Inactivation of a Norovirus Surrogate (Feline Calicivirus) during the Ripening of Oyster Kimch

Abstract

In Korea, oysters are used as an ingredient of Kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage) in early winter. Although viral contamination of oysters, including contamination by norovirus, can provoke gastroenteric illness, little is known of the epidemiological relationship to outbreaks. We postulated that Kimchi ripening can reduce the infectivity of norovirus, in order to test this hypothesis, we carried out a model experiment. Since norovirus is currently regarded as non-culturable, feline calicivirus (FCV) was used as a surrogate to examine the activation of norovirus with Kimchi ripening. In commercial well-prepared Kimchi, the infectivity (TCID 50 ) of FCV decreased by 2 log every 12 hours and reached the limit of detection after 48 hours during over-aging at 25 ℃ . During storage at 4 ℃ , the infectivity (TCID 50 ) of FCV decreased slowly and reached 5.00 TCID 50 after 48 hours. The low pH appears to affect the infectivity of FCV directly via organic acids produced by ripening during over-aging and storage. In neutralized lab-prepared Kimchi (pH 7.0), the infectivity (TCID 50 ) of FCV also decreased and reached the limit of detection after 72 hours at 4 ℃ . This indicates that there are substances beside organic acids in Kimchi that originate from the raw materials and are produced during ripening. Among the raw materials, salt-fermented anchovies and garlic showed high direct antiviral activity. The main factor decreasing the infectivity of FCV in Kimchi was the high acidity caused by organic acids, regardless of the type, produced by ripening. Furthermore, unknown secondary products of microorganisms associated with Kimchi ripening and antiviral materials originating from raw material might contribute to the decreased infectivity of FCV, the surrogate of norovirus.

Norovirus Quantification in Oysters Crassostrea gigas Collected from Tongyeoung, Korea

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