• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2012

With the rapid growth of fresh-cut produce market, the South Korean fresh-cut industry is facing the challenge of ensuring food safety. As the estimation of the microbial numbers in fresh-cut produce processing lines (tools, and equipment) using the conventional microbiological techniques takes days, so there is a need for faster and easier monitoring methods. This study was conducted to investigate the use of ATP bioluminescence assay to measure the degree of microbial contamination from three actual fresh-cut processing lines. The samples collected from frech-cut vegetables, and fresh-cut fruits processing plants were tested for the estimation of the bacterial number, using the ATP bioluminescence and microbiological methods. The result of former was transferred to log RLU/100 $cm^2$, and that of the latter was transferred to log CFU/100 $cm^2$. A positive linear correlation between the ATP bioluminescence assay value and aerobic-plate count was found for fresh-cut processing lines, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8772 (n=50). The results of this study indicate that ATP bioluminescence assay can be used to monitor microbial contamination in fresh-cut produce processing plants, and can help improve the hygiene therein.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2007

This experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of pork meat quality characteristics exposed to ozone gas for 5, 10, and 15 min and then vacuum packaged during storage for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 day at $4^{\circ}C$. The ozone gas exposed groups of pork loin cuts (OZM) had slightly higher pH value compared to the control at day 0 and 5 (p<0.01). The 15 min exposure of ozone gas groups showed significantly (p<0.01) higher TBARS value than that of control at the day 15 and 20. However, there was no significant difference in all groups at day 0,5, and 10. The CIE $L^*$ and $b^*$ values of OZM showed no significant difference between control and ozone gas treated groups during storage. The loin cut color of ozone gas exposure for 15 min had significantly lower CIE $a^*$ values than the other groups at day 0,5, and 15 (p<0.01). The aerobic plate count and coliform bacteria count of pork loin cuts exposed ozone gas significantly (p<0.01) was reduced at day 0 by about $0.45-1.04\;log_{10}CFU/g$ and $0.26-0.30\;log_{10}CFU/g$, respectively. As ozone gas exposure time extended, the aerobic plate count and coliform bacteria count of OZM were increased at day 0, 5, and 10 (p<0.01). However, there were no significant differences observed among groups at day 20 in the counts of aerobic and coliform bacteria. In conclusion, the meat cuts exposed to ozone gas for 5 and 10 min before packing may be a reasonable packing method regarding the effects of ozone level on meat oxidation, color change and microbial reduction.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2018

This research was to evaluate microbial contamination levels in meat samples at hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)-implemented processing plants that produce beef, pork, and chicken. During a period of about a year, a total of 178 samples (76 from beef, 89 from pork, and 13 from chicken) were obtained from raw materials (21.3%) and final products (78.7%). All samples were determined for each 25 g homogenized one. Samples were analyzed to determine the total aerobic plate count (APC), coliform count (CC), and E. coli count (ECC). By month, APC levels were the highest in September and the lowest in February (p<0.001). In comparison among season, APC levels in meat samples were the highest in the summer and the lowest in winter (p<0.001). By month, the highest CC prevalence was found in August, followed by October and then July (p<0.001). By season, the highest CC was obtained in summer, followed by autumn and then spring (p<0.001). All samples were negative for ECC. There was a direct correlation between the product form and coliform presence (p<0.001). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the APC and CC (r=0.261). The APCs in analyzed samples ranged from below <$10^1CFU/g$ to <$10^7CFU/g$. In conclusion, the month and season had significant effects on microbial contamination levels at HACCP implemented processing plants. Interrelationships between (i) the product form and coliform, (ii) the APC and CC were revealed.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.594-600
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• 2016

This study aimed to examine the microbial contamination levels in livestock products at retail stores. Beef, pork, and chicken samples from raw materials and final products were obtained between January and December 2015. All homogenized meat samples (25 g) were tested for the aerobic plate count (APC), coliform count (CC), and Escherichia coli count (E. coli). The highest APCs in meat samples, by month, at retail shops were obtained in September, followed by July, May, and October (p<0.001). However, APC was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter (p<0.001). Average APCs for beef, pork, and chicken samples were 2.90, 3.19, and 3.79 Log CFU/g, respectively (p<0.05). A comparison between different months revealed that, CC levels in meat samples ranged from 0 to 1.13 CFU/g, and the highest CC was obtained in August (p<0.001). By season, the highest CC was found in the summer, followed by autumn, and spring (p<0.001). All meat samples were negative for E. coli. The average log₁₀APC and CC for all samples was 3.10 and 0.37 Log CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, there was a direct correlation between the season and coliform presence (p<0.001). There was also a positive correlation between the APC and CC (r = 0.517, p<0.001). The microbiological APCs for livestock products were in most cases below 10⁶ CFU/g.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.297-304
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• 2017

Animal-origin food products pose serious threat to public food safety due to high microbial loads. The microbial and radioactive contaminations in commercial cold duck meat products were evaluated. Ten different lots of commercial samples ($C_1-C_{10}$) were classified based on type and smoking process. All samples were highly contaminated (< 4-7 Log CFU/g) with total aerobic bacteria (TAB), yeasts and molds (Y&M), and 7 samples ($C_1-C_7$) were positive for coliforms. Furthermore, three samples were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes ($C_4-C_6$) and one with Salmonella typhimurium ($C_6$). No radionuclides ($^{131}I$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{134}Cs$) were detected in any sample. The results of DEFT (direct epifluorescent filter technique)/APC (aerobic plate count), employed to screen pre-pasteurization treatments of products, indicated that smoked samples were positive showing DEFT/APC ratios higher than 4. Notably, the samples showed a serious threat to microbial safety, thus were irradiated with electron-beam (e-beam). The $D_{10}$ values for S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes were 0.65 and 0.42 kGy, respectively. E-beam application at 3 and 7 kGy resulted in reduction of initial TAB, Y&M, and coliform populations by 3 and 6 log cycles, respectively. Thus, e-beam was proven to be a good decontamination approach to improve the hygiene of cold duck meat.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2003

A survey including an inspection was conducted to assess the sanitary condition of kitchens in the school food-service programs and to prepare background data for improving the safety of school meals. The survey was carried out over a two-month period (September-October, 2001). A self-administered questionnaire recommended by the Korea Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development (MOEHRD) was offered to a random sample of dieticians of twenty-five elementary schools in one region of Korea about food, sanitation, and safety inspection of their kitchens. Air temperature, relative humidity, and airborne microbes in the kitchens were monitored during preparation, cooking, and service. The inspection results showed their sanitary rendition met the level B of the recommendation of the Korea MOEHRD. The range of air temperature of the kitchens was 21.4~22.4$^{\circ}C$. and the range of relative humidity was 62.4~69.6%. The microbiological evaluation of kitchen samples indicated aerobic plate count levels from 22..5 to 26.5 CFU/15 minutes. Although the results of inspection show that the levels of sanitary condition of kitchens in the schools were good, they are not satisfactory for safe food-servile because the temperature and humidity levels are high. This study indicates that the school kitchens should be monitored and strict inspection is necessary. The legal standards for school food-service should include standards for kitchen air temperature, relative humidity, and airborne microbes.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2011

This study was performed to analyze the microbiological hazards of ready-to eat sandwiches and to evaluate the effect of implementing a hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) for quality improvement of ready-to-eat sandwiches. In total, 174 samples were examined for the microbiological hazard analysis. About 37.4% of the samples had an aerobic plate count ${\geq}$6 log CFU/g, and the numbers of coliforms exceeded 3 log CFU/g in 82.2% of the samples. Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. were detected in 10.3%, 4.6%, 1.1% of sandwiches, respectively. In contrast, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. The results of the microbiological verification after implementing a HACCP throughout the production process indicated that S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. Consequently, implementing a HACCP is effective for quality improvement of ready-to-eat sandwiches.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2005

Photostimulated luminescence (PSL), thermoluminescence (TL), electron spin resonance (ESR), and direct epiflourescent filter technique/aerobic plate count (DEFT/APC) were applied to detect dried green, black, and oolong teas irradiated between 0-10 kGy. Teas irradiated at 2.5 kGy and higher showed over 5000 photon counts/60 sec, while non-irradiated teas yielded 650-1000 photon counts/60 sec. TL glow curves for minerals separated from teas were detected at about $300^{\circ}C$ with low intensity in non-irradiated samples, whereas around $150^{\circ}C$ with high intensity in all irradiated samples. Ratio of $TL_1/TL_2$ based on re-irradiation step, showing lower than 0.1 and higher than 1.44 for non-irradiated and irradiated samples, respectively, enhanced reliability of TL results. ESR measurements for irradiated teas showed signals specific to irradiation. Log DEFT/APC ratio increased with irradiation dose; this result could be applied to identify irradiated tea samples.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.380-384
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• 2002

For the screening of gamma-irradiated grains, domestic rice, glutinous rice, barley, and wheat were irradiated with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 kGy and screened using the DEFT/APC (Direct Epifluorescent Filter Technique/Aerobic Plate Count) method. The log DEFT/APT units increased with the dose increment in all samples, whereas the log APC unit decreased gradually. For rice, barley, and wheat, unirradiated and irradiated samples with below 0.3 kGy had 2.0 or lower logarithmic units, whereas those with 0.5 kGy or higher had 2.0 or higher logarithmic units. For glutinous rice, the sample irradiated with 0.5 kGy showed 1.92 logarithmic unit and those with 0.7 kGy or higher had 2.0 or higher logarithmic units. These results suggest that if the grains show 2.0 or higher logarithmic units, they could be assumed to have been irradiated at a dose level of at least 0.5 kGy. In conclusion, grains could be easily screened through the DEFT/APC method.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.441-453
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of round of Hanwoo by vacuum packaging film materials, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). The packaged beef samples were stored in refrigerated conditions (2±1℃) for 12 weeks. Physicochemical analysis with pH, surface color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) values and microbiological analysis with aerobic plate count (APC) and metagenomic analysis of packaged beef samples were performed. The pH and surface color did not change substantially during the 12 weeks and EVOH-packaged beef tended to be lower than those of PVDC-packaged beef. PVDC- and EVOH-packaged samples showed low TBARS and VBN values below standard limits. APC did not exceed 7 Log CFU/g for both samples during storage. In metagenomic analysis, Firmicutes and Lactobacillaceae were dominant phylum and family of the PVDC- and EVOH-packaged beef. In both packaged samples, Dellaglioa algida was the dominant species during storage, with the notable difference being the presence of Lactococcus piscium. Therefore, this study provided the information on the quality of vacuum-packaged beef according to different vacuum films for long-term refrigerated storage.