• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.367-371
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• 2017

In 2015, symptoms of die-back on Rosa hybrida were observed in Taean, Korea. The aims of this study were to determine the cause of die-back on Rosa hybrida and characterize the pathogen. The fungal isolates were obtained and used for pathogenicity test, morphological and molecular analyses. The pathogenicity test on healthy branches of Rosa hybrida produced die-back, as the original symptoms. For the morphological study, the isolates were inoculated onto potato dextrose agar and incubated for 7 days at $25^{\circ}C$. The colonies grew up quickly and turned white to gray in color. Conidia were observed under an optical microscope. The features of conidia were ellipsoidal, grayish brown in color, $20-31{\times}11-17{\mu}m$ in size and had one septum. Molecular analyses of the ITS region, TEF and TUB genes were conducted to confirm the identity of the pathogen. The phylogenetic tree of the multi-gene sequences indicated that the causal agent was Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. This study is the first report of die-back caused by Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae on Rose (Rosa hybrida).

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2010

The ${\beta}$-1,4-glucanase gene of Bacillus licheniformis B1 was expressed in Esherichia coli BL21, and a protein with a mass of 50 kDa that was soluble was overproduced. A protein with a mass of 37 kDa was secreted from B. licheniformis. It seems that the ${\beta}$-1,4-glucanase produced in E. coli contained the leader peptide and unprocessed carboxy-terminal region, but its processing occurred in the carboxyterminal in Bacillus. The optimal temperature of ${\beta}$-1,4-glucanase was $40^{\circ}C$. The enzyme still had 76% maximal activity at $60^{\circ}C$. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 7. The enzyme retained considerable activities over the weak-acidic, neutral, and weak-basic pH range. Acidic fungal cellulases are used in food, detergent, pulp, paper, textile industries. However, studies about neutral and alkaline cellulase are not enough. The cellulase developed in this study may be useful for industrial applications in the fields of biofuel development.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.4826-4832
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• 2010

The study has been done for about two months through June 2 to July 30 of 2010. The study subjects are three herbal-pharmaceutical companies located in Seoul. Each of them purchased thirteen types of medicinal herbs, then the study did analysis for microbial contamination status of bacteria and fungi. Here, the study focuses on settling out fundamental data bases regarding the investigation standards of microbial contamination. As comparing the study results with contamination limits of bacteria and fungi which are represented by $10^7$ CFU/g and $10^4$ CFU/g in number respectively, the total percentage of fungi contamination which is 12.8% is higher than that of bacteria is only 7.7%. In the DNA homology analysis regarding 16S rRNA gene, 117 of colonization have been selected as study subjects. Including B. cereus composing of resistant spores, soil microbes account for approximately 96.6%. It indicates that it is important to establish collection and preservation systems in handling medicinal herbs. Also, it is critical to manage microbial contamination limits. In conclusion, the study proposes the needs to study on possible mingling of bacteria and fungi in manufacturing process, and microbial contamination status in medicinal herbs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1223-1229
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• 2009

To construct a new recombinant strain of Bacillus velezensis that has antifungal and insecticidal activity via the expression of the insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein, a B. thuringiensis expression vector (pHT1K-1Ac) was generated that contained the B. thuringiensis cry1Ac gene under the control of its endogenous promoter in a minimal E. coli-B. thuringiensis shuttle vector (pHT1K). This vector was introduced into a B. velezensis isolate that showed high antifungal activities against several plant diseases, including rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea), rice sheath blight (Rhizotonia solani), tomato gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita), by electroporation. The recombinant B. velezensis strain was confirmed by PCR using cry1Ac-specific primers. Additionally, the recombinant strain produced a protein approximately 130 kDa in size and parasporal inclusion bodies similar to B. thuringiensis. The in vivo antifungal activity assay demonstrated that the activity of the recombinant B. velezensis strain was maintained at the same level as that of wild-type B. velezensis. Furthermore, it exhibited high insecticidal activity against a lepidopteran pest, Plutella xylostella, although its activity was lower than that of a recombinant B. thuringiensis strain, whereas wild-type B. velezensis strain did not show any insecticidal activity. These results suggest that this recombinant B. velezensis strain can be used to control harmful insect pests and fungal diseases simultaneously in one crop.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The 44 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from surface-sterilized root of rice cultivated in seven different locations of Chungcheong province, Korea. Each isolate was introduced into rice seedlings grown gnotobiotically by inoculating scissor-cut first true leaf with cell suspensions, and the colonization capacity of each isolate in root tissue was analyzed at 7 days after inoculation. Sixteen out of 44 isolates were re-isolated from root successfully with the frequency of $10^{3-5}$ CFU/g tissue. Interestingly, seven out of 16 isolates were identified as Burkholderia species. The identity between inoculated strains and re-isolates was confirmed by genomic finger-printing and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. By a confocal laser scanning microscopic observation it was revealed that KJ001 strain, one of the sixteen isolates tagged with gfp colonized in root tissue especially around xylem. Six out of seven Burkholderia strains obtained in this study showed antagonizing activities against seven different fungal pathogens, contain nifH gene, and five of them enhanced growth of cucumber over 30%. The isolates showed no hypersensitive response on tobacco leaves and no pathogenecity in rice. From these results it was found that the endophytic Burkholderia strains will be useful in agriculture to develop a biocontrol agent or a bio-fertilizer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.644-651
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• 2013

The fermented manure derivative known as Preparation 500 is traditionally used as a field spray in biodynamic agriculture for maintaining and increasing soil fertility. This work aimed at characterizing the product from a microbiological standpoint and at assaying its bioactive properties. The approach involved molecular taxonomical characterization of the culturable microbial community; ARISA fingerprints of the total bacteria and fungal communities; chemical elemental macronutrient analysis via a combustion analyzer; activity assays for six key enzymes; bioassays for bacterial quorum sensing and chitolipooligosaccharide production; and plant hormone-like activity. The material was found to harbor a bacterial community of $2.38{\times}10^8$ CFU/g dw dominated by Gram-positives with minor instances of Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. ARISA showed a coherence of bacterial assemblages in different preparation lots of the same year in spite of geographic origin. Enzymatic activities showed elevated values of ${\beta}$-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, chitinase, and esterase. The preparation had no quorum sensing-detectable signal, and no rhizobial nod gene-inducing properties, but displayed a strong auxin-like effect on plants. Enzymatic analyses indicated a bioactive potential in the fertility and nutrient cycling contexts. The IAA activity and microbial degradation products qualify for a possible activity as soil biostimulants. Quantitative details and possible modes of action are discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5628-5636
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• 2014

Currently, many countries have an interest in developing cosmetics materials using native plants. In this aspect, there is increasing need to develop cosmetics materials using native plants in our county. In the present study, calluses were induced from Artemisia annua Linne, which was highlighted because of its useful effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-fungal and anti-inflammation. Water and ethanol extractions were performed from the calluses of Artemisia annua Linne. After the mass production of Artemisia annua Linne's calluses, water and ethanol extraction was performed to examine its functional roles in healing wounds and inflammation. The differences in the effective elements were observed in the ethanol extract. The callus showed anti-inflammation activity through the suppression of the inflammation-related gene, COX-2, and ethanol extracts showed their ability to heal wounds. Overall, these results suggest that the extract of Artemisia annua Linne's calluses is a natural and environment-friendly material, and can be used as medical supplies associated with anti-inflammation and healing wounds.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2007

As a model compound of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) phenanthrene has been regarded as a toxic material, mutagen and carcinogen in various animals. Biodegradation conditions of phenanthrene such as pH, temperature, shaking speed, stabilizer and cofactor of degrading enzymes were investigated with Trametes versicolor and its transformant T. versicolor MrP1 in YMG medium, minimal medium and soil microcosm. T. versicolor MrP1 can overexpress mrp gene encoding Mn-repressed peroxidase that is involved in fungal degradation. Biodegradations of phenanthrene by T. versicolor and T. versicolor MrP1 were optimally performed in conditions of weak-acid (pH 6.0), $30^{\circ}C$, shaken culture and medium containing 5 mM veratryl alcohol or tryptophan. In these optimal conditions, biodegradation of phenanthrene by T. versicolor MrP1 is 31% higher than that of wild type strain in a minimal medium for 20 days. Biodegradation of phenanthrene by T. versicolor MrP1 was also higher than that of wild type in soil microcosm. T. versicolor MrP1 can be a excellent candidate for the bioremediation of PAHs contaminated environments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.184-195
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• 2006

Objectives : Betula Platyphylla(BP) is a traditional analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory herb used in Chinese 1medicine. However, no information is available to explain its action. In this study. we investigated the anti-inflammatory 1effects of BP to elutidate the molecular pharmacological activity in the ethanol extract of BP(BPE). Methods : We performed WTS assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages with BPE. Nitrite was measured by Griess assay, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in LPS induced RAW264.7 macrophages with BPE. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were determined by Western blot. Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results : BPE significantly suppressed production of nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition rate of NO and PGE2 production by BPE was ca. 88.8% and 93% at the concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$ (non-cytotoxic concentration), respectively. BPE also decreased iNOS protein and COX-2 protein in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. EMSA demonstrated that BPE inhibited the DNA binding activity of the NF-kB. Conclusions : These results suggest that BPE inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated gene expression and downregulates inflammatory mediator production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2013

Amoebic keratitis (AK) caused by Acanthamoeba is one of the most serious corneal infections. AK is frequently misdiagnosed initially as viral, bacterial, or fungal keratitis, thus ensuring treatment delays. Accordingly, the early detection of Acanthamoeba would contribute significantly to disease management and selection of an appropriate anti-amoebic therapy. Recently, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method has been applied to the clinical diagnosis of a range of infectious diseases. Here, we describe a rapid and efficient LAMP-based method targeting Acanthamoeba 18S rDNA gene for the detection of Acanthamoeba using clinical ocular specimens in the diagnosis of AK. Acanthamoeba LAMP assays detected 11 different strains including all AK-associated species. The copy number detection limit for a positive signal was 10 DNA copies of 18S rDNA per reaction. No cross-reactivity with the DNA of fungi or other protozoa was observed. The sensitivity of LAMP assay was higher than those of Nelson primer PCR and JDP primer PCR. In the present study, LAMP assay based on directly heat-treated samples was found to be as efficient at detecting Acanthamoeba as DNA extracted using a commercial kit, whereas PCR was only effective when commercial kit-extracted DNA was used. This study showed that the devised Acanthamoeba LAMP assay could be used to diagnose AK in a simple, sensitive, and specific manner.