The purpose of this study was to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (indirect ELISA) based on a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that is specific to mackerel thermal stable-soluble protein (TSSP), that can be used for the rapid detection of mackerel in processed marine foods. Among the four MAbs (3A5-1, 2, 9, and 12) developed in previous studies, the 3A5-2 MAb that showed high specificity and sensitivity were selected and used to develop the indirect ELISA method. The detection range of the indirect ELISA was 0.02%-0.001% and the detection limit of 0.001% was shown. No cross-reaction to other marine products and food ingredients was observed by the indirect ELISA. Processed marine foods containing mackerel with ≥ 0.3 O.D. value at 405 nm were estimated as positive samples by the indirect ELISA. Therefore, the indirect ELISA can be used as a rapid and sensitive method to identify mackerel authenticity and adulteration in processed marine foods.

건강기능식품의 경우 단성분보다는 복합제품 개발이 우선시되고, 12가지 기본제형이외에도 즉석밥과 같은 일반 식품형태의 제품으로 범위가 확대되고 있다. 이러한 제품 에서 기능성(지표)성분을 효율적으로 분석할 수 있는 방법에 대한 연구가 필요한 실정이다. 복합제품 등에서 정 성·정량 가능한 밀크씨슬 추출물의 기능성(지표)성분인 실리마린을 효과적으로 분석할 수 방법을 확립하기 위하여 본 연구를 수행하였다. 액체크로마토그래프-질량분석기 (LC-MS/MS)를 이용하여 신속하고 효율적으로 실리마린의 6가지 구성성분, 실리크리스틴, 실리디아닌, 실리빈A, 실 리빈B, 이소실리빈A, 이소실리빈B를 동시분석할 수 있는 정성·정량시험법을 확립하였다. 확립된 시험법에 대해 특 이성, 검출한계, 정량한계, 정확도, 정밀도에 대한 검증을 통하여 유효성을 확인하였다. 또한 시중 유통검체 17건을 확보하여 시험한 적용가능성도 검토하였다. 직선성에서는 r2 > 0.999 이상임을 확인하였고, 검출한계 및 정량한계는 각각 실리크리스틴은 0.3, 0.8, 실리디아닌은 9.0, 27.3, 실 리빈A은 3.3, 9.9, 실리빈B는 5.4, 16.3, 이소실리빈A는 4.9, 14.9, 이소실리빈B는 3.2, 9.7 μg/L이었다. 또한 평균 회수 율은 96.2~98.6%로 나타났으며, 반복정밀도는 상대표준편 차 3%이하, 실험실간 재현성은 1.5%이하로 나타나 정확성, 재현성이 우수하였으며 이는 AOAC 가이드라인15)에서 제시한 기준에 모두 적합한 수준이었다. 시중 유통품에 대하여 실험한 결과 81.2~106.5%로 모두 적합하였다. 따라서 본 연구에서 개발된 분석법은 건강기능식품 중 실리마린의 정성·정량분석에 이용될 수 있으며, 나아가 건강기 능식품 공전 개정에 반영되어 우수한 품질의 건강기능식품유통에 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

Despite the rapid increase in the number of foreign students, there has been a lack of research to help them adapt to Korean food culture and develop healthy eating habits. This study examined the dietary habits and problems of foreign students studying in universities of Korea. Although 97.0% of the 604 people surveyed live in dormitories, the visiting rate of the school cafeteria was low. In addition, only 30.2% of them ate three meals a day, and the frequency of eating midnight snack and convenience store foods was high. International students were positive about experiencing new Korean food, but food satisfaction in Korea was not high because of the difficulties in food selection due to religious problems and maladjustment to Korean sauces and seasonings. Information on Korean eating habits was obtained mainly from other foreign students from the same country (49.5%) and the Internet (33.8%), and there was very little interaction with Korean students at meals. The ratio of subjects who ate halal foods was 33.3%, and they were shown to have difficulty obtaining halal foods in Korea. Therefore, based on the results of this study, a support program should be developed in order to improve the dietary habits of international students.

시중 유통 중인 곡류, 콩류, 견과류, 종실류 등 134건에 대하여 8종의 곰팡이독소를 LC-MS/MS를 이용하여 동시 분석하였다. 전체 시료 중 22건에서 fumonisin B1, B2, zearalenone, ochratoxin A 등 4종이 검출되어 16.4%가 곰팡이독소에 오염된 것으로 나타났으며 독성이 강한 aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2는 검출되지 않았다. 검출된 곰팡이독소 중 fumonisin (B1+B2)은 0.48~560.2 μg/kg, zearalenone은 0.22~ 28.6 μg/kg 수준으로 검출되었고 평균 검출량은 fumonisin 이 곡류 49.3 μg/kg, 유지종실류 10.1 μg/kg, zearalenone이 곡류 1.9 μg/kg, 콩류 1.5 μg/kg이었으며, ochratoxin A는 곡류에서 0.08 μg/kg 수준으로 검출되었다. 기장에서 검출 된 ochratoxin A는 4.8 μg/kg으로 기준치인 5.0 μg/kg에 근 접하여 검출되었는데 생산년도가 2016년인 것을 감안하면 상당히 높은 수준으로 지속적인 관심이 필요한 것으로 판단된다. 곰팡이독소가 검출된 나머지 품목은 2015년에 생산되었는데 특히 곡류 중 율무와 수수는 대부분의 시료에서 곰팡이독소가 검출됐으며 땅콩 및 견과류에서는 검출 되지 않았다. 곰팡이독소가 검출된 품목의 검출빈도를 살펴보면 율무 66.7%, 수수 87.5%, 조 20%, 기장 20%로 곡류 중 약 27%가 독소에 오염된 것으로 나타났고, 콩류는 팥에서 60%가 검출되어 콩류 전체로는 12.5%가 오염됐으며 유지종실류는 깨에서 33.3%가 검출되어 유지종실류 전체로는 11.8%가 독소에 노출된 것으로 나타났다. 한편 곰팡이독소 중 fumonisin과 zearalenone이 동시에 검출된 품목은 율무 2건, 수수 3건이었으며 fumonisin이 검출된 경우 대부분의 시료에서 fumonisin B1, B2 가 동시에 검출 되었으나 율무, 조, 참깨 각 1건에서 fumonisin B1만 검출 되었다. 본 연구결과를 기초로 하여 산출한 1인 1일 노출 량은 곡류의 경우 fumonisin 1.4 × 10−2 μg/kg b.w./day, zearalenone 5.6 × 10−4 μg/kg b.w./day, ochratoxin A 2.2 × 10−5 ng/kg b.w./day 이었으며 콩류에서는 zearalenone 5.4 × 10−5 μg/kg b.w./day, 종실류는 7.4 × 10−5 μg/kg b.w./day으로 이를 바탕으로 WHO/JECFA에서 제시한 자료를 바탕으로 PMTDI 대비 인체 노출량을 산출한 결과 fumonisin은 곡류 0.72% 종실류 0.004% zearalenone 곡류 0.11%, 콩류 0.01%에 해당하는 양이었으며 ochratoxin A는 PTWI 대비 0.14%, EC의 TDI 대비 0.45%로 검출된 곰팡이독소가 인체에 대한 유해할 가능성은 낮은 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구결과 곰팡이독소는 기준치 이내의 아주 적은 양 검출되 었지만 기후 온난화로 인해 독성이 강한 곰팡이독소가 생성되기 쉬운 환경으로 변해가고 있어 농산물의 생산, 저장, 포장 과정에 이르기까지 보다 폭 넓은 연구가 이루어져 곰팡이독소로 인한 안전성 논란에 대비해야 할 것으로 판단된다.

Mushrooms and their extracts including purified ingredients, are currently used as foods, functional foods (and/or nutraceuticals), and medicines. These products have numerous bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides (mainly β–glucans), glycoproteins, nucleotide analogs, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which have exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. In this review, we discuss the current information on the biactivities of 10 popular mushrooms in Korea. We also summarize the information on mushrooms and the active compounds derived from them, as well as mushroom-based products such as foods, functional foods, and medicines. We believe this review could provide useful information for scientists and consumers who seek to develop new products and promote healthy food habits and lifestyle.

To automate cooking processes, quantitative descriptions are needed on how quality parameters, such as texture change during heating. Understanding mechanical property changes in foods during thermal treatment due to changes in chemical composition or physical structure is important in the context of engineering models and in precise control of quality in general. Texture degradation of food materials has been studied widely and softening kinetic parameters have been reported in many studies. For a better understanding of kinetic parameters, applied kinetic models were investigated, then rate constants at 100°C and activation energy from previous kinetic studies were compared. The food materials are hardly classified into similar softening kinetics. The range of parameters is wide regardless of food types due to the complexity of food material, different testing methods, sample size, and geometry. Kinetic parameters are essential for optimal process design. For broad and reliable applications, kinetic parameters should be generated by a more consistent manner so that those of foods could be compared or grouped.

본 연구에서는 단일 시료를 검사하는 식품공전의 방법을 통계적 개념인 n, c, m, M을 도입하여 국제기준에 발 맞춘 시스템을 확립하고자 식품 중 미생물 오염실태 조사 및 기준·규격 재평가를 실시하였다. 즉석섭취·편의식품 류에 대한 미생물의 오염도 조사를 위한 모니터링을 실시 하였으며, 이를 바탕으로 통계적 개념을 도입하여 새로운 기준·규격을 마련하고자 하였다. 즉석섭취·편의식품류 총 2,040건(즉석섭취식품 630건, 즉석조리식품1,020건, 신 선편의식품390건)을 구입하여 일반세균수, 대장균군, E. coli, B. cereus, S. aureus, C. perfringens 에 대한 모니터 링을 진행하였다. 즉석섭취·편의식품류의 일반세균수는 평균 2.10 log CFU/ g, 대장균군은 평균 −0.60 log CFU/g, E.coli은 평균 −1.33 log CFU/g, B.cereus은 평균 −1.23 log CFU/g으로 검출되었 으며, S.aureus은 신선편의식품에서만 평균 −1.35 log CFU/ g, C. perfringens은 즉석조리식품에서만 평균 −1.37 log CFU/g 검출되었다. 일반세균수, B. cereus, S. aureus, C. perfringens은 현 기준규격을 초과하지 않은 것으로 나타났으나, 신선편의식품에 한하여 E. coli 는 34건이 식품기 준 및 규격을 초과 하였다. 즉석섭취·편의식품류의 모니 터링 결과를 바탕으로 Newsamplesplan 2 프로그램을 활용하여 이론적 규격을 도출하였다. 오염 분포도가 넓어 사 실상 규격 마련의 실효성이 없는 것으로 파악되었고, 대장균은 즉석섭취식품 및 즉석조리식품에서 n=5 c=1 m=0 M=10으로, 신선편의식품에서는 n=5 c=1 m=10 M=100으로 이론적 규격이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic information for developing sugar related nutrition education programs for children in child-care facilities and their parents. The results showed that the total score of parent’s dietary attitudes towards sugar-rich foods was 17.94 and the total score of parent’s nutritional knowledge was 3.67. A positive relationship was observed among items of parent’s dietary attitudes (p<0.01), and some correlations were also observed between the total score of parent’s nutritional knowledge and the total score of parent’s dietary attitudes (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The total average score of children’s eating behaviors for sugar-rich foods was 23.98, and the item with the highest score was ‘I often eat candy, chocolate and jelly’. For children, food that received the highest preference was chocolate, and soft drinks received the lowest preference. The most frequently consumed food item was candy or caramel, and the least frequently consumed food item was soft drinks. There were positive correlation among the total score of children’s eating behaviors, food preferences, and food intake frequency (p<0.01). When parent’s tried to reduce the sugar intake, children’s total score of eating behaviors (p<0.001) and food intake frequency (p<0.001) for sugar-rich food was lower. We conclude that parent’s dietary attitudes may influence children’s eating behaviors, food preferences, and food intake frequency for sugar-rich foods.

Mushrooms have antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial activities, so they and their extracts including purified ingredients are being used as a great source of functional food, drugs and especially nutraceuticals. They have many bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides (mainly β-glucans), glycoproteins, nucleotide analogs, terpenoids and polyphenols. These compounds have biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-obesity, immunomodulating activity and etc. In this review, we discussed the current bioactivity information related to 10 famous mushrooms in Korea. Mushrooms and active compounds derived from mushrooms were summarized as well as mushroom products such as foods, functional foods, and medicines. It can provide good information for scientists and customers who want to develop a new product and to promote health and life quality.

The purpose of this research is to review the current situation of the support system in the process of achieving the Sixth Industrialization by exploring an intermediate support activity called “Sixth Industrialization Promotion Council on Food and Tourism in Southern Hokkaido.” In this case, several strategies have been developed for regional promotion, including organizing seminars, planning experience tours, supporting new product development and series of propaganda events, in which the council provides not only technics and funds but also advice to all the joined parties. In this way, it has been playing an essential role in promoting the sustainable development of the Sixth Industrialization regionally. Also, the council works as a control tower that cooperates and coordinates with other industries involved in tourism.

본 연구는 자동화 MPN 분석 장비인 TEMPO (TEMPO BC)와 MYP 배지법을 이용한 바실러스 정량 시험 결과에 대한 상관관계와 유의성을 연구하였다. 자연적으로 오염 되어 있는 B. cereus 다빈도 검출 식품을 선별하여(N = 384) 두 시험법으로 정량 시험한 결과값의 차가 1 log CFU/g 미 만이 95.3%였으며, B. cereus가 검출된 시료에서는 92.5% 였다. 통계학적으로 TEMPO BC 시험법과 MYP 배지법은 유의적 차이가 없었다(p < 0.05). 국내 정량 규격이 있는 식품에 인위적으로 B. cereus를 접종하고 두 시험법을 비교 하였다. R2값은 소스류(0.98), 조림식품류(0.98), 젓갈류(0.96) 에서 유의적인 차이가 없었으나, 생식류(0.94), 청국장류 (0.86), 된장류(0.71)는 시험법 간의 유의적인 차이가 있었다. 콩, 메밀 등의 곡류 제품은 TEMPO BC 결과값의 오류가 날 수 있는 재료로 명시되어 있으므로 선식류와 청국 장류, 된장류는 자동화 시험법인 TEMPO BC로 사용하기 위해서는 시험법을 추가적으로 검증 할 필요성이 있다고 생각된다. 자연적으로 오염되어 있는 식품 시료와 인위적 으로 접종한 시료에 대한 선형 방정식은 log(TEMPO BC) = 0.8453 × log (MYP배지) + 0.1642이며 paired t-test를 이용 하여 검증한 결과 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 최근 식품의 안전성에 대한 소비자의 관심이 증가하여 식품공전 및 국제 기준에 정량기준이 강화되고 있는 추세이므로 TEMPO BC의 수요증가가 예상된다. 따라서 본 연구는 이에 대비 하여 식품의 안전성 평가에 사용되는 기존의 실험법과의 비교 및 타당성 연구 기초 자료로 쓰일 것이라 생각된다.

서울시 유통 건강기능식품 중 츄어블제품 66건과 인삼 홍삼제품 60건을 수거하여 분석하였다. 시료 전체의 1일 섭취량당 당함량 평균은 1.95 g이었고 범위는 N.D. ~ 12.61 g 이었다. 제품 유형별로는 츄어블 제품의 평균은 1.26 g 이었고 범위는 N.D. ~ 10.39 g이었다. 인삼홍삼제품의 평균은 2.70 g이었고 범위는 N.D. ~ 12.61 g이었다. 츄어블제품중 1 일 섭취량당 당함량은 어린이용 제품이 평균 2.10 g으로 가장 높았고 영양소제품은 평균 1.43 g, 기능성원료 제품은 평균 0.35 g이였다. 어린이용 제품은 1일 섭취량당 당함량이 1.03 g ~ 5.33 g, 영양소 제품은 N.D. ~ 10.39 g, 기능성원 료 제품은 N.D. ~ 2.61 g의 범위를 보였다. 인삼홍삼제품중 1일 섭취량 당 당함량은 액상 제품이 평균 4.25 g으로 가장 높았고 농축액 제품은 평균 1.51 g, 분말제품은 평균 1.49 g이었다. 액상 제품의 1일 섭취량당 당함량의 범위는 N.D. ~ 10.80 g, 농축액 제품의 범위는 N.D. ~ 12.61 g, 분말 제품의 범위는 0.06 g ~ 5.64 g의 분포를 보였다. 인공감미료를 분석한 결과 3건에서 인공감미료가 검출 되었다. 인삼홍삼제품에서는 인공감미료가 검출되지 않았으며 츄어블제품 중 영양소 제품 2건과 기능성원료 제품 1건에서 검출되었다. 검출된 인공감미료는 아스파탐으로 영양소 제품에서 3.09 g/kg, 기능성원료 제품에서 1.09 g/kg 검출되었고 3건 모두 허용량 이내였다.

본 연구는 국내 미지정 피막제인 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스를 분석하기 위해 다양한 분석방법을 비교, 검토하였으 며, 확립된 최적 분석법을 이용하여 시중 유통되는 과일 및 견과류에서 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스의 사용여부를 모니터링 하였다. 최적 분석법을 확립하기 위하여 산가, HT-GPC, MALDI-TOF/MS, GC-FID, FT-IR 등을 비교하였다. 산가 측정 결과 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스를 첨가한 시료와 첨가 하지 않은 시료 모두 산가가 1.12 mg KOH/g로 산가의 변화가 나타나지 않아 산가를 이용한 식품 중 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스의 분석은 어려울 것으로 판단되었으며, HTGPC분석은 표준물질의 분산도 값이 약 3.4로 확인되었으 며, GPC를 이용한 분석은 실험실간 낮은 재현성과 컬럼 등 분석조건에 따른 결과 값이 달라질 수 있기 때문에 분자량의 분산도만으로 식품 중 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스의 분석은 어려울 것으로 판단되었다. MALDI-TOF/MS 분석 은 700~2,000 m/z에 peak가 관찰되었지만, 산화형 폴리에 틸렌 왁스 성적서에 적혀있는 분자량 범위인 2,700~2,800 m/ z와 큰 차이를 보여, MALDI-TOF/MS를 이용한 분석 역시 어려울 것으로 판단되었다. GC-FID를 이용한 지방산 분석 결과 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스 표준물질에서 과일 및 견과류에서 흔히 볼 수 없는 지방산인 C11:0, C15:1 지방산이 검출되었지만, 제외국 허용기준으로 첨가하여 분석하였을 때 관찰되지 않고, 고농도를 첨가할 경우에만 피크가 관찰되어 GC-FID를 이용한 분석은 어려울 것으로 판단되었다. FT-IR 분석결과 코팅된 견과류 시료와 코팅되지 않은 견과류 시료를 비교하였을 때 코팅된 시료에서 산화형 폴 리에틸렌 왁스 표준물질의 spectrum과 일치하는 spectrum 을 나타내어, 식품 중 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스의 분석은 FT-IR로 분석이 가능함을 확인하였다. 확립된 FT-IR 분석 법을 이용하여 국내외 대형마트에서 구입한 111건의 과일 및 견과류를 분석한 결과 산화형 폴리에틸렌 왁스를 사용한 시료가 없음을 확인하였다.

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for development of a recipe for muslim-friendly halal Korean foods through investigation of awareness of Korean foods, taste evaluation, and menu preferences. After Korean foods’ menu range and standard were set up for the survey and in-depth interviews with three halal food experts were conducted, 35 kinds of halal Korean foods were examined. The present study conducted a survey on 205 foreign Muslims living in Jeonjusi, Jeonbuk and Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi who ate Korean foods. Foreign Muslims were male workers in their 20’s residing in company housing, and their monthly mean income was 1.01~2 million KRW. The majority of subjects responded that meal problems were the most difficult in everyday life. Concerning the taste of Korean foods, the response rate of ‘sweet’ and ‘spicy’ was high while ‘Korean food is healthy’ and ‘Korean food ingredients is fresh’ were high for awareness of Korean foods. ‘Bulgogi’ was the most preferred among the selected Korean foods, which was in line with the results of previous research. There is a need to provide information on Korean foods that can be made with food ingredients certified as halal and their recipes through various media for foreign Muslims who have limitations on in meals due to religious factors.

Food has become a significant lifestyle and life quality generator, and consumers are increasingly developing food regimes with expectations of healthier, happier selves. The global food industry has turned to delivering towards these expectations, and functional foods form a significant multimillion dollar growth category. Fortified with added health-giving compounds, these foods are promoted as the modern, convenient way of obtaining health benefits from food intake itself, rather than from the use of vitamin supplements (Grunert, 2013). However, there are indications that their appeal and usage varies considerably across nations. Somewhat surprisingly, few studies have considered functional food consumption through a culturally mediated lens, as consumption entities used to convey and transfer meaning. This research explores personal meaning making for one such proposed functional food concept. Foods which are fortified to enable greater control over hunger control are currently under development as potentially assisting those seeking weight loss. The data consisted of 14 in-depth phenomenological interviews with New Zealand women who were attempting weight loss. Participants discussed their lived food and weight loss experiences and then freely responded to the weight loss foods concept. The findings reveal the omnipresent nature of weight loss practices in daily lives, with the perception of success, or failure, sometimes underpinning one’s sense of self. As found by Willis & Knobloch-Westerwick (2014), motivations for weight loss were dominated by appearance and body image concerns, driven by the continuation of persistent societal expectations privileging thinness. Extending this, the present research found a conflation of motivations where slimness was seen to equate to healthiness. A line of progression in the types of practices was revealed where many ‘fad diets’ were attempted with typically unsuccessful long term results. Although, healthism was internalised as an overriding way of thinking about food and weight loss practices, paradoxically, this often co-existed with the desire for foods of indulgence, especially for those identifying as emotional eaters. Vastly different dispositions were revealed towards the proposed innovation of the fortified weight loss foods. These were interpreted as being aligned with perceptions of identity (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). Whilst the overall fortification of foods was viewed negatively, risks and doubts were mitigated in some cases in the interest of trying the proposed foods. The research findings resonated with societal contradictions observed for food consumption (Warde 1997), and paradoxes specifically theorised for technology (Mick & Fournier, 1998). Although, technology has been theorised to be a positive enabler in consumers’ lives, offering feelings of freedom, competence, and control, it can also be regarded as an intrusion, leading to feelings of enslavement and incompetence (Mick & Fournier, 1998). Whilst there was the promise of enhanced health and wellness from a bio-technological innovation, this contradicted central beliefs about what it means to be healthy, where food for many consumers represents values of naturalness, purity, nostalgia, and simplicity (Barsky, 1988; Biltekoff, 2010). Implications of the research for functional foods marketers are outlined, advocating the need for continuing understanding of the paradoxical aspects of consumption in contemporary health contexts.

For preliminary molecular typing, PCR-based fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is the method of choice. In this study, 14 bacterial strains were isolated from different Korean food sources, identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and characterized through RAPD-PCR. Two PCR primers (239 and KAY3) generated a total of 130 RAPD bands, 14 distinct PCR profiles, 10 polymorphic bands, one monomorphic band, and four unique bands. Dendrogram-based analysis with primer 239 showed that all 14 strains could be divided into seven clades out of which clade VII had the maximum of seven. In contrast, dendrogram analysis with the primer KAY3 divided the 14 L. citreum strains into four clades out of which clade IV consisted of a maximum of 10 strains out of 14. This research identified and characterized bacterial populations associated with different Korean foods. The proposed RAPD-PCR method, based on sequence amplification, could easily identify and discriminate the lactic acid bacteria species at the strain-specific level and could be used as a highly reliable genomic fingerprinting tool.

For preliminary molecular typing, PCR-based fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is the method of choice. In this study, 14 bacterial strains were isolated from different Korean food sources, identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and characterized through RAPD-PCR. Two PCR primers (239 and KAY3) generated a total of 130 RAPD bands, 14 distinct PCR profiles, 10 polymorphic bands, one monomorphic band, and four unique bands. Dendrogram-based analysis with primer 239 showed that all 14 strains could be divided into seven clades out of which clade VII had the maximum of seven. In contrast, dendrogram analysis with the primer KAY3 divided the 14 L. citreum strains into four clades out of which clade IV consisted of a maximum of 10 strains out of 14. This research identified and characterized bacterial populations associated with different Korean foods. The proposed RAPD-PCR method, based on sequence amplification, could easily identify and discriminate the lactic acid bacteria species at the strain-specific level and could be used as a highly reliable genomic fingerprinting tool.