The biological nitrogen removal technology utilizing heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria has shown effectiveness in wastewater treatment. However, the nitrogen removal efficiency of HN-AD bacteria significantly decreases as the salinity increases. To tackle the challenge of treating high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater, we isolated a moderately halophilic HN-AD strain 5505 from a salt lake in Xinjiang. The strain was identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Single-factor experiments were carried out with NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N as sole or mixed nitrogen sources to study the nitrifying effect, denitrifying effect, and nitrogen metabolism pathway of the strain. The strain was identified as Halomonas sp.. It can grow in the presence of 1%-25% (W/V) NaCl and exhibited efficient nitrogen removal ability in the presence of 3%-8% NaCl. At the optimal NaCl concentration (8%), the strain showed the NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N removal rates of 100.0%, 94.11% and 74.43%, respectively. Strain 5505 removed inorganic nitrogen mainly by assimilation, which accounted for over 62.68% of total nitrogen removal. In the presence of mixed nitrogen sources, strain 5505 showed a preference for utilizing ammonia, with a potential HN-AD pathway of NH₄⁺→NH₂OH→NO₂^-→NO₃^-→NO₂^-→NO/N₂O/N₂. The findings provide efficient salt-tolerant bacterial resources, enhance our understanding of biological nitrogen removal, and contribute to the nitrogen removal efficiency improvement in the treatment of high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater.
Halomonas/classification* ; Nitrogen/isolation & purification* ; Denitrification ; Nitrification ; Wastewater/microbiology* ; Aerobiosis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Salinity

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the salinity of soups provided at childcare centers by measuring the salinity for three years and providing basic data for sodium reduction.METHODS: The soup salinity was measured using a Bluetooth salinity meter from January 2015 to December 2017 at 80 childcare foodservice establishments enrolled in the Suseong Center for Children's Foodservice Management in Daegu.RESULTS: An analysis of the soup salinity each year showed that the salinity decreased significantly from 0.48% in 2015 to 0.41% in 2017, particularly in clear soups and soybean soups compared to other soups (P < 0.05). The salinity and sodium content in seafood soups (0.45% and 179.1 mg/100 g, respectively) were highest, followed by soybean soups (0.44%, 175.2 mg/100 g), with perilla seed soups containing the lowest (0.42%, 167.2 mg/100 g) (P < 0.05). The salinity was significantly higher in institutional foodservice establishments than small foodservice establishments (P < 0.001). The salinity and sodium content were the highest in foodservice establishments with a small number of measurements, and the salinity was the lowest in foodservice establishments with salinity measurements performed an average of 151 times each year (three times a week) or more (P < 0.05). The soup salinity was low in the order of winter, spring, summer, and autumn, and the salinity decreased significantly year by year in all seasons. (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The soup salinity was significantly lower in foodservice establishments where the salinity was measured more than three times a week, indicating that continuous salinity management is effective.
Daegu ; Food Services ; Perilla ; Salinity ; Seafood ; Seasons ; Sodium ; Soybeans

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop standards for the salinity and sodium content in representative Korean foods high in sodium. METHODS: A total of 600 foods from four seasonings (soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, and ssamjang) and 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in 10 cities nationwide and analyzed for their salinity and sodium content. Based on the findings, the standards with a 20% ~ 30% reduced sodium content and salinity from the current level were presented. RESULTS: The suggested standards of salinity (and sodium content per 100 g) were less than 12% (4,500 mg) for soy sauce, 9% (3,500 mg) for soybean paste, 5% (2,000 mg) for red pepper paste, and 6% (2,500 mg) for ssamjang. The reduced standards of salinity for soups were suggested to less than 0.5% for clear soup and 0.7% for soybean paste soup, while for broths, it was 0.6% for clear broth and 0.7% for other broths. The standards of salinity for stews were suggested to less than 0.8% for soybean paste stew, 0.6% for other stews, 0.9% for steamed and stir-fried fish dishes, 1.0% for braised dishes, 4.0% for stir-fried dried fishes, 1.3% for other braised dishes including vegetables, and 1.5% for pickled vegetables and kimchi. CONCLUSION: Standards for the sodium content and salinity were suggested to reduce the sodium level in fermented soybean sauces and representative Korean high sodium dishes by 20% from the current levels. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to adjust the standards properly to reduce the sodium content and salinity further by considering the future status of sodium intake.
Capsicum ; Family Characteristics ; Fishes ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Seasons ; Sodium ; Soy Foods ; Soybeans ; Steam ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVES: Pathogenic Vibrio species are widely distributed in warm estuarine and coastal environments, and can infect humans through the consumption of raw or mishandled contaminated seafood and seawater. For this reason, the distribution of these bacteria in South Korea was investigated.METHODS: Seawater samples were collected from 145 coastal area points in the aquatic environment in which Vibrio species live. Environmental data (i.e., water temperature, salinity, turbidity, and atmospheric temperature) was collected which may help predict the distribution of the species (data not shown). Seawater samples were filtered, and incubated overnight in alkaline peptone water, at 37°C. Using species-specific polymerase chain reaction methods, screening tests were performed for the hlyA, ctxA, vvhA, and tlh genes. Clones of pathogenic Vibrio species were isolated using 3 selective plating media.RESULTS: In 2017, total seawater isolation rates for Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae (non-pathogenic, non-O1, non-O139 serogroups), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were 15.82%, 13.18%, 65.80%, respectively. However, in 2018 isolation rates for each were 21.81%, 19.40%, and 70.05%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The isolation rates of pathogenic Vibrio species positively correlated with the temperature of seawater and atmosphere, but negatively correlated with salinity and turbidity. From 2017 to 2018, the most frequent seawater-isolated Vibrio species were V. parahaemolyticus (68.10 %), V. vulnificus (16.54%), and non-toxigenic V. cholerae (19.58%). Comprehensive monitoring, prevention, and control efforts are needed to protect the public from pathogenic Vibrio species.
Atmosphere ; Bacteria ; Cholera ; Clone Cells ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Peptones ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salinity ; Seafood ; Seawater ; Vibrio cholerae ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus ; Vibrio vulnificus ; Vibrio ; Water

PURPOSE: With the increase of going out to eat, reducing the sodium in restaurant foods has a crucial impact on reducing sodium intake. This study aimed to assess the current status and perceptions of restaurant staffs related to reducing sodium use in restaurants. METHODS: Restaurant managers and chefs (n = 312) in Seongnam area completed a questionnaire on the current status related to sodium use, the barriers to practice for reducing sodium use, support needs, and the practicability of methods for reducing sodium use in restaurants. RESULTS: The percentage of restaurants in the preaction stage (including the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages) for reducing sodium use was 79.7%. Logistic regression analysis showed that measuring salinity while cooking was associated with measuring seasoning (OR, 4.761; 95% CI, 2.325 ~ 9.751), action/maintenance stages of behavior change (OR, 2.829; 95% CI, 1.449 ~ 5.525) and providing salinity information of restaurant foods (OR, 6.314; 95% CI, 2.964 ~ 13.45). Maintaining taste and hindering the cooking process were the main barriers to reduce sodium use. The total practicability of actions for reducing sodium was higher in staffs who worked in restaurants that measured seasoning and salinity while cooking (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The hardest item to practice was ‘purchase foods after comparing sodium content in the nutrition labeling’. ‘Avoid serving salt-fermented foods as side dishes’, ‘serve small portions of kimchi and less salty kimchi’, and ‘put up promotional materials for reducing sodium intake’ were selected as easy items to perform. The majority (82%) was willing to reduce sodium in restaurant foods under the support of local government and they desired the promotion of participating restaurants and education on cooking skills to reduce sodium. CONCLUSION: Measuring seasoning and salinity while cooking is a meaningful practice that is associated with stages of behavior change and the practicability of actions for reducing sodium. It is necessary to provide support and education with a gradual approach to staffs for reducing sodium in restaurant foods.
Cooking ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Korea ; Local Government ; Logistic Models ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Seasons ; Sodium

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the salinity of representative Korean foods high in sodium to generate data for use as a fundamental resource for setting salinity standards in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 foods from 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in four regions (Capital area, Chungcheong Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province) and analyzed for salinity. RESULTS: Among the foods, stir-fried anchovies (4.07~4.45%) showed the highest salinity, followed by pickled onion (1.86~2.62%), cabbage kimchi (1.83~2.2%), braised burdock and lotus root (1.79~2.17%), and sliced radish kimchi (1.78~1.89%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of kimchi from home meals (2.2%) was significantly higher than that of foodservice (1.83%) and restaurant (1.93%) kimchi (p < 0.05). Salinity in each group of food was highest in kimchi (1.83~2.04%), followed by braised dishes (1.54~1.78%), steamed dishes (1.0~1.22%), stir-fried dishes (1.02~1.18%), and soup or stew (0.74~1.02%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of soup and stew from restaurants (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of home meal (0.84%) and foodservice (0.74%) soup and stew. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the salinity of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium by eating place is expected to be useful to establishing guidelines for reduction of salinity.
Arctium ; Brassica ; Eating ; Family Characteristics ; Lotus ; Meals ; Onions ; Raphanus ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Sodium ; Steam

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the salinity of representative Korean foods high in sodium to generate data for use as a fundamental resource for setting salinity standards in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 foods from 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in four regions (Capital area, Chungcheong Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province) and analyzed for salinity. RESULTS: Among the foods, stir-fried anchovies (4.07~4.45%) showed the highest salinity, followed by pickled onion (1.86~2.62%), cabbage kimchi (1.83~2.2%), braised burdock and lotus root (1.79~2.17%), and sliced radish kimchi (1.78~1.89%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of kimchi from home meals (2.2%) was significantly higher than that of foodservice (1.83%) and restaurant (1.93%) kimchi (p < 0.05). Salinity in each group of food was highest in kimchi (1.83~2.04%), followed by braised dishes (1.54~1.78%), steamed dishes (1.0~1.22%), stir-fried dishes (1.02~1.18%), and soup or stew (0.74~1.02%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of soup and stew from restaurants (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of home meal (0.84%) and foodservice (0.74%) soup and stew. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the salinity of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium by eating place is expected to be useful to establishing guidelines for reduction of salinity.
Arctium ; Brassica ; Eating ; Family Characteristics ; Lotus ; Meals ; Onions ; Raphanus ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Sodium ; Steam

This study analyzed the distribution of endophytic fungi in 3 coastal environments with different climatic, geographical, and geological characteristics: the volcanic islands of Dokdo, the East Sea, and the West Sea of Korea. The isolated fungal endophytes were characterized and analyzed with respect to the characteristics of their host environments. For this purpose, we selected common native coastal halophyte communities from three regions. Molecular identification of the fungal endophytes showed clear differences among the sampling sites and halophyte host species. Isolates were also characterized by growth at specific salinities or pH gradients, with reference to previous geographical, geological, and climate studies. Unlike the East Sea or West Sea isolates, some Dokdo Islands isolates showed endurable traits with growth in high salinity, and many showed growth under extremely alkaline conditions. A smaller proportion of West Sea coast isolates tolerate compared to the East Sea or Dokdo Islands isolates. These results suggest that these unique fungal biota developed through a close interaction between the host halophyte and their environment, even within the same halophyte species. Therefore, this study proposes the application of specific fungal resources for restoring sand dunes and salt-damaged agricultural lands and industrialization of halophytic plants.
Biota ; Climate ; Endophytes ; Fungi ; Islands ; Korea ; Proton-Motive Force ; Salinity ; Salt-Tolerant Plants

OBJECTIVES: To determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic vibrios from green mussel, Perna viridis in bacoor bay cavite.

METHODS: Vibrios were isolated using TCBS agar and confirmed using API Identification kit. The relationship between the density of vibrios and environment parameters such as months, harvest sites and other physico-chemical parameters of water was determined. The isolated vibrios were subjected to antibiotic resistance testing to determine the resistance patterns.

RESULTS: Pathogenic vibrios were isolated in all of the 90 mussel samples. Of the 183 vibrio isolates, 75 strains were V. alginolyticus and 53 strains belonged to V. cholerae wherein 18 (34%) of these were V. cholerae serotype O1. Forty nine (49) strains belonged to V. parahaemolyticus and six were V. vulnificus. Using the regression analysis, salinity, water temperature and ph have significant correlation on the density of vibrios (p=0.0309), with regression model, total vibrios = -16990763 + 145858 Salinity + 186808 Temperature + 1037886 pH. In the antimicrobial resistance assay,ampicillin had the highest drug resistance (37.8%) followed by nalidixic acid (10.4%), tetracycline (10.4%) and co-trimoxazole (9.3%).

CONCLUSION: Pathogenic vibrios were isolated in mussel of Bacoor, Cavite and can be predicted using salinity, temperature and pH of the water. Thirty six percent (36%) of Vibrio isolates were resistance to ampicillin.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a Na-reduction education program and apply it for cooks who prepare meals in day-care centers. To development of the program was based on increasing the self-awareness of salinity, eating behaviors and enforcing skills of low-Na cooking. METHODS: The study was carried out from April to October in 2013, fifty five cooks participated in this program. The Na reduction program composed of 4 sessions of education which included a 90-minute lecture and self-reevaluation of personal saltsensitivity degree and three low Na recipe cooking classes. In order to measure the effectiveness of the program, the pretest and posttest of salinity of the soups provided by day care centers was conducted at registration and 5 month after the program with the same menu. RESULTS: After the conduct of the program, salimeter using rate was increased from 8.2% to 94.6% after the program and the other measuring instruments using rate was gradually increased. We observed that the score on eating behaviors increased 1.51 points from 38.80 to 40.31 after the intervention program (p < 0.001). Further, increased knowledge and skill provided by the intervention program resulted in improved Nareduction cooking capability. According to the results from analyzing the soup salinity, the salinity in watery soup was significant reduced from 0.556 to 0.449 0.107 and soybean-paste soup was significant reduced from 0.669 to 0.551 after the intervention program (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As the result of fact, the intervention programs that was based on self-reevaluation, to enforce practical skill and consciousness was effective to serve low sodium menu at day care centers.
Consciousness* ; Cooking ; Day Care, Medical ; Education ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Meals ; Salinity ; Sodium