• Food Science and Industry
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.12-26
• /
• 2017

Processing steps such as washing and cutting, involved in preparing fresh-cut produce causes tissue damage, leading to rapid quality deterioration. Major defects of fresh-cut produce are discoloration, softening, off-odor development, and microbial growth. Packaging of fresh-cut produce has been changed to reduce these quality problems. Flexible packaging film is widely used to pack fresh-cut produce. Vacuum packaging was the popular packaging method in the beginning of fresh-cut industry in Korea. Vacuum packaging creates high $CO_2$ and low $O_2$ levels to control browning of fresh-cut produce. However, these conditions induce some visual defects and off-odor development. Discoloration problem was also found when fresh-cut produce was packaged with conventional packaging film or plastic tray. Modified atmosphere (MA) packaging is effective for prolonging shelf-life of fresh-cut produce by decreasing $O_2$ and increasing $CO_2$ concentration in the package. Retail MA packaging using different oxygen transmission rate (OTR) film and micro-perforated film has started to be applied to fresh-cut produce in Korea. Proper MA package design that provides optimum range of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ partial pressures is one of the major challenges in the industry. An initial package flushing with $N_2$ or an low $O_2$/high $CO_2$ atmosphere is also used to more rapidly establish steady-state MA condition. Film OTR and $O_2$ flushing affects the fermentative volatile production, off-odor development, electrolyte leakage, discoloration, $CO_2$ injury, microbial population of fresh-cut produce. There is also a demand for convenient packaging to attract consumers. Rigid fresh-cut produce container for retail market has increased since the packaging provides excellent protection from physical damage during transport. Rigid tray used as actual serving vessel for the consumer is increasing in Korea. The tray with flexible lid to wrap or seal fresh-cut produce is more and more gaining popularity. Further practical technology to control quality change and microbial growth for each fresh-cut product has been studied since various fresh-cut items were required. The fresh-cut industry also focuses on searching for more convenient and environmentally friendly packaging.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.210-216
• /
• 2012

The use of suitable sanitizers can increase the quality of fresh-cut produce and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. The objective of this study was to compare the washing effects of 100 mg/L sodium hypochlorite (SH) and 500 mg/L acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) on the prevention of enzymatic browning and the growth of microbial populations, including aerobic plate counts, E. coli, and coliforms, throughout storage at $4^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$. Fresh-cut zucchini, cucumbers, green bell peppers, and root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and radishes were used. Compared to SH washing, ASC washing significantly (p<0.05) reduced microbial contamination on the fresh-cut produce and prevented browning of fresh-cut potatoes and sweet potatoes during storage. More effective inhibition of aerobic plate counts and coliforms growth was observed on fresh-cut produce treated with ASC during storage at $10^{\circ}C$. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of fresh-cut potatoes and sweet potatoes was more effectively inhibited after washing with ASC. The use of 500 mg/L ASC can provide effective antimicrobial and anti-browning treatments of fresh-cut produce, including processed root vegetables.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.163-166
• /
• 1988

Water turnover and consumption of steers fed either fresh cut grass or hay and water turnover of steers grazed in summer or in fall were determined using 18 Holstein steers weighing 226 to 382 kg. Steers consumed 7.0 or 7.5 kg of dry-matter from hay or fresh cut grass. Animals fed hay drank significantly more water than those given fresh cut grass (P<0.01). Total water consumption, however, was greater in steers fed fresh cut grass than those given hay (P<0.05). Water turnover was about the same as total water consumption with a tendency for slightly higher values in water turnover irrespective of feeding regimes. Steers grazed in summer had greater water turnover than those grazed in fall. Water turnover was about the same in steers fed fresh cut grass and grazed in summer but decreased in steers on the dry ration or grazing in a cool season of the year.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2008

This study was performed in an effort to standardize the quality of fresh-cut products. Here, consumers' perceptions of fresh-cut products were surveyed to determine the quality factors in preparing quality standards for fresh-cut products. According to the surveys, freshness was the most important factor for consumers when choosing fresh-cut products at the market. Secondary indicators of good quality, i.e., "sensory qualities," were determined to be vibrant color, clean taste, nice feel, neat presentation, etc., as well as knowledge of whether it was organically grown. Off-odors decreased a product's marketability. Likewise, the more wilted or brown it appeared, the less a product was desired. From the results, the quality control indices for fresh-cut products were derived as freshness, discoloration, off-flavor, uniformity, prohibition of adulteration by alien substances, packaging and labeling. The quality of fresh-cut lettuce samples was measured against three storage temperatures: $20^{\circ}C,\;10^{\circ}C$ and $5^{\circ}C$. Sensory quality evaluations revealed the following: produce stored at $20^{\circ}C$ lost its marketability in less than one day; produce stored at $10^{\circ}C$ lost its marketability in less than two days; on the other hand, produced stored at $5^{\circ}C$, maintained its marketability for six days. At these respective points, browning started to occur around cut areas, and increased gradually once it began. Vitamin C content decreased with storage time, but storage at $5^{\circ}C$ maintained vitamin content the longest duration. Finally, further examinations were performed on the sensory qualities of fresh-cut lettuce samples at four levels of increased browning. Up to the third level, the product score for marketability was 5.6.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.295-303
• /
• 2007

As a result of life-style changes, consumer's concerns of food have shifted from calories and nutrition to health and convenience. Fresh-cut products are one such new direction for fruit and vegetable consumption. In this study, the vitamin C, mineral, and pesticide contents of various fresh-cut products were analyzed. According to sensory evaluations, the key reason for a lower than expected overall acceptability of many fresh-cut products is that they are likely to have browning and can easily lose their freshness. Also, the sensory evaluation showed that shriveling, the degree of browning, softening around the cut edge, and off-flavors were the primary factors affecting the quality of fresh-cut products. As a nutritional factor of quality, vitamin C content was not practical with regard to fresh-cut lettuce because the level was very low. For product safety, residual pesticides were detected in the fresh-cut products, but the results showed that all items were under permitted levels and considered safe. In evaluation of the microbial levels of the fresh-cut market products, the levels of viable cells, mold, yeast, coliform bacteria, and enterobacteriaceae were not significantly different based on the summer and winter seasons. The levels of S. aureus and Listeria spp. in the products were higher during the summer season than the winter.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.649-654
• /
• 2010

This study investigated the recognition of and preference for consumer root vegetables for the improvement of fresh-cut root vegetable quality. The questionnaires consisted of questions on general preference, purchasing locations and quality factors. Answers to 286 questionnaires were analyzed both descriptively and quantitatively using SPSS for Windows (Version 14.0). The principal results were as follows: 37% of the respondents preferred potatoes to other root vegetables; 52% purchased at wholemarket. Most consumers preferred fresh-cut root vegetables; 56% were un-satisfied with fresh-cut vegetables quality as high quality agents. The most considered factor in purchasing fresh-cut root vegetables was shape/appearance.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.495-502
• /
• 2020

Processing fresh produce into fresh-cut products increases the risk of bacterial growth and contamination by breaking the exterior barrier of produce. Our objective in this study was to develop predictive models of Listeria monocytogenes in the fresh-cut salad, fresh-cut pineapple, and frozen mango. Predictive growth and survival models were developed to predict the change of L. monocytogenes populations in the fresh-cut salad (4, 10, 12, 13, 17, 25, and 36℃), fresh-cut pineapple (4, 10, 17, 25, 30, and 36℃), and frozen mango (-2, -10 and -18℃) as a function of temperature. The growth of L. monocytogenes in fresh-cut salad and pineapple was observed at above 13℃ and 10℃, respectively. The growth of L. monocytogenes in pineapple was faster than in salad. The delta value of L. monocytogenes in frozen mango increased as the storage temperature decreased. The results indicate that L. monocytogenes behave differently according to the physicochemical properties of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Since L. monocytogenes grow and survive well in refrigerated and frozen conditions, management programs and preventive controls for the processing of fresh-cut produce should be effectively implemented to enhance the safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables at retail markets.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.173-177
• /
• 2012

Whole apples were cut with a sharp or dull knife, and whole cabbages and crisp lettuce heads were cut into salad or thin strips with a knife or by hand. The fresh-cut apples, cabbages, and lettuce were packed in low-density polyethylene bags and kept at $4^{\circ}C$, and their qualities were investigated. Browning and softening of the apples that were cut with a sharp knife were more delayed than those of the apples that were cut with a dull knife. The soluble solids and pH of the fresh-cut apples were not affected by the sharpness of the cutting blade. The browning indexes of the fresh-cut cabbages and lettuce were significantly lower in the samples that were cut with a knife than by hand and in the samples that were cut into large pieces. The results suggest that the cutting blade sharpness, cutting tools, and cut types affected the quality of the fresh-cut apples and leafy vegetables, and that the cutting methods which minimized the cutting damage should be used to retard the browning and softening of the produce.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.150-158
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to assess consumption and satisfaction with fresh-cut produce in Korean adults. In this study, an online survey November 9~13, 2020 was conducted with 982 Korean adults age 19~64 (490 males and 492 females) with experience in purchasing fresh-cut produce in the past year. Among all respondents, the percentage with experience in buying 'washed or peeled vegetables' was the highest (71.18%), followed by those in buying 'packaged salads/sprouts/ssam vegetables' (64.15%), 'pre-cut fruits/fruit cups' (59.98%), 'pre-cut or minced vegetables' (56.01%), and 'washed or peeled fruits' (53.67%), respectively. Among the types of fresh-cut produce, 'packaged salads/sprouts/ssam vegetables' showed the highest satisfaction score at 3.73 pts, and the overall satisfaction score of fresh-cut produce consumption was also 3.73 pts. Compared to male respondents, female respondents showed a significantly higher percentage of respondents that purchased 'packaged salads/sprouts/ssam vegetables' (p=0.0409), significantly higher satisfaction scores (p=0.0124), and a higher percentage of respondents considering 'freshness' important when purchasing (p<0.0001). Additionally, the group with high household income comprised a significantly higher ratio of respondents considering 'eco-friendly or organic status' important. The study results may facilitate identify areas for improvement of fresh-cut produce in the future.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2022

Recently, the purchase of fresh-cut produce and meal kits has increased. Ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut products have potentially hazard of cross-contamination of various microorganisms in the processes of peeling, slicing, dicing, and shredding. There are frequent cases of protozoa food poisoning, such as Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium, caused by fresh-cut products. The objective of the study is to investigate the microbiological qualities of various types of RTE fresh-cut products in the domestic on/offline markets. RTE fresh-cut fruits cup (n=100), fresh-cut vegetables (n=50), and vegetables in meal kits (Vietnamese spring rolls and white radish rolls kits, n=50) were seasonally analyzed. The contamination levels of hygienic indicator organisms, yeast and mold (YM), and foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were monitored. Overall, the lowest microbiological qualities of meal kits vegetables were observed, followed by RTE fresh-cut fruits cup and fresh-cut vegetables. Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and YM in meal kits vegetables were 5.91, 3.90, and 4.71 logs CFU/g, respectively. From the qualitative analysis, 6 out of 200 RTE fresh-cut products (3%) returned positive result for S. aureus. From the quantitative analysis, the contamination levels of S. aureus in purple cabbage from a meal-kit and fresh-cut pineapple were below the acceptable limit (100 CFU/g). Staphylococcus enterotoxin seg and sei genes were detected in RTE fresh-cut celery and red cabbage from meal-kits, respectively. S. aureus contamination must be carefully controlled during the manufacturing processes of RTE fresh-cut products. Neither Cyclospora cayetanensis nor Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in the samples of RTE fresh-cut products and vegetables from meal-kits from the Korean retail markets.