• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.477-488
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• 2020

Recently, foodborne illness outbreaks linked to fresh produce are being increasingly reported in the United States, the EU, and Korea as well. Some of this increase may be due to improved surveillance, increase in consumption, change in consumers' habits, and complex distribution systems. Garlic chive is a green, fresh-cut vegetable consumed year-round as a nutrition-rich herb in Korea. It is also prone to contamination with foodborne pathogens during pre-harvest, as amendment with high amounts of livestock manure or compost to soil is required in its cultivation. Our aim in this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of garlic chives, garlic chives cultivation soil, compost, and irrigation water in the southern part of Korea. Samples were collected in A, B, and C regions in 2019 and 2020, and 69, 72, 27, and 40 of garlic chives, soil, compost, and irrigated water, respectively, were analyzed for the presence of sanitary indicator bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli), Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, pathogenic E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. In A, B, and C regions, levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform, B. cereus, and S. aureus on all samples were between 1.14 and 8.83 log CFU/g, 0.43 and 5.01 log CFU/g, 0.41 and 5.55 log CFU/g, and 1.81 and 6.27 log CFU/g, respectively. B. cereus isolated from garlic chives and environmental samples showed β-hemolysis activity. Incidence of S. aureus in garlic chive and its production environments in 2020 was different from 2019. In this study, B. cereus and S. aureus were the only pathogenic microorganisms detected in all samples. As a result, this work suggests that continuous monitoring in the production and pre-harvest environment is required to improve hthe hygiene and safety of garlic chive.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

Recently, the purchase of fresh-cut produce and meal kits has increased. Ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut products have potentially hazard of cross-contamination of various microorganisms in the processes of peeling, slicing, dicing, and shredding. There are frequent cases of protozoa food poisoning, such as Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium, caused by fresh-cut products. The objective of the study is to investigate the microbiological qualities of various types of RTE fresh-cut products in the domestic on/offline markets. RTE fresh-cut fruits cup (n=100), fresh-cut vegetables (n=50), and vegetables in meal kits (Vietnamese spring rolls and white radish rolls kits, n=50) were seasonally analyzed. The contamination levels of hygienic indicator organisms, yeast and mold (YM), and foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were monitored. Overall, the lowest microbiological qualities of meal kits vegetables were observed, followed by RTE fresh-cut fruits cup and fresh-cut vegetables. Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and YM in meal kits vegetables were 5.91, 3.90, and 4.71 logs CFU/g, respectively. From the qualitative analysis, 6 out of 200 RTE fresh-cut products (3%) returned positive result for S. aureus. From the quantitative analysis, the contamination levels of S. aureus in purple cabbage from a meal-kit and fresh-cut pineapple were below the acceptable limit (100 CFU/g). Staphylococcus enterotoxin seg and sei genes were detected in RTE fresh-cut celery and red cabbage from meal-kits, respectively. S. aureus contamination must be carefully controlled during the manufacturing processes of RTE fresh-cut products. Neither Cyclospora cayetanensis nor Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in the samples of RTE fresh-cut products and vegetables from meal-kits from the Korean retail markets.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1082-1094
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of Leuconostoc spp. isolated from radish kimchi and to investigate the potential for the use of functional ingredients by evaluating enzymatic characteristics, safety, and immune-enhancing effects among the isolates, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC53103 (LGG) as a control strain. All test strains exhibited β-glucosidase enzyme activity that releases β-1,4 sugar chain bonds. In addition, as a result of antibiotic resistance assay among the isolates, MIC values on 8 antibiotics were below compared to the EFSA standard, and hemolytic experiments confirmed that all showed gamma hemolysis without hemolytic ability. As a result of the antibacterial activity experiment, the Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 strain showed a higher activity than LGG against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the activity of the NF-kB/AP-1 transcription factor increased when the isolates were treated in macrophage RAW cells. These results were related to increasing the high mRNA expression levels on TNF-α and IL-6 by Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 strain to be treated at low concentration. Consequently, we suggest that it will be useful as a candidate for functional food ingredients.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 1994

In order to develop the squid(Todarodes pacificus) sik-hae, the changes of TBA, fatty acids, free amino acids, and the number of microflora fermented at different fermentation temperatures and periods were determined. In addition, pretense from squid sik-hae was partially purified. The number of TBA was the highest after 5-day storage and decreased after that, and lipid oxidation was the highest at $10^{\circ}C$. The amounts of linoleic aid(18:2) and oleic acid (18:1) were about $60\%$ of fatty acid composition of squid sik-hae, and linolenic acid(18:3) and EPA(20:5) significantly decomposed with increasing fermentation periods and temperatures. Pro, His, Aeg, Leu, and Glu were composed mainly of amino acid and the composition ratios of Ser, His, and Arg decreased with increasing fermentation periods whereas, those of Glu, Ala, Val, and Tyr increased. The composition ratios of Glu, Val, and Met increased with increasing fermentation temperatures whereas, those of Ala, Cys, Thr, and Gly decreased. The number of microflora generally increased up to 15-days of storage and decreased after that. The rates of increass and decreass of the microbial number increased in proportion to fermentation temperatures. In addition, the bacteria producing proteases were identified as Bacillus spp. Proteases from $60{\sim}80\%$ ammonium sulfate concentration showed the highest activity and had about 15 binds with molecular weights between 20,000 and 40,000 Dalton by the SDS-PAGE.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.599-604
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore methods for efficient management of the quality and safety of simple processed agricultural products in Busan. We tested 258 samples of simple processed agricultural products for distribution of aerobic bacteria and coliforms, and identified food-borne pathogens. The average aerobic bacterial and coliforms counts were 7.1 and 4.1 log CFU/g in simple processed vegetables, 6.8 and 3.5 log CFU/g in dried vegetables, and 6.2 and 2.9 log CFU/g in simple processed fruits. Additionally Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any samples. However, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and E. coli were detected in 41 samples (16.3%), 2 samples (0.8%), and 4 samples (1.6%), respectively. This analysis revealed that none of C. perfringens and E. coli isolates harbored pathogenic toxic genes. However, all of B. cereus isolates carried at least 1 toxin gene.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

This study investigated the quality characteristics and biological activities of rice germ fermented by Bacillus spp. During the milling process, the contents of rice germ in the rice bran (Control) were adjusted to 30% (RG30) and 70% (RG70). The approximate composition, pH, total acidity, total soluble solid, total sugar, polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. DPPH radical scavenging activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities were also determined. We observed that the moisture content decreased after fermentation, while the crude protein was significantly increased. Fermentation remarkably lowered the pH from 5.83~6.26 to 4.77~4.93, thereby elevating the total acidity. Fermentation also increased the total solid contents, from $0.40{\sim}0.87^{\circ}Bx$ to $1.63{\sim}2.20^{\circ}Bx$. The total sugar decreased to 136.81~151.53 mg/mL from 377.56~450.64 mg/mL. Polyphenol contents were the highest in control (0.59 and 0.73 mg/mL before and after fermentation, respectively). Fermentation significantly affected the increase of the polyphenols in both rice germ 30% and 70% samples, from 0.26 and 0.28 mg GAE/g before fermentation, to 0.52 and 0.70 mg GAE/g after fermentation, respectively. There was a slight increase in the flavonoid contents after fermentation. The $IC_{50}$ value of the electron donating ability, as evaluated by the DPPH method, was the lowest in control (3.77 and 3.36 mg/mL before and after fermentation, respectively). Fermentation increased the XO inhibition activity up to 63.69% in control, 49.81% in rice germ 30%, and 59.32% in rice germ 70%. The ACE inhibition activities were also increased in the fermented control, rice germ 30% and 70%, to 40.51%, 22.69% and 33.91%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.319-325
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• 2006

[ $\beta$ ]-Glucans (AG) were prepared from Agaricus blazei cultured in the medium fortified with the roots of Pueraria spp. by repeated extraction with hot water, gel filtration chromatography and DEAE ion exchange chromatography. Oligosaccharides (AO) were derived from the hydrolysis of AG by an endo-$\beta$-(1$\rightarrow$6)-glucanase from Bacillus megaterium. The anti-HT-29 human colon cancer activity of AG or AO was investigated using MTT assay, apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, and cDNA microairay. AG and AO both inhibited proliferation and growth of HT-29 cells, and stimulated apoptosis of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. In cell cycle analysis, treating HT-29 cells with AG or AO resulted in the increase of cells in the G0 (sub-G1) and G1 phase. Especially, AO was more effective in inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest than AG. To screen the genes involved in the increase of apoptosis, the gene expression profile of the HT-29 cells treated with AO was examined by cDNA microarray. While several genes involved in cell cycle progression (CCND2 and CDK2) were down-regulated, many genes involved in apoptosis (TNFSF9, TNFRSF9, FADD, CASP8, BAD, CRADD, CASP9 etc), cell cycle inhibitor (CDKN2A), immune response (IL6, IL18, IL6R etc), and tumor suppressor (CEACAM1, TP53BP2, IRF1, and PHB) were up-regulated. These results suggest that AO could inhibit the proliferation and growth of HT-29 cells by G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2015

Food-Health indicators have been developed and utilized internationally in the 'Food' domain of environment and health indicators. In Korea, however, Food Safety Health Indicators which are in the introductory stage had been developed separately from Environmental Health Indicators. The aim of the current study is to suggest feasible applications of the domestic Food Safety Health Indicators as a case study. We introduced 3 possible applications which are as follows: 1) production of two types of Integrated Food Safety Health Index; 2) conduction of correlation analysis between the Integrated Food Safety Health Index and Food Safety Health Indicators; 3) conduction of regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between the Integrated Food Safety Health Index and socioeconomic status. As a result, we provided the calculated Integrated Food Safety Health Index I and Integrated Food Safety Health Index II, which represents the regional food safety level in relative and absolute terms, respectively. Integrated Food Safety Health Index I was significantly correlated with the outbreaks of food-borne diseases (caused by Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp. and unknown cause) and incidence of E.coli infections. Integrated Food Safety Health Index II significantly decreased as the proportion of foreigners and women increased, and increased as the population density increased. Utilization of such Integrated Food Safety Health Indicators may be helpful in understanding the overall domestic food safety level and identifying the indicators which must be considered with priorities to enhance the food safety levels regionally and domestically. Furthermore, analyzing the association between Integrated Food Safety Health Index and factors other than food safety could be useful in conducting risk management and identifying susceptible populations. Food Safety Health Indicators can be useful in other applications, and may serve as a supporting material in establishing or modifying policy plans to enhance food safety. Therefore, keen interests by researchers accompanied by further studies on food safety health indicators are needed.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2012

Physical, chemical and biological hazards of strawberry farms at the cultivation stage were analyzed to establish the GAP(Good Agricultural Practice) system. Samples were collected from the plants, cultivation environments(water, soil and air), and personal hygiene (hand, glove, and clothes) of three strawberry farms(A, B, and C) and were tested to analyze physical, chemical (heavy metals and pesticide residues), and biological(sanitary indications and foodborne pathogens) hazards. Physical hazards such as insects and pieces of metal and glass were found in the strawberry farms and can be potential bow for strawberry products. Heavy metal and pesticide residue as chemical hazards were detected at levels lower than the regulation limit. In case of biological hazards, total bacteria and coliform were detected at the levels of 1.6~7.3 and 1.3~5.6 log CFU/g, leaf, mL, hand or $100cm^2$. However, Escherichia coli was not detected in all samples. Bacillus cereus and Staphylococuus aureus were detected at levels of ${\leq}$ 1.1~6.1 log CFU and 4.7~5.4 log CFU/g, mL, hand or $100cm^2$, whereas Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. were not detected in all samples. This study demonstrates that various harzards were in strawberry farms at the growing stage. Therefore proper management such as GAP is needed to prevent the occurrence of food poisoning associated with the hazards revealed in this study.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.141-153
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• 2012

Samples collected from six tomato farms(A, B, C : soil culture, D, E, F : Nutriculture) located in Gyeongsangnam-do were tested for the analyses of biological(sanitary indications, major foodborne pathogens, fungi), chemical(heavy metals, pesticides) and physical hazards. The highest levels of total bacteria(7.5 log CFU/g) and coliforms(5.0 log CFU/g) in soil culture farms were higher than those of nutriculture farms(total bacteria: 2.5 log CFU/mL, coliforms: 0.6 log CFU/mL). In crops and personal hygiene soil culture farms showed a slightly higher contamination levels. From all farms, the levels of fungi in soil farms were higher than those of nutrient solution. In case of major pathogens, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in all sample with the exception of nutrient solution. Meantime, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli O157 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. For airborne bacteria, soilculture farms showed less contamination than nutriculture farms. A piece of glass and can was confirmed asphysical hazards. Heavy metal(Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Zn, Ni and As) and pesticide residues as chemical hazards were detected, but their levels were lower than the regulation limit. These results demonstrate that potential hazards on harvesting stage of tomato fam were exposed. Therefore, proper management is needed to prevent biological hazards due to cross-contamination, while physical and chemical hazards were in appropriate levels based on GAP criteria.