then induced to reach a target until gas diffusion tube of proper dimension starts to open. The design was made to attain quasi-steady state mass balance of O₂, CO₂ and N₂ to maintain the desired MA through the storage. Interrupted opening for taking out or placing some products was to reinitialize the loop of control logic. The developed concept was tested by the container which held commodities of spinach, pak choi, oyster mushroom, peeled onion, strawberry and cut carrot. The target optimum MA of 11% O₂ and 10% CO₂ (0.11 and 0.10 atm, respectively) was set to avoid injurious range of O₂ and CO₂ concentrations for any commodities. The developed container system could work to reach and maintain beneficial MA of 0.10-0.12 atm O₂ and 0.07-0.10 atm CO₂ close to the target during the storage contributing to quality retention of products measured in weight loss, chlorophyll content of spinach, ascorbic acid content of pak choi, color of onion, texture of oyster mushroom, bacterial count of strawberry and carotenoids of carrot. The container system shows potential to improve current preservation practice of fresh produce mix on consumers' level.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.392-400
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to analyze environmental microbial contamination levels by sampling the surfaces of processing lines and equipment and to verify CCPs of the HACCP plan in a fresh-cut produce processing plant The level of airborne microorganisms in the processing plant was $10^1$ log CFU/plate/15min. Total plate counts and coliform groups of the processing facilities were 1~2 log CFU/100 $cm^2$. No E. coli or S. aureus were detected in the processing plant. However, total plate counts on the cutting board for raw materials and on the spin-dryer were $4.20{\pm}2.12$ log CFU/$cm^2$ and $4.57{\pm}0.92$ log CFU/$cm^2$, respectively. These levels were higher than the safe microbial level, and therefore, the chance of cross-contamination during processing was increased. According to the results of microbiological analyses, total aerobic bacteria and coliform groups of the samples were increased after the second washing and spin-drying steps, due to cross-contamination from the spin-dryer. Thus, an effective method that can be used for microbial control during the washing and drying steps is needed for microbial control in fresh-cut produce processing plants. The results of a verification study also suggest that modification of the HACCP plan is needed along with additional CPs, which were identified as a second washing, spin drying, and the cold storage of final products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2007

Little information exists on how wash operations affect water quality, or the efficacy of sanitizers on vegetable quality and microbial reduction in fresh-cut carrot shreds. This study evaluated the efficacy of chlorine and ozone in reducing microbial loads and maintaining vegetable quality of carrot shreds. Fresh-cut carrot shreds were teated with various chlorine and ozone concentrations for differing times. The samples were then centrifuged to remove excess water, packaged in film, and stored at $5^{\circ}C$. The result indicated that varying the ozonated water wash time affected microbial growth the development of unpleasant odors, color, and the overall quality of carrot shreds. Ozonated water washing for 20 min maintained vegetable quality by inhibiting unpleasant odors, the development of whiteness, and by reducing microbial populations. A single chlorine water wash was effective and resulted in better vegetable quality when compared with two washes. Samples washed for 20 min in ozonated water, however, had better vegetable quality and smaller microbial counts compared to samples washed once in chlorine water A 20 min ozonated water wash is an attractive method for the maintenance of vegetable quality and shelf-life in fresh-cut carrot shreds.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.529-533
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• 2006

To produce fresh-cut fruit products of high quality, the combined effects of postharvest calcium and heat treatment on Tsugaru apple were examined. Whole fruits were treated for 20 min at three different conditions: dipping in 3% $CaCl_2$ solution at $45^{\circ}C$ or ambient temperature, or in heated water at $45^{\circ}C$. The calcium content of the apples dipped in $CaCl_2$ solution at $45^{\circ}C$ was higher than that of the control and the non-heated calcium dipping. The fruits with calcium and heat treatment showed the same pattern of respiration rates as the control did during storage. The browning degree of the apple slices increased to approximately 3% after one-day storage, but no significant difference was observed between the treated and untreated apples. The fruits with $CaCl_2$ solution dipping at $45^{\circ}C$ had higher firmness than those with calcium dipping or heat treatment alone.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 1993.12a
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• pp.6-9
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• 1993

According to changes in population, economic conditions, life-stile and eating habits, the frui ts and vegetables market wi 11 be shi fted from processed (i. e. , canned) to fresh. Undressed fresh produce, consisting of washed, disinfected and peeled fruits and vegetables that either sliced or grated, are currently increased in demand by retail and institutional market which use them as salad components or in ready-to use foods, Main attributes of minimally processed fruits and vegetables are convenience and fresh-like quality. Minimally processed Products readily deteriorate in quality, especially color and texture, as a result of endogeneous enzyme enhanced respiration and microorganisms which lead to reduced shelf Iife. According to changes in population, economic conditions, life-stile and eating habits, the frui ts and vegetables market wi 11 be shi fted from processed (i. e. , canned) to fresh. Undressed fresh produce, consisting of washed, disinfected and peeled fruits and vegetables that either sliced or grated, are currently increased in demand by retail and institutional market which use them as salad components or in ready-to use foods, Main attributes of minimally processed fruits and vegetables are convenience and fresh-like quality. Minimally processed Products readily deteriorate in quality, especially color and texture, as a result of endogeneous enzyme enhanced respiration and microorganisms which lead to reduced shelf Iife. Thus. to prevent these undesirable changes , val'ious techniques such as controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, modified atmosphere OIA) storage, including vacuum packaging have been receiving considerable attention, Although milch research has been done to find optimal conditions for whole intact frui ts and vegetables, only limi ted information is avai lable on fresh cut. and other minimally processed products. 81 iced frui ts exhibi t increas~d ethylene production and respiration compal'ed to whole f, 'uits during distribution in response to tissue damage. As a result, accelerated senescence and enzymatic browning OCCUI', Recent l'esearch on minimally processed fl'uits and vegetables has mainly focused on methods to inhibit browning, due to ban on use of sulfur dioxide, In order to retard or prevent these physiological changes, val'ious al ternatives, reducing agents. acidulants, chelating agents and inol'ganic sal ts have been evaluated for use on fresh cut fl'ui ts. Al though some agents were effective replacement for sulfur dioxide. consum$\textregistered$I'S demandless use of chemical on such products. Shel~ life of minimally processed products has been extended by inhibition of metabolic reactions associated with loss of quality and by inhibition of aerobic spoilage caused by wide variety of microorganisms. Appl ication of ~I.-\ packaging, including vacuum packaging, retards the rate of respiration, prevents growth of aerobic spoilage organisms, inhibits oxidation and color deterioration. Tissue softening is another major problem in minimally processed products because enzymes re 1 a ted to ce 11 wa 11 degrada t i on are not inactivated. Various treatments have been investigated for retardation of the softening of sliced products. Some studies have concentrated on the application of an active packaging system with ~I, l. packaging and calcium infi 1 tration as possible measures to retain firmness of processed products. In my opinion, one important step for production of minimally processed frui ts wi th favorabl e color of cut surface and firm texture is the selection of better cultivar. As the view, changing tendency of fresh color by apple cultivars and relationship between the tendency and PPO activity will be discussed in the seminar. In addition to the topic, research result on quality enhancement of fresh apple slices by heat shock treatment will be introduced.