Kimchi is a traditional and commonly served side dish at almost every Korean meal along with cooked rice and other dishes. The goal of studies for kimchi packaging is to explore proper packaging technology that can keep kimchi delicious and safe during its distribution to consumers. Research in the field of kimchi packaging technology are aimed at exploring: 1) proper packaging technology to keep kimchi delicious and safe during distribution to consumers, 2) active packaging technologies to control gas released by kimchi 3) smell control packaging technology, and 4) eco-friendly packaging technology. Kimchi packaging. A mathematical model for kimchi fermentation is developed to obtain better and in-depth understanding on mechanism of kimchi packaging technologies. The biggest problem in kimchi packaging is the generation of excess CO2 by kimchi fermentation, leading to package expansion and leakage. To alleviate this problem, CO2 absorbers, high CO2-permeable films, and degassing valves have been investigated at WiKim. Furthermore, different active and/or intelligent packaging systems have been developed, which have active functions beyond the inert passive containment and protection of the kimchi product. Long storage periods increase the chances of encountering oxygen; thus, O2 absorbers have been researched at WiKim. Later stages of kimchi fermentation involve rapid increase in the number of film-forming yeasts, especially for kimchi storage containers used in refrigerators. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the development of active packaging with functions of kimchi deoxygenation. Functional films with natural deodorant for removal of off-odor from kimchi have been developed. Another point of consideration is that packaging materials and technologies developed from biodegradable or edible components are more desirable. Further studies are needed for the developed packaging technologies to be commercially useful.

Keeping kimchi delicious and safe through kimchi packaging

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.