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The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of melons in Korea. A total of 123 samples including melon fruits, leaves, seeds, soils, and irrigation water were collected from farms and markets to detect total aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were collected from Iksan and Nonsan farms to monitor bacterial levels on pre-market melons. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria on melon cultivation were between 0.43 and 6.65 log CFU g -1 , and 0.67 and 2.91 log CFU g -1 , respectively. Bacillus cereus, a fecal coliform, was detected in soils and melon leaves from Iksan farm at 2.95, 0.73 log CFU g -1 , respectively, and in soils from Nonsan farm at 3.16 log CFU g -1 . Market melon samples were collected to assay bacterial load on melon being sold to consumers. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in agricultural markets, big-box retailers, and traditional markets were 4.82, 3.94, 3.99 log CFU g -1 , respectively. The numbers of coliform in melon on the markets ranged from 0.09 to 0.49 log CFU g -1 . Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples. The count of total aerobic bacteria on melon seeds ranged from 0.33 to 3.34 log CFU g -1 . This study found that irrigation water, soil, manure and various farm work activities including post-harvest processes were latent sources of microbial contamination. These results suggest that hygienic management and monitoring of soil, water, and agricultural material should be performed to reduce microbial contamination in melon production.

This study was surveyed that water physiochemical characteristics and phytoplankton incidence of main stream and Lake Doam near to Daegwallyeong agricultural area. Based on above results, it was conducted to get information overall water characteristics in south Han upstream river. COD value of Lake Doam was and T-P (Total phosphorous) from there was which was higher than the value of grade VI based on lake water living environment standard. Suspended solid was an average of 9.77 NTU which was higher than value of lake living standard. Concentration of phytoplankton was over from July to September. It was considered that cyanobacteria were occurred due to massive influx of nutrient material by high temperature and rainfall during this season. Compare to Ontario's sediment quality guidelines, T-N and T-P was middle value between LEL and SEL in Lake Doam. This value means that contamination in water is serious. Therefore, it is considered that systematic management was needed to reduce and block contamination source.

This study is aimed to investigate microbiological contamination of Angelica gigas Nakai. A total of 111 samples including root, soil, and irrigation water were collected from farms and market to detect aerobic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, coliform, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes,. Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The contaminations of aerobic bacteria, coliform, and Bacillus cereus in the root during cultivation were found 6.71 log CFU , 4.13 log CFU , and 3.54 log CFU , respectively. The contamination of coliform and B. cereus were detected in all steps from harvesting to processing, with the highest count recorded from the cutting step. In marketing, the contaminations of aerobic bacterial, coliform, and B. cereus were 5.5~6.0 log CFU , 2.4~2.6 log CFU , and 3.5~4.0 log CFU , respectively. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any of samples. This result indicated that hygienic soil management and post harvest management should be performed to reduce the contamination of hazard microorganisms and to produce safe agro-products.