• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 2021

This study evaluated the sanitation management standards for vegetable preparation processes without a cooking stage. The aerobic plate counts (APC), coliform counts, and Escherichia coli of the samples at each production step were analyzed, and microbial growth of the samples stored at different temperatures was measured. The validation was judged in accordance with the microbial criteria stipulated by the British PHLS. After washing and disinfection, the APCs of the two samples decreased to 3~4 log CFU/g in both seasons. Compared to the purchasing stage, the decrease in coliform counts was approximately 0~3 log CFU/g in both seasons; E. coli was not detected. The initial APC and coliform levels of two vegetable samples were 4~5 log CFU/g in both seasons, with an increase of 1 log CFU/g taking more than 6 h at 25℃ and 2 h at 35℃. More than 10 h at 25℃ and 6 h at 35℃ were required to increase the E. coli O157:H7 count by 1~2 log CFU/g for two seasoned samples. In conclusion, washing and disinfection effects and changes in microbial growth during room temperature storage were similar in the two vegetables. Despite the low sanitizing effect of the two vegetables, when cut vegetables were stored under the critical limit within 2 h at two different room temperatures, seasoned lettuce and chicory were at the 'satisfactory' or 'acceptable' levels of PHLS regardless of the storage temperatures. The validation of sanitation management standards applied to vegetable preparation with the no-cook step was approved.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.1 s.61
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• pp.38-45
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• 2006

Ecological characteristics of microbial populations inhabiting heavy metal polluted soil were investigated. The samples were collected from 293 sites around an factory and industry at Gyeoungsangbuk-do. We measured the contents of seven heavy metal elements (Cd, Cu, As, Hg, Pb, $Cr^{6+}$, CN), seven sites have been seriously contaminated by mercury and chrome. A quantitative evaluation of microbial populations in mercury and chrome contaminated soil was examined by using plate count method. Bacterial numbers in polluted soil samples ranged from $7.4X10^5\;to\;9.3X10^7\;cfu\;g^{-1}$, about $10\sim100$ fold less than the count for the unpolluted soil. Moulds were not detected in chrome polluted soil. The log values of actinomycetes of each contaminated soil samples were log ranged from 6.18 to 7.52. The ratio of actinomycetes was similar to unpolluted soil. The investigation showed actinomycetes to be the major microbial population inhabiting the mercury and chrome polluted soil. Thirty-one isolates among the total isolates were examined for antibacterial activity. These isolates were identified based on a phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences, they were categorized in three major phylogenetic groups, belong to the Streptomyces (6 strains), Saccharopolyspora (3 strains), Nocardiodes (1 strain). On the phylogenetic tree, the clade consisting of five isolates were distantly related to all of the established Streptomycetes genera, indicating the possibility as members of new species.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.122-128
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant effects, total plate count (TPC), and residual nitrite content of emulsified sausage with added mugwort during cold storage. The sausages were of five types: nothing added (control), mugwort powder added (T1), mugwort juice added (T2), mugwort ethanol extract added (T3), and mugwort hot water extract added (T4). Each sausage type was tested in triplicate and assigned to one of five storage periods: 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 wk. As storage time increased, the presence of mugwort resulted in decreased pH, residual nitrite content, and meat color (CIE $L^*$ and $b^*$) and increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and TPC values. Values for pH, TBARS, residual nitrite, and TPC decreased significantly after adding mugwort compared with the control (p<0.05). Among all treatments, T3 was significantly (p<0.05) more effective in delaying lipid oxidation and microbial activity. The CIE $L^*$ and $b^*$ decreased significantly with the addition of mugwort relative to the control. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that adding an ethanol extract of mugwort (T3) to emulsified sausages tended to improve antioxidant and antimicrobial effects and residual nitrite content during storage compared to the other treatment groups.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbial contamination levels in the processing company of Nuroong-ji. Microbial contamination levels were examined for sanitary indication bacteria such as aerobic plate count, coliforms and fungi, and pathogenic bacteria such as Escherchia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Contamination levels were detected differently according to handling materials and purposing work-space. The equipments and raw materials were not seriously contaminated but there were necessary to attend the cross-contamination. A high contamination level was detected at the process where the interference of the employees was relatively higher than the other process. Standardization of the roasting process (l20~$170^{\circ}C$, about 10 min) could be necessary to control the microbial organism effectively on Nuroong-ji manufacturing process. At small/medium size foodstuff manufacturers, it is the most important to improve the recognition level of individual hygiene but also expand a hygiene facility.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2011

The demand of packaged baby leaves has been increased for its convenient use as fresh-cut produce. This investigation was aimed to explore the effects of different sanitizers on the quality parameters of 'Tah Tasai' Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. narinosa) baby leaves. Thirteen days old baby leaves were harvested and washed in tap water (TW), 100 ppm chlorine solution (Cl), 2 ppm ozonated water ($O_3$), 15 ppm chlorine dioxide solution ($ClO_2$) and washing with 0.2% citric acid solution followed by 50% ethanol spray (CA+Et). The samples were then packaged in 50 ${\mu}m$ polyethylene bags and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Off-odor of packaged baby leaves was not detected during storage. There was no significant difference in color parameters among the treatments. Samples treated with $O_3$ showed substantially higher electrolyte leakage throughout the storage. This treatment also rendered a higher accumulation of $CO_2$ in the packages. Samples treated with Cl and CA+Et maintained good overall visual quality with higher scores compared to that of $O_3$ and $ClO_2$. Although Cl treatment showed lower number of total aerobic count at the beginning of storage, citric acid in combination with ethanol treatment was more effective until the end of storage. The combined treatment also showed comparatively lower coliform plate count. This result indicates that citric acid wash followed by ethanol spray could be an alternative to chlorine for environment friendly sanitization of baby leaves.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1078-1094
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• 2021

This research investigated the physio-chemical and microbial quality characteristics of dry fermented sausage from selected Pediococcus strains: P. acidiliactici (PE1) and P. pentosaceus (PE2) as compared to commercial starter culture (COS) during fermentation and ripening. Treatments showed no substantial variation (p<0.05) in water activity (a_w) values across the study period. PE1 and PE2 treatments exhibited similar (p>0.05) pH values and presented remarkable (p<0.05) lower volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and thiobarbituric acid reactive (TBARS) content than COS treatment throughout the ripening period. However, the pH values in COS batch were considerably lower than others. PE1 samples presented a significant highest (p<0.05) counts both in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and total plate count (TPC) than COS and PE2 treatments at 7 days fermentation, and it resulted in a similar and higher TPC count as COS after the ripening period. After the ripening process, treatments are ordered based on LAB counts as follows: COS>PE1>PE2. All batches presented similar redness and yellowness attributes since the 7 days of fermentation and in lightness across the study period. Treatments were similar (p>0.05) in springiness and chewiness traits across the study period and in hardness characteristics in the ripened products. Cohesiveness was higher in PE1 and COS batches. No variation (p>0.05) in aroma and sourness sensory attributes of treatments. The color attribute was highest (p<0.05) in PE1 and PE2 treatments and PE1 had the highest overall acceptability. The overall outstanding merit exhibited by PE1 can be utilized in the commercial production of high-quality dry fermented sausage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.912-921
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• 2020

We examined the rates of pathogenic bacterial cross-contamination from gloves to meat and from meat to gloves during pork processing under meat-handling scenarios in transfer rate experiments of inoculated pathogens. The inoculated pork contained ~5-6 Log10 CFU/g pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Sal. enteritidis). On cotton gloves, after cutting the pork, the cutting board, knife, and cotton gloves showed 3.07-3.50, 3.29-3.92 and 4.48-4.86 Log10 CFU/g bacteria. However, when using polyethylene gloves, fewer bacteria (3.12-3.75, 3.20-3.33, and 3.07-3.97 Log10 CFU/g, respectively) were transferred. When four pathogens (6 Log10 CFU/g) were inoculated onto the gloves, polyethylene gloves showed a lower transition rate (cutting board 2.47-3.40, knife 2.01-3.98, and polyethylene glove 2.40-2.98 Log10 CFU/g) than cotton gloves. For cotton gloves, these values were 3.46-3.96, 3.37-4.06, and 3.55-4.00 Log10 CFU/g, respectively. Use of cotton gloves, polyethylene gloves, knives and cutting boards for up to 10 hours in a meat butchering environment has not exceeded HACCP regulations. However, after 10 h of use, 3.09, 3.27, and 2.94 Log10 CFU/g of plate count bacteria were detected on the cotton gloves, cutting board, and knives but polyethylene gloves showed no bacterial count. Our results reveal the transfer efficiency of pathogenic bacteria and that gloved hands may act as a transfer route of pathogenic bacteria between meat and hands. The best hand hygiene was achieved when wearing polyethylene gloves. Thus, use of polyethylene rather than cotton gloves reduces cross-contamination during meat processing.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.243-248
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• 2011

The prevalence and distribution of hazardous microorganisms were investigated from the major perilla cultivation area at Milyang, Gyeongnam province, Korea. Aerobic plate count (APC) and coliform count of perilla leaves were 4.82 log CFU/g and 3.85 log CFU/g, respectively. E. coli, S. aureus and B. cereus were detected in 3.0% (4/114), 7.9% (9/114) and 46.5% (53/114) of examined perilla leaves. However, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp, and L. monocytogenes were not detected. The distribution of hazardous microorganisms in perilla leaf cultivation environment were compared and the concentration of APC and coliform counts were more than 3.0 log CFU/(mL, g, $100cm^2$, hand) from most of the samples. S. aureus were detected from irrigation water, packing table, packing vinyl, hand, and clothes. Also, B. cereus was frequently detected from the examined samples. Especially, packing table and collection container were contaminated with maximum 5.5 log $CFU/100cm^2$ of B. cereus. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) system should be introduced to farms to enhance the safety of perilla leaves.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.260-267
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• 2014

To evaluate microbiological and aflatoxin safety on traditional dried persimmon, a total of 315 samples were collected from 105 farms. The collected samples were assessed on aflatoxin and microorganisms (Aerobic plate count, coliform count, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus). The the APC of sliced dried persimmon, dried persimmon, and semi dried persimmon were $3.93{\pm}0.96$, $2.12{\pm}0.93$, and $1.50{\pm}1.08{\log}\;CFU/g$, respectively. S. aureus was detected in 40.0% of sliced dried persimmon, 29.5% of dried persimmon, and 23.5% of semi dried persimmon. E. coli recovered from dried persimmon and semi dried persimmon was 6.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes were not detected. According to the result of aflatoxin by ELISA and UPLC, aflatoxin was not detected in any sample. These data suggested that safety management system should be introduce to the farms producing traditional dried persimmon to enhance the safety of traditional dried persimmon.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.722-731
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of non-heat-processed foods for implementation of a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system in day-care center foodservice operations. The evaluating points were microbial assessment of foods, utensils, and employee's hands during preparation, cooking, and serving. The temperature of non-heated food being served was also measured. Microbiological quality was assessed using 3 M Petrifilm/syp TM/ to measure total plate count and coliforms for food and utensils and Staphylococcus aureus for hands in five Gumi day-care centers. Results showed low microbiological quality of non-heated foods. This was probably due to contaminated raw ingredients and cross-contamination that occurred during preparation and cooking (e.g., unsatisfactory washing and disinfection of raw materials and utensils). These results suggest that it is essential to educate employees on good personal hygiene (hand washing) , prevention of cross-contamination through use of properly washed and sanitized utensils, and proper washing and disinfection of raw vegetables. Establishing Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) are an essential part of any RACCP system in day-care center foodservice operations.