Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the changes of index microorganisms and lactic acid bacteria of traditional Korean fermented vegetables (kimchi) during the ripening and fermentation period. A type of kimchi, baechoo-kimchi, was prepared and stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 8 days. The numbers of the total aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophilic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli in the kimchi and also in raw materials of the kimchi (Chinese cabbage, green onion, ginger, garlic, and red pepper) were counted using appropriate media. The highest number of aerobic bacteria was detected from ginger, then red pepper, then garlic, then Chinese cabbage, and lowest number from green onion. The highest number of psychrotrophilic bacteria was detected from red pepper, then Chinese cabbage, then garlic, then ginger, and the lowest number from green onion. Coliforms and E. coli were not detected from all of the raw materials of kimchi. Total aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria of the kimchi showed gradually increasing during ripening and fermentation. The number of psychrotrophilic bacteria showed a similar level in the kimchi. Coliform bacteria were detected at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day of the kimchi fermentation period, although they were not detected from the raw materials of the kimchi. However, the bacteria were not detected in the kimchi after 6 days. E. coli was not detected in all kimchi samples. The pH value of the kimchi gradually decreased, and acidity increased over fermentation period. This study indicates that there was contamination of coliform bacteria during the process of kimchi preparation, and lactic acid bacteria proliferated in the kimchi during fermentation inhibited the growth of coliforms. More research is needed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of each raw materials of kimchi.
