• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.258-263
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• 2016

The risks of sanitary indicative bacteria, heavy metals and chlorinated derivatives in 94 cases of sanitary wet towels used in food services (39 from sanitary wet towel treatment business, 55 from food services) were assessed in the present study. Lead was detected in the range of N.D.~0.41 mg/kg (75 cases were not detected), N.D.~0.25 mg/kg of arsenic (93 cases were not detected), N.D.~0.01 mg/kg of cadmium (7 cases were lower than limit of quantitation; 87 cases were not detected), 0.003 mg/kg ~ 0.09 mg/kg of mercury. And chromium (VI) was not detected from all samples. The level of lead was the highest among the tested heavy metals, and the highest concentration of lead was 0.41 mg/kg. However, it was only 2.1% of legal limit (less than 20 mg/kg). The average moisture content of the samples was 61.9% (50.0% ~ 77.0%) and it showed no relevance to the detection of bacterial counts. Escherichia coli was not detected. Bacterial counts were detected 43 cases and among them, 24 cases were exceeded the legal limit. It was verified that the packaging conditions of sanitary wet towel (whether it is packed by a piece or not and sealed or not) are critical factors to cause the germ contamination and cross contamination in the wet towels. The chlorinated derivatives (chlorites and chlorates) were detected in 17 (19.3%) out of 88 cases. The results would be used as preliminary information to establish the programs of "Safety education for manufacturers and public policy of safety".

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.721-734
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• 2022

This study analyzed the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of major environmental factors such as primary productivity (PP), chlorophyll a, nutrients, sinking particle matters, and organic contamination and biochemical composition of surface sediment on a monthly basis for approximately 2 years around shellfish mariculture in Jaran Bay, Korea. In addition, PP in Jaran Bay was compared with that in other coastal areas and related policy plans were proposed. The average PP of the study area was high in summer and autumn with 6.43~115.43 mgC m^-2 hr^-1 range. This was lower than that in Gamak Bay and Masan Bay, whereas higher than that in Garorim Bay and the West Sea. The PP in coastal waters, where many aquaculture farms were distributed, significantly fluctuated. The different size compositions of phytoplanktons constituting chlorophyll a slightly varied by month, and little restriction existed on the productivity of phytoplanktons owing to the depletion of nutrients. Typically, the Redfield ratio was less than 16, indicating that nitrogen was the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplanktons. The biochemical composition of particulate organic matters in the water column showed the highest carbohydrates, but lipids and protein contents were high in surface sediments. The concentration of TOC and AVS of the surface sediments was high at inside of bay, and sometimes, exceeded the environmental criteria of fishing grounds. The organic C:N ratio of sediments ranged from 8.1 to 10.4 on average. PP had the highest correlation with chlorophyll a, nitrogen and protein of particle organic materials. Recently, chlorophyll a, DIN, and DIP of water column trends tended to decrease, however, the contamination of sediments increased. Considering the annual PP of 125.9 gC m^-2 yr^-1 and mariculture area (oyster) of 4.97 km², the annual carbon production from phytoplanktons was estimated to be about 625 tons, and the annual total wet weight of shellfish (oyster) was estimated to be about 6,250 tons.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2017

The consumption of herbal medicines has been increasing with growing interest in health. However, due to recent climate change and the complex distribution process of herbal medicines with high import dependence the likelihood of contamination with mycotoxin has been increased. Mycotoxins are emerging as key indicators for ensuring safety of herbal medicines. A total of 498 herbal medicine samples were screened for mycotoxin contamination in this study. Aflatoxin in the herbal medicine samples was extracted by using immunoaffinity column, then the extracted aflatoxin was quantified via high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method. The extraction method was verified by linearity, recovery, LOD and LOQ. Aflatoxins were detected in 39/498 samples in an average of $7.670{\mu}g/kg$ ($0.610-77.452{\mu}g/kg$ range). Although safety standards for Corydalis Tuber is not currently available in korea, five of the 39 samples had high concentration of aflatoxins (average of $14.9{\pm}4.1{\mu}g/kg$). In conclusion, it is urgent to establish safety criteria of aflatoxin in Corydalis Tuber. The results of the current study suggest that continuous monitoring is necessary for proactive management of herbal medicine safety.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, many hospitals have been tried to increase the satisfaction of the outpatients through blood-gathering, exam, result notice and process in a day. Each laboratory has been used the automatic equipment for the rapid requests of the result notice and the increase of the reliability and efficiency. Current automatic equipments that have been limited short TAT(Turn-Around Time)because of the restricted batch lists and 1 tip-5 detectors. The Gamma Pro which is made in Korea to improve the shortcomings of existing automation equipment, complemented with capacity to perform a wide range of domestic automation equipment. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness and reliability of short TAT by comparing Gamma Pro with current automatic equipment. Materials and Methods: We studied the correlation between Gamma Pro and RIA-mat 280 using the respective 100 specimens of low or high density to the patients who were requested the thyroid hormone test (Total T3, TSH and Free T4) in Samsung Medical Center Sep. 2009. To evaluate the split-level Gamma Pro, First, we measured accuracy and carry over on the tips. Second, the condition of optimal incubation was measured by the RPM (Revolution Per Minute) and revolution axis diameter on the incubator. For the analysis for the speed of the specimen-processing, TAT was investigated with the results in a certain time. Result: The correlation coefficients (R2) between the Gamma Pro and RIA-mat 280 showed a good correlation as T3 (0.98), TSH (0.99), FT4 (0.92). The coefficient of variation (C.V) and accuracy was 0.38 % and 98.3 % at tip 1 and 0.39 % and 98.6 % at tip 2. Carry over showed 0.80 % and 1.04% at tip 1 and tip 2, respectively. These results indicate that tips had no effect on carry over contamination. At the incubator condition, we found that the optimal condition was 1.0mm of diameter at 600RPM in 1.0mm and 1.5mm of at 500RPM or 1.0mm and 1.5 mm of diameter at 600 RPM. the Gamma Pro showed that the number of exam times were increased as maximum 20 times/day comparing to 6 times/day by current automatic equipment. These results also led to the short TAT from 4.20 hour to 2.19 hours in whole processing. Conclusion: The correlation of between the Gamma Pro and RIA-mat 280 was good and has not carry over contamination in tips. The domestic automation equipment (Gamma Pro) decreases the TAT in whole test comparing to RIA-280. These results demonstrate that Gamma Pro has a good efficiency, reliability and practical usefulness, which may contribute to the excellent skill to process the large scale specimens.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 1997

Geochemical data of soil and water samples were presented in order to assess the environmental impart for drinking water sites. Microscopic observation of rock samples and physical and chemical analysis of soil and water samples were undertaken. The geology of study areas are classified into three groups such as granitic rocks, meta-sedimentary rocks and sedimentary rocks. Enrichment of heavy metals derived from those rocks is not found in this study areas. Soils were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr using AAS extracted by HNO$_3$+HClO$_4$ and 0.1 N HCl. Heavy metal concentrations in soils are within the range of those in uncontaminated soils. In comparison of metal contents extracted by 0.1 N HCl and HNO$_3$+HC1O$_4$, less than 10% of the heavy metals are present in the exchangeable fraction. In particular, an pollution index has been proposed to assess the degree of soil contamination. Pollution index in soils are between 0.03 and 0.47 therefore, soils are not polluted with heavy metals. Deep groundwaters within granitic rocks have been evolved into Na$\^$＋/-HCO$_3$$\^$-/ type, whereas other deep groundwaters evolved into Ca$\^$2＋/-HCO$_3$$\^$-/ type. The predominance of Na$\^$＋/ over Ca$\^$2＋/ in deep groundwaters within granitic rocks is a result of dissolution of plagioclase, but for sedimentary and meta-sedimentary rocks, dissolution of calcite is a dominant factor for their hydrogeochemistry. The pH, conductivity and contents of the most dissolved ions in the water increase with depth. Shallow groundwaters, however, are highly susceptible to pollution owing to agricultural activities, considering the fact that high contents of nitrate, chloride and potassium, and high K/Na ratio are observed in some shallow groundwaters. In a thermodynamic approach, most natural water samples are plotted within the stability fields of kaolinite and smectite. Therefore, microcline and other feldspars will alter to form clay minerals, such as kaolinite and smectite. From the modelling for water-rock interactions based on mass balance equation, models accord well with behavior of the ions and results of thermodynamic studies are derived.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.22-29
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• 2008

To understand environmental characteristics and contamination assessment of the Namsan Park soil in Seoul, we divided the Namsan map into 33 sectors and sampled mixed soil in depth 0${\sim}$15 cm, in 5${\sim}$10 points at the sites. We analyzed soil samples collected at 21 sectors twice on May and September. The results were as follows. The hue color ranges of the Namsan soil were 2.5YR${\sim}$10YR, the value ranges were 1${\sim}$4, the water rates were 3.1${\sim}$22.3 and the Ignition losses were 3.4${\sim}$10.4%. The average concentration of Cu and Pb were determined 3.374 and 15.000 mg/kg, Cd and As showed very low level. The mean concentrations of Zn and Ni were showed 103.290 and 11.649 mg/kg and this amount is not different from the nationalwide mean in 2005. The mean pH showed 5.41. The Zn, Ni and Cd in the soil of the circular road of Namsan showed 1.33, 1.48, 1.46 times higher than the other sector of the Namsan soil. The corelation coefficient between water rate and ignition loss were 0.720 and the correlation coefficient between Cu and Pb, Cu and Zn showed 0.827, 0.694 respectively. There was weak corelationship between pH and Zn. The Uniformity coefficient (Uc) of all the survey sites was determined below 5 in the range of 1.5${\sim}$4.4.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2010

The bacteriological and physiochemical analysis of sea water and sediments in Tongyeong harbor was conducted to evaluate sanitary conditions. The samples were collected at 8 stations established once a month from June, 2008 to May, 2009. During the study period, the range of temperature was from 6.7 to $25.2^{\circ}C$, transparency ranged from 1.2 to 2.6 m, chemical oxygen demand ranged from 1.90 to 2.92 mg/L, dissolved oxygen ranged from 6.2 to 10.5 mg/L, dissolved nitrogen ranged from 0.052 to 0.098 mg/L, phosphate ranged from 0.044 to 0.065 mg/L, respectively. Seafood, if eaten raw, carries the risk of food poisoning. Seafood poisoning is often cause by pathogenic microorganism originating from fecal contamination, such as Salmonella sp., Shigella sp. and norovirus. Fecal coliforms are an important indicator of fecal contamination. Therefore, data on fecal coliform are very important for evaluating the safety of fisheries in coastal areas. So, we investigated the sanitary indicate bacteria. The coliform group and fecal coliform MPN's of sea water in Tongyeong harbor were ranged from < 1.8~22,000/100 mL (GM 164.9 MPN/100 mL) and < 1.8~7,900 MPN/100 mL (GM 33.7 MPN/100 mL), respectively. Total coliform were detected 97.0% in 96 of samples and 68.9% of total coliforms were fecal coliforms. These results similar to another seawater detection ratio of total coloforms and fecal coliforms. The Vibrios was isolated and identified with VITEK system. Four hundred eighty strains that were obtained from sea water samples in Tongyeong harbor Detection ratio Vibrio alginolyticus, 34.2%, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 13.8%, Vibrio vulnificus 10.0%, and V. mimicus 12.5% respectively. Vibrio cholerae O1, was not detected. During the study period, the ranges of water content, ignition loss, COD, and acid volatile sulfates in sediments in Tongyeoung harbor were 41.0~57.4%, 7.8~10.5%, 6.51~9.30 mg/g, 0.04~0.09 mg/g, respectively. Heavy metals in sediment of Tongyeoung harbor were Cd, $0.10{\pm}0.05$; Cu, $4.79{\pm}8.20$; As, $1.95{\pm}0.17$; Hg, $0.10{\pm}0.07$; $Cr^{6+}$, $0.34{\pm}0.12$; Zn, $125.33{\pm}16.40$; Ni, $16.43{\pm}1.93$ mg/kg.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.366-369
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• 2011

In this study, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, total coliform and S. aureus of seasoned dried fishes (SDF) in Korea were investigated. A total of 81 SDF samples were purchased randomly from 28 stores. Contamination range of total aerobic bacteria, total coliform and S. aureus were 150~1,700,000, 10~31,000 and 10~220 CFU/g, respectively. E. coli was detected in only one samples in the qualitative test. We have analyzed quantitatively Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE-type A, C and D) produced by S. aureus contaminated in SDF using a TECRA kit and standard curve. The curve equation was Y = 0.1499 * X + 0.1183 and maximum amount of SEs in SDF was 0.71 ng/ml. Reduction speed of S. aureus in SDF stored at $37^{\circ}C$ was the highest among the samples stored for 8 days at different temperature of 7, 18 and $37^{\circ}C$. On the basis of the results, SDF in Korea can be contaminated by a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, precautionary measures are necessary for consumer protection, including the improvement of sanitary conditions in the processing plants in Korea.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.555-561
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• 2008

Ninety-nine samples of powdered infant formula in a market were collected from the local market and their contaminations for total aerobic bacteria, coliform, FAO/WHO Category A, B, and C pathogens were analyzed. Total aerobic bacteria were detected in 92 of 99 samples (93%) at levels of $1.83{\pm}0.68\;Log\;MPN/g$. These levels were below legal levels specified for infant formulas except for one sample detected by 4.5 Log CFU/g. Coliform was detected in 12 of 99 samples (12%) at levels of $1.26{\pm}1.03\;Log\;MPN/g$ whereas non-detection was required according to the specification of coliform in infant formulas. Escherichia coli was detected in 1 of 99 samples by 0.48 Log MPN/g. Salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii among Category A weren't detected in all the samples. Enterobacteriaceae, Category B group, were detected in 25 samples of total 99 samples (25%) by $0.83{\pm}1.37\;Log\;MPN/g$. Enterobacteriaceae identified by API 20E were Escherichia vulneris, Es. hermannii, Pantoea spp., Citrobacter koseri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, En. cloaceae. Bacillus cereus among Category C was highly detected in 29 of 99 samples (29%) at levels of $0.69{\pm}0.32\;Log\;MPN/g$ with the most probable number count method, which were below legal levels for the specification of B. cereus in infant formulas. Clostridium perfringens, E. coli O157, Staphyloccus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli were not detected. Contamination level of major pathogens was low and falls within the range of specification of infant formulas. However, Enterobacteriaceae and B.cereus showed the high prevalence and some Enterobacteriaceae causing disease were detected. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the potential pathogens continually and reduce them to improve the microbial quality of non-sterilized powdered infant formulas.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.216-224
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• 2005

Chromatography has now been used successfully to provide the requisite purity for human plasma-derived biop-harmaceuticals such as coagulation factors and immunoglobulins. Recently, increasing attention has been focused on establishing efficient cleaning procedures to prevent potential contamination by microorganisms as well as carry-over contamination from batch to batch. The purpose of present study was to develop a cleaning validation system for the assurance of virus removal and/or inactivation during chromatography process. In order to establish an assay system for the validation of virus clearance during chromatography cleaning process, a quantitative real-time PCR method for porcine parvovirus(PPV) was developed, since PPV, a model virus for human parvovirus B19, has a high resistance to a range of physico-chemical treatment. Specific primers for amplification of PPV DNA was selected, and PPV DNA was quantified by use of SYBR Green I. The sensitivity of the assay was calculated to be 1.5 $TCID_{50}/ml$. The established real-time PCR assay was successfully applied to the validation of PPV removal and cleaning during SP-Sepharose cation chromatography for thrombin purification and Q-Sepharose anion chromatography for factor VIII purification. The comparative results obtained by real-time PCR assay and infectivity titrations suggested that the real-time PCR assay could be a useful method for chromatography cleaning validation and that it could have an additive effect on the interpretation and evaluation of virus clearance during the virus removal process.