• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.971-976
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• 2009

The consumption of raw sprouts has increased in popularity worldwide because the food is natural and healthy. However, in Korea, nothing is known on the safety standards of sprout producers or changes in the microbial populations of sprouts during sprouting. We evaluated the microbial safety and quality of sprouts during each step in the sprouting process. Bacteriological analysis showed that seeds had a Total Plate Count (TPC) ranging from 3.04 - 5.21 log CFU/g and coliform counts ranging from 1.80 - 3.86 log CFU/g. TPC and coliform counts increased rapidly during the sprouting process to attain values of 6.99 - 8.26 and 3.70 - 7.15 log CFU/g, respectively, regardless of decontamination of seeds with commercial sanitizer. TPC and coliform counts were on high level after sprouts were washed. Escherichia coli was detected in samples of domestic radish sprouts at all stages from seed to storage, rape sprouts in the stages from soaked seed to storage, and red radish sprouts during sprouting, and no sanitizer was used in any of these processes. Untreated red radish sprouts were also positive for Bacillus cereus at all processing steps and Listeria monocytogenes after germination. However, pathogens were not detected at any sprouting stage of seeds treated with sanitizer. It is necessary to carefully control commercial sprouting, and to develop HACCP guidelines applicable to all sprouting processes, commencing at the first step in raw seed production.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.831-838
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of mixed microbes addition on physico-chemical, fermentative and microbial parameters of sawdust-based spent mushroom substrates(SMS). The SMS was inoculated with mixed microbes(Enterobacter ludwigii, Bacillus cereus, 2 strains of Bacillus subtillis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum) at 1% level(wet basis) and anaerobically fermented during the different periods(up to 8th week). Compared with the SMS before ensiling, the ensiled one had higher CP, NDF and ADF percentages and lower DM and NFC percentages. However, levels of change were very low. The in situ ruminal disappearance of SMS DM and NDF decreased with the ensiling period prolonged. For fermentative parameters, pH reduced and lactic acid contents increased after ensiling, compared with those after ensiling. At 8th week of ensiling, pH increased and lactic acid contents reduced again, compared with those at 4th week of ensiling; however, the silage still showed favorable fermentation status. Lactic acid bacteria counts did not change throughout 8 weeks of ensiling. Counts of total microbes and yeast reduced after 4th week of ensiling period. Counts of lactic acid bacteria and yeast at 8th week of ensiling were in the levels of 108cfu/g. These results indicate that anaerobic fermentation with microbial addition could be an effective way for the long term(8 weeks) storage of the SMS.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2000

The properties of Puchu(Allium odorum L.)kimchi prepared with different methods were investigated by measuring organoleptic and microbiological properties up to 43 days at 10$\^{C}$ right after preparation. Five conditions of making Puchukimchi included: the addition of salt (treatment A), soybean sauce (treatment B), soybean sauce and perilla seed powder (treatment C), anchovy sauce (treatment D), anchovy sauce and glutinous rice paste(treatment E). Sensory evaluation showed high scores in the appearance, smell, sour taste, good taste, savory taste, texture, and overall acceptability of Puchukimchi prepared with soybean sauce(treatment B). However, treatment C had the best score in good taste. In the intial stage of fermentation, treatment C had higher total microbial counts than others, but in the final stage, treatment E had higher counts than others. Treatment A had less total microbial counts than others throughout the fermentation. The maximum numbers of lactic acid bacteria in other treatments were in the order of treatments A>B>D. In the final stage of fermentation, treatment B had the least number of lactic acid bacteria composed of Pediococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus. Streptococcus reached the maximum level at the 8 th day of fermentation, and the number of Lactobacillus was increased with the lapse of fermentation time. It was shown that fermentation patterns of Puchukimchi were influenced by the preparation methods used.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.328-331
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pediocin treatment on noodle quality during 4 days of storage at $20^{\circ}C$. The pH of noodle increased after 2 days of storage and then decreased during further storage. The total bacterial counts in noodles increased during the storage period. When pediocin was present at 1,000 ppm, bacterial counts temporarily decreased after first day of storage and then slowly increased to 4 days of storage. Coliforms were detected after 2 days of storage in noodles stored without pediocin. When pediocin was present at 300 or 500 ppm, the coliform detection time was extended to 3 days of storage. Upon treatment with 1,000 ppm of pediocin, the coliform detection time was further extended to 4 days of storage. The fungal count in noodles was 2.3 log CFU/mL initially, and did not change significantly during the first day of storage, after which time the fungal count increased quickly. The fungal counts in noodles without pediocin treatment increased more rapidly than in noodles stored with pediocin, and was 5.0 log CFU/mL after 4 days of storage. We conclude that pediocin prevented noodle deterioration on storage.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.397-404
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate microbial contamination in the school food service environment for the assessment of microbial food safety. Methods: We collected both swab samples from tables and desks and airborne bacterial samples from an elementary school (School A) and a high school (School B). Heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were measured with selective media to quantify microbial concentration. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA genes was performed to identify the strains of S. aureus and B. cereus isolated. In addition, we made a food service checklist for the locations to evaluate the food service environment. A Wilcoxon test was employed to examine the differences in microbial concentration between before lunchtime and afterwards. Results: Heterotrophic plate counts showed higher levels after-lunch compared to before-lunch at School B. However, levels of S. aureus were higher in the after-lunch period (p<0.05) in both classrooms and in the cafeteria in School A. B. cereus was only sparsely detected in School B. Several samples from food dining carts were found to be contaminated with bacteria, and facilities associated with food delivery were found to be vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Although microbial concentrations in the air showed little difference between before- and after-lunchtime in the cafeteria in School A, those in classrooms were greater after-lunchtime at both schools. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the microbial safety in schools after lunchtime of concern. Necessary preventive measures such as hygiene education for students and food handlers should be required to minimize microbial contamination during food service processes in schools.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1646-1652
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• 2002

Si-Raw is a raw cured meat (raw, cured meat fermented with steamed rice) produced by the aboriginal people of Taiwan. In order to prevent food poisoning or intoxication from botulism, new methods of monitoring the production base on hurdle technology were investigated. New methods investigated incorporated citric acid, sodium hypophosphite, Monascus anka mash, plum paste or lactic acid bacteria inoculum added separately to meat with steamed rice and salt to lower the Aw (water activity) and pH values of the products to control the microbial growth. Results showed that anaerobic bacterial counts, lactic acid bacterial counts and aerobic bacterial counts for the products of all treatments were less than $10^6$, $10^5$ and $10^2cfu/g$, respectively. Sodium chloride content of all products was above 5.46%, water activity was below 0.939 and pH value was below 4.27. IMP was lower and ATP and hypoxanthine were higher. ATP concentrations were higher in the samples which contained the anka mash. Result of sensory panel test indicated that most people preferred the products with added sodium hypophosphite. Except for the fact that the content of tryptamine in the sample with Monascus anka mash was higher, the amine concentrations for all treatments were lower than those of other fermented meat products. The amino acid nitrogen content was higher in the product made from raw meat treated with citric acid, but lower in the other products. Neither Clostridium botulinum nor Trichinella spiralis were detected in any of the treatments. The result may indicate that hurdle technology is effective for hygiene and safe producing Si-Raw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.918-921
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• 2000

A comparative study on rumen bacterial and protozoal population and fungal zoospores in cattle (Brahman$\times$Native) and swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was conducted. Forty animals, twenty of each, with same sex and similar age which were raised under similar condition in the Northeast of Thailand, were used. Rumen digesta were sampled immediately post slaughtering for total microscopic counts of bacteria, protozoa and fungal zoospores. It was found that total bacterial population were higher in swamp buffalo that those in cattle (1.6 vs $1.36{\times}10^{8}cells/ml$) having more population of cocci, rods and ovals. Lower rumen protozoal pupulation in swamp buffalo with lower numbers of Holotrichs and Entodiniomorphs were found as compared to those in cattle. Significant higher fungal zoospore counts were in swamp buffalo than those in cattle being 7.30 and $3.78{\times}10^6$, respectively. Study under electron microscope, revealed Anaeromyces sp. with acuminate apex were more predominant in the rumen of swamp buffalo. With these findings, cattle and swamp buffaloes showing differences in rumen bacterial, protozoal population and fungal zoospore counts, offer new additional information as why swamp buffaloes exhibit conditionally better than cattle especially during long dry season without green grass.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 1993

Three sheep fitted with cannulas in the rumen and the caecum were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to study the changes in ruminal and caecal microbial populations and their metabolite composition with ammoniated rice straw feeding. The 3 diets contained either 80% untreated rice straw (UTS) or ammoniated rice straw (ATS) and 20% formula feed. These were a control diet (C), a urea supplemented diet (U) containing urea at 1.1% and an ammoniated rice straw diet (AT). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and means separated by the Student Neumann Kuel's multiple comparison. AT feeding increased ruminal bacterial counts, in particular cellulolytic bacterial counts (p < 0.05) which were 1.8, 2.4 and 7.0 (${\times}10^6/ml$ ruminal fluid) for C, U and AT, respectively. There was an increasing tendency (p < 0.10) in ruminal fungal population with U; values were 2.0, 5.2, 3.1 (${\times}10^3/ml$ ruminal fluid) for C, U and AT, respectively. Ruminal protozoa counts were not significantly (p > 0.05) altered with diets. Caecal total viable bacterial count with AT was about thrice the value with C. Total VFA concentration in the rumen was significantly increased (p < 0.025) (7.7 mmol/dl for C and 8.2 mmol/dl for AT) and correspondingly, pH lowered when AT was fed. Sheep on AT tended to produce less acetate and more butyrate in the rumen without significance (p > 0.05). Similar to the rumen, total VFA concentrations of 4.4, 3.8 and 5.2 mmol/dl were detected, respectively, for C, U and AT. Caecal ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were about six-fold of that in the rumen, though there were no differences (p > 0.05) among treatments.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.522-529
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• 2004

In the grilled fish paste stored at $5^{\circ}C$, the total aerobic bacterial counts were effectively reduced by 2.5 kGy or more. In the samples stored at $30^{\circ}C$, the total aerobic bacterial counts of the samples irradiated at 7.5 kGy were below to the limit of detection (2 log CFU/g). The TBA values of the irradiated samples were considerably higher than those of the controls but not proportional to the irradiation dose. It is apparent that an irradiation treatment causes very little textural degradation and the sensorial quality of the sample was maintained by an irradiation at 7.5 kGy or more.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.152-157
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• 2006

Enterobacter sakazakii, designated as an unique microbial species in 1980, may cause bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis and infant meningitis. The distribution and the thermostability of E. sakazakii in unprocessed ready-to-eat (RTE) agricultural products of 252 and in 25 powdered infant formulas (PIF) were analyzed. Eighty one, 50, 43, and 47% of brown rice, pumpkin, potato, and carrot samples, respectively, had aerobic plate counts (ARC) in the range of 5 log CFU/g or more. Almost all the other products sampled had APC of approximately 2 log CFU/g. Fifty three, 75, 67, and 68% of banana, pumpkin, soybean, and carrot had Enterobacteriaceae counts approximating 3 log CFU/g. Sixty six percent of the brown rice tested had Enterobacteriaceae counts approximating 5-6 log CFU/g. E. sakazakii was isolated from 3/25(12%), 4/23(17%), 1/24(4%), and 1/27(4%) of PIF, brown rice, laver, and tomato samples, respectively. D-values were 3.52-4.79 min at 60 and $D_{60}-values$ were similar as the isolates reported. Thermal inactivation of four thermovariant E. sakazakii strains during the rehydration of PIF with hot water were investigated. At $50^{\circ}C$, the levels of E. sakazakii decreased one log CFU/g for 4-6 min and thereafter the levels remained stable for 20 min. At $60^{\circ}C$, inactivation by about 2 log CFU/g occurred for 20 min. Therefore, the unprocessed agricultural products might be a source of contamination for PIF when used as an ingredient after drying and pulverization. Rehydration of PIF for infant feeding with a water temperature of $60^{\circ}C$ rather than $50^{\circ}C$, as recommended by the manufacturers, may be helpful in the reduction of potential E. sakazakii risk.