• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.424-428
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• 2013

To identify risk factors for Legionella contamination, water quality variables routinely measured in examination of natural and city waters were meta-analyzed for significance of correlation to Legionella incidences. For evaluation of abundance of Escherichia coli as a risk factor, which is currently used as an indicator of Legionella contamination in an official guideline in Korea, odds ratio (OR) of above-cutoff total coliform counts for Legionella presence/absence was used as the effect size in the meta-analysis. The OR was estimated as 1.05 (0.36-3.12, 95% CI), and the probability of having identical odds reached 0.92. Also, ORs from individual studies showed significant heterogeneity (P=0.008), which contributed to 63% of total variance of the ORs. In the case of heterotrophic plate count (HPC), the OR for Legionella presence/absence was 2.72 (2.04-3.63) with highly significant deviation from identical odds (P<0.0001). ORs from different studies were seemingly homogeneous ($Q_{df=8}$=12.7, P=0.12). Turbidity and concentrations of chlorine, iron ion and cupper ion were other routine variables that could be considered as risk factors. However, statistical measures from different studies were not uniform enough to develop an appropriate effect size while the number of studies reporting the variables was also small (3-5). In conclusion, HPC appeared to be appropriate as indicator of Legionella contamination, rather than fecal bacteria contamination. HPC may imply abundance of habitats (amoebas and biofilms) of Legionella in water. This result warrants further studies for standardizing protocols and cutoff values to infer Legionella risks from HPC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.992-1001
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hot-melt extruded ZnO nano-particles (HME-ZnO) as an alternative for P-ZnO on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, Zn bioavailability, intestinal microbiota, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs. Methods: A total of 450 piglets (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were randomly allotted to five treatments based on initial body weight and sex. The experimental diets were fed in a meal form as phase 1 from d 0 to 14 and phase 2 from d 15 to 28. Treatments were the control diet without ZnO supplementation, the diet containing 2,500 ppm Zn as ZnO, and three diets containing 500, 1,000, or 2,500 ppm Zn as HME-ZnO. Results: The overall result showed a higher (p<0.01) average daily gain in weanling pigs fed ZnO-supplemented diets in comparison to the control diet. There was a decrease (p<0.01) in fecal score in the ZnO-supplemented diets. Dietary supplementation of ZnO improved (p<0.05) crude protein digestibility. The weanling pigs fed the P-ZnO diet had a lower (p<0.01) Zn digestibility in the feces than HME-ZnO supplemented treatments. Weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with ZnO had greater (p<0.05) Lactobacillus spp. populations and lower Clostridium spp. (p<0.05) and Coliforms (p<0.01) populations in the ileum. Weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with increasing concentrations of HME-ZnO linearly decreased Clostridium spp. (p<0.05) and Coliforms (p<0.01) in the ileum. Lower (p<0.05) Clostridium spp. and Coliforms counts in the colon were observed in pigs fed with ZnO-supplemented diets. Weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with ZnO showed a greater (p<0.01) villus height in the duodenum. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of HME-ZnO and P-ZnO showed a potential to improve the digestibility of protein, intestinal Coliform and Clostridium, villus height in duodenum and ileum. Moreover, HME-ZnO showed a higher Zn digestibility compared with P-ZnO.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.508-513
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• 2000

In an attempt to evaluate the fertilizer of sediments obtained from coastal farming areas, chemical composition, bacteriological quality and heavy metals in the sediments alkalized by quicklime and magnesium hydroxide were analyzed. The optimum conditions of alkalization were also measured. A perfect reaction was possible by the addition of quicklime of $30{\%}$ at the rate of $25{\%}$ of sediment and $100{\%}$ of livestock wastes. According to the classification standard for compost constituent by Higgins, all composts had the intermediate or high grade in $T-N, K_2O,\;CaO\;and\;MgO$, but below the low grade in $P_2O_5$, Stabilization by quicklime and magnesium hydroxide has been known to inhibit bacterial decomposition of organic matter and activity of pathogenic organisms. In this study, raising pH of stabilized sediments to 12 for 2 hours (PSRP rriteria of EPA) allowed $99.9{\%}$ of coliform group, fecal group and viable cell count to be reduced. As a result, sediments of coastal farming areas are likely to be used to produce the organic fertilizer by alkaline stabilization.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.124-124
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• 2016

하천에서의 분변성대장균은 분변성 오염 정도를 나타내는 지표로서, 이 농도가 높을수록 오염된 하천수와의 접촉을 통한 호흡기, 소화기 및 피부 관련 질병의 발발 확률이 높다고 알려져 있다. 따라서 하천에서의 수영, 수상스키 등과 같은 입수형 친수활동을 할 때, 분변성대장균 농도가 농도 기준 이하인지를 확인하고 이러한 정보를 친수활동에 이용할 필요가 있다. 그러나 분변성대장균의 경우, 현재 자동수질측정망에서 측정되고 있는 다른 수질인자들과는 달리 실시간 측정이 불가능하다고 알려져 있다. 분변성대장균을 측정하는데 있어 최소 18시간 이상이 필요하며, 이러한 분변성대장균 측정 방식은 하천 이용자들이 안전한 친수활동을 영위하는데 있어 적절한 수질 정보를 제공하지 못한다. 그러므로 분변성대장균을 예측하는 모델을 개발하고, 이를 이용하여 실시간 분변성대장균 정보를 생성하여 하천 이용자들에게 제공할 필요가 있다. 본 연구에서는 친수활동이 활발하게 이루어지는 곳 중 하나인 북한강의 대성리 지점에 대해 데이터 기반 모델을 이용하여 분변성대장균을 예측하였다. 데이터 기반 모델은 물리 기반 모델에서 필요한 지형데이터나 비점오염원 등의 초기 오염물의 양에 대한 데이터를 필요로 하지 않고, 대신 독립변수로 사용되는 기상 및 수질데이터를 필요로 한다. 이러한 기상 및 수질데이터는 기존 기상관측소, 수질관측소에서 매일 자동으로 측정되기 때문에 데이터 기반 모델은 물리 기반 모델에 비해 입력데이터를 구성하기가 쉽다는 장점을 지닌다. 이러한 데이터 기반 모델 중 분류 모델은 회귀 모델과 달리 분변성대장균 농도가 일정 수질기준 이상을 넘는지를 바로 예측할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 분류 모델 중 높은 예측력을 가진다고 알려진 랜덤포레스트(random forest) 기법을 이용하여 분변성대장균 예측 모델을 개발하였다. 분변성대장균 예측 모델은 주어진 기상 및 수질 조건에 대해 분변성대장균이 200 CFU/100ml가 넘는지를 예측하였다. 예측된 분변성대장균이 기준을 넘는 경우를 2등급, 넘지 않는 경우를 1등급으로 명명하였다. 모델을 개발하기 위하여 북한강 대성리 인근 측정소에서 2010년부터 2015년까지 측정된 기상 및 수질데이터를 수집하였다. 수집한 데이터를 훈련 및 검증데이터로 샘플링하였으며, 이 때 샘플링한 데이터가 기존 데이터가 가지고 있던 등급별 비율을 유지하기 위하여 층화샘플링을 하였다. 본 연구에서는 샘플링에 의한 불확실성을 줄이기 위하여 랜덤하게 50번 샘플링된 각각의 훈련데이터에 대해 모델을 개발하였다. 50개의 모델의 검증 결과를 종합한 결과, 전체 예측률은 0.139로 나타났다.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.303-320
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• 2019

Water quality is characterized by various complex factors. Therefore, a systematic understanding of water quality trends is required to carry out a proper evaluation. In this study, we analyzed the spatio-temporal water quality characteristics of the Nakdong River using five-year data from 2012 to 2016. Data was collected on the pH, DO, BOD, COD, SS, TN, TP, TOC, WT, EC, $NH_3-N$, $NO_3-N$, $PO_4-P$, Chl-a, rainfall, and total and fecal coliforms. A total of 38 water quality measurement stations, from Andong1 to Gupo, were considered. Statistical analyses including trend, cluster, and factor analyses were conducted to identify the dominant water quality components affecting the Nakdong River. The Nakdong River was spatially classified into three groups for up-stream (Andong1 to Sangju1), mid/up-stream (Donam to Dalseong), and mid/down-stream (Hwawonnaru to Gupo) data collection, and temporally into two groups for summer/fall (7~10), and the rest of the season (11~6) data. The water quality of the entire Nakdong River showed trends similar to the mid/down-stream section, which indicates the importance of water quality management in this section. Suspended solids, phosphorus, and coliform groups were established as important factors to be considered in the summer/fall season across the river, especially in the mid/down-stream section. Nitrogen and organic matter were identified as important factors to be considered in the rest of the season, especially in the mid/up-stream section. This study could help determine the water quality components that should be intensively monitored in the Nakdong River.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.112-121
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• 2004

A study was performed to examine the effects of UV-disinfected reclaimed water on microorganism concentration during rice culture. Four treatments were used and each one was triplicated to evaluate the changes of microorganism concentrations: stream water irrigation (STR), biofilter effluent irrigation (BE), UV-disinfected water irrigation with dose of 6 mW ${\cdot}$ s $cm{-2}$ (UV-6), and UV-disinfected water irrigation with dose of 16 mW ${\cdot}$ s $cm{-2}$ (UV-16). The indicator microorganisms of interest were total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and E. coli. The biofilter effluent from 16-unit apartment sewage treatment plant was used as reclaimed water and flowthrough type UV-disinfection system was used. Concentrations of indicator microorganisms in the treatment plots ranged from $10^2$ to $10^5$ MPN/100 mL during 24 hours after irrigation in May and June, where initial irrigation water for transplanting reparation was biofilter-effluent without UV-disinfection. It implies that initial irrigation using only non-disinfected reclaimed water for puddling in paddy field can be health-concerned because of more chance of farmer's physical contact with elevated concentration of microorganisms. The concentrations of microorganisms varied widely with rainfall, and treatments using UV-disinfected water irrigation showed significantly lower concentrations than others and their levels were within the range of paddy rice field with normal surface water irrigation. The mean concentrations of STR and BE during growing season were in the range of 4 ${\times}\;10^3$ MPN/100 mL for TC, and 2${\times}\;10^3$ MPN/100 mL for FC and E, Coli, While mean concentrations of UV-S and UV-lS were less than 1${\times}\;10^3$ MPN/100 mL for all the indicator microorganisms. Overall, UV-disinfection was thought to be feasible and practical alternative for agricultural reuse of secondary level effluent in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate hazardous microorganisms in mixed baby leafy vegetables and various baby leafy vegetables used as raw materials for fresh-cut produce in spring and summer. To estimate microbial loads, a total of 298 samples including 181 samples of mixed baby leafy vegetables purchased in a Korean market and 117 samples of various baby leafy vegetables from distribution companies were collected. Fecal indicators (coliform and Escherichia coli) as well as food-borne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) were enumerated. As a result, the mixed baby leafy vegetable samples showed significantly higher (P<0.05) coliform bacteria numbers in summer (5.59±1.18 log CFU/g) compared to spring (3.60±2.53 log CFU/g). E. coli was detected in 1.3% (1/79) and 42.2% (43/102) of samples collected in spring and summer, respectively. Only one sample collected from a market in spring was contaminated with S. aureus. In the experiment with baby leafy vegetables, the number of coliforms detected in baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil in spring was 1.15±1.95 log CFU/g, and that in summer was 4.09±2.52 log CFU/g. However, the number of coliforms recovered from baby leafy vegetables cultivated in media was above 5.0 log CFU/g regardless of season. Occurrences of E. coli were 44.4% (12/27) and 19.0% (4/21) for baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil and media, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results are in relation to microbial loads on mixed baby leafy vegetables associated with raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement hygienic practices at baby leafy vegetable farms to enhance the safety of fresh produce.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.356-368
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• 2003

Water quality of effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPS) was reviewed to examine the feasibility of agricultural reuse using USEPA and WHO guidelines. It might meet the guidelines for BOD and SS, however, the most critical microbiological concentration was too high and further treatment is required. The pilot study of three treatments were performed to reduce microbiological concentrations. The UV irradiation was proved to be very effective in disinfection of secondary level effluent, and about 30 mW ${\cdot}$ s/$cm^2$ of dose was suggested to meet the even most stringent USEPA guidelines. Slow sand filter demonstrated effective removal of bacteria, and effluent concentration of total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and E. coli. dropped from about 10,000/100 mL to 300, 200, and 150 MPN/100 mL, respectively, showing over 95% removal. These level of bacterial concentration sufficiently meet the WHO guidelines ($10^3\;{\sim}\;10^5$ FC/100 mL), and could meet the more stringent USEPA guidelines (200 FC/100 mL) if properly applied. Slow sand filter also provided about 50% removal of SS, turbidity, and BOD in addition to bacterial removal. The removal efficiency of pond system was relatively poor, but still showed over 85% removal and effluent concentration of TC, FC, and E. coli was all below 10,000/100 mL. The pond system alone could meet the WHO guidelines, but hardly meet the USEPA guidelines and further treatment might be necessary. Overall, three methods evaluated in the study treat the effluent to meet the WHO microbiological guidelines for agricultural reuse. The UV disinfection and slow sand filter might also could the USEPA guidelines, while the pond system can hardly meet the USEPA guidelines if applied alone. The WHO and USEPA guidelines were made based on data from upland field agricultural system and may not be directly applicable to the paddy field agricultural system. Therefore, national standards for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water should be made considering domestic agricultural systems as well as international guidelines. Also, further investigation is recommended to develop optimum and feasible treatment measures for agricultural reuse of effluent from WWTPs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.319-331
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to develop Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan applicable to cook/chilled Pork Bulkogi (broiled sliced pork with sauces) in school foodservice operations and to establish reasonable shelf-life limits by assessing food quality during chilled storage period of 5 days. During the product flow, time-temperature profile was recorded and microbiological analyses including mesophilic and psychrotrophic total plate counts, coliform, and fecal coliform and qualitative analyses of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were done. Chemical analyses (pH, acid value, total volatile basic nitrogen), sensory evaluation, and quantitative analysis of thiamin were conducted for 5 days of chilled storage. The number of mesophiles in raw pork ($4.26{\pm}0.11\;Log\;CFU/g$), seasoning mixture ($5.97{\pm}O.04\;Log\;CFU/g$) and marinated pork ($5.56{\pm}0.21\;Log\;CFU/g$) were below the microbial standards for "requires further cooking" food items. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in seasoning mixture. After heating, the number of mesophiles ($5.17{\pm}0.04\;Log\;CFU/g$) were slightly reduced but it did not meet the microbial guidelines of $5\;Log\;CFU/g$ for "ready-to-eat" foods. No other microbes including pathogens were detected. By reheating the menu item after chilled storage, the number of mesophiles were reduced in every phase of 1st day ($4.62{\pm}0.22\;Log\;CFU/g$), 3rd day ($4.55{\pm}0.20\;Log\;CFU/g$) and 5th day ($4.25{\pm}0.16\;Log\;CFU/g$) of chilled storage, and the number of microbes was below the standard limits for "ready-to-eat" foods. At the fifth day of chilled storage, pH (p<0.05), acid value (p<0.01) and TVBN (p<0.05) showed significant increases. Sensory evaluation results did not show any significant change for 5 days of chilled storage. Thiamin content showed a decrease for 5 days of chilled storage. Consequently, the ideal shelflife recommended for Pork Bulkogi was within 3 days of chilled storage. CCPs for Pork Bulkogi were purchasing and receiving of raw meat and some seasoning ingredients, 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.85-102
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• 1993

This study was conducted to achieve develop organic sludge recycling technology as sludge make a prey of earthworm. Therefore sludge treatment and recycling technology is an important field by which this research project to solve landfill site and reduction treatment expense using vermicomposting treatment process on the waste sludge from the biological wastewater treatment plant. In experimental results on the optimum conditions of vermicomposting of nightsoil treatment sludge, survival rates were observed 98.3% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 75% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 100% in density of $1/79.8cm^3$, respectively. Liveweight changes of earthworm were increased 266% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 227% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 325 % in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Casting production rate were generated 0.06 g/cap./day in temperature $20-25^{\circ}C$, 0.065 g/cap./day in pH 5.8-7.5 and 0.1 g/cap./day in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Cocoon production numbers were observed 3.8 ea. /cap.in $10-15^{\circ}C$, 2.95 ea./cap.in pH 5.8-7.5 and 3.16 ea./cap. in $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$ during 6 weeks, respectively. pH was droped by 6.2 to 5.7, volatile solids was decreased by 2.9%, $NH_3-N$ were also reduced by $6.984{\mu}g/g$ to $0.991{\mu}g/g$. $NO_3-N$, however, were increased by $3.213{\mu}g/g$ to $7.706{\mu}g/g$. Fecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria are analyzed by microbiological method to assess public health safety of casting. Number of fecal coliform groups were reduced 88.6-99.1% (Avg. 95.7%) approximately. And pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shiegella and Vibrio, were not isolated from the earthworm cast.