• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.586-594
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• 2010

We evaluated changes in the microbiological quality and safety of food items (vegetables, seaweed, and processed food) supplied to elementary school food services to evaluate the distribution/delivery system. Pretreated vegetables, seaweed, and processed food were delivered to schools in refrigerated (${\leq}10^{\circ}C$) vans that made several delivery stops before arriving at the schools. During the distribution stage, total plate and coliforms counts were: bellflower roots $7.6{\times}10^5-6.7{\times}10^6$ and $5.8{\times}10^4-5.2{\times}10^5$ CFU/g; blanched bracken $4.5{\times}10^3-2.1{\times}10^5$, $5.0{\times}10^3-1{\times}10^4$ CFU/g; onion $1.2{\times}10^4-1.4{\times}10^4$, $5.0{\times}10$ CFU/g; soybean sprouts $9.6{\times}10^4-6.3{\times}10^7$ and $1.1{\times}10^3-1.2{\times}10^7$ CFU/g; soybean curd < $10-9.7{\times}10^5$ and < $10-2.3{\times}10^5$ CFU/g; and starch jelly < $10-3.8{\times}10^3$ and <10 CFU/g. Bacillus cereus < $10-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, Escherichia coli $1.0{\times}10-2.0{\times}10$ CFU/g, and Staphylococcus aureus $1.3{\times}10^2-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g were detected on peeled bellflower, whereas B. cereus < $10-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, Listeria monocytogenes $1.0{\times}10-4.5{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, and S. aureus $1.8{\times}10^2-4.5{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, were detected on soybean sprouts. Most food items were double-wrapped in vinyl and placed in corrugated cardboard boxes prior to delivery, but the boxes, when placed in vans, were not segregated from other food items being delivered to schools and other destinations.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.808-813
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• 2011

This study was conducted to reduce the dependability of farmers on chemical fertilizers for rice cultivation. Soil chemical and biological properties were monitored before experiment and at the time of harvesting. The results showed that EC, available $SiO_2$, and exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased at the time of harvesting while pH, OM, and exchangeable $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ were remain unchanged, compared with soil before experiment. Population of aerobic bacteria, Bacillus sp., and fungi were also increased at the time of harvesting in the paddy field, compared with before fertilization, in the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. Concentrations of N, P, and K in rice leaves increased with the fertilizers application, maximum increase was recorded in 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. Non-significant difference was observed in the morphological parameters of rice among the treatments. The chlorophyll contents of rice leaf increased in a similar fashion up to 60 days, thereafter, sharp decrease was observed in all the treatments. Maximum yield (per 10a) was recorded in the field treated with 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost followed by standard applied fertilizer, 70% soil-testing fertilizer+ 30% compost, soil-testing fertilizer and unfertilized plot. Amylose content showed non-significant difference within the treatments. Protein content increased with the use of fertilizers and best protein content was recorded in the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. It was concluded that the amount of the chemical fertilizer used was directly proportional to the protein content of rice grain. However, the palatability of rice grown in unfertilized field was better than the treatments but minimum yield was obtained. Hence, the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost, was the best among the fertilizer combinations for rice cultivation as supported by the yield, protein and palatability index.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.824-829
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• 2011

In recent years, there has been an increasing public concern about fecal contamination of water, air and agricultural produce by pathogens residing in organic fertilizers such as manure, compost and agricultural by-products. Efforts are now being made to control or eliminate the pathogen populations at on-farm level. Development of efficient on-farm strategies to mitigate the potential risk posed by the pathogens requires data about how the pathogens prevail in livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers. Microbiological analysis of livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers obtained from 32 and 28 companies, respectively, were conducted to determine the total aerobic bacteria count, coliforms, Escherichia coli count and the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter sakazakii. The total aerobic bacteria counts in the livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers were in the range of 7 to $9log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and 4 to $6log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$, respectively. In the livestock manure composts, coliforms and E. coli were detected in samples obtained from 4 and 2 companies, respectively, in the range of 2 to $5log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and $2log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$. In the organic fertilizers, coliforms and E. coli were detected in samples obtained from 4 and 1 companies, respectively, in the range of 1 to $3log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and $2log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$. In 3 out 32 compost samples, B. cereus was detected, while other pathogens were not detected. In 28 organic fertilizers, no pathogens were detected. The complete composting process can result in the elimination of pathogens in livestock manure compost and organic fertilizer. The results of this study could help to formulate microbiological guidelines for the use of compost in environmental-friendly agriculture. This research provides information regarding microbiological quality of livestock manure compost and organic fertilizer.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2015

The American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L. was the most important worldwide pest species. It has been an public health problems. We were determinated life cycle and extraction of crude extracts by chemical reagents from cockraches (P. americana L.). The extracted crude solution has been antibacterial activity to gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, $6.44{\pm}1.03mm$), gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, $1.88{\pm}0.40mm$), and fungus (Candida albicans, $5.61{\pm}0.57mm$) using radial diffusion assay. We were analysed of up-regulation of Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) stimulation, indicating that antioxidantial protein from various classes are simultaneously expressed in a single insect upon infection or injury. The gene from Periplaneta americana L. were cloned, analysed sequence, and measured protein expression by Real Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.400-406
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination level of Korean traditional rice cakes (Garaetteok, Injeolmi, Gyeongdan), as well as manufacturing environment of small-sized businesses in Korea. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Bacillus cereus in raw materials were 3.76-4.48, 2.21-4.14, and 1.02-1.15 log CFU/g respectively. On the other hand, Escherichia coli was not found. It has been found that the contamination level of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and B. cereus in the raw material decreased after the washing process, but it increased again during the soaking and grinding process. However, after the steaming stage, the contamination level increased again during the molding and cooling process, suggesting the need to take cautions in managing cooling water and molded rice cakes in the process. These results suggest that the safe management of cooling water and taking cautions in the drying process after steaming of rice cakes are necessary for controlling cross-contamination. No E. coli was detected during the manufacturing process involving all tested rice cakes. The microbial contamination level of manufacturing environment such as rice grinder and rice cake forming machine was high. Therefore, in terms of food safety strategy, it is necessary to consider introducing systematic cleansing and disinfection procedure to processing equipment and environment for the sake of reducing microbiological risks.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 2019

Lactic acid bacteria obtained from traditional Kimchi were selected on the basis of their caseinolytic activity and lactose usability and examined for availability as a starter in probiotic activity. Thirty-two strains were selected as lactic acid producing bacteria in BCP agar, and two strains (KC23 and KF26) with more than 90% resistance for both acid and bile salts were selected. The two strains were identified as L. plantarum (KC23) and L. paracasei (KF26) by API 50 CHL system and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. L. plantarum (KC23) was finally selected based on its biochemical characteristics for lactose and raffinose usability. Free tyrosine content increased rapidly in 10% skimmed milk medium, from $24.1{\mu}g/mL$ after 8 h to $43.9{\mu}g/mL$ after 16 h. Additionally, the caseinolytic clear zone of 12 mm of L. plantarum (KC23) was greater than the 9 mm zone of commercial L. acidophilus CSLA. The bacterium exhibited mesophilic growth and yielded $8.9{\times}10^8CFU/mL$ when incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 12 h at pH 4.25. Moreover, L. plantarum KC23 exhibited antibacterial activity as it formed a clear zone of 8-13 mm for the 5 pathogens. Adherent activity was 2.23 fold higher than that of LGG. The acidity of 10% skimmed milk fermented for 12 h was 0.74%.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary microbial probiotics on the growth and disease resistance of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and the effects of the probiotic bioaugmentation on the microbial community structure and water quality. For the analysis, 80 juvenile fish (average weight, $25.7{\pm}7.6g$; average length, $15.2{\pm}1.7cm$) were fed a basal diet containing a commercial microbial product CES-AQ1 (CES; $1{\times}10^9\;CFU/kg$ diet) in an RAS for 8 weeks. Weight gain, the specific growth rate, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio of the fish fed the CES diet in the RAS were 1.5~2.5 times higher than those of fish fed the basal diet alone, or the basal diet containing oxytetracycline (OTC), yeast plus bacterium, or Bacillus subtilis in a still water system. There was no significant difference in the pathogen challenge test between fish fed the OTC diet and fish fed the CES diet in the RAS, suggesting the CES-AQ1 probiotic used in the RAS as a potential replacement for antibiotics. The RAS biofilter maintained the highest microbial diversity and appeared to harbor microbial communities with ammonium oxidation, denitrification, and fish pathogen suppression functions. Ammonia, which is hazardous to fish, was significantly decreased to < 0.5 mg/L in 19 days, indicating the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation to maintain good water quality in RAS. These results suggest that the intestinal microbial communities of fish are stabilized by a probiotic-containing diet (CES) and that bioaugmentation with probiotics may be an eco-friendly and economical supplement for aquaculture of olive flounder, promoting both good water quality and fish health in an RAS.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

Recently, the purchase of fresh-cut produce and meal kits has increased. Ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut products have potentially hazard of cross-contamination of various microorganisms in the processes of peeling, slicing, dicing, and shredding. There are frequent cases of protozoa food poisoning, such as Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium, caused by fresh-cut products. The objective of the study is to investigate the microbiological qualities of various types of RTE fresh-cut products in the domestic on/offline markets. RTE fresh-cut fruits cup (n=100), fresh-cut vegetables (n=50), and vegetables in meal kits (Vietnamese spring rolls and white radish rolls kits, n=50) were seasonally analyzed. The contamination levels of hygienic indicator organisms, yeast and mold (YM), and foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were monitored. Overall, the lowest microbiological qualities of meal kits vegetables were observed, followed by RTE fresh-cut fruits cup and fresh-cut vegetables. Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and YM in meal kits vegetables were 5.91, 3.90, and 4.71 logs CFU/g, respectively. From the qualitative analysis, 6 out of 200 RTE fresh-cut products (3%) returned positive result for S. aureus. From the quantitative analysis, the contamination levels of S. aureus in purple cabbage from a meal-kit and fresh-cut pineapple were below the acceptable limit (100 CFU/g). Staphylococcus enterotoxin seg and sei genes were detected in RTE fresh-cut celery and red cabbage from meal-kits, respectively. S. aureus contamination must be carefully controlled during the manufacturing processes of RTE fresh-cut products. Neither Cyclospora cayetanensis nor Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in the samples of RTE fresh-cut products and vegetables from meal-kits from the Korean retail markets.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.310-316
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• 2022

In this study, we compared the microbial reduction effects of drying, hot water, and microwave sterilization in scourers and dishcloths to suggest a most suitable sterilization method. Three scourer types (silver, copper, and mesh) were used, and three dishcloth types (silver, bamboo, and cotton) were used. Drying time dependent reduction in Escherichia coli was high in silver and copper scourers, but minimal bacterial reduction was obtained against Bacillus cereus in all scourers and dishcloths. In scourers, E. coli was not detected after ≥30 s of hot water sterilization at 77℃, and B. cereus was not detected after ≥60 s of hot water sterilization at 100℃. In dishcloths, E. coli was not detected after hot water sterilization at 77℃ for ≥30 s, but B. cereus was detected after hot water sterilization at 100℃ for ≥60 s. In scourers, E. coli was not detected after microwave sterilization at 700 W for 3 min, but B. cereus was detected. In dishcloths, E. coli was not detected after microwave sterilization with 700 W for ≥1 min, but B. cereus was detected in the cotton dishcloth even after sterilization for 3 min. In conclusion, the use of antimicrobial scourers (silver and copper) and dishcloths (silver and bamboo) are not sufficient to reduce the microbial contamination. The guideline provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety suggesting dishcloth sterilization via hot water at 100℃ for 30 s was also found to be insufficient. Based on our research, we suggest that the most effective methods of microbial management are submerging scourers in hot water at 100℃ for ≥1 min, and sterilizing dishcloths for ≥3 min using a 700 W microwave.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.102-115
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• 2004

Main objectives of this study were to increase digestibilities of indigestible ingredients in spent mushroom composts (SMC) consisted of sawdust mainly as well as to fortify conversion of inorganic Se present in SMC to organic Se via fermentable microbial actions. Experimental feeds were designed to contain the increasing level of selenium (0.06ppm, 0.54ppm, 1.26ppm and 1.86ppm) in combination with SMCs of Se-enriched and non-Se mushrooms. Feeds were also fermented using commercial microbial feed additives (Sambae, Ltd., Korea) comprised Saccharomyces, Bacillus, Aspergillus, Streptococcus and Actinomycetes before feeding trial for Hanwoo (Korean native cattle). Those were fermented for 0, 12, 24, and 48 hrs. Initial pH was linearly increased as Se concentration increases or the proportion of SMC of Se-enriched mushroom increased (p<0.0001). pH values of fermented feeds (0.54ppm, 1.26ppm and 1.86ppm) containing SMC of Se-enriched mushroom were not different since 12 hrs of fermentation time and their pH was significantly lowered compared to control group. The increasing level of Se concentration in fermented feeds showed significant differences in organic and inorganic Se contents and proportion of organic Se among treatments. As a SMC proportion of Se-enriched mushrooms in the fermented feed was increased, organic Se proportion was significantly decreased (p<0.0001). The control treatment (0.06ppm) comprising the non-Se SMC only was estimated of the organic Se to be 100% and the treatment groups containing the increasing level of Se were estimated of organic Se to be approximately 70%.