The health benefits associated with consumption of fresh produce have been clearly demonstrated and encouraged by international nutrition and health authorities. However, since fresh produce is usually minimally processed, increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has also led to a simultaneous escalation of foodborne illness cases. According to the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 people suffer from foodborne diseases and 420,000 die every year globally. In comparison to other processed foods, fresh produce can be easily contaminated by various routes at different points in the supply chain from farm to fork. This review is focused on the identification and characterization of possible sources of foodborne illnesses from chemical, biological, and physical hazards and the applicable methodologies to detect potential contaminants. Agro-chemicals (pesticides, fungicides and herbicides), natural toxins (mycotoxins and plant toxins), and heavy metals (mercury and cadmium) are the main sources of chemical hazards, which can be detected by several methods including chromatography and nano-techniques based on nanostructured materials such as noble metal nanoparticles (NMPs), quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles or nanotube. However, the diversity of chemical structures complicates the establishment of one standard method to differentiate the variety of chemical compounds. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables contain high nutrient contents and moisture, which promote the growth of unwanted microorganisms including bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) and non-bacterial pathogens (norovirus and parasites). In order to detect specific pathogens in fresh produce, methods based on molecular biology such as PCR and immunology are commonly used. Finally, physical hazards including contamination by glass, metal, and gravel in food can cause serious injuries to customers. In order to decrease physical hazards, vision systems such as X-ray inspection have been adopted to detect physical contaminants in food, while exceptional handling skills by food production employees are required to prevent additional contamination.
A method was developed for the simultaneous detection of an antibiotic fungicide, streptomycin, and its metabolite (dihydrostreptomycin) in agricultural products using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted using methanol adjusted to pH 3 using formic acid, and purified with a HLB (Hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, and linearity of five agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin, green pepper), with coefficients of determination (R2) ≥ 0.9906, for streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin. The mean recoveries at three fortification levels (LOQ, LOQ × 10, LOQ × 50, n = 5) were from 72.0~116.5% and from 72.1~116.0%, and relative standard deviations were less than 12.3% and 12.5%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.01 mg/kg, which are satisfactory for quantification levels corresponding with the Positive List System. All optimized results satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and the Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could serve as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits and be used as basic data for detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in food.
Validamycin A is an aminoglycoside fungicide produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus that inhibits trehalase. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for detecting validamycin A in agricultural samples to establish MRL values for use in Korea. The validamycin A residues in samples were extracted using methanol/ water (50/50, v/v) and purified with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridges. The analyte was quantified and confirmed by liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005~0.5 ng) into a blank extract with R2 > 0.99. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.005 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. For validation validamycin A, recovery studies were carried out three different concentration levels (LOQ, LOQ × 10, LOQ × 50, n = 5) with five replicates at each level. The average recovery range was from 72.5~118.3%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 10.3%. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and the NIFDS (National Institute of Food and Drug Safety) guideline (2016). Therefore, the proposed analytical method is accurate, effective and sensitive for validamycin A determination in agricultural commodities.
An analytical method was developed for the determination of sedaxane in agricultural products using liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference, and then purified by using silica SPE cartridges to clean up. The analytes were quantified and confirmed by using LC-MS/MS in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.001- 0.25 μg/mL) into a blank extract with r 2>0.99. For validation, recovery tests were carried out at three different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ, n=5) with five replicates performed at each level. The recoveries were ranged between 74.5 to 100.8% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 12.1% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for sedaxane determination in agricultural commodities.
Ginseng has a unique production system that is different from those used for other crops. It is subject to the Ginseng Industry Act., requires a long-term cultivation period of 4-6 years, involves complicated cultivation characteristics whereby ginseng is not produced in a single location, and many ginseng farmers engage in mixedfarming. Therefore, to bring the production of Ginseng in line with GAP standards, it is necessary to better understand the on-site practices of Ginseng farmers according to established control points, and to provide a proper action plan for improving efficiency. Among ginseng farmers in Korea who applied for GAP certification, 77.6% obtained it, which is lower than the 94.1% of farmers who obtained certification for other products. 13.7% of the applicants were judged to be unsuitable during document review due to their use of unregistered pesticides and soil heavy metals. Another 8.7% of applicants failed to obtain certification due to inadequate management results. This is a considerably higher rate of failure than the 5.3% incompatibility of document inspection and 0.6% incompatibility of on-site inspection, which suggests that it is relatively more difficult to obtain GAP certification for ginseng farming than for other crops. Ginseng farmers were given an average of 2.65 points out of 10 essential control points and a total 72 control points, which was slightly lower than the 2.81 points obtained for other crops. In particular, ginseng farmers were given an average of 1.96 points in the evaluation of compliance with the safe use standards for pesticides, which was much lower than the average of 2.95 points for other crops. Therefore, it is necessary to train ginseng farmers to comply with the safe use of pesticides. In the other essential control points, the ginseng farmers were rated at an average of 2.33 points, lower than the 2.58 points given for other crops. Several other areas of compliance in which the ginseng farmers also rated low in comparison to other crops were found. These inclued record keeping over 1 year, record of pesticide use, pesticide storages, posts harvest storage management, hand washing before and after work, hygiene related to work clothing, training of workers safety and hygiene, and written plan of hazard management. Also, among the total 72 control points, there are 12 control points (10 required, 2 recommended) that do not apply to ginseng. Therefore, it is considered inappropriate to conduct an effective evaluation of the ginseng production process based on the existing certification standards. In conclusion, differentiated certification standards are needed to expand GAP certification for ginseng farmers, and it is also necessary to develop programs that can be implemented in a more systematic and field-oriented manner to provide the farmers with proper GAP management education.
Method development and validation of decursin for the standardization of Angelica gigas Nakai as a functional ingredient and health food were accomplished. The quantitative determination method of decursin as a marker compound of aerial parts of Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AAGE) was optimized by HPLC analysis using a C18 column (3×150 mm, 3 μm) with 0.1% TFA in water and acetonitrile as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/ min and detection wavelength of 330 nm. The HPLC/PDA method was applied successfully to quantification of the marker compound in AAGE after validation of the method with linearity, accuracy, and precision. The method showed high linearity in the calibration curve at a coefficient of correlation (R2) of 0.9994 and the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.011 μg/mL and 0.033 μg/mL, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values of data from intra- and inter-day precision were less than 1.10% and 1.13%, respectively. Recovery of decursin at 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μg/mL were 92.38 ~ 104.11%. These results suggest that the developed HPLC method is very useful for the determination of marker compound in AAGE to develop a health functional material.
In the current study, 109 commercial nut samples were collected from different Korean markets and analyzed for the contamination of 5 different mycotoxins (aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin) using ELISA kits. The results revealed that the most frequently detected mycotoxin was zearalenone (n=36, 33%), followed by aflatoxin (n=31, 28.4%) and ochratoxin A (n=30, 27.5%). Deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin were also detected in 22 (20.3%) samples, respectively. Among 109 nut samples, 33 samples (30.3%) were contaminated only with one kind of mycotoxin, whereas 43 samples had at least 2 kinds of mycotoxins. Two samples were contaminated with as many as 4 different mycotoxins, and they were both walnuts. Although the monitoring results revealed the amount of aflatoxin contamination was under the safety criteria, there is no current safety guideline for other kinds of mycotoxins or multiple contaminations in Korea. Therefore, further studies should be performed to reveal the distribution of mycotoxin in different foods and propose appropriate safety guidelines for Korean markets.
This study was aimed at investigating the levels of the natural preservatives of benzoic, sorbic and propionic acids in cereal grains, nuts and seeds. Benzoic and sorbic acid were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and further confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), whereas propionic acid was analyzed using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and further confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Benzoic, sorbic and propionic acids were found in 44, 22, and 550 samples out of 702 samples, respectively. From the total of 702 samples. The concentrations of benzoic, sorbic and propionic acid were ranged from not detected (ND) to 23.74 mg/L, from ND to 7.90 mg/L, and from ND to 37.39 mg/L in cereal grains, nuts and seeds, respectively. The concentration ranges determined in this study could be used as standard criteria in the process of inspecting cereal grains, nuts and seeds for preservatives as well as to address consumer complaints or trade disputes.
Seafaring is an important occupation that requires stringent hand hygiene practices as a basic method for preventing food-borne illness and infectious diseases when the diseases occur on board. The purpose of this study is to provide fundamental data for the prevention of food-borne illness and infectious disease on the ship by investigating the level of hand hygiene practices and influencing factors. A total of 222 seafarers were surveyed at a seafarers’ educational institution between July and August 2017. Their hand hygiene practice were examined by a modified method using the guidelines which are recommended by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Hand Hygiene Australia. The mean of hand hygiene practice was 47.97 out of 75 points. By category, the most frequent hand hygiene practice was measured as 4.04 on a 5-point scale as ‘after working’. Factors affecting hand hygiene practices were ship tonnage relating to in job characteristics, exercise in healthrelated characteristics, and soap in relation to the characteristics of the hand hygiene environment on board. To improve hand hygiene among seafarers, it is necessary to raise awareness of hand hygiene among seafarers who work on small ships in particular, and to improve the systems of hand hygiene on ships with continuous education, hygiene practice evaluation and feedback.
Revision work on the Codex Classification of Foods and Animal Feeds was undertaken in 2007 and presently, revisions for most food groups have been completed. For vegetables, the work was conducted during 2014-2017, and the final draft revision was adopted by the 40th Codex Alimentarius Commission (2017). Here, the revised classification of vegetable commodities is introduced in order to be utilized in various food-related fields, in particular, food safety regulation. The revised classification is briefly summarized as follows: Codex classified vegetables into 10 groups (Group 009-018): bulb vegetables (Group 009), Brassica vegetables (except Brassica leafy vegetables) (Group 010), fruiting vegetables, Cucurbits (Group 011), fruiting vegetables, other than Cucurbits (Group 012), leafy vegetables (including Brassica leafy vegetables) (Group 013), legume vegetables (Group 014), pulses (Group 015), root and tuber vegetables (Group 016), stalk and stem vegetables (Group 017) and edible fungi (Group 018). The groups are further divided into a total of 33 subgroups. In the Classification, 430 different commodity codes are assigned to vegetable commodities. Meanwhile, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) does not include potatoes, beans and mushrooms within a vegetable group. In addition, the MFDS divides one vegetable group into six subgroups including flowerhead Brassicas, leafy vegetables, stalk and stem vegetables, root and tuber vegetables, fruiting vegetables, Cucurbits, and fruiting vegetables other than Cucurbits. Therefore, care is needed in using the Codex Classification.
The objective of this study is to establish the shelf life of non-pasteurized whole egg, egg yolk and egg white liquid. Each sample was stored for two weeks at 5oC, 10oC, 15oC, and 25oC, and then sensory, microbial, and physicochemical tests were performed periodically. The estimation of shelf life was based on the microbial standards of total viable counts and coliforms. The chemical properties highly correlated with the sensory evaluation were also used. Our results showed that the shelf life was the most influenced by microbial properties. Exceptionally, however, whole egg and white liquid stored at 5oC and 10oC with limited bacterial growth were affected by chemical property. The shelf life of the three non-pasteurized liquids was calculated to be less than one day at over 15oC. At 5oC and 10oC, the shelf life was calculated to be 5 d and 1 d for egg yolk liquid, 5 d and 5 d for egg white, and 7 d and 5 d for whole egg, respectively. Therefore, it is advisable to establish reasonable shelf life in the more specific manner based on consideration of these findings.
In this study, viable cells, coliforms and food poisoning bacteria were identified according to the pH levels of the coagulant and immersion liquid during each stage in the production of konjac, and storage stability was confirmed for 3 months. A considerable number of bacteria were found in the raw material, or powdered konjac (Amorphophallus konjac), as well as in the processing water. However, it has been shown that the plastic package were safe from microorganisms. Due to the high pH of the added coagulant [2.0% Ca(OH)2], no contaminating bacteria were observed after konjac jelly formation. Coliforms were not detected any of the tested steps. During the molding process, the pH of konjac was adjusted to 9.5 ~ 12.5 at intervals of 0.5, and the number of bacteria was determined. As a result, no bacteria were detected in the alkaline range above pH 11.5. The pH of the immersion liquid was adjusted to 10.0 ~ 12.5, and after hardening, the konjac were stored at room temperature for 12 weeks. As a result, no bacteria, Escherichia coli or other food poisoning bacteria were detected at pH 11.5 or higher. Based on these results, it is expected that when the pH levels of the konjac and its immersion liquid are maintained at 11.5, it should be possible to keep the product for 3 months without additional sterilization process.
The effect of physical and chemical treatments to reduce staphylococcal phages was investigated. To determine impact of physical treatment on viability of phages, two staphylococcal phages (SAP84 and SAP89) were treated with multiple heat (55oC and 60oC) and pH (pH4, 7, 10) conditions. Viability of SAP 84 was dramatically reduced at 60C and SAP 89 was completely inactivated at 60C within 25 min. Overall, the two phages were stable under all the pH conditions tested except for the SAP 89 at pH 10. Treatments, a 10% FAS (Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate) solution and various density of ethanol and sodium hypochlorite were used to reduce the two phages. SAP 84 was unstable in 50% and 70% ethanol. However, SAP 84 and SAP 89 showed high tolerance after exposure to 100 ppm of sodium hypochlorite which is known as an effective sterilizer. As soon as the two phages were treated with 10% FAS, which is used as a virucidal agent, they were inactivated and did not form any plaque. The result of this study provides additional evidence that staphylococcal phages can be controlled by various physicochemical treatments.