• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 2010

Although the demand of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods such as Kimbab is growing, large quantities and wide distribution of these foods is difficult due to their short shelf-life, exposed packaging with hygienic risk, and decreased quality at refrigerator temperatures. This study was undertaken to develop preservation and storage methods to extend the shelf-life of RTE rice products using microwave and packaging methods such as vacuum and modified atmosphere packages. RTE rice ball samples inoculated with Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus cereus were microwave treated for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 seconds. Populations of pathogens on the rice balls were significantly reduced with an increase in treatment time. There were more than 5 log reductions of all pathogens when the samples were microwave treated for 60 seconds. RTE rice balls inoculated with two pathogens (S. aureus and B. cereus) were packaged via air, vacuum, $N_2$ gas, and $CO_2$ gas following microwave treatment for 90 seconds. The initial S. aureus and B. cereus concentration before treatment was 7.60 and 6.59 log CFU/g, and these levels were reduced by 3.37 and 2.18 log CFU/g after microwave treatment. The levels of pathogens were significantly increased during storage time at room temperature. $CO_2$ packaging was the most effective at inhibiting microbial growth among the tested packaging methods. The levels of total mesophilic count, S. aureus and B. cereus after 5 days of storage were 7.7, 8.8 and 9.3 log CFU/g in air packaged samples and 2.4, 3.2 and 8.3 log CFU/g in $CO_2$ gas packaged samples, respectively. However, after 3 days of storage higher levels of B. cereus were observed in all samples, indicating that the samples were not safe to be consumed. Base on these results, microwave treatment and MAP packaging methods using $CO_2$ gas could be used as a potential method for extending the shelf-life of RTE foods.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.269-277
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• 2009

This paper reports the results of the research on the effects of probiotic yogurt on the microbiological quality, pH, and sensorial characteristics of fresh chicken meat when packed with probiotic yogurt. The chicken meat pieces were packed with yogurt and were stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. Samples were taken after 0, 2, 4, and 7 days of storage, and were analyzed for total bacterial count, E. coli, and coliform, and for the chemical parameters, including the pH. In the control group (packed without yogurt), the Pseudomonas species predominated when the spoilage was obvious after 4-day storage at $10^{\circ}C$. The yogurt-mixed chicken meat package was found to have a significantly lower total viable count and significantly fewer coliform bacteria during storage. Furthermore, the yogurt package showed a growth-inhibiting effect on the Salmonella typhimurium, which were inoculated into the chicken meat pieces for the study. The study findings indicate that probiotic yogurt can be used in packing fresh chicken meat to decrease the population of spoilage bacteria therein and to extend its shelf life.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 1997

In order to reduce energy input in direct ethanol production from raw starch by co-immobilized Aspergillus awamori(A) and Zymomonas mobilis(Z), A-Z 36 culture system which was changed to anaerobic after 36 h of aerobic fermentation without sterilization was investigated. This immobilized cell system can not be carried out under unsterile conditions because of growth of microbial contaminants from original medium. Among some food additives such as sorbic acid, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, Vantocil IB and Neupectin-L, Vantocil IB and Neupectin-L were a potent antibacterial agent in A-Z 36 culture cell system and were not affected in hydrolysis of substrate as compared with the case of control. Ethanol yield(6.9 g/l) in system of addition of 0.1% Neupectin-L was slightly higher than that in control(6.4 g/l). When 2% starch was fed five times in fed-batch culture with 0.1% Neupectin-L, ethanol yield and productivity were 34 g/l and 2.0 g/l/day, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2012

We conducted a survey of actual using conditions of farm-made liquid fertilizers by investigating their formulation types, materials, making processes, using methods and various beneficial effects on 29 farms certified by National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service to produce environment-friendly agricultural products in 2009. Most of the materials used to make liquid fertilizers are those that can be easily obtained around the farms. Molasses or black sugar are added as an energy source of microorganism. And leaf mold, bacterial cultures supplied by agricultural extension centers of local governments, and cultures of native microorganisms were used as microbial sources for fermenting effective microorganisms. Types of the farm-made liquid fertilizers were fermented liquid fertilizers, fermented plant juices, amino acid liquid fertilizers, calcium-liquid fertilizers, and phosphoric acid liquid fertilizers. Effects of liquid fertilizers used by the farms were found to promote plant growth by supplying nutrition, to accelerate blooming and flower bud formation, to enhance the quality of agricultural products such as increase of sugar contents and improvement of storing conditions, to induce resistance against diseases and insect pests, and to cause endurance to high temperature stress. Chemical properties of the liquid fertilizers collected were analyzed. As a result, pH and EC range showed differences according to kinds of the liquid fertilizers. Amount of macro-nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphoric acid, in most of the collected liquid fertilizers, was found to be low. Even though the liquid fertilizers were made from same materials, their contents was found to be different depending on the making process.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2014

The research evaluates the possibility of generating electricity using pyrite containing mine tailings, which are the major cause of acid mine drainage (AMD), by applying iron oxidizing bacteria (in this case, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) and chemical fuel cell technology. The changes in the aqueous $Fe^{2+}$ concentration, which can represent an ionized form of pyrite, with an initial concentration of 9,000 mg/L were investigated during the 20 d growth period. Both the $Fe^{2+}$ and total iron (i.e., total $Fe^{2+}$)concentrations with or without A. ferrooxidans were observed. The $Fe^{2+}$ concentration decreased to about 6,000 mg/L, in the abiotic condition, while it decreased to about 400 mg/L in the biotic condition. The results showed that the increased $Fe^{2+}$ oxidation in the presence of A. ferrooxidans (i.e., catalytic ability of A. ferrooxidans) can be applied to electricity generation using pyrite containing mine tailings. In the co-presence of A. ferrooxidans and pyrite containing mine tailings, $Fe^{2+}$ oxidation and hence electron production increases, which, in turn, improves current density. This study can be applied to utilize ecological functions of indigenous bacteria in mine areas to enhance electricity generation efficiency.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1990

The microbial populations of exportable ginseng leaf tea were $3.6{\times}10^{5}/g$ in mesophilic aerobic bacteria, $2.1{\times}10^{3}/g$ in mesophilic aerobic spores, $1.6{\times}10^{4}/g$ in yeast, $1.9{\times}10^{4}/g$ in molds and $1.2{\times}10^{4}/g$ in coliforms, respectively, which are higher levels than the legaJIy permissible loads of microorganisms for ginseng powders in Korea. In a comparative study of the decontaminating effects on microorganisms, ethylene oxide fumigation and 5 kGy irradiation could decrease microorganisms below the detectable level. And there is no growth of microorgllnisms after three months of storage at $30{\pm}1^{circ}C$. The decimal reduction doses (Dw value) for microorganisms contaminated were 0.70 kGy in coliforms, 0.75 kGy in total bacteria, 0.85 kGy in molds. and 0.95 kGy in yeast, respectively. In the organoleptic test for ginseng leaf tea, the irradiated samples showed no significant difference from the control group in overall flavor, taste, color and acceptability. However the extracts of ethylene oxide fumigated sample were significantly different in color and taste from other groups even after three months storage.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2005

This study focuses on investigating roles of microorganisms in decontamination of reed rhizosphere in Sunchon Bay, Korea, which is considered one of the marsh and mud environment severely affected by human activities such as agriculture and fisheries. In general, the bay is known to play the role of the buffering zone to reduce the sudden impact or change by environmental stresses. In our initial efforts to elucidate the microbial functions in decontamination process in reed rhizosphere, pure bacteria capable of degrading aromatic hydrocarbons were isolated from reed (Phragmites communis) rhizosphere of Sunchon bay by enrichment culture using either benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene (BTEX) as a sole source of carbon and energy. Measurement of the rates of BTEX degradation and cell growth during the incubation in BTEX media under several temperature conditions demonstrated maximized degradation of BTEX at $37^{\circ}C$ in both strains. Both strains were also resistant to all the heavy metals and antibiotics tested in this study, as well as they grew well at $42^{\circ}C$. Identification of the isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and a variety of phenotypic and morphologic properties revealed that the two strains capable of BTEX catabolism were among Microbacterium sp., and Rhodococcus sp. with over $95{\%}$ confidence, designated Microbacterium sp. EMB-1 and Rhodococcus sp. EMB-2, respectively This result suggested that in the rhizosphere of reed, one of major salt marsh plants they might play an important roles in decontamination process of reed rhizosphere contaminated with petroleum such as BTEX.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.783-786
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• 2011

Various mushroom extracts were examined for their anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-glucosyltransferase (GTase) activities. Mushrooms were extracted with chloroform, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. The chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts showed higher antimicrobial activity than that of the others. The inhibitory effects of the chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of Lyopyllum ulmarium, which have high anti-microbial and GTase activities, on the growth of S. mutans were examined and the optimal ratio of solvents was also evaluated to investigate the influence of solvents using a simplex centroid design. The anti-cariogenic effects of the L. ulmarium extract on S. mutans was influenced by the solvent, and the optimum anti-cariogenic activity of the extract was obtained with the ratio of chloroform:methanol:ethyl acetate=1:1:1 (v/v/v). These results suggest that solvent selection is an important factor to extract anti-cariogenic materials effectively from mushrooms.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.233-238
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• 2012

Diarrheal diseases constitute one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children globally. One of the main microorganisms causing diarrheal diseases is Campylobacter jejuni. For treatment of these diseases, Portulaca oleracea has been widely used as a folk remedy for a long time. This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of P. oleracea against gastroenteritis pathogens including C. jejuni. P. oleracea was extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, methanol, and hot water. The antimicrobial activity of the P. oleracea extracts was determined using the paper disc method, minimum inhibitory concentration, and the liquid culture method. The 10 $mg/m{\ell}$ ethylacetate extract showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteriditis, and Shigella spp.. The hot water extract from P. oleracea showed the highest anti-microbial activity against C. jejuni at 10~20 $mg/m{\ell}$. The hot water extract of P. oleracea retarded the growth of C. jejuni for 36 hr at $42^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2010

The present study was to investigate the source of contamination during semen processing for in vitro uses. In the present study, frozen semen was prepared from liquid semen in our laboratory for in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments due to lack of fresh semen. Antibiotics were added in the frozen semen extender (kanamycin and gentamicin) and in vitro culture (IVC) medium (gentamicin) for further inhibiting growth of microorganisms. Nevertheless, proliferations of microorganisms were observed in IVC culture drop during culturing of IVF embryos using frozen semen. Randomly 3 samples were taken from the liquid semen, frozen semen and egg yolk. Contaminated IVC medium, frozen-thawed semen, liquid semen and egg yolk were cultured in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar medium. Whitish colonies were detected in contaminated IVC drop, frozen-thawed semen samples and egg yolk but no colonies were formed in liquid semen samples. Gram-negative and rod-shaped identical bacteria were found in both frozen-thawed semen sample and contaminated IVC drop and egg yolk samples. Enterobacter cloacae were confirmed by API 20E kit according to manufacturer's instruction with identification value (% ID) 94.3% and T index 0.88. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) by using ampicillin, amikacin, cephalothin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin test. Among them Enterobacter cloacae were resistant to ampicillin, amikacin, cephalothin, gentamicin, kanamycin but susceptible to tetracycline, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. From these findings it could be suggested that this contamination sources might be from egg yolk.