• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate microbial contamination levels of leafy greens (perilla leaf and lettuce) and its distributing conditions at different seasons (Feb, May, Aug, and Nov of the year 2011) in order to provide insight into any potential health hazards associated with consumption of these commodities. Leafy greens were collected from a farm located in Geumsan, Chungnam and wholesale markets (WM) and traditional markets (TM) located in Suwon. At the same time, temperature and relative humidity fluctuations experienced by the leafy greens during distribution from the farm to the distribution center were measured by a data logger. The contamination levels of perilla leaf and lettuce were determined by analyzing total plate count. Coliform groups, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were determined. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform groups and B. cereus in both vegetables sampled during May and August found to be higher than those sampled during February and November. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes were not detected in the vegetables analyzed in this study. There were no significant trends between samples at WM and TM in the contamination levels. Relative humidity of vegetables distributed from the farm to the distribution center showed over 90% during distribution regardless of measured seasons. In the case of background microflora on leafy greens, the density was significantly increased at 20, 30 and $37^{\circ}C$ during storage of 24h. E. coli O157:H7 and B. cereus inoculated on the leaves also showed similar increases in the storage tests. The microbial contamination levels determined in this study may be used as the fundamental data for microbial risk assessment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 1986

In order to promote mechanization of corn harvesting in Korea, this study was conducted to find out the effect of moisture content on compressive properties such as force, deformation, energy and modulus of stiffness to the bioyield and the rupture point for Korean corn kernel. In this study, the loading positions of corn were flat, edge, longitude and the moisture contents were about 13, 17, 21, 25% in wet basis. The compression test was carreied out with flat plate by use of dynamic straingage for three varieties of Korean corn under quasi-static force when the loading rate was 1.125mm/min. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1. When the moisture content of corn ranged from 12.5 to 24.5 percent, at flat position, the bioyied force was in the range of 13.63-26.73 kg and the maximum compressive strength was in the range of 21.55-47.65kg. Their values were reached minimum at about 17% and maximum at about 21% moisture content. The bioyield force was in the range of 13.58-6.70kg at edge position and the maximum compressive strength which was 16.42 to 7.82kg at edge position was lower than that which was 18.55-9.05kg at longitudinal position. 2. Deformation of corn varied from 0.43 to 1.37 mm at bioyield point and from 0.70 to 2.66mm at rupture point between 12.5 to 24.5% moisture content. As the moisture content increased, deformation was increased. 3. The moduli of resilience and toughness of corn ranged from 2.60 to 8.57kg. mm and from 6.41 to 34.36kg. mm when the moisture content ranged from 12.5 to 24.5 percent, respectively. As the moisture content increased, the modulus of toughness was increased at edge position and decreased at longitudinal position. And their values were equal each other at 22-23% moisture content. 4. The modulus of stiffness was decreased with increase in the moisture content. Its values ranged from 32.07 to 5.86 kg/mm at edge position and from 42.12 to 18.68kg/mm at flat position, respectively. Also, the values of Suweon 19 were higher than those of Buyeo. 5. It was considered that the compressive properties of corn at flat position were more important on the design data for corn harvesting and processing machinery than those of edge or longitudinal position. Also, grinding energy would be minimized when a corn was processed between about 12.5 to 17% moisture content and corn damage would be reduced when a corn was handled between about 19 to 24% moisture content in wet basis.