• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.415-422
• /
• 2021

Cotton is an important fiber crop, and its seeds are used as feed for dairy cattle. Crop biotechnology has been used to improve agronomic traits and quality in the agricultural industry. The frequent unintentional release of LM cotton into the environment in South Korea is attributed to the increased application of living modified (LM) cotton in food, feed, and processing industries. To identify and monitor the LM cotton, a method for detecting the approved LM cotton in South Korea is required. In this study, we developed a method for the simultaneous detection of four LM cotton varieties, MON757, MON88702, COT67B, and GHB811. The genetic information of each LM event was obtained from the European Commission-Joint Research Centre and Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. We designed event-specific primers to develop a multiplex PCR method for LM cotton and confirmed the specific amplification. Using specificity assay, random reference material(RM) mixture analysis and limit of detection(LOD), we verified the accuracy and specificity of the multiplex PCR method. Our results demonstrate that the method enabled the detection of each event and validation of the specificity using other LM RMs. The efficiency of multiplex PCR was further verified using a random RM mixture. Based on the LOD, the method identified 25 ng of template DNA in a single reaction. In summary, we developed a multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of four LM cotton varieties, for possible application in LM volunteer analysis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.555-562
• /
• 2012

PCR was performed to analyze the ${\beta}$-lactamase genes carried by ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains isolated from marine environments in Korea between 2006 and 2009. All 36 strains tested showed negative results in PCR with the primers designed from the nucleotide sequences of various known ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. This prompted us to screen new ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. A novel ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was cloned from Vibrio alginolyticus KV3 isolated from the aquaculture water of Geoje Island of Korea. The determined nucleotide sequence (VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase) revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 852 bp, encoding a protein of 283 amino acids (aa), which displayed low homology to any other ${\beta}$-lactamase genes reported in public databases. The deduced 283 aa sequence of VAK-3, consisting of a 19 aa signal peptide and a 264 aa mature protein, contained highly conserved peptide segments specific to class A ${\beta}$-lactamases including the specific amino acid residues STFK (62-65), SDN (122-124), E (158), and RTG (226-228). Results from PCR performed with primers specific to the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene identified 3 of the 36 isolated strains as V. alginolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, indicating the utilization of various ${\beta}$-lactamase genes including unidentified ones in ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains from the marine environment. In a mating experiment, none of the isolates transfered the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene to the Escherichia coli recipient. This lack of mobility, and the presence of a chromosomal acyl-CoA flanking sequence upstream of the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene, led to the assumption that the location of this new ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was in the chromosome, rather than the mobile plasmid. Antibiotic susceptibility of VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase was indicated by elevated levels of resistance to penicillins, but not to cephalosporins in the wild type and E. coli harboring recombinant plasmid pKV-3, compared with those of the host strain alone. Phylogenetic analysis showed that VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase is a new and separate member of class A ${\beta}$-lactamases.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 2015

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) subtype H5N8 have occurred in Korea, January 2014 and it continued more than a year until 2015. And more than 5 million heads of poultry hads been damaged in 196 farms until May 2014. So, we studied the spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal patterns of the HPAI epidemics for understanding the propagation and diffusion characteristics of the 2014 HPAI. The results are expressed using GIS. Throughout the study period three epidemic waves occurred over the time. And outbreaks made three clusters in space. First spatial cluster is adjacent areas of province of Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do and Gyeonggi -do. Second is Jeonlabuk-do Gomso Bay area. And the last is Naju and Yeongam in Jeollanam-do. Also, most of spatio-temporal clusters were formed in spatially high clustered areas. Especially, in Gomso Bay area space density and spatio-temporal density were concurrent. It means that the effective prevention activity for HPAI was carried out. But there are some exceptional areas such as Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonggi-do adjacent area. In these areas the outbreak density was high in space but the spatio-temporal cluster was not formed. It means that the HPAI virus was continuing inflow over a long period.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2022

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a chronic contagious disease in small ruminants. The prevalence of CLA has been reported to be >50% in Korean black goats. CLA is difficult to control due to a lack of efficient vaccines and treatment methods. Effective disinfection of the farm environment may be an alternative strategy for reducing the spread of C. pseudotuberculosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of commercial disinfectants against CLA. The six commercial disinfectants, largely composed of sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium hypochlorite, potassium monopersulfate triple salt, quaternary ammonium, citric acid, and copper sulfate, were tested against five different genotypes of C. pseudotuberculosis isolated from goat farms in Korea. Efficacy tests were performed in accordance with the disinfectant efficacy test guidelines recommended by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of Korea with slight modifications. All disinfectants except for copper sulfate exhibited >99.99% killing efficacy under hard water conditions following 30 min of incubation, which is the recommended standard treatment time according to guidelines. The minimum bactericidal treatment time was evaluated by employing treatments for durations of 1, 5, and 15 min. The most effective compounds under hard water conditions were sodium dichloroisocyanurate, potassium monopersulfate triple salt, and sodium hypochlorite, exhibiting >99.99% killing efficacy after 1 min of treatment. In the aqueous solution forms, citric acid and the quaternary ammonium compound were the most effective, but required at least 5 min to kill >99.99% of the bacteria. The current study characterizes the killing efficacy of six commercial disinfectant active compounds against C. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, this study provides essential information regarding the efficacy of the disinfectants used to control CLA in goat farms.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.304-312
• /
• 2024

This study was conducted to characterize strain Y10, isolated from discarded chicken feathers. Strain Y10 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens through phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene analysis. B. amyloliquefaciens Y10 exhibited plant growth-promoting activities, including the production of fungal cell-degrading enzymes (cellulase, lipase, protease, and pectinase), siderophores, ammonia, and indoleacetic acid. Furthermore, strain Y10 was able to inhibit the mycelial growth of several phytopathogenic fungi. When 0.1% sucrose as a carbon source and 0.05% casein as a nitrogen source were added to the basal medium, adjusted to pH 10, and cultured at 35℃, the degradation rate of chicken feathers by strain Y10 was about two times higher than that of the basal medium, with the feathers almost completely degraded in four days. Strain Y10 also degraded various keratin substrates, including duck feathers, wool, and human nails. It was confirmed that the feather hydrolyzates prepared using strain Y10 exhibited antioxidant activities, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀ = 0.38 mg/ml) and superoxide dismutase-like activity (EC₅₀ = 183.7 mg/ml). These results suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens Y10 is a potential candidate for the development of bioinoculants and feed additives applicable to the agricultural and livestock industries, as well as the microbiological treatment of keratin waste.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.456-458
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reference value for electrocardiogram in healthy captive raccoon dogs. Forty-one free-ranging adult raccoon dogs rescued from Wildlife rescue centre, Kangwon National University were enrolled in this study. The 6-lead electrocardiogram was obtained in all raccoon dogs without any chemical restraints. The mean heart rate was $146.10{\pm}43.31$ beats/min (95% confidence interval 132.84~159.36 beats/min). The mean respiration rate was $35.73{\pm}11.56$ breaths/min (95% confidence interval 32.19~39.27 breaths/min). The mean systolic blood pressure was $136{\pm}29.26$ mmHg (95% confidence interval 127.99~145.91 mmHg). Electrocardiographical features were also evaluated in all raccoon dogs. The mean duration and amplitude of P-wave were $38.2{\pm}4.0$ ms (range 28-40 ms) and $0.128{\pm}0.039$ mV (range 0.09~0.20). The mean duration and amplitude of QRS complexes were $48.5{\pm}7.2ms$ (range 36-60 ms) and $1.330{\pm}0.650$ mV (range 0.15~2.30). The range of the mean electrical (QRS) axis was $-91^{\circ}{\sim}+96^{\circ}$ ($10^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}$; 95% of confidence interval). The mean corrected QT (QTc) interval was $273.7{\pm}32.7ms$ (range 212-333 ms), while the mean PR interval was $76.1{\pm}10.0ms$ (range 50-82 ms). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to provide references in electrocardiogram (ECG) in healthy captive raccoon dogs.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.390-399
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of plant scale and cooking conditions on the quality characteristics of sausages during refrigerated storage. Methods: Sausages used in this study were classified into two groups: those submitted to $1^{st}$ cooked treatments and those submitted to $2^{nd}$ cooked treatments. The pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), gas production ratio, and microorganisms were measured in triplicate. Results: The change of quality in the products was assessed every 7 days by measuring pH, VBN levels, total microbes, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria in the products. Pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, and E. coli were not detected in the sausages with $1^{st}$ cooked treatments. The results showed that the pH of the sausages decline as storage time increased. The pH value of the sausages with $2^{nd}$ cooked treatments changed gradually. VBN levels were generally lower in products with $2^{nd}$ cooked treatments than in those with $1^{st}$ cooked treatments, but they varied with the type of products. On the $35^{th}$ day, the number of total microbes ranged between 6.13-7.12 log CFU/g in products with $1^{st}$ cooked treatments and 3.44-6.92 log CFU/g in products with $2^{nd}$ cooked treatments, showing fewer bacteria in the latter products. Conclusions: $1^{st}$ cooked treatments were effective in microbial control, but $2^{nd}$ cooked treatments could prolong the shelf life of the sausages, indicating a need for differential management of each product.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.272-280
• /
• 2015

A simultaneous official method was developed for the determination of phorate and its metabolites (phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, phorate oxon, phorate oxon sulfoxide, phorate oxon sulfone) in livestock samples. The analytes were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Phorate and its metabolites were extracted from beef and milk samples with acidified acetonitrile (containing 1% acetic acid) and partitioned with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Then, the extract was purified through primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18 dispersive sorbent. Matrix matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005-0.5 mg/L) for all the analytes into blank extract with $r^2$ > 0.996. For validation purposes, recovery studies were carried out at three different concentration levels (beef 0.004, 0.04 and 0.2 mg/kg; milk 0.008, 0.04 and 0.2 mg/kg, n = 5). The recoveries were within 79.2-113.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 19.2% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines. The limit of quantification was quite lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (0.05 mg/kg). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for phorate and its metabolites determination and it will be used to as an official analytical method in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.178-188
• /
• 2015

Microbial quality of baked egg products was evaluated by counting the levels of sanitary indicative bacteria (aerobic plate counts, coliforms, and E. coli), L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. at the critical control points (CCPs) of manufacturing process. In addition, the survival and growth of foodborne pathogens in various egg products (cheese, tuna, tteokgalbi, pizza omelets, baked egg, and steamed egg) were investigated at 4, 10, and $15^{\circ}C$. The contamination level of aerobic plate counts decreased from 4.67 log CFU/g at CCP 1 to 0.56 log CFU/g at CCP 3 in baked egg products. No coliforms and E. coli were detected at all CCPs. Although L. innocua and Salmonella spp. were identified at CCP 1, no L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were detected in the final products. The contamination levels of aerobic plate counts and coliforms in egg strips and number of aerobic plate counts in Tteokgalbi omelet are higher than the microbiological standard of processed egg products. At $10^{\circ}C$, the growth of all pathogens was not prevented in omelet and baked egg, but the populations of S. Typhimurium and E. coli were reduced in steamed egg at $10^{\circ}C$, regardless of the presence of other pathogens. The growth of L. monocytogenes was faster than that of S. Typhimurium and E. coli in omelet. More rapid growth of S. Enteritidis than S. Typhimurium was observed in egg products, indicating the greater risk of S. Enteritidis than S. Typhimurium in egg products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.217-221
• /
• 2013

This study developed predictive models for the kinetic behavior of Staphylococcus aureus on processed cheeses. Mozzarella slice cheese and cheddar slice cheese were inoculated with 0.1 ml of a S. aureus strain mixture (ATCC13565, ATCC14458, ATCC23235, ATCC27664, and NCCP10826). The inoculated samples were then stored at $4^{\circ}C$ (1440 h), $15^{\circ}C$ (288 h), $25^{\circ}C$ (72 h), and $30^{\circ}C$ (48 h), and the growth of all bacteria and of S. aureus were enumerated on tryptic soy agar and mannitol salt agar, respectively. The Baranyi model was fitted to the growth data of S. aureus to calculate growth rate (${\mu}_{max}$; ${\log}CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$), lag phase duration (LPD; h), lower asymptote (log CFU/g), and upper asymptote (log CFU/g). The growth parameters were further analyzed using the square root model as a function of temperature. The model performance was validated with observed data, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was calculated. At $4^{\circ}C$, S. aureus cell growth was not observed on either processed cheese, but S. aureus growth on the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses was observed at $15^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $30^{\circ}C$. The ${\mu}_{max}$ values increased, but LPD values decreased as storage temperature increased. In addition, the developed models showed acceptable performance (RMSE = 0.3500-0.5344). This result indicates that the developed kinetic model should be useful in describing the growth pattern of S. aureus in processed cheeses.