• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

To analyze the hazards associated with cucumber and hot pepper cultivation areas, a total of 72 samples were obtained and tested to detect the presence of biological (sanitary indicative, pathogenic bacteria and fungi) and chemical hazards (heavy metals and pesticide residues). The levels of sanitary indicative bacteria (aerobic plate counts and coliforms) and fungi were ND-7.2 and ND-4.8 log CFU/(g, mL, hand, or $100cm^2$) in cucumber cultivation areas, and ND-6.8 and 0.4-5.3 log CFU/(g, mL, hand, or $100cm^2$) in hot pepper cultivation areas. More specifically, the soil of hot pepper cultivation areas was contaminated with coliforms at a maximum level of 5.6 log CFU/g. Staphylococcus aureus was detected only in glove samples at a level of 1.4 log CFU/$100cm^2$ and Bacillus cereus was detected in the majority of samples at a level of ND-4.8 log CFU/(g, mL, hand, or $100cm^2$). Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. were not detected. Heavy metal (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Hg) chemical hazards were detected at levels lower than the regulation limit. Residual insecticides were not detected in cucumbers; however, hexaconazole was detected at a level of 0.016 mg/kg (maximum residue limit: 0.3 mg/kg) in hot peppers.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.85-102
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• 1993

This study was conducted to achieve develop organic sludge recycling technology as sludge make a prey of earthworm. Therefore sludge treatment and recycling technology is an important field by which this research project to solve landfill site and reduction treatment expense using vermicomposting treatment process on the waste sludge from the biological wastewater treatment plant. In experimental results on the optimum conditions of vermicomposting of nightsoil treatment sludge, survival rates were observed 98.3% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 75% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 100% in density of $1/79.8cm^3$, respectively. Liveweight changes of earthworm were increased 266% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 227% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 325 % in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Casting production rate were generated 0.06 g/cap./day in temperature $20-25^{\circ}C$, 0.065 g/cap./day in pH 5.8-7.5 and 0.1 g/cap./day in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Cocoon production numbers were observed 3.8 ea. /cap.in $10-15^{\circ}C$, 2.95 ea./cap.in pH 5.8-7.5 and 3.16 ea./cap. in $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$ during 6 weeks, respectively. pH was droped by 6.2 to 5.7, volatile solids was decreased by 2.9%, $NH_3-N$ were also reduced by $6.984{\mu}g/g$ to $0.991{\mu}g/g$. $NO_3-N$, however, were increased by $3.213{\mu}g/g$ to $7.706{\mu}g/g$. Fecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria are analyzed by microbiological method to assess public health safety of casting. Number of fecal coliform groups were reduced 88.6-99.1% (Avg. 95.7%) approximately. And pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shiegella and Vibrio, were not isolated from the earthworm cast.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.362-371
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• 2016

The distribution patterns of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) and the chemical characteristics of CDOM in the Seomjin river estuary were investigated in March, June and July 2012 in order to determine the spatial and temporal variability of CDOM along the salinity gradient considering the effects of mixing, nutrients and Chl a. The average CDOM values were $1.0{\pm}0.3m^{-1}$, $1.3{\pm}0.4m^{-1}$, and $1.4{\pm}0.3m^{-1}$ in March, June and July, respectively. A high concentration of CDOM (greater than $1.5m^{-1}$) was found at the head of the river which decreased towards the river mouth to as low as less than $0.5m^{-1}$. The average concentrations of CDOM increased from the dry season (March and June) to the wet season (July), and the average slope values ($S_{300-500}$), which were used as indicators of CDOM characteristics and sources, were in the range of $0.013-0.018m^{-1}$. The CDOM and $S_{300-50}$ values showed that not only the concentration of CDOM but also the chemical properties of DOM clearly changed between upstream and downstream in the Seomjin river. CDOM and FDOM showed a negative correlation with salinity ($R^2$ > 0.8), and CDOM was positively correlated with FDOM. Furthermore, the mixing pattern of CDOM was confirmed as conservative for all seasons. The main environmental factors influencing the concentration of CDOM was confirmed as conservative for all seasons. The main environmental factors influencing the concentration of CDOM were salinity (mixing) and water temperature, which meant the dilution of low CDOM seawater, was the controlling factor for the spatial distribution of CDOM. Increases in water temperature seemed to induce the production of CDOM during summer (June and July) through the biological degradation of DOM either by microbial activity or photo-degradation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.750-763
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• 2018

This study conducted 10 sampling sites survey 4 times to determine the trophic structure and energy flow of marine ecosystems for Uljin marine ranching area, Korean East Sea from March to October 2013. Based on the ecological characteristics of biological species, one used the non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling method based on the similarity of species. A total of 19 classified species groups formed categories including, top predators, seabirds, large pelagic fishes, small pelagic fishes, rockfishes, pleuronectiformes, benthic fishes, semi-benthic fishes, cephalopods, benthic feeders, epifauna, bivalves, abalone, Cnidaria, zooplankton, benthic algae, microalgae, phytoplankton and detritus. The biomass, production/biomass, consumption/biomass, diet composition data of each species groups to input data used in Ecopath mode estimated the trophic structure and energy flow of marine ecosystems in the Uljin marine ranching area. One estimated each species groups on the trophic level from 1 to 5.687. The sum of all consumption was estimated at $229.7t/km^2/yr$ and the sum of all exports was as estimated $3,432.4t/km^2/yr$. Total system throughput was at $6,796.2t/km^2/yr$, and the sum of all production was estimated at $3,613.1t/km^2/yr$. Net system production according to these results was estimated at $3,490.3t/km^2/yr$ and total biomass (excluding detritus) was estimated at $167.3t/km^2/yr$ in the Uljin marine ranching area.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2011

Recent outbreak of new diseases and pests which were introduced from abroad, seriously hampered both quality and safety of paprika fruits. This study has been carried out to aid an establishment of guideline for safe use of pesticides and reduction of their residues on paprika. Systemic fungicides boscalid and pyraclostrobin of either mixed (a.i.; 13.6+6.8%) or single (a.i.; 47 and 18.8%, respectively) water dispersible granule formulation(WG) products were sprayed with recommended or double dosage on paprika grown in green house at March and June. To draw pre-harvest residue limit, residues of each fungicide were analyzed from fruits collected eight times from 18 to 1 day pre-harvest. The biological half-lives of both boscalid and pyraclostrobin in mixed formulation in March and June were slightly shorter than those of single formulation which ranged from 14.4 to 20.1 days. Residue levels of both fungicides of single formulation in fruits in June were about one lower compared to those in March. However, application of double dosage frequently exceeded MRLs from fruits grown both seasons. These results showed that residue levels on fruits persisted longer period of time, more than two weeks, and so the case applied in winter season. The dissipation of fungicides on leaves and fruits was compared. The distribution of both fungicides in leaves was 20-200 times higher than that of fruits and persisted up to 18 days of pre-harvest period at the concentration of 10-40 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$. This study indicated that the mixed formulation product exhibited low residues in fruits, but high and long enough to pathogen growth in leaves.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2009

Carnosine is a dipeptide ($\beta$-alanyl-L-histidine) found in mammalian brain, eye, olfactory bulb and skeletal muscle at high concentrations. Its biological functions include antioxidant and anti-glycation activities. The objectives of this study were to investigate anti-diabetic effects of carnosine as determined by blood glucose levels in glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT), insulin level and serum biochemical and lipid levels in male C57BL/6J db/db mice. There were five experimental groups including normal (C57BL/6J), control (vehicle), and three groups of carnosine at doses of 6, 30, and 150 mg/kg b.w. Carnosine was orally administered to the diabetic mice everyday for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in body weight changes in carnosine-treated groups compared to the control. The treatments of carnosine significantly decreased the blood glucose level in the diabetic mice compared with the control (p < 0.05) after 5 weeks. The treatments of carnosine also significantly decreased the blood glucose levels in GTT and ITT and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), compared with the control (p < 0.05). Carnosine at the dose of 6 mg/kg significantly decreased the serum insulin level compared to the control (p < 0.05). Carnosine significantly increased total proteins but significantly decreased lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen compared with the control (p < 0.05). Carnosine also significantly decreased glucose, LDL, and triglyceride in the serum of diabetic mice compared to the control (p < 0.05). These results suggest that carnosine has a hypoglycermic effect resulting from reduction of glucose and lipid levels and that high carnosine-containing diets or drugs may give a benefit for controlling diabetes mellitus in humans.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The possibility of inadvertent introduction of therapeutic gene expressing viral vectors has raised safety concerns about germ-line infection. Particularly, for indications such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer, the proximity of the point of viral administration to organs of the reproductive system raises concerns regarding inadvertent germ-line transmission of genes carried by the virus vector. To evaluate the safety of in vivo adenovirus mediated gene transfer, we explored the biodistribution, persistance and potential germ-line transmission of p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-CMV-p53). Both male and female Balb/c mice were injected with $1{\times}10^9$ PFU of Ad-CMV-p53. The PCR analysis showed that there were detectable vector sequences in liver, kidney, spleen, seminal vesicle, epididymis, prostate, ovary, and uterus. The RT-PCR analysis for detecting inserted gene, p53 showed that Ad-CMV-p53 viral RNA were present in spleen, prostate and ovary. Direct injected male and female mice of adenovirus vector into testis and ovary were mated and their of offspring were evaluated for germ-line transmission of the adenoviral vector. The PCR and RT-PCR analysis showed no evidence of germline transmission, although vector sequences were detected in DNA extracted from gonadal tissues. Real-time PCR result confirmed a significant decrease of adenovirus in gonad tissues 1 week after injection. We have also analysed the cell specific localization of viral DNA in gonad tissues by using in-situ PCR. Positive signals were detected in interstitial tissue but not in seminiferous tubule in sperm. In the case of ovary, adenovirus signal were localized to the stromal tissue, but no follicular signals were observed. Together, these data provide strong evidence that the risk of the Inadvertent germ-line transmission of vector sequences following intraperitoneal or direct injection into genito-urinary system of adenovirus is extremely low.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2015

Vibrio is a genus of Gram-negative, curved, halophilic, and non-spore-forming bacteria. Some of the Vibrio species, such as V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus, often contaminate seafood products and occasionally cause human diseases when the seafood products are ingested. A total of 24 Vibrio strains were isolated from shrimp samples on Thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) media in this study. All of the 24 isolates were confirmed to belong to the genus Vibrio by using 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Vitek 2 system and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were used to further identify a total of 29 Vibrio strains at the species level, including the 24 shrimp Vibrio isolates and five Vibrio reference strains. The specificities of the two methods to identify Vibrio strains at the species level were compared in this study. The species-specific PCR method was designed to detect five different Vibrio species, such as Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio mimicus. From the 24 Vibrio shrimp isolates, the Vitek 2 system method could identify 15 (62.5%) strains as Vibrio species and 7 (29.2%) strains as non-Vibrio species, but could not identify the rest 2 (8.3%) strains. But species-specific PCR method could identify 16 (66.7%) strains as Vibrio species and could not identify the rest 8 (33.3%) strains. Among the 24 Vibrio shrimp strains, these two methods could unanimously identify 7 (7/24, 29.2%) strains (2 V. parahaemolyticus, 4 V. alginolyticus, and 1 V. mimicus). Considering that such different identification results were obtained using the two different methods in this study, identification method for Vibrio species must be carefully chosen.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.418-429
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• 2021

This paper investigates the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics of yanggaeng containing white ginseng and red ginseng extracts and their enzyme hydrolysates that were produced for the purpose of the study. White and red ginseng extracts were hydrolyzed using Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC. Ginsenoside F2 and compound K (CK) were not detected in white and red ginseng before enzymic reaction but were detected in white and red ginseng hydrolyzed through Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC, and the content of CK was the highest in the second enzymic reaction group of red ginseng. Upon preparing yanggaeng containing white and red ginseng before or after enzymatic hydrolysis, the polyphenol content and antioxidant abilities were analyzed. The yanggaeng containing enzyme-hydrolyzed white ginseng and red ginseng showed greater total polyphenol content, superior DPPH radical scavenging activity, superior ABTS radical scavenging activity, and superior FRAP analysis results compared to the yanggaeng that doesn't contain white or red ginseng. As the enzymic reaction was performed in the added white and red ginseng, the antioxidant activity increased significantly (P<0.05). In brightness(L^*), non-additive yanggaeng (control group) was the highest, red ginseng yanggaeng (RG) showed the highest redness(a^*), and the white ginseng yanggaeng (WG) showed the highest yellowness(b^*). In terms of texture, the yanggaeng containing red ginseng with second hydrolysis (RG-T2) showed significantly high results in hardness, springiness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and gumminess (P<0.05). In conclusion, treating white and red ginseng with Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC is very useful in ginsenoside deglycosylation and will produce CK with excellent biological activity. It can also be seen that yanggaeng containing white and red ginseng hydrolyzed with enzymes significantly increase total polyphenol and antioxidant activity compared to the control group (yanggaeng with no added ginseng). These results will be useful as excellent foundational data for the production of functional yanggaeng in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

The effect of sediments in a waste dumping area on marine organisms was evaluated using sediment toxicity tests with a benthic amphipod (Monocorophium acherusicum) and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) in accordance with the Korean Standard Method for Marine Wastes (KSMMW). Nine sites in the East Sea-Byeong, East Sea-Jeong, and Yellow Sea-Byeong areas were sampled from 2016 to 2019. The test results showed that the relative average survival rate (benthic amphipods) and relative luminescence inhibition rate (luminescent bacteria) were below 30%, which were judged to be "non-toxic." However, in the t-test, a total of 12 benthic amphipod samples (6, 1, 1, and 4 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) were significantly different (p<0.05) from the control samples. To identify the source of toxicity on benthic amphipods, a simple linear regression analysis was performed between the levels of eight heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in sediments and the relative average survival rate. The results indicated that Cr had the highest contribution to the toxicity of benthic amphipods (p = 0.000, R2 = 0.355). In addition, Cr was detected at the highest concentration at the DB-85 station and exceeded the Marine Environment Standards every year. Although the sediments were determined as "not toxic" according to the ecotoxicity criteria of the KSMMW, the results of the statistical significance tests and toxicity identification evaluation indicated that the toxic effect was not acceptable. Therefore, revising the criteria for determining the toxic effect by deriving a reference value through quantitative risk assessment using species sensitivity distribution curves is necessary in the future.