Microbial Analysis of Baechu-kimchi during Automatic Production Process

배추김치의 자동화 제조 공정 중 미생물 분석

  • Kim, Ji-Sun (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Jung, Jee-Yun (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Cho, Seung-Kee (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Ji-Eun (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Tae-Jip (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Beom-Soo (Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Han, Nam-Soo (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University)
  • Received : 2009.12.16
  • Accepted : 2010.02.23
  • Published : 2010.06.30

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the microbial populations in the raw ingredients of kimchi and their changes during an automated commercial manufacturing process. High population numbers of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Leuconostoc sp., and yeast were detected in garlic, ginger, red pepper powder and this result revealed that these ingredients were the major source of microbials in kimchi. Additionally, during the salting process of Chinese cabbage, rapid microbial growth was observed and the consecutive washing process was determined to be ineffective, lowering the microbial count by only one log reduction. Yeast was also detected in various ingredients. These results strongly suggest that, in order to lower the microbial population numbers in kimchi, the side-ingredients and salting process should be subjected to the appropriate sanitization or sterilization processes at the HACCP level. Beside, treatment of salted Chinese cabbage with sodium hypochlorite solutions after the salting step is recommended. To inhibit yeast growth, appropriate chemical treatment and approval of additive uses to control microbials should be considered. These experimental results and suggestions will be used to improve the kimchi manufacturing process in factories.

본 연구는 자동화된 상업용 배추김치 제조공정 중에서 원료와 공정별로 미생물의 변화를 조사하고자 수행하였다. 김치제조에 사용되는 여러가지 재료별로 미생물 분포를 조사한 결과, 마늘, 생강, 고추가루에서 많은 수의 호기성 박테리아, 젖산균, Leuconostoc, 그리고 효모가 검출되었으며, 이로써 위 부원료들이 김치에 존재하는 미생물들의 주요 공급원임을 알 수 있었다. 김치를 제조하는 공정 별로 미생물 변화를 모니터링 한 결과, 배추절임 공정에서 총 균수가 증가하였고 그 이후 세척공정에서는 단지 미생물수를 1 log CFU/g 줄이는데 그쳐 미생물 수 감소효과는 적은 것으로 판명되었다. 효모 또한 다양한 부재료와 최종 김치에서 검출되었다. 따라서, 김치 제품에 최종적으로 존재하는 미생물 수를 줄이고자 한다면 위의 원료 중에서는 위의 부재료에 대해, 그리고 제조공정에서는 절임에 사용되는 천일염과 절임탱크에 대해 적절한 살균대책이 강구되어야 하겠다. 또한 차염소산 살균 공정은 절임과 세척공정 사이에 위치해야만 가장 큰 효과를 기대할 수 있을 것으로 판단되었다. 또한 검출된 효모에 대한 저해 수단으로 적절한 저해제의 첨가도 고려되어야 하겠다. 본 연구의 결과는 공장김치의 HACCP 구축과 개선에 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords

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