In this study, the fate and removal of 15 pharmaceuticals (including stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, etc.) in unit processes of a sewage treatment plant (STP) were investigated. Mass loads of pharmaceuticals were 2,598 g/d in the influent, 2,745 g/d in the primary effluent, 143 g/d in the secondary effluent, and 134 g/d in the effluent. The mass loads were reduced by 95% in the biological treatment process, but total phosphorous treatment did not show a significant effect on the removal of most pharmaceuticals. Also, mass balance analysis was performed to evaluate removal characteristics of pharmaceuticals in the biological treatment process. Acetaminophen, caffeine, acetylsalicylic acid, cefradine, and naproxen were efficiently removed in the biological treatment process mainly due to biodegradation. Removal efficiencies of gemfibrozil, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were not high, but their removal was related to sorption onto sludge. This study provides useful information on understanding removal characteristics of pharmaceuticals in unit processes in the STP.

This study was aimed to examine the potential of pre- and post-harvest treatment of chitosan and high pCO2 on the shelf-life of oriental melon fruit. Post-harvest dipping treatment of chitosan and high pCO2 did not bring any significant effect on the freshness of fruit in general, even at 1% of chitosan. Unlike post-harvest treatment, pre-harvest spray of chitosan significantly increased fruit firmness and firmness increase was higher in double sprays than single one. The internal quality such as soluble solid content and acidity was not altered by chitosan spray. No additional effect of high pCO2 with pre-harvest treatment of chitosan was found. Double sprays of chitosan showed significant effect on keeping visual appearance through delaying the incidence of skin browning. There was a potential of pre-harvest chitosan treatment on the shelf-life increase of oriental melon fruit and double sprays were better than single spray. However, high pCO2 seemed not to be effective on the storability of oriental melon fruit.

본 연구는 국내산 곶감의 미생물 및 aflatoxin에 대한 안전성을 평가하여 곶감의 안전관리의 기초자료로 활용하고자 수행하였다. 본 연구를 위하여 반건시 34농가, 건시 61 농가, 감말랭이 10 농가에서 수집하여 수분활성도와 당도, 위생지표세균 (일반세균수, 대장균군, E. coli)과 병원성미생물(Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus), aflatoxin을 조사하였다. 감말랭이, 건시, 반건시의 수분활 성도는 각각 0.81, 0.86, 0.91 였으며 당도는 감말랭이 54.9%, 건시 49.5%, 반건시 40.5%로 당도와 수분활성도는 반비례 하였다. 곶감의 일반세균수는 감말랭이 3.93 ± 0.96 log CFU/g, 건시 2.12 ± 0.93 log CFU/g, 반건시 1.50 ± 1.08 log CFU/g로 감말랭이의 오염도가 가장 높았다. 또한 S. aureus는 감말랭이 40.0%, 건시 29.5%, 반건시 23.5%의 시료에서 검출되었고, E. coli는 건시 6.6%, 반건시 2.9% 의 시료에서 검출되었다. B. cereus는 건시 39.3%, 반건시 20.6%의 시료에서 검출되었고 검출 수준은 0.7~2.3 log CFU/ g이었다. Aflatoxin의 경우는 ELISA법으로 분석했을 때 감 말랭이, 건시, 반건시에서 각각 30%, 4.9%, 2.9%가 검출 되었고 검출농도는 1.0~1.1 ppb 이었다. ELISA법에서 양 성시료를 대상으로 UPLC로 재분석한 결과 aflatoxin은 검 출되지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과로 미루어 볼 때 안전한 곶 감 생산을 위한 위생관리기술의 개발과 곶감생산 농가의 지속적인 위생교육이 필요하다고 사료된다.

Aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus spp. are recognized as a major concern in animal and human health. In pigs, ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated feeds causes immunosuppression, hepatotoxicosis and poor feed efficiency. In this study, we screened the contaminated level of aflatoxins in 449 pig feeds from 12 swine farms in Korea. For rapid and efficient screening of aflatoxins in pig feeds we evaluated the feasibility of three commercial ELISA kits for the screening of aflatoxins in pig feeds. Twenty-nine pig feed samples were examined for total aflatoxins using three ELISA kits, simultaneously. From three repetitions of each assay, the average intra-assay precisions and the average inter-assay precisions expressed as coefficient of variation (CV, %) for VeratoxⓇ Quantitative Aflatoxin test were 6.90 and 12.29, respectively. A statistical comparison of the results between HPLC and ELISAs showed that the correlation coefficient values for VeratoxⓇ was 0.96. The results demonstrated that we can apply the VeratoxⓇ Quantitative Aflatoxin test for the detection of aflatoxins in pig feed from the field. The screening of field samples with this ELISA kit showed that 11 out of 265 pig feeds for growers and weaners were contaminated with total aflatoxin levels exceeding 10 ppb, maximum tolerable limits for their compound feeds and the aflatoxins levels of remaining 184 pig feeds for other age groups of pigs were confirmed as below 20 ppb. The results from the screening indicated overall low levels of aflatoxins contamination in pig feeds.

Many consumers intend to make environmentally purchase. However, this is not always what occurs. A gap exists between consumer intentions to purchase environmentally friendly products and their actual purchase behavior. In this study, we examined the effect of situational factors such as price sensitivity, product quality perception, and label trust on the relationship between purchase intention and purchase behavior for environmentally friendly products. First, we conducted a theoretical consideration through a review of literature on price sensitivity, product quality perception, label trust, purchase intention and purchase behavior. Based on the literature review, we designed a structural model and developed the hypotheses. Next, we collected data using a survey and processed them statistically in order to verify the hypotheses. A total of 213 samples were collected and the data were analyzed using a structural equation model (LISREL 8.70). The results suggest that the situational factor of label trust has a moderating effect on the relationship between purchase intention and purchase behavior for environmentally friendly products. However, price sensitivity and product quality perception have no moderating effect. This means that trust in labels is important when consumers want to buy environmentally friendly products. Although this study has some limitations, it is expected that it will positively trigger follow-up research.

It is important to understand consumer attitudes associated with their eco-friendly behavior on account of not only environmental reasons, but also corporate aspects. In this study, we examine the relations between variables influencing eco-friendly attitudes and eco-friendly behavioral intentions, namely, recycling, reusing, and reducing (3R). We first, performed a theoretical consideration through reviews of literature on ethical identity, ethical obligation, altruism, and eco-friendly attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Based on the literature review, we designed a study model and drew hypotheses. Further, we collected data using a survey and processed them statistically in order to verify the hypotheses. A total of 265 samples were collected and the data were analyzed using a structural equation model (-LISREL 8.70). The results suggest that ethical identity and altruism significantly influence environmental attitudes. However, the effects of ethical obligations on eco-friendly attitudes are insignificant. The environmental attitudes have a significant effects on the consumer behavioral intention for recycling, reusing, and reducing. Although this study has some limitations, it is expected that it will positively trigger follow-up research.

The purpose of this study is to describe how nature-based ecotourism motivation of ecotourists influences destination image and satisfaction of ecotourists. In order to achieve the above purposes, the study carried out a literature study and an empirical analysis. Based on the obtained data through the literature study, the study designed a model for the empirical study. The results of this study are as follows. First, returns to nature, knowledge. fitness and escape as ecotourism motivation of ecotourist had a positive effect on each ecotourism destination image, such as cognitive and affective image. However, effect of novelty on cognitive image for destination had not significant results. Second, ecotourism destination image, such as cognitive and affective image, had a positive effect on ecotourism satisfaction of ecotourists. The results of the article provide implications for strategies for promoting ecotourism destination and suggest some guidelines for the eco-education of tourists.

Sustainable development is a key issue in the 21st Century and ecotourism is an alternative area of sustainable development. Ecotourism marketing is also a part of societal marketing which emphasizes social contributions. This study investigated the factors which affected ecotourist satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The sample for this study was composed of 212 ecotourists who visited the Upo area. This is one of the most well-known educational ecotourism sites in Korea and it has been registered at the Ramsar Convention for the conservation of wetlands since 1998. This study demonstrated that expectation factors did not significantly influence satisfaction. Second, the performance factors of physical attributes, eco-interpretation, eco-experience, and usability did significantly influence satisfaction. Third, the expectation factor of accessibility was significantly related to disconfirmation. Fourth, all performance factors significantly influenced disconfirmation. Fifth, it was found that disconfirmation significantly influenced satisfaction. Finally, satisfaction significantly influenced the intention to revisit and recommend the site to others. Managerial implications and future studies are discussed.

본 연구는 생태보전과 지역민의 경제적 편익에 중점을 둔 생태관광형 축제 중의 하나인 봉화송이축제 방문객의 만족도를 조사하고 축제 프로그램의 만족도 향상을 위한 방안을 제시 하고자 하였다. 생태관광축제를 2년간 조사한 점에서 기존 연구와 차별성을 가진다. 본 연구를 위해 2005년 봉화송이축제 방문객 236명과 2006년 봉화 송이춘양목축제 방문객 238명을 대상으로 방문객 만족을 조사하였다. 조사방법으로는 설문조사와 인터뷰가 사용되었고, 설문조사는 2005년 9월 24일에서 27일 까지 그리고 2006년 9월 29일에서 10월 2일 까지 행해졌다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 방문객들은 체험 프로그램인 송이채취프로그램에 대한 만족도가 다른 프로그램에 비해 매우 높았다. 더욱 많은 방문객들이 참가하기를 원하였다. 둘째, 방문객들은 보전 관련 프로그램인 반딧불이 일생에 대해 큰 흥미를 나타내었다. 생태보전에 대한 이해도 향상과 방문자 만족을 위해 질 높은 해설자의 필요성이 더욱 강조된다. 셋째, 프로그램과 관련된 지역민들의 편익에 있어, 방문객들은 축제를 통해 봉화가 송이의 특산지임을 다시 한번 느꼈고 지역 특산물인 송이를 구매한 것으로 밝혀졌다. 조선시대 왕궁 건축 건립에 사용된 봉화 춘양목의 가치에 대한 재인식, 춘양목을 활용한 전통 건축 퍼즐 만들기, 그리고 전통결혼식 등을 통해 지역문화도 이해하게 된 것으로 밝혀졌다.