• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological safety of leafy vegetables (perilla leaf and lettuce) in relation to cultivation methods. A total of 2,304 samples were collected from plants, harvesting tools and soil mulching film during the production and harvest stages from organic- and conventional- farms. From the samples, sanitary indicator microorganisms (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, E. coli., Environmental Listeria, and yeast and mold) and pathogenic microorganisms (S. aureus, B. cereus, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and L. monocytogenes) were analyzed. In the production stage of leafy vegetables, the sanitary indicator microorganisms was not detected regardless of cultivation method or it was detected to be less than $3.4\;Log\;CFU/100cm^2$. B. cereus and S. aureus were found to be 0.22~1.55 Log CFU/g in perilla leaf and lettuce produced by organic farms, and S. aureus was not detected and B. cereus was found to be 0.42~2.19 Log CFU/g in conventional farms. There were no significant differences between two cultivation methods. In the harvesting tools and soil mulching film, the contamination levels of sanitary indicator microorganisms and pathogenic microorganisms was low regardless of the cultivation method. However, there was a positive correlation ($R^2=0.4526$) in that the higher the microbial contamination level in the harvesting tool, the higher the microbial contamination on the surface of the plant. In addition, sanitary indicator microorganisms and pathogenic microorganisms were not detected or low in soil mulching during the production of organic leafy vegetables. As a result of this study, microbial hygiene control by soil mulching and harvesting tools was more important than difference of cultivation method in production of leafy vegetables.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.500-506
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• 2017

Kimchi cabbage is one of the four major vegetable crops in Korea. The total annual production of kimchi cabbage, the main material of kimchi, was 20,559 tons in 2015. Kimchi cabbage is one of the majer crops produced by farmers which accounts for about 80% of the total leaf vegetable production in Korea. As the consumption of environmental-friendly agricultural products increases, food safety is one of the major public health concerns. We analyzed the biological hazards of kimchi cabbage produced by two types of cultivation methos such as organic farming and conventional farming using various culture media and microscopy. A total of 432 samples were analysed for presence of sanitary indicator microorganisms (aerobic plate count, coliform count, yeast & mold) and food-borne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, environmental Listeria, Bacillus cereus). The population of sanitary indicating microorganisms and food borne pathogens was under 5 Log CFU/g in all tested samples. The results of total microorganism numbers of leaf surface showed a positive correlation to those of soil samples. Additionally, we examined chemical factors such as pesticide residues and heavy metals in soil samples. All tested samples did not shown contamination levels higher than the standard limit.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.94-106
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• 2003

A pilot study was performed to examine the feasibility of UV disinfection system and the reactivation of indicator microorganisms (TC, FC, E. coli) after UV irradiation for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water. Photoreactivation and dark repair enable UV-inactivated microorganisms to recover and may reduce the efficacy of UV inactivation, which might be drawbacks of the UV disinfection method. The effluent of biofilter for 16-unit apartment house was used as input to the UV disinfection system, and average SS and BOD concentration were 3.8 and 5.7 mg/L, respectively, and the mean level of total coliform was in the range of $1.0\times10^4$ MPN/100mL. UV disinfection was found to be effective and it reduced mean concentration of indicator microorganisms (total coliform, fecal coliform, and E. coli) to less than 100 MPN/100mL within 60s exposure using 17, 25, and 40W lamps. Two UV doses of 6 and 16 mW$\cdot$s/$\textrm{km}^2$ were applied and microorganisms reactivation was monitored under the dark, photoreactivating light, and solar irradiation. Microorganisms reactivation was observed in the UV dose of 6 mW$\cdot$s/$\textrm{km}^2$, and numbers increased up to 5% at the photoreactivating light and 1% at the dark. However, microorganisms were inactivated rather than reactivated at the solar radiation and numbers decreased to non-detectible level about below 2 MPN/100mL in 4 hours. In the case of 16 mW$\cdot$s/$\textrm{km}^2$, microorganism reactivation was not observed indicating that UV dose might affect the reactivation process such as photoreactivation and dark repair. Therefore, concerns associated with microorganism reactivation could be controlled by sufficient UV dose application. Agricultural reuse of reclaimed water might be even less concerned due to exposure to the solar irradiation that could further inactivate microorganisms. The pilot study result is encouraging, however, sanitary concern in water reuse is so critical that more comprehensive investigation is recommended.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.162-168
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• 2009

The aim of this study is to investigate microbial sanitary condition of public baths in Seoul, Korea. A total of 28 water samples were collected from 14 different public baths and sudatoriums. The prevalence of fecal indicator microorganisms such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli was characterized. In addition, bacteria in water was membrane filtered by 0.45um nitrocellulose membrane, and the filter was analyzed by both cultivation and PCR amplification of partial 16S rRNA gene. The levels of chlorine were measured for each of water samples. More than 40% of 14 collected water samples, the concentrations of total coliform bacteria exceeded the water quality for bath water guideline. There was no significant correlation between chlorine residue and the presence of total coliform. Various microorganisms including pathogenic microorganisms were identified from cultivation and subsequent analysis of 16s rRNA gene sequences. Our results suggest that appropriate hygiene practice and continuous monitoring is needed for reducing health risk associated with public bathhouses.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2018

A few authors have already investigated microbial contamination of leafy vegetables in distribution condition and examined the effect of temperature abuse on microbial safety or product quality. But this study analyzed proliferation of indicator microorganisms and food poisoning bacteria in real situation in Korean agroindustry and investigated washing effect of micobial contamination on leaf surface. Leafy vegetables were found to be contaminated with aerobic bacteria at $0.1{\sim}0.32{\times}10^3CFU/g$. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus were detected in leafy vegetables at $0{\sim}0.54{\times}10^3CFU/g$. However, Salmonella spp., Coliforms, Clostridium spp. and Listeria spp. were not detected in any samples. Indicator microorganisms and food poisoning bacteria on leafy vegetables increased at room temperature when simulatively distributed condition. After clean-up, the indicator microorganisms and food poisoning bacteria of kimchi cabbage, lettuce and perilla leaf were decreased to a very low level. This study suggests that it is necessary to improve the level of hygiene management such as use of cold chain system and hygiene management of transport tools during the distribution process for fresh leafy vegetables.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 1974

A study of the sanitary quality of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and growing waters associated with raft culture in Burley Lagoon, Washington was conducted. The study was sponsored by the Agency for International Development of the U.S. Department of State. The results obtained in this study are as follows: The average values of temperature, salinity and turbidity in the water showed that the values of bottom sample were slightly higher than top samples. The difference was about $0.3^{\circ}C$ for temperature, $0.5\%_{\circ}$ for salinity and 0.1 JTU for turbidity. The changes of temperature and salinity by tide generally followed the tide cycle pattern. Sanitary indicator microorganism concentrations in top water were generally higher than those in bottom water. In general, the levels of mean coliform and fecal coliform MPN's varied inversely with tide level indicating that the sources of these groups of microorganisms are the fresh water streams flowing into the estuary. The $35^{\circ}C$ plate counts were more stable at different tide levels. Mean values of coliform and fecal coliform MPN's in oysters demonstrated that levels in top oysters were generally higher than those in bottom oysters. However, mean values of $35^{\circ}C$ Plate count in oysters did not show this pattern. The mean levels of both coliform and fecal coliform MPN's in oysters also correlated inversely with tidal level. The accumulation ratios of oysters obtained during the study period ranged from 8.6 to 19.7 for mean coliform MPN and 16.9 to 44.3 for fecal coliform MPN. According to the results obtained from present study, one suggestion could be of considerable importance for the sanitary operation in hanging culture of pacific oysters. The results indicate that harvest of the oysters at high tide would result in lower levels of indicator organisms in the shellfish.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.35-40
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• 2019

In this study, general bacterial counts and coliform counts, which are hygienic indicator microorganisms, were tested for candy, chocolate, and jelly which are easily available and enjoyed around. After dropping each sample on the desk, indoors, and outdoors, it is immediately collected, or washed and collected to confirm the myth of the 3-second rule. Immediately after removing the wrapping paper, each sample was dropped on the desk, indoors, and outdoors, and after 3 seconds from the moment of contact with the surface, and then collected in a sample bag using sterilized sanitary gloves. After the same operation, each sample was rinsed for 5 seconds using sterilized sanitary gloves and sterilized distilled water, and then collected in a sample bag. The number of bacteria detected in non-washing candies was 41 CFU/g at outdoor and the number of bacteria detected in non-washing chocolate was 76 CFU/g at outdoor. The number of bacteria detected in non-washing jellies was 79 CFU/g at outdoor. Coliform group was not detected in all samples. This showed good results at the level of m = 10,000 or less, which is an allowable value suggested in the Food Code. Also, effect of washing on contaminated food was confirmed. This result is remarkably low compared with the microorganism specimens shown in Food Code, and it is confirmed that contamination occurs but not high value. Therefore, the myth of the 3-second rule is true compared to the figures based on Food Code. However, it showed the characteristics of bacteria that could survive and cross-contaminate on dry food surfaces and emphasized the importance of hygiene through food contact to unsanitary surfaces to minimize the risk of food poisoning.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.399-403
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• 2018

In this study, safety investigations on harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins were conducted on honeybee drone pupae as a new food material, which is rich in nutrients and capable of being mass produced in apiaries. The honeybee drone pupae produced in apiaries were collected from three different regions in Korea and frozen immediately. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to freeze-drying. According to the Korean Food Code test method, coliforms, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli were not detected in 280 honeybee drone pupas. In addition, mycotoxins, aflatoxin $B_1$, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were not detected. Therefore, it is proposed that the honeybee drone pupae collected from the beehives and immediately frozen as safe from harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins and can be used as a food material.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.851-860
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• 2020

Shrimp in seasoned soy sauce (S-SS) is a popular seafood product in Korea, but it could be potentially hazardous; thus, this study was conducted to investigate its safety. Commercial S-SS were collected and analyzed for pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), hygenic indicator microorganisms (viable cell count, coliforms, and Escherichia coli), food poisoning bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Listeria monocytogenes), preservatives (dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and its salt, parahydroxybenzoate), tar colorants, and sensory properties. Domestic and foreign standards were also investigated for S-SS. Commercial S-SS ranged from to 6.2-7.3 for pH, 13.7-39.1 mg/100 g for VBN, and 4.6-6.9 log CFU/g for viable cells. The coliforms and E. coli of commercial S-SS were from ND to 3.4 log CFU/g and negative, respectively. Food poisoning bacteria, preservatives, and tar colorants were not detected in commercial S-SS. Only the coliform count and presence of E. coli in commercial S-SS exceeded the set standards of vietnam, while all items were within domestic and foreign standards.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.798-809
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• 2023

In this study, we evaluated the impacts of land-based pollution sources on seawater and shellfish in the Jindongman area after 20.5 mm and 90.6 mm rainfall events. We analyzed sanitary indicator microorganisms used in survey management, such as total coliform, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and male-specific coliphage in Waste water treatment plant (WWTP), major inland pollution source,s seawater, and shellfish for 4 days after rainfall events. Our results showed that the range of coliform group and fecal coliform was 1.8-49 and <1.8-4.5 MPN (most probable number)/100 mL, respectively, after rainfall events in WWTP discharge water. Furthermore, the radius of the calculated impacted area of major inland pollution sources ranged from 5 to 798 m after 20.5 mm of rainfall and 30 to 1,031 m after 90.6 mm of rainfall. The fecal coliform of seawater at 30 stations in the shellfish growing area and areas adjacent to four stations was <1.8-130 and from <1.8-79 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The E. coli level of shellfish at 7 stations in the shellfish growing area was <18-220 MPN/100 g.