• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide safety management information by analyzing the survival and growth-related properties of foodborne pathogens from Romaine lettuce. After cultivating E. coli O157:H7 for 72 h on Romain lettuce via spray inoculation, the bacteria population increased by 2.0 log CFU/g from the initial population, confirming the possibility of survival and multiplication of the pathogen thereon. The study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the cultivation of E.coli O157:H7 after 72 h from inoculation on damaged and undamaged lettuce leaves. As a result of investigating distribution of E.coli O157:H7 on damaged lettuce leaves, it was found that the bacteria is unlikely to adhere on the smooth surface of undamaged leaves and, thus, results in a low population density, whereas the bacteria cluster on the rough surface of damaged leaves and easily enter through the damaged tissues. Furthermore, after 24 h of cultivation of the pathogenic microbe in the extract with concentrations of 10-100%, utilization of the lettuce extract by the pathogen was found to be 8.9 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 8.6 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 8.8 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. The increase in the population of both the pathogenic microbe and foodborne pathogen reached over 4 log CFU/mL, implying the microbe can utilize the lettuce extract as a source of nutrition. Compared to the initial inoculation concentration in 0.1% lettuce extract, the final concentration has increased up to 2.7 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 1.3 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 2.9 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. Accordingly, the study confirms that the minimal growth concentration of the pathogenic microbe is lower than 0.1% and that the pathogen possibly survive and multiply inside the lettuce leaves given the lettuce extract with concentration of 0.1% is consistently supplied through the damaged tissues.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.348-351
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• 2007

This study was conducted to find out the change of infernal quality, such as vitamin C and nitrate contents in some leaf vegetables grown hydropoincally in different nutrient conditions. Pak-choi (Brassica camperistis L. spp. chinesis Jusl.), chungchima (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa cv. Chungchima) and romaine (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam.) lettuces were cultivated for 2 weeks in 4 different nutrient solutions, such as tap water; no-nutrient, added $NH_4$, discarded $NO_3$, and supplied Yamazaki' solution for lettuce as a control. The growth of leaf vegetables was not different among nutrient solution treatments except tap water. The nitrate content showed the highest in control, and followed by $+NH_4$ treatment, $-NO_3$ and tap water treatment, regardless of kind of vegetables. The vitamin C content in 3 different vegetables showed the opposite result against nitrate content so that the treatment that showing the highest vitamin C content was tap water in romaine and chungchima lettuces, and $-NO_3$ treatment in pak-choi. The vitamin C and the nitrate content showed high correlations; $r=-0.614^*$ in pak-choi, $-0.651^*$ in romaine lettuce, and $-0.804^{**}$ in chungchima lettuce.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2016

This study investigated the effect of heat treatments on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut 'Romaine' lettuce by treating in hot water (45, 50, and $55^{\circ}C$) for 2 minutes. Sensory properties, respiration rate, ethylene production, microbial growth, browning index, total phenolics (TP), vitamin C, and antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays) of samples were evaluated after 5 days at $5^{\circ}C$. All heat treatment conditions tested in this study did not affect the change in TP after storage. Treatment at $45^{\circ}C$ enhanced respiration rate and ethylene production wheres decreased vitamin C content and antioxidant activities. There was no significant difference in browning index at $45^{\circ}C$ treatment. The rapid tissue softening occurred when treated with $55^{\circ}C$ hot water for 2 minutes. The $50^{\circ}C$ heat treatments exhibited the best quality index including texture and color, and inhibited microbial growth and browning after storage. In addition, the $50^{\circ}C$ heat treatment showed the highest vitamin C content and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assay) after storage. Therefore, the $50^{\circ}C$ heat treatment can be used to maintain quality and antioxidant property of fresh-cut 'Romain' lettuce.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth response of economical six leafy vegetables that are crown daisy, pak-choi and four kinds of lettuce (Red leaf lettuce, Green leaf lettuce, Head lettuce, Romaine lettuce) by light treatment of LED in plant factory. The light treatments were composed of red, blue, red+farred, red+blue, red+blue+white LEDs, irradiation time ratio of the red and blue LED per minute (1 : 1, 2 : 1, 5 : 1, 10 : 1), and duty ratio of mixed light (100%, 99%, 97%). The following results were obtained in different LED light sources treatments: Shoot biomass and S/R ratio of romaine lettuce were the highest under mixed red+blue LEDs. S/R ratio of head lettuce was higher under mixed red+blue+white LEDs than red+blue LEDs. The others showed no difference in LED light treatment. Shoot biomass, total biomass and S/R ratio of green lettuce, head lettuce and pak-choi were highest in the higher red ratio (5 : 1) on irradiation time of red : blue LED ratios. By the different duty ratio (red+blue and red+blue+white LEDs), Under the mixed light of red+blue, shoot and root biomass of crown daisy and romaine lettuce were high in duty ratio of 100% and 99%, and S/R ratio was highest in all the 6 kinds in duty ratio of 97%. All the 6 kinds showed a fine growth state in low duty ratio (97%). Green lettuce, romaine lettuce and pak-choi showed relatively high shoot biomass and total biomass in low duty ratio of 97% under the mixed light of red+blue+white. S/R ratio of romaine lettuce and head lettuce were highest in the duty ratio of 97% with red+blue+white LEDs. Thus, we can cultivate stably without reference to external factors, if we use appropriate light sources and light quality in closed-type plant factory.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.271-274
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of composition of nutrient solution on the growth and quality of baby leaf vegetables (tat soi, romaine lettuce, beet, and red radish) hydroponically cultivated in plant factory. The seeds of four vegetable crops were sown in urethane sponges and cultivated for 14 days in a plant factory. Light intensity and photoperiod were $110{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and 16 h, respectively; and air temperature in photo/darkperiod was maintained at $25/20^{\circ}C$. Tap water was used for irrigation for 7 days after sowing, and then plants were irrigated for 7 days using tap water and the nutrient solutions of Korea Wonshi, Japan Enshi, and Yamazaki for lettuce. At 14 days after sowing, the fresh weight of tah soi was highest in the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce, and there were no significant differences among nutrient solutions in beet and red radish. When we compared leaf color using Hunter's a value, the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi and Japan Enshi increased green color in baby leaf vegetables, while the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce increased red color. Total phenolic content of romaine lettuce was highest in the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi, but tat soi, beet, and red radish showed no significant differences among nutrient solutions in total phenolic contents. From these results, we suggest that using the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi can enhance the growth and quality of romaine lettuce and the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce is appropriate for enhancing the growth and red color of beet and red radish in plant factory.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.628-635
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• 2014

The large amount of $CO_2$ emitted from mushrooms during incubation and developmental stages can be utilized in plant production systems as a $CO_2$ source. The objectives of this study were to measure the $CO_2$ emission and absorption rates of mushroom and lettuce, respectively, and to analyze the $CO_2$ concentrations at various ratios of mushroom and lettuce in a closed production system. The $CO_2$ emission rate of king oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii ( DC.) Qu$\acute{e}$l) and $CO_2$ absorption rate of lettuces (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Asia Heuk Romaine) were measured by using two closed acryl chambers ($1.0m{\times}0.8m{\times}0.5m$) in which indoor temperatures were maintained at $18^{\circ}C$ and $22^{\circ}C$, respectively. The lettuce was grown at a light intensity of PPF $340mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and with nutrient solution at EC $1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The air was periodically circulated between the two chambers using a diaphragm pump. The $CO_2$ emission rate of the mushroom increased until the $15^{th}$ day after scratching (DAS) and then decreased. The rate also increased with increased indoor temperature. In particular, the $CO_2$ emission rate per fresh weight of fruit body increased by about 3.1 times after thinning compared to before thinning. In terms of $CO_2$ balance, the $CO_2$ emission rates from a bottle (950 mL) of the mushroom at 9, 12, and 14 DAS were equivalent to those of 3, 4.5, and 5.5 lettuce plants at 7, 10, and 12 DAT (days after transplanting), respectively. This work shows that balance in $CO_2$ concentration could be achieved using an appropriate ratio of the two crops in a closed production system.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2016

The measurement of total fresh weight of plants provides an essential indicator of crop growth for monitoring production. To measure fresh weight without damaging the vegetation, image-based methods have been developed, but they have limitations. In addition, the total plant fresh weight is difficult to measure directly in hydroponic cultivation systems because of the amount of nutrient solution. This study aimed to develop a real-time, precise method to measure the total fresh weight of Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Asia Heuk Romaine) with growth stage in a plant factory using a nutrient film technique. The total weight of the channel, amount of residual nutrient solution in the channel, and fresh shoot and root weights of the plants were measured every 7 days after transplanting. The initial weight of the channel during nutrient solution supply (Wi) and its weight change per second just after the nutrient solution supply stopped were also measured. When no more draining occurred, the final weight of the channel (Ws) and the amount of residual nutrient solution in the channel were measured. The time constant (${\tau}$) was calculated by considering the transient values of Wi and Ws. The relationship of Wi, Ws, ${\tau}$, and fresh weight was quantitatively analyzed. After the nutrient solution supply stopped, the change in the channel weight exponentially decreased. The nutrient solution in the channel slowly drained as the root weight in the channel increased. Large differences were observed between the actual fresh weight of the plant and the predicted value because the channel included residual nutrient solution. These differences were difficult to predict with growth stage but a model with the time constant showed the highest accuracy. The real-time fresh weight could be calculated from Wi, Ws, and ${\tau}$ with growth stage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Concentration of nitrogen, one of the major elements, and ratio of two nitrogen forms (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-) in the nutrient solution affect the quality and food safety of fresh vegetable produce. This study was conducted to find an appropriate strength and NH₄⁺:NO₃^- ratio of a nutrient solution for growth and development of a Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longiflora) 'Caesar Green', a representative leafy vegetable, grown in a home hydroponic system. In the first experiment, plants were grown using three types of nutrient solution: A commercial nutrient solution (Peters) and two strengths (GNU1 and GNU2) of a multipurpose nutrient solution (GNU solution) developed in a Gyeongsang National University lab. Plants grown with the GNU1 and GNU2 had greater shoot length, leaf length and width, and biomass yield than Peters. On the other hand, the root hairs of plants grown with Peters were short and dark in color. Tissue NH₄⁺ content in the Peters was higher than that of the GNU1 and GNU2. The higher contents of NH₄⁺ in this solution may have caused ammonium toxicity. In the second experiment, eight treatment solutions, combining GNU1 and GNU2 solutions with four ratios of NO₃^- :NH₄⁺ named as 1, 2, 3 and 4 were used. Both experiments showed more growth in the GNU2 group, which had a relatively low ionic strength of the nutrient solution. The growth of Romaine lettuce showed the greatest fresh weight along with low tissue NO₃^- content in the GNU2-2. This was more advantageous in terms of food safety in that it suppressed the accumulation of surplus NO₃^- in tissues due to the low ionic trength of the GNU2 subgroup. In addition, this is preferable in that it can reduce the absolute amount of the input of inorganic nutrients to the nutrient solution.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2021

This study was conducted to compare the quality of baby leaves grown under several temperature conditions and the storage properties of MA storage for romaine lettuce. It was grown for 5 weeks under an artificial light source (200 µmol·m^-2·s^-1) in a chamber at 21℃, 28℃, and 35℃. The growth and quality of red romaine lettuce that grown in different temperatures were investigated at the end of cultivation, and the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene concentrations in the 20,000 cc OTR film and perforated film packed with lettuces were measured for 36 and 12 days, respectively. The red romaine lettuce baby leaf was examined for color, chlorophyll, and visual quality at the end of storage. The maximum quantum yield of baby leaf grown in different temperatures at 7days before the harvest was higher at 21℃ and 28℃ growth temperature treatments. On harvest day, the leaf length measured was longest at 28℃, and the leaf width was wider at 21℃ and 28℃, and the number of leaves was similar to 5-6 at all cultivation temperatures. Leaf weight, root weight, and dry weight were found to be higher at 21℃, and tended to decrease as the cultivation temperature increased. The concentration of ethylene in the film of the MA storage treatments was maintained at 1~2 µL·L^-1 until the end of storage in all treatments regardless of the cultivation temperature. Oxygen concentration in the MA treatment used 20,000 OTR film was maintained at around 19.5%, and carbon dioxide concentration around 1% that was satisfied the CA conditions. Both Hunter a^* and b^* values were generally higher in the MA storage treatment at the end of storage day. The chlorophyll content was decreased as the cultivation temperature increased, and was lower in the MA storage treatment than in the perforated film treatment. Visual quality was 3 points or higher in the MA storage treatment at 21℃ growth treatment, and it was maintained marketability. As the above results, the growth of baby leaves of romaine lettuce was the best at 21℃ treatment, and the lower the cultivation temperature, the longer the shelf life. And it was possible to extend the shelf life by 3 times by showing excellent visual quality at the MA storage treatment that satisfies the carbon dioxide concentration of CA condition until the end of storage day.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2021

This study attempted to find a way to maintain the quality of mixing baby wild leaf vegetables with existing baby leaf vegetables in various ratios. The crops for mixing baby leaf vegetables were Peucedanum japoincum Thunberg and Ligularia stenocephala, as wild vegetables, and red romaine, which is widely used in young leafy vegetables. The mixing ratio of red romaine and wild vegetables was red romaine 0: mantilla oil 5: L. stenocephala ratio 5 (R0: P5: L5), red romaine 3.3: P. japoincum 3.3: L. stenocephala ratio 3.3 (R3.3: P3.3: L3.3), red romaine 5: P. japoincum 2.5: L. stenocephala 2.5 (R5: P2.5: L2.5), red romaine 8: P. japoincum 1: L. stenocephala 1 (R8: P1: L1), red romaine 10: P. japoincum 0: L. stenocephala 0 (R10: P0: L0). All treatments were packaged in OTR (oxygen transmittance) 10,000 cc m-2·day-1·atm-1 film and stored for 27 days at 2℃/85% RH conditions. Fresh weight, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and ethylene concentrations of the baby leaf packages were examined approximately every 3 days, and visual quality, chlorophyll content, and chromaticity were examined on the 27th day of storage. The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in the packages were affected by the respiration rate of the crop. As the mixing ratio of lettuce, which had a low respiration rate, increased, the oxygen concentration in the packages was higher and the carbon dioxide concentration was lower. Oxygen concentration decreased significantly after 15 days, but was remained above 16%, and on the contrary, carbon dioxide concentration was kept at 1-4% until the 15th, and then gradually increased to 2-5% on the 27th day. The concentration of ethylene was maintained at 3-6 µL·L-1 until the end of storage (27th day). Visual quality score measured at the end of storage was slightly less than 3.0, which is the limit of marketability of all treatments. Although there was no significant difference, the chlorophyll content (SPAD) of red romaine and P. japoincum were most similar with an initial value in R8:P1:1 treatment, and L. stenocephala was higher value in R8:P1:L1 and R5:P2.5:L2.5 treatments at the end of storage. The leaf color (L∗, a∗, b∗, chroma) of the three crops at end of storage compared with the heat map showed the least change in the R5:P2.5:L2.5 and R8:P1:L1 treatments at the end of storage. Among them, R8:P1:L1 treatment maintained the highest chlorophyll content, the second lowest ethylene concentration, and adequate carbon dioxide concentration of 2-3%. Therefore, it is judged that the mixed ratio of red romaine 8: P. japoincum 1: L. stenocephala 1 (R8: P1: L1) is most suitable for the mixed package of baby leaf vegetables of these three crops.