• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.643-646
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• 2006

Because of potential health hazards of aflatoxins for humans, the present study was conducted to monitor aflatoxin $B_1\;(AFB_1)$ in livestock feeds. A total of 249 samples of feeds collected in Korea were analyzed by DC-ELISA for qualitative analysis of $AFB_1$. Then, 27 samples that were verified to contain $AFB_1$ by DC-ELISA were quantitated by HPLC/FLD. HPLC/FLD analysis revealed that only one sample collected from a farm contained 11 ppb of $AFB_1$, whereas the other samples collected from feed companies did not contain $AFB_1$. The presence of $AFB_1$ was further confirmed by LC/MS analysis. TLC analysis indicated that the result of the DC-ELISA was most likely due to possible contamination of other mycotoxins rather than $AFB_1$. In conclusion, HPLC/FLD analysis following DC-ELISA is necessary for rapid and accurate detection of $AFB_1$.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-85
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• 2023

Purpose: This study focused on identifying the interaction effects of genetic and lifestyle-environmental factors on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Methods: Study subjects were selected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) from 2001 to 2014. Data on genetic variations, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, and seven lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, alcohol drinking, smoking, sleep, depression, and stress) were obtained from 4,836 Koreans aged between 40 and 59 years, including those with T2D at baseline (n = 1,209), newly developed T2D (n= 1,298) and verified controls (n = 3,538). The genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated by using 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to T2D development and the second quartile was used as the reference category. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the associations of GRS and lifestyle factors with T2D risk, controlling for covariates. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that GRS was the strongest risk factor for T2D, and body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, and spicy food preference also increased the risk. Lifestyle/environmental factors that showed significant interactions with GRS were BMI, current smoking, current drinking, fatty food preference, and spicy food preference. Conclusions: Interactions between genetic factors and lifestyle/environmental factors were associated with an increased risk of T2D. The results will be useful to provide a new perspective on genetic profiling for the earlier detection of T2D risk and clues for personalized interventions, which might be more effective prevention strategies or therapies in individuals with a genetic predisposition to T2D.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.63-79
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• 2020

This study aimed at analyzing the food safety units of technology and home economics textbooks, as 'safety' emerged as a key concept in the 2015 revised curriculum. From each textbook, the main text, auxiliary elements(including tables, figures, etc.), and related activities were analyzed. According to the results, first, the main texts emphasized the importance of food selection(3.08 pages), food safety hazards(2.93 pages), safe storage and management of food(2.63 pages), and meal preparation with safety and hygiene(0.98 pages). Secondly, when the auxiliary elements were examined, the food safety content was most often presented in the form of tables/illustrations/pictures, followed by supplementary learning materials, activities, captions, end-of-chapter summaries, the chapter introduction and review quiz, and unit introduction. Thirdly, most activities were individual activities rather than small group or collective activities and were focused on investigation, evaluation, craft, application, implementation, inference and judgment, utilization, and proposition. In conclusion, it is recommended for textbooks to evenly distribute the content in the main texts and auxiliary elements, and include more group activities when developing textbooks in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

Microbiological hazard analysis of foodservice facilities and utensils of 6 hospitals in the Honam region was evaluated. In the microaerosol evaluation, the microbial counts of dinning table, kitchen, and freezer were comparatively high, and it indicated the microbial contamination of these facilities should be effectively managed. In the microbiological hazard analysis evaluation of cooking utensils and appliances, the total plate counts of cutting boards, knife, and meal plates were comparatively high but did not reveal significance. The counts of coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were lower than the general limit of microbial contamination, and the microbiological safety of the cooking utensils and appliances were satisfactory. In the microbial safety evaluation of side dishes, microbial counts of heat-cooked foods were generally low and microbiological hazards of these side dishes were comparatively low.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2007

To defend putrifaction of the processed rice cake from gas-forming yeast during storage and distribution it needed to reduce and remove them. The sanitizers of ethanol and organic acids were applied on Pichia anomala, Candida tropicalis, and isolated yeasts from the putrified cut rice cake. Although growth inhibition effect by the sanitizer of 20% ethanol, 1% acetic acid, or 1% lactic acid respectively were very low, the combined sanitizer of 20% ethanol and 1% acetic acid, or 1% lactic acid showed very high sterilizing effect toward the yeasts. Six log cfu/ml of the yeast was reduced with this combined sanitizers for 30 minutes. In addition, the combined sanitizer heated from 20 to $50^{\circ}C$ had more the increased sterility. Therefore, the sanitizer of the combined ethanol with the acetic acid or the lactic acid for 30 minutes at $50^{\circ}C$ might reduce or sterilize the putrifying yeast at the processed rice cake. The result might be also applied to the effective pre-treatment of many agricultural food stuffs, against yeast, especially unsterilized stuffs, without any hazards from the special sanitizers and nutritional loss from harsh sterilization.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.306-313
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• 2017

This study systemically analyzed the data on the microbial levels in fresh vegetables in Korea to identify the points to control. We scanned the studies published between 2001 and 2015 in peer-reviewed research papers on the microbial levels in fresh vegetables produced in Korea. Plant products were categorized by using the US IFSAC (Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration) category. The most consumed, the non-heat treated, the epidemiological foodborne diseases sources of fresh vegetable in foodservice (KCDC data) were identified by literature review. Articles were screened using National Digital Science Library (NDSL) search engine regarding to microbial hazards in plant products. Based on the total plate count number and coliforms on the 89 data cases from 26 published articles, the total plate count number was high in the order of sprouts, leaf and stem, bulbs and roots, vine-grown, solanaceous, melons, and pome. Escherichia coli was frequently detected in leaf and stem and sprouts products. Focused on the microbial data of leek, lettuce and cabbage, the levels of total plate count, coliforms and Bacillus cereus showed the levels of 4.15~7.69 log CFU/g, 1~6.99 log CFU/g, and 0.51~3.9 log CFU/g, respectively, by 33 published papers. The levels of environmental factors affecting the microbial safety of lettuce and leek before harvest were investigated. Manure, soil, hands, scale, gloves were the major potential microbial contamination points to control. In addition, GAP (good agricultural practice), microbial testing, and improvement of irrigation methods are required to provide the safer fresh produce.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2018

The US government has enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011, which is being phased in and planned. The final Rules of Produce Safety focus on biological hazards related to agricultural production, harvesting, packaging and storage, which are being phased in since 2017 depending on farm scale. As a result of comparison with the Korean-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards, it is difficult to compare the two standards to be compared with each other by 1:1. However, many of the Korean-GAP standards are similar to FSMA Produce Safety rules. However, the Korean-GAP standards can be judged differently according to the evaluator as a comprehensive standard, so the details of the standards need to be reinforced. In terms of the provisions, the Korean-GAP standards are the most appropriate for the safety of workers (FSMA Subpart D), followed by livestock and wild animals (FSMA Subpart I), buildings, equipment and tools (FSMA Subpart L) and harvesting activities (FSMA Sub-part K). However, there are some weaknesses in the field of agricultural water management (FSMA Subpart E) and farm manager's qualifications and training (FSMA Subpart C), and the response to the biological soil amendments of animal origin and human waste (FSMA Subpart F) is weak. The FSMA regulation is not a certification standard, but it is expected that the marbling effect, which is the standard laid down by the United States leading the world food safety standards, is expected to be considerable. Therefore, we hope that the review of the Korean-GAP standards will help improve the quality of agricultural products and expand our exports, since the standard for responding to microbiological safety emphasized in the FSMA regulations is the Korean-GAP standard.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.98-102
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• 2011

We evaluated microbial inactivation in chicken cage litter, to ensure microbial safety, using aqueous chloride dioxide. Contamination by coliforms, Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., yeasts and molds, total aerobic bacteria, and Salmonella spp. was detected in fresh cage litter, and microbial populations increased if litters were repeatedly used. Aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment (500 ppm) significantly decreased the populations of coliforms, E. coli, Listeria spp., yeasts and molds, total aerobic bacteria, and Salmonella spp. in all litter samples tested. In particular, aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment on fresh litter reduced the initial populations of coliform, E. coli, Listeria spp., yeasts and molds, and total aerobic bacteria by 4.47, 1.29, 1.23, 3.24, and 5.2 log CFU/g, respectively. In addition, when litters used for 1 and 5 weeks were tested, treatment significantly reduced microbial populations. The results suggest that aqueous $ClO_2$ treatment is useful to reduce microbial hazards in chicken cage litter and to improve the microbial safety of slaughtered chickens.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-72
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of energy drinks, energy drink consumption behaviors, and associated factors among college students. Methods: A total of 536 students from three universities in Cheongju completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding awareness and consumption of energy drinks as well as general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and eating habits. Results: Approximately half of the respondents reported they knew what energy drinks were, while 45.7% had heard of energy drinks but did not know what they were. However, 76.9% had experience in using energy drinks. The main reason for using energy drinks was to stay awake, and the main place that they were used was on campus or at the library. More than 70% of energy drink users did not read the caffeine contents of energy drinks. After consuming energy drinks, 31.3% experienced adverse effects, the most serious being sleep disturbance. Approximately 33% of students consumed energy drinks once a month or more frequently, and men consumed energy drinks more frequently than females. Energy drink users who consumed at least one drink each month were more likely to be natural science major or drink more milk for male students, and to have more allowances or consume less meat for female students, compared with non-users. Conclusions: Our study showed that 33% of students consumed at least one energy drink each month, and there were a small number of students consumed energy drinks almost every day or energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Accordingly, college students should be taught potential health hazards of energy drinks mixed with alcohol as well as energy drinks alone. In addition, reading labels about caffeine and sugar contents in energy drinks is encouraged.