South Korea is promoting digital healthcare services in the public sector. One notable initiative is the “artificial intelligence and the internet of things (AI–IoT)-based healthcare project for senior citizens”, which was implemented by the Korea Health Promotion Institute (KHPI). This project utilized an IoT-based digital healthcare service that integrates information technology and screen-based AI speaker functions. Services through this project are intended for senior citizens aged 65 years (or older) who face challenges in visiting public healthcare institutions owing to limitations on outdoor activities, especially in the post-coronavirus 2019 era. This article shares the recent outcomes of this project and outlines the mid-to-long-term development strategies for this style of South Korean digital healthcare initiatives.

This study evaluated the quality characteristics of semi-dried noodles prepared with various dry rice flours (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in order to develop the most preferred noodle recipe and to increase rice consumption. Amylography measured the viscosity of composite dry rice flour-wheat flour and indicated that the gelatinization point and maximum viscosity decreased as the level of dry rice flour increased. Both L and a values for cooked noodle significantly increased as the dry rice flour increased; however the L value decreased for uncooked of noodles. Weight, volume and water absorption of cooked semi-dried noodles significantly decreased as the dry rice flour increased; however the turbidity of soup increased. Texture properties such as hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness decreased as the level of dry rice flour increased. As the amount of rice flour added increased, large particles of gluten were reduced while smaller particles of starch increased by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The color, taste, and overall preference of 75% noodles were the highest in the sensory characteristics. The results, showed that the addition of dry rice flour positively affects the overall sensory characteristics of semi-dried noodle with 75% representing the optimal level for addition.

The physicochemical properties of traditional kochujang added with naked oat flours (0, 5, 10, 15%) were periodically examined during fermentation for 20 weeks at 25°C(± 2 °C). The proximate composition of roasted naked oat flours were as follows: water 0.67%, ash 1.63%, fat 10.37%, protein 13.63%, carbohydrates 73.70%. The water contents of traditional kochujang added with naked oat flours decreased gradually according to the addition level. The pH of traditional kochujang added with naked oat flours increased according to the added level, whereas pH decreased gradually during fermentation. The acidity was opposite to pH. The L (lightness), a (redness) and b (yellowness)-values of samples increased according to the amount of added naked oat flours, whereas they decreased gradually during fermentation. The salinity and sweetness of samples decreased according to the amount of added naked oat flours. Amino acid composition of traditional kochujang added with naked oat flours was higher than that of the control during fermentation. Aspartic acid, alanine, leucine, and arginine were high in the case of traditional kochujang added with 0% naked oat flours, and aspartic acid, leucine, alanine, proline. And arginine were high in the case of traditional kochujang added with 15% naked oat flours. The dietary fiber content was 5.38g/100g in the case of 0% addition and 5.75g/100g in the case of 15% addition. As a result of the above results, it was found that the physicochemical properties of traditional kochujang added with naked oat flours could be improved, and the possibility of developing a traditional kochujang beneficial to health was confirmed.