• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2006

Effects of various surface sterilization and washing methods on sterilization of fresh chicory surface were evaluated. Fresh-cut chicory was washed with tap water for 1 min, 100 ppm chlorinated water, and 3 ppm ozonated water using mechanical washing machine for 3 min, packed with bi-axially oriented polypropylene (OPP 0.04 mm) film, and stored for 3 weeks at 4 and $10^{\circ}C$. Tap water washing resulted in approximately 1 log CFU/g reduction of microbial load, and ozonated water and chlorinated water treatments resulted in additional 2 log CFU/g reduction.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.319-329
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Direct application of atmospheric-pressure plasma jets (APPJs) has been established as an effective method of microbial decontamination. This study aimed to investigate the bactericidal effect of direct application of an APPJ using helium gas (He-APPJ) on Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms on sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) titanium discs. Methods: On the SLA discs covered by P. gingivalis biofilms, an APPJ with helium (He) as a discharge gas was applied at 3 different time intervals (0, 3, and 5 minutes). To evaluate the effect of the plasma itself, the He gas-only group was used as the control group. The bactericidal effect of the He-APPJ was determined by the number of colony-forming units. Bacterial viability was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and bacterial morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: As the plasma treatment time increased, the amount of P. gingivalis decreased, and the difference was statistically significant. In the SEM images, compared to the control group, the bacterial biofilm structure on SLA discs treated by the He-APPJ for more than 3 minutes was destroyed. In addition, the CLSM images showed consistent results. Even in sites distant from the area of direct He-APPJ exposure, decontamination effects were observed in both SEM and CLSM images. Conclusions: He-APPJ application was effective in removing P. gingivalis biofilm on SLA titanium discs in an in vitro experiment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.316-328
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and abundance of 9 representative periodontal pathogens in the saliva samples of periodontally healthy subjects (PH) and patients with periodontitis who underwent supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). The age-specific distribution of these pathogens in periodontally healthy individuals was also analyzed. Methods: One hundred subjects (aged >35 years) were recruited (50 each in the PH and SPT groups) between August 2016 and April 2019. The prevalence and abundance of periodontal pathogens in the PH group were compared with those in periodontally healthy young subjects (94 subjects; aged <35 years), who were included in our previous study. DNA copy numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (Pa), and Eikenella corrodens (Ec) were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The detection frequencies of all pathogens, except Aa, were high in the PH and SPT groups. The ranking order of pathogen DNA copy numbers was similar in both groups. In both groups, Fn had the highest abundance, Aa had the lowest abundance. Additionally, Td was significantly more abundant in men than in women in both groups (P<0.05). Compared with the PH group, the SPT group exhibited significantly lower total bacteria and Fn abundance and higher Pg abundance (P<0.05). The age-specific pathogen distribution analysis revealed a significantly low Aa abundance and high Tf and Cr abundance in the PH group. Conclusions: The clinical parameters and microbial profiles were similar between the SPT and PH groups. However, patients with periodontitis require supportive care to prevent recurrence. As the abundance of some bacteria varied with age, future studies must elucidate the correlation between age-related physiological changes and periodontal bacterial composition.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.8
• /
• 2021

The clinical condition Amnesia causes difficulty in learning new information and the inability to recall past events. It is primarily concerned with recent memory loss. Majoon-e-Nisyan (MJN) is a polyherbal Unani formulation, present in a semi-solid form. It is widely used potent drug of the Unani System of Medicine (USM) for treating Nisyan (amnesia). In the present study polyherbal Unani formulation, MJN has been studied for its quality control and acute toxicity. Standardization (quality control) of drugs deals with drug identity, drug quality and purity determination. Standardization of MJN had been done as per the Unani pharmacopoeial parameters approved by World Health Organization (WHO) - Pharmacognostical parameters, Physico-chemical parameters, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), microbial load, aflatoxin, and heavy metals. Solvents and chemicals used in the study were of analytical grade and used instrument were calibrated. By conducting an acute oral toxicity study in rats, the safety of MJN was assessed. The limit test method of OECD guideline 425 was followed in the study. Results of standardization and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preparation of MJN may serve as the standard reference in the future. The data generated in the study for the quality control of MJN proved the quality of formulation and shows that MJN is not toxic in rats following acute dosing up to 2000 mg/kg bw. The data obtained in the paper for MJN may be used as a standard guideline for preparation of the formulation which can save time, cost, and resources for future research endeavours.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.18.1-18.8
• /
• 2021

Jawarishe Jalinoos (JJ) is an orally used formulation available in semisolid dosage form, prepared with powdered plant materials mixed in honey or sugar syrup. It has many admirable pharmacological effects and used in Unani medicine to treat various acute and chronic disorders since ancient times. The ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline stated that photostability testing should be an essential part of stability testing to confirm that light exposure does not result in an unacceptable change in drugs substance and finished products. To date, the effect of light on JJ is not studied, in this study photostability evaluation of JJ was carried out. The test sample was manufactured with genuine ingredients in the in-door pharmacy of the National Institute of Unani Medicine. JJ was packed in two transparent polyethylene terephthalate airtight containers. The first sample was analysed at zero-day and the second sample was placed in a stability chamber subjected to light challenge with an overall illumination of 1.2 million lux hours combined with near ultraviolet energy of 200-watt hours per square meter by using option 2, along with 30±2℃ temperature and relative humidity 70±5%. Analysis of both finished products showed no considerable changes in organoleptic characters. Less than 5% variation was observed in physicochemical parameters. HPTLC fingerprinting showed justifiable variation. Microbial load and specific counts were within the limit prescribed by WHO. As no unacceptable changes were noted in JJ subjecting to light challenge, it is concluded that JJ is a photostable Unani compound formulation.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2022

Background: The global shift toward greener societies demands new technologies and work operations in the waste-management sector. However, progressive industrial methods do not necessarily consider workers' health. This study characterized workers' exposure to bioaerosols and investigated the bioaerosols' potential to engage the immune system in vitro. Methods: Full shift personal aerosol sampling was conducted over three consecutive days. Dust load was analyzed by gravimetry, fungal and actinobacterial spores were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and endotoxin by limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. In vitro exposure of HEK cells to airborne dust samples was used to investigate the potential of inducing an inflammatory reaction. Results: The total dust exposure level exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 5.0 mg/m³ in 3 out of 15 samples. The inhalable endotoxin level exceeded the recommended exposure level by a 7-fold, whereas the fungal spore level exceeded the recommended exposure level by an 11-fold. Actinobacterial spores were identified in 8 out of 14 samples. In vitro experiments revealed significant TLR2 activation in 9 out of 14 samples vs. significant TLR4 activation in all samples. Conclusion: The present study showed that the dust samples contained potentially health-impairing endotoxin, fungi, and actinobacterial levels. Furthermore, the sampled dust contained microbial components capable of inducing TLR activation and thus have the potential to evoke an inflammatory response in exposed individuals.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.273-284
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM) of implant abutments has been shown to result in surface contamination from site-specific milling and fabrication processes. If not removed, these contaminants can have a potentially adverse effect and may trigger inflammatory responses of the peri-implant tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bacterial disinfection and cleaning efficacy of ultrasonic reprocessing in approved disinfectants to reduce the microbial load of CAD-CAM abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Four different types of custom implant abutments (total N = 32) with eight specimens in each test group (type I to IV) were CAD-CAM manufactured. In two separate contamination experiments, specimens were contaminated with heparinized sheep blood alone and with heparinized sheep blood and the test bacterium Enterococcus faecium. Abutments in the test group were processed according to a three-stage ultrasonic protocol and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by determination of residual protein. Ultrasonicated specimens contaminated with sheep blood and E. faecium were additionally eluted and the dilutions were incubated on agar plates for seven days. The determined bacterial counts were expressed as colony-forming units (CFU). RESULTS. Ultrasonic reprocessing resulted in a substantial decrease in residual bacterial protein to less than 80 ㎍ and a reduction in microbiota of more than 7 log levels of CFU for all abutment types, exceeding the effect required for disinfection. CONCLUSION. A three-stage ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection protocol results in effective bacterial decontamination. The procedure is reproducible and complies with the standardized reprocessing and disinfection specifications for one- or two-piece CAD-CAM implant abutments.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.135-140
• /
• 1993

Dried fishes such as dried pollack, dried sliced squid, dried white bait, dried anchoy) and dried cod used to cook Korean traditional foods were airpacked in polyethylene tube and irradiated with 7 kGy of gamma-ray source. The effect of gamma irradiation on microbial growth in dried fishes was investigated during storage at ambient temperature for 12 months. The total aerobic bacteria in the control group were contaminated by $3.9{\times}10^{3}\;cells/g$ in dried pollack, $5.6{\times}10^{5}\;cells/g$ in dried sliced squid, $1.2{\times}10^{5}\;cells/g$ in dried white bait, $1.2{\times}10^{4}\;cells/g$ in dried anchovy and $1.2{\times}10^{4}\;cells/g$ in dried cod and 7 kGy irradiation could eliminate the bacteria and also reduce aerobic bacterial load to 1~3 log cycle and no apparent growth of microorganisms occurred during storage. Molds in the control group were contaminated by $4.0{\times}10^{2}\;cells/g$ in dried pollack, $$1.3{\times}10^{2}\;cells/g$ in dried sliced squid, $2.5{\times}10^{2}\;cells/g$ in dried white bait, 90 cells/g in dried anchovy and $2.0{\times}10^{2}\;cells/g$ in dried cod, respectively. 7 kGy irradiation could sterilize the molds and the growth of molds of nonirradiated samples were slightly decreased during storage. Yeasts in the control group were contaminated by $1.4{\times}10^{3}\;cells/g$ in dried poUack, 75 cells/g in dried sliced squid, $1.1{\times}10^{3}\;cells/g$ in dried white bait, 50 cells/g in dried anchovy, $1.6{\times}10^{2}\;cells/g$ in dried cod, respectively and irradiation could sterilize the yeasts and growth of yeasts was slightly decreased in dried pollack and dried white bait but increased in order of dried anchovy, dried cod and dried sliced squid. Coliforms in all sample were sterilized by irradiation and its growth was decreased during storage except dried anchovy.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2015

The effects of electron beam (e-beam) irradiation at up to 10 kGy on the microbiological and physicochemical properties of dried red pepper powders were studied. Samples from Korea, China, and Vietnam were included in this study. In untreated samples, the total number of microbes, such as total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, was in the range of $10^6-10^7CFU/g$. E-beam irradiation at 5 kGy reduced the microbial load by 2-4 log cycles, thus improving the hygienic quality of the samples. Moisture and pH of the samples were unchanged after e-beam irradiation. Reducing sugar content decreased at 1 kGy, followed by a gradual increase at higher radiation doses. At 5 kGy, no significant changes in the content of capsaicinoids were observed between the irradiated and control samples, while a 10 kGy dose led to a significant decrease. The content of pigments did not exhibit apparent changes with increasing dose of irradiation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of fresh red paprika treated by electron-beam irradiation at quarantine doses. The initial microbial loads were low with $10^4$ and $10^2$ colony-forming units/g for total aerobic bacteria and coliform, respectively; however, a dose of 1 kGy resulted in load reduction of 1 log cycle. A dose level of more than 1 kGy caused significant decreases in the hardness and carotenoid content parameters. An applied dose level of less than 2 kGy did not affect vitamin C content; however, a decrease of 87-90% was observed after 40-day storage. Samples treated with 2 kGy showed significantly lower acceptance compared to the control, with lower sensory evaluation scores for color and texture. Therefore, e-beam irradiation at dose range of 0.4 and 1 kGy was found to be appropriate for quarantine applications for microbiological control and quality maintenance of paprika.