• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Objectives: Q fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide; however, little is known about its prevalence in South Korea. We attempted to determine the prevalence of Q fever seroreactivity among Korean slaughterhouse workers and the risk factors for seroreactivity according to the type of work. Methods: The study was conducted among 1503 workers at a total of 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual-product disposal plants. During the study period, sites were visited and surveys were administered to employees involved in slaughterhouse work, and serological tests were performed on blood samples by indirect immunofluorescence assays. Serological samples were grouped by job classification into those of slaughter workers, residual-product handlers, inspectors and inspection assistants, and grading testers and testing assistants. Employee risk factors were analyzed according to the type of work. Results: Out of 1481 study subjects who provided a blood sample, 151 (10.2%) showed reactive antibodies. When these results were analyzed in accordance with the type of work, the result of slaughter workers (11.3%) was similar to the result of residual-product handlers (11.4%), and the result of inspectors and assistants (5.3%) was similar to the result of grading testers and assistants (5.4%). Among those who answered in the affirmative to the survey question, "Has there been frequent contact between cattle blood and your mouth while working?" the proportions were 13.4 and 4.6%, respectively, and this was identified as a risk factor that significantly varied between job categories among slaughterhouse workers. Conclusions: This study found a Q fever seroreactivity rate of 10.2% for slaughterhouse workers, who are known to be a high-risk population. Contact with cattle blood around the mouth while working was the differential risk factor between job categories among slaughterhouse workers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.600-607
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of substrate to inoculum ratio (S/I ratio) on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) and anaerobic biodegradability ($D_{deg}$) of different piggery slaughterhouse wastes, such as piggery blood, intestine residue, and digestive tract content. These wastes were sampled from a piggery slaughterhouse located in Kimje, South Korea. Cumulative methane production curves for the wastes were obtained from the anaerobic batch fermentation having different S/I ratios of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5. BMP and anaerobic biodegradabilities ($D_{deg}$) of the wastes were calculated from cumulative methane production data for the tested conditions. At the lowest S/I ration of 0.1, BMPs of piggery blood, intestine residue, and digestive tract content were determined to be 0.799, 0.848, and $1.076Nm^3kg^{-1}-VS_{added}$, respectively, which were above the theoretical methane potentials of 0.539, 0.644, and $0.517Nm^3kg^{-1}-VS_{added}$ for blood, intestine residue, and digestive tract content, respectively. However, BMPs obtained from the higher S/I ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 were within the theoretical range for all three types of waste and were not significantly different for the different S/I ratios tested. Anaerobic biodegradabilities calculated from BMP data showed a similar tendency. These results imply that, for BMP assay in an anaerobic reactor, the S/I ratio of anaerobic reactor should be above 0.1 and the inoculum should be sufficiently stabilized to avoid further degradation during the assay.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.743-751
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• 2017

During slaughtering, animal blood is typically discarded, resulting in water pollution. However, this discarded blood has valuable components, such as immunoglobulin (Ig). Although several studies have been conducted to develop methods for effective recycling of slaughterhouse blood, they have not been commercially utilized in Korea. Here, we extracted an Ig-rich fraction from porcine blood that was then subjected to various in vitro tests, including pathogen growth inhibition, antigenic cross-reactivity, and anti-toxin activity. The porcine immunoglobulin concentrate (PIC) was effectively purified by eliminating other components, such as albumin, and consisted of approximately $63.2{\pm}2.9%$ IgG and $7.2{\pm}0.4%$ IgM on a protein basis. The results showed that it significantly suppressed the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and bound to all tested pathogens, including both gram-positive and gram-negative species, although the degree of activity differed according to strain. The PIC bound to two types of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) obtained from Escherichia coli O111:B4 and Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the PIC restored the proliferation activity of the lymphoblast K-562 cells when co-incubated with pathogenic LPS. These results confirm that the PIC prepared in this study is a potentially valuable functional food material or diet supplement as an alternative to antibiotics that can protect animals from pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2009

Objectives : The incidence of zoonoses in Korea has increased recently. However, the study of high risk groups for zoonoses has not been conducted to date in Korea. Thus, we did this study to obtain data on brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers in Korea. Methods : We evaluated the structure of slaughterhouses and the process of slaughtering by reviewing the relevant literature and doing field studies. We visited 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual products handle houses across the country. In addition, we conducted a questionnaire survey of the work activities, and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis. The titers of brucellosis antibodies were measured using the standard tube agglutination test SAT). We diagnosed subjects as seropositive for Brucellosis if the titers were more than 1:160. The data collected was evaluated using SPSS ver. 17.0. Results : We included 1,503 subjects and obtained 1,482 blood samples among them: 849 workers involved in slaughtering, 351 handlers of residual products, 190 inspectors and their assistants, and 92 grading testers and their assistants. The seroprevalence of brucellosis among the slaughterhouse workers was 0.8% (95% CI=0.4-1.5). Broken down, the seroprevalence of brucellosis among the workers involved in slaughtering was 0.7% (95% CI=0.3-1.6), the handlers of residual products was 1.7% (95% CI=0.7-3.9) respectively. Risk factors for contracting brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers were being splashed with cattle blood around the mouth, cattle secretions around the body and not putting on protective apron while at work. Conclusions : An educational program is needed for high risk groups on zoonoses about the prevention of infection. Thus, effective working guidelines for workers who participate in the slaughter of animals must be developed in order to protect them from zoonoses.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

Objectives: The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among high-risk groups overseas is high, but studies in these groups are rare in South Korea. We conducted the present study from April to November 2012 to obtain data on the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for HEV among slaughterhouse workers in South Korea. Methods: Slaughterhouse workers from 80 workplaces nationwide were surveyed in South Korea in 2012. The subjects comprised 1848 cases: 1434 slaughter workers and 414 residual products handlers. By visiting 80 slaughterhouses, which were mixed with 75 of which also performed residual products handling, we conducted a questionnaire survey for risk factors and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seropositivity and seroprevalence of HEV. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were measured using HEV IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunospecific assay kits and HEV antigen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The seropositivity of anti-HEV IgG was 33.5% (slaughter workers 32.8% and residual products handlers 36.2%), and among the seropositive individuals the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (slaughter workers 0.5%, residual products handlers 0.7%). The response rate of HEV-antigen as measured by RT-PCR was 0.2%. Risk factors significantly related to anti-HEV IgG seropositivity were age, sex, and working duration (slaughter workers only). Conclusions: There were significant risk factors (sex, age, and working duration) for HEV identified in our study. All three positive cases for HEV-antigen by RT-PCR were related to pig slaughter but without statistical significance. To prevent HEV, an educational program and working guidelines may be needed for high risk groups.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 1997

For the utilization of animal blood produced in slaughter for the cultivation of lactic acid bacteria, the nitrogen sources in a complex(MRS) medium were replaced by blood plasma proteins. Focusing the purpose on the industrial production of a probiotics, the hydrolytic activities of three industrially applicable proteases were compared for the effective digestion of the proteins, and Alcalase(the product of Novo Nordisk) was selected with comparatively high activity. The growth of Streptococcus thermophilus KCCM12020 was best among the four strains of lactic acid bacteria tested. With Alcalase-digested proteins in the medium, the growth rates and the final cell concentrations were higher than those with non-digested proteins. The cell mass produced in the medium containing blood proteins as nitrogen sources, $2.5{\times}10^9$ CFU/ml, was significantly high and about 70% of that in MRS medium, showing a great possibility for the utilization of animal blood proteins as economic nitrogen sources in the production of cell mass of lactic acid bacteria.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.184-187
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• 2002

Blood products from slaughterhouses that are not hygienically prepared for disposal or food consumption pose a human health hazard. Gamma irradiation is an effective method for sterilization of blood products, but may introduce changes in the molecular characteristics of proteins. This study evaluated the effects of irradiation on animal plasma proteins. Bovine and porcine blood was obtained from a slaughterhouse and the plasma proteins purified and lyophilized. The secondary structure and molecular weight distribution of the plasma protein solutions and powders were examined after ${\gamma}$-irradiation at 1, 5, 7 and 10 kGy. Gamma-irradiation affected the molecular properties of the protein solutions, but not the protein powders. Circular dichroism and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies showed that increased doses of ${\gamma}$-irradiation decrease the ordered structure of plasma proteins in solution, and cause initial fragmentation of the polypeptide chains and subsequent aggregation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2009

This study was conducted to analyse risk factors which can influence on blood splash in slaughtered cattle in D slaughterhouse located in Gyeonggi province in 2008. A total of 13,056 cattle were studied by several risk factors such as species, gender, body weight, meat grade, weather (temperature), transport distance, lairaging time, moving time, mixing cattle from different sources. As the result of analysis, the total mean of blood splash was 0.70% and the rate was highest (0.94%) in castrated Hanwoo. The heavier body weight, the higher blood splash rate. The farms which have had more than one experience of blood splash tend to have high grade in meat quality. As a weather factor, the rate in summer season was lower than in winter season. It increased as transport distance getting longer and decreased when the lairaging time was 2~5 hours. We could know many risk factors strongly related with the occurrence of blood splash from this study.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.600-605
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• 1999

For the production of angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides as a material for antihypertensive functional foods from animal blood produced in slaughterhouse, the optimum condition for enzymatic hydrolysis to yield a peptide fraction of the highest activity were investigated with a respect of industrial production. Among several industrially-usable enzymes tested, $Alcalase^？$ produced hydrolysates of the highest activity from total plasma and purified albumin. $IC_50$ values of albumin hydrolysate and its third fraction separated by gel chromatography were 0.5 and 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. The fraction was found to be obtained by a simple ultrafiltration using a membrane of MW cutoff 1,000. The possibility for the industrial production of antihypertensive peptides from animal blood plasma protein was suggested.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.46-60
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• 2023

Slaughterhouse blood is a by-product of animal slaughter that can be a good source of animal protein. This research purposed to examine the functional qualities of the blood plasma from Hanwoo cattle, black goat, and their hydrolysates. Part of the plasma was hydrolyzed with proteolytic enzymes (Bacillus protease, papain, thermolysin, elastase, and α-chymotrypsin) to yield bioactive peptides under optimum conditions. The levels of hydrolysates were evaluated by 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antioxidant, metal-chelating, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties of intact blood plasma and selected hydrolysates were investigated. Accordingly, two plasma hydrolysates by protease (pH 6.5/55℃/3 h) and thermolysin (pH 7.5/37℃/3-6 h) were selected for analysis of their functional properties. In the oil model system, only goat blood plasma had lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than the control. The diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was higher in cattle and goat plasma than in proteolytic hydrolysates. Ironchelating activities increased after proteolytic degradation except for protease-treated cattle blood. Copper-chelating activity was excellent in all test samples except for the original bovine plasma. As for ACE inhibition, only non-hydrolyzed goat plasma and its hydrolysates by thermolysin showed ACE inhibitory activity (9.86±5.03% and 21.77±3.74%). In conclusion, goat plasma without hydrolyzation and its hydrolysates can be a good source of bioactive compounds with functional characteristics, whereas cattle plasma has a relatively low value. Further studies on the molecular structure of these compounds are needed with more suitable enzyme combinations.