• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: The urgency of feeding the world's growing population while combating soil pollution, salinization and desertification requires suitable biotechnology not only to improve crop productivity but also to improve soil health through interactions of soil nutrient and soil microorganism. Interest in the utilization of microbial fertilizer has increased. A principle of nature farming is to produce abundant and healthy crops without using chemical fertilizer and pesticides, and without interrupting the natural ecosystem. Beneficial microorganisms may provide supplemental nutrients in the soil, promote crop growth, and enhance plant resistance against pathogenic microorganisms. We mixed beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus sp. Han-5 with anti-fungal activities, Trichoderma harziaum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum with organic material degrading activity, Actinomycetes bovis with antibiotic production and Pseudomonas sp. with nitrogen fixation. This study was carried out to investigate the mixtures on the soil microflora and soil chemical properties and the effect on the growth of lettuce and cucumber under greenhouse conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The microbial mixtures were used with each of organic fertilizer, swine manure and organic+swine manure and compared in regard to changes in soil chemical properties, soil microflora properties and crop growth. At 50 days after the treatment of microorganism mixtures, the pH improved from 5.8 to 6.3, and the EC, $NO_3$-Na and K decreased by 52.4%, 60.5% and 29.3%, respectively. The available $P_2O_5$ and $SiO_2$ increased by 25.9% and 21.2%, respectively. Otherwise, the population density of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. was accelerated and the growth of vegetables increased. Moreover, the population density of E. coli and Fusarium sp., decreased remarkably. The ratio of bacteria to fungi (B/F) and the ratio of Actinomycetes bovis to fungi (A/F) increased 2.3 (from 272.2 to 624.4) and 1.7 times (from 38.3 to 64), respectively. Furthermore, the growth and yield of cucumber and lettuce significantly increased by the treatment of microorganism mixtures. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that the treatment of microorganism mixtures improved the chemical properties and the microflora of soil and the crop growth. Therefore, it is concluded that the microorganism mixtures could be good alternative soil amendments to restore soil nutrients and soil microflora.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2002

The previous studies showed that rumen microorganisms had an enhanced waste-degrading capability and controlling the dilution rate was very effective in improving acidification efficiency. Generally the composition of food waste has a small deviation value, but one of the waste components (grains, vegetables or meats) can be increased dramatically depending on a seasonal variation. Thus, it is important to evaluate the efficiency of acidogenic fermentation in this case. Each component was spiked to be 80% of the total waste in R1 (grains), R2(vegetables), and R3 (meats). In Rl, rapid degradation occurred during the initial two days. R2 showed similar performance to that of general food waste. In R3, degradation retarded in the initial stage and then increased after controlling the dilution rate. The acidification efficiencies of the reactors were 88.7 (R1), 73.5 (R2), and 62.1% (R3), respectively. Therefore, the fermentation efficiency was kept over 62% regardless of waste components, indicating that it was stable to acidify food waste by employing rumen microorganisms and controlling the dilution rate.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2002

Two kinds of crude oil-degrading microorganisms from soil and one kind from sea were isolated and named strain Al32, strain F722 and strain OM1, respectively. These microorganism were identified Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, respectively. The optimum cultivation temperature of Acinetobacter sp. A132 and P. aeruginosa F722 was $35^{\circ}C$ and optimum growth pH was 8 and 9, respectively. The growth was the highest at 2.0% (w/v) substrate concentration when crude oil was only carbon source. The growth of A. calcoaceticus OM1 isolated from sea was the highest at 3.0% (w/v) of crude oil. In inspection of crude oil degradability, strain Al32 showed 5.49 g/L.day with Eleuthera (OMAN), 2.0% (w/v). P. aeruginosa F722 showed 1.19 g/L g/L.day with L-Zakum (AFRICA). In case of kerosene $nC_9\simnC_{20}$ and diesel $nC_9\simnC_{28}$, A. calcoaceticus OM1 was degraded 95% and 75%, respectively, for 7 days culture, and P. aeruginosa F722 was 80% after 10 days.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2003

To evaluate the effects of slow release fertilizer and chemical dispersant on oil biodegradation, mesocosm studies were conducted on sand seashore. The rapid removal rates (85%) of aliphatic hydrocarbons and the simultaneous decreases of n-$C_{17}$/pristane (69%) and $n-C_{18}/phytane$ (61%) ratios by the addition of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) within 37 days of experiment indicated that SRF could enhance the oil degrading activity of indigenous microorganisms in sand mesocosm. Although the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and petroleumdegrading bacteria in the mesocosm treated with $Corexit 9527^{R}$ was stimulated, the biological oil removal based on the ratios of $Corexit 9527^{R}$ and $n-C_{18}/phytane$ was inhibited. Removal rates of aliphatic hydrocarbons (56%), and n-$C_{17}$/pristane (27%) and $n-C_{18}/phytane$ (17%) ratios by the addition of chemical dispersant $Corexit 9527^{R}$ were similar or lower than those values of control (50, 60, 46%), respectively. The biodegradation activity, however, when simultaneously treated with SRF and $Corexit 9527^{R}$, was not highly inhibited and even recovered after the elimination of chemical dispersant. From these results it could be concluded that the addition of SRF enhanced the oil removal rate in oligotrophic sand seashore and chemical dispersant possibly inhibit the oil biodegradation. Hence, in order to prevent the unrestrained usage of chemical dispersant in natural environments contaminated with oil, the National Contingency Plan of Oil Spill Response should be carefully revised in consideration of the application for bioremedaition techniques.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2005

This study focuses on investigating roles of microorganisms in decontamination of reed rhizosphere in Sunchon Bay, Korea, which is considered one of the marsh and mud environment severely affected by human activities such as agriculture and fisheries. In general, the bay is known to play the role of the buffering zone to reduce the sudden impact or change by environmental stresses. In our initial efforts to elucidate the microbial functions in decontamination process in reed rhizosphere, pure bacteria capable of degrading aromatic hydrocarbons were isolated from reed (Phragmites communis) rhizosphere of Sunchon bay by enrichment culture using either benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene (BTEX) as a sole source of carbon and energy. Measurement of the rates of BTEX degradation and cell growth during the incubation in BTEX media under several temperature conditions demonstrated maximized degradation of BTEX at $37^{\circ}C$ in both strains. Both strains were also resistant to all the heavy metals and antibiotics tested in this study, as well as they grew well at $42^{\circ}C$. Identification of the isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and a variety of phenotypic and morphologic properties revealed that the two strains capable of BTEX catabolism were among Microbacterium sp., and Rhodococcus sp. with over $95{\%}$ confidence, designated Microbacterium sp. EMB-1 and Rhodococcus sp. EMB-2, respectively This result suggested that in the rhizosphere of reed, one of major salt marsh plants they might play an important roles in decontamination process of reed rhizosphere contaminated with petroleum such as BTEX.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.424-431
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Tributyltin chloride is among the most toxic compounds known for aquatic ecosystems. Microorganisms are responsible for removal of TBTCl. Nevertheless, only a limited number of marine bacteria were investigated for biodegradation of TBTCl in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The number of TBTCl resistant bacteria ranged from $2.5{\times}10^3$ to $3.8{\times}10^3$ cfu/mL in the seawater, and ranged from $3.2{\times}10^5$ to $9.1{\times}10^5$ cfu/g in the surface sediment, respectively. The morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of TBTCl resistant bacteria were investigated by API 20NE and other tests. The most abundant species of TBTCl resistant bacteria were Vibrio spp. (19.2%), Bacillus spp. (16.2%), Aeromonas spp. (15.2%), and Pseudomonas spp. (13.1%), etc. Eleven TBTCl resistant isolates also had a resistance to heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn). Among them, isolate T7 showing the strong TBTCl-resistance was selected. This isolate was identified as the genus Pantoea by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and designated as Pantoea sp. T7. In addition, this bacterium was cultivated up to the growth of 50.7% after 60 hrs at TBTCl concentration of $500{\mu}M$. TBTCl-degrading activity of Pantoea sp. T7 was measured by GC-FPD analysis. As a result of biological TBTCl-degradation at TBTCl concentration of $100{\mu}M$, TBTCl-removal efficiency of Pantoeasp. T7 was 62.7% after 40 hrs. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that Pantoea sp. T7 is potentially useful for the bioremediation of TBT contamination.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: The fungicide of benomyl, a benzimidazole group, has been commonly used for pesticides against fungal diseases in the world. However, benomyl is rapidly hydrolyzed in the environment after using to control plant diseases and has adverse effects by generating carbendazim, which is toxic to plants, humans, and the environment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the decomposition effect of carbendazim, a degradation product of benomyl was conducted in pot and field after making a prototype of benomyl-degrading microbial agent (BDMA). We found that the carbendazim-degrading microbial agent (CDMA) (10⁵, 10⁶, and 10⁷ cfu/g soil) decomposed carbendazim by 50% or more in all the treatments, compared to the untreated control in the pot tests after four weeks. The effect of 100% decomposition of carbendazim was observed at 7 days after treatment, when the prototype of BDMA was apllied at 10-folds dilution in the field. The decomposition effect at more than 60% and plant growth promoting effect were observed after 7 days of the treatment, compared with the untreated group in the second field experiment,treated with commercially available concentrations of 500-folds and 1,000-folds. CONCLUSION(S): These results might represent that the BDMA would decompose carbendazim effectively, a decomposition product of the fungicide benomyl, remaining in agricultural area, and it could be utilized practically by using a low dilution rate.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2023

Cadusafos, an organophosphorus insecticide, has been commonly used against various pests worldwide. Organophosphorus pesticides have shorter half-lives and lower toxicities than organochlorine pesticides. However, excessive use of Cadusafos can increase pest resistance and issues with acetylcholine biomagnification, potentially resulting in human toxicity. In this study, we investigated the effect of a Cadusafos-degrading microbial agent (CDMA) prepared using Sphingobium sp. Cam5-1, which was previously reported to effectively degrade residual Cadusafos in soil. Experiments were conducted under both controlled laboratory and greenhouse field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, CDMA (10⁶ cfu/g soil application rate) decomposed 97% of Cadusafos in the soil in the untreated control after 21 days. Additionally, when CDMA (10⁶ cfu/g soil) was mixed with quicklime, 99% of Cadusafos was decomposed within 3 days. Under greenhouse field conditions, the combined effect of CDMA (10⁶ cfu/g soil) and quicklime was not observed. However, CDMA (10⁶ cfu/g soil) application alone was capable of decomposing 91% of Cadusafos after 3 days. These results indicate that CDMA can effectively decompose high residual levels of Cadusafos in soils under field conditions using a low inoculum rate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.648-653
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• 2006

As an alternative for the traditional materials packed in biofilters treating gaseous VOCs, a novel packing material has been developed and tested. In the packing material(named as Hydrogel Bead, HB), pollutant-degrading microorganisms were immobilized in hydrogel consisted of alginate, polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), and powdered activated carbon. A closed-bottle study showed that the HB rapidly removed gaseous styrene without the losses of adsorption and biodegradation capacity. Biofilter column experiments using the HBs also demonstrated that greater than 95% of removal efficiencies were found at an inlet styrene loading rate of $245g/m^3/hr$, which was higher biofilter performance than other elimination capacity reported earlier. Furthermore, when the inlet styrene concentration increased stepwise, the adsorption played an important role in overall styrene removals. The absorbed styrene was found to be biodegraded in the following low inlet loading condition. Consequently, the new HB material is able to successfully minimize the drawbacks of activated carbon(necessity of regeneration) and biological processes(low removal capacity at dynamic loading conditions), and maximize the overall performance of biofilter systems treating VOCs.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.435-438
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• 2000

Crude oil-degrading microorganisms, Acinetobacter sp. A132, Pseudomonas aeruginosa F722, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus OM1 were isolated from soil and sea. The optimal temperature of strain A132 and strain F722 on growth isolated from soil was $35^{\circ}C$ both, and also their growth were optimized at pH 8 and 9, respectively. The growth of the strains, A132 and F722, showed that crude oil of 2% (w/v) in culture broth in which crude oil was used as carbon and energy sources appeared to be an optimum. Optimal culture conditions of strain OM1 were different from those of the soil microorganisms except for temperature. The growth of strain OM1 was optimized at pH 7 and crude oil of 3.0% (w/v). The degradability to crude oil by strain A132 showed maximum $5.49g/\;l\;{\cdot}\;day$ under the conditions of $25^{\circ}C$, NaCl of 1.0% (w/v), and crude oil of 2.0% (w/v). The highest degradability of strain F722 to crude oil was $1.19g/\;l\;{\cdot}\;day$ under the culture conditions at $35^{\circ}C$, NaCl 1.0% (w/v), and crude oil of 2.0% (w/v). The degradation characteristics of kerosene $(nC_9-nC_{20})$ and diesel $(nC_9-nC_{28})$ by strain OM1, and F722 were analyzed by gas chromatography. Strain OM1 degraded more than 95% of kerosene and 75% of diesel for 7 days cultivation. Strain F722 showed degradation of more than 80% to kerosene in 10 days.