• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate hazardous microorganisms in mixed baby leafy vegetables and various baby leafy vegetables used as raw materials for fresh-cut produce in spring and summer. To estimate microbial loads, a total of 298 samples including 181 samples of mixed baby leafy vegetables purchased in a Korean market and 117 samples of various baby leafy vegetables from distribution companies were collected. Fecal indicators (coliform and Escherichia coli) as well as food-borne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) were enumerated. As a result, the mixed baby leafy vegetable samples showed significantly higher (P<0.05) coliform bacteria numbers in summer (5.59±1.18 log CFU/g) compared to spring (3.60±2.53 log CFU/g). E. coli was detected in 1.3% (1/79) and 42.2% (43/102) of samples collected in spring and summer, respectively. Only one sample collected from a market in spring was contaminated with S. aureus. In the experiment with baby leafy vegetables, the number of coliforms detected in baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil in spring was 1.15±1.95 log CFU/g, and that in summer was 4.09±2.52 log CFU/g. However, the number of coliforms recovered from baby leafy vegetables cultivated in media was above 5.0 log CFU/g regardless of season. Occurrences of E. coli were 44.4% (12/27) and 19.0% (4/21) for baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil and media, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results are in relation to microbial loads on mixed baby leafy vegetables associated with raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement hygienic practices at baby leafy vegetable farms to enhance the safety of fresh produce.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2023

As livestock consumption in Korea has been gradually increasing, the quality of the final products has been improved to meet this increased demand. In particular, maintaining the water holding capacity (WHC) and minimizing the drip loss during the thawing of frozen meat are of utmost importance. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of frozen pork subjected to thawing under different conditions: at room temperature (20℃, under air), at a low temperature (4℃ refrigerator, under air), under water (20℃, under water in a vacuum bag), under microwave (microwave-thawing, 260 W), and under low-pressure tumbling (20℃, 0.015 bar, tumbling). The shortest thawing time for frozen pork was recorded upon low-pressure tumbling thus indicating a fast heat transfer. The lowest drip loss (0.2%) and highest WHC (94.5%) were also recorded under this condition. A significantly higher drip loss was observed upon microwave- (1.0%) and water-thawing (1.2%), which resulted in the lowest WHC in microwave thawing (87.2%). The highest total count of aerobic bacteria and coliform group were observed upon room temp thawing while the low pressure tumbling and thawing resulted in the lowest aerobic bacteria (1.90 log CFU/g) and coliform (0.78 log CFU/g) count. Consequently, thawing by low pressure tumbling afforded the best food quality.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.392-400
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to analyze environmental microbial contamination levels by sampling the surfaces of processing lines and equipment and to verify CCPs of the HACCP plan in a fresh-cut produce processing plant The level of airborne microorganisms in the processing plant was $10^1$ log CFU/plate/15min. Total plate counts and coliform groups of the processing facilities were 1~2 log CFU/100 $cm^2$. No E. coli or S. aureus were detected in the processing plant. However, total plate counts on the cutting board for raw materials and on the spin-dryer were $4.20{\pm}2.12$ log CFU/$cm^2$ and $4.57{\pm}0.92$ log CFU/$cm^2$, respectively. These levels were higher than the safe microbial level, and therefore, the chance of cross-contamination during processing was increased. According to the results of microbiological analyses, total aerobic bacteria and coliform groups of the samples were increased after the second washing and spin-drying steps, due to cross-contamination from the spin-dryer. Thus, an effective method that can be used for microbial control during the washing and drying steps is needed for microbial control in fresh-cut produce processing plants. The results of a verification study also suggest that modification of the HACCP plan is needed along with additional CPs, which were identified as a second washing, spin drying, and the cold storage of final products.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2009

We examined saury, herring, gizzard shad kwamaegi to measure of microbic contamination rate of kwamegi that are sold in the market now. In the total bacteria, staphylococcus, peroxide value, and microorganisms is inhibited that from sample that we treated a substance with chitosan-ascorbate (CA) and other orders deep water (DW), ginseng steamed red and wine (GRW), NT (not treated). When we compared between SGRW and SNT, SCA show us more inhibition effect 0.22-0.49 log cycle in the total aerobacter. When we compared between HDW and HNT, HCA restraint 0.05-0.45log cycle, and when we compared between GDW and GNT, GCA inhibited 0.45 log cycle. In the coliform and E. coli, growths of microorganisms were inhibited followed order by treatment of CA, NT, and DW. GDW, HCA and HNT checked enough amount of water from the moisture measurement; but SGW, GCA, HEW and SCA showed 7-15% lack of moisture, and SNT and GNT have 10% more moisture. Peroxide value is changed to 41-51meq/kg when we did treat CA in there and a side that didn't add antimicrobial expressed the result numerically that 56-58meq/kg. In the sensory evaluation, customer gave preference to followed by Saury kwamaegi, herring, and gizzard shad kwamaegi. We have a point of view when kwamaeki manufactured if we add natural antibiotic and it uses to vacuum drying, we would inhibited of multiplication of microorganism, and of peroxides.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.424-428
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• 2013

To identify risk factors for Legionella contamination, water quality variables routinely measured in examination of natural and city waters were meta-analyzed for significance of correlation to Legionella incidences. For evaluation of abundance of Escherichia coli as a risk factor, which is currently used as an indicator of Legionella contamination in an official guideline in Korea, odds ratio (OR) of above-cutoff total coliform counts for Legionella presence/absence was used as the effect size in the meta-analysis. The OR was estimated as 1.05 (0.36-3.12, 95% CI), and the probability of having identical odds reached 0.92. Also, ORs from individual studies showed significant heterogeneity (P=0.008), which contributed to 63% of total variance of the ORs. In the case of heterotrophic plate count (HPC), the OR for Legionella presence/absence was 2.72 (2.04-3.63) with highly significant deviation from identical odds (P<0.0001). ORs from different studies were seemingly homogeneous ($Q_{df=8}$=12.7, P=0.12). Turbidity and concentrations of chlorine, iron ion and cupper ion were other routine variables that could be considered as risk factors. However, statistical measures from different studies were not uniform enough to develop an appropriate effect size while the number of studies reporting the variables was also small (3-5). In conclusion, HPC appeared to be appropriate as indicator of Legionella contamination, rather than fecal bacteria contamination. HPC may imply abundance of habitats (amoebas and biofilms) of Legionella in water. This result warrants further studies for standardizing protocols and cutoff values to infer Legionella risks from HPC.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2005

Electron beam irradiation was applied to examine the microbial growth and qualities of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts. Chicken breast samples were irradiated at dose of 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 kGy, respectively. After irradiation, chicken breast samples were individually vacuum-packaged and stored at $4^{\circ}C$. Microbiological change of irradiated vacuum-packaged chicken breasts showed that populations of total bacteria, yeast and mold, total coliform, and salmonella spp. in chicken breasts were significantly reduced with increasing irradiation dose. The pH values of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts were not significantly changed among treatments. Lipid oxidation measurements showed that TBARS values of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts increased with increase of irradiation dose, and gradually increased during storage. Color measurements showed that irradiation reduced Hunter a value of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts with increasing irradiation dose. However, Hunter L and b values of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts were not significantly altered among treatments. Sensory quality results of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts showed that there were no significant changes among the samples irradiated. These results indicate that irradiation can be used to improve the microbial safety and qualities of poultry products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.408-420
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• 2015

This study investigated the effect of heat treatment conditions on the quality and antioxidant activities of Korean traditional actinidia (Actinidia arguta) cultivars puree. Heat treatment on actinidia puree was conducted at $70{\sim}90^{\circ}C$ for 1 min to 5 mins, while a control sample of the actinidia puree was prepared without heat treatment. In all the samples, except for the sample treated at $90^{\circ}C$ for 5 mins, pH and Brix degree was not dramatically changed. Pulp content decreased with increasing temperature and time. L and the a value of color increased with increasing temperature and time. However, the b value showed a reverse tendency with L and the a value. Viscosity and gumminess increased as heat temperature and time increased, though cohesiveness was not significantly changed depending on temperature and time. Coliform and yeast were not detected on all samples and the number of aerobic bacteria and mold decreased as temperature and time increased. Vitamin C and total phenolic content of the puree was not changed for 1, 3, and 5 mins at $70^{\circ}C$ and for 1 and 3 mins at $80^{\circ}C$, but significantly decreased with increasing time at $90^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the puree, such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) showed a similar tendency with total phenolic content.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.259-269
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Noni beverages added with 10% of water(Noni 90), 1% of red ginseng(NR), 4% of rubus coreanus extract(NR), 5% of pomegranate extract(NP), and 4% of rubus coreanus extract and 5% of pomegranate extract(NPR). Calories, protein and total fiber contents were increased in NR, NP and NPR. Total sugar was significantly increased in NG and NPR. Fat, cholesterol and saturated fatty acid were not detected. Ca and Na contents were increased in NG while Fe content was increased in NG, NR, and NPR pH was significantly increased in NG and NP. Sugar degree was significantly increased in NP and NPR. L and b values were decreased in NG, NP, and NR and a value was increased in NG and NR General bacteria count was 0/mL, and Coliform, E. Coli and 0157:H7 were gram(-) in all beverages. In sensory evaluation, color was increased in NPR while taste and overall quality were increased in NG, NR and NP. Sour taste, sweet taste, and flavor were not different between Noni and the mixed beverages. Texture was significantly increased in NP and NPR. Therefore, mixed Noni beverages added with red ginseng, rubus coreanus extract, and pomegranate extract were better than Noni beverage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.208-214
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• 1993

Ginseng-whey beverages were prepared with rennet whey, ginseng, sweetener, honey and Japanese apricot, inoculated with different strains of lactic acid bacteria or unfermented partly. The samples were stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ or 30$\pm$1$0^{\circ}C$ and then physicochemical and microbiological properties were investigated. The yield of whey was 78.8%. The pH-values reduced and acidities increased during the storage period. The contents of solid-substances, ash and lipid in ginseng-whey beverages were 7.90~8.20%, 0.62~0.66% and 0.16%, respectively. The protein contents of ginseng-whey beverages were 0.42~0.56% and the contents were not changed during the storage period. The lactose contents of fermented beverages were higher than those of unfermented beverages. During the storage period (1~5 weeks), the ranges of D(-) - and L(+)- lactic acid contents in fermented ginseng-whey beverages (17.3~156.1 mg/100g, 347.3~1894.2mg/100g) were higher than those of unfermented ginseng-whey beverages (6.2~82.8mg/100g, 7.1~885.5mg/100g). The contents of total saponin in unfermented sample and fermented sample (Lac. casei sub-sp. casei+Str. salivarius sub-sp. thermophilus) were increased during the storage period. But, those of the fermented sample(Lac. acidophilus+Lac. delbrueckii sub-sp. bulgaricus) were reduced. In the electrophoretic results of ginseng-whey beverages, an $\alpha$-lactalbumin and a $\beta$-lactoglobulin bands were shown apparently and there were no changes observed during the storage period. During the storage period (1~3 week) the coliform was not detected and total plate counts and psychrotrophs were increased according to the storage period.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2013

Microbiological populations and the sterility of commercial powdered products treated with gamma irradiation at 0~10 kGy were investigated before using them as ingredients for a non-cooked Saengsik product. We evaluated a total of 14 powdered products: 8 powdered cereals, 3 powdered tubers, and 3 powdered leafy vegetables. The total numbers of bacterial populations in non-irradiated powdered cereals, tubers, and leafy vegetables were 2.7~6.9, 5.6~6.0, and $5.3{\sim}6.8\;log\; CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively. Moreover, coliform bacteria were not indicated in adlay, millet, germinated brown rice, soybean, and mulberry leaves powder within detection limit ($2.0\;log\; CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$). The number of Bacillus cereus exceeded $3.0\;log\; CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$ (the maximum limit for Saengsik products) in all samples, excluding perilla seeds, buckwheat, barley, oat, potato, and Jerusalem artichoke powder. However, a dose of 6 kGy of gamma irradiation reduced the microbiological populations in all samples, and all the powdered products met the microbial requirements for Saengsik products. Futhermore, it was confirmed that all microorganisms in the 9 powdered products, except fermented brown rice, sweet potatoes, and 3 leafy vegetables, were sterilized by 10 kGy of gamma irradiation.