Abstract
$CO_2$production in fermentation of dongchimi was measured and interrelated with changes in pH and titratable acidity. The effects of salt content and temperature on $CO_2$production rate were analysed. Fermentation of dongchimi showed drastic pH decrease in early stage and subsequent levelling off around 3.9, with linearly increased acidity up to 0.3~0.4% optimum quality. $CO_2$production of dongchimi could be analysed to consist of two consecutive stages of constant rate. The first stage $CO_2$production of higher rate moved to the second stage of lower rate when acidity rose beyond 0.3%. When compared to those of 1 and 2% salt content, dongchimi of 3% salt showed lower $CO_2$production rate in the 1st stage and slower acidity change through the whole fermentation period. However, it resulted in the product of highest $CO_2$accumulation at optimal ripeness because of consistent $CO_2$production of longer 1st stage period and relatively high $CO_2$production rate in 2nd stage. $CO_2$production depended on temperature less compared to acidity change(activation energy: 57.3 and 44.3kJ/mol for $CO_2$production of 1st and 2nd stages, respectively; 79.3kJ/mol for acidity change), which means higher ratio of $CO_2$production rate relative to acidity increase at lower temperature. Slower increase in acidity at low temperature also was shown to extend the period of 1st stage $CO_2$production. Therefore, low temperature fermentation was effective in producing the high $CO_2$content dongchimi at adequate acidity, which is desirable organoleptically.
