• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2018

Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebas that are widely distributed in natural environments. Although uncommon, infection with these protozoans can cause fatal disease in humans and animals. In this study, in order to select the appropriate method to survey Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba spp. in water samples, four molecular biology techniques and one commercially available kit for real-time PCR were compared. The results indicated that the duplex real-time PCR was the most sensitive, and could be used to simultaneously detect two different free-living amoebas. Using the duplex real-time PCR approach, the two free-living amoebas were surveyed in three local streams in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. The concentrated free-living amoebas were inoculated onto non-nutrient agar plates which had been spread with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli and incubated for 5~7 days. After incubation, gDNA was extracted and used as the template for amplification by duplex real-time PCR. Acanthamoeba spp. and N. fowleri was detected from ten (83.3%) and two (16.6%) of the twelve samples, respectively. As these two free-living amoebas can be fatal, continuous surveillance is needed to track their distribution in the aquatic environment for the drinking water safety.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.561-569
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• 2012

To evaluate the bacteriological water quality in Yongnam-Gwangdo, located in western Jinhae Bay, seawater samples were analyzed using sanitary indicator bacteria at 57 sampling stations. According to survey results from January 2007 to December 2009, the range of the geometric mean and the estimated 90th percentile for coliforms and fecal coliforms in the samples were <1.8-16.5 and 1.8-246.8 MPN/100 mL and <1.8-7.1 and 1.8-74.8 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The samples, including those taken from stations located in Wonmunman, Gwangdo, and Dangdong, showed high levels of microbial contamination caused by the climate and weather patterns in the marine environment. The bacteriological water quality in the area met Korean criteria for a designated shellfish growing area for export and National Shellfish Sanitation Program criteria for an approved shellfish growing area, except at station #49. A total of 24 direct pollution sources were discharged into the shellfish growing area. The radius of impact was calculated for each pollution source to assess the effect on the shellfish growing area. The calculated radius of impact for most of the pollution sources was below 300 m. However, the radius of impact for the combined pollution sources in Kyeonnaeryang was 93-1973 m. There were significant differences between the calculated closed sea area and actual monitoring results. The closed sea area values calculated from the fecal coliform load in drainage water tended to be higher than the actual monitoring results. Tidal currents and environmental factors such as salinity, water temperature, sunlight, and microbiological factors affect the survival of fecal indicator bacteria in seawater.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.299-303
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• 2009

To explore the preservation parameters of a prototype anti-inflammatory drink containing a Helianthus annuus seed extract, we first examined sweetness, pH and color changes, and temperature effects during preservation. Over 25 days, pH rose slightly from 3.50 to 3.65. Small color changes in L, a, and b values occurred on prolonged storage. Temperature most affected storage properties, which differed considerably at $10^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. Microbiological safety tests showed that the prototype drink was safe; neither general bacterial contamination nor Escherichia coli growth occurred. We concluded that the prototype drink was biologically and microbiologically safe on preservation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1063-1068
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• 2010

This study compared UV and UV/$H_2O_2$ inactivation of E.coli, a possible indicator microorganism for fecal contamination of water, and $Q{\ss}$ phage, an indicator for pathogenic viruses. UV inactivation of $Q{\ss}$, T4 and lambda phages in actual secondary effluent was investigated, too. As a result, similar inactivation efficiency between $Q{\ss}$ phage and E.coli was observed during UV treatment, while $Q{\ss}$ phage showed higher resistance to UV/$H_2O_2$ than E.coli. $Q{\ss}$ phage resistance to UV or UV/$H_2O_2$ does not reflect those of all pathogenic viruses. However, the result tells that the use of E.coli inactivation efficiency in evaluating microbiological safety of water could not always ensure the sufficient safety from pathogenic viruses. Meanwhile, $Q{\ss}$ phage showed less resistance to UV than T4 and lambda phages, indicating that the use of $Q{\ss}$ phage as an indicator virus may bring insufficient disinfection effectiveness by causing the introduction of lower UV dose than required. Consequently, it can be thought that T4 or lambda phages would be more desirable indicators in ensuring the sufficient disinfection effectiveness for various pathogenic viruses.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.403-410
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the microbiological contamination level of raw beef from retail markets in Seoul, Korea. The sampling and laboratory test were performed according to the procedure of "Standard for processing and ingredients specification of livestock product" and "Korean food code". Enterotoxin of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were detected using VIDAS$^{(R)}$ and PCR-based methods. Listeria monocytogenes serotyping and genotyping were carried out using Listeria antisera and L. monocytogenes Fingerprinting kit, respectively. A total of 48 samples were collected from 16 retail markets (butcher's shop: 5, department store: 6, supermarket: 5) in 2011. The level of total bacteria counts in the butcher's shop, department store and supermarket were $4.4{\times}10^3$ CFU/g, $3.9{\times}10^5$ CFU/g and $1.0{\times}10^4$ CFU/g, respectively. The concentrations of Escherichia coli of these three retail markets were $6.4{\times}10$ CFU/g, 7.6 CFU/g and $2.0{\times}10$ CFU/g, respectively. Salmonella species was not detected on all samples. However, S. aureus was isolated in the 3 samples (6.25%) from each type of three retail markets. L. monocytogenes was isolated in the 4 samples (8.3%) from department stores. The level of contamination of these foodborne bacteria was less than 100 CFU/g. The enterotoxin-encoding genes of S. aureus isolates were sea, seh, sei and sep gene. The gene similarity of L. monocytogenes isolated from two retail markets by Rep-PCR showed 57.8-98.1% and 68.1-98.1%, respectively. These results suggest that the HACCP guideline for environmental control in slaughterhouse and retail markets should be provided to prevent cross contamination and manage foodborne pathogens such as L. monocytogenes and S. aureus.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.276-285
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• 2009

This study evaluated the microbiological quality and safety of food items(seafood, meat, eggs, and frozen food) supplied to elementary school food services, during delivery, and analyzed the distribution/delivery system. To this end, 10 food items supplied by 13 factories in Daegu and Gyeongbuk were chosen for study. Beef and pork were delivered directly to schools in freezer vans. Seafood, chicken, and frozen food were delivered to schools by refrigerated vans(${\leq}10^{\circ}C$) that made other delivery stops before arriving at schools. After food was delivered to schools, total bacterial counts and coliforms(respectively) were as follows: mackerel($2.0{\times}10^2-3.2{\times}10^5$, $<5-4.0{\times}10^3CFU/g$), common squid($2.5{\times}10^4-6.6{\times}10^5$, $1.6{\times}10^2-6.0{\times}10^3CFU/g$), shellfish($3.2{\times}10^5-1.7{\times}10^3$, $4.0{\times}10^3-3.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$), boiled fish paste($1.9{\times}10^4$, <5 CFU/g), beef($9.2{\times}10^2-6.4{\times}10^4$, $<5-2.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$), pork($2.6{\times}10^3-1.3{\times}10^6$, $<5-2.7{\times}10^2CFU/g$), chicken($1.0{\times}10^4$, $2.4{\times}10^2CFU/g$), egg($<5-2.3{\times}10^2$, <5 CFU/g), frozen mandu($3.2{\times}10^3-9.5{\times}10^4$, <5 CFU/g), and frozen noodles($<5-9.0{\times}10$, <5 CFU/g). Bacillus cereus($2.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$) and E. coli($1.0{\times}10\;CFU/g$) were detected on shellfish, and Staphylococcus aureuswas detected on pork($3.1{\times}10\;CFU/g$) and chicken($7.8{\times}10\;CFU/g$). Most food items were double-wrapped in vinyl and placed in corrugated cardboard boxes prior to delivery, and the boxes weremixed with other food items when they were put in the vans. There was no cross-contamination during distribution. However, total shellfish bacterial counts increased slightly. These results indicate that foods need to be completely pasteurized during processing. Frozen food items should not be mixed and should be delivered by freezer vans(${\leq}4^{\circ}C$). The number of stops made during distribution/delivery should be reduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.379-389
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• 2008

This study was conducted to assess the microbiological quality of raw and cooked foods served in the elementary school food service. Raw and cooked food samples were collected from 11 selected elementary schools in both June to July and September to October of 2005. Petrifilm plates were used to determine (in duplicate) total aerobic colony counts (PAC), Enterobacteriaceae (PE), coliform counts (PCC), and E. coli counts (PEC). Heavy contamination of Enterobacteriaceae (from 0.08 to 7.40 log CFU/g) and total coliform (0.50 to 6.52 log CFU/g) were observed in raw materials and cooked foods. Escherichia coli (E. coli) were detected in the sample of currant tomato (3.70 log CFU/g), sesame leaf (3.59 log CFU/g), dropwort (0.20 log CFU/g), crown daisy (3.15 log CFU/g), parsley (3.00 log CFU/g), peeled green onion (1.74 log CFU/g), frozen pork (0.65 log CFU/g), frozen beef (0.20 or 1.50 log CFU/g), chicken (1.78 log CFU/g), and young radish leaf seasoned with soybean paste (1.24 log CFU/g). Multiplex PCR system was used to determine the food-borne pathogens: Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Shigella spp., B. cereus was detected in 19 samples of raw materials and 8 samples of cooked foods. With regard to quantitative analysis, B. cereus counts exceeded 5.46, 3.48 and 1.79 log CFU/g in sesame leaf, peeled green onion and seasoned mungbean jelly, respectively. E. coli O157:H7 was detected on 2 samples of frozen beefs, and its biochemical characteristics of one beef sample was confirmed with API 20E kit (93.7%). L. monocytogenes was detected in fried rice paper dumpling, but the presumptive colonies were not detected onto the conventional plate. C. jejuni was detected in peeled & washed onion.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.569-576
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• 1995

Quality changes of canned smoked-oyster in cottonseed oil (SOCO) were investigated to determine an optimal Fo-value ( Fo) for microbiological safety and quality stability during long-term storage. The canned SOCOs were sterilized at $105^{\circ}C,\;110^{\circ}C,\;and\;115^{\circ}C$ with various Fo-values and stored at temperature range of $5^{\circ}C\;-\;50^{\circ}C$. No remarkable quality changes in pin, content of amino nitrogen, arid value and thiobarbituric acid value of the canned SOCOs sterilized at $110^{\circ}C$ with $Fo\geq5.92 min,$ were recognized at all storage temperatures. Same tendency was also recognized in the products sterilized at $105^{\circ}C\;and\;150^{\circ}C$ with $Fo=5,50\pm 0.1 min\;and\;6.50\pm0.1 min,$ while those of the canned SOCOs sterilized at $110^{\circ}C\;with\;Fo<5.92 min$ altered remarkably.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2000

This study was carried out to changes in chemical and microbiological properties of spring waters in Tongyeoung area. In this paper, ninety spring water samples were collected from 9 station for 11 month to evaluated chemical and bacteriological water quality. Range and mean values of constituents of the samples are as followed; water temperature 5.2~25.8$^{\circ}C$, 16.3$^{\circ}C$, pH 6.0~7.2, 6.7, total residue 33.6~210 mg/1, 90.6 mg/1, turbidity 0.35~5.48, 1.45NTU, KMnO4 consumed 0.51~4.21 mg/1, 1.39 mg/1, chloride ion 6.23~42.5, 16.7 mg/l, phosphate-phosphorus ND-0.04, 0.02 mg/1, nitrite-nitrogen ND~0.02, 0.01 mg/1, nitrate-nitrogen ND~3.56, 1.42 mg/1, ammonia-nitrogen ND~0.20, 0.14 mg/1, dissolved total nitrogen ND~3.78, 1.57 mg/1, iron 0.04~0.28, 0.13ppm, zinc 0.03~0.66, 0.20ppm, mangan ND~0.01, allumium 0.14~0.58, 0.39ppm, copper ND~0.01, 0.01, lead ND~0.01, 0.01ppm, Arsenic ND~0.01, 0.01ppm, mercury ND~0.02, chrome not detected, cadmium not detetced respectively. The viable cell counts of the spring waters ranged 5.0~760/m1(means 130/m1). Range and mean value of total coliform and focal coliform MPN's of the spring waters were 0~2,400MPN/100 ml, 73MPN/100 ml and 0~540MPN/100 ml, 21MPN/100 ml. Spring water quality was usually poor with viable cell counts exceeding 130 CFU/liter and the coliform counts in spring waters of 73 MPN/liter. Composition of coliform by IMViC reaction was 33.3% E. coli, 15.6% Citrobacter freundii, 35.6% Klebsiella aerogenes and others.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.190-195
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• 2010

Pressure, used as a minimal processing technology in the food industry, is a valuable tool ensuring microbiologically safe, shelf-stable fruit and vegetable production. Pressure could be used to deliver a greater variety of minimally processed products, as demanded by today's consumers. Weevaluated the effect of <400 MPa pressure, applied during chilling, on fresh fruit purees (strawberry, kiwi, aloe, and pomegranate) and vegetable extracts (from carrot and spinach) during cold storage (<$10^{\circ}C$) for 15-20 days. Samples were prepared in a processing facility in which total plate counts of falling and floating bacteria were controlled at $1{\times}100-10^1$ CFU/plate and $1{\times}10^2-10^3$ $CFU/m^3$ under conditions of $21-25^{\circ}C$ and 55-60% relative humidity. The aerobic plate counts of raw materials were less than $1{\times}10^3$ CFU/g. Evaluation parameters included microbiological safety, vitamin content, and sensory qualities. Although the overall quality of non-treated samples deteriorated with storage time at $10^{\circ}C$, samples pressurized at 250-350 MPa at $5-7^{\circ}C$ for 10 min showed less change, with no significant difference in microbiological safety, vitamin content, or sensory quality. The use of pressure extended the shelf-life during storage at $10^{\circ}C$.