• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 1996

Seawater samples were collected from P'ohang coastal area during April 1995 - January 1996. The distribution of total heterotrophic bacteria and crude oil-degrading bacteria (CDB) were studied. In addition, biodegradation of crude oil was investigated through mono and mixed culture. The heterotrophic bacterial distribution was in the range of 4.1 $\times$ $10^4$- 1.2 $\times$ $10^5$ CFU/$m\ell$, respectively. The percent of crude oil-degrading bacteria against total heterotrophic bacteria was 0.05-0.54% which was lower than other marine samples reported. Therefore it could be suggested that the distribution of crude oil-degrading bacteria in the seawater of P'ohang coastal area was highly affected by presence of petroleum hydrocarbon. Taxonomical characteristics of 26 isolates were investigated. The results of identification were showed 7 genera which were Acinetobacter spp., Bacillus spp., Citrobacter spp., Micrococcus spp., Moraxella spp., Rhodococcus spp., and Serratia spp. Appearance of Enterobacteriaceae indicated that the seawater was polluted with wastewater. Also genus of Bacillus had predominant in CDB on P'ohang coastal area. In flask culture, biodegradation of crude oil was enhanced by addition of mixed culture of CDB.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2002

A bacterium isolated from contaminated white ginseng was indentified by using API kit and electron microscope. The isolate was determined as rod shaped bacterium having 0.6-1.0 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter and 1.2-3.0 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in length. It had motility by flagellum. The isolate had $\beta$-galactosidase, arginine dihydrolase and omithin decarboxylase. It used citrate as sole carbon source but not produced H$_2$S. It also fermented glucose, manitol, sorbitol, rhamnose, sucrose, melibiose, arabinose and amygdalin. The isolate was identified as Enterobacter sp by the above API kit analysis and electron microscopy observation. Ginseng saponin was added to culture of Enterobacter sp. in order to investigate saponin's influence on its growth. The strain was incubated at 38$^{\circ}C$ for 3 days after addition of 0.05, 0.5, 2.0 and 4.0% (w/v) of saponin, respectively and the growth rates were investigated. The relative bacterial growth rates showed 75.0, 37.5, 7.5 and 0.5%, respectively, when compared with 100% of saponin non-added group. These results suggest that the growth of Enterobacter sp. is inhibited by saponin with the concentration dependency.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.436-441
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• 2011

This study was performed to evaluate physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of pork patties with tomato powder as affected by water solubility. Fresh tomatoes were homogenized and dried in a $60^{\circ}C$ oven. Dried tomato powder was added to double deionized-water and stirred. The soluble and insoluble portions were collected by freeze-drying. Thus, total dried powder (T1) and water soluble (T2) and insoluble powders (T3) were prepared for the experiment. Pork patties containing 0.5% water insoluble powder had the highest redness and yellowness values among the treatments (p<0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of pork patties containing 0.5% dried tomato powder were lower than those of the control (p<0.05) and not different from those of the reference (0.01% BHT). Total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae (VRB) tended to increase with increasing storage time from 0 to 14 d; however, these values were not statistically different among treatments. These results suggest that lipid oxidation may be suppressed by adding tomato powder to pork patties; thus, tomato powder could be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products as a partial replacement for synthetic antioxidants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1718-1723
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• 2009

In this study, we characterized extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens in Korea and found two strains harboring plasmid-mediated $bla_{SHV-11}$, Klebsiella pneumoniae. First, the isolates were detected using the Vitek system and confirmed by the double-disk synergy test. The classification of gene coding for ESBL was also performed by polymerase chain reactions and followed by DNA sequencing. The transmission of genes was confirmed by transconjugation and transformation. Resistant expression of transformants was determined by broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration test. Genotypic analysis revealed that one strain harbored the $bla_{TEM-1}$, $bla_{SHV-11}$ and $bla_{CTX-M-15}$ and the other strain harbored the $bla_{SHV-11}$ and $bla_{CTX-M-15}$. They showed high resistance to oxyiminocephalosphorins (3rd-generation cephalosporins), while the transformant containing only $bla_{SHV-11}$ did not show any resistance to the antibiotics.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.515-530
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• 2012

This research aims to audit foodservice sanitation management practices and to assess microbiological quality of foods and their food contact environments in kindergartens. Sanitation auditing was conducted in 10 kindergartens in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas to assess the levels of safety practices. Results revealed that the surveyed kindergartens scored 41.4 out of 100 points, on average. The average scores of each category were 6.4/11 (58.1%) for facilities sanitation, 4.2/12 (35.0%) for equipment sanitation, 2.4/10 (24.0%) for personal hygiene, 5.1/10 (51.0%) for food ingredients management, 6.0/17 (35.3%) for production process, 5.4/10 (54.0%) for environmental sanitation, 2.0/6 (33.3%) for kitchen utensils sanitation, and 2.2/6 (96.7%) for safety management. Microbiological quality of raw, prepared foods, personal sanitation (hands), environmental sanitation, and drinking water were assessed. Total plate counts (TPC) of the following menus exceeded the critical limit: seasoned leek (5 log CFU/g), cucumber (5.0 log CFU/g), panbroiled fish paste (TNTC at $10^4$), tangpyeongchae (5.3 log CFU/g), egg rolls (6.1 log CFU/g), panbroiled sausage (TNTC at $10^4$), and soft tofu pot stew (TNTC at $10^4$). Coliform which exceeded the standard limit were detected from seasoned leek (2 log CFU/g), cucumber (2.5 log CFU/g), panbroiled fish paste (2.0 log CFU/g), egg roll (3.8 log CFU/g), tangpyeongchae (4.0 log CFU/g), panbroiled sausage (2.3 log CFU/g), and soft tofu pot stew (3.7 log CFU/g). For seasoned foods (muchim), S. aureus ranged 2.2~2.9 log CFU/g. In food workers' hands, microbial profiles ranged 3.8~7.9 log CFU/hand for TPC, ND~4.5 log CFU/hand for coliforms, ND~4.7 log CFU/hand for S. aureus, and ND~5.3 log CFU/hand for Enterobacteriaceae. Microbiological profiles of food contact surface of knives, cutting boards, dish-clothes, and trays showed possibilities of cross-contamination. General bacteria were 2.1~4.5 logCFU/ml in 4 purified water samples and E. coli were found in the kitchen of one kindergarten. These results suggested that environmental sanitation management practices need more strict improvement: effective sanitation education methods and practices were strongly required, and more strict sanitation management for cooking utensils and equipment were required.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the product characteristics of meat products sold in Korean markets and determine if these products meet the comsumer demands. The total nineteen meat produce were evaluated the physico-chemical, textural properties, and microbial counts of total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. pH values were ranged from 5.46 to 6.69, moisture $47.6{\sim}65.3%,\;fat\;14.2{\sim}34.7%,\;and\;9{\sim}20%$ and the pH values of ham products were higher than those of sausages. Purge loss(%) and expressible moisture(%) were ranged $2.40{\sim}7.44\;and\;6.10{\sim}21.2%$ respectively. Varied hunter color values (Lightness $59.6{\sim}75.7$, Redness $11.6{\sim}21.1$, Yellowness $2.30{\sim}l1.4$) were observed. Texture profile analysis values were observed and Frank A sausages made with chicken had highest fracturability, hardness and springiness, whereas loin ham and beershinken had highest cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness. Most meat products had the total microbial counts of less than 3 log CFU/g and Enterbacteriaceae were not detected (< 2 log CFU/g) in this study. These data suggested that the meat products sold in Korean market were various and relatively safe. In addition, well-being meat products, such as low-fat, salt and containing functional ingredient, should be developed to meet the consumer needs these days.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different types and levels of prebiotics on intestinal microflora and fermentation products in the in vitro fermentation model. The prebiotcs used in this study were IMO (iso-malto oligosaccharide), CI (partially digested chicory-inulin), RA (raffinose) and CD (cyclodextrin). Experimental diet for growing pigs was predigested by digestive enzymes and this hydrolyzed diet was mixed with buffer solution containing 5% fresh swine feces. Then, the mixture was fermented with or without prebiotics at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% for 24 h. Samples were taken at 24 h, and viable count of micoflora, gas, pH, volatile organic compounds and short-chain fatty acids were determined. The viable count of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in all treatments added with prebiotics in comparison to control without prebiotics. However, the increase of lactic acid bacteria was observed in the prebiotics treatment. Gas production increased as the level of prebiotics increased. The pH values in the fermentation fluid decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing the concentration of prebiotics. The fermentation with prebiotics resulted in the reduction of malodorous compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, indole and skatole. The increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was observed in the treatments with prebiotics. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that the fermentation with prebiotics was effective in reducing the formation of malodorous compounds and increasing lactic acid bacteria and SCFA. These effects depended on the concentration of prebiotics. Moreover, further study is needed to determine whether the in vitro efficacy on the reduction of malodorous compounds and increase of SCFA would also be observed in animals.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.616-625
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• 2005

It is likely that maltose could provide a good substrate for the bacteria in the intestine, when the pathogenic bacteria invade and colonize in human gut. For better understanding of this organism's maltose metabolism, a mutant that was not able to grow with maltose as a sole carbon source was screened from a library of mutants constructed by a random transposon mutagenesis. By a transposon-tagging method, malPQ genes encoding a maltodextrin phosphorylase and a 4-${\alpha}$-glucanotransferase, were identified and cloned from Vibrio vulnificus. The deduced amino acid sequences of malPQ from V. vulnificus were 48 to $91\%$ similar to those of MalP and MalQ reported from other Enterobacteriaceae. Functions of malPQ genes were assessed by the construction of mutants whose malPQ genes were inactivated by allelic exchanges. When maltose was used as the sole carbon source, neither malP nor malQ mutant was able to grow to a substantial level, revealing that the MalP and MalQ are the only enzymes for metabolic utilization of maltose. The malQ mutant exhibited decreased adherence toward intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, but there was no difference in the $LD_{50}s$ of the wild-type and the malQ mutant in mice. Therefore, it appears that MalQ is less important in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus than would have been predicted by considering maltose as a most common sugar in the intestine, but not completely dispensable for virulence in mice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.360-366
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• 2012

Background: Carbapenem-resistance is rapidly evolving among the pathogenic microbes in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to determine annual trend of carbapenem-resistance in the ICU for 4 years, since the opening of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, microbial samples from consecutive 6,772 patients were screened in the ICU. Three hundred and ninety-seven patients (5.9%) and their first isolates of carbapenem-resistant pathogens were analyzed. Results: The percentage of patients infected with carbapenem-resistant organisms increased constantly during the initial three years (2.3% in 2005, 6.2% in 2006, 7.8% in 2007), then it declined to 6.5% in 2008. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score at admission was $58.0{\pm}23.5$, the median length of the ICU stay was 37 days, and the mortality rate was 37.5%. The sampling sites were endotracheal suction (67%), catheterized urine (17%), wound (6%) and others (10%). Bacteria with carbapenem-resistance were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (247 isolates, 62%), Acinetobacter baumannii (117 isolates, 30%), Enterobacteriaceae (12 isolates, 3%), and others (21, 5%). Of note, peak isolation of carbapenem-resistant microorganisms in medical ICU was followed by the same epidemic at surgical ICU. Conclusion: Taken together, carbapenem-resistant pathogens are of growing concern in the ICU.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.172-184
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• 2006

This study was aimed to provide safety management guidance by evaluating the microbial quality of cooked dried-seafoods in school foodservice operations. Nineteen seafood items were collected from six elementary schools, those were dried-anchovy, dried-seaweed and dried-fish, which were classified as cooking process. The temperatures at receiving and after cooking were measured and the analyses of cooking processes and microbial quality were performed. The temperatures of all foods after cooking were higher than the temperature limit of $74\^circC$. The number of total aerobic bacteria and S. aureus in dried-anchovy over the limit of $10^5$ and even the level of S. aureus was found to be unsatisfactory. The count of total aerobic bacteria was 2.1x$10^8$ CFU/g and the number of total aerobic bacteria after cooking was over the limit in one school. The level of E. coli (3.1x$10^3$ CFU/g) was over the limit at one school and the number of S. aureus (1.2×$10^4$ CFU/g) was considered as unacceptable. Dried- tangle and green laver were contaminated with total aerobic bacteria showing the over the limit. The numbers of total aerobic bacteria in dried- filefish, pollack and squid were 4.3x$10^6$, 3.4x$10^6$-3.9x$10^7$ and 4.6x$10^5$-4.1x$10^7$ CFU/g, respectively, which were in acceptable or unsatisfactory level. The E. coli in dried- filefish and pollack were over the limit. The total aerobic bacteria levels, 4.6x$10^5$-1.5x$10^6$ CFU/g in dried-pollack and 8.0x$10^5$-2.2x$10^7$ CFU/g in dried-squid, were over the limit after cooking except dried-filefish. The E. coli levels, 4.3x$10^3$ CFU/g in dried-filefish and 2.5x$10^2$ CFU/g in dried-pollack, were over the limit of $10^2$ CFU/g. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were either acceptable (3.3x$10^3$ CFU/g) or unsatisfactory (1.6x$10^4$ CFU/g) level in dried-pollack. S. aureus was unsatisfactory level (6.5x$10^4$ CFU/g) in dried-filefish while unacceptable in dried-pollack both before and after cooking. Unacceptable levels of S. aureus, 2.4x$10^4$ and 1.3x$10^5$ CFU/g were found from two schools, respectively. These results suggest that the contamination of raw materials and the seasonings added after cooking should be controlled to manage the microbial safety of cooked dried-seafoods.