• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2023

The control of intestinal α-amylase and α-glucosidase is an effective therapeutic strategy for prevention of post-prandial hyperglycemia associated with diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetes activities of Korean edible seaweed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, two carbolytic enzymes involved in serum glucose regulation. Of the 41 species initially screened, Cladophora wrightiana var. minor, Eisenia bicyclis, Ecklonia cava, Ishige foliacea, and Ishige okamurae exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities from brown seaweeds. Asparagopsis taxiformis showed the strongest inhibitory effects from red seaweeds. The results of this study suggest that the crude brown seaweed extracts (C. wrightiana var. minor, E. bicyclis, E. cava, I. foliacea, and I. okamurae) and crude red seaweed extracts (A. taxiformis) may have beneficial effects suppressing the rise in postprandial hyperglycemia through the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 2022

Strain E4, an unrecorded species of dimorphic fungi, was isolated from the gut of earthworms collected in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that this species is a member of the genus Blastobotrys, Blastobotrys illinoisensis. Strain E4 differed from its closest known species, B. mokoenaii and B. malaysiensis, by harboring 3-5 and 12-14 nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 and ITS regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequences of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and the ITS region also indicated that strain E4 belongs to the Blastobotrys clade and is distinct from other related species in the clade. The previously unreported isolate could be distinguished from closely related species by its inability to ferment carbon sources. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of Blastobotrys species from the gut of earthworms in Korea. The strain used was E4 (=KCTC 27831=JCM 33428).

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.82-88
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• 2017

Contaminated sediment can be treated in order to reuse the treated sediment. Even though the chemical criteria are satisfied, the treated sediment could still impose toxic effects. Therefore, this study investigated the changes in the ecological toxic effects of the contaminated sediment from the J region in Singapore after treatment. The contaminated sediment was subject to sequential soil washing and thermal treatment, followed by pH neutralization. Toxic effects of the contaminated and treated sediments were determined by using Vibrio fischeri ($Microtox^{(R)}$), Triticum aestivum (wheat), and Eisenia foetida (earthworm). After treatment, the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals were decreased by 98% and 59-93%, respectively, and satisfied the Industrial Maximum Values of the Dutch Standard, which were used as the remedial goal. The bioluminescence reduction of V. fischeri decreased significantly, and the earthworm survival increased from 0% to 90% after treatment. The germination rate increased from $0{\pm}0%$ to $75{\pm}13%$ after treatment, but the treated sediment may need additional treatment such as nutrient addition for better plant growth. Overall, this study showed that the treatment of the contaminated sediment satisfactorily removed mixed contaminants, and this led to reduction in toxic effects, suggesting improved potentials for reuse of the treated sediment.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2017

Changes in pH, EC and water soluble cation and anion of the bed material in the rearing box of earthworms were investigated while sewage sludges or night soil sludge were cumulatively supplied to the 15 grams of initial earthworm population in the rearing box. Initial biochemical properties of sludges such as pH, EC, V.S. and water content were at the edible levels for earthworm. However, as the cumulative amount of sludges supplied to the earthworms were increased, pH of bed material in the rearing box was lowered and EC was increased, which meant that salt contents of bed material in the rearing box had been accumulated. Water soluble cations and anions were also accumulated in the bed material of the rearing box. Accumulation rates of ${NO_3}^-$ were especially prominent. Consequently, feeding rates of earthworm populations were reduced to nearly zero and earthworm populations finally died.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.7 no.2_3
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• pp.58-66
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• 1963

Alkyl-phenylthionocarbamates already have been investigated as anthelmintics. Especially ethyl-phenylthionocarbamate is noted for its anthelmintic action. Author studied methods for synthesizing Alkyl-phenylthionocarbamates, Alkyl-p-phenetyl thionocarbamates, Alkyl-cyclohexylthionocarbamates, 5 kinds for each. For alkyl radical $-CH_{3}$, $-C_{2}H_{5}$, -n-propyl, -isobuthyl, -n-buthyl, being chosen. Compounds VIII, X, XIII, XIV, and XV are new compounds. At the sametime author prepared 4 kinds of Arylthionocarbamates, among which XVII, and XIX being new compounds. (Table I) The anthelmintic action of these thionocarbamates has been examined through kymographic records indicating the action of neuromuscular preparation of Eisenia foetida Savigny in the various concentration fo above compounds: -Trendelenburg method. Santonine as the criterion of the estimation. (Table. II) 1. Compounds I-X could be prepared by method A or method B. method A in sealed tube brought on better yield and purity. 2. Compounds XI-XV couldn't be prepared by method A but by method B. 3. Arylthionocarbamates XVI, XVII, XVIII, and XIX couldn't be prepared by method A or method B but by method C. 4. Analyzed N. contained in all compounds. Analyzed C.H. and N. contained in unknown compounds, VIII, X, XIII, XIV, XV, XVII, and XIX. 5. Examination of anthelmintic action has been done under the advice of Prof. J.S.Oh medical college, Seoul Nat. University. 6. Compounds VI-X showed little action. 7. Compounds XVI-XIX showed almost no action. 8. Compounds XI-XV showed stronger action than compounds I-V, which was reported already as a usable anthelmintics. 9. Compounds XI, XII, XIII and XIV showed strongest actions, stronger than santonine as recorded on kymographion of the Trendelenburg method. Provided that, the toxity of these compounds found mild enough for human system, these compounds will serve as anthelmintics of greater powers than compounds I-V. 10. In Alkylthionocarbamates, R'NH-radical more influence on the anthelmintic action than ester radical(-OR).

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.35-44
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• 2014

In this study, the bio-phytoremediation and phytoremediation technologies were applied to the soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and heavy metals to evaluate the remediation efficacy from May 2012 to December 2013. Poplar (Populus bonatii Levl.) and Sun Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) were selected and planted in phytoremediation practice. These plants were also utilized in the bio-phytoremediation practice, with the addition of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) and petroleum-degrading bacteria (Pseudomonos sp. NKNU01). Furthermore, physiological characteristics, such as photosynthesis rate and maximal photochemical yield, of all testing plants were also measured in order to assess their health conditions and tolerance levels in adverse environment. After 20 months of remedial practice, the results showed that bio-phytoremediation practice had a higher rate of TPH removal efficacy at 30-60 cm depth soil than that of phytoremediation. However, inconsistent results were discovered while analyzing the soil at 100 cm depth. The study also showed that the removal efficiency of heavy metals was lower than that of TPH after remediation treatment. The results from test field tissue sample analysis revealed that more Zinc than Chromium was absorbed and accumulated by the tested plants. Plant height measurements of Poplar and Sun Hemp showed that there were insignificant differences of growth between the plants in remediation plots and those in the control plot. Physiological data of Poplar also suggested it has higher tolerance level toward the contaminated soils. These results indicated that the two testing plants were healthy and suitable for this remediation study.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-166
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• 2014

Moniligastrids are an important yet often ignored earthworm group commonly found in cultivated soils, especially paddy, in the tropical East. Seven new taxa are: Drawida koreana austri, D. koreana nanjiro, D. koreana shindo, D. odaesan, D. jeombongsan, D. companio and D. csuzdii Blakemore spp. or sub-spp. nov. from Korea. Drawida csuzdii is the first new species from North Korea since Lumbricidae Eisenia koreana (Zicsi, 1972). Historical East Asian moniligastrids are reviewed chronologically and Drawida barwelli (Beddard, 1886), D. japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) and D. siemsseni Michaelsen, 1910 are compared on their museum types. These three taxa were thought similar and related to D. nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907 and its possible synonym D. burchardi Michaelsen, 1903 (priority!) and both of these to prior D. uniqua (Bourne, 1887). Indian Drawida calebi Gates, 1945 is compared to new material of D. japonica from Japan, and D. willsi Michaelsen, 1907 to the new sub-species of D. koreana Kobayashi, 1938 from Korea. Where available, mtDNA COI gene barcodes are provided to help objective determinations and a phylogram is provided with outgroup Ocnerodrilidae Eukerria saltensis (Beddard, 1895) itself found in rice paddy/irrigation. The challenge now is comparison of all early taxa in their various homelands in order to assess the genetic variability and taxonomic boundaries acceptable, especially for unpigmented D. barwelli and also for pink/grey D. japonica and blue/grey D. koreana. A checklist of moniligastrids is appended showing 22 species from China (including Hainan and Taiwan), 21 from Korea, nine from Japan and the Drawida ghilarovi Gates, 1969 species-complex from far eastern Russian (Siberia). Recent Drawida dandongensis Zhang & Sun, 2014 from Sino-Korean border is misdescribed and cannot be meaningfully compared to any other Drawidas.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 1999

In order to investigate the possibility of treating the different mixture ratios of apple pomace and nightsoil sludge by vermicomposting was performed and the stability of worm casts, and availability of worm casts as plant growth media was evaluated by the analysis of chemical composition. The results were obtained as follows ; 1. The value of cast production at 100% apple pomace treatment was higher than those of other mixture ratios of apple pomace and nightsoil sludge. 2. The highest values of increasing rate and reproductive efficiency were obtained at mixture ratios of 60% apple pomace with 40% nightsoil sludge. 3. The value of increasing rate at 100% nightsoil sludge treatment was lower that those of other mixture ratios of apple pomace and nightsoil sludge. 4. Organic matter, available inorganic nutrients and stability of worm casts showed high values in all treatments. It means that worm casts are an excellent plant growth media source with a high chemical composition and their stability.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) acute toxicity test was carried out and ecological risk assessment in soil was performed with national monitoring data. 14 day - $LC_{50}$ of nonylphenol and bisphenol A were 288.1 mg/kg and 90.1 mg/kg, respectively. And NOECs of nonylphenol and bisphenol A were 250 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Significant weight decrement was appeared at 70 mg/kg of bisphenol A, however, nonylphenol at concentrations tested did not severe adverse effect on the weight decrement. The environmental monitoring has been carrying out by NIER since 1999. Exposure levels of nonylphenol in soil were ND$\sim$10.55 $\mu$g/kg and those of bisphenol A were ND$\sim$15.50$\mu$g/kg in National Monitoring data which had been performed from 2000 to 2004. The measured soil exposure level was applied to evaluate the environmental risk assessment. The values of PNEC for bisphenol A and nonylphenol were determined as 0.5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively using the safety factors which were suggested in EU and OECD. The values of HQ (PEC/PNEC) were determined to be below I for bisphenol A and nonylphenol when the maximum exposure levels for bispheol A (15.50$\mu$g/kg) and nonylphenol (10.55$\mu$g/kg) were applied. Conclusively, the environmental risk assessment of bisphenol A and nonylphenol was not critical in soil.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2016

Earth worm (Eisenia andrei) and clam worm (Perinereis linea) have been used as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is unclear how they exerted their physiological effects in macrophages. In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of clam worm extract (CWE) and earth worm extract (EWE) in RAW264.7 cells were examined by measuring MDA, catalase, SOD, GSH-Px and inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide, iNOS, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$). Treatment with CWE significantly increased the activities of catalase, SOD and GSH-Px in RAW264.7 cells and decreased the level of MDA. Interestingly, treatment with CWE induced more activities of SOD than EWE. In addition, CWE decreased NO production, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in RAW264.7. The EWE also decreased NO production and iNOS, but increased COX-2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ suggesting that CWE could be better resources for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent than EWE. Taken together, these results indicate that CWE has the potential as a natural antioxidant and a therapeutic for inflammation-related diseases.