Welcome to Foodborne Pathogen Control Lab at Chung-Ang University

Our research group focuses on developing innovative strategies to control foodborne pathogens and enhance food safety. We specialize in microbial inactivation technologies, biofilm prevention, and novel antimicrobial applications using advanced materials and light-based interventions. By integrating microbiology, molecular biology, and engineering approaches, we aim to improve food preservation methods and reduce the risks associated with foodborne illnesses. Our team collaborates with academic and industry partners to translate research findings into practical solutions for the food industry. 

The selected publications

1.       Xu, A., Chong, L., Ghate, V., Yuk, H.G. *, Zhou, W*. 2024. 405 nm LED illumination for the reduction of Fusarium spoilage risk in Cavendish bananas in a simulated retail environment. Food and Bioprocess Technology. 17:3912-3925.

2.      Pang, X., Hu, X., Du, X., Lv, C., Yuk, H.G.* 2023. Biofilm formation in food processing plants and novel control strategies to combat resistant biofilms: the case of Salmonella spp. Food Science and Biotechnology. 32:1703-1718.

4.       Yu, X., Zheng, P., Zou, Y., Ye, Z., Wei, T., Lin, J., Guo, L., Yuk, H.G.*, Zheng, Q.W.*2023. A review on recent advances in LED-based non-thermal technique for food safety: Current applications and future trends. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 

5.       Khan, S.A., Kim, M.J., Yuk, H.G.* 2023. Genome-wide transcriptional response of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to light-emitting diodes with various wavelengths. Scientific Reports. 13:1976.

6.       Lee, S.G., Kim, S.J., Bang, W.S. *, Yuk, H.G. * 2023. Chitosan enhances antibacterial efficacy of 405 nm light-emitting diode illumination against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. on fresh-cut melon. Food Research International. 164:112372.

7.      Yu, X., Zou, Y., Zhang, Z., Wei, T., Ye, Z., Yuk, H.G.*, Zheng, Q.W.* 2022. Recent advances in antimicrobial applications of curcumin-mediated photodynamic inactivation in foods. Food Control. 133:108986.

8.      Pang, X., Song, X., Chen, M., Tian, S., Lu, Z., Sun, J., Li, X., Lu, Y.*, Yuk, H.G.* 2022. Combating biofilms of foodborne pathogens with bacteriocins by lactic acid bacteria in food industry. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 21:1657-1676.

9.      Chong, L., Ghate, V., Zhou, W.B.*, Yuk, H.G.* 2022. Developing a LED preservation technology to minimizing strawberry quality deterioration during distribution. Food Chemistry. 366:130566.

10.   Ghate, V., Min, I.Y.J., Zhou, W.B.*, Yuk, H.G.* 2021. Influence of temperature and relative humidity on the antifungal effect of 405 nm LEDs against Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer and their inactivation on strawberries and tomatoes. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 359:109427.

11.   Kim, M.J., Lianto, D.K., Koo, G.H., Yuk, H.G*. 2021. Antibacterial mechanism of riboflavin-mediated 460 nm light emitting diode illumination against Listeria monocytogenes in phosphate-buffered saline and on smoked salmon. Food Control. 124:107930.

12.   Chua, A., Chong, L., Ghate, V., Yuk, H.G. *, Zhou, W*. 2021. Antifungal action of 405 nm light emitting diodes on tomatoes in a meso-scale system and their effect on the physicochemical properties. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 172:111366.

13.   Zwe, Y.H., Yuk, H.G*. 2020. Prior exposure of agriculture cephalosporin ceftiofur impaired conjugation of blaCTX-M-65 gene-bearing plasmid in Salmonella Saintpaul. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 129:1552-1565.

14.    Zwe, Y.H., Chin, S.F., Kohli, G.S., Aung, K.T., Yang, L., Yuk, H.G*. 2020. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) fails to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from heteroresistant subpopulation of Salmonella enterica. Food Microbiology. 91:103530.

15.   Pang, X.Y., L. Chen, Yuk. H.G*. 2020. Stress response and survival of Salmonella Enteritidis in single and dual species biofilms with Pseudomonas fluorescens following repeated exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 325:108643.

16.   Yuan, W.Q., Yuk, H.G.* 2019. Effect of sublethal thymol, carvacrol and trans-cinnamaldehyde adaptation on virulence properties of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 85(14):e00271-19.

17.   Zwe, Y.H., Goh, Z.H.E., Chau, M.L., Aung, K.T., Yuk, H.G*. 2019. Survival of an emerging foodborne pathogen-Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotype III sequence type (ST 283 – under simulated partial cooking and gastric fluid condition. Food Science and Biotechnology. 28:939-944.

18.   Pang, X.Y., Yuk, H.G.* 2019. Effects of the colonization sequence of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas fluorescens on survival of biofilm cells under food-related stresses and transfer to salmon. Food Microbiol. 82:142-150.

19.   Ghate, V., Zhou, W.B., Yuk, H.G.* 2019. Perspectives and trends in the application of photodynamic inactivation for microbiological food safety. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 18:402-424.

20.   Pang, X.Y., Wong, C., Chung, H.J., Yuk, H.G.* 2019. Biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes and its resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds in a simulated salmon processing environment. Food Control. 98:200-208.

21.   Yuan, W.Q., Min, C.T.H. and Yuk, H.G.* 2019. Combined antibacterial activities of essential oil compounds against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and their application potential on fresh cut lettuce. Food Control. 96:112-118.

22.   Yuan, W.Q., Seng, Z.J., Kohli, G., Yang, L., Yuk, H.G.* 2018. Stress resistance development and genome-wide transcriptional response of Escherichia coli O157:H7 adapted to sublethal thymol, carvacrol and trans-cinnamaldehyde. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 84(22): e01616-18.

23.   Josewin, S.W., Kim, M.J. and Yuk, H.G.* 2018. Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. on cantaloupe rinds by blue light emitting diodes (LEDs). Food Microbiology. 76:219-225.