• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.549-558
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• 2009

This study examined the basic information on the native pear c.v. 'Baekwoon' grown in Mt. Baekwoonsan, Gwangyang, to develop as a local specialty product. the sensory characteristics, chemical compositions, and physiological activities of 'Baekwoon' pear were examined and compared with those of 'Niitaka' pear. Hardness of 'Baekwoon' pear was 19.30N, which was higher than 'Niitaka'. The sugar content of 'Baekwoon' was 11.5 $^{\circ}Brix$, which was lower than 'Niitaka'. The total amino acid contents of the fruit skin and flesh of 'Baekwoon' were 222 mg/100g dry weight (DW) and 130 mg/100g DW, respectively, which were much higher than those of 'Niitaka'. Especially, serine contents in fruit skin and flesh of 'Baekwoon' were 75.4 mg/100g DW and 40.2 mg/100g DW, respectively, which were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of 'Niitaka'. However, physiological activities, such as total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, total flavonoid content and nitrite scavenging activity, of 'Baekwoon' were lower than or similar to those of 'Niitaka'. Consequently, vitamin and amino acid contents of 'Baekwoon' were better than those of 'Niitaka'. It is suggested to use fruit skin because of its good composition and physiological activities so that it helps to improve the quality and the biological activity.