• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.135-151
• /
• 1982

This investigation was carried out to clarify the changes of pigments and soluble protein, and photosystem II activity in the leaves of barley (${SO}_2$-sensitive) and corn (${SO}_2$-resistant) seedlings induced by the ${SO}_2$ fumigation (10, 50ppm). The pH changes of the leaf extract, the content of sulfite and sulfate, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenoloxidase were compared in the leaves of barley and corn seedlings induced by ${SO}_2$ fumigation. The results are summarized as follows: An appreciable effect of pH change of leaf extract by ${SO}_2$ fumigation was observed in barley leaves (pH 6.10 to 5.18), but only a small change occurred in corn leaves (pH 5.66 to 5.50). The same pattern of pH changes was recorded when the solution of 0.2N HCl was added to leaf extract, providing lower buffering capacity of the barley leaves than corn leaves. After 2 hours of exposure to 10 ppm ${SO}_2$, the contents of ${SO}^{2-}_3$ and ${SO}^{2-}_4$ were increased in barley leaves, while only ${SO}^{2-}_4$ increased in corn leaves. After fumigation with 10ppm ${SO}_2$ for 2 hours, barley leaves showed significant decreases in activities of catalase, to 17% peroxidase, to 58%, and polyphenoloxidase, to 88%. Corn leaves showed increases in activities of peroxidase, to 136%, and polyphenoloxidase, to 128%. Absorption spectra of pigments obtained from ${SO}_2$-fumigated leaves were gradually decreased with the fumigation time increases, but the decrease was more significant in barley leaves. Fumigation with 50ppm ${SO}_2$ for 2 hours induced the greatest decomposition in carotenoid, followed by chlorophyll a and then chlorophyll b in barley leaves. The ratio of chlorophyll a/b was decreased from 4.1 to 3.6 in barley leaves, but in corn leaves it was maintained almost a constant level(4.9-4.8). The rate of decomposition of chlorophyll and carotenoid in corn leaves was very slow than those in the barley leaves. Fumigation with 50 ppm ${SO}_2$ for 2 hous, decreased the protein content of barley leaves to 59%, and that of corn leaves to 89%, and the extent of decrease in protein content was greater than that of pigments in barley and corn leaves. The rate of DCIP9dichlorophenol indophenol) photoreduction in ${SO}_2$-fumigated leaves was decreased to 18 and 67% in barley and corn leaves, respectively. However, DCIP photoreduction was considerably recovered about 32 and 92% with the addition of DPC(diphenylcarbazide) as an exogenous electron donor in barley and corn leaves, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.55-69
• /
• 2011

Use of disposer at the kitchens of Korean apartments is inevitable in treating their foodwaste having a water content of more than 80%. Also we have to ensure that this extra disposer-foodwaste BOD loadings be treated properly by installing/operating a pre-treatment system before this wastewater enters public sewer system. However, the degree of BOD removal should not be excessive since a BOD/N ratio higher than 5 is required for removing N/P at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The removal of BOD/N in the pretreatment system rather than BOD alone can be an alternative solution in solving this problem. The particles separated by sedimentation, screen or packed-bed can be anaerobically digested at apartment sites to generate biogas that can be used for simple digester heating and to generate volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for nitrogen removal. We suggest that Korean government grants a temporary license (say for 5 years) to foodwaste treatment companies in collaboration with apartment construction companies which may do business and develop various kinds of disposer-foodwaste treatment systems in diverse wastewater discharge systems of Korean apartments.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.61-75
• /
• 2023

Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate to nitrogen gas using an external carbon source as an electron donor. The external carbon source affects the denitrification performance and bacterial community structure. Although methanol is a cheap and effective external carbon source, the addition of diverse carbon sources may improve the total nitrogen removal rate and biomass characteristics, such as settleability. In this study, denitrifying reactions were performed using solely methanol and mixed carbon sources of methanol, glucose, and acetate in a sequencing batch reactor. The denitrifying reactor using methanol resulted in a total nitrogen removal rate of 0.39 ± 0.025 kg-N/m³-day while the suspended biomass transformed into dark brown granules. Methyloversatilis discipulorum had the highest predominance at 43.84%. The individual denitrifying biomasses, which were separately enriched with methanol, glucose, and acetate, showed the same total nitrogen removal performance of 0.39 ± 0.016 kg-N/m³-day. However, the addition of mixed carbon sources showed an improved total nitrogen removal rate of 0.42 ± 0.043 kg-N/m³-day, with the domination of Candidatus Saccaribacteria at 25.61%. The denitrifying granules turned pale yellow color. Influent COD/NO₃^--N ratios of 3.5, 5, and 7.5 exhibited COD/NO₃^--N consumptions of 4.3 ± 0.4, 4.4 ± 0.8, and 5.2 ± 0.7, and the consistent predominance of Candidatus Saccharibacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.10
• /
• pp.691-700
• /
• 2024

Frutobacillus spp. strains (Fs) were isolated from honeybee larvae to evaluate their functionality and potential use as probiotics. Anti-microbial activity was generally observed in F strains against Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and yeast strains, with F2 and F3 being superior, particularly F2. Kerosene emulsification was similarly observed in strains other, except for F4. Emulsification analysis based on carbon sources showed that F2 had high emulsification in the presence of fructose but lower than the standard strain and 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the F2 was identified as Fructobacillus fructosus. The growth curve of F2 showed maximum growth at 18 hr, followed by a slight increase. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity and pH showed maximum and minimum values at 18 hr, respectively, and remained constant thereafter. Lactic acid content showed a slight decrease after reaching its maximum value at 24 hr of culture. Acid resistance was observed up to pH 2.5, but completely lost at pH 2.0. Bile acid resistance was generally strong. F2's adhesion to mucin was higher compared to S. Typhimurium, which increased until 18 hr of culture and then decreased. Enzyme activity according to anaerobic culture time was high for carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), avicelase, and mannase, regardless of the presence of fructose. Auto- and co-aggregation were higher compared to the standard strain, and surface hydrophobicity was high for chloroform, which indicates electron donor properties. Therefore, the Fructobacillus fructosus F2 can be considered a potential probiotic due to its excellent anti-microbial, emulsification, acid resistance, bile resistance, CMCase, mannase, and auto- and co-aggregation properties.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2008

Removal of nitrogen compound under nitrification related with denitrification by biofilm which developed on the porous media was investigated. With the investigation of $NH_4-N$ nitrification and autotrophic denitrification supplied with sulfur media as electron donor, conclusions were retrieved as follows. When $F/M_N$ ratio of $NH_4-N$ was increased from $0.0062-0.034gNH_4-N/g\;MLVSS{\cdot}day$ by the change of influent concentration and HRT the nitrification rate decreased as the increase of loading rate. Also under the same conditions of $F/M_N$ ratio, the alkalinity consumption rate of operation was higher at 8 hours of HRT than at 6 hours of HRT. Accordingly the influent loading rate variation by detention time with influent flow influenced more on the nitrification efficiency than the influent loading rate variation by the influent concentration did. Denitrification rate with various EBCT(Empty Bed Contact Time) showed average 25% at 8.4hrs of EBCT but sharply decreased average 5% at 4.6hrs of EBCT, so the operation would be more effective at above 8.4hrs of EBCT. Also denitrification rate was known to be adversely increased as $NO_3-N$ loading rate per unit volume of sulfur-media was decreased within the range of $0.5{\sim}2.0kgNO_3-N/m^3{\cdot}day$.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2006

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitously distributed and play important functions in diverse cellular signaling systems. The proteins are largely classified into three groups, such as typical 2-Cys Prx, atypical 2-Cys Prx, and 1-Cys Prx, that are distinguished by their catalytic mechanisms and number of Cys residues. From the three classes of Prxs, the typical 2-Cys Prx containing the two-conserved Cys residues at its N-terminus and C-terminus catalyzes $H_2O_2$ with the use of thioredoxin (Trx) as an electron donor. During the catalytic cycle, the N-terminal Cys residue undergoes a peroxide-dependent oxidation to sulfenic acid, which can be further oxidized to sulfinic acid at the presence of high concentrations of $H_2O_2$ and a Trx system containing Trx, Trx reductase, and NADPH. The sulfinic acid form of 2-Cys Prx is reduced by the action of sulfiredoxin which requires ATP as an energy source. Under the strong oxidative or heat shock stress conditions, 2-Cys Prx in eukaryotes rapidly switches its protein structure from low-molecular-weight species to high-molecular-weight protein structures. In accordance with its structural changes, the protein concomitantly triggers functional switching from a peroxidase to a molecular chaperone, which can protect its substrate denaturation from external stress. In addition to its N-terminal active site, the C-terminal domain including 'YF-motif' of 2-Cys Prx plays a critical role in the structural changes. Therefore, the C-terminal truncated 2-Cys Prxs are not able to regulate their protein structures and highly resistant to $H_2O_2$-dependent hyperoxidation, suggesting that the reaction is guided by the peroxidatic Cys residue. Based on the results, it may be concluded that the peroxidatic Cys of 2-Cys Prx acts as an '$H_2O_2$-sensor' in the cells. The oxidative stress-dependent regulation of 2-Cys Prx provides a means of defense systems in cells to adapt stress conditions by activating intracellular defense signaling pathways. Particularly, 2-Cys Prxs in plants are localized in chloroplasts with a dynamic protein structure. The protein undergoes conformational changes again oxidative stress. Depending on a redox-potential of the chloroplasts, the plant 2-Cys Prx forms super-molecular weight protein structures, which attach to the thylakoid membranes in a reversible manner.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.8-15
• /
• 2003

If contaminated river water is sprayed over a floodplain, the microbial processes can simultaneously remove organic matter and nitrogen during the infiltration through the sediment profile. The effect of rhizosphere on the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from contaminated river water was investigated using floodplain lysimeters. River water was sprayed at a rate of $68.0L\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ on the top of the lysimeters with or without weed vegetation on the surface, Concentrations of $NO_3$, $NH_4$ and dissolved oxygen (DO), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Eh in water were measured as functions of depth for 4 weeks after the system reached a steady state water flow and biological reactions. A significant reductive-condition for denitrification developed in the 30-cm surface profile of lysimeters with weeds. At a depth of 30 cm, COD and $NO_3$-N concentration decreased to 5.2 and $0.9mg\;L^{-1}$ from the respective influent concentrations of 18.2 and $9.8mg\;L^{-1}$. The removal of $NO_3$ in lysimeters with weeds was significantly higher than in those without weeds. Vegetation on the top was assumed to remove $NO_3$ directly by absorption and to create more favorable conditions for denitrification by supply of organic matter and rapid $O_2$ consumption, In the lysimeters without weeds, further removal of $NO_3$ was limited by the lack of an electron donor, i.e. organic matter. These results suggest that the filtration through native floodplains, which include rhizospheres of vegetation on the surface, can be effective for the treatment of contaminated river water.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.355-361
• /
• 2006

In this study, effects of influent C/N(COD/Nitrate) ratio and dissolved oxygen(DO) concentration on biological nitrate removal from groundwater were investigated in the fixed-type biofilter. Influent nitrate of 30 mg/L was removed completely by biological denitrification at the C/N ratio of 10 and 4.0, while residual nitrate of 5 mg/L occurred at the C/N ratio of 2.0, which resulted from deficiency of organic electron donor. Furthermore, nitrite was accumulated up to about 5 mg/L as the C/N ratio decreased to 2.0. Increase in DO concentration also inhibited denitrification activity at the relatively high C/N ratio of 5.0, which decreased the nitrate removal efficiency. Although the influent DO concentration was reduced as low as 0.3 mg/L using sodium sulfite($Na_2SO_3$), effluent nitrite was up to 3.6 mg/L. On the other hand, nitrate was completely removed without detection of nitrite at the DO concentration of 0.3 mg/L using nitrogen gas($N_2$) sparging. The organic matter for denitrification in biofilter were in the range from 3.0 to $3.5gSCOD/g{NO_3}^--N$, while utilized these values increased at the high DO concentration of 5.5 mg/L. In addition to the high DO concentration and the low influent C/N ratio, DO control by chemical such as sodium sulfite affected on biological denitrification, which resulted in the reduction of nitrate removal efficiency and nitrite build-up in a biofilter.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2014

Biochar (BC) from biomass pyrolysis is a carbonaceous material that has been used to remove various contaminants in the environment. The eliminatory action for burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) as an invasive plant is being consistently carried out because of its harmfulness and ecosystem disturbance. In this study, burcucumber biomass was converted into BCs at different pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and $700^{\circ}C$ under a limited oxygen condition. Produced BCs were characterized and investigated to ensure its efficiency on antibiotics' removal in water. The adsorption experiment was performed using two different types of antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethazine (SMZ). For the BC pyrolyzed at a high temperature ($700^{\circ}C$), the values of pH, electrical conductivity, and the contents of ash and carbon increased whereas the yield, mobile matter, molar ratios of H/C and O/C, and functional groups decreased. Results showed that the efficiency of BCs on antibiotics' removal increased as pyrolysis temperature increased from 300 to $700^{\circ}C$ (38 to 99% for TC and 6 to 35% for SMZ). The reaction of ${\pi}-{\pi}$ EDA (electron-donor-acceptor) might be involved in antibiotics' adsorption to BCs. BC has potential to be a superior antibiotics' adsorbent with environmental benefit by recycling of waste/invasive biomass.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2011

Poly[2,3-dimethyl-5,8-dithiophene-2-yl-quinoxaline-alt-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluorene] (PFTQT) and poly[2,3-dimethyl-5,8-dithiophen-2-yl-quinoxaline-alt-10-hexyl-10H-phenothiazine (PPTTQT) based on 2,3-dimethyl-5,8-dithiophen-2-yl-quinoxaline weresynthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction. All polymers were soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and toluene. The maximum absorption wavelength and band gap of PFTQT were 440 nm and 2.30 eV, and PPTTQT were 445 nm and 2.23 eV, respectively. The HOMO and LUMO energy level of PFTQT were -6.05 and -3.75 eV, and PPTTQT were -5,89 and -3.66 eV, respectively. The organic photovoltaic devices based on the blend of polymer and PCBM (1 : 2 by weight ratio) were fabricated. Efficiencies of devices were 0.24% (PFTQT) and 0.16% (PPTTQT), respectively. The short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$), fill factor (FF), and open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) of the device with PFTQT were $0.97mA/cm^2$, 29% and 0.86 V, and the device based on PPTTQT were $0.80mA/cm^2$, 28% and 0.71 V, 31% and 0.71 V, respectively, under air mass (AM) 1.5 G and 1 sun condition ($100mA/cm^2$).