• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.34-40
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• 2012

In this study, new antibacterial materials were developed to manufacture a functional corrugated board. Sulfur solution, a new antibacterial solution made from inorganic sulfur in the laboratory, and other antibacterial mat erials were adopted to treat the surface of a linerboard. We measured the antibacteriocidal and bacteriostatic activities, as well as the fungal resistance of the surface-treated linerboards, to identify the antibacterial properties. The mechanical properties of the surface-treated linerboard were also determined in order to identify the effects of the antibacterial materials on linerboard properties. Linerboard treated with sulfur solution, PVOH, and sodium metasulfite showed the highest antibacterial activity, while linerboard treated with sulfur solution and nano sulfur showed the highest fungal resistance. It was identified that sulfur solution has effective antibacterial properties. The antibacterial materials did not affect the mechanical properties of the surface-treated linerboard, but the binder showed significant effects in terms of the burst strength, the compressive strength, and the stiffness of the linerboard.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2017

Objectives: Much scientific evidence indicate a positive association between moldy environments and respiratory illnesses and/or symptoms. However, few comprehensive assessments of mold have been performed for such settings. Spore counts or microscopic enumeration only may not be sufficient for evaluating fungal exposure. Recently, Mold Specific QPCR technology developed by the US EPA (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, ERMI) has been widely used worldwide and great performance for assessing fungal exposure has been shown. Methods: We aimed to develop a Korean version of ERMI suitable for the distribution of fungal flora in Korea. Thirty dwellings in the Seoul and Incheon area were selected for sampling, and each was classified as 'Flooded, 'Water-damaged' or 'Non-water-damaged'. Results: Dust on the floor and airborne sampling were collected using an MAS100 and a 'Dustream' collector. Samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR) for the 36 molds belonging to ERMI. Student t-test and ANOVA tests were carried out using SAS software. The median ERMI values of flooded, water damaged, and non-water damaged dwellings were 8.24(range: -5.6 to 27.9), 5.47(-25. 4 to 32.7), and -15.30(-24.6 to 14.8), respectively. Significant differences were observed between flooded and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.001) and between water-damaged and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.032). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that ERMI values attributed to dust samples in Korea could be applicable for the identification of flooded or water damaged buildings. However, much data is needed for continuously developing the Korean version of ERMI values.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2018

In our previous studies, Bacillus megaterium KU143, Microbacterium testaceum KU313, and Pseudomonas protegens AS15 have been shown to be antagonistic to Aspergillus flavus in stored rice grains. In this study, the biocontrol activities of these strains were evaluated against Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium fellutanum, and Penicillium islandicum, which are predominant in stored rice grains. In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the bacterial strains were evaluated against the fungi on media and rice grains, respectively. The antifungal activities of the volatiles produced by the strains against fungal development and population were also tested using I-plates. In in vitro tests, the strains produced secondary metabolites capable of reducing conidial germination, germ-tube elongation, and mycelial growth of all the tested fungi. In in vivo tests, the strains significantly inhibited the fungal growth in rice grains. Additionally, in I-plate tests, strains KU143 and AS15 produced volatiles that significantly inhibited not only mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidial germination of the fungi on media but also fungal populations on rice grains. GC-MS analysis of the volatiles by strains KU143 and AS15 identified 12 and 17 compounds, respectively. Among these, the antifungal compound, 5-methyl-2-phenyl-1H-indole, was produced by strain KU143 and the antimicrobial compounds, 2-butyl 1-octanal, dimethyl disulfide, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1-heptanol, and 4-trifluoroacetoxyhexadecane, were produced by strain AS15. These results suggest that the tested strains producing extracellular metabolites and/or volatiles may have a broad spectrum of antifungal activities against the grain fungi. In particular, B. megaterium KU143 and P. protegens AS15 may be potential biocontrol agents against Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. during rice grain storage.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2010

To understand fungal species in evergreen broadleaf forest, occurrence and habitate of wild mushrooms spontaneously growing at the Dongbaekdongsan of Seonheulgot in Jeju Island were investigated. Fungal samples were collected from an area of $500\;m^2$ size consisting of four designated plots from in June 2007 to December 2008. Wild mushrooms were identified 69 genera and 178 species within the sampling places. Among 178 species, twenty-eight genera and fifty species were first reported in Jeju Island. Especially, Amanita pseudogemmata was first recorded in Korea. The mushroom species were divided into six groups on the basis of fungal habitats in which 44 species were on dead tree, 29 species on fallen leaf, 99 species on soil surface, 2 species on animal feces, 2 species on insect or mushroom, and 2 species on moss.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2019

Winter wheat is susceptible to several fungal pathogens throughout the growing season and foliar fungicide application is one of the strategies used in the management of fungal diseases in winter wheat. However, for fungicides to be profitable, weather conditions conducive to fungal disease development should be present. To determine if winter wheat yield response to fungicide application at the flowering growth stage (Feekes 10.5.1) was related to the growing season precipitation, grain yield from fungicide treated plots was compared to non-treated plots for 19 to 30 hard red winter wheat cultivars planted at 8 site years from 2011 through 2015. At all locations, Prothioconazole + Tebuconazole or Tebuconazole alone was applied at flowering timing for the fungicide treated plots. Grain yield response (difference between treated and non-treated) ranged from 66-696 kg/ha across years and locations. Grain yield response had a positive and significant linear relationship with cumulative rainfall in May through June for the mid and top grain yield ranked cultivars ($R^2=54%$, 78%, respectively) indicating that a higher amount of accumulated rainfall in this period increased chances of getting a higher yield response from fungicide application. Cultivars treated with a fungicide had slightly higher protein content (up to 0.5%) compared to non-treated. These results indicate that application of fungicides when there is sufficient moisture in May and June may increase chances of profitability from fungicide application.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2019

Fungi produce various secondary metabolites that have beneficial and harmful effects on other organisms. Those bioactive metabolites have been explored as potential medicinal and antimicrobial resources. However, the activities of the culture filtrate (CF) and metabolites of whiterot fungus (Schizophyllum commune) have been underexplored. In this study, we assayed the antimicrobial activities of CF obtained from white-rot fungus against various plant pathogens and evaluated its efficacy for controlling anthracnose and gray mold in pepper plants. The CF inhibited the mycelial growth of various fungal plant pathogens, but not of bacterial pathogens. Diluted concentrations of CF significantly suppressed the severity of anthracnose and gray mold in pepper fruits. Furthermore, the incidence of anthracnose in field conditions was reduced by treatment with a 12.5% dilution of CF. The active compound responsible for the antifungal and disease control activity was identified and verified as schizostatin. Our results indicate that the CF of white-rot fungus can be used as an eco-friendly natural product against fungal plant pathogens. Moreover, the compound, schizostatin could be used as a biochemical resource or precursor for development as a pesticide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the control of plant diseases using CF and active compound from white-rot fungus. We discussed the controversial antagonistic activity of schizostatin and believe that the CF of white-rot fungus or its active compound, schizostatin, could be used as a biochemical pesticide against fungal diseases such as anthracnose and gray mold in many vegetables.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2024

In July 2022, stem rot symptom was found in a peony plant grown in a pot under a greenhouse at Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, South Korea. Two fungal species were isolated from the infected peony stems and cultured on 1/2-strength potato dextrose agar for identification. The morphological characteristics of the fungal isolates were examined, and nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, β-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-α were analysed. The pathogenicity of the two isolates was confirmed in detached peony leaves, according to Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the report of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as the causal agents of peony stem rots. Antifungal activity of chemical fungicide propineb and rhizobacterium Bacillus siamensis H30-3 was shown against the two plant pathogenic fungi N. clavispora and S. sclerotiorum.Unidentified diffusible and volatile compounds from B. siamensis H30-3 could suppress in vitro mycelial growths of N. clavispora JJ 8-2-1 and S. sclerotiorum JJ 8-2-2.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.15-15
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• 2014

Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae) is an important plant pathogen that causes head blight of major cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and rice, as well as causing ear and stalk rot on maize worldwide. Plant diseases caused by this fungus lead to severe yield losses and accumulation of harmful mycotoxins in infected cereals [1]. Fungi utilize spore production as a mean to rapidly avoid unfavorable environmental conditions and to amplify their population. Spores are produced sexually and asexually and their production is precisely controlled. Upstream developmental activators consist of fluffy genes have been known to orchestrate early induction of condiogenesis in a model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying conidiogenesis in F. graminearum, we characterized functions of the F. graminearum fluffy gene homologs [2]. We found that FlbD is conserved regulatory function for conidiogenesis in both A. nidulans and F. graminearum among five fluffy gene homologs. flbD deletion abolished conidia and perithecia production, suggesting that FlbD have global roles in hyphal differentiation processes in F. graminearum. We further identified and functionally characterized the ortholog of AbaA, which is involved in differentiation from vegetative hyphae to conidia and known to be absent in F. graminearum [3]. Deletion of abaA did not affect vegetative growth, sexual development, or virulence, but conidium production was completely abolished and thin hyphae grew from abnormally shaped phialides in abaA deletion mutants. Overexpression of abaA resulted in pleiotropic defects such as impaired sexual and asexual development, retarded conidium germination, and reduced trichothecene production. AbaA localized to the nuclei of phialides and terminal cells of mature conidia. Successful interspecies complementation using A. nidulans AbaA and the conserved AbaA-WetA pathway demonstrated that the molecular mechanisms responsible for AbaA activity are conserved in F. graminearum as they are in A. nidulans. F. graminearum ortholog of Aspergillus nidulans wetA has been shown to be involved in conidiogenesis and conidium maturation [4]. Deletion of F. graminearum wetA did not alter mycelial growth, sexual development, or virulence, but the wetA deletion mutants produced longer conidia with fewer septa, and the conidia were sensitive to acute stresses, such as oxidative stress and heat stress. Furthermore, the survival rate of aged conidia from the F. graminearum wetA deletion mutants was reduced. The wetA deletion resulted in vigorous generation of single-celled conidia through autophagy-dependent microcycle conidiation, indicating that WetA functions to maintain conidia dormancy by suppressing microcycle conidiation in F. graminearum. In A. nidulans, FlbB physically interacts with FlbD and FlbE, and the resulting FlbB/FlbE and FlbB/FlbD complexes induce the expression of flbD and brlA, respectively. BrlA is an activator of the AbaA-WetA pathway. AbaA and WetA are required for phialide formation and conidia maturation, respectively [5]. In F. graminearum, the AbaA-WetA pathway is similar to that of A. nidulans, except a brlA ortholog does not exist. Amongst the fluffy genes, only fgflbD has a conserved role for regulation of the AbaA-WetA pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of storage time on the sapstain development of Japanese red pine and Korean pine logs during storage in log yard, and their stain characteristics. Japanese red pine and Korean pine trees were harvested and cut into logs in mid January of 2001. These logs were transported to the two local sawmills where they were closely stacked in remote parts of log yard. The logs were then sampled destructively by cutting seven to nine 3-cm long discs along the length of each log at intervals of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 month after felling. The stain coverage and maximal radial penetration of stain were measured from the discs of the sampled logs after the isolation of causal staining fungi. The sapstain was primarily infested by the attack of bark beetles and the species of bark beetle was identified as Tomicus piniperda. The main fungal species isolated from stained wood was Ophiostoma species. Based on the present study, the logs could be stored in log yard until May without stain; but stain development was rapid after May and the severity of stain increased proportionally with storage time. Korean pine was more susceptible to fungal stain than Japanese red pine. During summer storage, decay started to develop in logs and the main species were identified as Tyromyces sp. and Schizophyllum commune. Information provided in this paper would be very useful to develop more effective control strategies for sapstain prevention in Japanese red pine and Korean pine logs.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.192-196
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• 2013

Fungal development is largely affected by many environmental factors. In a model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, asexual development is promoted by exposure of light, presence of salt and non-fermentable sugars. In other hand, sexual development is largely induced by absence of light, fermentable sugars and hypoxic condition. Also, some important genes including veA and nsdD play positive roles in activating sexual development. Here, we reported that the effect of high concentration of $CO_2$ on developmental decision in A. nidulans. When wild-type $veA^+$ strain was cultured in normal condition, sexual and asexual development occurred in balanced manner. However, high concentration of $CO_2$ (~5%) strongly activated sexual development and inhibited asexual development. Furthermore, this $CO_2$ effect was controlled by the veA or nsdD gene. High $CO_2$ culture of $veA^-$ or $nsdD^-$ mutant didn't activate sexual development, suggesting that the activation of sexual development induced by high $CO_2$ cannot overcome the genetic requirement of sexual development such as veA or nsdD. Since 5% $CO_2$ is an important condition for human pathogenic fungi for surviving and adapting in human body, this developmental pattern of A. nidulans affected by $CO_2$ concentration may provide interesting clues for comparative study with human fungal pathogens including Aspergillus fumigatus.