• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbial contamination levels in the processing company of Nuroong-ji. Microbial contamination levels were examined for sanitary indication bacteria such as aerobic plate count, coliforms and fungi, and pathogenic bacteria such as Escherchia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Contamination levels were detected differently according to handling materials and purposing work-space. The equipments and raw materials were not seriously contaminated but there were necessary to attend the cross-contamination. A high contamination level was detected at the process where the interference of the employees was relatively higher than the other process. Standardization of the roasting process (l20~$170^{\circ}C$, about 10 min) could be necessary to control the microbial organism effectively on Nuroong-ji manufacturing process. At small/medium size foodstuff manufacturers, it is the most important to improve the recognition level of individual hygiene but also expand a hygiene facility.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.1
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• pp.98-104
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• 1997

Soil pollution intensity at Mt. Namsan in Seoul city which was expected to show significant soil contamination due to long-term air pollution was evaluated by comparing soil chemical properties at Mt. Kyebangsan in Hongcheon area as a control, and the bacteria participating in nitrogen or sulfur mineralization were assayed simultaneously in order to evaluate the validity of N and/or S mineralization bacteria as an index of soil contamination. The soil of Mt. Namsan showed 10 times higher concentration of hydrogen ion compared to that of Mt. Kyebangsan, which indicated that the soil had relatively been acidified seriously. Especially, large amount of canons were thought to be leached out from the soil, while the amount of extractable Al was getting larger and larger, which result in serious problems in soil ecosystem of the mountain. I could infer from soil chemical properties of the four study sites that the major reason of soil acidification was SOx deposition. However, the sulfur-reducing bacteria were not significantly different between the two regions, which indicated that the microbial dynamics of the soil ecosystem was not controlled by simple factor, but by multiple factors. By the way, the dynamics of bacteria participating in denitrification process was different between the two regions, which was more active at Mt. Kyebangsan than at Mt. Namsan. Thus, the microbial assay for nitrogen mineralization is desirable to be examined as a tool for evaluating soil health or microbial activity in soil ecosystem.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.111-115
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• 2010

Beaches in estuaries, bays, and harbors are frequently contaminated with indicators of human pathogens such as fecal indicator bacteria. Tracking down the sources of contamination at these enclosed beaches is complicated by the many point and non-point sources that could potentially degrade water quality along the shore. A mathematical framework was developed to test quantitative relationships between fecal indicator bacteria concentration in ankle depth water at enclosed beaches, the loading rate of fecal indicator bacteria from non-point sources located along the shore, physical characteristics of the beach that affect the transport of fecal indicator bacteria across the beach boundary layer, and a background concentration of fecal indicator bacteria attributable to point sources of fecal pollution that impact water quality over a large region of the embayment. Field measurements of fecal indicator bacteria concentrations and water turbulence at an enclosed beach were generally consistent with predictions and assumptions of the mathematical model, and demonstrated its utility for assessing waste load of non-point sources, such as runoff, bather shedding, bird droppings, and tidal washing of contaminated sediments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2023

The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been increasing with anthropogenic contamination. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of these resistant bacteria in environments is crucial for effectively managing anthropogenic pollutants. Lake Gyeongpo in the Gangwon Province of South Korea is known for its diverse ecological features and human interactions. The lake is exposed to pollutants from nonpoint sources, including urban areas, agricultural practices, and recreational activities, which can introduce antibiotics and foster antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The present study investigates Lake Gyeongpo as a potential reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a natural ecosystem. A total of 203 bacterial isolates were collected from six sampling locations in Lake Gyeongpo during May, July, and November 2022. Most isolates were taxonomically identified as Pseudoalteromonas, Bacillus, Shewanella, and Vibrio spp.; their abundance showed a spatiotemporal distribution. An antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted on 75 isolates using the disk diffusion method with six drugs according to the CLSI guideline; 42 isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. Among these, 15 isolates were identified as multidrug resistant bacteria. This finding suggests the potential anthropogenic impact on Lake Gyeongpo and provides valuable insights into the dissemination of antibiotic resistance caused by anthropogenic pollutants.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.294-299
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• 1997

A study was conducted to determine contamination status of fish sold at wholesale market in Seoul. A total of 79 samples (35 different kindry fish) were collected from the wholesale market. E. coli and coliform group bacteria were cultured and tested for sensitivity against antibiotics. The results are summarized as follows; 1. E. coli was isolated from 23 out of 79 samples (29.1%), and coliform groups from 53 out of 79 (67.1%). 2. Of coliform group, Citrobacter freundii was the most common and Enterobacter clacae was the next. 3.23 E. coli strains isolated from fishes were resistant to Oxacillin, Erythromycin and Lincomycin, meanwhile 23 E. coli strains were sensitive to Cefoperazone, Ceftazidime, Imipenem, and Ciprofloxacin.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.13-25
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• 1971

During a period from October 1st to November 15th in 1971, We made a survey on hygienic status of kitchen utensils used at 270 college student's home in 9 districts of Seoul city. The results obtained could be summarized as follows. In bacteriological study on the kitchen utensils 20.7% of them revealed contaminations with general bacterial counts of over 100/m1 and 20.0% of them with coliform bacteria. It was probable that degrees of bacterial contamination of the kitchen utensils were chiefly attributable to levels of education of housewives and living standard of individual household. Factors that were presumed to be directly responsible for the contamination were sources and storage of water and methods of washing the utensils. One of the major sources of contamination was derived from the use of a piece of cloth (Hangjoo) to wipe up the utensils after soashing. Hygienic treatment of Hangjoo in urgently needed. Otherwise, it is desirable not to used the Hangjoo and leave the utensils dry after washing them with boiling water.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.615-622
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of melons in Korea. A total of 123 samples including melon fruits, leaves, seeds, soils, and irrigation water were collected from farms and markets to detect total aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were collected from Iksan and Nonsan farms to monitor bacterial levels on pre-market melons. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria on melon cultivation were between 0.43 and 6.65 log CFU $g^{-1}$, and 0.67 and 2.91 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. Bacillus cereus, a fecal coliform, was detected in soils and melon leaves from Iksan farm at 2.95, 0.73 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively, and in soils from Nonsan farm at 3.16 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Market melon samples were collected to assay bacterial load on melon being sold to consumers. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in agricultural markets, big-box retailers, and traditional markets were 4.82, 3.94, 3.99 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. The numbers of coliform in melon on the markets ranged from 0.09 to 0.49 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples. The count of total aerobic bacteria on melon seeds ranged from 0.33 to 3.34 log CFU $g^{-1}$. This study found that irrigation water, soil, manure and various farm work activities including post-harvest processes were latent sources of microbial contamination. These results suggest that hygienic management and monitoring of soil, water, and agricultural material should be performed to reduce microbial contamination in melon production.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.268-277
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• 2014

This study assessed microbiological hazards at postharvest stage of dropwort farms (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) located in 4 different areas in Korea. The samples were assessed for sanitary indication bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliform, and Escherichia coli) and pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus). Total aerobic bacteria and coliform in 9 dropwort farms were detected at the levels of 0~7.00 and 0~4.25 log CFU/g, mL, of $100cm^2$. In particular, microbial contamination in worker's hand showed higher than cultivation environment factors. Escherichia coli was detected in several farms of soil, irrigation water, washing water and worker's hand and also, dropwort in these farms was contaminated with E. coli (positive reaction). In case of pathogenic bacteria, B. cereus was detected at the highest levels in soil. S. aureus was detected qualitatively from only one sample of dropwort washed by water. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were not detected. Although dropwort pass through 2 process (trimming and washing), the microbial contamination was not differ significantly before and after which indicates that current washing system was not effect on reduction of microorganism. From these results, the postharvest environment and workers have been considered as cross-contamination factors. Thus, processing equipments and personal hygiene should be managed to reduce the microbial contamination of dropwort. Accordingly management system such as good agricultural practices (GAP) criteria is needed for the safety of dropwort

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.683-687
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• 2004

Raw beefs used fer Jangzorim production were evaluated fur contamination of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms related to spoilage and food safety. Eleven groups of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, and anaerobic microorganisms, and total coliforms were selected to evaluate degree of food contamination. Nine strains including Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, C. perfringens, and Listeria monocytogenes were selected to evaluate incidences of pathogenic bacteria. Raw beefs harbored large populations of microorganisms, which decreased greatly after heat treatment. Psychrotrophic microorganisms were found to be more abundant than other microorganisms. B. cereus, C. perfringens, and L. monocytogenes were isolated from raw beefs, whereas C. botulinum, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Yersinia enterocolitica were not isolated. Isoiates from Cereus selective agar, clostridium Perfringens agar, and Oxford agar were in 99.8, 99.9 and 98.6% agreements with B. cereus, C. perfringens, and L. monocytogenes at species level, respectively. B. cereus produced enterotoxin with CRET-RPLA method, whereas C. perfringens did not produce enterotoxin with PET-RPLA method.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.377-387
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• 2021

Fecal contamination levels of discharge water from inland pollution sources were investigated in Iwon-myeon (Taean-gun), South Korea. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated during the investigation and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolates were examined to estimate their impact on the coastal environment. The ranges of total coliform and fecal coliform of 12 samples from four major inland pollution sources were 79-490,000 MPN/100 mL and 2.0-490,000 MPN/100 mL, respectively, with the highest level of fecal contamination at Station No. 3. A total of 137 strains (14 genus) were isolated, of which 86 strains (62.8%) were Enterobacteriaceae. The identified isolates were as follows: Pseudomonas spp. (35 strains), Klebsiella spp. (20 strains), Serratia spp. (20 strains), and Escherichia spp. (19 strains). The isolated Gram-negative bacteria showed the highest antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin (81.8%), followed by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (64.2%), ceftiofur (61.3%), and cefoxitin (59.1%). Antimicrobials in which less than 10% of isolates showed antimicrobial resistance were ciprofloxacin (3.6%) and gentamicin (2.2%). Resistance to one or more antimicrobials was observed in 121 strains (88.3%) and 84 strains (61.3%) showed a tendency for multiple antimicrobial resistance.