Abstract
Commercial red ginseng, which was manufactured for the past 6 years, showed a microbial level of 2.0${\times}$10\ulcorner to 7.2${\times}$10\ulcorner CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria and molds. The moisture content of commercial products was ranged from 13.54 to 17.26%, which were higher than that of the product standard, 14%. Irradiation of red ginseng at 2.5 kGy resulted in the reduction of microorganisms contaminated to below the detectable level. Irradiation prevented mold growth on red ginseng during storage at RH 90% and 25$^{\circ}C$; molds were found at the 72nd day after storage in 2.5 kGy-irradiated sample, while 41st day in the nonirradiated control. At this point of time, irradiated samples showed an increased level of moisture content required for mold growth, 22.2% in 2.5 kGy group and 21.5% in control group. Based on the above results, microbiological qualities of red ginseng could be effectively improved by the optimum dose of irradiation, which was expected to secure the quality stability of red ginseng during distribution under the high-moistured conditions.
