• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.638-645
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• 2019

Objectives: For the risk management of airborne fungal diseases, our aim was to evaluate airborne fungi and study the toxicity associated with fungal allergic diseases using fungal species native to Korea. Methods: Fungi were isolated from outdoor air samples collected from Seoul, Incheon, Cheonan, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan, and Jeju and tested for their cytotoxicity potential and their ability to induce proliferation and secretion of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in human mast cells (HMC-1). Results: More than 18 species of fungi were collected from outdoor air in Korea over one year, and the strains were identified and systematically analyzed. The results showed that the Cladosporium (59%) and Alternaria (22%) strains are the most common in outdoor air. Three of the collected strains (Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Penicillium) showed mild toxicity in cells involved in allergic inflammation, and twelve induced cell proliferation in HMC-1 cells. More importantly, many strains (Edgeworthia, Trametes, Emmia, Irpex, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Periconia, Epicocum, Bipolaris) induced the MDC protein in activated HMC-1 cells. Conclusion: Nineteen percent of the tested strains caused cytotoxicity in mast cell lines, whereas, most of the non-toxic strains contributed to cell activity. Among the tested strains, more than 80% increased the expression of MDC protein, which contributes to the severity of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. It is, in fact, one of the markers for these conditions. Therefore, airborne fungus could be considered as an important marker for environmental risk management for allergic diseases in Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1997

Distribution of airborne microorganisms was determined with two different types of air samplers, the Anderson cascade sampler and the Aerobioscope sampler, in the vicinity of Taejon. The size distribution of particles carrying bacteria and fungi was concurrently measured. The concentration of detected viable airborne particles was greatly varied. It was observed that the number of microbial particles increased in April and October. The most isze o particles carrying bacteria was larger than 4.7 .mu.m in mean aerodiameter, which made up 69.8% of the total particle fraction. About 63.2% of fungi-carrying particles were smaller than 4.7 .mu.m in aerodiameter. The distribution of particles on Yellow Sand Phenomena days was also analyzed. The number of fine particles having mass median aero-diameter from 1.0 to 10.mu.m increased on Yellow Sand Phenomena days to about 6 times that on normal days and the n umber of colony forming unit (CFU/$\textrm{m}^3$) of airborne bacteria also increased by 4.3 times in April. The reuslts from the Anderson sampler showed that the concentration of bacteria increased greatly on the fraction of fine particles ranging from 0.6 $\mu$m to 4.7 $\mu$m in diameter. Unlike the increase in bacterial floraon Yellow Sand Phenomena days, the fungal concentration slightly decreased and showed a normal size distribution parttern. This study suggests that a long-range transmission of bacteria results form bacteria adsorbing onto the fine particles during the Yellow Sand Phenomena.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine types of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) films suitable for modified atmosphere (MA) storage treatment of strawberries (cv. 'Maehyang') for export and examination related changes in quality of strawberries during simulated shipping distribution conditions ($2^{\circ}C$ for $10days{\sim}8^{\circ}C$ for 11 days). Strawberries were packed by 1,300, 10,000, 20,000, and $30,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ OTR films for MA storage treatment and perforated film as the control for MAP. Fresh weight loss rate was less than 0.5% in OTR films except for the perforated film. Carbon dioxide and oxygen content in packages prevailed in permissible range for strawberries under recommended CA/MA conditions (i.e., $CO_2$: 15~20%, $O_2$: 5~10%) at 10,000 cc, 20,000 cc, and 30,000 cc OTR films. Ethylene content in OTR films did not reveal significant differences during storage. The 1,300 cc OTR film revealed highest off-flavor and lowest fungal incidence rate by sensory evaluation. The firmness, soluble solids, and visual quality were preserved the highest at 10,000 cc OTR film. In conclusion, 10,000 cc OTR film preserved the highest quality and extended shelf-life by 13 days if compared with conventional distribution conditions.

• Mycobiology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2003

Detailed structures of ectomycorrhizae formed in Pinus roots were observed with various microscopes: light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopes. The mantles and Hartig nets commonly found in the structure of ectomycorrhiza were newly observed according to developmental stage by various staining. The mycelia were observed to be composed of coiled types on the surface of epidermal root during early stage and fused to form mantles of smooth fungal layers, loosing mycelia with some viscous liquid secreted. The ectomycorrhizal hyphae in anatomical roots penetrated the cortical layer and formed obviously mantle and Hartig net. The round spots of ectomycorrhizal mycelia were observed morphological distribution from the cortical layer to vascular bundle of stele in the ectomycorrhizal roots of Pinus species and especially scattered at the area of meristem at the root tip as longitudinal sections. Those mycelia penetrated seemed to move into other roots by means of vascular bundle of ectomycorrhizal roots and newly form ectomycorrhizal roots of dichotomous branches.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2012

This study investigated the distribution of endophytic fungi obtained from the surface sterilized tissues of leaves, stems and roots of chili pepper ($Capsicum$ $annuum$ L.) plants in seedling, flowering and fruiting stages in Korea and their antifungal activity. A total of 481 isolates were recovered and were identified using molecular techniques. Based on rDNA ITS gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, 21 fungal genera were characterized, belonging to 16 Ascomycota and 5 Basidiomycota. $Penicillium$ in seedling stage, $Fusarium$ in flowering stage, $Colletotrichum$ followed by $Fusarium$, $Alternaria$ and $Xylaria$ in fruiting stage was predominant and $Alternaria$, $Cladosporium$ and $Fusarium$ were common in all growth stages. Among 481 endophytes 90 phenotypes were evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against three major pathogens ($Phytophthora$ $capsici$, $Colletotrichum$ $acutatum$ and $Fusarium$ $oxysporum$) of chili pepper. Among them 16 isolates inhibited the growth of at least one test microorganisms. Three strains showed a broad spectrum antifungal activity and displayed strong inhibition against chili pepper pathogenic fungi.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.408-419
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• 2022

Filamentous fungi that could be classified into Aspergillus flavus/oryzae were isolated from traditionally fermented meju commercially available in Korea. The samples were analyzed for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A contamination by HPLC; however, no toxin was detected. In addition, fungal and bacterial metagenomic sequencing were performed to analyze the microbial distribution in the samples. The results revealed that the distribution and abundance of fungi and bacteria differed considerably depending on the production regions and fermentation conditions of the meju samples. Through morphological analysis, ITS region sequencing, and assessment of the aflatoxin-producing ability, a total of 32 A. flavus/oryzae strains were identified. PCR analysis of six regions with a high mutation frequency in the aflatoxin gene cluster (AGC) revealed a total of six types of AGC breaking point patterns. The A. flavus/oryzae strains did not exhibit the high amylase activity detected in the commercial yellow koji strain (starter mold). However, their peptidase and lipase activities were generally higher than that of the koji isolates. We verified the safety of the traditionally fermented meju samples by analyzing the AGC breaking point pattern and the enzyme activities of A. flavus/oryzae strains isolated from the samples. The isolated strains could possibly be used as starter molds for soybean fermentation.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2018

Endophytic fungi strains (n = 81) were isolated from the leaves, barks, and fruits of Camellia oleifera from Hunan province (China) to delineate their species composition and potential as biological control agents of C. oleifera anthracnose. The fungi were identified by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Fungal colonization rates of the leaves, barks, and fruits were 58.02, 27.16, and 14.81%, respectively. The isolates were identified as 14 genera, belonging to two subdivisions, Deuteromycotina and Ascomycotina; 87.65% of all isolates belonged to Deuteromycotina. The dominant species, occurring with a high relative frequency, were Pestalotiopsis sp. (14.81%), Penicillium sp. (14.81%), and Fusarium sp. (12.35%). The Simpson's and Shannon's diversity indices revealed the highest species diversity in the leaves, followed by the barks and fruits. The similarity index for the leaves versus barks comparison was the highest, indicating that the number of endophytic fungal species shared by the leaves and barks was higher than barks and fruits or leaves and fruits. Based on the results of dual culture experiments, only five strains exhibited antifungal activity against C. oleifera anthracnose pathogen, with isolate ty-64 (Oidium sp.) generating the broadest inhibition zones. Our results indicate that the endophytes associated with C. oleifera could be employed as natural agents controlling C. oleifera anthracnose.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.119.2-120
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• 2003

Seed-borne fungal pathogens on rice seeds were investigated in order to evaluate their effect on rice grain quality. Rice seeds of two cultivars, Ilmibyeo and Daesanbyeo were collected from 27 areas of Korea and the fungal parasites on seeds were isolated by using a blotter method. Isolation frequency and number of species were varied from collection areas of seed samples. A total 13 species of fungi were identified from the seeds. Among them, Altemana alternata was the most frequent over the country. Bipoiaris oryzae most commonly from Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk, Alternaria padwickii from Jeonbuk, and Nigrospora oryzae from Choongnam. However Bipolaris. oryzae, Alternaria padwickii, and Nigrospora oryzae were the most frequently isolated fungi from Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk, and Chungnam, respectively. B. oryzae, A. alternata, A. padwickii, and N. oryzae were dominants on Ilmibyeo showing 10.3％, 10.2％, 5.2％, and 5.2％ infection rate, respectively. While, N. oryzae, A alternata, and Cladosporium sp. were most frequently isolated fungi from Deasanbyeo revealing 15.1％, 9.6％, and 7.5％ infection rate, respectively. These fungi inhabiting on hulls or endosperms of rice seed might be considered as potential factors decreasing rice grain quality. Further investigation of the fungi on grain rice quality are undergoing.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2009

The rhizobacteria of Panax notoginseng were isolated from six sites in Yanshan, Maguan and Wenshan Counties, Yunnan Province of China, and their antagonistic activity against P. notoginseng root-rot fungal pathogens was determined. Of the 574 rhizobacteria isolated, 5.8% isolates were antagonistic in vitro to at least one of the five pathogens, Cylindrocarpon didynum, Fusarium solani, Phytophthora cactorum, Phoma herbarum, and Rhizoctonia solani. The number of rhizo bacteria and the number that inhibited fungi differed depending on sampling sites and isolation methods. Rhizobacteria isolated from the site in Yanshan and Maguan showed more antagonistic effect than them in Wenshan. Heat treatment of rhizosphere soil at $80^{\circ}C$ for 20 min scaled the antagonists up to 14.0%. Antagonistic bacteria in the roots proportioned 3.9% of the total isolates. The most antagonistic isolates 79-9 and 81-4 are Bacillus subtilis based on their 168 rDNA sequence and biochemical and physiological characteristics. Identification and evaluation of antagonistic bacteria against P. notoginseng root-rot pathogens in the main planting areas improved our understanding of their distribution in rhizosphere soil. Furthermore these results indicated that the interactions between biocontrol agent and soil microbes should be seriously considered for the successful survival and biocontrol efficacy of the agents in soil.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.427-433
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• 2016

Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) is transmitted by a root-inhabiting Polymyxa graminis (P. graminis) and thus the disease is called "soil-borne". In this study, the presence of P. graminis was confirmed by PCR test based on specific sequences of P. graminis type I (P. graminis f. sp. temperata) Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS). P. graminis was detected in the BaYMV infected soil and root of barley plants. The monitoring of P. graminis was conducted in March 2015 in 8 korean provinces. It was detected in the soil of all collected regions. This is the first report on a P. graminis a survey of Korea.