• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.381-389
• /
• 2023

Vibrio vulnificus, the most fatal waterborne and foodborne pathogens of 50% fatality rate in the world, is common in seawater and occurs particularly in warmer months. In this study, we investigated the toxin genes using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), antibiotic resistance status using Vitek, and genetic characteristics using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of different V. vulnificus strains isolated from the Jeju Island seawater, distribution fishery products, and fish tanks. We examined a total of 487 samples and isolated a total of 46 strains (including overlapping strains) of V. vulnificus, 44 strains from seawater and 1 strain each from fishery products and fish tank. We detected toxin gene vvhA in all 46 strains and rtxA, viu in 8 strains (17.4%) and 9 strains (19.6%) strains, respectively. Antibiotic resistance tests indicated 100% resistance to cefoxitin antibiotics. The PFGE analysis of the 46 strains identified a total of 6 types showed 100% homology and the degree of similarity was 81.3-98.0%; however, there were no similarity between the regions and samples. These results indicate that V. vulnificus isolated from the seawater, fishery products, and fish tanks should be continuously monitored as cases of food poisoning caused by V. vulnificus with toxin genes have been reported in Jeju Island.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.5 s.72
• /
• pp.743-748
• /
• 2005

Histamine can be produced at early spoilage stage through decarboxylation of histidine in red-flesh fish by Proteus morganii, Hafnia alvei or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Allergic food poisoning is resulted from the histamine produced when the freshness of Mackerel degrades. Conversely it has been reported that there are bacteria which decompose histamine at the later stage. We isolated histamine decomposers from salted mackerel and studied the characteristics to help establish hygienic measure to prevent outbreak of salted mackerel food poisoning. All the samples were purchased through local supermarket. Histamine decomposers were isolated using restriction medium using histamine 10 species were selected. Identification of these isolates were carried out by the comparison of 16S rDNA partial sequence; as a result, we identified Pseudomonas putida strain RA2 and Halomonas marina, Uncultured Arctic sea ice bacterium clone ARKXV1/2-136, Halomonas venusta, Psychrobacter sp. HS5323, Pseudomonas putida KT2440, Rhodococcus erythropolis, Klebsiella terrigena (Raoultella terrigena), Alteromonadaceae bacterium T1, Shewanella massilia with homology of $100\%,{\;}100\%,{\;}99\%,{\;}99\%,{\;}99\%,{\;}99\%,{\;}100\%,{\;}95\%,{\;}99\%,{\;}and{\;}100\%$respectively. Turbidometry determination method and enzymic method were employed to determine the ability of histamine decomposition. Among those species Shewanella massilia showed the highest in ability of histamine decomposition. From these results we confirmed various histamine decomposer were present in salted mackerel product in the market.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.247-250
• /
• 2001

In order to investigate the distribution of paralytic shellfish poison, we examined the toxicity during from February to October in 2000. Of 591 shellfish samples, 17(2.88%) samples were detected. Scapgarca broughtonii was highest collected 14.29%(2/14). In the monthly detection rate of PSP, April was hitest 13.3%(8/60), in the regional collecting rate, Cheon-nam coastal area was highest 3.82%(10/262), and in cases of imported area, China was 8.3%(1/12). Imported area as well as domestic area samples should be strengthen to examine enduringly.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.303-313
• /
• 2012

Cyanobacteria are well known for their production of a multitude of highly toxic and / or allelopathic compounds. Among the photosynthetic microorganisms, cyanobacteria, belonging to the genus Nostoc are regarded as good candidate for producing biologically active secondary metabolites which are highly toxic to humans and other animals. Since so many reports have been published on the poisoning of different animals from drinking water contaminated with cyanobacteria toxins, it might be assumed that bioactive compounds are found only in aquatic species causes toxicity. However, the discovery of several dead dogs, mice, ducks, and fish around paddy fields, prompted us to study the toxic compounds in a strain of Nostoc which is most abundant in the paddy fields of Iran, using polymerase chain reaction and liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and mass spectrophotometer. Results of molecular analysis demonstrated that the ASN_M strain contains the nosF gene. Also, the result of ion chromatograms and $MS^2$ fragmentation patterns showed that while there were three different peptidic compound classes (anabaenopeptin, cryptophycin, and nostocyclopeptides), there were no signs of the presence of anatoxin-a, homoanatoxin-a, hassallidin or microcystins. Moreover, a remarkable antifungal activity was identified in the methanolic extracts. Based on the results, this study suggests that three diverse groups of potentially bioactive compounds might account for the death of these animals. This case is the first documented incident of toxicity from aquatic cyanobacteria related intoxication in dogs, mice, and aquatic organisms in Iran.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.1 no.1 s.1
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 1986

This sanitary survey was carried out to investigate the bacteriological contamination of cooking utensils and foods of moving tavern in eight sample sites of Seoul area. The results of survey were as follows: 1. The counts by means of total bacteria in cooking utensils and food samples by standard plate count method were as follow: $5.6\times10^5$ per gm in dishcloth, $3.1\times10^6$ per ml in dishwater. In food samples, $5.4\times10^5$ per gm in meat was higher than other samples. 2. The average counts total coliform and fecal coliform in samples by MPN method were as follow: $3.4\times10^4$ MPN per 100ml, and $1.3\times10^2$ MPN per 100ml in chopping board, $6.1\times10^4$MPN per gm and $1.0\times10^2$ MPN per gm in dishcloth, $1.8\times10^5$ MPN per 100ml and $6.1\times10^2$ MPN per 100ml in dishwater. In food samples, $3.1\times10^4$MPN per gm and $2.0\times10^2$ MPN per gm in meat was higher than other samples. 3. The counts by means of Pseudomonas in samples by MPN method were as follow: $2.8\times10^3$ MPN per 100ml in chopping board, $4.7\times10^3$ MPN per gm in dishcloth $5.6\times10^3$ MPN per 100ml in dishwater. In food samples, $2.4\times10^3$ MPN per gm in shellfish was higher than other samples. 4. Isolation cases of Food poisoning organisms from samples were as follow: Staphylococci was detected 9 cases $(17.6\%)$ in chopping board, 7 cases $(13.6\%)$ in dishcloth. In food samples, 9 cases $(25.7\%)$ in meat, 1 case $(4\%)$ in fish samples. Salmonella was detected 2 cases $(3.9\%)$ in dishwater, 1 case in meat samples.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2016

The aim of this study was to characterize the hemolytic Aeromonas sp. MH-8 exposed to green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Initially, the hemolytic Aeromonas sp. MH-8 was enriched and isolated from stale fish. Bactericidal effects of MH-8 exposed to EGCG ranging from 1 mg/mL to 4 mg/mL were monitored, and complete bactericidal effects were achieved within 3 h at 3 mg/mL and higher concentrations. SDS-PAGE with silver staining revealed that the amount of lipopolysaccharides increased or decreased in the strain MH-8 treated to different concentrations and exposing periods of EGCG in exponentially growing cultures. The stress shock proteins (70-kDa DnaK and 60-kDa GroEL), which might contribute to enhancing the cellular resistance to the cytotoxic effect of EGCG, were induced at different concentrations of EGCG exposed to cell culture of MH-8. Scanning electron microscopic analysis demonstrated the presence of irregular rod shapes with umbilicated surfaces for cells treated with EGCG. 2-DE of soluble protein fractions from MH-8 cultures showed 18 protein spots changed by EGCG exposure. These proteins involved in chaperons (e.g., DnaK, GroEL and trigger factor), enterotoxins (e.g., aerolysin and phospholipase C precursor), LPS synthesis (e.g., LPS biosynthesis protein and outer membrane protein A precursor), and various biosynthesis and energy metabolism were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI-TOF. In consequence, EGCG was found to have substantial antibacterial effects against food-poisoning causing bacterium, hemolytic Aeromonas sp. MH-8. Also the results provide clues for understanding the mechanism of EGCG-induced stress and cytotoxicity on Aeromonas sp. MH-8.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.16.1-16.8
• /
• 2017

The exportation of cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Korea has been recently decreasing due to the infections with a myxozoan parasite Kudoa septempunctata, and there is a strong demand for strict food safety management because the food poisoning associated with consumption of raw olive flounder harbouring K. septempunctata has been frequently reported in Japan. The life cycle and infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in aquatic environment are currently unknown, which hamper establishment of effective control methods. We investigated sea water and marine invertebrates collected from olive flounder farms for detecting K. septempunctata by DNA-based analysis, to elucidate infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in aquaculture farms. In addition, live marine polychaetes were collected and maintained in well plates to find any possible actinosporean state of K. septempunctata. The level of K. septempunctata DNA in rearing water fluctuated during the sampling period but the DNA was not detected in summer (June-July in farm A and August in farm B). K. septempunctata DNA was also detected in the polychaetes Naineris laevigata intestinal samples, showing decreased pattern of 40 to 0%. No actinosporean stage of K. septempunctata was observed in the polychaetes by microscopy. The absence of K. septempunctata DNA in rearing water of fish farm and the polychaetes N. laevigata intestinal samples during late spring and early summer indicate that the infection may not occur during this period. N. laevigata was suspected as the possible alternate invertebrate host of K. septempunctata, but the actinosporean stage was not found by well plate method and further studies will be necessary. This research provides important baseline information for understanding the infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in olive flounder farms and further establishment of control strategies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 1976

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is the purified active principle responsible for tetrodon (Puffer-fish) poisoning which has long been known in the Orient. The pharmacological actions of TTX have been rather extensively investigated. Two of the most prominent effects of intravenousely administered TTX are severe hypotension and respiratory paralysis resulting from its depressant actions on tissues. This depressant actions of TTX in turn result from the selective inhibition of sodium-carrying mechanism which is essential to generation of the action potential. TTX differs from local anesthetics in that it does not affect potassium conductance. Although the mechanism of the hypotensive action of TTX remains a subject of controversy, most investigator agree that TTX-induced hypotension is caused by alteration in the blood vessels rather than the heart. Not only the study on the effects of TTX on cardiac function is meager but the results of reported works are often contradictory. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of TTX on the electrocardiogram of the rabbit and to compare them with well known electrocardiographical characteristics found in digitalis and quinidine intoxicated animals. The results obtained from the present study are summarized as follows. 1. No changes were found in P-R interval and QRS duration after i.v. administration of $1.0\;{\mu}g/kg\;to\;1.5\;{\mu}g/kg$ TTX to the animals. It is obvious that there were no conduction disturbance between atria and ventricles as well as in the ventricular tissue. 2. In $1.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ TTX group, S-T interval and T-P segment were not changed whereas marked changes were observed in $1.5\;{\mu}g/kg$ TTX group. 3. The first and second degree A-V blocks appeared in the $2.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ TTX group. 4. TTX differs from digitalis and quinidine in that it does not cause S-T interval depression and T-wave inversion. In contrast with digitalis, TTX caused Q-T interval prolongation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.217-221
• /
• 1975

This study was carried out to evaluate the sanitary quality of Jarhi-dom, Chromis notatus, and its products, during the period from May to October, 1975. And bacterial density of the sea water in the estuary of Sogwipo was compared. The number of general bacteria and coliform group in the sea water appeared lower than that of other areas. Both Jarhimuchim-hoe and Jarhimul-hoe showed higher bacterial densities than the fresh fish when caught and sold in the market although Jarhimuchim-hoe showed slightly higher density than Jarhimul-hoe. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was detected in some samples of sea water and Jarhi-dom, but it was not regarded for food poisoning. Bacterial densities in total plate counts, coliform group and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was highest in August and September.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to estimate the antimicrobial activity of Maesil (Japanese apricot, Prunus mume) extract against Vibrio vulnificus. The strains tested in the study were 28 V. vulnificus isolates originated from fish, seawater, mud flat and seawater in fish restaurant. The vvhA gene was detected using real-time PCR and biochemical identification expressed above good identification in 28 isolates of V. vulnificus. All of V. vulnificus used in this study was susceptible to tetracycline and chloramphenicol antibiotics. These two antibiotics were considered to be useful for the treatment of patients. Maesil extracts 2.5% and 5% showed antimicrobial activity against V. cholerae NCCP 13589 and V. parahemolyticus NCCP 11143. V. vulnificus isolate and V. vulnificus NCCP 11135 showed growth inhibition at 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% of Maesil extract, respectively. Compared with V. cholerae and V. parahemolyticus, the antibacterial activity of Maesil extract against V. vulnificus was high. The minimum bactericidal concentration of Maesil extract for V. vulnificus was 1.6%. These results revealed that Maesil extract was found to be very useful for inhibiting the growth of V. vulnificus and can be expected to prevent food poisoning caused by V. vulnificus.