• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.573-578
• /
• 2009

Microbial contamination levels in a fresh-cut leafy vegetable processing plant were evaluated. Total plate counts of samples collected from the walls, equipment, and raw materials ranged from $10^1{\sim}10^2$ CFU/100 $cm^2$, $10^0{\sim}10^4$ CFU/100 $cm^2$, and $10^4{\sim}10^6$ CFU/g, respectively. No coliforms were detected on walls; however, equipment and raw materials contained coliforms in concentrations ranging from ND (not detected)to $10^2$ CFU/100 $cm^2$ and $10^4{\sim}10^5$ CFU/g, respectively. Additionally, total plate counts for falling and floating bacteria in the processing plant were $10^0{\sim}10^1$ CFU/plate and $10^1{\sim}10^3$ $CFU/m^3$, respectively. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, or Listeria monocytogenes were not detected on walls, equipment, or raw materials. Overall, the results of this study indicate that hygiene control in the fresh-cut processing plant should be improved.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.375-381
• /
• 2020

This study assessed the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, fungi, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus and qualitative analysis of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogens in six raw materials (beef, bean sprout, Chinese cabbage, king oyster mushroom, Korean cabbage, and sweet pumpkin) of home meal replacement (HMR) Shabu-Shabu meal kit distributed in markets. The total aerobic bacteria, fungi, and coliforms were detected as 3.98-6.50, 2.78-3.52, and 2.02-3.28 log CFU/g, respectively. Especially, beef was highly contaminated with total aerobic bacteria (6.50 log CFU/g) and coliforms (3.28 log CFU/g). Over 5 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria were also detected in bean sprout, Chinese cabbage, and sweet pumpkin. Less than < 2 log CFU/g of coliforms were detected in all vegetables. E. coli was not detected in any of the six samples (ND: < 1 log CFU/g). S. aureus was detected as 1.33-1.71 log CFU/g in most samples but it was not detected in beef and Korean cabbage. B. cereus was assessed as 1.15-2.01 log CFU/g in most samples but it was not detected in Korean cabbage. L. monocytogenes was qualitatively detected as 25-50% in most samples except for king oyster mushroom. Salmonella spp. were not qualitatively detected in any of the six samples. The microbial contamination levels determined in the current study may be potentially used as the basic data to execute microbial risk assessments of HMR foods such as Shabu-Shabu meal kit.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.283-289
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the annual population variation and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the lower artificial Lake Geumgang from January to December, 2002. Samples were taken from the surface waters at 3 stations near the estuarine barrage. The results were as follows; the population densities of heterotrophic bacteria varied from 4.1±1.0×10² to 6.7±1.1×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ during the investigation periods. The population densities of antibiotic-resistant bacteria ranged from 1.5±0.7×10 to 4.3±0.3×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for ampicillin; from 0 to 6.4±0.4× 10² cfu ml/sup -1/ for chloramphenicol; from 0 to 2.8±0.3×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for gentamicin; from 0 to 4.5±1.0×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for kanamycin; and from 1.0±0.4 × 10 to 2.3±0.5×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for streptomycin, respectively. Of the sixty isolates, 90% were Gram negative. Dominant genera by 16S rDNA analysis were identified Aeromonas spp. (14 strains), Bacillus spp. (6 strains), Enterobacter spp. (4 strains), and Stenotrophomonas spp. (6 strains). These strains were clustered into 12 groups based on relatedness by average linkage method. Of the 60 isolates, 85% had the resistance to ampicilin and 32% were shown resistance to more than 2 kinds of antibiotics.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to survey the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in Sangshik products and their raw materials far the purpose of ensuring safety of those products in market, and establishing microbial regulatory standard. From 2002 to 2004, a total of 191 Sangshik products were purchased from market or mail-order sales, and major foodborne pathogens; E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, E. coli O157:H7, Vibrio parahaemolyticus were tested. B. cereus, C. perfringens and E. coli were detected from 29 samples (15.2%), 21 samples (11.0%) and 1 sample (0.5%), respectively. But other tested bacteria were not detected. For the identification of contamination source, 53 Sangshik ingredients were collected from 9 different manufacture factories. The results were similar with the Sangshik products. Aerobic plate counts were ranging from $1.0X10^3cfu/g\;to\;1.5X10^8cfu/g$. B. cereus was detected from 13 samples (24.5%), and counted as less than 100 cfu/g. C. perfringens were detected from 2 samples (3.8%), and counted as less than 100 cfu/g. Other foodborne pathogens were not detected except for B. cereus and C. perfringens. From the results, it was revealed that potential of microbial hazard by Sangshik was relatively low. However, it would be suggested that hygienic management and controling be needed for the prevention of growing contaminated pathogens and cross contamination during process and sale due to improper storage and management.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.754-759
• /
• 2008

The effect of citric acid-aqueous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$) treatment of radish seeds artificially contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium was studied. Radish seeds were inoculated by immersion, in more than 106 log CFU/g seed, of a suspension of S. typhimurium, dried, and stored sealed at $4^{\circ}C$ Radish seeds soaked in 200 ppm aqueous ClO2 solution for 10 min showed a bacterial reduction of 1.08 log CFU/g seed, and the lowering of microbial burden noted in seeds soaked in 2% (w/v) citric acid solution for 10 min was 2.89 log CFU/g seed. Next, radish seeds were exposed to 0.5% (v/v) glycerol solution for 10 min either before or after treatment with 200 ppm aqueous ClO2 or 2% (w/v) citric acid for 10 min. Glycerol exposure after citric acid treatment reduced bacteria by 3.46 log CFU/g seed, and glycerol treatment after aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment reduced the microbial burden by 2.14 log CFU/g seed. Both glycerol treatments yielded better elimination of S. typhimurium than did a single treatment with either citric acid or aqueous $ClO_2$. Radish seeds inoculated with S. typhimurium were treated throughout the entire growth period. Although radish seed treatment was effective, treatment by citric acid and aqueous $ClO_2$ after sprouting was not effective to eliminate S. typhimurium.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.149-157
• /
• 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm recovery by counting its colony-forming units (CFUs) and via confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis at different time points following PDT. In PDT, photosensitizer was an erythrosine. S. mutans ATCC25175 biofilms were irradiated using an LED curing light. Chlorhexidine (CHX) was used as positive control. After each antimicrobial treatment, samples were cultured to allow biofilm recovery. Viability was measured by calculating the CFU counts after treatment and after every 3 hours for up to 24 hours. Immediately after treatment, the PDT and CHX groups showed equally significant decreases in S. mutans CFU counts compared to the negative control. After 12 hours of reculture, the PDT group showed no significant difference in the decrease in CFU count compared to the negative control, whereas the CHX group showed significantly lower CFU counts throughout the 24-hour period. Erythrosine-mediated PDT can effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation. However, biofilm recovery occurred earlier in the CHX group after PDT. This study provides insights into the clinical effectiveness of PDT in preventing dental caries.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.507-512
• /
• 2017

There has been increasing concern regarding misuse of disinfectants and sanitizers such as ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide for food contact surfaces in the food industry. Examining the efficacy of the concentration of currently used disinfectants and sanitizers is urgently required in the Korean society. This study aimed to develop predictive reduction models for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in suspension, as a function of $ClO_2$ (chlorine dioxide) and contact time using response surface methodology. E. coli ATCC 10536 and S. aureus ATCC 6538 (initial inoculum, 8-9 log CFU/mL) in tryptic soy broth were treated with different concentrations of $ClO_2$ (5, 20, and 35 ppm) for different contact times (1, 3, and 5 min) following a central composite design. The polynomial reduction models for $ClO_2$ on E. coli and S. aureus were developed under the clean condition. E. coli reduction by 35 ppm $ClO_2$ for 1, 3, and 5 min was 2.49, 2.70, and 3.65 log CFU/mL, respectively. Also, S. aureus reduction by 35 ppm $ClO_2$ for 1, 3, and 5 min was 4.59, 5.25, and 5.81 log CFU/mL, respectively. The predictive response polynomial models developed were $R=0.43231-0.056492^*X_1-0.097771^*X_2+9.24167E-003^*X_1^*X_2+3.06333E-003^*X_1{^2}$ ($R^2=0.98$) on E. coli and $R=1.10542-0.20896^*X_1-0.046062^*X_2+8.30000E-003^*X_1^*X_2+8.73300E-003^*X_1{^2}$ ($R^2=0.99$) on S. aureus, where R was the bacterial reduction (log CFU/mL), $X_1$ was the concentration and $X_2$ was the contact time. Our predictive reduction models should be validated in developing the optimal concentration and contact time of $ClO_2$ for inhibiting E. coli and S. aureus on food contact surfaces.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.276-285
• /
• 2009

This study evaluated the microbiological quality and safety of food items(seafood, meat, eggs, and frozen food) supplied to elementary school food services, during delivery, and analyzed the distribution/delivery system. To this end, 10 food items supplied by 13 factories in Daegu and Gyeongbuk were chosen for study. Beef and pork were delivered directly to schools in freezer vans. Seafood, chicken, and frozen food were delivered to schools by refrigerated vans(${\leq}10^{\circ}C$) that made other delivery stops before arriving at schools. After food was delivered to schools, total bacterial counts and coliforms(respectively) were as follows: mackerel($2.0{\times}10^2-3.2{\times}10^5$, $<5-4.0{\times}10^3CFU/g$), common squid($2.5{\times}10^4-6.6{\times}10^5$, $1.6{\times}10^2-6.0{\times}10^3CFU/g$), shellfish($3.2{\times}10^5-1.7{\times}10^3$, $4.0{\times}10^3-3.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$), boiled fish paste($1.9{\times}10^4$, <5 CFU/g), beef($9.2{\times}10^2-6.4{\times}10^4$, $<5-2.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$), pork($2.6{\times}10^3-1.3{\times}10^6$, $<5-2.7{\times}10^2CFU/g$), chicken($1.0{\times}10^4$, $2.4{\times}10^2CFU/g$), egg($<5-2.3{\times}10^2$, <5 CFU/g), frozen mandu($3.2{\times}10^3-9.5{\times}10^4$, <5 CFU/g), and frozen noodles($<5-9.0{\times}10$, <5 CFU/g). Bacillus cereus($2.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$) and E. coli($1.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$) were detected on shellfish, and Staphylococcus aureuswas detected on pork($3.1{\times}10\;CFU/g$) and chicken($7.8{\times}10\;CFU/g$). Most food items were double-wrapped in vinyl and placed in corrugated cardboard boxes prior to delivery, and the boxes weremixed with other food items when they were put in the vans. There was no cross-contamination during distribution. However, total shellfish bacterial counts increased slightly. These results indicate that foods need to be completely pasteurized during processing. Frozen food items should not be mixed and should be delivered by freezer vans(${\leq}4^{\circ}C$). The number of stops made during distribution/delivery should be reduced.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2016

Endotoxin, also known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by the cell wall of gram negative bacteria can be present in any liquid or on any biomaterial. Endotoxin in blood can cause fever and inflammation. In this study, we compared bacterial endotoxin using Escherichia coli O157:H7, Klebsiella oxytoca, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella sonnei and Morganella morganii. Bacteria were cultured for use in the experiment, and diluted to $1.5{\times}10^8CFU/mL$. A check marked sensitivity confirmatory test of the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) reagent was performed to examine the validity. The end point reaction to each bacteria sample was confirmed with 10 fold dilution and then the final reaction end point was confirmed by 2 fold dilution between the dilution step and the upper dilution step. According to the results, in detection of endotoxins in more than 0.015 EU/mL, E. coli O157 was 75~37.5 CFU/mL, K. oxytoca 37.5~18.75 CFU/mL, M. morganii and S. Typhi 3.75~1.875 CFU/mL, and S. sonnei 7.5~3.75 CFU/mL. The resulting value was finally ensured by a confirmation test for the inhibitory factor. Based on this study, conduct of further research on bacterial endotoxin is encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.399-404
• /
• 2009

The goal of this study was to improve the quality of cheonggukjang by the optimization of the inoculation methods of the Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) strains. In order to optimize the mixed cultivation of B. subtilis and L. plantarum, the B. subtilis strain was inoculated into steamed soybeans after cultivation of L. plantarum. Inoculation size of B. subtilis was changed to the simultaneous inoculation method in order to stimulate the growth of the L. plantarum in cheonggukjang. The viable cell count of L. plantarum increased from $2{\times}10^7$ CFU/g to $2-6{\times}10^8$ CFU/g and B. subtilis grew to $9{\times}10^8$ CFU/g. These results showed that 2 strains were successfully able to grow in the steamed soybean for good quality of cheonggukjang by optimization of the inoculation methods. The sensory evaluation indicated that a favorable aroma and overall acceptance of cheonggukjang by the optimized mixed cultivation of B. subtilis and L. plantarum, which was relatively higher than those of cheonggukjang by single strain inoculation of B. subtilis.