• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.470-476
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• 2007

To evaluate the vancomycin resistance of Enterococcus spp. (VRE) from Saengsik and Sunsik, Enterococcus were isolated and identified from 25 Saengsik and 35 Sunsik samples, and resistance of Enterococcus to other antibiotics was also assessed. Thirty nine Enterococcus, 16 strains from Saengsik, and 23 strains from Sunsik, were ultimately isolated. The most frequently collected Enterococcus isolates in Saengsik were E. casseliflavus and E. hirae, and were E. casseliflavus and E. faecium in Sunsik. However, E. faecalis was not detected in those foods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin against the isolates were below $4\;{\mu}g/mL$ and no strains evidenced profound levels of resistance. The isolates were found to be susceptible to vancomycin with the exception of eight E. casseliflavus and three E. gallinarum. All Enterococcus isolates proved resistant to streptomycin and chloramphenicol. 23% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin; however, all of the isolates were sensitive to tetracycline. Six and 48%, respectively, of the strains from the Saengsik and Sunsik proved resistant to erythromycin. All of E. mundtii and E. hirae isolates from Saengsik, and 20% of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus isolates from Sunsik were found to be ampicillin-resistant. All of E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, and E. faecium were rifampin-resistant. The antibiotic resistances of Enterococcus were relatively low, and this low vancomycin resistance was similar to that evidenced by Enterococcus isolates obtained from the other foods. However, there may be a need for some review of the accepted antibiotics criteria for Enterococcus and VRE in ready-to-eat foods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.637-653
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between food consumption frequency of Korean adults and self-perceived chewing difficulty, using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ, 112 items) from 2013-2016 of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were divided into not difficult in chewing (NDC) and difficult in chewing (DC) groups, with 24.17% being classified into DC. Males and females consumed 35 and 37 items less frequently than the other sex, respectively. Due to the remarkable gender difference in food consumption, gender-stratified one-sided survey regression analysis was performed after adjusted for the effect of age, household income, and self-rated health status. RESULTS: Thirty-four items of FFQ were significantly less consumed by the DC group. Females exclusively consumed less beverages and alcohol while males showed the same for fruits and milk·dairy products. Consumption frequency of 8 items such as steamed potatoes·grilled potatoes, stir fried beef, other kimchi·fresh vegetable kimchi, orange, sour pork·pork cutlet, tteokbokki and green tea were significant only in males. In contrast, 17 items including cooked rice with other grains and legumes, boiled egg·steamed egg, Korean cabbage kimchi, banana, and tofu stew·soft tofu stew were significant only for females. Finally, items that showed significance for both were 9 items including loaf bread, ready-to-eat cereal, steamed sweet potatoes·grilled sweet potatoes, stir-fried lotus roots·stir-fried burdock, green laver salad·brown seaweed salads, apples, tomato·cherry tomatoes, squid (raw, dried shredded, boiled, stir-fried), and curd type yogurt. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study suggest chewing difficulty may be an important nutritional issue that has to be dealt with for healthful food consumption, with distinct interest of gender.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.366-371
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• 2011

Viscosity is critically important for bulgogi sauce. However, exposure to irradiation may decrease the rheological properties of bulgogi sauce. This study was conducted to compare the effects of gamma irradiation (0-9 kGy) on viscosity, molecular weight, pH, reducing end level, and water solubility of xanthan gum, guar gum, and locust bean gum as thickening agents/stabilizers in bulgogi sauce. The physicochemical properties of all samples changed (p<0.05) from 3965 to 0 cP (viscosity), from 6048 to 28 kDa (molecular weight), from 5.79 to 4.62 (pH), from 0.13 mg/mL to 1.72 mg/mL (reducing end level), and from 6% to 87% (water solubility) following gamma irradiation. Viscosity after irradiation was most stable (p<0.05) in xanthan gum (from 1249 to 92 cP) compared with guar gum (from 3965 to 0 cP) and locust bean gum (from 1631 to 0 cP). The sensory properties (texture and taste) of bulgogi sauce prepared with xanthan gum (1%, w/w) were highly maintained (about 7.0-5.0) after high-dose irradiation of up to 40 kGy. These results indicate that xanthan gum can be effectively used as a thickening agent/stabilizer in bulgogi sauce, which had low viscosity after irradiation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2008

This study examined the anti-microbiological effects of chlorine treatment on the surface of fresh fruits, in order to improve microbiological safety in school foodservice operations. Non-peeled fruit(strawberries) and peeled fruit(bananas) were treated with different concentrations of chlorinated water and rinsing numbers, followed by microbiological testing. The fruits were immersed at different concentrations of chlorinated water(0 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm) and durations(3 min and 5 min), and were then rinsed with tap water(one time, two times, or three times). The total viable cell counts of both the strawberries and bananas ranged from $10^3$ CFU/g to $10^4$ CFU/g, and coliform levels ranged from $10^2$ CFU/g to $10^3$ CFU/g. As the chlorine concentration, immersion time, and rinsing number increased, anti-microbiological activity increased. The largest microbial reduction was shown with immersion for 5 min in 100 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings. In the strawberries, this treatment reduced the initial population of total viable cells and coliforms by 3.29 log CFU/g and to an undetectable level, respectively, no total viable cells or coliforms were detected on the banana surface following this treatment. However, after a sterilization treatment with immersion for 5 min in 50 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings, the total viable cell counts and coliform counts of the strawberries and bananas decreased to acceptable levels, based on the microbiological standards for ready-to-eat foods. Overall, it was shown that the sterilization treatment of 50 ppm chlorinated water, soaking for 5 min, and three rinsings provided an effective reduction in surface microbes, and enhanced the microbiological safety of the fruit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.1343-1356
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• 2008

The evaluation of microbiological quality for school food samples collected from 19 selected middle and high schools located in Seoul was undertaken. Eighty-nine food samples consisting of 38 non-pretreated vegetables, 13 pre-washed and cut vegetables, 9 meats and poultry, 3 fish and shellfish, 7 dried fish, and shellfish and 20 processed foods were collected. Aerobic plate count, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli (E. coli ) were detected using $Petrifilm^{TM}$, and the food-borne pathogens were screened by multiplex PCR with species-specific primer sets. Sequentially, the quantitative and confirmative test of the food-borne pathogens were carried out with the selective media and biochemical kits. The contamination of coliform counts was observed on the pre-washed vegetables ($3.4{\sim}4.3\;log\;CFU/g$) and meats ($2.2{\sim}4.3\;log\;CFU/g$). Also, the cooked foods were heavily contaminated with coliform, ranging from 1.0 to $5.5\;log\;CFU/g$. E. coli counts were found in 16 raw and cooked food samples, exceeding the microbiological standards for the guideline of safety management for school foods. Through PCR detection, B acillus cereus was detected in 32 raw and cooked foods, and quantitatively found in pre-washed carrot, radish, and pan-broiled dried shrimp and filefish ranging from $2.3{\sim}3.6\;log\;CFU/g$, respectively. E. coli O157:H7 was detected on frozen pork sample and was confirmed with API kit. Campylobacter jejuni was found in 3 ready-to-eat type vegetables. Vibrio parahaemolyticus were found in 4 pre-washed vegetables and 2 cooked foods, indicating unsatisfactory quality based upon the microbiological standards of ready-to-eat vegetables and cooked foods by Korea Food and Drug Administration. Salmonella spp. was detected in frozen chicken sample and confirmed by API kit and latex antisera agglutination.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.319-331
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to develop Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan applicable to cook/chilled Pork Bulkogi (broiled sliced pork with sauces) in school foodservice operations and to establish reasonable shelf-life limits by assessing food quality during chilled storage period of 5 days. During the product flow, time-temperature profile was recorded and microbiological analyses including mesophilic and psychrotrophic total plate counts, coliform, and fecal coliform and qualitative analyses of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were done. Chemical analyses (pH, acid value, total volatile basic nitrogen), sensory evaluation, and quantitative analysis of thiamin were conducted for 5 days of chilled storage. The number of mesophiles in raw pork ($4.26{\pm}0.11\;Log\;CFU/g$), seasoning mixture ($5.97{\pm}O.04\;Log\;CFU/g$) and marinated pork ($5.56{\pm}0.21\;Log\;CFU/g$) were below the microbial standards for "requires further cooking" food items. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in seasoning mixture. After heating, the number of mesophiles ($5.17{\pm}0.04\;Log\;CFU/g$) were slightly reduced but it did not meet the microbial guidelines of $5\;Log\;CFU/g$ for "ready-to-eat" foods. No other microbes including pathogens were detected. By reheating the menu item after chilled storage, the number of mesophiles were reduced in every phase of 1st day ($4.62{\pm}0.22\;Log\;CFU/g$), 3rd day ($4.55{\pm}0.20\;Log\;CFU/g$) and 5th day ($4.25{\pm}0.16\;Log\;CFU/g$) of chilled storage, and the number of microbes was below the standard limits for "ready-to-eat" foods. At the fifth day of chilled storage, pH (p<0.05), acid value (p<0.01) and TVBN (p<0.05) showed significant increases. Sensory evaluation results did not show any significant change for 5 days of chilled storage. Thiamin content showed a decrease for 5 days of chilled storage. Consequently, the ideal shelflife recommended for Pork Bulkogi was within 3 days of chilled storage. CCPs for Pork Bulkogi were purchasing and receiving of raw meat and some seasoning ingredients, heating, chilling, chilled storage, reheating, and distribution.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.229-239
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• 2012

Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii), a Gram-negative bacillus, is a rare cause of meningitis and central nervous system infections. In England, the first case infected by this organism occurred in 1958. By July 2008, approximately 120 documented cases of Cronobacter spp. infection and at least 27 deaths have been identified from all around the world in the published literature and in reports submitted by public health sectors. In 2007, it was proposed by European organizations that the original taxonomy of E. sakazakii would be revised, to consist of five new species moved to a new genus, and identified as "Cronobacter". E. sakazakii has thus now been reclassified as 6 separate species in the new genus, Cronobacter, gen. nov., within the Enterobacteriaceae family. The new species are presently Cronobacter sakazakii, C. turicensis, C. malonaticus, C. muytjensii, and C. dublinensis; the sixth species is identified simply as genomospecies I, as currently including only two representative strains. The objectives of this review are to provide insight on (1) the classification and taxonomy of Cronobacter spp., (2) its clinical etiology and pathogenicity, (3) prequency of Cronobacter spp. in different categories of ready-to-eat food other than infant formula, (4) methods for detecting, isolating and typing Cronobacter spp., and (5) recent research trends for detecting Cronobacter spp.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

Microbial contamination origin of Kimbab was determined using nine types of ready-to-use ingredients, three each from animal, seafood, and vegetable sources. Effect of radiation on microbiological safety was also investigated. Total aerobic bacteria were not detected in seasoned beef, ham, and seasoned burdock, whereas 3.50, 5.41, 8.83, and 5.07 log CFU/g were detected in surimi gel, seasoned and blanched spinach, dried laver, and cucumber, respectively. Total aerobic bacterial and mold numbers were 8.73 and 5.08 log CFU/g in prepared Kimbab. Gamma irradiation reduced level of contaminated aerobic bacteria and mold population in Kimbab and its ingredients, Salmonella mutagenicity assay (Ames test) showed Kimbub ingredients irradiated at 10 kGy did not show any mutagenicity. These results indicate ready-to-use kimbab ingredients were mostly responsible for total aerobic bacteria and mold population of Kimbab, and low dose irradiation and low temperature storage ($10^{\circ}C$) effectively ensured microbiological safety of Kimbab and ready-to-use ingredients.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2009

Contamination levels of aerobic colony counts, coliforms and pathogenic bacteria were tested in fried rice dishes to monitor quality for risk management. The prevalence of Bacillus cereus in dishes from 8 Chinese-style restaurants and 2 institutional foodservices was 10%, and the bacteria's contamination levels was 3.47 log CFU/g. Echerichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella were not detected in any of the 10 samples. However, for their aerobic colony counts and numbers of isolated coliforms, the samples were 30% and 70% over the microbial criteria, respectively, for ready-to-eat foods presented in the Korean Food Code. This suggests that fried rice dishes, although cooked with oil at high temperature, require special care. For the prediction of the growth curve of B. cereus spp. in the fried rice samples, an experiment design of 3 storage temperatures ($7^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, $57^{\circ}C$) x 5 storage times (0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 24 h) was applied. The sample exposed to $35^{\circ}C$ showed no B. cereus spp. at 0 h; however, there was a tendency of slow growth (1.0 log CFU/g) after 4 hours of storage and then faster growth at 6 h (3.7 log CFU/g) and 12 h (4.7 log CFU/g), showing a growth rate of 0.56 log CFU/g/hr. These results indicate that fried rice, despite being heat-treated, can become heavily contaminated with B. cereus spp. when held over 2 hours at room temperature. However, the samples stored at $7^{\circ}C$ and $57^{\circ}C$ over 24 hours were not contaminated with B. cereus. Based on these results, management guidelines for controlling B. cereus are suggested.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

Recently, the purchase of fresh-cut produce and meal kits has increased. Ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut products have potentially hazard of cross-contamination of various microorganisms in the processes of peeling, slicing, dicing, and shredding. There are frequent cases of protozoa food poisoning, such as Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium, caused by fresh-cut products. The objective of the study is to investigate the microbiological qualities of various types of RTE fresh-cut products in the domestic on/offline markets. RTE fresh-cut fruits cup (n=100), fresh-cut vegetables (n=50), and vegetables in meal kits (Vietnamese spring rolls and white radish rolls kits, n=50) were seasonally analyzed. The contamination levels of hygienic indicator organisms, yeast and mold (YM), and foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were monitored. Overall, the lowest microbiological qualities of meal kits vegetables were observed, followed by RTE fresh-cut fruits cup and fresh-cut vegetables. Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and YM in meal kits vegetables were 5.91, 3.90, and 4.71 logs CFU/g, respectively. From the qualitative analysis, 6 out of 200 RTE fresh-cut products (3%) returned positive result for S. aureus. From the quantitative analysis, the contamination levels of S. aureus in purple cabbage from a meal-kit and fresh-cut pineapple were below the acceptable limit (100 CFU/g). Staphylococcus enterotoxin seg and sei genes were detected in RTE fresh-cut celery and red cabbage from meal-kits, respectively. S. aureus contamination must be carefully controlled during the manufacturing processes of RTE fresh-cut products. Neither Cyclospora cayetanensis nor Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in the samples of RTE fresh-cut products and vegetables from meal-kits from the Korean retail markets.