Functional Substance MMSC Extraction Technology Near Completion at Gunsan Kkokkoma Cabbage Farm

Continued Food Development Consultations at Food Companies Raise Expectations for High-Value Industries

Photo by Gunsan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] Gunsan City, Jeonbuk Province, is on the verge of developing a technology to extract MMSC (Methyl Methionine Sulfonium Chloride) from Kkokkoma Yangbaechu (baby cabbage).

On the 21st, the city announced that the development of the extraction technology for MMSC, a functional substance in Kkokkoma Yangbaechu, which is being cultivated as a new income crop, is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed next month.

The city has been investing 60 million KRW from the Jeonbuk-type Future Innovation Food Technology Development Support Project of the Jeonbuk Biological Industry Promotion Agency since April in the MMSC extraction technology development project jointly promoted by Sambuja Company, which produces and distributes Kkokkoma Yangbaechu, and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Jeonju University.

As the technology development is now entering its final stage, inquiries from related companies producing food materials and pharmaceutical raw materials are continuing.

A representative from company D, which produces food materials, stated, “A specific Japanese product using MMSC is estimated to sell about 10 billion KRW annually in the domestic market alone,” and added, “If MMSC extraction technology is developed domestically, the material industry is expected to have a market size of about 3 billion KRW annually, and the food and pharmaceutical industries using the material could reach about 30 billion KRW annually.” They also expressed their intention to participate in the project.

The MMSC component, also known as Vitamin U, is known to protect the gastric mucosa, promote digestion, and relieve indigestion, thus aiding healthy stomach activity. It is reported that Kkokkoma Yangbaechu contains about 1.6 times more MMSC than regular cabbage.

Kim Mijeong, head of the Technology Extension Division, said, “If the industry develops not only the cultivation of Kkokkoma Yangbaechu but also food and pharmaceutical products using the MMSC component, it will create a high value-added business that will greatly help increase farmers’ income,” adding, “This will open a path for Gunsan farmers to earn stable high income through Kkokkoma Yangbaechu cultivation.”

Meanwhile, the development of processed foods such as soups, digestive drinks, and juices using Gunsan Kkokkoma Yangbaechu is also actively underway. Since last month, Kkokkoma Yangbaechu porridge made in powder stick form has started selling online, gaining popularity as a meal replacement or health food, and is planned to be sold offline as well.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.