• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1895-1904
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• 2015

Foodborne illness associated with food service establishments is an important food safety issue in Korea. In this study, foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and hygiene indicator organisms [total viable cell counts (TVC), coliforms] were analyzed for food and environmental samples from foodservice establishments at schools in Gyeonggi province. Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of detected foodborne pathogens were also characterized. A total of 179 samples, including food (n=66), utensil (n=68), and environmental samples (n=45), were collected from eight food service establishments at schools in Gyeonggi province. Average contamination levels of TVC for foods (including raw materials) and environmental samples were 4.7 and 4.0 log CFU/g, respectively. Average contamination levels of coliforms were 2.7 and 4.0 log CFU/g for foods and environmental swab samples, respectively. B. cereus contamination was detected in food samples with an average of 2.1 log CFU/g. E. coli was detected only in raw materials, and S. aureus was positive in raw materials as well as environmental swab samples. Other foodborne pathogens were not detected in all samples. The entire B. cereus isolates possessed at least one of the diarrheal toxin genes (hblACD, nheABC, entFM, and cytK enterotoxin gene). However, ces gene encoding emetic toxin was not detected in B. cereus isolates. S. aureus isolates (n=16) contained at least one or more of the tested enterotoxin genes, except for tst gene. For E. coli and S. aureus, 92.7% and 37.5% of the isolates were susceptible against 16 and 19 antimicrobials, respectively. The analyzed microbial hazards could provide useful information for quantitative microbial risk assessment and food safety management system to control foodborne illness outbreaks in food service establishments.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2008

To evaluate safety of commercial skate product, Korean traditional ready-to-eat raw-fish, during from June to August in 2006, microbial and chemical properties such as levels of total plate count, coliform, food-borne pathogens, VBN-value, pH and ammonium concentration in ready-to-eat skate product were evaluated. Total plate counts of ready-to-eat skate product were ranges from 4.8 to 7.5 log CFU/g, and coliform was detected in 1 sample (2.48 log CFU/g) among 18 samples. Staphylococcus aureus, was detected in 2 samples among 18 samples, but Escherichia coli, Salmonella, spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. VBN-values and pH of skate were ranges from 12.6 to 593.9 mg% and from 6.7 to 9.4 depending on strength of fermentation, respectively. Ammonium concentrations of fermented skate were ranges from 4.4 to 14.1 mg/g and 2 samples, pre-fermented skate, were not detected.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2017

A new approach to the solubilization of waste activated sludge (WAS) using alginate-quaternary ammonium complex beads was investigated under controlled mild alkaline conditions. The complex beads were prepared by the reaction of sodium alginate (SA) with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl-octadecyldimethylammonium chloride (TSA) in acid solution, followed by crosslinking with $CaCl_2$. Treatment of WAS with SA-TSA complex beads was effective for enhancing the efficacy of WAS solubilization. The highest value of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) concentration (3,900 mg/L) was achieved after 10 days of treatment with 30% (v/v) SA-TSA complex beads. The WAS solubilization efficacy of the complex beads was also evaluated by estimating the concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The maximum value of VFAs was 2,961 mg/L, and the overall proportions of VFAs were more than 75% of SCOD. The main components of VFAs were acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, and butyric acids. These results suggest that SA-TSA complex beads might be useful for enhancing the solubilization of WAS. The potential use of VFAs as the external carbon substrate for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by a mixed microbial culture (MMC) was also examined. The enrichment of PHA-accumulating MMC could be achieved by periodic feeding of VFAs generated from WAS in a sequencing batch reactor. The composition of PHA synthesized from VFAs mainly consisted of 3-hydroxybutyrate. The maximum PHA content accounted for 25.9% of dry cell weight. PHA production by this process is considered to be promising since it has a doubly beneficial effect on the environment by reducing the amount of WAS and concomitantly producing an eco-friendly biopolymer.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze cases of food poisoning outbreaks reported in Chungcheongnamdo Province in 2019 and report it as effective data for preventing food poisoning in the future. Methods: Food poisoning outbreaks were analyzed to detect virus, bacteria, and protozoa according to the Manual for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens in Outbreaks to clarify the causes of food poisoning that occurred in Chungcheongnam-do Province in 2019. Results: Among the 79 cases of food poisoning outbreaks, 59 cases (74.7%) were in general restaurants, 15 cases (19.0%) in food service institutions, three cases at banquets, and two cases in take-out food. The 42 cases at general seafood restaurants made up the majority of food poisoning in Chungcheongnam-do. Food poisoning pathogens were shown in 13 cases (86.7%) out of the 15 cases at food service institutions, and 10 cases were related to Norovirus. Among the 79 cases, food-borne pathogens were identified in 35 cases of outbreaks, accounting for 44.3%. The confirmed pathogens were as follows: bacteria (24 cases), Norovirus (12 cases) and Kudoa septempunctata. (five cases). The food-borne bacteria were pathogenic E. coli (12 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (six cases), Salmonella spp. (two cases), Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (one case). Conclusions: To prevent food poisoning, it is necessary to analyze regional characteristics and environments and to hold a campaign for the prevention of food poisoning based on that analysis. In addition, when food poisoning occurs, the results of analyzing its cause and spread based on accurate epidemiological survey need to be shared.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to establish the critical limit of CCP (Critical Control Point) of a HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system used in the production of seasoned laver products. The hazard analysis examined microbial evaluations and developed a HACCP management plan for the heating process. The results were determined to be capable of reducing the biological element of CCP via the secondary roasting process. This study examined general bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Bacillus cereus at temperatures ranging from $170^{\circ}C$ to $230^{\circ}C$ and for 3.0 to 5.5 seconds at a time. Before the secondary roasting process, pathogenic microorganisms were all negative, although the presence of general bacteria was still detected. General bacteria was reduced to $1.0{\times}10CFU/g$ after the temperature was set at $230^{\circ}C$ for a period of 5.5 seconds. In conclusion, it suggested that a HACCP plan was necessary for management standard and systematic approach in the establishment of critical limit, problem resolution, verification method, education, and records management through a secondary roasting process.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.467-478
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• 2001

This study was focused on the sanitary analysis of hazard factors and the establishment of critical control points on hamburger by the microbiological investigation. The degree of microorganic pollution on the ingredients and equipments for hamburger manufacturing and the variation of microorganisms at storage time and temperatures were investigated. The magnitudes of total aerobic bacteria In hamburger were highly detected to be in the order of resting placed in expressway > convenience stores > fast food stores, and coliforms were lowly detected as convenience stores > fast food stores > resting places in expressway. In investigation of basic ingredients, the degree of microorganic pollution showed highly on patty. cabbage and cucumber. In investigated result of mocroorganic distribution at the various phases in hamburger manufacturing, total aerobic bacteria counts were detected over 5.5$\times$10$^2$ CFU/g, and coliforms counts were detected over 2.0$\times$10$^2$ CFU/g. In investigated result of microorganic distribution on the instruments and equipments for hamburger manugacturing, total aerobic bacteria counts were detected over 10$\^$5/ CFU/100cm2 and coliforms counts were detected over 10$^2$CFU/100㎠. Staphylococcus aureus was detected at wagon and refrigerator. Salmonella spp. was detected at grinder and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was not detected. At various storage temperatures, total aerobic bacteria counts insreased 3.0$\times$10$^3$ CFU/g to 7.0$\times$10$^4$ CFU/g, 4.2$\times$10$\^$7/ CFU/g and 8.1$\times$10$\^$8/ CFU/g at 10$\^{C}$, 20$\^{C}$, 30$\^{C}$ after 48 hours respectively. coliform counts also increased 4.5$\times$10$^2$ CFU/g to 2.2$\times$10$^3$ CFU/g, 5.4$\times$10$\^$5/ CFU/g, 4.5$\times$10$\^$6/ CFU/g at 10$\^{C}$, 20$\^{C}$, 30$\^{C}$ after 48 hours respectively. The establishment of critical control point CCP was divided into CCP1 and CCP2 by the removing level of hazard factor, and then CCP1 was established on basic ingredients, and CCP2 was established on the phases of mixing, pouring, packaging, transporting and preserving.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 2015

In recent years, consumers have become more interested in convenient lifestyles, leading to increased use of salted cabbages for preparation of kimchi. This study aimed to investigate the safety of heavy metals, pesticide residues, and foodborne pathogens in commercial salted cabbages in Seoul from August to November, 2014. The survey, which was conducted to determine whether or not salted cabbages were prepared under the highest sanitary conditions, showed that Seoulites are interested in purchasing hygienic and safe salted cabbages. The average amounts (range) of Pb and Cd found in 30 salted cabbage samples were 0.007 (0.000~0.063) mg/kg and 0.004 (0.000~0.012) mg/kg, respectively. The cabbages were analyzed for residues from 285 types of pesticides using the multiresidue method. Residues for pesticides were not detected. Major foodborne pathogens, specifically Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Norovirus, were also not detected.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.4 s.71
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• pp.647-651
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• 2005

The major causative bacteria of food poisoning were Salmonella spp. $(35.6\%)$, Staphylococcus aureus $(11.3\%)$ and Vibrio parahaemolyticus $(3.2\%)$ in our country. In this study we attempted isolation of S. aureus from stools of patients with diarrhea. Sixty-four strains $(9.1\%)$ were isolated from 704 the stools of patients with diarrhea. The enterotoxin was detected from 29 isolates $(45.3\%)$: 24 isolates $(37.5\%)$, 3 isolates $(4.7\%)$ and 2 isolates $(3.1\%)$ were A, B and C type, respectively. In the antibiotic susceptibility, 63 isolates $(98.4\%)$ were resistant to penicillin, 60 isolates $(93.8\%)$ to ampicillin, 35 isolates $(54.7\%)$ to erythromycin, 32 isolates $(50.0\%)$ to gentamycin, 22 isolates $(34.4\%)$ to tetracycline and 20 isolates $(31.3\%)$ to oxacillin. All of S. aureus isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol and vancomycin, 20 isolates $(31.3\%)$ were methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA). MRSA isolation rate was higher in male $(35.7\%)$ than female $(26.3\%)$. With the exception of two isolates which were resistant only to penicillin, sixty-one isolates were multiple antibiotic resistance.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.896-903
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• 2021

For the safety assessment of microbiological and chemical hazards in raw short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum distributed in the Yeongnam and Honam areas during the spring season, the contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni) as microbiological hazards, and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury), benzopyrene, shellfish poison (paralytic, diarrhetic, amnesic), and radioactivity (¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs+¹³⁷Cs) were also analyzed in 15 samples based on the methods of the Korean Food Code. The average contamination levels of total viable bacteria were 3.11 (1.40-4.49) log CFU/g, and coliforms were detected in 5 out of 15 samples (1.18-1.85 log CFU/g). E. coli and S. aureus were not detected in all samples. Furthermore, the presence of 8 pathogens were not detected in all samples. The average contamination levels of lead, cadmium, and total mercury were 0.155 (0.079-0.264), 0.160 (0.040-0.287), and 0.017 (0.008-0.026) mg/kg, respectively. Benzo(a)pyrene, shellfish poison, and radioactivity were not detected in all samples. The results of this study suggest that the safety against all microbiological and chemical hazard factors in raw short-neck clams distributed in markets has been assured.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2023

Fifteen samples of dried laver Pyropia tenera were collected from markets and processing plants in Korea for an assessment of their microbial and chemical hazards, in accordance with the Korean food code. The contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine other pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and Campylobacter jejuni) were evaluated The concentrations of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury, and total arsenic) and radioactive isotopes (¹³¹I, and ¹³⁴Cs+¹³⁷Cs) in the laver samples were also determined. The total viable count of bacteria was 2.62±0.80 (1.48-4.45) CFU/g. The contamination levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and total arsenic were 0.024±0.005 (0.018-0.035), 0.090±0.038 (0.041-0.146), 0.008±0.005 (0.003-0.018) and 1.315±0.372 (0.814-1.930) mg/kg, respectively. All samples tested negative for significant levels of radioactivity, the nine pathogenic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli (<1.00 CFU/g). We assume that ensuring the microbiological and chemical safety of dried laver can increase the demand for its exportation. The present study may serve as a basis for microbiological and chemical hazard assessment of dried lavers.