• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate hand washing awareness of females and load of indicator bacteria on their hands. This study focused on the variation according to their age. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey and bacterial analysis of indicator bacteria were carried out for 100 Korean women in their age from 20 s to 60 s. Hand samples were collected through a modified glovejuice method. Results: In the survey, significant difference (p < 0.05) was found among the age groups in the use of hand washing agents. The levels of aerobic colony count (ACC) were the highest in both hands among the 20s (p < 0.05). The levels of Escherichia coli were higher in both hands in their 20s and 30s. No significant difference was found in the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. However, the positive rates of S. aureus (left hand, 37.5~47.1%; right hand, 58.5~62.5%) and Salmonella spp. (left hand, 25.0~52.9%; right hand, 37.5~64.7%) were higher in the hands of the 20s and 30s, and then showed decreasing trend according to increase of age. The effect of hand washing frequency on the ACC level of hands was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there was no remarkable difference of hand hygiene awareness among female age groups. The detection of S. aureus and Salmonella spp. on the hands of some females in each age group revealed poor hand hygiene practices. The significant effect of hand washing frequency on the ACC level suggests that frequent hand washing is helpful to reduce hand contamination.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.180-184
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• 2019

Aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria were investigated in laver Porphyra sp. samples from various regions of Korea. The mean bacterial counts were $6.9{\pm}0.87log\;CFU/g$ (range 4.0 to 7.7) log CFU/g in dried laver, $2.83{\pm}4.36log\;CFU/g$ in roasted laver, and $4.93{\pm}1.43log\;CFU/g$ in seasoned laver. Coliforms were most abundant (mean count: $2.1{\pm}1.01log\;CFU/g$) in dried laver. No pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, or Listeria monocytogenes, were detected in any of the samples. Aerobic microorganisms were the most diverse microorganisms in dried laver. Staphylococcus spp. were predominant, but S. aureus was not detected. Standardization of laver production is necessary to ensure a hygienic product because laver products are often ingested without heating or cooking, and the production process is simple.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2015

Observed trends in climate change, globalization and an aging population have an effect on public health conditions in Korea, prompting a reevaluation of current environmental regulations. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the total coliform (TC) standard, which is the only microbiological standard in the current regulation regime for hot spring water, by estimating correlation with the presence/absence of Legionella, a non-fecal opportunistic pathogen with heat-tolerance. Microbiological data in 7 studies that surveyed Legionella in hot spring waters were subjected to meta-analyses with the odds ratio (OR) as the effect size. The presence/absence of Legionella was significantly correlated to TC levels [OR = 3.1(1.5–6.4, 95% CI), p = 0.002]. Due to there being no direct explanation as to the reason for the occurrence of TC, mesophilic fecal bacteria, being coupled with Legionella presence, the mechanism of the correlation between the two kinds of bacteria was further investigated. Legionella presence was more prevalent with a high heterotrophic plate count [HPC; 4.0(2.2–7.2); p < 0.001] and water temperature [4.3(1.4–13.6), p = 0.011] when the temperature range was <40℃. However, it was reverse-correlated with water temperature when the temperature was >50℃ [0.2(0.1–0.4), p < 0.001]. Therefore, bacterial standing crops in hot spring waters appear to be determined by water temperature in general, and this forces TC and Legionella levels be correlated. In accordance with this relationship, HPC rather than TC reflect the levels of non-fecal contamination better. Therefore, employing HPC as the sole microbiological standard, or adding HPC into the current standard of hot spring water assessment, is suggested as a proactive measure to prevent health issues arising from contamination.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2015

The water supplied from dental unit water systems (DUWS) in dentistry may be heavily contaminated with bacteria and thus may be a potential source of infection for both practice staff and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of heterotrophic bacteria and to confirm the presence of opportunistic pathogens from DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory of college of dentistry. Water samples were collected from 36 ultrasonic scalers in student clinical simulation laboratory. The levels of heterotrophic bacteria in water samples were quantified by counting colony forming units (CFUs) on R2A agar media. In addition, opportunistic pathogens were detected by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The mean CFUs were 16,095 CFU/ml for water samples and all of water samples exceeded current American Dental Association recommendations of 200 CFU/ml. Pseudomonas species and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species were detected in the one sample and two samples, respectively, among the 36 water samples by the PCR with specific primers for these bacteria. Our study indicated that DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory can cause potential infection in students and participants. This study suggested the dental unit water line management and wearing personal protective equipment in student clinical simulation laboratory will be needed to reduce bacterial contamination.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.186-192
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• 2007

This study was conducted to survey the hygienic status of chicken meats on the microbial levels, which were collected from poultry processing plants located in the local provinces in nationwide including the JeJu island (n=15) in 1997. In particular, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes, which were retarded as one of the most important entero-pathogens relating to food home illness from poultry, were investigated on their isolation frequency including the other pathogens related on the food-borne illness. A total of 115 processed chickens were submitted on the present study. In general, the bacterial contamination frequency showed more or less lower $(10{\sim}100 cells)$ than those of sold on the retail and super markets and department stores because of lacking of cross-contamination incidences, depending on the total cells, Coliforms and Staphylococcal cells count. While, Salmonella species, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, and coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus isolation frequency of chicken meats from slaughter houses were 58.3%, 37.4%, 43.5%, and 30.4%, in order. But the present microbial isolation data were a little lower levels than those of sold on the retail and super markets and famous department stores in Seoul and GyeongGi province at the same period. It seemed that the cross-contamination problems (including the human, environmental and instrumental factors) during the marketing stage (after the last processing procedure; rinsing step) had the major roles on the increasing of the microbial contamination frequency on the chicken meats after the slaughter houses.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.460-464
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• 2012

From 1998 to 2008, the bacteriological quality of seawater in Kamak Bay, Korea, was monitored. The total and fecal coliforms in seawater were monitored as bacterial indicators, and the level of fecal coliform contamination was used to evaluate seawater quality. In the southern shellfish growing area of Kamak Bay, the observed fecal coliform geometric mean (GM) and estimated 90th percentile did not exceed the quality standards for fecal coliforms in seawater in Korea and th USA (GM<14 MPN/100 mL, 90th percentile<43 MPN/100 mL). The GM and estimated 90th percentile of the fecal coliform levels in the adjacent northern area of Kamak Bay were higher than in the southern area. Stations near wastewater discharge sites and urban areas in the north had the lowest quality and did not meet the bacteriological seawater quality criteria. The high fecal coliform levels in the Seonso coastal region near wastewater discharges and northern urban areas declined significantly following dredging and operation of a sewage treatment plant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2012

Bacteriological examination of spring water in Jeju City was conducted. A total of 21 spring water samples were collected from January to April, 2010. During the study period, the range of temperature was 0.6 to $15.4^{\circ}C$, and the results of the analyses showed that hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) for spring water were 0.43 to 7.9. Salinity levels for the samples averaged from 3.0 to 1.64%, and levels of water-dissolved oxygen were 1.85 to 6.06 mg/l. The range of total coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water were <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Furthermore, the range of geometric means of total coliforms was 9.9-151.6 MPN/100 ml, while the range of fecal coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water area was <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Finally, the range of geometric mean of fecal coliforms was 3.1-151.6 MPN/100 ml. The level of microbial contamination was examined in 21 samples for indications of bacterial contamination such as heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella spp. were frequently detected in the spring water. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and S. aureus were detected in the range of $0-0.5{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, and $0-0.3{\times}10^1$ CFU/ml, respectively, while E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in the examined spring water samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2009

The consumption of "ready-to-eat" agricultural products is recently increasing and the safety of these agricultural products is forefront of public concerns. The 120 samples of paprikas, strawberries and tomatoes, which are the representative exported agricultural products, were purchased at the department stores and discount stores in Daejeon. And we determined the microbiological and parasitological contamination level of these agricultural products using culture media, multiplex PCR, commercial bacterial detection kit and microscopy, and also evaluated the decontamination method. Mean counts of total aerobic bacteria from these agricultural products ranged from $1.3{\times}10^4$ CFU/g to $1.8{\times}10^5$ CFU/g, and mean counts of coliforms ranged from $1.4{\times}10^3$ CFU/g to $9.6{\times}10^3$ CFU/g. There was no significant difference in the level of bacterial contamination between the agricultural products from department stores and the ones from discount stores. Strawberry showed the highest contamination level for the bacteria and we also found the unidentified parasite eggs. Enterobacter cloacae was the most frequently isolated bacteria strain, but no food poisoning pathogenic bacteria except Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the products by multiplex PCR. Compared to unwashed products, tab water-washed ones showed 80% decrease of the counts of total aerobic bacteria on the agricultural products, and the rates decreased more by incorporating detergent or ultrasonic wave treatment. We concluded that the biological contamination levels among paprikas, strawberries and tomatoes were the highest in strawberries, but there were not significant difference according to distribution systems.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.273-280
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• 2024

In this study, the antibacterial activity and mechanisms of bitter orange extract, a natural antibacterial agent, were investigated, with a focus on its potential application in washing water for controlling Salmonella Typhimurium contamination of salad, a ready-to-eat food. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of bitter orange extract against S. Typhimurium was determined using the broth dilution method. Subsequently, S. Typhimurium was exposed to various concentrations of bitter orange extract (1/16 MIC-2 MIC) and growth curves were measured. Following treatment with bitter orange extract, we investigated its antibacterial mechanism by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, alterations in membrane potential and integrity, and nucleic acid leakage in S. Typhimurium. Additionally, salads artificially contaminated with S. Typhimurium were treated with different concentrations of bitter orange extract using the dipping method for various durations to assess the reduction effect. The MIC of bitter orange extract against S. Typhimurium was 195.313 mg/L, and bacterial growth was completely inhibited at a concentration of 1 MIC. Furthermore, an increase in bitter orange extract concentration correlated with elevated intracellular ROS levels, membrane potential disruption, membrane damage, and nucleic acid release. Importantly, salads treated with bitter orange extract exhibited a significant reduction in S. Typhimurium counts compared to the control, and prolonged treatment times resulted in further reductions in bacterial counts. Bitter orange extract was more effective than sodium hypochlorite and can be used as a safer salad wash. These findings indicate the potential treatment of salads to prevent foodborne illnesses.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2010

We evaluated microbial populations and aflatoxin production in unhulled and white rice from rice processing complexes of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation in five regions in Korea and identified three predominant Aspergillus species. Fungal and bacterial populations in rice samples were significantly different between regions in 2007. Aflatoxins were also detected and varied at the levels of 2.45 - 3.43 ng per g unhulled rice grain and 1.29 - 2.09 ng per g white rice grain. Unhulled rice generally detected higher level of aflatoxins than white rice regardless of sampling regions; however, no significant differences were found in Anseong and Cheonan in 2005 and Cheonan and Gimpo in 2007. Aflatoxin production between sampling regions was not different regardless of rice type and sampling year. Although the fungal diversity was highly distinct from region to region, three Aspergillus isolates were predominant in the rice samples; thus, representative isolates AC317, AF57, and AF8 were selected and identified based on their morphological and molecular characteristics. Consequently, isolates AC317, AF57, and AF8 were identified as A. candidus, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus, respectively. These fungi can produce mycotoxins that are harmful for consumers and thus it is important to detect and reduce the population of storage fungi in rice.