낮은 염 농도로 절임배추를 제조하고자 본 실험을 실시하였다. 전통적인 누름 방식, 감압처리 및 증기 투과 후 절임한 배추 처리구를 각각 제조하여 조직 강도 및 염도를 측정한 결과, 누름방식과 감압절임은 그 세기가 클수록 삼투현상이 상대적으로 활발해져 기계적 조직 강도가 증가함에 따라 배추 겉 표면의 뚫림 시간이 증가하였으며, 증기처리의 경우 100$^{circ}C$에서 1분 투과 시 절임이 활성화되는 것으로 확인되었다. 그리하여 15$^{circ}C$ 저장환경에서 배추와 천일염 6% 염수를 1:1.5 비율로 혼합하여 6시간 절임 시 1.35 $kg{cdot}f/cm^2$의 힘을 가하거나, 250 mmHg로 감압 또는 100$^{circ}C$에서 1분간 증기 처리한 후 절임하면 절임배추를 제조할 수 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 실험결과에 따라 염 첨가량과 절임시간을 낮춰 조절하면 저염 절임이 활성화될 수 있을 것이다.
This study analyzed changes in the texture and salt content of Chinese cabbage after salting using different methods to determine the effects of low salt brining. To verify the possibility of brining under low salt concentration, Chinese cabbage was salted with 1%, 2%, 6%, and 10% salt solutions by pressing, pressure reduction, or steaming. After salting, the firmness (g, determined using the puncture test) of the Chinese cabbage changed according to the brining methods used, however, an increasing trend in rigidity was observed as the salinity increased. Because the power applied during pressing or pressure reduction treatments is higher, the firmness of and penetration time on the surface of the brined Chinese cabbages after these treatments increased more in the 6% salt solution cabbage. Additionally, the Chinese cabbages treated with steam showed significantly higher firmness and penetration time than those treated by pressing and pressure reduction. As a result of pressing the 6% salt concentrated cabbage with 1.35 $kg{cdot}f/cm^2$, a pressure reduction from 250 mmHg, and steaming at 100$^{circ}C$ for 1 min, the cabbage had roughly 2% of the salt concentration, ultimately. These physical treatments of pressing, pressure reduction, and steaming could be used as new methods for preparing salted Chinese cabbage with low salt concentrations for general use.
