• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.173-184
• /
• 1990

This study is an experimental research on the treatment of phenolic wastes by Rotating Biological Contactors(RBC). The objective of this study is to determine the optimum range of influent phenol concentration and organic loading rate. Organic removal rates were analyzed with increasing organic loading and influent phenol concentration, together with the observation of microorganism. Biomass, SCOD, and phenol concentration were measured under the steady state after a step change of influent phenol concentration. As the result, at the phenol concentration less then 98.8 mg/L there were no evidence of substrate inhibition. As the results, organic removal rates in each stage at various organic loading, were decreased with increasing phenol concentration. First order kinetic was observed on the removal of SCOD for which phenol concentration is within the range of substrate inhibition. And also, microorganisms were changed with influent phenol concentration. Namely, at low influent phenol concentration, thin biofilm with filamentous growth was produced. To the contrary, thick biofilm with nonfilamentous growth was produced at high influent phenol concentration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.8
• /
• pp.1045-1059
• /
• 2021

Various abiotic stressors like drought, salinity, temperature, and heavy metals are major environmental stresses that affect agricultural productivity and crop yields all over the world. Continuous changes in climatic conditions put selective pressure on the microbial ecosystem to produce exopolysaccharides. Apart from soil aggregation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production also helps in increasing water permeability, nutrient uptake by roots, soil stability, soil fertility, plant biomass, chlorophyll content, root and shoot length, and surface area of leaves while also helping maintain metabolic and physiological activities during drought stress. EPS-producing microbes can impart salt tolerance to plants by binding to sodium ions in the soil and preventing these ions from reaching the stem, thereby decreasing sodium absorption from the soil and increasing nutrient uptake by the roots. Biofilm formation in high-salinity soils increases cell viability, enhances soil fertility, and promotes plant growth and development. The third environmental stressor is presence of heavy metals in the soil due to improper industrial waste disposal practices that are toxic for plants. EPS production by soil bacteria can result in the biomineralization of metal ions, thereby imparting metal stress tolerance to plants. Finally, high temperatures can also affect agricultural productivity by decreasing plant metabolism, seedling growth, and seed germination. The present review discusses the role of exopolysaccharide-producing plant growth-promoting bacteria in modulating plant growth and development in plants and alleviating extreme abiotic stress condition. The review suggests exploring the potential of EPS-producing bacteria for multiple abiotic stress management strategies.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.402-409
• /
• 2006

Although microorganisms are, in fact, the most diverse and abundant type of organism on Earth, the ecological functions of microbial populations remains poorly understood. A variety of bacteria including marine Vibrios encounter numerous ecological challenges, such as UV light, predation, competition, and seasonal variations in seawater including pH, salinity, nutrient levels, temperature and so forth. In order to survive and proliferate under variable conditions, they have to develop elaborate means of communication to meet the challenges to which they are exposed. In bacteria, a range of biological functions have recently been found to be regulated by a population density-dependent cell-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum-sensing (QS). In other words, bacterial cells sense population density by monitoring the presence of self-produced extracellular autoinducers (AI). N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing was first discovered in two luminescent marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi. The LuxI/R system of V. fischeriis the paradigm of Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems. At high population density, the accumulated signalstrigger the expression of target genes and thereby initiate a new set of biological activities. Several QS systems have been identified so far. Among them, an AHL-dependent QS system has been found to control biofilm formation in several bacterial species, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Serratia liquefaciens. Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix that adheres to an inert or living surface. Extracellular signal molecules have been implicated in biofilm formation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1(traR, tra::lacZ749) and Chromobacterium violaceum strain CV026 are used as biosensors to detect AHL signals. Quorum sensing in lactic acid bacteria involves peptides that are directly sensed by membrane-located histidine kinases, after which the signal is transmitted to an intracellular regulator. In the nisin autoregulation process in Lactococcus lactis, the NisK protein acts as the sensor for nisin, and NisR protein as the response regulator activatingthe transcription of target genes. For control over growth and survival in bacterial communities, various strategies need to be developed by which receptors of the signal molecules are interfered with or the synthesis and release of the molecules is controlled. However, much is still unknown about the metabolic processes involved in such signal transduction and whether or not various foods and food ingredients may affect communication between spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In five to ten years, we will be able to discover new signal molecules, some of which may have applications in food preservation to inhibit the growth of pathogens on foods.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.358-366
• /
• 2009

Lactic acid bacteria worked positively on gastrointestinal tract and oral environment. So I selected commercial five fermented milks and milk, and then I evaluated their effect of growth inhibition and biofilm formation of cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. And also calculated the acidity, buffering capacity, concentration of Ca and P ion and pH change of those drinks. After adding S. mutans to fermented milks viable cell count of S. mutans in milk was not statistically different but those in all fermented milks were decreased as concentration of fermented milk increased. When I measured the amount of formed biofilm in 10% fermented milks and milk with S. mutans and compared with those without S. mutans, the amount was decreased in Active GG and Bulgaris while being increased in Tootee, Ace and milk(P<0.05). The fermented milk with the lowest pH value was E5(3.48${\pm}$0.01), and the highest was Bulgaris(4.19${\pm}$0.02). pH change of the fermented milks and milk with S. mutans was measured. The highest acid producing fermented milk was Bulgaris, and followed by Active GG, Ace, Tootee, E5, Milk. These results indicated that fermented milks had caries activity due to the value of initial acidity and acid producing capacity. But, concentrated fermented milks had the inhibitory effect against S. mutans, and also had high volume of Ca and P ion that protected teeth. So I suggest that they have positive effect on teeth.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.502-510
• /
• 2017

This study investigated bacterial growth-inhibitory effect of 69 therapeutic herbal plants extracts on 9 bacterial strains using a disc diffusion assay. Especially, the antimicrobial activity of Psoraleae semen, which showed different activity on pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, was evaluated by MIC (minimal inhibition concentration) and biofilm formation assay. The effect of Psoraleae semen extract on bacterial cell membranes was examined by measurement of protein leakage (optical density at 280 nm) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). No clear zone was formed on discs containing Gram-negative bacteria, but Gram-positive bacteria exhibited clear zones. The MICs of Psoraleae semen extract were $8{\mu}g/mL$ for Streptococcus mutans, and $16{\mu}g/mL$ for Enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, biofilm formation was inhibited at concentration $8-16{\mu}g/mL$. Protein leakage values and SEM images revealed that cell membranes of Gram-positive bacteria were impaired following exposure to the extract. Further, the extract inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in sausages. These results indicate that Psoraleae semen extract could be utilized as a natural antimicrobial agent against Gram-positive bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of medicinal plants as oral health materials derived from natural products. Among the extracts from 200 medicinal plants grown in Nepal, Laos, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China, stem extracts from Diospyros malabarica (1 mg/disc) showed the highest antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC33277 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC25175. The D. malabarica stem extracts showed antibacterial activity similar to chlorhexidine, sodium lauryl sulfate, and triclosan, which were used as a positive control, as well as higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC25175 than P. gingivalis ATCC33277. The D. malabarica stem extracts showed bactericidal action (MBC, 0.4 mg/ml) against P. gingivalis ATCC33277 and bacteriostatic action against S. mutans ATCC25175. The biofilm production rate of S. mutans ATCC25175 and the expression of the comX gene associated to biofilm formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-1.0 mg/ml of D. malabarica stem extracts were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that D. malabarica stem extracts can be used as oral health material derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the bacteriostatic action and inhibition of biofilm formation against S. mutans ATCC25175.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2013

Biofilm formation of multifunctional plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), Pseudomonas fluorescens 2112 is necessary for P. fluorescens 2112 to have a positive impact on the rhizosphere of red-pepper. This study investigated whether signal molecules of the quorum sensing AHLs are produced in order to confirm biofilm formative ability. Through the use of Petri dish bioassays a blue circle formed evidence of AHLs. It was confirmed that P. fluorescens 2112 produced six-carbon-chain-long AHLs by TLC bioassay. The bacterial density of P. fluorescens 2112 on the top and bottom of pepper plant roots was estimated as $3{\times}10^5$ and $8{\times}10^3$ CFU/g root, respectively. P. fluorescens 2112 exist more with high-density of $3.5{\times}10^6$ CFU/g soil at a depth of 1 cm but at a low-density of $1.1{\times}10$ CFU/g soil at a depth of 5 cm, from the surface of rhizosphere soil. In addition, biofilm formation of P. fluorescens 2112 on the epidermises and the tips of the red-pepper roots were confirmed visually by SEM. Thus, the production of AHLs by P. fluorescens 2112 brings about quorum sensing signaling and the formation of biofilm on the roots which has a positive effect on economically important crops such as red-pepper by additionally producing a variety of antifungal substances and auxin.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.1021-1027
• /
• 2008

In this study, biofilm process was introduced for treating nonpoint source pollutants. The ceramic media were provided for biofilm growth in the reactors. The packing ratio of ceramic media was 5% and 15(v/v)%, respectively. Thereafter, the reactors were operated intermittently with the different interevent periods such as 0, 5, 10 and 15 days, respectively. The removal efficiencies of COD and NH$_4{^+}$-N were investigated at the different operating conditions such as media packing ratio, temperature, and interevent period. Additionally, Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis(DGGE) and INT-dehydrogenase activity(DHA) test were conducted to observe the microbial community and activity in the biofilm. Consequently, the interevent period seemed to have no significant influence on the COD removal efficiency. COD was removed within 6$\sim$8 hours at 25$^{\circ}C$ and about 15 hours at 10$^{\circ}C$. DGGE profiles showed that the initial species of microorganisms were changed from seeded activated sludge into the microorganisms detected in sediments. INT-DHA test also showed that the activities of microorgnaisms were not decreased even in the 15 days of interevent period.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2013

A fixed biofilm reactor system composed of anaerobic, anoxic(1), anoxic(2), aerobic(1) and aerobic(2) reactor was packed with synthetic activated ceramic (SAC) media and adopted to reduce the inhibition effect of low temperature on nitrification activities. The changes of nitrification activity at different wastewater temperature were investigated through the evaluation of temperature coefficient, volatile attached solid (VAS), specific nitrification rate and alkalinity consumption. Operating temperature was varied from 20 to $5^{\circ}C$. In this biofilm system, the specific nitrification rates of $15^{\circ}C$, $10^{\circ}C$ and $5^{\circ}C$ were 0.972, 0.859 and 0.613 when the specific nitrification rate of $20^{\circ}C$ was assumed to 1.00. Moreover the nitrification activity was also observed at $5^{\circ}C$ which is lower temperature than the critical temperature condition for the microorganism of activated sludge system. The specific amount of volatile attached solid (VAS) on media was maintained the range of 13.6-12.5 mg VAS/g media at $20{\sim}10^{\circ}C$. As the temperature was downed to $5^{\circ}C$, VAS was rapidly decreased to 10.9 mg VAS/g media and effluent suspended solids was increased from 3.2 mg/L to 12.0 mg/L due to the detachment of microorganism from SAC media. And alkalinity consumption was lower than theoretical value with 5.23 mg as $CaCO_3$/mg ${NH_4}^+$-N removal at $20^{\circ}C$. Temperature coefficient (${\Theta}$) of nitrification rate ($20^{\circ}C{\sim}5^{\circ}C$) was 1.033. Therefore, this fixed film nitrogen removal process showed superior stability for low temperature condition than conventional suspended growth process.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 1992

In this study, isolated and cultured nitrogen fixed microbes were seeded in the three-phase fluidized bed in which gas, solid and liquid were contacted directly. Input velocity was varied from 8.12 cm/hr to 16.32 cm/hr. And upflow gas pressure was fixed to 80 psi. Return ratios were from 0.2 to 0.6 with the each experimental condition. According to these condition, movement of media, growth of biofilm and removal efficiency were measured. As the results, in case of briquette ash, biofilm was developed to $170{\mu}m$ when velocity was 8.12 cm/hr and return ratio was 0.6. In this condition, COD removal efficiency was 97% and $NH_4$-N removal efficiency was 83%. At the same condition, biofilm thickness of glass bead was $17.59{\mu}m$ and its COD and $NH_4$-N removal efficiency was 83% and 72%. Nitrogen fixed microbes have following characters: it formed dark-brownish sludge, excellent adhesive force, easy solid-liquid separation and low oxygen uptake ratio, but sensitive to DO concentration. Not only it endured shock loading, but required short time to steady state.