• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2012

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and assessment of health risk effects of heavy metals in herbal pills. 31 Items and 93 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas, herbal markets and on-line supermarkets from Jan to Jun in 2010. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in samples were as follows : 0.87 mg/kg for Pb, 0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 2.87 mg/kg for As and 0.16 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. In addition, the average contents of heavy metals in different parts of plants, including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were 0.63 mg/kg, 3.94 mg/kg, 1.42 mg/kg, 1.05 mg/kg, 0.16 mg/kg, 22.31 mg/kg and 10.17 mg/kg, respectively. After the estimations of dietary exposure, the acceptable daily intake (ADI), the average daily dose (ADD), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the relative hazard of heavy metals were evaluated. As the results, the relative hazards compared to PTWI in samples were below the recommended standard of JECFA as Pb 3.1%, Cd 0.9%, Hg 0.5%. Cancer risks through slope factor (SF) by Ministry of Environment Republic Korea and Environmental Protection Agency was $4.24{\times}10^{-7}$ for Pb and $3.38{\times}10^{-4}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic). Based on our results, possible Pb-induced cancer risks in herbal pills according to parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.95{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.45{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.14{\times}10^{-7}$, $6.27{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.99{\times}10^{-8}$, $3.61{\times}10^{-7}$ and $9.64{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Possible As-induced cancer risks in herbal pills by parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.54{\times}10^{-5}$, $7.24{\times}10^{-5}$, $1.23{\times}10^{-4}$, $2.02{\times}10^{-5}$, $3.25{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.18{\times}10^{-3}$ and $5.67{\times}10^{-6}$ respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of ripened medicinal herb extracts from wood vinegar. The wood vinegar was collected from heated oaks. The Allium sativum (AS), Atractylodes ovate (AO), Cin-namomum zeylanicum (CZ), Coptidis rhizome (CR), Houttuynia cordata (HC), Phellodendron chinense (PC) and Syzygium aromaticum (SA) extracts were collected using wood vinegar, and they were ripened under room temperature for 50 days. All ripened medicinal herb extracts were used to test the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. For the Lactobacillus, clear zone of 6 different medicinal herb except for CR ranged from 1.28 to 1.63 mm. 3.30 and 3.48 mm of clear zone were determined when CZ and SA were applied to Salmonella and E. coli, respectively (p<0.05), and they showed the largest clear zone as compared to other herbs. The clear zones of CR for Salmonella and E. coli were 2.21 and 3.34 mm, and each clear zone of CR was smaller than that of CZ (p<0.05) but was similar to that of SA (p>0.05). The amount of polyphenol and flavonoid was the highest in SA and CR, and they were 4.28 and 0.38 mg/mL, respectively (p<0.05). The CR shown 0.38 mg/mL flavonoid, had the highest DPPH, and it was 0.41 mM. The DPPH of HZ was significantly lowered in accordance with high amount of polyphenol and flavonoid, 2.56 and 0.20 mg/mL (p<0.05). In conclusion, CZ, SA, and CR showed high antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials, and therefore, may be used as alternatives to antibiotics for poultry diets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.604-611
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the consumption of aspartame and acesulfame K, the most frequently utilized artificial sweeteners in Korea. The contents of aspartame and acesulfame K in processed foodstuffs were analyzed by HPLC, and daily intakes according to sex and age were estimated by applying the consumption data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Estimated daily intakes of aspartame and acesulfame K were 58.37 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day and 14.23 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day, respectively, in 2012. These amounts constituted 0.15% and 0.09% of the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) established by the JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives). Estimated daily intakes of aspartame and acesulfame K in the 95 percentile consumption group were 2,510.48 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day and 761.92 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day, respectively, and intake levels were 6.28% and 5.08% of the ADI, respectively. In conclusion, daily intake levels of artificial sweeteners were evaluated to be at safe levels.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.677-692
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• 2005

The assessment of sodium intake is complex because of the variety and nature of dietary sodium. This study intended to develop a dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ) for estimating the habitual sodium intake and a short DFQ for screening subjects with high or low sodium intake. For DFQ112, one hundred and twelve dish items were selected based on the information of sodium content of the one serving size and consumption frequency. Frequency of consumption was determined through nine categories ranging from more than 3 times a day to almost never to indicate how often the specified amount of each food item was consumed during the past 6 months. One hundred seventy one adults (male: 78, female: 93) who visited hypertension or health examination clinic participated in the validation study. DFQ55 was developed from DFQ112 by omitting the food items not frequently consumed, selecting the dish items that showed higher sodium content per one portion size and higher consumption frequency. To develop a short DFQs for classifying subjects with low or high sodium intakes, the weighed score according to the sodium content of one protion size was given to each dish item of DFQ25 or DFQ14 and multiplied with the consumption frequency score. A sum index of all the dish items was formed and called sodium index (Na index). For validation study the DFQ112, 2-day diet record and one 24-hour urine collection were analyzed to estimate sodium intakes. The sodium intakes estimated with DFQ112 and 24-h urine analysis showed $65\%$ agreement to be classified into the same quartile and showed significant correlation (r=0.563 p<0.05). However, the actual amount of sodium intake estimated with DFQ112 (male: 6221.9mg, female: 6127.6mg) showed substantial difference with that of 24-h urine analysis (male: 4556.9mg, female: 5107.4mg). The sodium intake estimated with DFQ55 (male: 4848.5mg, female: 4884.3mg) showed small difference from that estimated with 24-h urine analysis, higher proportion to be classfied into the same quartile and higher correlation with the sodium intakes estimated with 24-h urine analysis and systolic blood pressure. It seems DFQ55 can be used as a tool for quantitative estimation of sodium intake. Na index25 or Na index14 showed $39\~50\%$ agreement to be classified into the same quartile, substantial correlations with the sodium intake estimated with DFQ55 and significant correlations with the sodium intake estimated with 24-h urine analysis. When point 119 for Na index25 was used as a criterion of low sodium intake, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value was $62.5\%,\;81.8\%\;and\;53.2\%$, respectively. When point 102 for Na index14 was used as a criterion of high sodium intake, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were $73.8\%,\;84.0\%,\;62.0\%$, respectively. It seems the short DFQs using Na index 14 or Na index25 are simple, easy and proper instruments to classify the low or high sodium intake group.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.576-583
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• 2008

Purpose : The identification of specific behaviors conducive to overeating or inactivity is the cornerstone of obesity management. The Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society developed parent and self-reporting questionnaires about eating behavior and physical activity in 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the questionnaires in assessing modifiable lifestyle factors related to obesity. Methods : A retrospective chart review was performed for 177 children (6-11 years old) and 134 adolescents (12-16 years old) from 10 hospitals between May 2006 and January 2007 who had completed parent or self-reporting questionnaires. Cases were divided into normal and overweight groups at or above the age-gender-specific 85th percentile based on 2007 Korean national growth charts. Results : Compared to children, the adolescents tended to have a significantly more sedentary lifestvle and inappropriate dietary behaviors significantly (P<.05). Overweight mothers were significantly associated with overweight children and adolescents (P<.05). Being overweight was significantly associated with a family history of adult diseases for children and adolescents (P<.05). Inappropriate eating behaviors (strong appetite, eating fast, eating until they were full, binge eating, favoring greasy foods) were associated with being overweight in children and adolescents. Sedentary activity such as TV viewing and using a computer were significantly associated with overweight in children and adolescents (P<.05). Conclusion : Intervention to modify obesity-related lifestyle factors is needed before adolescence. These questionnaires are useful in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and in individual counseling for overweight children and adolescents in pediatric clinics.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.297-316
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• 2018

The golden apple snail (GAS, Pomacea canaliculata) is an invasive freshwater snail. The GAS was introduced in Korea without prior studies on the possibility of crop damage or its impact on the natural ecosystem. The freshwater apple snails can be found typically in ponds, rice paddies, irrigation canals, roadside ditches or slower portions of streams. In this study, we were carried out to investigate the assessment of physiological and ecological characteristics, environmental characteristics inhabited area in winter season and cause of massive death at one time of golden apple snails used for weed control in wet rice paddies. The GAS was introduced from Japan to Korea for commercial production as a dietary protein supplement. The golden apple snail was also used a recently for weed control in wet rice cultivation. The species of freshwater Pomacea snails is belonging to the genus Pomacea, family ampulariidae, order mesogastropoda, subclass pulmonata, class gastropoda, phylum mollusca. The GAS spread into irrigation ditches and natural waterways. It is now distributed in ponds and canals near rice fields of southern parts of the country and has overwintered. It increases its cold hardiness before winter. However, the physiological mechanism of cold hardiness in molluscs is poorly understood, especially in freshwater molluscs. Our results on physio-ecological characteristics of the Pomacea apple snail showed that the ratio of males to females was 1: 1.99~2.33. The daily growth was 87.7 mg in weight, 0.31 mm in height and 0.33 mm in width of the their shell. On the other hand, the golden apple snails were very high to resistance on drying condition and survived rate about 80% up to 3 months. The inhabitation of GAS was no statistical significant impacts on the water quality. An important property of aqueous solutions is agricultural water quality because it affects chemical and biochemical properties such as chemical reactions, equilibrium conditions, and biological toxicity. The death rate of weed control apple snails by Ostracoda (Stenocypris hislopi) was only 2.86% and 5.71% depending on the density. Therefore, GAS was not a direct death caused by Ostracoda (Stenocypris hislopi).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1061-1066
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• 2003

Purpose : The rising prevalence of childhood obesity may be due to an energy imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Recently, consumption of beverages in children has increased. The aim of this study is to provide useful information for the prevention and the control of childhood obesity by assessment of variable beverage consumption. Methods : Fight hundred seventy seven children(M : F=1 : 1.02, mean age; 9.7 years) from two primary schools in Seoul in May 2003 were enrolled. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated and the degree of obesity was classified into normal, overweight and obese groups by BMI percentile. Parental BMI, socio-economic factor, 3-day dietary intake, calory intake and beverage intake were examined by questionnaires. We researched beverages and classified them into six categories, milk, other milk products, soda, sports beverage, other beverage. Results : The prevalence of obesity was 7.2%. The parental BMI of the obese group were higher than those of the other groups. There was no significant difference in birth weight, or parents' intellectual and economic levels between the obese group and the other groups. There was no significant difference in daily total calory intake between the obese group and the other groups. The obese group of 7-9 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in sodas, and sports beverages intake. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in total beverage intake and other beverage intakes. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-females was higher than the other groups in other milk products. Conclusion : Excessive intake of beverages is associated with childhood obesity. Efforts to decrease intake of beverages may be important approaches to counter the rise in the prevalence of obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutrient intakes, blood pressure, and biochemical values and lipid profile in blood according to smoking status. Subjects were recruited from Korean adult men, which included non-smoker (n=47), smoker (n=58), and ex- smoker (n=44) . Anthropometrical measurement, blood pressure measurement, dietary intake assessment using 24-hour recall method, and blood collection and analysis were conducted. The average age, height, weight, and BMI of the subject were 54.7 years, 165.8 cm, 67.3 kg, and $24.5\;kg/m^2 $, respectively. There was no significant difference in general characteristics among three groups. The mean daily intakes of energy and protein were 1740.9 kcal and 69.6 g. The daily folate intake of the smoker was significantly lower than that of the non- smoker or ex-smoker. However, cholesterol intake of the smoker was significantly higher than two groups. The daily total food intake was 1250.0 g for non-smoker, 1180.1 g for smoker, and 1237.5 g for ex-smoker. The mushrooms intake in the smoker was significantly lower than that in the ex - smoker. However, eggs intake of the smoker was significantly higher than two groups. The RBC count and serum GOT/GPT of the subjects were $4598.2\times1000/mm^3$ and 27.3/27.3 U/L. The WBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin of the smoker were significantly higher than those of the non-smoker and ex-smoker. Blood pressure and serum lipids of the subjects were 128.3/75.5 mmHg for SBP/DBP, 180.2 mg/dL for total cholesterol, 160.8 mg/dL for triglyceride, 41.5 mg/dL for HDL-cholesterol, 106.5 mg/dL for LDL-cholesterol, and 3.5 for atherogenic index. Especially serum triglyceride of smoker was significantly higher than that of non-smoker. The above results revealed that some nutrient intakes, such as folate and cholesterol, and hematological findings, and serum triglyceride of the smoker were different from non-smoker. However, these differences were recovered to non-smoking status by prohibition of smoking. Therefore, in order to stop smoking, the effect of smoking on nutritional and health status should be informed to smoker and more systematic study should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.578-585
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• 2010

The purpose of this research was to estimate dietary sodium exposure and to determine the sodium contents of school lunches in Incheon and Gangwon. In this study, we collected 1,334 samples from 8 elementary schools and 8 middle schools for 15 days. The average lunch intakes at the elementary and middle schools were $381.2{\pm}73.8g$ and $460.4{\pm}81.5g$, respectively. The sodium contents of main dishes, side dishes, and desserts were $49.7{\pm}105.6$ mg/100 g, $517.2{\pm}409.2$ mg/100 g, and $135.4{\pm}195.5$ mg/100 g, respectively. The average sodium intakes through lunch at the elementary and middle schools were $863.0{\pm}291.1$ mg and $1,052.1{\pm}323.4$ mg, and average potassium intakes were $571.1{\pm}193.0$ mg and $655.8{\pm}198.4$ mg, respectively. The results of this study show that sodium intake from school lunches is about 47% of the recommended daily intake (RDI, 2,000 mg per day) established by the WHO. Therefore, it is recommended that sodium exposure be continuously monitored.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.361-368
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• 2018

N-nitrosamines are probable or possible human carcinogens, which are produced by the reaction between secondary amines and nitrogen oxide in the acidic environment or by heating. Common risk assessment procedure involves the comparison between exposures expressed in the unit, mg/kg body weight/day and the Health-Based Reference dose expressed in the same unit. This procedure is suitable for the policy decision-making and is considered as inappropriate for the consumers to get information about their dietary decision-making. Therefore, the distributions of NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), NDBA (N-nitrosodibutylamine), the six N-nitrosamines (NDMA, NDBA, NDEA (N-nitrosodiethylamine), NPYR (N-nitrosopyrrolidine), NPIP (N-nitrosopiperidine), and NMOR (N-nitrosomorpholine) in the menus grouped based on the presence of main ingredients and cooking methods were analyzed to generate consumer-friendly information regarding food contaminants. Recipes and intakes were taken from 2014 to 2016 KNHANES (The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) and only the data from ages of 7 years or older were used. The contamination data were collected from the 2014~2016 Total Diet Study and all the analysis were performed using R software. Rockfish, eel, anchovy broth and pollock were mainly exposed to N-nitrosamines. In terms of cooking methods, soups and stews appeared to contain the highest amount of N-nitrosamines. Cereals, fruits, and dairy products in the ingredient categories, and rice dishes and rice combined with others in recipe categories had the lowest level exposure to N-nitrosamines. In case of N-nitrosamines, unlike other cooking related food contaminants, boiled dishes such as soups and stews and dishes mainly consisting of fishes and shellfishes had highest level of exposure, showing a large discrepancy with the previous thought of processed meat is the main source of N-nitrosamines.