• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

Background: Honey bees play a crucial role in pollination and ecological balance. Apis mellifera L. colonies, especially those located in specific geographic regions, such as the palm garden in Eastern Thailand, are susceptible to potential threats from microbial contaminants. Understanding and detecting microbial organisms in these beehives is essential for the preservation of bee health, honey production, and the broader ecosystem. However, the problem of microbial infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria is more severe and continuously increasing, resulting in a health, economic, and social crisis. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of microorganisms in A. mellifera beehives in palm gardens in Rayong province, Eastern Thailand. Results: Ten swabs in transport media were swabbed and obtained from different parts of each beehive (1 swab per beehive), for a total of 10 hives. Traditional microbial culture-based methods, biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility (disc-diffusion) tests were used to detect microbial organisms and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The swab tests from nine beehives resulted in the detection of Gram-positive bacteria (63.64%), Gram-negative bacteria (27.27%), and fungi/yeast (9.09%). These microorganisms are classified as a group of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. and made up 40.91% of the bacteria discovered. Other bacteria found were Coryneform bacteria (13.64%), Pantoea spp. (13.64%), Bacillus spp. (9.09%), yeast (9.09%), glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (9.09%), and Pseudomonas spp. (4.55%). However, due to the traditional culture-based and 0biochemical tests usually used to identify the microbial organisms in clinical specimens and the limitation of identifying some environmental microbial species, the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test cannot reveal if the organism is resistant or susceptible to the drug. Nevertheless, drug-sensitive inhibition zones were formed with each antibiotic agent. Conclusions: Overall, the study supports prevention, healthcare, and public health systems. The contamination of microorganisms in the beehives may affect the quality of honey and other bee products or even the health of the beekeeper. To avoid this kind of contamination, it is therefore necessary to wear personal protective equipment while harvesting honey and other bee products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2001

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness and applicability of the HApS$^{TM}$ (Hazard Analysis process System; HUKO, Seoul, Korea) based on Petrifilm$^{TM}$ (3M, St. Paul, MN, USA) with the AOAC (the Association of Official Analytical Chemists) standard total aerobic count (TAC) method and coliform count (CC) method for meat products. The comparisons were carried out using 230 meat samples collected from various retailers: 80 pork samples, 80 chicken samples, and 70 beef samples. In the comparison of the correlation coefficient (r) between conventional method and HApS$^{TM}$ method by a linear regression analysis, the correlation coefficients in total microorganism were 0.97767, 0.90712, and 0.95594 in pork, beef, and chicken samples, respectively. The correlation coefficients in coliform count were 0.82062, 0.94833, and 0.96839 in pork, beef and chicken samples, respectively. All the independent t-test on measurement values between conventional method and HApS$^{TM}$ method represented no significant differences in the means between two methods at the 0.05 of significance level($\alpha$=0.05). Based on the high correlation between HApS$^{TM}$ and the AOAC standard methods in the TAC and CC, it might be compatible to employ the HApS$^{TM}$ method to measure the microbial contamination in livestock products. HApS$^{TM}$ method was simpler and less time-consuming in sample preparation and procedures faster than the conventional method. These results suggested that the HApS$^{TM}$ method could be substitute for the conventional methods in the analysis of microbial contamination measurement in meat products.n meat products.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of latex cover developed for dental handpiece on contamination of microorganisms during dental treatment and to determine whether it can be an alternative to conventional sterilization such as autoclaving. E. fecaelis was used as a experimental microorganism instead of oral flora. Experimental bowl with 2 cm of rectangular cavity was fabricated for handpiece operating instead of oral cavity. Latex covers ($Orokeeper^{(R)}$, Orobiotech Co., Korea) and several handpieces were used after sterilization by autoclave. Four experiments were performed to evaluate bacterial contamination related with (1) various parts of dental handpiece, (2) swabbing time with alcohol sponge, (3) postoperative air-water spraying time and (4) consecutive use of latex covers without autoclaving. The results show that face of handpiece uncovered with latex cover was severely contaminated than the covered area and that most bacteria were removed by swabbing face and head area of dental hand-piece and by air-water spraying more than 15 seconds nearly up to the level of sterilization. Conclusively it can be suggested that use of latex cover for handpiece during dental procedure, swabbing with alcohol sponge is air-water spraying for more than 15 seconds after use of dental handpiece should be very useful and practical for prevention of cross infection and should be an alternative method for the sterilization of dental handpiece under some difficult situations not being able to sterilize a handpiece with autoclave.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to monitor the microbial contamination of ice collected from food stores or restaurants from all over the country. From the ice collected on a regional basis, it was observed that the average number of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) of samples from Seoul was the highest, showing 2.31 log CFU/g, while that of samples from Jeolla-do was the lowest, showing 1.83 log CFU/g. The food-borne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes) were not detected from the ice. Also the average number of TAB of packaged ice (commercial ice) was 0.45 log CFU/g lower than that of ice from ice-making machine. Among three types of stores (the bakery, the dessert store and the beverage store), ice from dessert store showed the highest number of TAB (2.37 log CFU/g). This study suggests that the hygienic management of the ice from the stores is necessary. Therefore, to ensure the hygienic management of ice, not only the ice-making machine should be sanitized on a regular basis but also a thorough individual hygiene is required from food manufacturing workers.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.223-228
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• 2020

Objective of this study was to compared the amount of bacteria in the toothbrush according to the management method of the toothbrush in use and the acidity of intraoral bacteria. Toothbrushes in use in more than one month of 50 healthy adults were collected and the number of bacteria and pH of the toothbrushes were measured. When the number of brushings per day was 4, the pH 4.97 and the microbial numbers was the lowest at 42.16(104×CFU/ml). When the replacement period of the toothbrush was 1 month, the pH 5.35 and the microbial numbers was the lowest at 19.80(104×CFU/ml). When stored in the bathroom, the pH 4.78, and the microbial numbers was highest at 149.46(104×CFU/ml). As a result, in order to block the germs of the toothbrush, it is necessary to develop a method that can easily disinfect the contaminated toothbrush at home. In addition, I think that it is necessary to educate about the proper brush cleaning and storage method when teaching brushing.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.21 no.1 s.59
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• pp.12-20
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• 2006

This paper was conducted concerning the degree of indoor air quality in public transport vehicles such as taxicabs, buses and subway trains, as sampled through the active participation of drivers and passengers in Seoul between 13th August 2005 and 2nd November 2005. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Among the measured substances especially respirable particulate matters ($PM_{10}$), total bacteria counts (TBC) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) exceeded the standard level of $150{\mu}g/m^3,\;800CFU/m^3$ and 1000ppm. 2. The concentration of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in taxi recorded 2491ppm, which is more than the standard amount of 1000ppm. This level was comparatively higher than all other public transportation methods. Total bacteria counts (TBC) in bus and subway recorded $1082CFU/m^3\;and\;1856CFU/m^3$, respectively. 3. The drivers who regularly work long hours showed the higher concern about contamination of the air inside the public transport vehicles and they considered it to be worse than the air outside. In contrast, the general public showed less concern about the air quality inside the public transport vehicles. However, they too acknowledged that the quality of the air inside the public transport vehicles was poor. In regards to the degree of indoor air quality in the public transport vehicles, a counterplan must be implemented urgently to effectively combat the excessive levels of $PM_{10}$, microorganism and $CO_2$. We need to gather more conclusive evidence pertaining to other possible contaminants and influencing factors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2005

Objectives : An outbreak of salmonellosis occurred among the student s and staff of D primary school in Yeongcheon-si, 2004. This investigation was carried out to prevent any recurrence of this outbreak and to study the infection source and transmission of the salmonellosis. Methods : The authors conducted a questionnaire survey among 1,205 students and staff members from D primary school about the ingestion of the school lunch and drinking water, and the manifestation of their symptoms. The author examined rectal swabs, the tap water and microorganism cultures, and we also investigated the dining facility and water supply facility. Results : The diarrheal cases were defined as the confirmed cases or the persons who had diarrhea more than one time with symptoms such as fever, vomiting and tenesmus. The diarrheal attack rate was 28.0%. Ingestion of fried bean curd with egg had a significantly high association with the diarrheal attack rate (p<0.05), and the relative risk of the fried bean curd with egg was 10.68 (95% CI=3.88-29.41), as was determined by logistic regression analysis. The bacterial counts in the tap water of the food preparation room and toilet (first floor) exceeded the maximum permissible counts. S. Enteritidis bacteria were only cultured from the fried bean curd with egg of all the supplied foods on September 3, 2004. Conclusions : The major cause of salmonellosis was presumed to be the contaminated bean curd via contaminated tap water due to a water leak of a school water pipe. This contaminated bean curd was under prepared, which allowed the S. Enteritidis to survive and multiply prior to its ingestion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1998

This study was designed to determine the most suitable manufacturing conditions of stewed pumpkin juice(SPJ) in terms of nutrition and taste. Well ripened pumpkin was heated for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 hours in a pressure cooker and then extracted and packed in retort pouches. These were kept at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 28$^{\circ}C$ for 30 days, respectively and changes of the physicochemical components of SPJ were investigated. The free amino acid compositions of pumpkin and SPJ occupied asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, arginine and serine in increasing order of abundance. Except SPJ heated for 3 hours, SPJ stored at 28$^{\circ}C$ had the most abundant free amino acids, followed by SPJ stored at 4$^{\circ}C$, and SPJ not stored. The fatty acid composition of pumpkin occupied behenic acid, erucic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, heneicosanoic aicd, in order of abundance. When SPJ was heated over 3 hours, palmitic acid and linolenic acid decreased greatly. SPJ stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 28$^{\circ}C$ increased contents of saturated fatty acids such as behenic acid, palmitic acid than SPJ not stored. As SPJ was heated for a long time, carotenoid was mostly destroyed and the Hunter "L", "a" and "b" values of SPJ decreased. Among the mineral constituents of SPJ, Na and Ca were dominantly occupied. It was found that the range of the total visible cell count was 3~4CFU/ml from the SPJ which was heated for 3 hours and it increased by 1$\times$109CFU/ml when the SPJ was stored at 28$^{\circ}C$. It seems that the contamination by microorganism have occurred at packing process. In sensory evaluation, the SPJ which was heated for 5 hours had the highest scores in overall preference, sweet smell and sweetness.ce, sweet smell and sweetness.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Recently, groundwater contamination by mixed occurrence of arsenic (As) and nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) has been a serious environmental issue all around world. In this study, we investigated the microbial As(III) oxidation characteristic under denitrification process to examine the feasibility of the microbial consortia in wetland sediment to simultaneously treat these two contaminants. The detail objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of $NO_3{^-}$ on the oxidation of As(III) in anaerobic environments and observe the microbial community change during the As oxidation under denitrification process. Results showed that the As(III) was completely and simultaneously oxidized to As(V) under denitrification process, however, it occurred to a much less extent in the absence of sediment or $NO_3{^-}$. In addition, the significant increase of As(III) oxidation rate in the presence of $NO_3{^-}$ suggested the potential of As oxidation under denitrification by indigenous microorganisms in wetland sediment. Genera Pseudogulbenkiania, and Flavisolibacter were identified as predominant microbial species driving the redox process. Conclusively, this study can provide useful information on As(III) oxidation under denitrifying environment and contribute to develop an effective technology for simultaneous removal of As(III) and $NO_3{^-}$ in groundwater.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.453-457
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• 2009

Contamination of marine environment with hazardous and toxic chemicals is more common these days. Bioremediation is the application of microorganism or microbial processes to degrade environmental contaminant. Because of low water solubility and volatility of diesel, bioremediation is more efficient than physical and chemical methods. The objective of this study is biodegradation of diesel in sea water by using Rhodococcus fascians which is isolated petroleum-contaminated soil. R. fascians was cultured on sea water containing diesel to determine the diesel degradability. Changes in biodegradability of diesel with various inoculum sizes, diesel concentrations, initial pH, and culture temperature were analyzed by TPH analysis using gas chromatography. The inoculum size 2% was effective for biodegrdation of diesel in sea water by R. fascians. When diesel concentration was 5%, the growth of cell was inhibited by the toxicity of diesel. The optimal temperature and initial pH for degradation of diesel in sea water were $27^{\circ}C$ and pH 8.