• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2011

This study was performed to assess the microbiological quality and potential health risk of fresh-cut produce and organic vegetables sampled from supermarkets and department stores in Korea. A total of 96 samples comprised three types of fresh-cut produce (sprouts, mixed-vegetables, fruit) and three types of organic vegetables (lettuce, perilla leaf, green pepper). The samples were analyzed for total viable cell counts, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. The microbiological counts of fruit were very low. Sprouts were highly contaminated by total viable cell counts ($8.3{\pm}0.57$ log CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae ($7.1{\pm}0.76$ log CFU/g), and coliforms ($4.9{\pm}0.40$ log MPN/g), and showed a high incidence level of B. cereus ($2.9{\pm}0.48$ log CFU/g). Of the fresh-cut produce analyzed, six (13.6%) mixed-vegetable salads were E. coli positive. S. aureus was detected in only one sprout sample and one mixed-vegetable salad, and its contamination levels were under 2 log CFU/g, which is appropriate for Korean standards (<3 log CFU/g) of fresh-cut produce. Of the organic vegetables, lettuces were highly contaminated by total viable cell counts ($6.4{\pm}0.74$ log CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae ($5.7{\pm}0.98$ log CFU/g), and coliforms ($3.7{\pm}1.72$ log MPN/g). Two (13.6%) organic lettuce and one (7.1%) perillar leaf sample were E. coli positive, and S. aureus was detected in one lettuce and two perilla leaf samples. Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any of the fresh-cut produce or organic vegetables analyzed.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to analyze the microclimate and the growth of tomato and lettuce in the greenhouses covered with spectrum conversion films using different phosphor particles sizes. Two spectrum conversion films using phosphor particles larger than $10{\mu}m$ (Micro-film) and smaller than 500 nm (Nano-film) in radius, and poly-ethylene (PE) film were used in double-layered greenhouses as outer coverings. PE films were used as inner coverings in all the greenhouses. Thickness of the films for inner and outer coverings was 0.06 mm. Tensile strength, elongation, and tearing resistance of the Micro- and Nano-films were not different from those of the PE film. Transmittances at a wavelength of 300-1100 nm were a little higher at the Micro-film and lower at the Nano-film than that of the PE film, respectively. Air temperatures at the Micro- and Nano-films were over $2^{\circ}C$ higher than at the PE film, but no significant difference was observed between the two light conversion films. The soil temperature at the Nano-film was $1.5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$ higher than at the Micro- and PE films, respectively. The yields of tomato at the Micro- and Nano-films were 12% and 14% higher than at the PE film, but no significant difference was observed between the two spectrum conversion films. The total soluble solid showed no significant differences among all the films. The yields of lettuces at the Micro- and Nano-films were 27% and 59% higher than at the PE film. Hunter's red (a) value of the lettuce leaf was the highest at the Nano-film. In this experiment, tomatoes requiring high irradiation were better at the Nano film, while lettuce requiring low irradiation better at the Micro film.

• 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.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2015

Effect of packaging and storage methods for enhancing the shelf life and improving the postharvest quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was studied during high temperature period. Lettuces were packed using four packaging and storage types: (A) plastic box container (control); (B) plastic box container covered with high density polyethylene (HDPE) film; (C) plastic box container with lettuce wrapped in linear low-density polyethylene (LLD-PE) film; and (D) plastic box container with lettuce with its stem. The quality parameters, such as fresh weight loss, SPAD value, and appearance of lettuce were investigated. The lettuce wrapped with LLD-PE film inside the plastic box container showed the lowest weight loss, highest SPAD value and best appearance compared to those exposed to the other packaging and storage methods during the three-week storage at $2^{\circ}C$. The results indicate that the marketability of lettuce can be optimized if proper packaging and storing is adopted. Prolonging the freshness even on low temperature storage will increase the potential of its sale ability in the domestic market even during summer season.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.330-338
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the agricultural product (Pulses, Lettuces, Pumpkins, Apples, Pears and Tangerines) in Korea, monitoring of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contaminations of agricultural products in cultivated areas and abandoned mine areas were investigated, and risk assessment was performed through dietary intake of agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: The average contents of Cd and Pb ranged from 0.001 to 0.018 mg/kg and from 0.007 to 0.032 mg/kg respectively. The result was showed that contents of Cd and Pb did not exceed maximum residual levels established by CODEX except pumpkins and apples. The average daily intake were in the range of $1.06{\times}10^{-3}$ to $4.76{\times}10^{-2}{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./day at the mean and 95th percentile for Cd, $4.53{\times}10^{-3}$ to $8.35{\times}10^{-2}{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./day at the mean and 95th percentile for Pb for general population, based on the Korean public nutrition report 2008. The Hazard Index (HI) from the ratio analysis between daily exposure and safety level values was smaller than 1.0. CONCLUSION(s): This results demonstrated that human exposure to Cd and Pb through dietary intake of agricultural produces from abandoned mine areas might not cause adverse effect exceeding to those from non-contaminated areas.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.225-236
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Hydroponics is one of the methods for evaluating plant production using the inorganic nutrient solutions, which is applied under the artificial light conditions of plant factory system. However, the application of the conventional inorganic nutrients for hydroponics caused several environmental problems: waste from culture mediums and high nitrate concentration in plants. Organic nutrients are generally irrigated as a supplementary fertilizer for plant growth promotion under field or greenhouse conditions. Hydroponic culture using organic nutrients derived from the agricultural by-products such as dumped stems, leaves or immature fruits is rarely considered in plant factory system. Effect of organic or conventional inorganic nutrient solutions on the growth and nutrient absorption pattern of green and red leaf lettuces was investigated in this experiment under fluorescent lamps (FL) and mixture Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Single solution of tomatoes (TJ) and kales (K) deriving from agricultural by-products including leaves or stems and its mixed solution (mixture ration 1:1) with conventional inorganic Yamazaki (Y) were supplied for hydroponics under the plant factory system. The Yamazaki solution was considered as a control. 'Jeockchima' and 'Cheongchima' lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa L.) were used as plant materials. The seedlings which developed 2~3 true leaves were grown under the light qualities of FL and mixed LED lights of blue plus red plus white of 1:2:1 mixture in energy ratio for 35 days. Light intensity of the light sources was controlled at 180 μmol/㎡/s on the culture bed. The single and mixture nutrient solutions of organic and/or inorganic components which controlled at 1.5 dS/m EC and 5.8 pH were regularly irrigated by the deep flow technique (DFT) system on the culture gutters. Number of unfolded leaves of the seedlings grown under the single or mixed nutrient solutions were significantly increased compared to the conventional Y treatment. Leaf extension of 'Jeockchima' under the mixture LED radiation condition was not affected by Y and YK or YTJ mixture treatments. SPAD value in 'Jeockchima' leaves exposed by FL under the YK mixture medium was approximately 45 % higher than under conventional Y treatment. Otherwise, the maximum SPAD value in the leaves of 'Cheongchima' seedlings was shown in YK treatment under the mixture LED lights. NO₃-N contents in Y treatment treated with inorganic nutrient at the end of the experiment were up to 75% declined rather than increased over 60 % in the K and TJ organic treatment. CONCLUSION: Growth of the seedlings was affected by the mixture treatments of the organic and inorganic solutions, although similar or lower dry weight was recorded than in the inorganic treatment Y under the plant factory system. Treatment Y containing the highest NO₃-N content among the considered nutrients influenced growth increment of the seedlings comparing to the other nutrients. However effect of the higher NO₃-N content in the seedling growth was different according to the light qualities considered in the experiment as shown in leaf expansion, pigmentation or dry weight promotion under the single or mixed nutrients.

• 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.