Effects of Adding Oyster Crassostrea gigas Shell Powder on the Food Quality of Chinese Cabbage Kimchi

【This study investigated the effects of adding oyster shell powder (OSP) from Crassostrea gigas on the food quality of Chinese cabbage Kimchi (CCK). We monitored the changes in microbial levels, pH, acidity and sensory evaluation during the fermentation of CCK treated with various contents of OSP. The microbial assay showed that adding OSP to CCK inhibited the growth of viable cells, total coliforms, and lactic acid bacteria, with the greatest growth inhibition against lactic acid bacteria over the fermentation period. After fermentation for 18 days, the lactic acid bacterial counts in CCK treated with OSP (0.3%, 0.5% and 1%) were at least 1 log CFU/g lower than those of control CCK. In addition, the pH and acidity of CCK treated with OSP were lower than in control CCK over the fermentation period. The overall sensory evaluation of CCK with 0.3% OSP was better than that of control CCK after fermentation for 24 days. In conclusion, OSP treatment, especially 0.3% OSP, enhances the food quality and extends the self-life of CCK, while minimizing the detrimental effects on its sensory characteristics.】