• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this research was to develop and evaluate natural hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics produced from the heat treatment of pig bones. Methods: The properties of natural HA ceramics produced from pig bones were assessed in two parts. Firstly, the raw materials were characterized. A temperature of $1,200^{\circ}C$ was chosen as the calcination temperature. Fine bone powders (BPs) were produced via calcinations and a milling process. Sintered BPs were then characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and a 2-year in vitro degradability test. Secondly, an indirect cytotoxicity test was conducted on human osteoblast-like cells, MG63, treated with the BPs. Results: The average particle size of the BPs was $20{\pm}5{\mu}m$. FE-SEM showed a non-uniform distribution of the particle size. The phase obtained from XRD analysis confirmed the structure of HA. Elemental analysis using XRF detected phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) with the Ca/P ratio of 1.6. Functional groups examined by FTIR detected phosphate ($PO{_4}^{3-}$), hydroxyl ($OH^-$), and carbonate ($CO{_3}^{2-}$). The EDX, XRF, and FTIR analysis of BPs indicated the absence of organic compounds, which were completely removed after annealing at $1,200^{\circ}C$. The BPs were mostly stable in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 2 years. An indirect cytotoxicity test on natural HA ceramics showed no threat to the cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, the sintering temperature of $1,200^{\circ}C$ affected the microstructure, phase, and biological characteristics of natural HA ceramics consisting of calcium phosphate. The Ca-P-based natural ceramics are bioactive materials with good biocompatibility; our results indicate that the prepared HA ceramics have great potential for agricultural and biological applications.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.599-604
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore methods for efficient management of the quality and safety of simple processed agricultural products in Busan. We tested 258 samples of simple processed agricultural products for distribution of aerobic bacteria and coliforms, and identified food-borne pathogens. The average aerobic bacterial and coliforms counts were 7.1 and 4.1 log CFU/g in simple processed vegetables, 6.8 and 3.5 log CFU/g in dried vegetables, and 6.2 and 2.9 log CFU/g in simple processed fruits. Additionally Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any samples. However, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and E. coli were detected in 41 samples (16.3%), 2 samples (0.8%), and 4 samples (1.6%), respectively. This analysis revealed that none of C. perfringens and E. coli isolates harbored pathogenic toxic genes. However, all of B. cereus isolates carried at least 1 toxin gene.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2014

As Mt. Backdu is expected to erupt, the social and economic impacts of the eruption on the Korean peninsula as well as on the world become a research topic of interest. If the volcano erupts, South Korea can be directly impacted by volcanic ash, which will bring out secondary damages in various ways. Given that the direct damage is a basis to estimate indirect and secondary damages, this paper was to review a method to estimate direct damages, called catastrophe risk models, and estimate the direct damages of available eruption scenarios of Mt. Baekdu. Based on the results, the damages by volcanic ash will occur mostly around Gangwon province if the Mt. Backdu erupts. Thus the inventory lists and their damage functions of Gangwon provinces were collected. In particular agricultural and forestry products were surveyed based on the land use. Direct damages were estimated using volcanic ash distribution of eruption scenarios, inventory information and their damage functions. In result, a scenario in winter caused the damage of 299.8 billion KRW (20.4% of total agricultural production in 2010) and 28.9 billion KRW (9.0% of total forestry production in 2010) in agriculture and forestry, respectively. The damages in agriculture was larger, and it is due to the damage functions which show the agricultural products are more vulnerable to volcanic ash than forestry products. Also the agricultural production (1,471.7 billion KRW in 2010) are more than 4.5 times the forestry production (322.3 billion KRW in 2010) in Gangwon province. Inje and Gangnung had the most damages in the scenario in winter. Inje had the most damage due to the thick ash deposit (8.5 mm in average) despite the low production. On the other hand, Goseong had a low damage compared to the ash thickness larger than 20mm, owing to the low production. The direct damage estimated through this process can be used to estimate indirect damages.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.117-119
• /
• 2009

Rhizopus soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer occurred on strawberry (Fragaria ${\times}$ ananassa) in the plastic boxes in Jinju City Wholesale Market of Agricultural Products at Gyeongnam province in Korea on April 2008. The infected fruits were rapidly softened, water soaked and finally rotted. The symptoms were mainly occurred through wounds at harvest time. The colony color was white, cottony to brownish black after fully matured and numerous sporangiospores were formed on sporangia. The optimum growth temperature of the fungus was $30^{\circ}C$ on potato dextrose agar. Sporangia were globose or hemispheric shape of white color at initial stage and gradually changed with black color of $82{\sim}195{\mu}m$ in size. Sporangiophores were $12{\sim}25{\mu}m$ in width. Columella were hemispheric in shape, and $70{\sim}92{\mu}m$ in size. Sporangiospores were irregular round or oval in shape, brownish-black in color and $9{\sim}21\;{\times}\;7{\sim}8{\mu}m$ in size. This fungus formed stolones and rhizoid on PDA. On the basis of symptom, mycological characteristics and pathogenicity of the fungus, the causal fungus was identified as Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.) Vuill.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The Tox-Info system is a poisonous substance information database developed by the Korean National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage effectiveness of the Tox-Info system by comparing the toxic substances included in the database with the distribution of the toxic substances implicated in the cases of intoxicated patients presenting to emergency departments. The secondary aim of the study was to propose any additional substances that should be added to the database. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients suffering with toxic exposure who had visited any of 12 selected emergency departments in Korea from January 2010 to December 2011. The identified toxic substances were classified into groups including prescription drugs, agricultural chemicals, household products, animals or plants, herbal drugs, and others. We calculated the coverage rate of the Tox-Info database relative to the number of intoxication cases and the type of toxic substances involved. Results: A total of 5,840 intoxicated patient records were collected. Their mean age was $46.6{\pm}20.5$ years and 56.2% were female. Of the total intoxication cases, 87.8% of the identified toxic substances were included in the Tox-Info database, while only 41.6% of all of the types of identified toxic substances were included. Broken down by category, 122 prescription drugs, 15 agricultural chemicals, 12 household products, 14 animals or plants and 2 herbal drugs involved in poisoning cases were not included in the Tox-info database. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the clinical usefulness of the Tox-Info system. While 87.8% of the substances involved in the cases were included in the Tox-Info database, the database should be continuously updated in order to include even the most uncommon toxic substances.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.810-815
• /
• 2008

Improving quality is a very important component of maintaining competitiveness of agricultural products. However, evaluation of 'high quality' indicates it is a very abstract concept and independent of some quality attributes, leading to differences in the perception of quality. Thus, there is a pressing need to objectively define 'high quality' and to develop basic technologies for its measurement, for application in the production, storage and distribution of competitive agricultural products. To objectively quantify apple quality, a survey was conducted on consumer preferences and awareness of quality attributes including color, taste, flavor and shape. The survey questionnaire targeted male and female adults (463 persons) ranging in age from 20 to 59 years. The questionnaire was based on purchases made at a wholesale market (50.1%) or a traditional market (18.8%). The majority of purchases were as small packets (62.0%) or as individual pieces (20.5%). Apples of moderate size (fist size, 60.5%) were preferred over small (4.3%) or large (32.6%) apples. The questionnaire provided consumer data on external quality attributes including color, shape and variety. Taste attributes were evaluated in relation to the balance between sour and sweet taste, and flavors peculiar to apples.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2018.05a
• /
• pp.13-13
• /
• 2018

Alternaria is a ubiquitous fungal genus, widely distributed in the environment and a range of different habitats. It includes both plant pathogenic and saprophytic species, which can affect crops in the field or cause post-harvest spoilage of plant fruits and kernels. Numerous Alternaria species cause damage to agricultural products including cereal grains, fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. Most Alternaria species have the ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, which may play important roles in plant pathology as well as food quality and safety. Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA), tentoxin (TEN) and altenuene (ALT) are considered the main Alternaria compounds thought to pose a risk to human health. However, food-borne Alternaria species are able to produce many additional metabolites, whose toxicity has been tested incompletely or not tested at all. Both alternariols are mutagenic and their presence in cereal grain has been associated with high levels of human esophageal cancer in China. TeA exerts cytotoxic and phytotoxic properties, and is acutely toxic in different animal species, causing hemorrhages in several organs. The possible involvement of TA in the etiology of onyalai, a human hematological disorder occurring in Africa, has been suggested. Altertoxins (ALXs) have been found to be more potent mutagens and acutely toxic to mice than AOH and AME. Other metabolites, such as TEN, are reported to be phytotoxins, and their toxicity on animals has not been demonstrated up to now. Vegetable foods infected by Alternaria rot are obviously not suitable for consumption. Thus, whole fresh fruits are not believed to contribute significantly with Alternaria toxins to human exposure. However, processed vegetable products may introduce considerable amounts of these toxins to the human diet if decayed or moldy fruit is not removed before processing. The taxonomy of the genus is not well defined yet, which makes it difficult to establish an accurate relationship between the contaminant species and their associated mycotoxins. Great efforts have been made to organize taxa into subgeneric taxonomic levels, especially for the small-spored, food associated species, which are closely related and constitute the most relevant food pathogens from this genus. Several crops of agricultural value are susceptible to infection by different Alternaria species and can contribute to the entry of Alternaria mycotoxins in the food chain. The distribution of Alternaria species was studied in different commodities grown in Argentina. These food populations were characterized through a polyphasic approach, with special interest in their secondary metabolite profiles, to understand their full chemical potential. Alternaria species associated with tomato, bell pepper, blueberry, apples and wheat cultivated in Argentina showed a surprisingly high metabolomic and mycotoxigenic potential. The natural occurrence of Alternaria toxins in these foods was also investigated. The results here presented will provide background for discussion on regulations for Alternaria toxins in foods.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.10
• /
• pp.181-194
• /
• 2020

Due to the changes in the distribution market, issues related to storage and distribution of agricultural, aquatic and livestock products, and storage and transportation of processed and fresh food are rapidly emerging, and as a result, Cold Chain is naturally receiving attention as one of the logistics services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the competitiveness of location in the construction of a cold chain cluster centered on the metropolitan area, which has attracted attention in relation to the distribution of cold chains, such as recently refrigerated frozen foods. To this end, this study evaluated the competitiveness of cold chain cluster candidates in the metropolitan area by utilizing the CFPR (Consistent Fuzzy Preference Relations) method that can efficiently extract and quantify expert knowledge. As a result, the location competitiveness was found to be superior to Incheon New Port's hinterland, Gyeonggi South Area (Yongin), Gyeonggi West Area (Gimpo Logistics Complex), and Pyeongtaek Oseong Logistics Complex. In particular, this study extracted the knowledge of refrigerated and refrigerated logistics warehouse operation experts, and conducted detailed competitiveness assessments for cold chain cluster candidates in the metropolitan area, and suggested the optimal cluster candidates. In the future research, it is necessary to classify the questionnaire into the owner, large business group, and public business group, etc., who have the right to purchase and build to secure ownership of the fresh food distribution center.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.133-150
• /
• 1996

This study is to clarify the market cycle of travelling merchants and the spatial behavior of consumer's commodity purchasing. its reasons and purchasing region of each commodity in Chongsan of Chongsan Myun(village) periodic markets, that is one of the lowest central places in Okchon county. The data used are the results of interviews with 58 travelling merchants on June 22 and July 17, 1994, and questionaire survey taken to parents of students of Chongsan middle school of Chongsan Myun in Okchon county. Study area is typical agricultural regions taking the role of central places to provide rural service and is comparatively important periodic markets. Some of findings are summarized as follows: (1) Until 1980's. appearance of closed periodic markets is caused by the population decrease in rural region, income increase, and rising of living level according to the Five Years Planning of Economic Development, appearance of chain stores of agricultural co-coperative and of supermarkets,. changes in distribution mechanisim by increasing consignment volume of agricultural products through agricultural co-coperative, and the development of transportation in Okchon county. These, too, became the reasons for the decline of the Chongsan periodic markets in Okchon county. (2) Most of the travelling merchants visiting the Chongsan periodic markets are in their 50's of age, and they sell the miscellaneous commodities and agricultural products. And about one-fourths of travelling merchants reside in regions with periodic markets and in Okchon of higher order central places. (3) Travelling routes visting periodic markets can be simplified to five types. Major types of travelling routes are Chongsan periodic market$\rightarrow$Wonnam$\rightarrow$Boun, and Chongsan periodic market$\rightarrow$Yungdong$\rightarrow$Yongsan. The patterns of travelling merchants visiting periodic markets are classified into the type of everyday visiting of periodic markets over three days of five days from merchant's residence to market, and the type of merchants or consumers visiting one day's of five days. On days that travelling merchants don't visit periodic markets they purchase the commodities in Seoul, Taejon and Chongju. (4) Consumers who use periodic markets are from thirties to fifties years of age and most of them are employed in agriculture. Consumers visit periodic markets on foot or by bus, and visit two or three times in a month, and mainly purchase the commodities for one or two hours from about ten o'clock in the morning. (5) Consumers purchase the necessaries of life in periodic markets, and other commodities are purchased in Taejon city, Youngdong, and Boun Eup(town). But consumers purchase the goods(convenience goods, shopping goods, and specialied goods) largerly in Chongsan, because additional expense and disadvantage after service with poor transportation service for purchased goods in others regions. Therefore, the hierarchies of central places by the consumer's purchasing behaviour can not be seem in dewellers in Chongsan and Chongseong Myun.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.41-45
• /
• 2013

This study was carried out to improve standardization of agricultural products and investigate quality changes during preservation at various treatments. The standardization does much to improve merchantable quality, distribution efficiency and fair dealings by shipping of the standard agricultural products. Mushrooms notified as the standard are five; Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, Flammulina velutipes, Agaricus bisporus and Ganoderma lucidum. But many farmers are suffering from strict standards. Therefore, modification of these standards is required to fit farmhouse situations. Fruit-body weight of A, B and C grades of the marketed Agaricus bisporus was 19.3g, 12.2g and 10.4, respectively. Average pileus diameter of A grades was 43.3mm but B and C grades did not show significant difference. Average stipe length of A, B and C grades was 9.8mm, 13.1mm and 11.6mm, and stipes thick was the highest in A grades. The weight loss rate of stipe cutting of Agaricus bisporus was 12.6% in harvested mushrooms and the rate of stipe cutting length was 60.8%. The diameter of Agaricus bisporus stored for 5 days was 3.5~4.5cm but decreased rapidly in 15 days. The weight loss rate of the high temperature samples lowered rapidly than that of the low temperature samples. Conversely, the L value of the low temperature samples was higher than that of the high temperature samples.