Earticle

The recognition rate of RFID system is made a big difference by the selection of tag type and performance of reader, packing materials and the attachment location of tag and the recognition of angle according to the above factors. Water content is the most effective factor among the various elements that affected to the recognition of RFID as the center. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the RFID recognition rate per water content, the distance recognition rate of RFID tag, the RFID tag and the recognition rate by contact area. In analysis of recognition rate according to water content, 100% of recognition was possible when food product contained 0~25% moisture. However, when water content was over than 30%, recognition rate was declined less than 95%. The recognition rate between RFID tag according to water content was higher when distance was over than 0.3 cm. In the recognition rate about the contact area of RFID tag according to water content, the recognition rate was declined when the contact area becomes wider.

To identify applicability for packaging material of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/boric acid (BA) coating solution with highly-enhanced water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, the PET/PVA-BA/OPP multi- layer films were prepared through comma coating and lamination process. The oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, and tensile strength of asprepared multi-layer films were investigated before and after pressure cooker test (PCT). Although oxygen and water vapor permeabilites, and mechanical properties of PET/PVA-BA/OPP multi-layer films was decreased after PCT, their properties were highly enhanced as increase of BA contents in PVA matrix. This is strongly related with enhanced cross-linking density in PVA-BA layer. In storage test of seasoned-laver, the PET/PVA-BA/OPP multi-layer films were comparatively effective to suppress the increase in peroxide value originating from oxidation of seasoned-laver. Comparing the commercially available PP/Al-metallized PP for seasoned-laver packaging, however, PET/PVA-BA/OPP multi- layer films did not show any advantage in water activity. This is due to higher water vapor permeation properties of as- prepared multi-layer films. Therefore, further studies are required to enhance the water vapor permeation in PET/PVA- BA/OPP multi-layer films.

In order to confirm European packaging waste statistics, this study was investigated annual variability of packaging waste generated, target of recovery and recycling rate for packaging waste and recycling rate of European countries based on Eurostat database. Eurostat is regional society statistics organization designated by European community to distribute development, production and European statistics. From 2005 to 2013, paper and paperboard packaging were generated the largest amount among the total amount of packaging waste generated during the period and the share of main packaging materials were generally constant among the packaging materials. In addition, European Union member countries have established target for the recycling rate and recycling rate for packaging waste which has been well maintained by most EU countries since the 2008 directive was enacted. The recycling rate for whole packaging waste such as glass, paper and paperboard, metal, plastic, wood continues to increase in Europe. In this study, Europe packaging waste statistics were organized and analyzed as yearly transformation of Europe packaging waste occurrence and disposal, recycling rate and recovery rate target value of Europe countries and recycling rate of each country in Europe base on centralized Eurostat database. Moreover GDP reduction were also confirmed due to trend changes and indirect impacts such as economic slump by packaging waste and recycling.

In order to determine the relationship between water content and flower qualities of oriental hybrid lily cv. ‘Siberia’ cut flower, flowers were subjected to dry and cold storage at 5oC for 3, 6, and 12 days and subsequently exposed to ambient temperature (26oC) in bottles with water for up to 16 days. Flowers stored at 22oC in dry condition for 3 days were used as the control. Changes in fresh weight, moisture content, water balance, flowering stages, osmolality and vase life of cut flowers were observed. Flowers treated with cold and dry storage had higher moisture content compared to control sample. However, this trend was evident only for 3-day cold and dry stored sample during the whole storage period. The fresh weight of cut flowers increased gradually when the samples were transferred to ambient temperature in water bottles and then declined steadily before reaching the peak in between 6-8 days of vase life. However, the changes of fresh weight of control sample were substantially faster than samples pre-treated with cold and dry storage. This was also correlated with the water balance of cut flower as it reached the minus (-) value in 6-8 days of vase life at ambient temperature. Cut lily flowers showed high osmolality values corresponding with the duration of dry storage regardless of low or higher temperature. However, osmolality had no effect on vase life since flower stem absorbed water rapidly at the end of dry storage period. Our vase life results suggest that cold and dry storage of lily cut flowers for a certain period could ensure longer vase life at ambient temperature. It was observed that prolonging the storage period at cold and dry condition for more than a week significantly increased bud abortion, reduced longevity of flowers and reduced the vase life of cut flowers. On the other hand, the shorter cold and dry storage treatment delayed the bud opening and senescence of the flowers, thus, slowering the normal maturation and aging. Results indicated that dry and cold storage at 5oC for 3 days was effective in maintaining and preserving overall quality and vase life at ambient condition of oriental hybrid lily cut flowers.

To visually identify the spoilage of chicken breasts, a three layered freshness indicator consisting of PET/bromocresol green (BCG)-ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-acetic acid (AA) composite layer/porous substrates was successfully prepared and their performance were simulated at 20% of CO2 and 4 different trimethylamine (TMA) concentrations to evaluate color change at minimal spoilage level. The visibility and range of color changes of the as-prepared indicators responding to TMA concentration as a simulant were strongly dependent on the concentrations of BCG and AA. As the BCG content increased, the visibility of color change in the freshness indicators was apparently improved and the range of color change could be controlled by contents of AA. Among the as-prepared freshness indicators, ‘G0.12_A0.5’ which consisting 0.12g of BCG and 0.5g of AA was selected as an optimum composition due to the highest visibility at TMA 20 mg% corresponding to the minimal spoilage level. The color of the indicator changed from yellow to green for spoilage indication of chicken breast, which could be easily seen with the naked eyes and well consistent with the simulation results. It is expected that our developed freshness indicator can be useful in monitoring various food freshness and quality.

In this study we surveyed the preferences of consumer packaging for mini pot flower plants to improve the flower market application in Korea. The surveys were consisted of the consumers residing in Seoul metropolitan (221), Gyeonsang (70), Jeonla (29), Chungceong (19), Gangwon (7), other provinces (3). A total of 349 eligible respondents (male 173, female 176) were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire asking on the general characteristics for residents, packaging material, packaging design, type of flower pot, degree of transparency, convenience, consumer’s demand for packaging development, a significant point when purchasing the flower pot product. The collected date was analyzed using a chi-square (χ 2) statistical test in SPSS program. Most residents prefer for mini pot flower plants packed with packaging characteristics of plastic material (56.4%), packaging design of separated type (76.2%), angled type (62.5%), and transparency (48.6%). The other question results showed that major consumer’s demand for mini pot flower plants is maintaining the freshness quality and stability structure for them. Transparency of packaging can also affect directly the preferences for purchasing the mini pot flower plants. The packaging structure with a proper shape design may protect the fresh mini pot flower plants from shock or any other damage during distribution. The results of this study help to provide consumer’s demand for packaging development and to give the greatest advantages in terms of production and marketability of mini pot flower plants.