• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.728-733
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• 2011

Endophytic fungi, isolated from a number of different species of tropical plants, were investigated for lipid biodiesel precursor production. The extracts produced from liquid cultures of these fungi were subjected to acidcatalyzed transesterification reactions with methanol producing methyl esters and then analyzed through chromatographic (GC-FID) and spectrometric techniques (MS, NMR $^1H$). The European Standard Method, EN 14103, was used for the quantification of methyl esters extracted from the fungi of the species and genera studied. Xylariaceous fungi exhibited the highest concentrations of methyl esters (91%), and hence may be a promising source for biofuel.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.183-197
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• 2021

Various freshwater ecosystems, such as streams, lakes and rivers, provide a dynamic habitat for fungi. In this study, we isolated several fungal strains from freshwater sediment and plant litter. The strains were identified using molecular phylogenetic analyses of rDNA and beta tubulin (TUB) sequences. Morphological characteristics of the fungi were also investigated using microscopy and culture characteristics of the fungi grown on several media. We identified seven species previously unrecorded in Korea, Nothophoma spiraeae, Westerdykella aquatica, W. aurantiaca, W. dispersa, Chrysosporium sanyaense, C.pseudomerdarium and Taeniolella phialosperma.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious threat to the global healthcare system. Ineffective and resistance to antibiotic treatments have increased morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. New and effective antibiotics are needed to combat against bacterial resistance. Endophytic fungi are crucial reservoirs of novel bioactive metabolites. In particular, the secondary metabolites show promising therapeutic potential, notably, antibacterial. This review discussed the emerging potential of endophytic fungi as anti-MRSA agents. The ecological sources of endophytic fungi were discussed with the synthesis of bioactive metabolites. The mode of antibacterial actions was elucidated to give a better understanding of the mechanisms involved. This review may serve as an important reference for future discovery and developments of anti-MRSA agents from endophytic fungi.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 1993

Examination by scanning electron microscopy and potato-dextrose agar medium showed that the dry seeds of R. raetam were externally free of fungi. When planted in sandy loam soil, the seeds become colonized with eleven soilborne fungal species. The fungi were isolated on cellulose agar, pectin agar and lignin agar media. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium capsulatum and Fusarium oxysporum had broad occurrence and recovered on the three media. The production of hydrolytic enzymes by the isolated fungi depends on the substrate and species. P. capsulatum, P. spinulosum and A. niger had wide enzymatic amplitude and they were able to produce cellulolytic, pectolytic and lignolytic activities on corresponding substrates as well as on seed coat containing media. The lignolytic activities of the isolated species except Chaetomium bostrychods and Trichoderma viride were enhanced on applying the seed coat materials as C-source rather than using lignin. Soaking R. raetam seeds in culture filtrates of the most fungi grown on seed coat supplemented media induced pronounced and distinct stimulating effect on seed germination. The most effective filtrates were those of P. capsulatum, P. spinulosum and Sporotrichum pulverulentum.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2023

Bamboo is host to diverse range of fungi, however, research on bambusicolous fungi remains insignificant in Korea. The genus Apiospora is prevalent in various environments, particularly as endophytic fungi in Poaceae, to which bamboo belongs. In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from stems of Pseudosasa japonica collected from Gongjusi, Korea. To identify these endophytic fungi, we observed morphological characteristics and conducted phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and β-tubulin (TUB2) DNA, identifying and describing an unrecorded fungus, Apiospora pseudosinensis.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.05a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2014

Pinewood nematode (PWN, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is a serious pathogenic worm that quickly dry pine trees to death. Recently, PWN has been devastating huge amounts of conifer trees in Korea. As a first step to explore the association and ecological roles of fungi in PWN life cycle in Korea, in this study we first isolated and indentified fungi from PWN-infested Korean pine and Japanese black pine wood sampled in Jinju, Sacheon, Pocheon, Chuncheon, Gwangju, and Hoengseong in Korea. A total of 144 fungal isolates were obtained from Japanese black pine wood and 264 fungal isolates from Korean pine wood. Their morphology and nucleotide sequences of the ITS rDNA and ♌-tubulin gene were examined for species identification. Ophiostoma ips, Botrytis anthophila, Penicillium sp., Hypocrea lixii, Trichoderma atroviride, O. galeiforme, Fusarium proliferatum were identified from Japanese black pine wood. Leptographium koreanum, L. pini-densiflorae, Ophiostoma ips, Penicillium raistrick, Trichoderma sp. were isolated from Korean pine wood. O. ips and L. koreanum were the major species on the two different PWN-infected pine tree. The cultivation of PWN on fungal mat of the identified species did some enhance PWN reproduction. The ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, is a serious pest of oak trees in Korea. In this study we investigated filamentous fungi present in the body of the beetle. Fourteen genera of filamentous fungi belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were isolated. All the obtained genera were isolated in the mitosporic state. The identified fungi were classified in 11 distinct orders including the Ascomycota (Eurotiales, Hypocreales, Microascales, Ophiostomatales, Pleosporales, and Sordiales) and Basidiomycota (Agaricales, Corticiales, Polyporales, and Russulales Xylariales). Within Ascomycota, 13 species were found. Meanwhile five species were found within Basidiomycota. The results showed the presence of diverse fungi in P. koryoensis. Among the isolated fungi, some were able to produce wood degrading enzymes. Further fungal isolation was performed with P. koryoensis infested Quercus mongolica trees sampled at Kumdan mountain in Hanam-Si, Gyeonggi province from June of 2009 to June of 2010. Penicillin spp. and Trichoderma spp. were the major species of mold fungi group. Pichia guilliermondii was the major species of mold yeast group. Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae was also isolated, but its isolation frequency was not high. Other species identified were Ambrosiella xylebori, Fusarium solani, Cryphonectria nitschke, Chaetomium globosum, and Gliocladium viride, Candida kashinagacola, C. maritima, C. vanderkliftii, Saccharomycopsis crataegensis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.5 s.81
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• pp.440-448
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• 2004

Airborne bacteria, gram negative bacteria (GNB) and fungi were measured in 70 class of 17 kindergartens. The objective of this study is to identify the factors influencing airborne concentrations of bacteria, GNB and fungi using multiple regression analysis. The average concentrations of bacteria and fungi exceeded $1,000\;CFU/m^3$. The average of GNB was $3.7{\times}10^2\;CFU/m^3$. This results indicated that air of kindergartens was contaminated with microbes such as bacteria and fungi. ANOVA test found that the concentrations of bacteria, GNB and fungi were significantly different by the characteristics of weather (rain, after rain, sunny) sampling date (July, August, September and October), the location of sampling site (ground level and basement) and the location of toilet (inside class, nearby class and away class). Multiple regression tests concluded that sampling date, the scale of city where kindergartens are located, the location of sampling site and ventilation efficiency can significantly affect the airborne concentration of bacteria, GNB and fungi. Most of these factors could be related moisture. Environmental factors that can cause the increment of moisture should be controlled in order to reduce airborne concentration of bacteria, GNB and fungi. Legal actions concerning prohibition on the presence of toilet inside class and ventilation criteria should be taken.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1397-1404
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• 2014

A few starters have been developed and used for doenjang fermentation but often without safety evaluation. Filamentous fungi were isolated from industrial doenjang koji, and their potential for mycotoxin production was evaluated. Two fungi were isolated; one was more dominantly present (90%). Both greenish (SNU-G) and whitish (SNU-W) fungi showed 97% and 95% internal transcribed spacer sequence identities to Aspergillus oryzae/flavus, respectively. However, the SmaI digestion pattern of their genomic DNA suggested that both belong to A. oryzae. Moreover, both fungi had morphological characteristics similar to that of A. oryzae. SNU-G and SNU-W did not form sclerotia, which is a typical characteristic of A. oryzae. Therefore, both fungi were identified to be A. oryzae. In aflatoxin gene cluster analysis, both fungi had norB-cypA genes similar to that of A. oryzae. Consistent with this, aflatoxins were not detected in SNU-G and SNU-W using ammonia vapor, TLC, and HPLC analyses. Both fungi seemed to have a whole cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) gene cluster based on PCR of the maoA, dmaT, and pks-nrps genes, which are key genes for CPA biosynthesis. However, CPA was not detected in TLC and HPLC analyses. Therefore, both fungi seem to be safe to use as doenjang koji starters and may be suitable fungal candidates for further development of starters for traditional doenjang fermentation.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.146-154
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• 2016

The wood decay fungi are a diverse taxonomic group that plays a pivotal role in forest carbon cycling. Wood decay fungi use various enzymatic pathways to digest dead or living wood in order to obtain carbon and other nutrients and these enzymatic systems have been exploited for both industrial and medical applications. Over 600 wood decay fungi species have been described in Korea; however, the recent application of molecular markers has dramatically altered the taxonomy of many of these wood decay fungi at both the genus and species levels. By combining molecular methods, specifically sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, with traditional morphological characters, this study identified five new species records for Korea in five genera: Aurantiporus, Favolus, Neofavolus, Loweomyces, and Hymenochaetopsis. Three of these genera (Aurantiporus, Favolus, and Loweomyces) were previously unknown in Korea. The relatively simple morphology of the wood decay fungi often leads to ambiguous taxonomic assignment. Therefore, molecular markers are a necessary component of any taxonomic or evolutionary study of wood decay fungi. Our study highlights the need for a more robust and multifaceted approach in investigating new wood decay fungi in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.53-62
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• 1998

In this research, 7 species of white rot fungi were used for determining the resistance against pentachlorophenol (PCP). Three fungi with good PCP resistance were selected for evaluating the biodegradability, and biodegradation mechanism by HPLC and GC/MS spectrometry. Among 7 fungi, there were significant differences on PCP resistance on 4 different PCP concentrations. In the concentrations of 50 and 100ppm ($\mu$g of PCP per g of 2% malt extract agar), most fungi were easily able to grow, and well suited to newly PCP-added condition, but in that of more than 250ppm, the mycelia growths of Ganoderma lucidum 20435, G. lucidum 20432, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Daldinia concentrica were significantly inhibited or even stopped by the addition of PCP to the culture. However, Trametes versicolor, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Inonotus cuticularis still kept growing at 250ppm, indicating the potential utilization of wood rot fungi to high concentrated PCP biodegradation. Particularly, P. chrysosporium even showed very rapid growth rate at more than 500ppm of PCP concentration. Three selected fungi based on the above results showed an excellent biodegradability against PCP. P. chrysosporium degraded PCP up to 84% on the first day of incubation, and during 7 days, most of added PCP were degraded. T. versicolor also showed more than 90% of biodegradability at 7th day, and even though the initial stage of degradation was very slow, I. cuticularis has been approached to 90% at 21 st day after incubation with dense growing pattern of mycelia. Therefore, the PCP biodegradability was definitely dependent on the rapid suitability of fungi to newly PCP-added condition. In addition, the PCP biodegradation by filtrates of P. chrysosporium, T. versicolor, and I. cuticularis was very minimal or limited, suggesting that the extracellular enzyme system may be not so significantly related to the PCP biodegradation. Among the biodegradation metabolites of PCP, the most abundant one was pentachloroanisole which resulted in a little weaker toxicity than PCP, and others were tetrachlorophenol, tetrachloro-hydroquinone, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid, suggesting that PCP may be biodegraded by several sequential reactions such as methylation, radical-induced oxidation, dechlorination, and hydroxylation.