• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate microbial contamination levels of leafy greens (perilla leaf and lettuce) and its distributing conditions at different seasons (Feb, May, Aug, and Nov of the year 2011) in order to provide insight into any potential health hazards associated with consumption of these commodities. Leafy greens were collected from a farm located in Geumsan, Chungnam and wholesale markets (WM) and traditional markets (TM) located in Suwon. At the same time, temperature and relative humidity fluctuations experienced by the leafy greens during distribution from the farm to the distribution center were measured by a data logger. The contamination levels of perilla leaf and lettuce were determined by analyzing total plate count. Coliform groups, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were determined. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform groups and B. cereus in both vegetables sampled during May and August found to be higher than those sampled during February and November. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes were not detected in the vegetables analyzed in this study. There were no significant trends between samples at WM and TM in the contamination levels. Relative humidity of vegetables distributed from the farm to the distribution center showed over 90% during distribution regardless of measured seasons. In the case of background microflora on leafy greens, the density was significantly increased at 20, 30 and $37^{\circ}C$ during storage of 24h. E. coli O157:H7 and B. cereus inoculated on the leaves also showed similar increases in the storage tests. The microbial contamination levels determined in this study may be used as the fundamental data for microbial risk assessment.

• Bulletin of Food Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2005

As an alternative to gaseous sanitizer which having penetrating and diffusing capacities, aerosolsanitizer’s effect on killing pathogens was investigated. To test the efficacy of aerosolized sanitizer, peroxyacetic acid was aerosolized($5.42-11.42\mum$) by nebulizer(Royal-G Enterprise, ShenZhen,China) in a model cabinet against artificially inoculated target microorganisms on lettuce. Lettuceleaves were inoculated with a cocktail of three strains each of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeriamonocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium and treated with sanitizer aerosol for 10 min, 30 and60 min in a model aerosol cabinet at room temperature($22\pm2^\circC$). After treatment, surviving cellsincluding injured cells were enumerated on appropriate selective agar or using the over-lay agar method, respectively. Inoculated lettuce leaves exposed to antimicrobial aerosol for 10 min experienceda 0.8 log reduction in E. coli O157:H7, a 0.3 log reduction in Salmonella Typhimurium and a 2.5 logreduction in L. monocytogenes when compared to the control. After 30 min treatment, the threepathogens were reduced in number of CFU by 2.2, 3.3, and 2.7-log and after 60 min, the reductions were 3.4, 4.5, and 3.8-log, respectively. Aerosolization can be new antimicrobial agents deliverysystem in food sanitizing.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2018

Red pepper is widely used as a spicy flavor ingredient in the food industry and many households. The objective of this study was to assess the total aerobic bacteria count, coliforms count and incidence of Escherichiacoli, Salmonella spp., Escherichiacoli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus in red pepper and red pepper cultivated soil. The total aerobic bacteria number in red pepper and soil were in the range of 2.97 to 8.13 and 5.91 to 7.65 log CFU/g, respectively. The coliforms in red pepper and soil were in the range of 1.87 to 6.71 and 0.67 to 6.16 log CFU/g, respectively. E. coli was detected in 3 of 54 soil samples. In 3 out 63 red pepper and 53 of 54 soil samples, B. cereus was detected, while Salmonella spp., E.coli O157:H7, and L.monocytogenes were not detected. The results from this study provide an important basic information associated with the microbiological safety of fresh vegetables. Continuous caution is needed to prevent the contamination of pathogenic microorganisms during its farming.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite in eliminating Escherichia coli strains from leafy green and stem vegetables, which are frequently sold at community service centers. A cocktail of non-pathogenic E. coli and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (E. coli O157:H7) was used to artificially contaminate the vegetables (initial numbers of bacteria 7-8 log CFU/g). The contaminated vegetables were soaked in sodium hypochlorite for 5 min and then washed three times with running water. After the treatment, number of viable bacterial cells on the vegetables was estimated. Sodium hypochlorite treatment reduced the E. coli population by 1-2 log CFU/g on leafy green and stem vegetables, a significant reduction from the initial number. Further, sodium hypochlorite showed better antimicrobial efficacy for leaves with a larger surface area, less roughness, and softness. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial effect between 100 and 200 mg/kg of sodium hypochlorite. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase sodium hypochlorite concentration than the level suggested in the school meal hygiene management guidelines. However, sodium hypochlorite treatment is not sufficient to achieve a safe level of microorganisms on leafy green and stem vegetables since they generally have a high abundance of microorganisms on their surface. Thus, an alternative cooking method for fresh leafy green and stem vegetables in summer should be developed to ensure they are safe for consumption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.395-402
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• 2008

Level of microbial contamination was examined in four fish farms of Jeju east coast for sanitary indication of bacterial contamination such as heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and total coliforms. The samples were collected and investigated from June to October in 2007. Bacterial species of S. aureus, B. cereus and Salmonella spp. were frequently detected from the seawater of above fish farms. Salmonella spp., S. aureus, B. cereus were detected in the range of $0{\sim}4.3{\times}l0^3,\;0{\sim}2.7{\times}l0^4,\;0{\sim}7.6{\times}l0^3$ CFU/ml, respectively, from the fish feed used in all four selected farms. Additionally, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, B. cereus were detected in oliver flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) of these farms, however total coliforms and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected during our experimental period. For the production of microbiologically safe and healthy oliver flounder, proper quality control of feed, sanitation programs, and continuous monitoring of microorganism are essential practices, which required to include in the farm management system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2005

The bacteria on the surface of slaughtered meat was monitored to investigate the relationships between microbiological quality and sanitation management in slaughter process of cattle and pig. It was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality on the surface of slaughtered beef and pork in Seoul from January to December 2004. Two hundred and thirty three beef and 233 pork carcasses were surveyed on generic E coli counts and standard plate count for microbiological quality and Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and E coli O157: H7 as pathogenic microorganisms. The prevalence of the excellent or good grade $(10^4\;CFU/cm^2)$ in beef and pork carcasses were $100\%\; and\;99.2\%$, respectively. The frequency of beef carcasses with less than $10^2\;CFU/cm^2$ of generic I coli counts was $100\%$, while that of pork carcasses was $99.6\%$. Of 233 beef carcasses, $1(0.42\%)$ was contaminated with L monocytogenes and $6(2.58\%)$ with C perfringens. Of 233 pork carcasses, $11(4.72\%),\;2(0.86\%),\;and\;2(0.86\%)$ were contaminated with L monocytogenes, C perfringens, and S aureus, respectively, Salmonella spp and E coli O157:H7 were not detected with all of the beef and pork carcasses. In conclusion, this study emphasized the Importance of relationship between microbiological quality and sanitation management in slaughter process of cattle and pig, in abattoirs.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2012

In this study, ready-to-cook (RTC) pork bulgogi was investigated microbiologically to determine contamination levels. The investigation was conducted because of an increasing trend in the consumption of RTC meat products in Korea. Ninety marinated RTC pork bulgogi samples were collected from major retail outlets (M), department stores (D), and local markets (L) in Seoul, Korea from March to June 2011. This study examined total plate counts (TPC), Escherichia coli, and coliform bacterial counts, and the presence of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157:H7. The mean TPC values were 5.89, 6.08, and 5.89 Log CFU/g for M, D, and L, respectively. E. coli was not detected in any sample, but coliforms were present in 72 (80%) of the 90 samples collected. B. cereus, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. were not detected; however, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were detected in five (5.5%) and one (1.1%) of the 90 samples. Samples collected from M and D were contaminated with S. aureus and those from L with L. monocytogenes. These results demonstrate that the conditions under which RTC pork bulgogis are handled and processed are unsanitary.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2015

The purposes of this study were to develop a small scale post-harvest facility, and consequently to evaluate the effects of applying the facility along with hygiene education on the level of microbial safety in Korean leeks production. A total of 135 samples were collected at three Korean leeks farms in Yangju, Gyeonggi province. Food safety indicators (Aerobic plate count (APC), coliform count, and Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) on/in the samples were assessed. The microbial load measured as APC with harvesting tools such as comb, chopping board, and knife, at the farms where the small scale post-harvest facility had been operated (Farms A and B) was lower than that at another farm having no post-harvest facility (Farm C) by 1.44~2.33 log CFU / $100cm^2$. Moreover, the chopping board from Farm C was observed being contaminated with B. cereus at 6.03 log CFU / $100cm^2$. The coliform counts from the samples increased by 0.57~1.89 log CFU/g after leeks was submerged in ground water for washing. E. coli was recovered from leeks, soil, and the ground water used in the washing process, while no E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes was detected. Our results indicated that the small scale post-harvest facility developed in this study as well as the hygiene education played an important role in enhancing the level of microbial food safety in the leeks production environment. However, a disinfection technique could be needed during the washing step in order to prevent a potential contamination.

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

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.179-191
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to monitor and compare the contamination levels of heterotrophic bacteria and pathogenic bacteria (total coliforms, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parachaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus). The samples collected at fish farms located in the Jeju-island were investigated from March to August in 2006. The contamination levels of S. aureus, B. cereus and Salmonella spp. ranged $0-3.3{\times}10^2 CFU/ml,\;0-2.2{\times}10^2 CFU/ml\;and\;0-5.1{\times}10^1CFU/ml$, respectively, and 85% of moist pellet feeds were contaminated with S. aureus, B. cereus and total coliforms. But total coliforms and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected in oliver flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). For the production of safe oliver flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), education of sanitation for employees, control of fish feed, and continuous monitoring for microorganism will be required.