Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum as a Starter on the Food Quality and Microbiota of Kimchi

Lactobacillus plantarum has been reported to be responsible for acid increase at the later stage of kimchi fermentation and considered not inappropriate as a starter of kimchi. If functional L. plantarum strain can survive in large quantity in kimchi during fermentation, it may endow new functionality to kimchi. After 12 day fermentation at 4 degrees C, L. plantarum. Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Weissella cibaria. Weissella confusa, and Lactobacillus sakei were the most prevalent ones in kimchi without a starter. In kimchi with a starter, L. plantarum was detected from the 1 day fermentation and throughout 25 day fermentation. There was no difference in pH between 2 kinds of kimchi. The acid content after the 21 day increased more in kimchi with starter when most kimchi is consumed before this time. Survival of a starter strain throughout the whole fermentation suggested the possible use of various functional lactic acid-producing bacterias (LABs) to kimchi endowing a new beneficial function to kimchi.