• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.622-633
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• 2024

For quality standardization, the application of functional lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter cultures for food fermentation is a well-known method in the fermented food industry. This study assessed the effect of adding a non-thermally microbial inactivated starter culture to kimchi, a traditional Korean food, in standardizing its quality. In this study, pretreatment based on sterilization processes, namely, slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) disinfection and ultraviolet C light-emitting diode (UVC-LED) of raw and subsidiary kimchi materials were used to reduce the initial microorganisms in them, thereby increasing the efficiency and value of the kimchi LAB starter during fermentation. Pretreatment sterilization effectively suppressed microorganisms that threatened the sanitary value and quality of kimchi. In addition, pretreatment based on sterilization effectively reduced the number of initial microbial colonies in kimchi, creating an environment in which kimchi LAB starters could settle or dominate, compared to non-sterilized kimchi. These differences in the initial microbial composition following the sterilization process and the addition of kimchi LAB starters led to differences in the metabolites that positively affect the taste and flavor of kimchi. The combined processing technology used in our study, that is, pre-sterilization and LAB addition, may be a powerful approach for kimchi quality standardization.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1997

For the purpose of improving hygienic quality of dried-Angelica Keiskei Koidz powder, the effect of ozone treatment and gamma irradiation on the microbial decontamination and physicochemical properties were investigated. Gamma irradiation at 5 to 7.5 kGy resulted in sterilizing total aerobic bacteria, molds and coliforms below detective levels, while ozone treatment for 8 hours up to 18 ppm did not sufficiently eliminate the total aerobic bacteria of the sample. The physicochemical properties of the sample were not changed by gamma irradiation up to 7.5 kGy, whereas, ozone treatment caused remarkable changes in pH, TBA value, chlorophyll, carotenoid and fatty acid compositions. Therefore, this investigation demonstrated conclusively that gamma irradiation was more effective than ozone treatment for decontaminating and sterilizing the dried-Angelica Keiskei Koidz powder, with minimal effect on the physicochemical properties analyzed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.174-182
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• 2004

Hygienic standards for pizza specialty restaurant located in Seoul during summer, 2000 were established based on HACCP concept by measuring temperature, time, pH, $A_{w}$ and microbiological assessments of pizza, and evaluation of hygienic conditions of kitchens and workers. Kitchen and worker conditions were average 1.2 and 1.0 (3 point Sly's scale), respectively, Microbial contaminations occurred at $5-60^{\circ}C$, pH above 5.0, and $A_{w}$ (0.93-0.98). Microbial assessments for pizza processing revealed $1.5{\times}10^{2}-3.9{\times}10^{8}\;CFU/g$ of TPC and $0.5{\times}10^{1}-1.6{\times}10^{7}\;CFU/g$ of coliforms, exceeding standards ($TPC\;10^{6}\;CFU/g\;and\;coliform\;10^{3}\;CFU/g$) established by Solberg et al., although significantly decreased after baking. S. aureus was not discovered, but Salmonella was found in onions. Tools and containers such as pizza cutting knife, topping container, serving bowl, pizza plate, working board, and dough kneading board contained $6.2{\times}10^{2}-1.1{\times}10^{9}\;CFU/g$ of TPC, $2.0{\times}10^{1}-6.2{\times}10^{3}\;CFU/g$ of coliforms. Workers' hands contained $3.1{\times}10^{4}\;CFU/g$ of TPC and S. aureus as compared to safety standards of Harrigan and McCance (500 and 10 CFU/g of TPC and coliforms per $100cm^{2}$). CCPs (critical control points) were determined as receiving, topping, and baking according to CCP decision tree analysis. Results suggest purchase of quality materials, careful monitoring of time and temperature, hygienic use of tools and utensils, and sanitary practicer by workers are recommended as control points for safe pizza production.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2021

Identifying the extracellular metabolites of microorganisms in fresh vegetables is industrially useful for assessing the quality of processed foods. Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (PCC) is a plant pathogenic bacterium that causes soft rot disease in cabbages. This microbial species in plant tissues can emit specific volatile molecules with odors that are characteristic of the host cell tissues and PCC species. In this study, we used headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) to identify volatile compounds (VCs) in PCC-inoculated cabbage at different storage temperatures. HS-SPME-GC-MS allowed for recognition of extracellular metabolites in PCC-infected cabbages by identifying specific volatile metabolic markers. We identified 4-ethyl-5-methylthiazole and 3-butenyl isothiocyanate as markers of fresh cabbages, whereas 2,3-butanediol and ethyl acetate were identified as markers of soft rot in PCC-infected cabbages. These analytical results demonstrate a suitable approach for establishing non-destructive plant pathogen-diagnosis techniques as alternatives to standard methods, within the framework of developing rapid and efficient analytical techniques for monitoring plant-borne bacterial pathogens. Moreover, our techniques could have promising applications in managing the freshness and quality control of cabbages.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Although Kimchi has health benefits, food poisoning associated with consumption of Kimchi has been frequently reported. Accordingly, microbiological properties of Kimchi (100 samples) and washing effects on microbial reduction against its ingredients (200 samples) were examined. Total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium perfringens were quantified. In addition, B. cereus, Salmonella spp., Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, C. perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Yersinia enterocolitica were analysed qualitatively. Total aerobic bacteria count was approximately 1.4-9.0 log CFU/g, which were highest in ginger (8.8 log CFU/g), and Chonggak Kimchi (9.0 log CFU/g). The range of coliform counts detected in all raw materials was 0.5-7.3 log CFU/g and ginger showed the greatest number 7.3 log CFU/g among others. Contamination was decreased to 0.2-3.2, 0.3-2.7, and 1.0-3.9 log CFU/g for total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and B. cereus, respectively, after washing. Minimising microbial contamination in Kimchi ingredients is necessary to ensure the safety of Kimchi. These results indicate that washing is a useful method to reduce bacterial contamination in Kimchi.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2002

The purposes of this study were to estimate the microbial and physicochemical quality of vegetable dishes without heat treatment such as sengchae, a traditional Korean vegetable dish, and to suggest a safer method of preparation. Platycodon sengchae and vegetable salad were monitored from the ingredient to final product before serving while storing at different temperature (4, 10$^{\circ}C$) and period (1, 2, 4, 7 days) at foodservice establishments. The results showed that the storage temperature pH, Aw, moisture content, and microbial loads are the important factors affecting the quality of vegetable dishes without heat treatment, and a thorough hygienic management from the purchase to the preparation of the dishes is needed to secure the quality of prepared foods in the foodservice establishments.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.749-760
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of non-heat-processed foods and the effects of HACCP implementation. Here, cabbage salad and cucumber&onion salad were selected and we investigated HA(Hazard Analysis) by checking microbiological quality, time and temperature, pH, and water activity at each processing stage. Thus, the receiving of spices and dressings, washing and sterilizing, cutting, cooking, and serving stages were all considered CCPs. Before implementing HACCP, microbial analysis showed that standard plate counts and coliform counts were higher than standard levels in most of the raw ingredients of each menu, as well as during the production process. The microbiological quality of the utensils and employee's hands used during cooking indicated levels requiring direct management. Evaluations of falling bacteria-in the foodservice establishment work areas ranged from $2{\sim}12CFU/plate$. However, after HACCP implementation, microbiological levels improved to standard levels fly sanitation education. Also, the number of falling bacteria were lower than before implementing HACCP. Therefore, it is essential the foodservice operations make efforts to implement HACCP, so that microbiological hazard levels are lowered and hygienic status improved.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.278-283
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• 2003

Addition of ethanol and/or polylysine to kimchi was investigated to improve its microbial hygienic quality and to extend shelf-life. Ethanol was added to kimchi with several concentrations(0.3％, 0.6％, 0.9％) and stored at 10$^{\circ}C$. Addition of 0.6％ and 0.9％ ethanol showed apparent inhibitory effect on growth of microorganism, but any distinct difference was not found between those concentrations. Addition of ethanol was more effective on growth inhibition of coliform and lactic acid bacteria than others. Addition of 0.6％ and 0.9％ ethanol retarded apparently pH decrease and acidity increase. Although addition of 0.6％ ethanol in combination with 0.12％ polylysine showed good retardation of pH decrease and acidity increase, overall organoleptic quality was not good because of off-flavor and taste. Also, addition of 0.6％ ethanol showed good overall organoleptic quality.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2001

Bacteriological quality of beef carcass and distributions of pathogens in beef processing environments were investigated to improve the hygienic quality of fresh beef. Total bacterial contamination of carcass surface in slaughtering process and cutting board in cut-meat process showed 10$^{5}$ -10$^{6}$ CFU/$\textrm{cm}^2$ and 10$^{5}$ CFU/$\textrm{cm}^2$ in summer, respectively. The viable bacterial count of cotton glove was similar to that of cutting board during and entire period of year. Microbial contamination of carcass surface, cutting board, cotton glove and deboned meat showed the highest in summer and the lowest in winter during the year. Escherichia coli O157, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella. ornithinolytica, Staphylococcus aureus, E coli, Tatumella. ptyseos, Serratia odorifera, Aero-monas sobria, Enterobacter cloacae and Flavimonas oryzihabitans were isolated from carcass surface during slaughter treatments. S. aureus, Listeria grayi and L. monocytogenes were isolated from cutting board and L. grayi, Erwinia spp. Salmonella app. and S. aureus were isolated from cotton glove in cut-meat process environments. Citrobacter freundii; L. monocytogenes; and S. aureus were isolated from deboned meat.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1102-1106
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation for the improvement of hygienic quality and the extension of shelf-life of Kwamegi(semi-dried colobabis seira). Kwamegi was stored at $5^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$ after gamma irradiation with doses of 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10 kGy. In microbiological aspects, non-irradiated Kwamegi was rapidly deteriorated during storage, and some harmful bacteria were detected in a microbial analysis using a selective medium. However, the total viable cells and presumptive pathogens were reduced with the increase of irradiation dose, and dose level of 7 to 10 kGy was considered to be optimum and effective dose for the preservation of Kwamegi.