• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2024

Recently, enhanced in situ bioremediation using slow substrate release techniques has been actively researched for managing TCE-contaminated groundwater. This study conducted a lab-scale batch reactor experiment to evaluate the feasibility of natural attenuation for TCE dechlorination using microsized corn-oil droplet (MOD) as an activator considering the following three factors: 1) TCE dechlorination in the presence or absence of MOD; 2) TCE dechlorination in the presence or absence of inactivator of native microbial activity; and 3) MOD concentration effects on TCE dechlorination. Batch reactors were constructed using site groundwater and soil in which Dehalococcoides bacteria were present. Without MOD, TCE was decomposed into dichloroethylene (DCE). However, other by-products of TCE dechlorination were not detected. With MOD, DCE, vinyl chloride (VC), and ethylene (ETH) were sequentially observed. This result confirmed that MOD effectively supplied electrons to complete dechlorination of TCE to ETH. However, when an excess of MOD was provided, it formed unfavorable conditions for anaerobic digestion because dechlorination reaction did not proceed while propionic acid was accumulated after DCE was generated. Therefore, if an appropriate amount of MOD is supplied, MOD can be effectively used as a natural reduction activator to promote biodegradation in an aquifer contaminated by TCE.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate aflatoxin reduction resulting from the pre-treatment and the cooking and processing of corn. Aflatoxin was produced by Aspergillus parasiticus ATCC 15517 on a type of corn imported from the United States. The aflatoxin-produced com (AC) was pre-treated in three ways in order to reduce aflatoxin: exposure to sun light for 7 days (SC); ultraviolet irradiation for 56 hours (UC); and washing with water three times (WC). Four kinds of cooking and processing methods (boiling, steaming, baking, and popping) were used to reduce aflatoxin in the AC control, SC, UC, and WC. These treatments produced com gruel, com cakes, com bread and popcorn. The aflatoxin content in the samples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The total aflatoxin level of the AC was significantly decreased by sun light and UV (p<0.05), and decreased by washing. After cooking and processing the AC, SC, UC, and WC, and averaging the total aflatoxin levels in the final products, the greatest reduction was found in the com gruel, then the popcorn, then the corn cakes, and the least reduction in the com bread. These results indicate that sunlight and ultraviolet energy could be effective factors in aflatokin degradation in corn before cooking and processing. This study also indicates that boiling, steaming, baking and popping were helpful in reducing the aflatoxin level in the com and that the most helpful factors were exposure time to heat. More research is needed to reduce the aflatoxin level down to below the maximum tolerable level of aflatoxin in foods.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.183-194
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• 2011

This study reviewed on the research trend of sources and utilization of the byproducts(Lignin) from bioethanol production process with lignocellulosic biomass such as wood, agri-processing by-products(corn fiber, sugarcane bagasse etc.) and energy crops(switch grass, poplar, Miscanthus etc.). During biochemical conversion process, only Cellulose and hemicellulosic fractions are converted into fermentable sugar, but lignin which represents the third largest fraction of lignocellulosic biomass is not convertible into fermentable sugars. It is therefore extremely important to recover and convert biomass-derived Lignin into high-value products to maintain economic competitiveness of cellulosic ethanol processes. It was introduced that lignin types and characteristics were different from various isolation methods and biomass sources. Also utilization and potentiality for market of those were discussed.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2019

This study investigated the quality changes in whole super sweet corn during thermal processing to extend its shelf-life. To minimize the reduction of unique texture of whole sweet corn after the sterilization, the alcohol sanitation applied and the cold point of a whole corn ear was determined using a computer simulation. The cold point was located between the corn kernel and the cob. The microorganisms on the surface of sweet corn were reduced by more than 1 log CFU/g after alcohol sanitation, then the whole corn was treated to satisfy the degree of sterilization ($F_{121.1}=4$). The quality of sterilized sweet corn was compared with the control that was treated with steaming. The quality changes of sterilized sweet corn during storage were monitored for 9 months at $25^{\circ}C$. The hardness was maintained within 30% of its initial value. The minimum of hardness was $464.50{\pm}103.35g$ and maximum of hardness was $514.50{\pm}81.83g$. The differences in the sugar content among the samples were found, but the sugar content of corn kernel remained within 30% of the control, ranging from $28.83{\pm}1.05$ to $34.36{\pm}0.42%$. The yellowness was higher than that of control by 5%. The maximum value of yellowness was $34.36{\pm}0.42$. The general bacteria and molds and yeasts in corn kernel stored at $25^{\circ}C$ were not detected after 9 months of storage at $25^{\circ}C$. Therefore, in this study, we have demonstrated that the thermal sterilized method extends the shelf-life of whole sweet corn with minimizing its quality changes over 6 months in room temperature.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.158-167
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• 2013

This study was carried out to assess the safety of cereals and their products (20 species, 205 samples) distributed in Gyeonggi province by analyzing contamination levels such as exposure frequency of Aflatoxins and Deoxynivalenol (DON). Aflatoxins were detected in 16 (8%) samples in total with a range of 0.01~27.88 ${\mu}g/kg$, including 3 of 9 bake flour (33%), 2 of 6 dried corn (33%), 3 of 12 frying flour (25%) and 2 of 11 sorghum (18%). DON was found in 56 (27%) samples including 11 of 13 adlay (85%), 6 of 8 wheat (75%), 6 of 10 processed corn for popcorn (60%), 6 of 11 sorghum (55%) and 7 of 16 barley (44%) with a range of 2.2~754.4 ${\mu}g/kg$. In particular, both Aflatoxins and DON were detected in 8 samples (2 millet, 2 wheat, 1 sorghum, 1 adlay, 1 dried corn, 1 bake flour) simultaneously. As a result of this study, we found that an adult is exposed to Aflatoxins of $0.80({\times})10^{-3}{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./day and DON of 0.18 ${\mu}g/kg$ b.w./day. The quantity of exposure to DON amounted to 18.5 percentage level compared with PMTDI 1 ${\mu}g/kg$ b.w./day suggested on JECFA, therefore we can assess that the possibility of health risks by intake cereals distributed in Gyeonggi province is low. However the concentration of Aflatoxins in one dried corn was 27.88 ${\mu}g/kg$ which was over the maximum residue limits (MRL) suggested on internal and external level, the monitoring about mycotoxin should be conducted on continuously.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 1981

Fermented foods available in Korea may be classified into four groups, namely, fermented soybean products, fermented cereal products, fermented vegetable products, and fermented fishery products based on raw materials used. The representative fermented foods based on soybean are Kanjang(soysauce), Doenjang(fermented soybean pastes), and Kochujang(red pepper added-fermented soybean paste). Such fermented products are made using Meju(functioning as a starter and prepared by fermentation of steamed soybean mash) as an essential ingredient, and used widely as a soup base and/or in seasoning side-dishes for everyday meals year around. Excepting Sikhae, all fermented products based on rice and other cereal grains are of alcoholic nature. Takju (Makgeolli) used to be made using rice as the major raw material, however, mainly due to the shortage of rice in recent years, other cereals, such as, barely, corn, and wheat flours are also used to replace rice today. Owing to such changes in the raw materials. the popularity of Takju has been somewhat reduced, yet it is still widely consumed in rural areas. Although Chungju is a popular rice wine with superior qualify over Takju, the amount consumed is considerably limited. The highest qualify rice wine, Bupju, in particular, is made by a low temperature fermentation using glutinous rice. Kimchi is an unique fermented vegetable product of long tradition in Korea. Although it was for consumption mainly in winter season serving as a source of vitamins, today it is widely used throughout the year. Except Kkakdugi and Dongchimi, all of the fermented vegetable products contain salted Korean cabbage as an essential item, while they abound in varieties depending on material composition and methods of processing, and also on seasons and localities Next to Kimchi in this category is Kkakdugi made of raddish in popularity and quantity consumed. The four groups of fermented food products described above are reviewed in some detail and evaluated in terms of their nutritional significances, processes and microorganisms involved. and their commercial potentials. Jeotkal (or Jeot) is a name given to all fermented products of fishery origin. A number of Jeot can be prepared by adding salt and allowing fermentation to the raw materials such as shrimp, anchovy octopus, clam, oyster, etc.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.179-194
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• 2022

In this review, the mycotoxin contamination of Korean cereals and their products is analyzed by crop based on scientific publications since 2000. Barley, rice, and corn were investigated heavier than the others. The common mycotoxins occurred in all cereals and their products were deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. Nivalenol was detected in all samples analyzed but more frequently or mainly in barley, rice, and oat. Fumonisin was commonly detected in corn and sorghum but also in adlay, millet, and rice. Adlay and millet were similar in the contamination pattern that fumonisin and zearalenone were the most frequently detected mycotoxins. Zearalenone was the most commonly detected mycotoxin with concentrations higher than the national standards (maximum limit), followed by deoxynivalenol, and aflatoxin. However, most occurrence levels were below the maximum limits for respective mycotoxins. This result shows that barley, rice, corn, sorghum, millet, and adlay are more vulnerable to mycotoxin contamination than other cereals and therefore continuous monitoring and safety management are necessary.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 1989

A raw starch-digesting enzyme from Streptomyces sp. 4M-2 was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 51.22 RSU/mg protein and the yield was 4.5% of the total activity of the culture broth. The purified enzyme was found to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its molecular weight was estimated to be about 102, 000 daltons by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, The optimal temperature and pH for the enzyme activity were 42$^{\circ}C$ and PH 5.5, respectively. The enzyme had Km, value of 44.44mg/$m\ell$ for raw corn starch. The enzyme was activated by addition of calcium and barium ions. Corn amylose was degraded by the enzyme very easily and raw potato starch was also degraded easily. Main products of the enzymatic hydrolysis of raw corn starch were analyzed to be maltose and maltotriose. The enzyme was considered as $\alpha$-amylase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.643-648
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• 2005

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has become increasingly used as a rapid, accurate method of evaluating some chemical constituents in cereal grains and forages. If samples could be analyzed without drying and grinding, then sample preparation time and costs may be reduced. This study was conducted to develop robust NIRS equations to predict fermentation quality of corn (Zea mays) silage and to select acceptable sample preparation methods for prediction of fermentation products in corn silage by NIRS. Prior to analysis, samples (n = 112) were either oven-dried and ground (OD), frozen in liquid nitrogen and ground (LN) and intact fresh (IF). Samples were scanned from 400 to 2,500 nm with an NIRS 6,500 monochromator. The samples were divided into calibration and validation sets. The spectral data were regressed on a range of dry matter (DM), pH and short chain organic acids using modified multivariate partial least squares (MPLS) analysis that used first and second order derivatives. All chemical analyses were conducted with fresh samples. From these treatments, calibration equations were developed successfully for concentrations of all constituents except butyric acid. Prediction accuracy, represented by standard error of prediction (SEP) and $R^2_{v}$ (variance accounted for in validation set), was slightly better with the LN treatment ($R^2$ 0.75-0.90) than for OD ($R^2$ 0.43-0.81) or IF ($R^2$ 0.62-0.79) treatments. Fermentation characteristics could be successfully predicted by NIRS analysis either with dry or fresh silage. Although statistical results for the OD and IF treatments were the lower than those of LN treatment, intact fresh (IF) treatment may be acceptable when processing is costly or when possible component alterations are expected.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.49-53
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• 1994

To isolate the ochratoxin A producing strains from agricultural products and soil in Youngnam districts, rice (37), unhulled rice (10), barley (20), unhulled barley (3), corn (21), soil (26), meju (25), malt (8), soybean (26) and peanut (15) were collected from homes and markets of Youngnam districts through September 1992 to November 1992. 187 strains of Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were isolated from 191 samples. As a result of screening by TLC, 36 strains expressed fluorescent spot and a same Rf value of standard ochratoxin A, and 9 strains of them were identified as ochratoxin A producing strains by HPLC.