• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.246-251
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• 1999

To extend the storage period and to inhibit contamination of Kimchi by Escherichia coli, conditions of Kimchi brining and effects of the fermentation starter, halophilic Lactobacillus HL-48 were investigated. Optimum brining condition for Kimchi was accomplished in 15% NaCl and at pH2.5-3.0 adjusted by lactic acid. Starter-treated Kimchi showed pH 4.2 after 18hr fermentation, while the pH of starter-untreated Kimchi resulted in 3.3. After 36hr fermentation, the number of E. coli in starter-treated Kimchi was found clearly to decrease and not detected macroscopically, but contamination of E. coli (5.3$\times$103CFU/ml) was observed in starter-untreated sample. Organic acids in Kimchi contained organic acids such as oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid and lactic acid. among ther, lactic acid content was remarkably high in the early fermentation stages. However, from 24hr fermentation, lactic acid content of starter-untreated Kimchi was higher than that of starter-treated Kimchi.