• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.414-419
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• 2016

The aims of this study were to investigate microbial contamination levels and to survey sanitation management between Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and non-GAP farms of lettuce and cucumber. The samples (lettuce, cucumber, soil, agricultural water, gloves, and packing plastic bag) were tested to analyze sanitary indicator bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli) and major pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus). In the lettuce farms, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms in GAP farms were little lower than non-GAP farms or similar. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus in soil and agricultural water of GAP farms were detected at higher levels than non-GAP farms in soil and agricultural water. In the case of cucumber farms, levels of total bacteria and Bacillus cereus in soil and total bacteria and coliform in gloves of GAP farms were higher than those of non-GAP farms, and other bacteria contamination levels in collected samples were similar. These results indicate that agricultural products produced from GAP farm still exhibited potential microbial risks. According to the field survey, a sanitation management in GAP farms was insufficient. These results could be useful as basic data to suggestion of plan for preventing microbial contamination and to improvement of GAP certification.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.spc
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• pp.51-63
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• 2022

In this study, the TPH(Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) contamination and microbial ecological characteristics in petroleum-contaminated site were investigated through the correlation among the vertical TPH contamination distribution of the site, the geochemical characteristics, and the indigenous microbial ecology. The high TPH concentration showed in the vicinity of 3~4 m or less which is thought to be affected by vertical movement due to the impervious clay layer. In addition, the TPH concentration was found to have a positive correlation with Fe²⁺, TOC concentration, and the number of petroleum-degrading bacteria, and a negative correlation with the microbial community diversity. The microbial community according to the vertical distribution of TPH showed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level were dominant in this study area as a whole, and they competed with each other. In particular, it was confirmed that the difference in the microbial community was different due to the difference in the degree of vertical TPH contamination. In addition, the genera Acidovorax, Leptolinea, Rugoshibacter, and Smithella appeared dominant in the samples in which TPH was detected, which is considered to be the microorganisms involved in the degradation of TPH in this study area. It is expected that this study can be used as an important data to understand the contamination characteristics and biogeochemical and microbial characteristics of these TPH-contaminated sites.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.347-355
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• 2022

Levels of beauvericin (BEA) and enniatins (ENNs: ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1) were examined in fresh ginger (n = 43) and ginger powder (n = 31) samples from Korea. In the ginger samples, incidence of BEA contamination was highest, at 62.79%, with a maximum detected BEA level of 640.07 ㎍/kg. ENNs in were found in up to 11.63% (ENB, ENB1) of ginger samples, with a maximum detected level of 91.02 ㎍/kg (ENA). In the ginger powders, ENB contamination displayed the highest rate of incidence (70.97%), but the highest level of BEA (1,344.18 ㎍/kg) exceeded that of ENB (413.99 ㎍/kg). The incidences of ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1 presence in ginger powders were 29.03%, 22.58%, 70.97%, and 35.48%, respectively, and their highest detected levels were 220.45, 156.61, 413.99, and 70.29 ㎍/kg, respectively. The incidence of BEA and ENN contamination was higher in ginger powder than in ginger. Respective co-occurrence rates of BEA and ENNs in ginger and ginger powder samples were 16.28% and 64.52%, indicating that the BEA and ENN co-contamination rate was highest in ginger powder as well. This is the first report on the presence and co-occurrence of BEA and ENNs in Korean ginger and ginger powder.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2000

The microbial contamination rate of contact lens cases in multi-purpose solution(MPS) care systems of 80 asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers was investigated. In caring for their lenses 72 patients (90%) used chemical disinfection(include MPS), six patients(7%) used hydrogen peroxide, and two patients(3%) used heat. Fifty-nine percent of patients used MPS in their care systems. Of 80 contact lens cases, contamination was found in 68%(54) of cases. There is a significant relationship between the ages of lens cases and contamination: older cases being more frequently contaminated. Of the contaminated 31 lens cases(57%) in MPS care systems, four contact lens cases(13%) were contaminated by single organism, 15 cases(48%) by two kinds of organisms, and 12 cases(39%) by more than three kinds of organisms. Of the organisms that were contaminated lens cases, Pseudomonas. Serratia, Bacillus, E. coli and Aspergillus were frequently isolated. When considering the high contamination rate of soft contact lens cases in MPS care systems more effective and hygienical lens care system is important, especially frequent and regular disposal of lens cases may prove to prevent the build-up of microbial colonisation in containers.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.75-80
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was conducted to control microorganisms of deer antler products with ethanol and heat process. Methods : The deer antler of Cervus elaphus was used for this study. The sliced deer antler of market condition were processed with 70% ethanol only (酒洗) and 70% ethanol with heat (酒炙). The microorganisms were isolated and incubated on Luria broth (LB) plates at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. Results : The number of isolated microorganism colony were 201.1, 33.5 and 2.0 ea from each sliced deer antler of market condition, 70% ethanol only and 70% ethanol with heat process, respectively. Conclusions : These results suggested that 70% ethanol with heat processing is effective for reducing microbial contamination of deer antler products.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.3 s.18
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• pp.79-90
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• 2006

This study was investigated to determine the quality monitoring of distributed materials from Glycyrrhizae Radix (26 samples), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (24 samples) according to storage period after $1{\sim}3$ year. We have estimated by identification, purity, loss on drying, ash, acid insoluble ash, extract content, essential oil content, assay and microbial contamination. As a result, Glycyrrhizae Radix (26 samples) were satisfied with the standard of K.P. (Korean Pharmacopoeia) and WHO's microbial contamination limit standard. In the Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (24 samples), 2 samples were not satisfied with the standard of K.P.(Korean Pharmacopoeia) and WHO's microbial contamination limit standard. The results make practical application of the basic data for the quality control of herbal medicine in storage.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of bee venom according to the keeping method and period. Method : The author observed microbial contamination of bee venom in nutrient agar, broth, YPD agar and YPD media and antibacterial activity for S. aureus, E. coli manufactured 12, 6 and 3 months ago as the two type of room temperature and $4^{\circ}C$ cold storage. Results : 1. 1:3,000 and 1:4,000 diluted bee venom solution did not show microbial contamination both room temperature and cold storage within twelve months. 2. There was antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in cold storage within twelve months and there was no antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in twelve months, room temperature storage. 3. We could not observe the zone of inhibition around paper disc of all for E.coli. in 1:3,000, 1:30,000 and 1:3,000,000 diluted bee venom solution, respectively. According to results, we expect that diluted bee venom solution is stable both cold and room temperature storage within twelve months.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.236-239
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• 2004

Microbial contamination of ready-to-eat ingredients for Kimbab manufacturing and the effect of irradiation to reduce the microbial contamination of the products were investigated. Among 9 food items tested, there were no viable cells in the ham, seasoned and cooked beef, imitation crab leg, fried egg, and seasoned burdoc. Cucumber, surimi gel, and seasoned and blanched spinach were counted at 5.07$\pm$0.97, 3.50$\pm$0.14, and 5.41$\pm$0.51 log CFU/g, respectively. Irradiation at 1 kGy reduced the number of microorganism in these ready-to-eat foods to an undetectable level. However, the dried laver showed an 8.83$\pm$0.10 log CFU/g and an irradiation at 3 kGy reduced the level to only 7.14$\pm$0.23. Sensory evaluation of the irradiated Kimbab prepared from these food materials indicated that the measure of the control of the sensorial quality should be provided before applying an irradiation to the prepared Kimbab.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 1993

The relationships between microbial activity and disturbance level of soil were investigated from 15 parks in Seoul and undisturbed area. The physico-chemical characteristics of soil and dehydrogenase activity(DHA) as an index of soil microbial activity were analysed. There were ranges of 3.84~7.37 in pH, 9.63~40.33% in moisture content, 3.41~21.49% in organic matter, 0.36~0.79g/g in water holding capacity and 0.03~0.53% in total nitrogen investigated sites. DHA values of soil were 8.64~$146.76{\mu}g/g$ in park soil and 545.14~$1, 198.80{\mu}g/g$ in undisurbed area. DHA of park soil with high traffic density and contamination source from human activities was much lower than that of undisturbed area. DHA was positively correlated with moisture content, organic matter, water holding capacity and total nitrogen.