• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.3 s.142
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• pp.220-223
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• 2005

The purposes of this study was to develop the best one among the methods using dry heat, gamma irradiation and alcohol gas, to sterilize Scutellariae Radix selected based on high frequency of circulation between merchants and high susceptibility to microbial contamination, through comparing these methods in terms of the followings; ⅰ) the efficacy of sterilization in comparison with cost, and ⅱ)the alteration of chemical components of these herbal medicines. The results of this study will be taken advantage of establishment of the maximum limit of microorganism contaminated in herbal medicines. From the results of this study we conclude the followings: ⅰ) The sterilizing method using dry heat may be inappropriate, because it seriously changed their color and morphology which is an essential criterion to estimate a measure of quality between merchants and consumers, although it effectively got rid of contaminated microorganism and did not alter major components, baicalin; ⅱ) The sterilizing method using gamma irradiation may be appropriate, because it showed a strong sterilizing effect, and no alteration of chemical components, color and morphology; ⅲ)The sterilizing method using alcohol gas may also be appropriate, because it had a similar effects as in the case of gamma irradiation. Collectively, we suggest that appropriate sterilizing methods to guarantee the microbial quality of this herbal medicine may be those using gamma irradiation and alcohol gas.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.415-420
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to develop the best methods to sterilize herbal medicines which is frequently used and known to have high susceptibility to microbial contamination. We used dry heat, gamma irradiation and alcohol gas treatment for sterilization, and evaluated these methods in terms of the followings; i) the efficacy of sterilization, and ii) the chemical alteration of index constituents of herbal medicines. Treatment with dry heat effectively eliminated the contaminated microorganisms, and did not significantly alter the content of berberine chloride, paeoniflorin and amygdalin in Phellodendron Bark, Peony Root and Apricot Kernel, respectively: However it seriously changed the color and morphology which are essential criteria to estimate a measure of quality of herbal medicines. Treatment with gamma irradiation showed a strong sterilizing effect, and no alteration of the content of index constituents, color and morphology: Alcohol gas treatment resulted in similar effects as those in gamma irradiation. Collectively; these results suggest that treatment with gamma irradiation or alcohol gas may be useful methods for sterilizing herbal medicines without a decrease in their microbial quality.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.641-646
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the sterilizing effects of toothbrushes by administering bacteria into toothbrushes and reproducing the antibacterial effects using a microwave oven. Methods : The heads of four-row mid-strength toothbrushes were cut, put in a bacterial solution ($3{\times}10^9cells/ml$) for vortexing, and sterilized with microwaves for 0, 30, and 60 seconds. They were then moved into four tubes containing DW 10 ml and suspended in a vortex mixer for two minutes to separate bacteria from them. DW 9ml was added by 1ml of bacteria for dilution of $10{\sim}10^6$ times. It was then administered to the BHI agar plate by 0.1ml and cultured at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. Total number of bacteria adhered to a toothbrush was obtained by multiplying the number of colonies by the dilution factor. The experiment was done in the first, second, and third step, being repeated in a normal temperature drier ($23^{\circ}C$) after 5, 9 and 24 hours. Results : The results of the experiment revealed that the sterilizing effects were 95% or over. When toothbrushes were sterilized for 60 seconds, the number of colonies is about 11 after drying for 5 hours, 7 after drying for 9 hours and 2 after drying for 24 hours. The sterilizing effects reached 98% when the bacteria-administered toothbrush was sterilized for 1 minute after drying for 24 hours. Conclusions : The results demonstrated that toothbrush sterilizing by using microwave is a suitable way to prevent cross-contamination of toothbrushes by oral bacterial infection and thus easy to use at home. However, this study suggests that toothbrush sterilizing by using microwave should be limited within two times a week because the physical properties of toothbrush might be changed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.68-86
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• 1995

This study was conducted at five Ethylene Oxide(EO) sterilizing processes in hospitals located in Seoul from August 8 to August 30, 1994. The main purposes of this study were to assess the TWA(Time Weighted Average) and short term exposures to EO and to evaluate factors affecting EO concentrations in sterilizing room. Results are summarized as follows. 1. The TWA concentrations of the sterilizing operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 3.04ppm and those of two sterilizing rooms out of five exceeded 1ppm, the Korean and ACGIH standards. 2. When the door of the sterilizer is opened at the end of the sterilization cycle, the short term concentrations of operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 11.4ppm, and those of three sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm, the ACGIH short term exposure limit(STEL). The short term concentrations of area samples ranged from 0.24ppm to 49.2ppm and those of four sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm. 3. Factors affecting EO exposure level were aeration type, the location of storage site for sterilized item, amount of gas, use period of sterilizer(p<0.005). 4. Following recommendations are suggested to minimize exposure to EO. The use of EO gas should be reduced by using another available sterilization methods, and the sterilizers and gas tank storage site should be isolated from, other work areas. Combination of local and general ventilation system should be installed. Metal carts or baskets for sterilization load should be used, and work environment and medical monitoring should be performed regularly.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.180-184
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to develop the best methods to sterilize Moutan Root Bark which is frequently used as a herbal medicine, and known to have high susceptibility to m icrobial contamination. We used dry heat, gamma irradiation and alcohol gas treatment for sterilization, and evaluated these methods in terms of the followings; I) the efficacy of sterilization, and ii) the chemical alteration of a major component of the harbal medicines. Treatment with dry heat effectively got rid of contaminated microorganisms, and did not significantly alter the content of paeonol. However it seriously changed the color and morphology which are an essential criterion to estimate a measure of quality of medicinal herbs. Treatment with gamma irradiation showed a strong sterilizing effect, and no alteration of the content of paeonol, color and morphology. Alcohol gas treatment resulted in similar effects as those in gamma irradiation. Collectively, these results suggest that appropriate sterilizing methods to guarantee the microbial quality of this herbal medicine may be those using gamma irradiation or alcohol gas.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.817-828
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• 2023

Deteriorating soil physical properties and increasing soil pathogens due to the continuous cultivation of field crops are the leading causes of productivity deterioration. Crop rotation, soil heat treatment, and chemical control are used as pest control methods; however, each has limitations in wide application to domestic agriculture. In particular, chemical control requires improvement due to direct exposure to sterilizing solution, odor, and high-intensity work. To improve the overall domestic agricultural environment, the problems of time and cost, such as field maintenance and cultivation scale, must be addressed; therefore, mechanization technology for chemical control must be secured to derive improvement effects in a short period. Most related studies are focused on the control effect of the DMDS (dimethyl disulfide) sterilizer, and research on the performance of the sterilization spray device has been conducted after its introduction in Korea, but research on the corrosion suitability of the material is lacking. This study conducted a corrosion test to secure the corrosion resistance of a soil sterilizer injection pump, and a mechanical failure mode by corrosion by the material was established. The corrosion test comprised operation and neglect tests in which the sterilizing solution was circulated in the pump and remained in the pump, respectively. As a result of the corrosion test, damage occurred due to the weakening of the mechanical strength of the graphite material, and corrosion resistance to aluminum, stainless steel, fluororubber, and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) materials was confirmed.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2013

This study was carried out in order to investigate sterilization effect and to extend storage periods of the Rubus coreanus by treating with tap water (TW), electrolyzed water (EW) and aqueous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$). After each treatment plot was soaked with 10, 50, 100, 200 ppm in each sterilizing solution within 30 sec, each treatment was compared during the storage time at room temperature and refrigerator temperature. As results of total plate count according to temperatures and periods, the microbial sterilizing power of each treatment plot was bigger at EW and $ClO_2$ treatment plots than the TW treatment plot; however, it sharply increased on the high concentration $ClO_2$ treatment plot. Futhermore, the cold storage treatment plot had more outstanding microbial sterilizing power than the room temperature treatment plot. As a result of observing the surface of the Rubus coreanus using scanning electron microscope (SEM), no microbe was seen in EW and $ClO_2$ treatment plot. The results of measuring enzyme activity showed a more significant decrease in EW and $ClO_2$ solutions treatment plot than TW treatment plot but gradually increased with time. The contents of total polyphenol revealed similar values on each treatment. The EW and $ClO_2$ treatment of the Rubus coreanus could be considered as good methods for inhibiting microbial growth in fresh vegetables and fruit, thereby contributing to quality maintenance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.134-147
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• 2005

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gami-Shengmayuipung-tang on acne. Methods : The effects of Gami-Shengmayuipung-tang (SYTSRG) on acne were measured by the $5\alpha-reductase$ inhibition, the sterilizing power for Propionibactrium acnes, the cytotoxicity of human monocyte, the inhibition for prostaglandins$(PGE_2)$, interleukins $(IL-l\beta)$ and $TNF-\alpha$ in inflammation, and the size of the hamtster ear sebaceous gland related to P. acnes. Results: On the $5\alpha-reductase$ inhibition of SYTSRG in vitro, an undiluted solution of SYTSRG showed $80\%$ inhibition on $5\alpha-reductase$ and 1/10 diluted solution of SYTSRG showed $40\%$ inhibition on $5\alpha-reductase$. On the sterilizing power for Propionibactrium acnes related acne, an undiluted solution and 1/10 diluted solution of SYTSRG formed $12\beta{\AE}$ clear zone diameters. SYTSRG did not show cytotoxicity of human monocyte. Concentrations of $0.01\%\;and\;0.04\%\;and\;0.08\%$ of SYTSRG inhibited the production of prostaglandins $(PGE_2)$ in the human monocyte stimulated with P. acnes LPS. $0.08\%$ and less of SYTSRG inhibited the production of interleukins $(IL-l\beta)$ in the human monocyte stimulated with P. acnes LPS. Concentrations of $0.04\%,\;0.08\%\;and\;0.12\%$ of SYTSRG inhibited the production of $TNF-\alpha$ in the human monocyte stimulated with P. acnes LPS. As the antiandrogenic compound, SYTSRG was used in hamster ears with topical application. SYTSRG diminished the size of the hamster ear sebaceous gland in males, but not in females. Conclusion: The present data suggest that SYTSRG may affect the primary stage of inflammation of acne.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-traditional materials are used for mask construction to address personal protective equipment shortages during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Reusable masks made from surgical sterilization wrap represent such an innovative approach with social media frequently referring to them as "N95 alternatives." This material was tested for particle filtration efficiency and breathability to clarify what role they might have in infection prevention and control. Methods: A heavyweight, double layer sterilization wrap was tested when new and after 2, 4, 6, and 10 autoclave sterilizing cycles and compared with an approved N95 respirator and a surgical mask via testing procedures using a sodium chloride aerosol for N95 efficiency testing similar to 42 CFR 84.181. Pressure testing to indicate breathability was also conducted. Results: The particle filtration efficiency for the sterilization wrap ranged between 58% to 66%, with similar performance when new and after sterilizing cycles. The N95 respirator and surgical mask performed at 95% and 68% respectively. Pressure drops for the sterilization wrap, N95 and surgical mask were 10.4 mmH2O, 5.9 mmH2O, and 5.1 mmH2O, respectively, well below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health limits of 35 mmH2O during initial inhalation and 25 mmH2O during initial exhalation. Conclusions: The sterilization wrap's particle filtration efficiency is much lower than a N95 respirator, but falls within the range of a surgical mask, with acceptable breathability. Performance testing of non-traditional mask materials is crucial to determine potential protection efficacy and for correcting misinterpretation propagated through popular media.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a new sterilization plasma device that would be proficient at sterilizing and removing pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and applicable to air purification systems. Methods: In order to understand the performance characteristics, the discharge characteristics of a packed bed DBD reactor and the ozone reduction characteristics of an ozone filter installed at the outlet of the reactor were investigated. Results: The novel packed-bed DBD reactor was proposed, and it was confirmed that the plasma discharge was uniformly and stably discharged throughout the entire layer, and sufficient ozone was generated for sterilization. The ozone filter was tested for three methods: adsorption, adsorption-decomposition, and catalytic decomposition. When the filter thickness was 30 mm, the ozone concentrations were 0.03 ppm, 0.01 ppm, and 0.21 ppm, respectively. The adsorption and adsorption-decomposition methods satisfied the EPA standard of less than 0.05ppm, but the catalytic decomposition method did not. Conclusions: It was confirmed that the adsorption-decomposition method has relatively excellent ozone filter performance and can provide the best ozone filter.