• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.633-640
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• 1995

As a result of screening the medicinal herbs which selectively control human intestinal microflora, water extract of Akebia quinata Decaisne was proved to have a strong inhibitory activity against the growth of Clostridium pefringens, a major harmful intestinal bacterium. The anti-bacte-rial activity was stable under the thermal treatment at 100$\circ$C for 120 min and in a range of pH 1 to 11. In addition, the water extract of Akebia quinata Decaisne showed the antibacterial activities against five different strains of Clostridia including C. perfringens. On the contrary, the extract did not inhibit the growths of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis. The extract, however, suppressed markedly the growth of Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Alike in the mixed culture inoculated with human feces as starter, in vivo tests using rats showed that the extract tends to increase the numbers of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestinal microflora of rats, whereas those of Clostridia were attenuated.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.413-426
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• 2009

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of indigenous bacteria on geochemical behavior of toxic heavy metals in contaminated paddy soil near an abandoned mine. The effects of sulfate amendment to stimulate microbial sulfate reduction on heavy metal behaviors were also investigated. Batch-type experiments were performed with lactate or glucose as a carbon source to activate indigenous bacteria in the soil under anaerobic condition for 100 days. Sulfate (250 mg/L) was artificially injected at 60 days after the onset of the experiments. In the case of glucose supply, solution pH increased from 4.8 to 7.6 while pH was maintained at 7~8 in the lactate solution. The initial low pH in the case of glucose supply likely resulted in the enhanced extraction of Fe and most heavy metals at the initial experimental period. Lactate supply exerted no significant difference on the amounts of dissolved Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu between microbial and abiotic control slurries; however, lower Zn, Pb and Ni and higher Cu concentrations were observed in the microbial slurries than in the controls when glucose supplied. Sulfate amendment led to dramatic decrease in dissolved Cr and maintenance of dissolved As, both of which had gradually increased over time till the sulfate injection. Black precipitates formed in solution after sulfate amendment, and violarite($Fe^{+2}{Ni^{+3}}_2S_4$) was found with XRD analysis in the microbial precipitates. Conceivably the mineral might be formed after Fe(III) reduction and microbial sulfate reduction with coprecipitation of heavy metal. The results suggested that heavy metals which can be readily extracted from contaminated paddy soils may be stabilized in soil formation by microbial sulfate reduction.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2013

The ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii is a marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Arcidae and important seafood for Korean and Japanese, and southern coast is brisk bays for the ark shell aquaculture. However, productivity of ark shell from these regions were rapidly reduced during the last decade due to mass mortality. The reason of this great damage has not yet been identified. To overcome this economic loss, diverse investigations were focused on environmental factors that affects in the physiology of S. broughtonii, but microbiological researches were performed insufficiently. Hemoglobin is one of the major blood component of ark shell and is damaged by some species of bacterial toxins. We concentrated on this red pigment because hemolysis could be the cause of ark shell mortality. In this study, we analyzed microbial diversity of underwater sediments in coastal regions and also existences in the body of S. broughtonii. We investigate about 4,200 isolates collected from June to September for microbial diversity of sediments and ark shell. We screened all of culturable microorganisms, and identified 25 genera 118 species, 24 genera 89 species, 30 genera 109 species and 39 genera 141 species, and selected 140 unique colonies for identification and challenge assay.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2018

Baekasan Acheon cave located in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do is a natural limestone cave only found in this province. In this study, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of speleothems collected from Baekasan Acheon cave were identified and the capability of carbonate mineral formation by aerobic microorganisms enriched from the cave and the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of carbonate minerals formed by the microorganisms were investigated. The samples of sediments (clay) and speleothems (shelfstone and cave coral) were collected at three sites in the cave. The samples of shelfstone and cave coral were identified mainly as carbonate mineral, Mg-rich calcite, and clay minerals were composed of quartz, muscovite, and vermiculite by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To cultivate the carbonate forming microorganisms, parts of the sediment and speleothems were placed in D-1 medium containing urea, respectively, and the growth of microorganisms was observed under the aerobic condition at room temperature. The capability of carbonate mineralization of the cultured Baekasan Acheon cave microorganisms was examined through adding 1% (v/v) of the cultured microorganisms and calcium sources, Ca-acetate or Ca-lactate, into the D-1 medium. XRD analysis showed that the microorganisms cultured in cave deposits formed calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) under all conditions, and these microbial carbonate minerals included calcite and vaterite. The morphological characteristics and chemical composition of biologically formed minerals were observed by SEM-EDS showed various crystal forms such as rhomboid, spherical, perforated surface with Ca, C, and O of major chemical components. The existence of such microorganisms in the cave can contribute the formation of carbonate minerals, and it is likely to affect the geochemical cycles of carbon and calcium in the cave.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.345-356
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• 2017

The composting is a biological process that converts organic matter into useful resources such as fertilizers. It is a continuous transition of microbial communities to adapt changes in organic matter and environmental conditions (carbonation rate, temperature, humidity, oxygen supply, pH, etc.). Most of the composting plants are located in the proximity of the residential areas. It is a general scenario where government authorities receive complaints from the local residents due to release of odor from the composting, and has become a social problem in Korea. Identification of dominant microorganisms, understanding change in microbial communities and augmentation of specific microorganism for composting is vital to enhance the efficiency of composting, quality of the compost produced, and reduction of odor. In this paper, we suggest the optimum operation conditions and methods for compost depot to reduce odor generation. The selection of the appropriate microorganisms and their rapid increase in population are effective to promote composting. The optimal growth conditions of bacteria such as aeration (oxygen), temperature, and humidity were standardized to maximize composting through microbial degradation. The use of porous minerals and moisture control has significantly improved odor removal. Recent technologies to reduce odor from the composting environment and improved composting processes are also presented.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.414-421
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• 2022

In this study, we isolated Weizmannia ginsengihumi LGHNH (KCTC 14462BP) from 30-year-old wild Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and elucidated the characteristics of the isolated bacterium and its industrial potential as an anti-aging material. W. ginsengihumi LGHNH was investigated to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a plant growth-promoting hormone (1.38 ㎍/ml to 2.22 ㎍/ml). We also confirmed the existence of bioconversion activity via the comparison of the ginsenoside content before and after fermentation. As for the converted minor ginsenoside, Rg2(R), Rg4, Rg6, Rg3(S), Rg3(R), Rk1, Rg5, Rh1(R), Rk3 and Rh4 are known to have high bioavailability and various skin effects. We measured mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP biosynthesis to elucidate W. ginsengihumi LGHNH cultured product (WCP) as an anti-aging material. As a result, the mitochondrial membrane potential in HaCaT cells with UVB decreased to 39.3% compared to the unirradiated group, but was recovered to 57.3% and 58.1% by 0.001% (v/v) and 0.01% (v/v) WCP, respectively. In addition, we measured mitochondrial ATP biosynthesis. It decreased to 94.3% compared to the unirradiated group with UVB, but was recovered to 105.3% and 105.7% by 0.001% (v/v) and 0.01% (v/v) WCP.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 1996

To extend shelf life of cooked rice, main putrefactive microorganism isolated from cooked rice were identified by using the API 50 CHB kit and fatty acid analysis of the cell and antimicrobial activity of water extract of green tea was tested against isolated strains and some type of strains. The growths of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Bacillus cereus YUFE 2004 and Staphylococcus aureus YUFE 2087 were inhibited in broth containing 500 and 1000 ppm of green tea extract. Main putrefactive microorganisms of cooked rice were identified as Bacillus subtilis RHJ-I and Bacillus subtilis RHJ-II. Green tea extract of 500 and 1000 ppm level inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis RHJ-I only.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.393-407
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• 2022

The effect of Neobacillus sp. JC05 extract on the defense response in cucumber plants against root-knot nematode (RKN) was evaluated. As a result of drench treatment of JC05-extract in cucumber plants, formation of egg mass per plants and disease severity were significantly decreased compared to untreated control plants; the malondialdehyde contents also decreased in JC05-extract treated plants. When eggs of Meloidogyne incognita were inoculated, cucumber plants treated with JC05-extract elevated pathogenesis-related gene expression such as chitinase and lipoxygenase, these are well known as inducing resistance in plants, in addition, peroxidase among antioxidant enzymes was significantly activated. Moreover, the JC05-extract enhanced FDAse activity in soils grown cucumber plants inoculated by eggs of M. incognita. Taken together, these results suggest that the JC05-extract could involve in activation of defense-related mechanisms of cucumber plants and result in decrease of disease occurrence caused by M. incognita.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2016

Many atmospheric pollutants including chemical agents, house dust, and microorganisms cause building-related illnesses through respiration in humans. This study was conducted to analyze the profiles of microbial pollutants in air purifiers used in home, office and playschool. Dominant eleven species of microorganisms were isolated and identified in environmental air and air purifiers. Among them, Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. are the most dominant species. By phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, the dominant bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus epidermidis, respectively. It has been known that these bacterial species are closely related with food spoilage and human infectious disease. Thus, these results indicate that microbial pathogens related with human illnesses through respiration will be contaminated in air purifiers and also need to develop a method to control those of pathogens for human health.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.23 no.2 s.73
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• pp.161-175
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• 1995

Meju is a raw material used to make Korean soy sauce (Kanjang) and soybean paste (Doenjang), both of them rich in plant protein. The twenty-nine fungal and a bacterial species were identified from twenty-three traditionally homemade meju cakes. Out of them, only a few species were found to be involved in the actual fermentation process of meju; The other species were contaminants during the improper subprocesses of meju fermentation. The fungal floral successions were observed to be related to two physical and biochemical changes of meju cakes during meju fermentation: drying and heat releasing processes. The zygomycetous fungi were first observed to exist mainly during the first stage. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was observed to grow on the surface of meju cakes and then to coexist with Bacillus megatrium in the inner part of meju cakes during the second stage. Based on the biochemical tests, the proteases secreted by the different microorganisms were involved in the degradation of soybean proteins with a mutual relationship. Also, zygomycetous fungi were speculated to be important microorganisms for inducing the second stage in the traditional Korean homemade meju.