• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2011

Inadequate food handling and poor hand hygiene playa major role in the occurrence of foodborne diseases. The objective of this study was to find out if the level of microbial contamination on the hands of food preparers varies by time during their working period. This study focused on the contamination of aerobic plate count, total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. Sampling from left hand and right hand of twenty food preparers was done with glove-juice method at every two hours during their work. Microbiological testing was conducted according to the Food Code of Korea. The microbiological load on the hands was changed over time. Samples taken from their hands before work and at 8 hours showed higher levels of bacteria than those taken at 2, 4, and 6 hours during work and/or after work (p < 0.05). The contamination levels of microorganisms were consistently higher in right hand than in left hand. Poor hand hygiene practices were indicated by the positive results for total and fecal coli forms, E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. on the hands of some food preparers. This study indicates food preparers' hands can be a vehicle of pathogen during their work. The results of this study emphasize the importance of hand hygiene education and training targeting the food preparers.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 2010

The application of livestock manure to cropland is a practice that has been used for centuries. Agricultural crops can utilize nutrients from manure, and the producer can utilize land for disposal, although in a "sustainable system" the concept is manure utilization and not waste disposal. However, meeting regulatory criteria regarding microbial quality remains an expensive and time consuming process. The purpose of this study was to quantify the level of environmental impact of soil moisture and temperature on fecal coliform (Escherichia coli or E. coli) survival in upland soils for sound application of livestock manure. Samples were collected up to 30 days depending on the given conditions. The inactivation rate of E. coli increased linearly with increased temperature while the inactivation rate gradually decreased with decreased soil moisture level. The overall findings of this study showed that the temperature was the limited factor on E. coli survival in soils over soil moisture content. This study will provide useful and practical guidelines to applicators of soil in deciding appropriate handling and time frames for land application for sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.549-561
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• 2011

Livestock wastewater is being discharged without treatment from Hasen's pig farm cluster in WangGoong (WG) area into the Iksan Stream, eventually flowing into the ManGyung (MG) at the upstream junction. Although it is well known that before discharge, wastewater must satisfy the pig slurry discharge standards; because of ongoing remodeling, proper treatment is not being performed. According to public records, wastewater from the WG pig farm cluster is responsible for 3.6% of MG River pollution and 2.0% of the SaeManGuem (SMG) Reservoir pollution. As a result, upstream water treatment quality has become primary concern for development of the SMG project. All physicochemical constituents and pathogenic microbes, such as chemical oxygen demand ($COD_{Cr}$), biochemical oxygen demand ($BOD_5$), total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella at the effluent of WG Plant (S-1) exceed the effluent standards. This is mainly due to insufficient wastewater treatment: the WG Plant is under renovation to increase water purification efficiency. By comparing the water quality at the S-7 junction, where the the Iksan Stream (pig farms) and the Wanggoong Stream (no pig farms) merge, it is clear that farming facilities and improper treatment can critically affect surrounding water quality. While it is clear throughout this study that the level of all physicochemical parameters and pathogenic microbes along the Stream decreased due to sedimentation, biodegradation and/or dilution. An alarming problem was discovered: the existence of pathogenic microbe count(E coli, Salmonella) in the lagoon wastewater and the stream water. Not only were high concentrations of these pathogens themselves found, but the potential existence of more serious pathogens could rise to more dangerous conditions.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.171-171
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• 2008

We monitored the occurrence of human enteric viruses in urban rivers by cell culture-PCR and RT-nested PCR. Water samples were collected monthly or semimonthly between May 2002 and March 2003 in four urban tributaries. Enteric viruses were detected by RT-nested PCR and cell culture-PCR based on a combination of Buffalo Green monkey kidney (BGMK) and A549 cell lines, followed by phylogenetic analysis of amplicons. By RT-nested PCR analysis, 45 (77.6%), 32 (55.2%), 32 (55.2%), 26 (44.8%), 12 (20.7%), 2 (3.4%), 4 (6.9%), and 4 (6.9%) of 58 samples showed positive results with adenoviruses, enteroviruses, noroviruses (NV) genogroup I (GI) and II (GII), reoviruses, hepatitis A viruses, rotaviruses and sapoviruses, respectively. Adenoviruses were most often detected and only eight (13.8%) samples were negative for adenoviruses and positive for other enteric viruses in the studied sites. Thirty-one (77.5%) of the 40 samples were positive for infectious adenoviruses and/or enteroviruses based on cell culture-PCR, and the frequency of positive samples grown on A549 and BGMK (65.0%) was higher than that grown on BGMK alone (47.5%). The occurrence of each enteric virus, except reoviruses and hepatitis A viruses was not statistically correlated with the water temperature and levels of fecal coliforms according to Binary logistic regression model. By sequence analysis, most strains of adenoviruses and enteroviruses detected in this study are similar to the causative agent of viral diseases in Korea and most NV GI- and GII-grouped strains were closely related to the reference strains from China and Japan, and GII/4-related strains had similar sequences to strains recognized as a worldwide epidemic outbreak. Our results suggested that monitoring human enteric viruses is necessary to improve microbial quality and cell culture-PCR using the combination of A549 and BGMK cells and the adenovirus detection by PCR could be useful for monitoring viral contamination in the aquatic environment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1990

Effects of 7.5% potassium sorbate and/or 1% ascorbic acid dip on she]f-life of chicken parts stored at $4^{\circ}C$ was investigated. There was no remarkable difference in the microbial growth between 1% ascorbic acid dipped chicken parts and untreated chicken parts. Off-odor developed after 8 days storage and bacterial spoilage was occurred after 12 days storage. 7.5% potassium sorbate dip significantly retarded mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts compared with untreated, markedly reduced growth rate of Enterobacteriaceae. Fecal coliforms were not detected and bacterial spoilage was not occurred until 21 days storage. off-odor developed after 19 days storage and color was not significantly deteriorated until 21 days storage. Additional effect of 7.5% potassium sorbate and 1% ascorbic acid dip was found on retarded mesophilic, psychrotrophic and Enterobacteriaceae counts compared with 7.5% potassium sorbate dip alone. Bacterial spoilage was not occurred until 21 days storage. off-odor developed after 21 days storage and color was not significantly deteriorated until 21 dayss storage.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.278-293
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to develop Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point-based standardized recipe applicable to cook/chilled Broiled Spanish Mackerel in school foodservice operations and to establish reasonable shelf-life limits by assessing food quality during chilled storage period of 5 days. HACCP for the production of menu items was identified in simulation study. At each critical control point, time-temperature profile was recorded and microbiological analysis was done. Also chemical analyses and sensory evaluation were conducted for 5 days of chilled storage. The results of time-temperature measurement of Broiled Spanish Mackerel by each production phase showed satisfactory condition that met the standards. Broiled Spanish Mackerel showed excellent microbiological quality from raw ingredient phase ($TPC:2.58{\pm}0.12\;Log\;CFU/g$) to holding phase ($TPC:2.70{\pm}0.42\;Log\;CFU/g$). Coliform (0.84 Log MPN/g) and fecal coliform (0.84 Log MPN/g) were detected from marinating phase ($TPC:3.82{\pm}0.52\;Log\;CFU/g$). After heating, only few mesophiles were detected ($TPC:1.83{\pm}0.49\;Log\;CFU/g$). No psychrophiles, coliforms and fecal coliforms were detected. In the phases after rapid chilling, during chilled storage and after reheating and distribution, almost none of the above microbes were detected. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in all production phases. The pH immediately after cooking was 6.65 and then increased significantly to 6.81 on the third day of chilled storage (p<0.001). Acid value did not show significant changes while total volatile based nitrogen (TVBN) dramatitically increased during storage periods (p<0.01). In the result of sensory evaluation, general acceptability points had been rated high in the first day of storage, and then, the points were decreased significantly on the third day (p<0.05). General acceptability points ranged from 8.86 to 10.68. Accordingly, Broiled Spanish Mackerel is highly recommendable cook/chill system. Considering the DHSS standards for storage, the ideal shelf-life recommended for Broiled Spanish Mackerel is within 4 days excluding cooking day. For Broiled Spanish Mackerel, critical control points were purchasing and receiving of frozen Spanish Mackerel, heating, chilling, chilled storage, reheating and distribution.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 1993

In order to determine the optimum operational paramsters in cow manure composting, 4 laboratory scale composters were established. The cow manure was mixed with certain amount of saw dust to adjust the initial C/N ratio to 24, initial pH to 6.9 and composting was performed with varying operational conditions. It was found that the optimum aeration rate was 1000 ml/min kg. VS, the optimum moisture content 50% and no significant difference was found with different initial pH condition. Microorganisms were counted under the optimum conditions determined in this study. At the end of the experimental period, the number of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi was $1.5{\times}10^9$ cells, $1.1{\times}10^8$ cells and $3.0{\times}10^8$ cells/g dry compost, respectively. At day 0, the number of coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci was $3.1{\times}10^3$ cells, $7.5{\times}10^2$ cells and $5.6{\times}103$ cells/g dry composting material, respectively. Their population was decreased with time lapse, However, their survival time was longer than those reported by other researchers. Microorganisms were identified at the end of the experiment. Genus Bacillus was the most dominant comprising 89.3% of the total population. Among the Genus Bacillus, B. circulans compoex was the most abundant, followed by B. Stearothermophilus, B. Sphericus, B. licheniformis and B, brevis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.824-829
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• 2011

In recent years, there has been an increasing public concern about fecal contamination of water, air and agricultural produce by pathogens residing in organic fertilizers such as manure, compost and agricultural by-products. Efforts are now being made to control or eliminate the pathogen populations at on-farm level. Development of efficient on-farm strategies to mitigate the potential risk posed by the pathogens requires data about how the pathogens prevail in livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers. Microbiological analysis of livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers obtained from 32 and 28 companies, respectively, were conducted to determine the total aerobic bacteria count, coliforms, Escherichia coli count and the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter sakazakii. The total aerobic bacteria counts in the livestock manure composts and organic fertilizers were in the range of 7 to $9log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and 4 to $6log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$, respectively. In the livestock manure composts, coliforms and E. coli were detected in samples obtained from 4 and 2 companies, respectively, in the range of 2 to $5log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and $2log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$. In the organic fertilizers, coliforms and E. coli were detected in samples obtained from 4 and 1 companies, respectively, in the range of 1 to $3log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and $2log\;CFU\;g^{-1}$. In 3 out 32 compost samples, B. cereus was detected, while other pathogens were not detected. In 28 organic fertilizers, no pathogens were detected. The complete composting process can result in the elimination of pathogens in livestock manure compost and organic fertilizer. The results of this study could help to formulate microbiological guidelines for the use of compost in environmental-friendly agriculture. This research provides information regarding microbiological quality of livestock manure compost and organic fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.26-35
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• 2004

We investigated the effect of physicochemical environmental factors on the community dynamics of phytoplanktons and bacteria at the Hoeya Dam Reservoir, a drinking water reservoir for Ulsan city. Water samples were collected and analyzed every two to four weeks at three sites along the reservoir from April to October, 2001. During the study period, the Secchi depths were between 0.4 and 3.5 m. At the surface layer of water column, temperature ranged 10.2 ~ $32.0^{\circ}C$, pH 7.3${\sim}$9.6, dissolved oxygen 5.5 ${\sim}$ 12.4 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 5.0 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.7 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 8.9 ${\sim}$ 60.9 mg $m^{-3}$. At the bottom layer, temperature varied 7.2 ${\sim}$ $28.9^{\circ}C$, pH 7.1 ${\sim}$ 9.3, dissolved oxygen 0.6 ${\sim}$ 9.7 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 4.5 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.9 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 4.3 ${\sim}$ 81.9 mg $m^{-3}$. The numbers of phytoplanktons were 7.4${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.6{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at surface and 2.5${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.4{\pm}10^4$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at bottom, and were positively correlated with water temperature and Chl- a concentration. Genus Stephanodiscus and genus Oscillatoria dominated on April and on May, respectively. Cyanobacterial blooms of Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, Anabaena were observed from June to early September, and thereafter Stephanodiscus and Aulacoseiral dominated again. Total microbial counts ranged 1.73${\pm}10^4{\sim}1.68{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with water temperature and phytoplankton counts at surface water. Heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) ranged 30${\sim}4.1{\pm}10^3$ CFU $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with $BOD_5$ and $NO^3\;^-$-N concentration at bottom water. Unlike the total microbial counts, the numbers of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci as well as HPCs were higher at the bottom than the surface layer and were highest at the upper a site among the three sampling sites. Since the concentrations of fecal coliforms and streptococci were still high at the bottom of site c, where intake for water treatment plant is located, it appeared that special management of water treatment processes may be needed especially after strong rainfall.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.542-549
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• 2017

To evaluate bacteriological and toxicological safety, the hygienic indicator bacterium and paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish toxins in the shellfish produced in the Kamakman Area from 2012 to 2016 were investigated. Fecal coliforms and E. coli of all 194 oyster samples tested did not exceed 230 MPN/100 g. The geometric mean of the fecal coliform analyzed with the oyster samples of harvesting period was 19.6 MPN/100 g, which was more stable than the non-harvesting period (26.5 MPN/100 g). For the toxicological evaluation of the Kamakman Area, 77 oyster samples and 350 mussel samples as an indicator were analyzed. Paralytic shellfish toxins were detected very low in the range of $40{\sim}46{\mu}g$/100 g in 13 mussel samples during late April and early June, but not in oyster samples. Diarrhetic shellfish toxin was detected in 2 of 180 samples, but it was found to be below the regulation value (0.16 mg OA equ./kg). Based on the bacteriological studies, it was confirmed that the shellfish produced in Kamakman area meets the standard of shellfish hygiene of the Food Sanitation Act and meets the Grade A of the shellfish production area of EU. As the results of the paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish toxin evaluation, it was confirmed that the Kamakman Area is also toxicologically safe for shellfish production.