• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 1988

Vegetable mixed codiments, commercial products prepared using soybean,paste and natto, respectively as the ingredients, were used ina study to evaluate the efficacy of gamma irradiationas a means of decontamination and the emphasis was placed upon the determination of the effect of irradiation on the microbiological and some physicochemical properties of the samples. The number of microorganisms contaminated ranged from $10^{6}\;to\;10^{7}$ cells per gram in mesophilic total bacteria, which were composed of thermophilts and acid tolerant bacteria by over 90%. They were reduced by 3 to 4 log cycles with irradiation at 10 kGy. Gamma irradiation at 5 kGy could eliminate the microbial populations of yeasts and molds ($10^{2}\;to\;10^{3}$ cells per gram) and coliforms ($10^{6}\;to\;10^{6}$ cells per gram of natto condiments). However, total destruction of microorganisms in soybean-paste and natto condiments was shown to be possible at a dose-range more than 10 kGy. Irradiationup to 10 kGy was not detrimental to the physicochemical properties of the sample, such as pH. amino nitrogen, rancidity and color, even though some change was brought about in the content of sulfur-containing amino acids.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.535-543
• /
• 2020

In addition to the ubiquitous roles of cellular RNA in genetic regulations, gene expression and phenotypic variations in response to environmental cues and chemotactic signals, the regulatory roles of a new type of RNA called extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are an up-and-coming area of research interest. exRNA is transported outside the cell through membrane blebs known as membrane vesicles or extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV formation is predominant and conserved among all microbial forms, including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea. This review will focus on the three major topics concerning bacterially derived exRNAs, i.e., 1) the discovery of exRNA and influence of extraneous RNA over bacterial gene regulations, 2) the known secretion mechanism for the release of exRNA, and 3) the possible applications that can be devised with these exRNA secreted by different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Further, this review will also provide an opinion on exRNA- and EV-derived applications such as the species-specific exRNA markers for diagnostics and the possible roles of exRNA in probiotics and the epigenetic regulations of the gut microbiome.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2022

A number of studies have been conducted to confirm the preventive effect of xylitol on dental caries as a whole or partial alternative to dietary sugars. This study reviewed the oral health effects of xylitol on the prevention mechanism of dental caries, the prevention of dental caries, the inhibition of mother-to-child transmission, and the oral health effects in the elderly based on existing studies on the oral health of xylitol. Carbohydrates and dietary sugars in food are fermented by acid-producing microorganisms in the mouth and produce dental plaque and acid, which cause dental caries. However, most dental decay-causing bacteria cannot produce acids by metabolizing xylitol. Xylitol, stored in cells as a non-metabolizable metabolite by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), affects bacterial glucose metabolism and inhibits bacterial growth. Xylitol consumption also reduces the amount of plaque and the population of S. mutans in both plaque and saliva. In addition, xylitol acts in the remineralization process. Xylitol has been confirmed to effectively prevent dental caries, inhibit mother-to-child transmission of MS, prevent dental caries, and increase salivary flow in the elderly. In conclusion, xylitol is an adequate sugar substitute for dental health, from infants to the elderly. For future studies, the researchers recommend reviewing the effects of xylitol on the oral and intestinal microbial environment and the side effects of excessive intake.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.399-408
• /
• 2019

Arbutin, which is used as a whitening ingredient, can produce hydroquinone, known as causing skin disease and carcinogen. Preservatives are essential to prevent microbial contamination during long-term storage and use of cosmetics, but safety issues such as toxicity and skin irritation are being raised. This study was conducted to determine hydroquinone and 21 preservatives levels in 40 arbutin-containing whitening functional cosmetics sold on-line and off-line. Result showed that 9 products contained hydroquinone. The concentrations in 7 products were ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 ppm, which were within the maximum allowed amount established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. However, 2 products were 8.4 and 50.5 ppm and exceeded the allowed amount. Preservatives were detected 20 products. Detected items and ranges were phenoxy ethanol 0.1 ~ 0.7% (N = 15), Methyl paraben 0.19 ~ 0.21% (N = 2), Chlorphenesin 0.13% (N = 1), chlorhexidine 0.006% (N = 1), Propyl paraben 0.06% (N = 1), which were within maximum allowed amount established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Also, in cases of functional cosmetics the phrase "functional cosmetics" should be expressed on the primary or secondary package of cosmetics by cosmetics act. However, 1 product did not state the phrase as functional cosmetics. This study suggest that preservatives were safely managed. However, hydroquinone in hydroquinone-detected products could be produced by the decomposition of arbutin. Thus, further studies on the decomposition of arbutin are required to improve the quality control of the cosmetics.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.146-151
• /
• 2020

This study investigated microbiological safety of employees' hands, dining tables, and indoor air in cooking areas and lunchrooms in child care centers. Microbiological tests were performed according to the Korea Food Code. Total numbers of aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria were measured as 5.8±1.9 log CFU/hand and 4.0±2.4 log CFU/hand on employees' hands, and 4.3±3.0 log CFU/100 ㎠ and 2.6±3.3 log CFU/100 ㎠ on dining tables. Bacillus cereus were detected in two cases each of employees' hands and dining tables, respectively. The analysis of microbiological contamination of indoor air in chid care centers showed that the total numbers of aerobic bacteria and coliform bacterial were 28±7.2 CFU/plate and 3.1±2.9 CFU/plate, respectively. Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were counted as 1.7±0.2 CFU/plate and 1.6±0.5 CFU/plate from the indoor air in child cate centers. These results indicate that indoor-air in child care centers is considered more safe compared to previous reports. In conclusion, it is necessary to carry out hygienic management using alcohol-based disinfectants before meals to remove microorganism contamination on dining tables and hands. In order to reduce microbial contamination in indoor air, it is also deemed necessary to freshen the sanitary caps, masks, and clothing of the catering staff with periodic ventilation of indoor air.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.774-782
• /
• 2012

Baechu kimchi without cuttlefish (control), baechu kimchi with cuttlefish (CK), cuttlefish baechu kimchi with yogurt (CK+Y), and cuttlefish baechu kimchi with vitamin C (CK+VC) were prepared, and the fermentation characteristics of the prepared kimchi samples were investigated during 28 days of fermentation at $4^{\circ}C$. The levels of moisture, crude lipid, and crude ash did not differ much among the samples, but the crude protein levels of CK, CK+Y, and CK+VC were greater than that of the control. The pH values of CK+Y and CK+VC slowly decreased compared with those of the control and CK during fermentation. The acidity increased sharply until 21 days then gradually increased thereafter. The total microbial counts achieved maximum levels at 21 days, and the kimchi to which yogurt and vitamin C were added showed values lower than that of the control. The number of Leuconostoc sp. in CK+Y and CK+VC was higher than that in the control. In our sensory evaluations, cuttlefish kimchi with yogurt or vitamin C scored highest in terms of texture, sour taste, ripened taste, and overall acceptability.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2014

Many community gardens in large cities worldwide grow vegetables; however, no information regarding the levels of sanitary indicator bacteria and prevalence of foodborne pathogens in vegetables grown in urban community gardens is available. To evaluate the microbiological quality of vegetables from urban community gardens in Korea, 530 samples (nine types of vegetable, including Chinese cabbage, lettuce, radish leaves, spinach, mustard leaves, crown daisy, leek, Korean cabbage, and chicory) were collected at 11 urban community gardens in Seoul, Korea from September through October 2012. The levels of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, total coliforms, Salmonella spp. Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7 were evaluated quantitatively and/or qualitatively. The mean numbers of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms were 6.3 log CFU/g (range 3.8-8.1 log CFU/g) and 4.3 log CFU/g (range 2.1-6.4 log CFU/g), respectively. Total coliforms were detected on 67% of whole vegetables. Chicory showed the highest number of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms, whereas the lowest number of coliforms was detected on leeks. E. coli was detected on 2.3% of whole vegetables, including lettuce, radish leaves, mustard leaves, and chicory; however, foodborne pathogenic bacteria were not detected on any of the vegetable samples using this highly sensitive and validated procedure. Based on these findings, the presence of coliforms and E. coli demonstrates that opportunity for improvement of microbiological safety exists throughout the produce production chain, although no major foodborne pathogens were present in vegetables grown in urban community gardens.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2014

Minimum infective dose (MID) data has been recognized as an important and absolutely needed in quantitative microbiological assessment (QMRA). In this study, we performed a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis to better quantify this association. The meta-analysis applied a final selection of 82 published papers for total 12 species foodborne disease pathogens (bacteria 9, virus 2, and parasite 1 species) which were identified and classified based on the dose-response models related to QMRA studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect database and internet websites during 1980-2012. The main search keywords used the combination "food", "foodborne disease pathogen", "minimum infective dose", and "quantitative microbiological risk assessment". The appropriate minimum infective dose for B. cereus, C. jejuni, Cl. perfringens, Pathogenic E. coli (EHEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC), L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Hepatitis A virus, Noro virus, and C. pavum were $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.32), 500 cells/g (fi = 0.57), $10^7cells/g$ (fi = 0.56), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.47) / $10^8cells/g$ (fi = 0.71) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.70) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.60), $10^2{\sim}10^3cells/g$ (fi = 0.23), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.30), 100 cells/g (fi = 0.32), $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.45), $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.64), $10{\sim}10^2particles/g$ (fi = 0.33), 10 particles/g (fi = 0.71), and $10{\sim}10^2oocyst/g$ (fi = 0.33), respectively. Therefore, these results provide the preliminary data necessary for the development of foodborne pathogens QMRA.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.299-304
• /
• 2014

The dose-response models are important for the quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) because they would enable prediction of infection risk to humans from foodborne pathogens. In this study, we performed a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis to better quantify this association. The meta-analysis applied a final selection of 193 published papers for total 43 species foodborne disease pathogens (bacteria 26, virus 9, and parasite 8 species) which were identified and classified based on the dose-response models related to QMRA studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect database and internet websites during 1980-2012. The main search keywords used the combination "food", "foodborne disease pathogen", "dose-response model", and "quantitative microbiological risk assessment". The appropriate dose-response models for Campylobacter jejuni, pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC / EPEC / ETEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholera, Rota virus, and Cryptosporidium pavum were beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.15$, ${\beta}=7.59$, fi = 0.72), beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.49$, ${\beta}=1.81{\times}10^5$, fi = 0.67) / beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.22$, ${\beta}=8.70{\times}10^3$, fi = 0.40) / beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.18$, ${\beta}=8.60{\times}10^7$, fi = 0.60), exponential (r=$1.18{\times}10^{-10}$, fi = 0.14), beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.11$, ${\beta}=6,097$, fi = 0.09), beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.21$, ${\beta}=1,120$, fi = 0.15), exponential ($r=7.64{\times}10^{-8}$, fi = 1.00), betapoisson (${\alpha}=0.17$, ${\beta}=1.18{\times}10^5$, fi = 1.00), beta-poisson (${\alpha}=0.25$, ${\beta}=16.2$, fi = 0.57), exponential ($r=1.73{\times}10{-2}$, fi = 1.00), and exponential ($r=1.73{\times}10^{-2}$, fi = 0.17), respectively. Therefore, these results provide the preliminary data necessary for the development of foodborne pathogens QMRA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.277-283
• /
• 2016

To improve the microbiological safety of wild vegetables after harvest, Aster scaber and Cirsium setidens Nakai were treated with combinations of 50 ppm aqueous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$)/0.5% citric acid or fumaric acid, and 50 ppm $ClO_2$/0.5% fumaric acid/blanching at $90^{\circ}C$ for 2 min. Combined treatment of 50 ppm $ClO_2$ and 0.5% citric acid reduced populations of total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and molds in Aster scaber and Cirsium setidens Nakai by 2.80~3.64 and 2.02~2.67 log CFU/g, respectively, compared to those of the control. Combined treatment of 50 ppm $ClO_2$ and 0.5% fumaric acid reduced total aerobic bacteria, yeast and molds populations by 3.62~3.82 and 2.47~3.02 log CFU/g, respectively. Based on the results, combined treatment of $ClO_2$ and fumaric acid was more effective in controlling microorganisms in the wild vegetables than either $ClO_2$ or citric acid. In addition, combined treatment of $ClO_2$/fumaric acid/blanching reduced the populations of total aerobic bacteria by 4.59~5.12 log CFU/g, and populations of yeast and molds were not detected by treatment. These results suggest that combined treatment of $ClO_2$/fumaric acid/blanching is the most effective method for improving microbiological safety of wild vegetables after harvest.