• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.871-877
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• 2018

Storing the surplus energy from renewable energy resource is one of the challenges related to intermittent and fluctuating nature of renewable energy electricity production. $CO_2$ methanation is well known reaction that as a renewable energy storage system. $CO_2$ methanation requires a catalyst to be active at relatively low temperatures ($250-500^{\circ}C$) and selectivity towards methane. In this study, the catalytic performance test was conducted using a pressurized bubbling fluidized bed reactor (Diameter: 0.025 m and Height: 0.35 m) with $Ni/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ (Ni70%, and ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$30%) catalyst. The range of the reaction conditions were $H_2/CO_2$ mole ratio range of 4.0-6.0, temperature of $300-420^{\circ}C$, pressure of 1-9 bar, and gas velocity ($U_0/U_{mf}$) of 1-5. As the $H_2/CO_2$ mole ratio, temperature and pressure increased, $CO_2$ conversion increases at the experimental temperature range. However, $CO_2$ conversion decreases with increasing gas velocity due to poor mixing characteristics in the fluidized bed. The maximum $CO_2$ conversion of 99.6% was obtained with the operating condition as follows; $H_2/CO_2$ ratio of 5, temperature of $400^{\circ}C$, pressure of 9 bar, and $U_0/U_{mf}$ of 1.4-3.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2021

A total of 106 samples (nuts, nut products, oilseeds, oilseed products, seed for beverage products) were simultaneously analyzed with LC/MS/MS method. The tested mycotoxins were aflatoxin (B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂), ochratoxin A, fumonisin (B₁, B₂), and zearalenone. Mycotoxins were detected in 37 of 106 samples (35%), and two or more mycotoxins were simultaneously detected in 9 of 106 samples (8.5%). Aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, fumonisin and zearalenone were detected at the range of 0.08-1.45 ㎍/kg, 17.29 ㎍/kg, 1.16-14.89 ㎍/kg and 0.12-12.69 ㎍/kg, respectively. The results revealed that the most frequently detected mycotoxin was zearalenone (23%), followed by aflatoxin (13%), fumonisin (8%) and ochratoxin A (1%). Detection rates of nuts and oilseeds were 35% and 33%, respectively, and detection rates of their processed foods were 44% and 46%, respectively. The detection rate of mycotoxins was 10% higher in processed foods than in nuts and oilseeds. Mycotoxins are physicochemically stable and can persist during food processing and cooking, making management of mycotoxins in raw materials a concern of high importance.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.67-83
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• 2022

Biochar is a carbon material produced through the pyrolysis of agricultural biomass with limited oxygen condition. It has been suggested to enhance the carbon sequestration and mineralization of soil carbon. Objective of this study was to investigate soil potential carbon mineralization and carbon dioxide(CO₂) emissions in different soils cooperated with barely straw and livestock manure biochars in the closed chamber. The incubation was conducted during 49 days using a closed chamber. The treatments consisted of 2 different biochars that were originated from barley straw and livestock manure, and application amounts were 0, 5, 10 and 20 ton ha^-1 with different soils as upland, protected cultivation, converted and reclaimed. The results indicated that the TC increased significantly in all soils after biochar application. Mineralization of soil carbon was well fitted for Kinetic first-order exponential rate model equation (P<0.001). Potential mineralization rate ranged from 8.7 to 15.5% and 8.2 to 16.5% in the barely straw biochar and livestock manure biochar treatments, respectively. The highest CO₂ emission was 81.94 mg kg^-1 in the upland soil, and it was more emitted CO₂ for barely straw biochar application than its livestock biochar regardless of their application rates. Soil amendment of biochar is suitable for barely straw biochar regardless of application rates for mitigation of CO₂ emission in the cropland.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.228-238
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• 2021

The aim of this research was to develop a rapid and easy multi-residue method for determining dimethipin, omethoate, dimethipin, chlorfenvinphos and azinphos-methyl in agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper). Samples were prepared using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and analyzed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Residual pesticides were extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile followed by addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and anhydrous sodium acetate. The extracts were cleaned up using MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA) and octadecyl (C₁₈). The linearity of the calibration curves, which waas excellent by matrix-matched standards, ranged from 0.005 mg/kg to 0.3 mg/kg and yielded the coefficients of determination (R²) ≥ 0.9934 for all analytes. Average recoveries spiked at three levels (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg/kg) and were in the range of 74.2-119.3%, while standard deviation values were less than 14.6%, which is below the Codex guideline (CODEX CAC/GL 40).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.824-831
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• 2021

1, 2-Octanediol galactoside (OD-gal) has been synthesized from 1, 2-octanediol (OD), as a safer cosmetic preservative, using recombinant Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (β-gal). To confirm the molecular structure of synthesized OD-gal, mass spectrometry and NMR (¹H- and ¹³C-) spectroscopy of OD-gal were carried out. In the reaction mixture, a sodium adduct ion of OD-gal (m/z=331.1732) was identified using mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, ¹H NMR spectrum of OD-gal showed multiple peaks corresponding to the galactosyl group, which is evidence of galactosylation on OD. Downfield proton peaks at δ_H 4.39 ppm and multiple peaks from δ_H 3.98~3.55 ppm were indicative of galactosylation on OD. Up field proton peaks at δ_H 1.52~1.26 ppm and 0.89 ppm showed the presence of CH₂ and CH₃ protons of OD. ¹³C NMR spectrum revealed the presence of 24 carbons suggestive of α- and β-anomers of OD-gal. Among 14 carbon peaks from each anomer, the 4 peaks at δ_C 31.4, 29.0, 22.3, and 13.7 ppm were assigned to be overlapped showing only 24 peaks out of a total of 28 peaks. The mass value from mass spectrometry analysis of OD-gal, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data were in good agreement with the expecting structure of OD-gal. Finally, we identified a galactose molecule from the hydrolysate of OD-gal using β-gal. We are expecting that through future study it will eventually be able to develop a safe cosmetic preservative.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2020

Methanol synthesized from renewable hydrogen and captured CO2 has recently attracted great interest as a sustainable energy carrier for large-scale renewable energy storage. In this study, molten carbonate fuel cell's performance was investigated with the direct conversion of methanol into syngas inside the anode chamber of the cell. The internal reforming of methanol may significantly improve system efficiency since the heat generated from the electrochemical reaction can be used directly for the endothermic reforming reaction. The porous Ni-10 wt%Cr anode was sufficient for the methanol steam reforming reaction under the fuel cell operating condition. The direct supply of methanol into the anode chamber resulted in somewhat lower cell performance, especially at high current density. Recycling of the product gas into the anode gas inlet significantly improved the cell performance. The analysis based on material balance revealed that, with increasing current density and gas recycling ratio, the methanol steam reforming reaction rate likewise increased. A methanol conversion more significant than 90% was achieved with gas recycling. The results showed the feasibility of electricity and syngas co-production using the molten carbonate fuel cell. Further research is needed to optimize the fuel cell operating conditions for simultaneous production of electricity and syngas, considering both material and energy balances in the fuel cell.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2022

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is one of gram-positive foodborne pathogens with a very high fatality rate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, L. monocytogenes is capable of growing at low temperatures, such as in refrigerated foods. Thus, various physical and chemical prevention methods are used in the manufacturing, processing and distribution of food. However, there are limitations to the methods such as possible changes to the food quality and the consumer awareness of synthetic preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-listeria activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi and characterize the bacteriocin produced by Lactococcuslactis which is one of isolated strains from kimchi. The analysis on the anti-listeria activity of a total of 36 species (Lactobacillus, Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus) isolated from kimchi by the agar overlay method revealed that L. lactis NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 had the highest anti-listeria activity. For quantitatively analysis on the anti-listeria activity, NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 were co-cultured with L. monocytogenes in Brain Heat Infusion (BHI) broth, respectively. As a result, L. monocytogenes was reduced by 3.0 log CFU/mL in 20 h, lowering the number of bacteria to below the detection limit. Both LAB strains showed anti-listeria activity against 24 serotypes of L. monocytogenes, although the sizes of clear zone was slightly different. No clear zone was observed when the supernatants of both LAB cultures were treated with proteinase-K, indicating that their anti-listerial activities might be due to the production of bacteriocins. Heat stability of the partially purified bacteriocins of NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 was relatively stable at 60℃ and 80℃. Yet, their anti-listeria activities were completely lost by 60 min of treatment at 100℃ and 15 min of treatment at 121℃. The analysis on the pH stability showed that their anti-listeria activities were the most stable at pH 4.01, and decreased with the increasing pH value, yet, was not completely lost. Partially purified bacteriocins showed relatively stable anti-listeria activities in acetone, ethanol, and methanol, but their activities were reduced after chloroform treatment, yet was not completely lost. Conclusively, this study revealed that the bacteriocins produced by NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 effectively reduced L. monocytogenes, and that they were relatively stable against heat, pH, and organic solvents, therefore implying their potential as a natural antibacterial substance for controlling L. monocytogenes in food.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.243-248
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• 2022

As the scope of use of portable and wearable electronic devices is expanding, the limitations of heavy and bulky solid-state batteries are being revealed. Given that, it is urgent to develop a small energy harvesting device that can partially share the role of a battery and the utilization of energy sources that are thrown away in daily life is becoming more important. Contact electrification, which generates electricity based on the coupling of the triboelectric effect and electrical induction when the two material surfaces are in contact and separated, can effectively harvest the physical and mechanical energy sources existing in the surrounding environment without going through a complicated intermediate process. Recently, the interest in the harvest and utilization of wind energy is growing since the wind is an infinitely ecofriendly energy source among the various environmental energy sources that exist in human surroundings. In this study, the optimization of the energy harvesting device for the effective harvest of wind energy based on the contact electrification was analyzed and then, the utilization strategy to maximize the utilization of the generated electricity was investigated. Natural wind based Fluttering TENG (NF-TENG) using fluttering film was developed, and design optimization was conducted. Moreover, the safe high voltage generation system was developed and a plan for application in the field requiring high voltage was proposed by highlighting the unique characteristics of TENG that generates low current and high voltage. In this respect, the result of this study demonstrates that a portable energy harvesting device based on the contact electrification shows great potential as a strategy to harvest wind energy thrown away in daily life and use it widely in fields requiring high voltage.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2022

We investigated physicochemical properties and isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ¹³C_TOC and δ ¹⁵N_TN) in the old fish farming (OFF) site after the cessation of aquaculture farming. Based on this approach, our objective is to determine the organic matter origin and their relative contributions preserved at sediments of fish farming. Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate and sinking organic matter(OFF sites: 2.0 to 3.3 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 18.8 to 246.6 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate, control sites: 2.0 to 3.5 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 25.5 to 129.4 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate) between both sites showed significant difference along seasonal precipitations. In contrast to variations of δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N_TN values at water columns, these isotopic compositions (OFF sites: -21.5‰ to -20.4‰ for δ¹³ C_TOC, 6.0‰ to 7.6‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN, control sites: -21.6‰ to -21.0‰ for δ¹³C_TOC, 6.6‰ to 8.0‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN) investigated at sediments have distinctive isotopic patterns(p<0.05) for seawater-derived nitrogen sources, indicating the increased input of aquaculture-derived sources (e.g., fish fecal). With respect to past fish farming activities, representative sources(e.g., fish fecal and algae) between both sites showed significant difference (p<0.05), confirming predominant contribution (55.9±4.6%) of fish fecal within OFF sites. Thus, our results may determine specific controlling factor for sustainable use of fish farming sites by estimating the discriminative contributions of organic matter between both sites.