• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.612-617
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• 2009

Fresh vegetable juice is a non-heat treated product and the only step to reduce microbial growth is washing. Therefore, the materials for fresh vegetable juice including Angelica keiskei, Brassica loeracea var. acephala, and Daucus carota L. were treated by ozone after the first washing process and investigated for microbial and chemical changes. The number of the total aerobic bacteria in materials after selection step were $8.2{\times}10^5{\sim}5.0{\times}10^6\;CFU/g$, which was a higher contamination level than the limit of Korea food code ($10^5\;CFU/g$). However, after the 1st washing process and ozone treatment, the total aerobic bacterial number was reduced to $4.7{\times}10^4{\sim}6.7{\times}10^4\;CFU/g$, which showed 2 log microbial reduction. After the 2nd washing step followed by ozone treatment, there was no difference in microbial number. The number of colifroms in the materials of fresh vegetable juice were $8.0{\times}10^3{\sim}3.5{\times}10^3\;CFU/g$ initially but showed $1.5{\times}10^2{\sim}3.0{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$ after the ozone treatment (1 log reduction). On the other hand, there was no changes in the contents of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, polyphenols, minerals (cadmium and lead) during all processes. In addition, no color changes were observed during washing process. Therefore, ozone treatment in the materials of fresh vegetable juice decreased the microbial numbers. Also, chemical characteristics of ozone treated sample were not different when compared with control.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.466-472
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is a legume and an important oil crop worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the possible impact of transgenic soybean cultivation on the soil microbial community. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere soils. Microbial community was identified based on the culture-dependent and molecular biology methods. The total numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with transgenic and non-transgenic soybeans were similar to each other, and there was no significant difference between transgenic and non-transgenic soybeans. Dominant bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with transgenic or non-transgenic soybeans were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The microbial communities in transgenic and non-transgenic soybean soils were characterized using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed the different patterns, but didn't show significant difference to each other at 0.05 significance level. DNAs were isolated from soils cultivating transgenic or non-transgenic soybeans and analyzed for persistence of transgenes in the soil by using PCR. PCR analysis revealed that there were no amplified ${\gamma}$-tmt and bar gene in soil DNA. CONCLUSION(S): The results of this study suggested that microbial community of soybean field were not significantly affected by cultivation of the transgenic soybeans.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2014

In this work, Ag-$TiO_2$ nanocomposites were prepared via the sonochemical deposition of Ag nanometals on $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. The size of deposited Ag nanometals was ranged in 1~3 nm and the number of Ag nanometals deposited on $TiO_2$ increased in proportion to the dosage amounts of Ag precursors. As-prepared Ag-$TiO_2$ was loaded on the sterilized agar plate together with an aliquot volume of diluted E-coli, followed by 30 min irradiation of the solar simulated light ($600{\sim}1800{\mu}w/cm^2$). Finally, the agar plate was incubated for 24 h at $37^{\circ}C$ and the number of survived colonies were counted. It was experimentally confirmed that Ag-$TiO_2$ exhibited the higher antimicrobial activity than that of pure $TiO_2$, based on measuring the colony number of control sample. The survived colony numbers on the agar plate decreased with the increase of dosage amounts of Ag-$TiO_2$ and the irradiated intensity of solar simulated light for 30 min before incubating. The increase of Ag nanometal doposition induced the progressive enhancement of antimicrobial activity, but rather reduced the photocatalytic activity of Ag-$TiO_2$ probably due to the excessive presence of Ag nanometals on $TiO_2$ matrix.

• 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.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite in eliminating Escherichia coli strains from leafy green and stem vegetables, which are frequently sold at community service centers. A cocktail of non-pathogenic E. coli and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (E. coli O157:H7) was used to artificially contaminate the vegetables (initial numbers of bacteria 7-8 log CFU/g). The contaminated vegetables were soaked in sodium hypochlorite for 5 min and then washed three times with running water. After the treatment, number of viable bacterial cells on the vegetables was estimated. Sodium hypochlorite treatment reduced the E. coli population by 1-2 log CFU/g on leafy green and stem vegetables, a significant reduction from the initial number. Further, sodium hypochlorite showed better antimicrobial efficacy for leaves with a larger surface area, less roughness, and softness. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial effect between 100 and 200 mg/kg of sodium hypochlorite. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase sodium hypochlorite concentration than the level suggested in the school meal hygiene management guidelines. However, sodium hypochlorite treatment is not sufficient to achieve a safe level of microorganisms on leafy green and stem vegetables since they generally have a high abundance of microorganisms on their surface. Thus, an alternative cooking method for fresh leafy green and stem vegetables in summer should be developed to ensure they are safe for consumption.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.615-622
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of melons in Korea. A total of 123 samples including melon fruits, leaves, seeds, soils, and irrigation water were collected from farms and markets to detect total aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were collected from Iksan and Nonsan farms to monitor bacterial levels on pre-market melons. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria on melon cultivation were between 0.43 and 6.65 log CFU $g^{-1}$, and 0.67 and 2.91 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. Bacillus cereus, a fecal coliform, was detected in soils and melon leaves from Iksan farm at 2.95, 0.73 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively, and in soils from Nonsan farm at 3.16 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Market melon samples were collected to assay bacterial load on melon being sold to consumers. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in agricultural markets, big-box retailers, and traditional markets were 4.82, 3.94, 3.99 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. The numbers of coliform in melon on the markets ranged from 0.09 to 0.49 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples. The count of total aerobic bacteria on melon seeds ranged from 0.33 to 3.34 log CFU $g^{-1}$. This study found that irrigation water, soil, manure and various farm work activities including post-harvest processes were latent sources of microbial contamination. These results suggest that hygienic management and monitoring of soil, water, and agricultural material should be performed to reduce microbial contamination in melon production.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.358-367
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• 1983

Antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae died readily after their addition to raw sewage, but they grew in sterilized sewage. The decline was not a result of antibiotic stresses, and because the bacteria were able to survive in large numbers for at least 15 days in solutions containing no organic nutrients, it was not a result of competition. Toxin production, bacteriophages, and Bdellovibrio did not cause the disappearance of the two bacterial species. A decline was also evident if the sewage was first passed through a $3-{\mu}m$ filter or treated with cycloheximide or cycloheximide plus nystatin, but protozoa developed under these conditions. Little or no decline occurred if the sewage was filtered and treated with the eucaryotic inhibitors before adding S. typhimurium or K. pneumoniae, and protozoa were not detected. S. typhimurium increased in abundance if cycloheximide, streptomycin, and erythromycin or large amounts of glucose were added to sewage. Tetrahymena thermophilus did not significantly reduce the population of S. typhimurium in buffer when the density of the bacterium was about $10^4/ml$. However, when more than $10^8$ Enterobacter agglomerans cells per ml were added to the buffer, T. thermophilus reduced the abundance of E. agglomerans and S. typhimurium to $10^6$ and 10/ml, respectively. The density of S. typhimurium was further decreased by a second increment of E. agglomerans cells. The disappearance of S. typhimurium and K. pneumoniae from sewage thus is the result of predation by protozoa. It is proposed that predators will eliminate a prey species from a natural environment when an alternate prey is present at concentrations above the threshold number for active feeing by the predator and when the rate of growth of the prey is less than the rate of predation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.349-353
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of Fumagari OPP$^{(R)}$, fumigation disinfectant, containing 20% ortho-phenylphenol against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this research, efficacy test of fumigant against S. aureus was carried out according to French standard NF T 72-281. S. aureus working culture suspension number (N value), all of the colony numbers on the carriers exposed with the fumigant (n1, n2, and n3), the number of bacterial test suspentions by pour plate method (N1), the number of bacterial test suspentions by filter membrane method (N2) and the mean number of bacteria recovered on the control-carriers (T value) were obtained from the preliminary test. In addition, the reduction number of S. aureus exposed with the fumigant (d value) was calculated using T value, the mean number of bacteria in recovery solution (n'1) and the mean number of bacteria on carriers plated in agar (n'2). N value was $4.0{\times}10^8$ CFU/mL, and n1, n2, and n3 were higher than 0.5N1, 0.5N2 and 0.5N1, respectively. Additionally, T value was $3.4{\times}10^6$ CFU/mL. In the bactericidal effect of the fumigant, the d value was 6.43 logCFU/mL. According to the French standard for the fumigant, the d value for the effective bactericidal fumigant should be over than 5 logCFU/mL. The results indicated that Fumagari OPP$^{(R)}$ had an effective bactericidal activity against S. aureus, then the fumigant can be applied to disinfect food materials and kitchen appliances contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.137-150
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• 2007

Trees emit phytoncide into atmosphere to protect them from predation. Phytoncide from different trees has its own unique fragrance that is referred to as forest bath. Phytoncide, which is essential oil of trees, has microbicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, and deodorizing effect. The present study was performed to examine the effect of phytoncide on Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is one of the most important causative agents of periodontitis and halitosis. P. gingivalis 2561 was incubated with or without phytoncide extracted from Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.; Japanese cypress) and then changes were observed in its cell viability, antibiotic sensitivity, morphology, and biochemical/molecular biological pattern. The results were as follows: 1. The phytoncide appeared to have a strong antibacterial effect on P. gingivalis. MIC of phytoncide for the bacterium was determined to be 0.008%. The antibacterial effect was attributed to bactericidal activity against P. gingivalis. It almost completely suppressed the bacterial cell viability (>99.9%) at the concentration of 0.01%, which is the MBC for the bacterium. 2. The phytoncide failed to enhance the bacterial susceptibility to ampicillin, cefotaxime, penicillin, and tetracycline but did increase the susceptibility to amoxicillin. 3. Numbers of electron dense granules, ghost cell, and vesicles increased with increasing concentration of the phytoncide, 4. RT-PCR analysis revealed that expression of superoxide dismutase was increased in the bacterium incubated with the phytoncide. 5. No distinct difference in protein profile between the bacterium incubated with or without the phytoncide was observed as determined by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Overall results suggest that the phytoncide is a strong antibacterial agent that has a bactericidal action against P. gingivalis. The phytoncide does not seem to affect much the profile of the major outer membrane proteins but interferes with antioxidant activity of the bacterium. Along with this, yet unknown mechanism may cause changes in cell morphology and eventually cell death.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2014

This test was performed to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of a fumigation disinfectant containing 20% ortho-phenylphenol against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Enterococcus hirae (E. hirae). In preliminary tests, P. aeruginosa and E. hirae working culture suspension number (N value) were $2.8{\times}10^8$ and $4.0{\times}10^8CFU/mL$, respectively. And all the colony numbers on the carriers exposed to the fumigant (n1, n2, n3) were higher than 0.5N1 (the number of bacterial test suspentions by pour plate method), 0.5N2 (the number of bacterial test suspentions by filter membrane method) and 0.5N1, respectively. In addition, the mean number of P. aeruginosa and E. hirae recovered on the control-carriers (T value) was $2.8{\times}10^8$ and $3.4{\times}10^6CFU/mL$, respectively. In the bactericidal effect of the fumigant, the reduction number of $2.8{\times}10^8$ (d value) was 6.46 and 5.19 logCFU/mL, respectively. According to the French standard for the fumigant, the d value for the effective bactericidal fumigant should be over than 5 logCFU/mL. With the results from this study, the fumigation disinfectant containing 20% ortho-phenylphenol has an effective bactericidal activity, then the fumigant can be applied to disinfect food materials and kitchen appliances contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria.