• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.575-590
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• 2018

The prevalence of allergic disorders has dramatically increased over the past decade, particularly in developed countries. Apart from gastrointestinal disorders, neoplasia, genital and dermatological diseases etc., dysregulation of gut microbiota (dysbiosis) has also been found to be associated with increased risk of allergies. Probiotics are increasingly being employed to correct dysbiosis and, in turn, to modulate allergic diseases. However, several factors like strain variations and effector metabolites or component of them in a bacterial species can affect the efficacy of those as probiotics. On the other hand, host variations like geographical locations, food habits etc. could also affect the expected results from probiotic usage. Thus, there is a glaring deficiency in our approach to establish probiotics as an irrefutable treatment avenue for suitable disorders. In this review, we explicate on the reported probiotics and their effects on certain allergic diseases like atopic dermatitis, food allergy and asthma to establish their utility. We propose possible measures like elucidation of effector molecules and functional mechanisms of probiotics towards establishing probiotics for therapeutic use. Certain probiotics studies have led to very alarming outcomes which could have been precluded, had effective guidelines been in place. Thus, we also propose ways to secure the safety of probiotics. Overall, our efforts tend to propose necessary discovery and quality assurance guidelines for developing probiotics as potential immunomodulatory 'Pharmabiotics.'

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.144-150
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• 2019

Recently, an increasing number of urban farmers are growing fresh vegetables and fruits themselves using urban garden or weekend farms. In other words, this is called urban agriculture. After the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, the agricultural society changed from an agricultural society to an industrial society, and the population began to flock to the cities. With the continued increase of urban population, countries with abundant capital were able to control the distribution structure of food supplies and trade agreements among countries. Since energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions caused by agricultural product movements have emerged as the main culprits of global warming, and our table is threatened by safety due to food supply that has no genetic modification or knowledge of the cultivation process, urban agriculture is already taking hold in the West. In other words, as agriculture met cities, its role grew. Each region actively conducts agricultural activities for raising poultry as well as growing vegetables and fruits by using flower beds of detached houses in the city center, rooftops of high and low buildings, or school playgrounds and small tributaries of land. The purpose of this study is to analyze and understand the significance and type of urban agriculture and to examine the cases of domestic and foreign urban agriculture based on this and to seek the developing direction of urban agriculture, which is gradually increasing. Tired of growing competition and rapid change, urbanites are seeking health and relaxation and are planning to present development measures for urban farming and conduct follow-up research to ensure safe food.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study is to estimate total sugar intake and identify major food sources of total sugar intake in the diet of the Korean population. Methods: Dietary intake data of 33,745 subjects aged one year and over from the KNHANES 2008-2011 were used in the analysis. Information on dietary intake was obtained by one day 24-hour recall method in KNHANES. A database for total sugar content of foods reported in the KNHANES was established using Release 25 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a total sugar database from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and information from nutrition labeling of processed foods. With this database, total sugar intake of each subject was estimated from dietary intake data using SAS. Results: Mean total sugar intake of Koreans was 61.4 g/person/day, corresponding to 12.8% of total daily energy intake. More than half of this amount (35.0 g/day, 7.1% of daily energy intake) was from processed foods. The top five processed food sources of total sugar intake for Koreans were granulated sugar, carbonated beverages, coffee, breads, and fruit and vegetable drinks. Compared to other age groups, total sugar intake of adolescents and young adults was much higher (12 to 18 yrs, 69.6 g/day and 19 to 29 yrs, 68.4 g/day) with higher beverage intake that beverage-driven sugar amounted up to 25% of total sugar intake. Conclusion: This study revealed that more elaborated and customized measures are needed for control of sugar intake of different subpopulation groups, even though current total sugar intake of Koreans was within the range (10-20% of daily energy intake) recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. In addition, development of a more reliable database on total sugar and added sugar content of foods commonly consumed by Koreans is warranted.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.929-943
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• 2023

This study analyzed the variation in vitamin K content in conger eel (Conger myriaster) caught off Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, focusing on the influence of size (large and small) and harvest period (monthly throughout 2021). We applied enzymatic extraction and HPLC-fluorescence methods for the analysis of vitamin K₁ (phylloquinone) and K₂ (menaquinone). The vitamin K content in conger eel varied significantly with size and harvest season (p<0.05). In large-sized samples, the phylloquinone content peaked in July (0.80±0.09 ㎍/100 g), while the highest menaquinone content was in May (0.79±0.11 ㎍/100 g). Conversely, in small-sized conger eels, the highest phylloquinone was found in December (1.94±0.15 ㎍/100 g), and the peak menaquinone level was in January (0.66±0.02 ㎍/100 g). The fat content was highest in July for large samples and in January for smaller ones. There was a positive correlation between fat and total vitamin K contents in conger eel (r=0.631, 0.667). Method validation and quality control measures ensured data reliability for vitamin K₁ and K₂ analyses. This study provides reliable information on the size and seasonal variations of vitamin K in conger eels, a staple in the Korean diet. This information is valuable for inclusion in Korea's national food nutrition database and for formulating future national health and nutrition policies.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.37-53
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• 2024

In the post-COVID-19, the food industry is rapidly reshaping its market structure toward online distribution. Rapid delivery system driven by large distribution platforms has ushered in an era of online distribution of fresh seafood that was previously limited. This study surveyed 1,000 consumers nationwide to determine their online seafood purchasing behaviors. The research methodology used factor analysis of consumer lifestyle and Heckman's ordered probit sample-selection model. The main results of the analysis are as follows. First, quality, freshness, selling price, product reviews from other buyers, and convenience are particularly important considerations when consumers purchase seafood from online shopping. Second, online retailers and the government must prepare measures to expand seafood consumption by considering household characteristics and consumer lifestyles. Third, it was analyzed that consumers trust the quality and safety of seafood distributed online platforms. It is not possible to provide purchase incentives to consumers who consider value consumption important, so improvement measures are needed. The results of this study are expected to provide implications on consumer preferences to online platforms, seafood companies, and producers, and can be used to establish future marketing strategies.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System (HACCP) is recognized worldwide as a science-based and systematic approach for food safety. This has been initiated to establish the HACCP system in Korean slaughterhouses by suggesting some of effective implementation ways. An awareness level survey using questionnaire for 124 owners and 363 employees of the slaughterhouses, and 170 government officers responsible for HACCP duties was performed. This study shows that only 34.7% of owners, 21.1% of employees, and 57.1% of government officers have good understanding of HACCP, but 93.5%, 88.9% and 93.6% respectively have the willingness of HACCP implementation. Major benefits in HACCP implementation in the slaughterhouse raised by respondents were improvement of hygiene level of the plant (54.1%), increase of meat sale (17.6%), pride of the production of safe meat for human consumption (9.6%) and increase of meat export (7.5%), while major obstacles were financial difficulties (33.2%), poor levels of the facilities and equipments in the plants (27.3%), poor level of personal hygiene (19.4%), and lack of understanding of HACCP (12.3%). The most urgent measures which respondents raised to implement HACCP system effectively in the slaughterhouses at the moment were the Improvement of levels of facilities and equipments in the plants (36.6%), the establishment of HACCP base through education and training (19%), special benefits to HACCP implementing plant (11.8%), and close relationship between government and the industry (10.3%). The present study shows some of effective ways to implement HACCP in slaughterhouses.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.397-404
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate microbial contamination in the school food service environment for the assessment of microbial food safety. Methods: We collected both swab samples from tables and desks and airborne bacterial samples from an elementary school (School A) and a high school (School B). Heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were measured with selective media to quantify microbial concentration. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA genes was performed to identify the strains of S. aureus and B. cereus isolated. In addition, we made a food service checklist for the locations to evaluate the food service environment. A Wilcoxon test was employed to examine the differences in microbial concentration between before lunchtime and afterwards. Results: Heterotrophic plate counts showed higher levels after-lunch compared to before-lunch at School B. However, levels of S. aureus were higher in the after-lunch period (p<0.05) in both classrooms and in the cafeteria in School A. B. cereus was only sparsely detected in School B. Several samples from food dining carts were found to be contaminated with bacteria, and facilities associated with food delivery were found to be vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Although microbial concentrations in the air showed little difference between before- and after-lunchtime in the cafeteria in School A, those in classrooms were greater after-lunchtime at both schools. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the microbial safety in schools after lunchtime of concern. Necessary preventive measures such as hygiene education for students and food handlers should be required to minimize microbial contamination during food service processes in schools.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.593-605
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• 2004

An egg has been considered as one of the most important food sources because of it's nutritional superiority and reasonable price. With the complexity of egg flow system from production to consumption in Korea, preventive measures for egg safety have been required. Therefore, our study was carried out to analyze hazards for the egg under farm level and develope preventive measures with a purpose of obtaining egg safety. To analyze biological hazards, microbial contamination of egg(normal, dirty and cracked), water, feed, manure and equipments associated with laying were investigated. One isolate of Salmonella enteritidis and S. bardo were detected from the manure and dirty egg shell respectively. The sanitary conditions in the farm were surveyed by questionaries. Confirmation of vaccination for purchasing chicks and establishment of sanitary guidances for water and type of water suppliers ought to be preceded. Feed supplier systems including feed tanks, feed pipes and hoppers were known that their contamination might give it a chance to infect individuals and egg content and shell. The safe and rapid disposal of dead chickens and rodent were reported as more crucial factors to prevent infectious disease and manage good sanitation. Egg selector and collecting belt should be kept properly not to be contaminated from egg fluids and feces. It should be also considered that regular gathering of eggs, removal of dirty or cracked ones, storage under refrigeration and the use of disposable egg tray were continuously fulfilled. Conclusively, Our results suggested that HACCP-based system for providing fresh and safe eggs to consumers should be applied to the farm.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Due to the fact that possible risk associated with soil-crop-food chain transfer, metal contamination in croplands has become a major topic of wide concern. Accumulation of toxic metals in edible parts of crops grown in contaminated soils has been reported from number of crops including rice, soybean, wheat, maize, and vegetables. Therefore, in order to ensure food safety, measures are needed to be taken in mitigating metal pollution and subsequent uptake by crop plants. Present paper critically reviewed some of the cost effective remediation techniques used in minimizing metal uptake by crops grown in contaminated soils. Liming with different materials such as limestone ($CaCO_3$), burnt lime (CaO), slaked lime [$Ca(OH)_2$], dolomite [$CaMg(CO_3)_2$], and slag ($CaSiO_3$) has been widely used because they could elevate soil pH rendering metals less-bioavailable for plant uptake. Zn fertilization, use of organic amendments, crop rotation and water management are among the other techniques successfully employed in reducing metal uptake by crop plants. However, irrespectively the mitigating measure used, heterogeneous accumulation of metals in different crop species is often reported. The inconsistency might be attributed to the genetic makeup of the crops for selective uptake, their morphological characteristics, position of edible parts on the plants in respect of their distance from roots, crop management practices, the season and to the soil characteristics. However, a sound conclusion in this regard can only be made when more scientific evidence is available on case-specific researches, in particular from long-term field trials which included risks and benefits analysis also for various remediation practices.

• Journal of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

While herbal medicine including mineral herbal medicine mostly provides microelements to the human body thanks to abundant metallic elements, its harmfulness has been raised due to elements of heavy metals. Harmfulness of mineral herbal medicine needs to be analyzed quantitatively as well as qualitatively so that specificity of herbal medicine including mineral herbal medicine can be reflected. Consequently, the following aims should be set up to mineral herbal medicine, REALGAR, standard processing of REALGAR and the standards of processed drugs should be secured. On the basis of the results of this study, the reasonable measures to develop the processing method and the test method for heavy metals were presented. Such measures are expected to give the following results. First, consumers may take food and medicine without anxiety, and food and medicine may be effectively managed, and the national service may be improved, and also safety against heavy metals may be publicized. Second, as the principal ingredients and microelements of mineral herbal medicine are qualitatively analyzed, such results are expected to contribute to the advance of national analytics for herbal medicine.