• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.615-622
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of melons in Korea. A total of 123 samples including melon fruits, leaves, seeds, soils, and irrigation water were collected from farms and markets to detect total aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were collected from Iksan and Nonsan farms to monitor bacterial levels on pre-market melons. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria on melon cultivation were between 0.43 and 6.65 log CFU $g^{-1}$, and 0.67 and 2.91 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. Bacillus cereus, a fecal coliform, was detected in soils and melon leaves from Iksan farm at 2.95, 0.73 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively, and in soils from Nonsan farm at 3.16 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Market melon samples were collected to assay bacterial load on melon being sold to consumers. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in agricultural markets, big-box retailers, and traditional markets were 4.82, 3.94, 3.99 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. The numbers of coliform in melon on the markets ranged from 0.09 to 0.49 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples. The count of total aerobic bacteria on melon seeds ranged from 0.33 to 3.34 log CFU $g^{-1}$. This study found that irrigation water, soil, manure and various farm work activities including post-harvest processes were latent sources of microbial contamination. These results suggest that hygienic management and monitoring of soil, water, and agricultural material should be performed to reduce microbial contamination in melon production.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.810-815
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• 2008

Improving quality is a very important component of maintaining competitiveness of agricultural products. However, evaluation of 'high quality' indicates it is a very abstract concept and independent of some quality attributes, leading to differences in the perception of quality. Thus, there is a pressing need to objectively define 'high quality' and to develop basic technologies for its measurement, for application in the production, storage and distribution of competitive agricultural products. To objectively quantify apple quality, a survey was conducted on consumer preferences and awareness of quality attributes including color, taste, flavor and shape. The survey questionnaire targeted male and female adults (463 persons) ranging in age from 20 to 59 years. The questionnaire was based on purchases made at a wholesale market (50.1%) or a traditional market (18.8%). The majority of purchases were as small packets (62.0%) or as individual pieces (20.5%). Apples of moderate size (fist size, 60.5%) were preferred over small (4.3%) or large (32.6%) apples. The questionnaire provided consumer data on external quality attributes including color, shape and variety. Taste attributes were evaluated in relation to the balance between sour and sweet taste, and flavors peculiar to apples.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2014

This study investigated the packaging status and sensory quality of fresh-cut mushroom products from retail markets. Fifty one fresh-cut mushroom products were surveyed / purchased from discount stores in four cities in January (winter), March (spring), August (summer), and October (autumn) 2009. Collected fresh-cut mushrooms include single variety products like whole oyster mushroom and winter mushroom, diced or sliced oak mushroom, sliced king oyster mushroom, and ready-to-cook mixed mushroom products. Most fresh-cut mushrooms were packed in trays made of aluminum, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon materials covered with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) wrap or solid PP (polypropylene) and PS. Eighty nine percent of the covers were labeled with manufacture and expiration date. Collected samples showed severe browning (10%) and off-flavor (4%). The percentage of products with a rating of 'good' or better in overall quality was 90%. Moreover, Survey showed seasonal differences in sensory qualities. All of the collected fresh-cut mushrooms in autumn and winter had high marketability. However, Mushroom products collected in spring and summer had lower quality, hence requires treatment to prevent browning and off-flavor.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.490-494
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• 2011

Although bacterial outbreaks from ready-to-eat foods have increased, little information is available on microbial quality of sprouts in markets. Fifty sprouts and 30 salads were collected from wholesale markets. Total aerobic count (TAC), coliform, Escherichia coli, and some pathogens were detected. TAC for sprouts was 7.95 log CFU/g and 6.70 for salads, indicating that sprouts were more contaminated by 1 log CFU/g than that of salads. The numbers of coliform were 6.69 log CFU/g for sprouts and 5.42 for salads. E. coli was detected in 16 of 50 sprout samples at 2.38 log CFU/g and eight of 30 salads at 2.21 log CFU/g. Bacillus cereus was detected in 29 of 50 sprout samples and 16 of 30 salads, and the counts were mostly <3 log CFU/g. Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridium perfringens were not detected. Therefore, although pathogens may not be a high risk for these foods, the high TAC and E. coli contamination require improved production and distribution methods, particularly for sprouts.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.97-115
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to investigate the spatial pattern of retail services and the consumer behaviors. For the purpose we select Jeju Island as the study area, because it retains relatively little distorted retail service systems by it's locational isolation. The retail service systems comprise three types: large-scale modern marts, conventional markets, and periodic markets. This study attempts to examine the interrelationships between these three different types, of retail services, and to figure out the spatial characteristics of consumer behaviors for each of them. We performed questionnaire surveys for getting the data of consumer behaviors. We applied several statistical methods to analyze the survey data. Most of retail services are located in two urban centers, Jeju City and Seoguipo City. We found that the locations of retail services are determined strongly by population size. The selection of market type and the location to go for shopping are related strongly with the types of goods. However, there is a wide difference in the consumer behaviors according to the consumer's socio-economic characteristics. Young wives tend to go shopping to large-scale marts in Jeju City which is the higher level central place, while old wives go shopping to conventional markets and periodic markets. They also show different shopping behaviors according to the household income levels. Low income groups prefer to go conventional markets located near to their residence, middle income groups go to large-scale marts in Jeju, and high income group go out of the Jeju Island. However, the consumer behavior does not show big difference according to the size of family. There are also no difference in the selection for shopping location according to the consumer's resident locations.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.283-287
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• 2014

This study determined the hazardous heavy metal content of mushrooms from markets in Seoul, Korea. One hundred and fifty mushroom samples were digested by the microwave method then the hazardous heavy metal (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni and Hg) content was determined by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and mercury analyzer. The average values of heavy metals in the samples were as follows: (mean [minimum-maximum], ${\mu}g/kg$); Pb 7.8 (1.9-30.0), Cd 45.3 (0.7-292.4), As 54.6 (24.2-229.3), Cr 42.6 (8.4-334.3), Ni 22.4 (up to 180.4), and Hg 8.9 (2.0-25.0). The contents of hazardous heavy metal in mushrooms were lower than those reported previously and also lower than the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) limit prescribed by the FAO/WHO. Thus, it could be suggested that the hazardous heavy metals levels in the mushrooms of retail market were adequately safe for consumption.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.167-172
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• 2016

Commercial analysis has been used for a lot of reasons such as improving the distribution structure, operational cost savings. However, existing commercial assay system is mostly flow through the analysis of the population and the environment around the store. Therefore, in this paper, we design a path weighted data analysis system for efficient product arrangement. It is not applying the analysis method of the existing commercial sales center but the data analysis system applying the weight to the form of customers' paths in a store. In conjunction with the existing POS system, it provides effective product placement in department stores, such as supermarkets, convenience stores. To this end, a system that maximizes efficiency of product placement in stores, receiving path data, converting them into statistics data that apply the weight, and printing out them into a visualized monitering system for the manager to see was designed.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that cause consumers to frequently visit large - Super Store and goods for large - scale retailers using Super Store. Research design, data, and methodology - The purpose of this study is to present the empirical analysis of 53 adult males and females living in the Mokpo area on the relationship between perceived level of satisfaction and loyalty of the large - scale marts. The results were analyzed. The statistical data of the questionnaire were verified by the SPSS. Results - In the empirical analysis of this study, four variables were found to be the main loyalty factors, which were found to affect the satisfaction of Super Store and the decision to return again. Therefore, in this study, the quality of goods, price, diversity, and image were analyzed as loyalty factors, and it was analyzed as factors influencing satisfaction. It was confirmed that loyalty factors were important. In particular, consumers' perception of behaviors such as local specialties and community service that can be distinctly differentiated from other distribution agencies was very low. Conclusions - It is necessary to construct a comprehensive systematic system to analyze the detailed factors influencing the satisfaction and loyalty of users of Mokpo ticket consumers and to systematically manage and evaluate them. In order to raise awareness of consumer loyalty factors, consumer satisfaction and loyalty survey should be regularly conducted. Consumers should look for ways to improve them and develop improvement plans. The various direct and indirect services provided by Super Store to consumers include price, quality, assortment, customer service, accessibility, and feelings for large marts. However, since the services provided by the Super Store are different from those of the consumers, the loyalty factors for the different factors can be different. Therefore, in order to differentiate them from traditional markets or other distribution centers, it It should be used as a weapon of competition. In this study, it is generally recognized that the services provided by Super Store are very simple and inexpensive, so that consumers are not aware of the difference of particular stores.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

This study evalutated the risk of foodborne illness from Vibrio spp. (Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae) through sea squirt consumption. The prevalence of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae in sea squirt was evaluated, and the predictive models to describe the kinetic behavior of the Vibrio in sea squirt were developed. Distribution temperatures and times were collected, and they were fitted to probabilistic distributions to determine the appropriate distributions. The raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 were used to estimate the consumption rates and amount of sea squirt. In the hazard characterization, the Beta-Poisson model for V. vulnificus and V. cholerae infection was used. With the collected data, a simulation model was prepared and it was run with @RISK to estimate probabilities of foodborne illness by pathogenic Vibrio spp. through sea squirt consumption. Among 101 sea squirt samples, there were no V. vulnificus positive samples, but V. cholerae was detected in one sample. The developed predictive models described the fates of Vibrio spp. in sea squirt during distribution and storage, appropriately shown as 0.815-0.907 of R² and 0.28 of RMSE. The consumption rate of sea squirt was 0.26%, and the daily consumption amount was 68.84 g per person. The Beta-Poisson model [P=1-(1+Dose/β)^-α] was selected as a dose-response model. With these data, a simulation model was developed, and the risks of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae foodborne illness from sea squirt consumption were 2.66×10^-15, and 1.02×10^-12, respectively. These results suggest that the risk of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in sea squirt could be considered low in Korea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.220-225
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• 2010

Soybean sprouts produced at optimal temperature are placed or displayed for several days in market shelf of relatively cool temperature (ca. $13^{\circ}C$). During this period a number of changes occur including changes in color, smell, taste, nutritional quality, etc. In order to investigate the changes of these factors, soybean sprouts packed in plastic film bag (OPP+PE) were stored at the two different temperature ($3^{\circ}C$ and $13^{\circ}C$). Morphological characters, physicochemical changes and enzymes activity related to visible quality (color) of soybean sprouts were examined. The numbers of fine roots were greater and hypocotyls were longer in soybean sprouts stored at $13^{\circ}C$, although there was no significant difference in diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of hypocotyls between the two storage temperatures. Browning of hypocotyl, as an indicator of a typical deterioration in sprout quality, was highly dependent on the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Considering the low level of soluble protein in hypocotyls, the relatively higher activity of PPO suggested a critical role of PPO in stored soybean sprouts. PPO activity of sprouts stored at $13^{\circ}C$ was 2-fold higher than that of sprouts stored at $3^{\circ}C$ after 4 days. In sprouts stored at $13^{\circ}C$, the PPO activity was increased from day 0 until 6 days and since then, it was not detected. Crude protein content was increased to 30.9~35.4% based on dry weight with extended storage period. The change in crude protein was greater in sprouts stored at high temperature ($13^{\circ}C$). Total free amino acid content was increased in both temperatures. However, the changing rate of free amino acid was greater in sprouts stored at $13^{\circ}C$.