earticle

영어

Calcium hydroxide (CH) reacts with CO2 to produce moisture, and sodium carbonate (SC) reacts with CO2 in the presence of moisture. Using these different characteristics of these two reactants, a CH/SC mixture of CO2 absorber tuned for kimchi ripening to produce CO2 in a flexible package was selected. A ratio of CH:SC (1:2) in highly gas permeable microporous spunbonded film (Tyvek) sachet was found to be appropriate for delayed and consistent CO2 absorption useful for kimchi package. Addition of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) as moisture buffer was helpful for boosting the consistency of CO2 absorption. In a package of 0.5 kg kimchi at 10oC, the sachet consisting of 0.794 g of CH + 2.276 g of SC + 0.4 g of SAP suppressed its volume expansion and maintained a suitable range of CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) steadily inside. These optimal conditions may vary depending on the type and salinity of kimchi, storage and distribution temperature, and the material and area of the absorber sachet. This study showed a potential of mixture CO2 absorber to be tuned for CO2 producing packaged kimchi for the purpose of keeping consistent PCO2 at tolerable volume expansion.