• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.260-270
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• 2022

In this study, we tested for pesticide residues in 114 samples representing 20 different types of fruit circulating in Gyeonggido. A total of 341 pesticides were identified via a multi-residue method using GC-NPD, GC-ECD, GC-MSMS, and LC-MSMS. In whole fruit, pesticides were detected in 48 cases, with a concentration range of 0.0025-0.1663 mg/kg. In the peels, pesticides were detected in 85 cases, with a concentration range of 0.0026-4.7185 mg/kg and a higher average concentration than was found in whole fruit. In the pulp, pesticides were detected in 8 cases, with a concentration range of 0.0021-0.0993 mg/kg. In most of the peels, pesticides were detected below MRL. In the kiwi peel, deltamethrin (with an MRL of 0.05 mg/kg) was detected at 0.1020 mg/kg. Since MRLs are applied to whole fruit, these levels are not unsuitable for ingestion. However, washing is recommended before ingestion to promote healthier and safer inclusion of the peel in the diet. Continuous monitoring of the peel and pulp is indicated.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Beef traceability systems help prevent the distribution of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) meat as imported beef. In particular, assigning a traceability number to each cattle can provide all information regarding the purchased Hanwoo meat to the consumers. In the present study, a DNA identity test was conducted on 344 samples of Hanwoo meat from large livestock product stores in Seoul between 2021 and 2022 to determine the authenticity of important label information, such as the traceability number. Traceability number mismatch was confirmed in 45 cases (13.1%). The mismatch rate decreased to 11.3% in 2022 from 14.7% in 2021, and the mismatch rate was higher in the northern region (16.9%) than in the southern region (10.2%). In addition, of the six brands, B and D showed satisfactory traceability system management, whereas E and A showed poor traceability system management, with significant differences (P<0.001). The actual traceability number confirmation rate was only 53.9% among the mismatch samples. However, examination of the authenticity of label information of the samples within the identified range revealed false marking in the order of the traceability number (13.1%), sex (2.9%), slaughterhouse name (2.2%), and grade (1.6%); no false marking of breed (Hanwoo) was noted. To prevent the distribution of erroneously marked livestock products, the authenticity of label information must be determined promptly. Therefore, a legal basis must be established mandating the filling of a daily work sheet, including the traceability number of beef, in partial meat subdivisions. Our findings can be used as reference data to guide the management direction of traceability systems for ensuring transparency in the distribution of livestock products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.112-122
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• 2023

We assessed the pesticide residues in the medicinal agricultural products distributed in Korea. Pesticide residues in 72 samples were analyzed using the QuECheRS method for 339 pesticides, using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. The pesticide residues were below the maximum residues limit (MRL) in 42 samples (58.3%); however, they exceeded the MRL in 5 samples (6.9%). These included 43 types of pesticides; 20 fungicides and 23 insecticides were detected 75 times and 58 times, respectively. Tebuconazole and carbendazim were the most detected fungicides, each 11 times. The levels of acetamiprid, cadusafos, chlorpyrifos, flubendiamide, fluopyram, and triazophos exceeded the MRL in Gogi berry, Omija, and Reishi mushroom. All of them were positive list system (PLS) items that lacked pesticide residue standards. Therefore, authorities should monitor the distributed medicinal agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2023

To develop a functional probiotic that inhibits gingipain, a major virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivlais (P. gingivalis), we screened over 30 probiotic strains for their ability to inhibit gingipian activity. We investigated the inhibition of expression of gingipain genes kgp, rgpA, and rgpB as well as gingipain activity, using freeze dried cell-free supernatants of Weisiella cibaria SPM402 (WC402) and Lactobacillus paracasei SMP412 (LP412), both of which demonstrated antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis. Thus, it was verified that kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.02 folds and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.14 folds at a concentration of WC402 10 mg/mL. Meanwhile, at the same concentration of 10 mg/mL of LP412, kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.19±0.08 folds, rgpA expression was reduced by approximately 0.09±0.02 folds, and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.24±0.03 folds. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, Kgp activity was inhibited by approximately 78.65±3.58% (cell associated gingipain, CAG), 82.45±1.22% (cell-free gingipain, CFG) by WC402 and 80.71±2.11% (CAG), and 85.81±0.05% (CFG) by LP412 respectively. Rgp activity was also effectively inhibited by approximately 78.6±1.01% (CAG), 86.78±0.47% (CFG) and 82.93±1.26% (CAG), 88.81±0.36% (CFG) by WC402 and LP412 respectively. Based on these results, W. cibaria SPM402 and L. paracasei SPM412 can be regarded as functional probiotics with the ability to inhibit gingipain activity and exhibit antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-25
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• 2024

This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. In poultry meat and its association with foodborne illnesses in Gwangju, South Korea. It was found that out of the 307 samples of poultry meat examined, 111 (36.2%) were infected with Campylobacter spp. Among the isolated strains, 102 were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and 14 as Campylobacter coli. The detection rate of Campylobacter spp. was higher in duck meat (63.1%) than in chicken meat (26.0%). In 5 samples (1 chicken, 4 duck), both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were found together. The antimicrobial resistance test showed that 99 strains were resistant to more than one antimicrobial. The most common antimicrobial resistance was seen against ciprofloxacin (84.5%), followed by nalidixic acid (82.8%), tetracycline (44.0%), and gentamicin (2.6%). The isolated Campylobacter spp. were serotyped and the results showed the presence of HS2 (20 strains), HS15 (11 strains), HS19 (9 strains), and HS8 (8 strains). Considering the findings, it is recommended to maintain hygienic practices during the cooking process and to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2024

This study was performed to survey the distribution of Listeria spp. in fresh agricultural products in the Busan area, the Republic of Korea, from January to November 2022. We investigated the pathogenicity and epidemiological relationships by tracing isolated strains using polymerase chain reaction and pulsed-field gel electro-phoresis (PFGE) methods. Forty cases of Listeria spp. were detected in the 210 samples of fresh agricultural products analyzed. Four species, Listeria rocourtiae, L. innocua, L. grayi, and L. monocytogenes were detected only in green vegetables (lettuce, perilla leaps) and the others (L. innocua, L. monocytogenes, and L. grayi) were detected in enoki and oyster mushrooms. L. innocua was detected in 22 samples and L. grayi in six samples. L. monocytogenes, which causes foodborne diseases, was only detected in enoki mushrooms and the strains that were isolated had genes responsible for the pathogenicity of listeriosis (iap, prfA, inlA, inlC, inlJ, and hly). To investigate the genetic similarity and contamination route of L. monocytogenes, serotyping and PFGE were conducted for 12 strains isolated from fresh agricultural (10 strains) and poultry (2 strains) products distributed at a market in the Busan area. Two serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b) were detected in strains isolated from the agricultural and poultry products, but serotype 1/2b was only detected in strains isolated from agricultural products. PFGE analysis showed index of similarity values of 45.7 to 100% and the same patterns were represented in isolates from some enoki mushrooms. These isolates had the same serotypes and showed significant epidemiological relationships.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of using pathogens and aqueous acids to reduce the Aspergillus ochraceus and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa contamination in livestock production environments. For this study, 1 mL of each bacterial suspension (10⁷-10⁸ spores/mL) was inoculated on a knife surface, dried at 37℃, and used under each treatment condition. First, to investigate the effect of organic acids, acetic, lactic, and citric acids were used. Subsequently, to select the appropriate concentration, they were prepared at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%, respectively. Accordingly, to further maximize the effect of organic acid treatment, we combined the treatment with ultraviolet light. The two strains showed a significant difference (P<0.05) compared to the initial strain, with a greater than 90% decrease in the concentrations of all organic acids. Consequently, acetic and lactic acids decreased by approximately 5 and 2 log colony forming unit (CFU)/cm², respectively, when treated with ultraviolet light (360 mJ/cm²); however, citric acid decreased by less than 1 log CFU/cm². However, when manufactured with 4% acetic acid, a severe malodor was emitted, making it difficult for workers to use it in a production environment. Accordingly, the optimal treatment conditions for organic acid and ultraviolet light for application were selected as follows: immersion in a 4% lactic acid solution for 1 minute and then, sterilization with ultraviolet light at 360 mJ/cm². Finally, when a pork meat sample was cut with a knife that was finally washed with lactic acid and treated with ultraviolet light, the low level of inoculum transferred from the cleaned knife to the surface of the sample was not detected. In conclusion, using this established method can prevent cross-contamination of the surface of the meat during processing.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2024

Pesticide residues were monitored in dried red pepper and pepper powder samples purchased in Northern Gyeonggi-do and from domestic online markets. The QuEChERS method was used to prepare 88 samples. GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS were used to analyze 338 pesticide residues. In the study, pesticide residues were detected in 70 samples (79.5%), with residues exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRL) in 4 samples (4.5%). Pesticide levels exceeded the MRL in imported samples, with two samples of dried red pepper and two samples of pepper powder showing elevated levels. Among the 61 pesticides detected, tebuconazole, a fungicide was most frequently detected (52 times). Tricyclazole, which is used to control the main disease affecting rice, exceeding the MRL in 3 of 12 Vietnam-origin samples. Ethion exceeded the MRL in one Indian-origin sample. Both tricyclazole and ethion are banned for use in pepper products in Korea and are regulated under the positive list system (PLS). Conversely, pesticides detected in domestic samples were within the MRLs. Therefore, authorities should monitor pesticide residues in imported red pepper products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.412-421
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• 2024

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine-derived neurotoxin. Existing detection methods for TTX, such as mouse bioassay (MBA) and LC-MS/MS, are limited by ethical concerns, and low detection thresholds, particularly in the absence of reference standards. Alternative testing methods are thus critically needed. The Neuro-2a assay is a well-established cell-based assay that uses mouse-derived Neuro-2a cells treated with ouabain (O) and veratridine (V), to induce cell death via excessive Na+ influx. This assay quantitates TTX based on its ability to inhibit Na+ influx, thereby allowing the cells to survive. In this study, we optimized parameters including TTX treatment conditions and O/V concentrations, to adapt the Neuro-2a assay for domestic laboratory conditions. The optimal O/V concentrations were determined to be 600/60 µM. We also identified eight concentration points (50-0.195 ng/mL) that generated a sigmoidal dose-response curve. By conducting 24 replicate experiments, we established six key data criteria to ensure reliability, with EC50 values ranging from 3.824 to 1.268 ng/mL. A comparison of inter-laboratory variability revealed that all quality control and data criteria values, except for COV+ and Bottom OD, showed coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from 1.31 to 14.92%, confirming the assay's accuracy and reproducibility. In this study, we also elucidate optimal assay conditions, validated quality control and data criteria for TTX detection using the Neuro-2a assay in local laboratories. Additionally, we conducted an assay with 4,9-anhydroTTX, a TTX analog, and determined a TEF value of 0.2098, demonstrating the applicability of this method for detecting TTX and its analogs. This optimized Neuro-2a assay is expected to serve as an effective alternative to MBA for detecting TTX in domestic seafood products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2024

This study aimed to examine the delivery conditions and microbial contamination of fresh-cut and ready-to-eat foods purchased from online markets between February and November 2023. Upon arrival, the average surface temperature of the products was 11.3℃. In the fresh-cut foods, the average number of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms was 4.5 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g and 1.2 log CFU/g, respectively, whereas in the ready-to-eat foods, these values were 10.6 log CFU/g and 1.2 log CFU/g, respectively. Pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, and pathogenic Escherichia coli were absent from all samples. Bacillus cereus was found in 2.7% of the fresh-cut foods and 0.9% of the ready-to-eat foods, with contamination levels averaging 0.05 log CFU/g and 0.01 log CFU/g, respectively. In the four samples in which B. cereus was detected, genetic testing of the six toxin genes produced by B. cereus revealed the presence of at least one enterotoxin gene, excluding the emetic toxin. L. monocytogenes was absent from ready-to-eat foods but was detected in 0.9% of fresh-cut foods. Analysis of the isolated L. monocytogenes confirmed the presence of six pathogenicity-related genes, including iap, indicating the potential risk of foodborne diseases.