• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2013

Sterilization of Neurospora crassa has been investigated in this research by using a surface air plasma with dielectric barrier discharged (DBD) structure under atmospheric pressure. The sinusoidal alternating current has been used in this experiment with discharge voltage of 1.4~2.3 kV. The phase difference between the voltage and current signals are found to be almost 80 degree due to the capacitive property of dielectric barrier. Temperature on the biomaterials has been minimized by radiating the heat with the air cooling system. It is noted that the substrate temperature remains under 37 degree for plasma exposure time of 10 minutes with operation of cooler system. It is found that the ozone, $O_3$, has been measured to be about 25~30 ppm within 1 cm region and to be about 5 ppm at the 150 cm downstream region away from the suface plasma. It is also noted that the nitric oxide, NO, and nitric dioxide, $NO_2$, are not nearly detected. Germination rate and mitochodrial activity of Neurospora crassa immersed in the deionized water have been found to be drastically decreased as the plasma treatment time and its electrical power are increased in this experiment. Here, the mitochondrial activity has been analyzed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethy lthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. However, sterilization of Neurospora crassa immersed in the Vogel's minimal media has been found to be low by plasma treatment, which is caused by surrounding background solution. This research shows the sterilization possibility of Neurospora crassa by using the noncontated surface DBD plasma, which is different from the plasma jet. This is mainly attibuted to the reactive species generated by the surface plasma, since they play a major role for inhibition of micobes such as Neurospora crassa.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.227-249
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• 2016

Arsenic and its compounds vary in their toxicity according to the chemical forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic and known as carcinogen. The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of $15{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has been withdrawn, while the EFSA panel suggested $BMDL_{0.1}$ $0.3{\sim}8{\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ for cancers of the lung, skin and bladder, as well as skin lesions. Rice, seaweed and beverages are known as food being rich in inorganic arsenic. As(III) is the major form of inorganic arsenic in rice and anaerobic paddy soils, while most of inorganic arsenic in seaweed is present as As(V). The inorganic arsenic in food was extracted with solvent such as distilled water, methanol, nitric acid and so on in heat-assisted condition or at room temperature. Arsenic speciation analysis was based on ion-exchange chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, there has been no harmonized and standardized method for inorganic arsenic analysis internationally. The inorganic arsenic exposure from food has been estimated to range of $0.13{\sim}0.7{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for European, American and Australian, and $0.22{\sim}5{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for Asian. The maximum level (ML) for inorganic arsenic in food has established by EU, China, Australia and New Zealand, but are under review in Korea. Until now, several studies have conducted for reduction of inorganic arsenic in food. Inorganic arsenic levels in rice and seaweed were reduced by more polishing and washing, boiling and washing, respectively. Further research for international harmonization of analytical method, monitoring and risk assessment will be needed to strengthen safety management of inorganic arsenic of foods in Korea.