• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1459-1469
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• 2008

Using a rotating biological contactor modified with a sequencing bath reactor system (SBRBC) designed and operated to remove phosphate and nitrogen [58], the microbial community structure of the biofilm from the SBRBC system was characterized based on the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) constituents, electron microscopy, and molecular techniques. Protein and carbohydrate were identified as the major EPS constituents at three different biofilm thicknesses, where the amount of EPS and bacterial cell number were highest in the initial thickness of 0-100${\mu}m$. However, the percent of carbohydrate in the total amount of EPS decreased by about 11.23%, whereas the percent of protein increased by about 11.15% as the biofilm grew. Thus, an abundant quantity of EPS and cell mass, as well as a specific quality of EPS were apparently needed to attach to the substratum in the first step of the biofilm growth. A FISH analysis revealed that the dominant phylogenetic group was $\beta$- and $\gamma$-Proteobacteria, where a significant subclass of Proteobacteria for removing phosphate and/or nitrate was found within a biofilm thickness of 0-250${\mu}m$. In addition, 16S rDNA clone libraries revealed that Klebsiella sp. and Citrobacter sp. were most dominant within the initial biofilm thickness of 0-250${\mu}m$, whereas sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, such as Beggiatoa sp. and Thiothrix sp., were detected in a biofilm thickness over 250${\mu}m$. The results of the bacterial community structure analysis using molecular techniques agreed with the results of the morphological structure based on scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, the overall results indicated that coliform bacteria participated in the nitrate and phosphorus removal when using the SBRBC system. Moreover, the structure of the biofilm was also found to be related to the EPS constituents, as well as the nitrogen and phosphate removal efficiency. Consequently, since this is the first identification of the bacterial community and structure of the biofilm from an RBC simultaneously removing nitrogen and phosphate from domestic wastewater, and it is hoped that the present results may provide a foundation for understanding nitrate and phosphate removal by an RBC system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.1035-1040
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• 2016

This study investigated the prevalence of foodborne pathogens and the bacterial community of traditional Doenjang collected from a longevity area in Korea as well as the antagonistic effect of traditional Doenjang isolates against Bacillus cereus to estimate the microbiological safety of traditional Doenjang. Aerobic bacteria showed $10^6{\sim}10^9CFU/g$, whereas coliform bacteria was not detected. Foodborne pathogens were not detected except B. cereus, which was detected in seven samples out of 10 Doenjang samples. A total of 327 isolates were identified from traditional Doenjang. The isolates consisted of Bacillus subtilis 155 (47.4%), Bacillus licheniformis 68 (20.8%), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 46 (14.1%), and Bacillus pumilus 18 (5.5%). Antagonistic effect against B. cereus was detected in 20 (6.1%) of 327 isolates, which consisted of B. subtilis (12 strains), B. amyloliquefaciens (5 strains), and B. licheniformis (3 strains). The inhibitory zone for the antagonistic effect was 9.0~12.0 mm in diameter. Although a small amount of traditional Doenjang was tested in this study, these results indicated that the potential risk of B. cereus in traditional Doenjang is lower than generally presumed. It is necessary to monitor the antagonistic effect of traditional Doenjang isolates against B. cereus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1064-1069
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• 2006

This study was conducted to sanitize commercial powdery soup by gamma irradiation. Total aerobic bacteria counts were $3.22{\sim}3.77\;log\;CFU/g$ in non-irradiated samples, which decreased with irradiation dose and were not detected in irradiated samples at 3 kGy or more $(<10^2\;CFU/g)$ during accelerated storage $(60^{\circ}C,\;2\;weeks)$. Microbial counts did not significantly increase in all samples during accelerated storage period. Yeasts, molds, and coliform bacteria were not detected in all samples. Irradiated samples showed undesirable changes in flavor, taste, and overall acceptability and acceptance decreased in all samples after 2 weeks at $60^{\circ}C$. These results suggested that gamma irradiation at 3 kGy was effective to ensure the microbiological quality of commercial powdery soup with minimized sensorial changes, but further studies should be investigated to reduce detrimental effects induced by irradiation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the microbiological contamination on toothbrushes, toothbrush caps, and tooth cleaning cups in the child care centers and to evaluate the toxin genes, toxin production ability and antibiotic resistance of food-borne pathogens. The average number of total aerobic bacteria and fungi were 5.3 log CFU and 3.2 log CFU. Coliform bacteria were detected in 41 (54.7%) of 75 toothbrushes, 13 (44.8%) of 29 toothbrush caps, and 29 (44.6%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. Salmonella spp. was not detected in all of samples but Bacillus cereus was isolated from 1 (1.3%) of 75 toothbrushes and 2 (3.1%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 1 (1.5%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. The nheA, nheB, nheC, hblC, hblD, hblA and entFM toxin genes were possessed in B. cereus isolated from toothbrush which also produce NHE and HBL enterotoxins. S. aureus was resistant to ampicillin and penicillin, while B. cereus was resistant to ${\beta}-lactam$ antibiotics. These results indicated that the sanitary conditions of toothbrushes and tooth cleaning cups in the child care centers should be improved promptly. The UV sterilization after drying and then storage in dried condition is required to improve the sanitary condition of toothbrushes and tooth cleaning cups in the child care center.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.148-152
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• 2013

An ultraviolet (UV) sterilization system was developed to decrease the number of microorganisms in filtered Acer mono sap (FAS). The Acer mono sap (AS) was passed through 18 strips of PTA fluoroplastic tubing with 30 UV lamps (total 1,170 W). During passage, the AS was effectively exposed to the UV rays. The total bacteria, coliform group and fungi were sterilized at a flow rate ranging from 852 to 1,358 mL/min and a UV power higher than 156 W. Although the sensory score of the UV-sterilized AS was significantly lower than that of the untreated AS, the sensory score was better under the condition of 390 W and 852~1,358 mL/min than under the other conditions examined. ANOVA did not reveal a significant difference in pH, total acidity, sugar content and color characteristic under all conditions tested (p<0.05). Considering the overall attributes of the AS quality, the optimum sterilization condition was determined to be 390 W and 852~1,358 mL/min.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2012

A total of 187 samples of leafy vegetables and fruits were acquired at traditional markets and department stores in Seoul, Korea. Samples were tested for microorganism distributions and for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. The aerobic mesophilic counts ranged between 2.5 and 9.4 log CFU/g, with the highest count recorded from the dropwort. Counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms were as high as those of the mesophilic microorganisms. Total coliform populations between 1.0 and 7.8 log CFU/g were found in 90.9% of the samples. Microbiological counts for fruits were very low. $Escherichia$ $coli$ was isolated in 24 (12.8%) samples. $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ and $Clostridium$ $perfringens$ contamination were found in 15 (8.0%) and 20 (10.7%) samples. $Salmonella$ species and $Listeria$ $monocytogenes$ were detected in 2.7 and 0.5% of samples, respectively. Among the total 187 samples, 8 samples were contaminated by more than two pathogens. $E.$ $coli$ O157:H7 was not detected in any of the samples. The microbial contamination levels determined in the present study may be used as the primary data to execute microbial risk assessment of fresh vegetables and fruits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.800-807
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• 2013

This study investigated the quality characteristics and microbial hazards of commercial garlic available in supermarkets, traditional markets, and online shopping malls. Total bacterial counts were 2.55 log CFU/g in whole garlic and 5.20~7.40 log CFU/g in processed garlic, possibly due to contamination during processing. The total bacterial count from garlic purchased in supermarkets was below 5 log CFU/g, while garlic purchased in traditional markets and online shopping malls had counts of 3.87~6.34 and 3.73~6.11 log CFU/g, respectively. Thus garlic purchased at supermarkets appears to be more hygienic than garlic from traditional markets or online shopping malls. Some garlic purchased from supermarkets also had a lower pH (4.96~5.17) compared to fresh chopped garlic (7.4~7.5), likely due to the addition of citric acid and ascorbic acid, to reduce microbes and prevent browning. The moisture content of chopped garlic was 61.92~89.32%, with moisture content in imported garlic from China above 75%. The L, a, and b color values were 52.63~64.47, -3.74~8.75, and 10.67~17.88, respectively. The a and b values of supermarket garlic (-3.74~-3.20 and 10.67~13.90) were lower due to the addition of citric acid.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.457-466
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• 2001

In this study. HACCP system was applied to improve the quality of instant ablactation baby food with rising sanitary problem among SunSig(powder of roasted grains and vegetables) . It took about 9min 30 second to produce and the temperature status of raw materials were 30.9∼31.8$\^{C}$. Raw material and production phase goods had average 6.2 in pH and 0.23∼0.63 in water activity. The average number of total aerobic bacteria(TAB) and coliform were 1.4$\times$10$^4$ CFU/g, 5.5$\times$10 CFU/g in raw materials. And the number became 8.7$\times$10$^2$ CFU/g, 6.9$\times$10 CFU/g after 1st grinding step. The distributions of TAB and coliform in equipments were 3.8$\times$10$^4$ CFU/㎠, 8.0$\times$10 CFU/㎠ on the average. According to storage temperature, variations of number of TAB coliform were slight at 4$\^{C}$ but increased at 20$\^{C}$ and 30$\^{C}$ . Therefore following subjects can be issued on the basis of results. Minimize the storage time and keep at cool temperature. 1st and 2nd grinders should be managed hygienically. Establish the heating step during the production of instant action baby food. Instant ablactation baby food produced should be stored at cool and freeze condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1626-1631
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• 2012

Sixty strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from kimchi and used as a starter for fermented tofu. Among the isolated strains, strain KL-6 showed antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, antioxidative activity, and viability in artificial gastric juice and artificial bile acid. The selected strain KL-6 was identified as Pediococcus acidilactici KL-6 by morphological and physiological tests, including Gram staining, catalase test, and 16S rRNA sequencing. The fermentation characteristics of tofu with a kimchi ingredient mixture (Control) consisting of red pepper, garlic, ginger, sugar, salt, jeotgal, and juice of chinese cabbage were compared with those of tofus inoculated with strain KL-6 and the kimchi ingredient mixture (TL) or a pre-fermented kimchi ingredient mixture (TPL) for 24 hr at $37^{\circ}C$. The pH levels of all tested tofu samples decreased after 1 week of fermentation, reaching 3.96 (control), 3.97 (TL), and 4.03 log cfu/g (TPL) after fermentation for 14 weeks at $20^{\circ}C$. Total aerobe content of fermented tofu increased until 2 weeks of fermentation, but decreased steadily thereafter. The number of lactic acid bacteria reached $10^6$ cfu/g after 1 week of fermentation in TL and TPL, whereas it took 2 weeks for the control. The number of lactic acid bacteria in all tested tofu samples reached $10^3$ cfu/g after 14 weeks of fermentation at $20^{\circ}C$. Coliform bacteria were not detected in TL or TPL after 1 week of fermentation. The sensory scores of TL and TPL were higher than that of control in terms of taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. The sensory quality of TPL was the best among all tested fermented tofu samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.272-279
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• 2018

The high pressure processing (HPP) is a technology which can preserve the quality of foods, such as the fresh taste, incense, texture, vitamin content, and so on, by minimizing the heating process. It does so by applying an instantaneous and uniform pressure that is the same as the water pressure that is 60 km deep in the sea. HPP is a technology that can inhibit food poisoning and spoilage caused by microorganisms and is currently an actively studied area. In this study, we investigated the effects of a high pressure treatment (0, 4, 6 min) on sliced ham, which is a typical meat product, at 600 MP a were tested for their effect on freshness. Moisture contents varied from 48 to 69%, salinity varied from 1.07 to 1.11%, and the pH decreased from 6.4~6.5 to 6.1~5.15. However, there was no difference between the control and treatment groups. General bacteria stored at $20^{\circ}C$ after hyper-pressure treatment were found to have no significant microorganisms in all groups until 4 weeks. but exceeded $10^5$ in control group and HPP 6 min treatment group from 5 weeks, At week 7, it was found to exceed $10^6$. The results indicate it was not possible to ingest food in the 4-and 6 minute treatment groups. Coliform was not observed in all groups despite observing for a total of 7 weeks at $20^{\circ}C$ weight test. VBN, a method used to determine the protein freshness of meat, showed a VBN value of less than 1 mg% until the fourth week and a value of 1 to 2 mg% after 5 weeks. The TBA was used as an index of the degree of fat acidosis in the meat tissues. The results showed it was below 0.18 mgMA / kg until the end of 7 weeks; this value was within the range for fresh meat, and there was no difference in treatment group. In this experiment, deformation of the packaging material did not occur and no swelling occurred due to the generation of gas. It is believed that the basic preservation effect was achieved only by blocking with the air due to the close contact of the packaging material.