Probiotics are foods that supply beneficial bacteria which ease bloating, intestinal gas, may help fight off colds, and improve heart health. A survey of the probiotic preferences of sixteen people was conducted with the results shown in the table below.
kimchi | kimchi | kimchi | sakau |
kimchi | kimchi | daikon | sakau |
kimchi | kimchi | daikon | sakau |
kimchi | kimchi | daikon | miso |
Bacterium | CFU/mL 10⁴ |
---|---|
Clostridium perfringens | 4.3 |
Staphylococcus aureus | 2.9 |
Salmonella typhimurium | 3.6 |
Listeria monocytogenes | 6.3 |
Vibrio parahaemolyticus | 2.0 |
Escherichia coli | 5.2 |
Lactobacillus kimchii | 22.0 |
Bacillus cereus | 6.4 |
According to a study of kimchi reported in Importance of lactic acid bacteria in Asian fermented foods, kimchi starts with the presence of many harmful pathogens. After seven days of fermentation, all of the harmful bacteria have been killed off by the beneficial (good) lactobacillus bacteria usch as L. kimchii. When ingested, L. kimchii has a similar effect in the intestines, killing off harmful bacteria. The table is loosely based on the reported bacteria levels at the start of the kimchi fermentation process. Use the numbers in the CFU/mL 10⁴ column to make the following calculations.
Class upper limits | Frequency F | Rel. Freq. |
---|---|---|
Sums: |
Homemade kimchi is the best! Kimchi photograph courtesy of Gangnam Street Restaurant lunch buffett, Nett, Pohnpei.