• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2897-2901
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• 2013

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Although certain dietary factors and lifestyles have been suggested to be associated with gastric carcinogenesis, there have been few investigations focusing on rural areas. A case-control study was therefore carried out to investigate the risk factors of gastric cardia cancer (GCC) in rural areas of Linzhou. A total of 470 newly diagnosed cases of GCC and 470 healthy controls were included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, using a uniform questionnaire containing questions on demographics, per capita income, living habits, dietary habits and family history of tumors. The relationship between putative risk factors and GCC was assessed by odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) derived from conditional logistic regression model by the COXREG command using SPSS 12.00. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate simultaneously the effects of multiple factors and other potential confounding factors. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that smoking (OR=1.939, 95%CI:1.097-3.426), alcohol drinking (OR=2.360, 95%CI: 1.292-4.311), hot food consumption (OR=2.034, 95%CI: 1.507-2.745), fast eating (OR=1.616, 95%CI: 1.171-2.230), mouldy food (OR=4.564, 95%CI: 2.682-7.767), leftover food (OR=1.881. 95%CI: 1.324-2.671), and family history of tumor (OR=2.831, 95%CI: 1.588-5.050) were risk factors for GCC. High per capita income (OR=0.709, 95%CI: 0.533-0.942), high education level (OR=0.354, 95%CI: 0.163-0.765), consumption of fresh fruits (OR=0.186, 95%CI: 0.111-0.311) and vegetables (OR=0.243, 95%CI: 0.142-0.415), and high BMI (OR=0.367, 95%CI: 0.242-0.557) were protective factors for GCC. Our data indicate that unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits might be important contributors to GCC in this population.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.123-140
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• 2011

This study analyzed large distributors' trade features with local suppliers and their direct purchase features through the survey and the interview targeting some MDs(Merchandisers) in large retailers responsible for buying fresh foods (agricultural, fishery, livestock and proceeded products). As the result of conducting the survey targeting the large purchase MDs, it was found that when they select local suppliers, they importantly consider the factors of stable products supply, the quality management, the aggressive management attitude, the affordable (cheap) price, and the suggestion of differentiated goods in order. Concerning their direct purchases in local places, their preference toward the direct-purchase traders were higher than that toward vendors and whole markets as their existing major traders. Among the traders for direct purchase, they preferred farm corporations (including agricultural corporations) the most, and followed the National Agricultural Cooperative, and the unit agricultural cooperative in order. Regarding to the trades with suppliers, when they set the trade price, the merchandisers (MDs) of large distributors preferred long-term trades over 2 years, and utilized the factors of market rate(50.9%), production cost(31.2%) and sale price in the same industry(18.0%). For the local distribution organizations to aggressively counteract the changes of distribution environment in the consumption places, it needs some strategies to organize the agricultural production, to expand the production size and to specialize the distribution channels. And the supply system's continuality and stability are required, so it needs to establish the counteract system enabling to supply all year round through the link of production organizations. Additionally, as an effort to intensify the market negotiation ability, it should collect various market information from the consumption places.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2017

BACKGROUND : Environmental stress has a major effect on the growth and yields of vegetables, and can significantly affect nutritionally important phytochemicals, causing large economic losses. METHODS AND RESULTS : The present study was aimed at exploring the effects of water stress on the carotenoid and proline contents in kale leaves to understand drought tolerance of kale plants. Kale was randomly divided into two groups at 57 days after sowing (DAS). One of the groups was well-watered (WW) and the other was water stressed (WS). Harvesting of kale leaves was started one day after treatment (58 DAS) and continued for 10 days (~67 DAS). We investigated the status of plant growth (leaf number, length, width, fresh weight) of kale throughout the study. Carotenoid (lutein, ${\alpha}-carotene$, zeaxanthin, ${\beta}-carotene$) and proline contents were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our results showed that the total carotenoid contents ranged from 926.0 to 1,212.0 mg/kg dry wt. (at 3 and 2 days, respectively) in WW treatment and 887.8 to 1,157.4 mg/kg dry wt. (at 10 and 4 days, respectively) in WS treatment. The ratio of individual carotenoid to the total carotenoid contents of kale leaves was 51.4 for lutein, 4.44 for zeaxanthin, 2.76 for ${\alpha}-carotene$, and 41.4% for ${\beta}-carotene$. Total carotenoid contents showed a significant reduction from 7 days (1,037.2 mg/kg dry wt.) to 10 days (887.8 mg/kg dry wt.) in WS treatment. The lutein content did not show a significant difference in WW between 7 and 10 days after treatment but showed a significant difference in WS treatment. The ${\alpha}-carotene$ content showed no significant difference between the treatments. However, zeaxanthin content was higher during 4-10 days and ${\beta}-carotene$ content was lower during 6-10 days in WS than in WW on each harvest day. In WW, the proline content showed no significant difference, but in WS, the proline content started to increase at 7 days and almost doubled in 10 days. CONCLUSION : The marked increase in zeaxanthin and proline contents in kale leaves indicated that the two phytochemicals are associated with drought tolerance in the plant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1177-1182
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• 2009

In order to establish in vitro infection model for research of plant pathogen based on tissue softening disease in napa cabbage, eighty independent bacterial strains were isolated from the softened napa cabbage tissues. Eight bacterial isolates were primarily screened with the generation of reproducible tissue softening disease to fresh napa cabbages within 24${\sim}$48 hours after inoculation. Through various microbiological biochemical and morphological examinations, three Gram (-) isolates which harbor independent biological properties were finally chosen, and named as RBI, RB2 and RB6. Collective results obtained from API 20E test and analyses of VITEK 2 COMPACT and nucleotide sequences of 165 rRNA of each isolate proposed that isolates RBI and RB2 are close to the Erwinia carotovora subsp. odorifera, and RB6 is close to the Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. These isolates grew optimally at $30^{\circ}C$ with neutral pH culture condition. The isolates caused softening tissue disease with dose-dependent manner regardless of pre-surface damages of napa cabbage. Minimum dose to cause soft rot disease for RBI, RB2 or RB6 were $8.0{\times}10^8$ CFU/mt $10^9$ CFU/ml or $4.7{\times}10^6$ CFU/ml respectively. These isolates caused tissue softening disease to eggplant, paprika and napa cabbage out of 14 different tested vegetables, indicating that these isolates damages specific plant tissues. The bacterial isolates obtained in this research and in vitro plant infection model will be adapted in the understanding of the mechanism of pathogenesis by plant pathogen.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.581-586
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• 2014

With the current consumer trend toward health and wellbeing, the demand for consumption of fresh cut vegetables has been increasing. As a popular vegetable with functional components, sedum (Sedum sarmentosum) is widely used in Korea as a side dish that needs no cooking. In this study, to provide a hurdle technology for postharvest sedum, the effects of combined treatment of 1% acetic acid for washing and $10kJ/m^2$ UV-C irradiation on the microbial growth and quality of sedum were examined. After the treatment, the sedum samples were stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for six days, and the results of their microbial analysis as well as their color, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The combined treatment with acetic acid and UV-C irradiation reduced the initial populations of the total aerobic bacteria and the yeast and molds in the sedum by 3.28 and 4.22 log CFU/g, respectively, compared to those in the control. The Hunter L, a, and b values of the sedum did not significantly differ across the treatments. In addition, the vitamin C content and the antioxidant activity decreased significantly during the storage, regardless of the treatment. These results suggest that the combined treatment with 1% acetic acid and $10kJ/m^2$ UV-C irradiation can be useful as a hurdle technology for retaining the microbiological safety and quality of sedum during its storage.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2013

This study was carried out in order to investigate sterilization effect and to extend storage periods of the Rubus coreanus by treating with tap water (TW), electrolyzed water (EW) and aqueous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$). After each treatment plot was soaked with 10, 50, 100, 200 ppm in each sterilizing solution within 30 sec, each treatment was compared during the storage time at room temperature and refrigerator temperature. As results of total plate count according to temperatures and periods, the microbial sterilizing power of each treatment plot was bigger at EW and $ClO_2$ treatment plots than the TW treatment plot; however, it sharply increased on the high concentration $ClO_2$ treatment plot. Futhermore, the cold storage treatment plot had more outstanding microbial sterilizing power than the room temperature treatment plot. As a result of observing the surface of the Rubus coreanus using scanning electron microscope (SEM), no microbe was seen in EW and $ClO_2$ treatment plot. The results of measuring enzyme activity showed a more significant decrease in EW and $ClO_2$ solutions treatment plot than TW treatment plot but gradually increased with time. The contents of total polyphenol revealed similar values on each treatment. The EW and $ClO_2$ treatment of the Rubus coreanus could be considered as good methods for inhibiting microbial growth in fresh vegetables and fruit, thereby contributing to quality maintenance.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.623-628
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• 2015

Fresh cut vegetables provide convenience and rapidity to consumers. However, they have a weakness with respect to their short shelf-life due to browning and quality degradation via increased respiration. To overcome this problem, the effect of packaging film on the short-term storage of cut kimchi cabbages was investigated. Polypropylene (PP), oriented polypropylene (OPP), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were used as packaging film, and cut kimchi cabbages were stored in the packaging films at $5^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks. PP film packaging showed the least weight loss and soluble solids loss after 4 weeks. Titratable acidity increased during storage for all samples, however, the increase rate of titratable acidity in PP and OPP film packaging decreased, which was lower than that of LDPE film packaging. Color values decreased over time during storage. In appearance, PP film packaging was better than other films due to their high transparency. In a sensory test, there was no statistical difference among samples. Taken together, the transparent PP film packaging was more effective for short-term storage of cut kimchi cabbages. Thus, this study provides useful information for the selection of packaging materials for cut kimchi cabbage marketing.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.710-718
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• 2017

Contents of water soluble vitamin $B_6$ in a total of 62 agricultural products cultivated in local areas in Korea were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC/FLD). To verify the method of vitamin $B_6$ analysis, a quality control chart was formulated with in-house control using a mixture of broccoli and shiitake mushrooms. Among cereals, high content of vitamin $B_6$ measured $234.3{\sim}260.3{\mu}g/100g$ in dried mung bean and soybean. Vitamin $B_6$ content of non-glutinous and glutinous black rice measured $105.0{\mu}g/100g$ and $129.7{\mu}g/100g$, respectively. In vegetables, high content of vitamin $B_6$ were measured in passion fruit ($104.3{\mu}g/100g$), gat ($55.7{\sim}84.3{\mu}g/100g$), gomchwi ($31.3{\sim}88.0{\mu}g/100g$) and garlic ($72.7{\sim}98.3{\mu}g/100g$). Among fruits, gold kiwi 'Zespri' and green kiwi 'Hayward' revealed high vitamin $B_6$ content of $116.3{\mu}g/100g$ and $78.7{\mu}g/100g$, respectively. In persimmons, daebongsi had high vitamin $B_6$ content ($36.0{\sim}72.7{\mu}g/100g$) than bansi and sweet persimmon. Vitamin $B_6$ content in dried jujube and persimmon increased more than $86.7{\mu}g/100g$ compared to fresh materials. Among specialty crops, green tea powder ($64.7{\sim}251.0{\mu}g/100g$) and sansuyu ($172.3{\mu}g/100g$) revealed high content. Of mushrooms, vitamin $B_6$ content of Sparassis crispa ($139.3{\mu}g/100g$) was the highest. Vitamin $B_6$ content information of agricultural products in local areas in Korea collected from this experiment will be used as valuable preliminary data for grasp national nutritional status.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.709-717
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• 2021

This study evaluated the growth, physiological responses and productivity based on the intercropping ratio of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). on the rooftops to determine out the efficient ratio in urban agriculture. From April to September 2019, an experiment was conducted on the rooftop of Konkuk University Glocal Campus. Cherry tomato and basil were selected as companion plants for eco-friendly urban agriculture on the rooftops. Each plot was created with a width of 100 cm, length of 100 cm, and height of 25 cm. After installing drainage and waterproof layers from bottom to top, substrate was laid out with a height of 20 cm. Intercropping ratio was consisted of a single tomato plant (TC), 2:1 tomato to basil (T₂B₁), 1:1 tomato to basil (T₁B₁), 1:2 tomato to basil 2 (T₁B₂), and a single basil plant (BC), were conducted using a randomized complete plot design with five treatments and three replication (a total 15 plots). Measurements were divided into growth, physiological responses, and productivity parameters, and detailed items were investigated and analyzed by classifying them into plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, root length, root collar caliper, chlorophyll contents, fresh weight, dry weight, number of fruit, fruit caliper, fruit weight, and sugar content. Comparative analyses of cherry tomato with basil plants by intercropping ratio, growth, physiological, and productivity responses are determined to be efficient when the ratio of cherry tomato to basil ratio is 2:1 or 1:1.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2019

A colorimetric rapid detection method based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was developed for the analysis of organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides. The AChE catalyzes acetylthiocholine into thiocholine having (-) and (+) charges, and the (+) charge results in gold nanoparticle (GNP) aggregation. The in-activation of AChE by OP and CB has been well known. In order to optimize the colorimetric method, optimal dilution times of commercial serum containing AChE, diameter of GNP, and concentration of acetylthiocholine were tested as a key parameter. The colorimetric detection limits of the method were 7.5 ng/mL for both dimethyl amine and carbofuran pesticides in 60% ethanol. No cross-reaction to other chemicals, such as aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, which can be contaminated with pesticides in agricultural products, was observed. Recoveries from lettuce, sesame leaf, and cabbage lettuce spiked with known concentrations of dimethyl amine and carbofuran were found to be ranged from 83.85 to 133.16%. These results indicated that the colorimetric rapid method based on AChE can be a useful tool for the sensitive, specific, rapid, and accurate detection of OP and CB pesticides in fresh vegetables.