• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

This study evaluated the baby-leaf growth, leaf red color intensity, and phytochemical compounds, such as total phenols and total flavonoids using domestic Amaranthus accessions, to select promising germplasm for the use of baby-leaf vegetable. The 39 accessions, upper 15% of 262 Amaranthus germplasm collection showing high red color intensity in baby-leaf, measured as Hunter's a value, were primarily selected. The eleven accessions including IT199970, showing stable red color intensity in baby-leaf both in high-temperature and low temperature cultivation, were finally selected as promising germplasm for the use of baby-leaf vegetable Amaranthus. The leaf red color intensities when they were cultivated at low temperature period were generally higher than those at low temperature period, and all the eleven selected germplasm, including four Amaranthus sub-species and five unknown species, showed stable red color expression in baby-leaf. The total phenol and total flavonoid contents were also presented for finally selected germplasm including their baby-leaf fresh weights. These finally selected germplasm could be potentially used as baby-leaf vegetable resources, through fortifying the color balance of salad vegetable.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2012

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of brushing treatment during cultivation on the postharvest quality of the baby leaf vegetable, specifically tah tasai Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. narinosa). The effect of mechanical brushing during cultivation on the postharvest quality was determined in terms of the quality changes in weight loss, gas partial pressure, leaf color, and appearance during storage using a 30-${\mu}m$-thick polypropylene film at $16^{\circ}C$. The brushing treatment included brushing with A4 paper back and forth 50 times a day. The study revealed that the growths on the brushing-treated plant group were less than those on the control group. The structure of the leaf tissue of the brushing-treated plant also tended to be less compact than that of the non-treated plant. The brushing treatment resulted in less growth and denser plant tissues as well as in differences in the gas $O_2$ consumption and $CO_2$ accumulation after packaging. For the gas partial pressure, the $O_2$ consumption and $CO_2$ accumulation of the brushing-treated plant tended to be less than those of the non-treated plant. There were no differences, however, between the brushing-treated plant and control groups in the SPAD value and appearance. The study results also suggested that after packaging, the effects of the brushing treatment during cultivation on the quality of the tah tasai Chinese cabbage baby leaf vegetable was not significant. As such, it is recommended that effective post-harvest methods of improving the product quality of the baby leaf vegetable be further investigated.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2011

The demand of packaged baby leaves has been increased for its convenient use as fresh-cut produce. This investigation was aimed to explore the effects of different sanitizers on the quality parameters of 'Tah Tasai' Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. narinosa) baby leaves. Thirteen days old baby leaves were harvested and washed in tap water (TW), 100 ppm chlorine solution (Cl), 2 ppm ozonated water ($O_3$), 15 ppm chlorine dioxide solution ($ClO_2$) and washing with 0.2% citric acid solution followed by 50% ethanol spray (CA+Et). The samples were then packaged in 50 ${\mu}m$ polyethylene bags and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Off-odor of packaged baby leaves was not detected during storage. There was no significant difference in color parameters among the treatments. Samples treated with $O_3$ showed substantially higher electrolyte leakage throughout the storage. This treatment also rendered a higher accumulation of $CO_2$ in the packages. Samples treated with Cl and CA+Et maintained good overall visual quality with higher scores compared to that of $O_3$ and $ClO_2$. Although Cl treatment showed lower number of total aerobic count at the beginning of storage, citric acid in combination with ethanol treatment was more effective until the end of storage. The combined treatment also showed comparatively lower coliform plate count. This result indicates that citric acid wash followed by ethanol spray could be an alternative to chlorine for environment friendly sanitization of baby leaves.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

The effect of the packing methods for enhancing the shelf life and improving the postharvest quality of the $tah$ $tasai$ Chinese cabbage baby leaf vegetable was studied during storage. Fresh baby leaf vegetables were packed in four commercial packaging types: (1) a non-perforated bag with a 0.03-mm oriented polypropylene (OPP) film; (2) a perforated bag with 1.0-mm-diameter holes on an OPP film; (3) a 0.40-mm polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container with a hinged lid; and (4) an expanded polystyrene (EPS) tray wrapped with a 0.02-mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. The quality parameters, such as the weight loss, moisture content change, color difference, and appearance of the baby leaf vegetables were investigated. The baby leaf vegetables in the PET container and in the non-perforated OPP film bag showed relatively low weight loss, high moisture content, and good external appearance compared to those in the EPS tray and in the perforated OPP film bag during limited storage periods, at $16^{\circ}C$. The PET container also protected the baby leaf vegetables from physical damage. The study results will enable the selection of a better packaging system for extending the freshness and increasing the market ability of baby leaf vegetables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.380-389
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between intake experience of mother's milk intake/baby food intake, present eating habits, and atopy symptoms in elementary school students in Chungnam province. More frequent intake of mother's milk was associated with less atopy symptoms. Subjects who had good attitudes for baby food in the past had less unfavorite foods. In addition, subjects that ate fruits and vegetable-baby food had better eating attitudes for a balanced diet. Unbalanced diet was associated with worse behavior characteristics. Frequency of eating breakfast affected behavioral characteristics. As this study had regional and size limitations, it is necessary to further investigate the relationship between past intake experience of mother's milk/attitude towards baby foods and present eating habits/physical growth. Based on these results, past intake experience of mother's milk/attitude towards baby foods might affect present physical growth/development and eating habits of subjects.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate hazardous microorganisms in mixed baby leafy vegetables and various baby leafy vegetables used as raw materials for fresh-cut produce in spring and summer. To estimate microbial loads, a total of 298 samples including 181 samples of mixed baby leafy vegetables purchased in a Korean market and 117 samples of various baby leafy vegetables from distribution companies were collected. Fecal indicators (coliform and Escherichia coli) as well as food-borne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) were enumerated. As a result, the mixed baby leafy vegetable samples showed significantly higher (P<0.05) coliform bacteria numbers in summer (5.59±1.18 log CFU/g) compared to spring (3.60±2.53 log CFU/g). E. coli was detected in 1.3% (1/79) and 42.2% (43/102) of samples collected in spring and summer, respectively. Only one sample collected from a market in spring was contaminated with S. aureus. In the experiment with baby leafy vegetables, the number of coliforms detected in baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil in spring was 1.15±1.95 log CFU/g, and that in summer was 4.09±2.52 log CFU/g. However, the number of coliforms recovered from baby leafy vegetables cultivated in media was above 5.0 log CFU/g regardless of season. Occurrences of E. coli were 44.4% (12/27) and 19.0% (4/21) for baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil and media, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results are in relation to microbial loads on mixed baby leafy vegetables associated with raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement hygienic practices at baby leafy vegetable farms to enhance the safety of fresh produce.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.549-565
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics and functional materials of baby vegetables as affected by different LEDs and luminous intensity at Anseongsi, Gyeonggi Province, in 2014. Test crops were beet, chicory, spinach, red leaf lettuce, crown daisy and red mustard purchased from the seed company of Dongbu Hannong and Jinheung. Growth characteristics were measured and the content of functional materials was analyzed 40 days after seeding at plug plate. Treatment of Red+Blue (4:1) at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity showed the highest number of leaves in five baby vegetables of beet, chicory, red leaf lettuce, crown daisy and red mustard. The highest shoot length of chicory, spinach, red leaf lettuce, crown daisy and red mustard was obtained from the treatment of Red+Blue (4:1) at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity. Fresh weight and dry weight of all six baby vegetables were the highest in treatment of Red+Blue (4:1) at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity. Content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b of spinach, red leaf lettuce and red mustard showed the highest in Fluorescent lamp at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity whereas other crops did not show definite trend under different LEDs lights and luminous intensity. The highest total content of anthocyanins and polyphenol were obtained from the treatment of Red+Blue (4:1) at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity in all six baby vegetables. Free radical scavenging activity was highest in all six vegetable crops at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity, but it was not different significantly between LEDs. As a result, the growth and the content of functional material of baby vegetables are generally to be increased in Red+Blue (4:1) at $150{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ luminous intensity. Mixed light of Red+Blue is thought to give good effect on the growth and the content of functional material in baby vegetable crops. Because there are many differences in regard of LED lights, crop varieties, cultivation and experimental methods in their impact on the growth and functional materials of baby vegetables among researchers, it is considered that a more precise studies are needed for the crop responses to LED light and luminous intensity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) on calcium absorption and to confirm the synergistic effects of fructooligosaccharide on calcium absorption. Male SD rats were fed 6 kinds of casein based diets containing vegetable oil (control), sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) and Sn2PA with fructooligosaccharide(Sn2PAFO) in two levels of calcium (normal 0.5% and high 1.0%) for 3 weeks. Total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and calcium in blood were measured. Feces were collected using cages for 4 days. Serum concentrations of total lipids and calcium were not significantly different among groups. However, serum triglyceride was significantly decreased by fructooligosaccharide supplementation regardless of dietary calcium level. The lipid absorption was not significantly different among experimental groups. Calcium absorption was significantly higher in Sn2PAFO group than other groups. Calcium solubility of intestine was increased by sn-2 palmitic acid supplementation. These results suggest that sn-2 palmitic acid and fructooligosaccharide supplementation could be beneficial for baby foods including infant formula, with regard to increasing absorption of calcium by more soluble calcium in the small intestinal content.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2006

The common recognition which the organic baby foods is compared as safe to baby does not mean there is especially plentiful nutrition in organic product. Because the mineral content of agricultural products is partly influenced by the soil quality, chemical fertilizer may change the mineral contents of the products. In that case, it may result in the possibility of the change of the contents of the agricultural vegetable products. However, the contents and the compositions of vitamin, carbohydrate, protein and fatty acids does not change largely from their original nutrition facts of the organic foods. The most advantage of organic baby foods seems to protect the agricultural products from the possibility of chemical contamination. It must be the most strong desire of all the consumers to provide and to nurse their babies with the high quality of baby foods made from organic food materials which are safe, reliable and healthier. That would also be a sincerely good way for the environment and ecosystem of the world.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.699-704
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• 2009

Commercially produced 'baby leaves' of Brassica campestris var. narinosa (Chinese cabbage) were used in the present study. Baby leaf vegetables were sown on 128 cell plug trays and harvested 30 days after sowing. For mechanical stress experiments, seedlings were thinned to three per cell, selected for uniformity, and watered at the base. Trays were treated with mechanical stress by stroking back and forth 50 times, using a sheet of A4 paper folded to double thickness. Plants were treated between 12:00 and 14:00 daily for 15-20 days. Harvested baby leaf vegetables were packed in MAP salad bags made of P-plus film, $50{\mu}m$ polypropylene (PP) film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) boxes. Fresh weight was well-maintained under P-plus and PP film on storage at $8^{\circ}C$. However, loss of fresh weight occurred quickly in PET boxes, and vegetable quality deteriorated rapidly. Stressed leaves were smaller but thicker, with an increased dry weight ratio. We thus suggest that P-plus or PP film is most appropriate packing for marketing of baby leaf vegetables, which should be stored at $8^{\circ}C$. Our data on baby leaf vegetables also make a significant new contribution in that we demonstrate a positive effect of stress touching on baby leaf processability.