• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.62-75
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• 2022

Background: Pollinators help plants to reproduce and support economically valuable food for humans and entire ecosystems. However, declines of pollinators along with population growth and increasing agricultural activities hamper this mutual interaction. Nectar and pollen are the major reward for pollinators and flower morphology and volatiles mediate the specialized plant-pollinator interactions. Limited information is available on the volatile profiles attractive to honey bees and bumblebees. In this study we analyzed the volatile organic compounds of the flowers of 9 different plant species that are predominantly visited by honey bees and bumblebees. The chemical compositions of the volatiles were determined using a head space gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method, designed to understand the plant-pollinator chemical interaction. Results: Results showed the monoterpene 1,3,6-octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl-, (E) (E-𝞫-ocimene) was the dominating compound in most flowers analyzed, e.g., in proportion of 60.3% in Lonicera japonica, 48.8% in Diospyros lotus, 38.4% Amorpha fruticosa and 23.7% in Robinia pseudoacacia. Ailanthus altissima exhibited other monoterpenes such as 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol (𝞫-linalool) (39.1%) and (5E)-3,5-dimethylocta-1,5,7-trien-3-ol (hotrienol) (32.1%) as predominant compounds. Nitrogen containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were occurring principally in Corydalis speciosa; 1H-pyrrole, 2,3-dimethyl- (50.0%) and pyrimidine, 2-methyl- (40.2%), and in Diospyros kaki; 1-triazene, 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl (40.5%). Ligustrum obtusifolium flower scent contains isopropoxycarbamic acid, ethyl ester (21.1%) and n-octane (13.4%) as major compounds. In Castanea crenata the preeminent compound is 1-phenylethanone (acetophenone) (46.7%). Conclusions: Olfactory cues are important for pollinators to locate their floral resources. Based on our results we conclude monoterpenes might be used as major chemical mediators attractive to both honey bees and bumblebees to their host flowers. However, the mode of action of these chemicals and possible synergistic effects for olfaction need further investigation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.622-632
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• 2020

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) catalyzes the reversible deamination of phenylalanine to cinnamic acid and ammonia. Algae have been considered as biofactories for PAL production, however, biochemical characterization of PAL and its potency for myristicin biotransformation into MMDA (3-methoxy-4, 5-methylenedioxyamphetamine) has not been studied yet. Thus, PAL from Anabaena flos-aquae and Spirulina platensis has been purified, comparatively characterized and its affinity to transform myristicin was assessed. The specific activity of purified PAL from S. platensis (73.9 μmol/mg/min) and A. flos-aquae (30.5 μmol/mg/min) was increased by about 2.9 and 2.4 folds by gel-filtration comparing to their corresponding crude enzymes. Under denaturing-PAGE, a single proteineous band with a molecular mass of 64 kDa appeared for A. flos-aquae and S. platensis PAL. The biochemical properties of the purified PAL from both algal isolates were determined comparatively. The optimum temperature of S. platensis and A. flos-aquae PAL for forward or reverse activity was reported at 30℃, while the optimum pH for PAL enzyme isolated from A. flos-aquae was 8.9 for forward and reverse activities, and S. platensis PAL had maximum activities at pH 8.9 and 8 for forward and reverse reactions, respectively. Luckily, the purified PALs have the affinity to hydroaminate the myristicin to MMDA successfully in one step. Furthermore, a successful method for synthesis of MMDA from myristicin in two steps was also established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was conducted to track the product formation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2015

Objectives: The usage of medicinal plants as natural antimicrobial agents has grown in many fields including dental medicine. The aim of this in vitro study was three-fold: (i) to determine the chemical compositions of the Ferula gummosa essential oil (FGEO), (ii) to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of the oil with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX), (iii) to assess the toxic behavior of FGEO in different concentrations compared to 5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX. Materials and Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine the chemical compositions of the oil. The disk diffusion method and a broth micro-dilution susceptibility assay were exploited to assess the antimicrobial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mitis, and Candida albicans. The cytocompatibility of the FGEO was assessed on L929 fibroblasts, and compared to that of NaOCl and CHX. Results: Twenty-seven constituents were recognized in FGEO. The major component of the oil was ${\beta}$-pinene (51.83%). All three irrigants significantly inhibited the growth of all examined microorganisms compared to the negative control group. FGEO at $50{\mu}g/mL$ was effective in lower concentration against Enterococcus faecalis than 5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX, and was also more potent than 0.2% CHX against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. FGEO was a cytocompatible solution, and had significantly lower toxicity compared to 5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX. Conclusions: FGEO showed a promising biological potency as a root canal disinfectant. More investigations are required on the effectiveness of this oil on intracanal bacterial biofilms.

• 한국연초학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.31-39
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of the pyrolysis products of propylene glycol(PG) and glycerine alone and together with tobacco. The weight change of the samples during the pyrolysis was measured by a thermal analyzer(STD-2960). The pyrolysis products were determined by GC/MS after pyrolysis using a curie-point pyrolyzer(CPP, $220^{\circ}C,\;420^{\circ}C,\;650^{\circ}C,\;and\;920^{\circ}C$) and a double-shot pyrolyzer(DSP, $220^{\circ}C,\;420^{\circ}C,\;650^{\circ}C,\;and\;800^{\circ}C$), respectively. The pyrolysis products from tobacco with and without the addition of PG($2\%$) and glycerine($2\%$ were assayed for its pyrolytic behavior. The results showed that a dramatic change in weight of PG and glycerine was observed at $175^{\circ}C\;and\;249^{\circ}C$, respectively. PG and glycerine showed different patterns for their pyrolysis products according to the method of pyrolysis. Namely, the change rate in pyrolysis with DSP was much higher than that of CPP at above $650^{\circ}C$. The major pyrolysis products of PG were propene, acetaldehyde, propanal, and acetol; the major pyrolysis products of glycerine were 2-propenal, 2-propenol, acetol, and acetic acid. In the pyrolysis experiments of tobacco added PG and glycerine, the pyrolysis products of PG and glycerine weren't detected additionally, except for diethyleneglycol diacetate. From these results, it can be concluded that the PG and glycerine added to tobacco would not be expected to pyrolyse extensively during smoking.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.239-244
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals contamination of soils in the vicinity of abandoned mines in South Korea has been investigated. However, PAHs contamination rarely has been studied. Both heavy metals and PAHs concentrations have been measured in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The samples of soil and sediment were collected from the vicinities of three abandoned coal mines and two abandoned metal mines for analysis of heavy metals contaminants and PAHs concentration from April to September 2012. After preparation of these samples following the Korean standard test method for soils, the concentrations of heavy metals contaminants and PAHs were measured using ICP-OES and GC-MS, respectively. It was observed that the concentration of Arsenic was above the concern level based on 'area 1' suggested by Korean soil conservation law, resulting that Arsenic is the main contaminant in these areas. Also Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were observed as a partial contaminants. The concentrations of other investigated components including benzo(a)pyrene were less than the concern level. CONCLUSION: The correlation observed between Arsenic (as main contaminant) and PAHs concentrations suggested that the contaminant source and pathway are different for each other. The effect of mine activity on PAHs concentration was rarely observed.

• 한국생활과학회지
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.859-871
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the pigment characteristic and changes in dying conditions on the dying properties by extracting Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum using distilled water and ethanol as solvents. Changes in dying conditions include variations in dye concentrations, dyeing temperatures and time on dye uptake, and K/S Value was compared according to these changes. Additionally, color changes were observed through mordant. Ultraviolet-visible spectrum was used to investigate the pigment characteristic, and as a result, tannin was identified in distilled-water-extract, whereas berberine and chlorophyll were identified in ethanol-extract. In FT-IR analysis, tannin in distilled-water-extract was verified as hydrolyzable tannin. For ethanol extract, chlorophyll was verified through absorption band of C-H, which is aliphatic spectrum around $2920cm^{-1}$ and $2850cm^{-1}$. From GC/MS analysis, oil components as well as terpine compounds were detected in ethanol-extract, and this, in turn, brings expectation regarding functionality. When dying in silk, dye uptake increased as concentration of the extract increased, and the optimum dyeing temperature and time were $40^{\circ}C$ and 60 minutes respectively. Dyed fabrics' colors were all basically Y-series colors, and adjustment in brightness and revelation of khaki color were also available depending on the type of the mordant. Color fastness, except for washing fastness, was good in silk dyed with distilled-water-extract. Thus, it can be concluded that by selecting the right extracting method and by doing proper dyeing and mordant according to the needs, these dyed fabrics can be used as eco-friendly, functional clothing material.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.1261-1272
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• 2018

The effects of Queso Blanco cheese containing Bifidobacterium longum KACC 91563 was studied on the intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in healthy companion dogs. There were three experimental groups with five healthy dogs each: a control group, not fed with any cheese, and groups fed with Queso Blanco cheese with (QCB) or without B. longum KACC 91563 (QC) for 8 weeks. Fecal samples were collected 5 times before, during, and after feeding with cheese. Intestinal microbiota was analyzed using two non-selective agar plates (BL and TS) and five selective agar plates (BS, NN, LBS, TATAC, and MacConkey). SPME-GC-MS method was applied to confirm SCFAs and indole in dog feces. The six intestinal metabolites such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, isovaleric acid and indole were identified in dog feces. Administration of B. longum KACC 91563 (QCB) for 8 weeks significantly increased the beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium ($8.4{\pm}0.55$) and reduced harmful bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium (p<0.05). SCFA such as acetic and propionic acid were significantly higher in the QCB group than in the Control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that administration of Queso Blanco cheese containing B. longum KACC 91563 had positive effects on intestinal microbiota and metabolites in companion dogs. These results suggest that Queso Blanco cheese containing B. longum KACC 91563 could be used as a functional food for companion animals and humans.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2008

Objectives: This study was to analyze the content changes of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone in A. gramineus according to its parts, extraction method, and fermentation. Methods: The change of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone was analysed with GC/MS, IR, and NMR. Results: In A. gramineus, ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone in rhizome are 7 times and 4 times more than those in leaves respectively. And, in water extract of Acori Graminei Rhizoma, ${\beta}$-asarone was reduced to 77.8%-83.5%, and ${\alpha}$-asarone was reduced to 69.4%-72.2% compared with 50% MeOH extract. The amounts of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone were decreased apparently by 1 and 3 weeks fermantation with yeast activated solution. Conclusions: There was a change in the content of asarone pursuant to the medicinal part, extraction solvent, and fermentation. This result can be used as the basic data contributing to the stability of A. gramineus according to an appropriate clinical application.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.600-606
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• 2007

Livestock wastewater containing concentrated organic matters and nutrients has been known as one of the major pollutants. It is difficult to apply the conventional activated sludge process to treat livestock wastewater because of high Non-biodegradable (NBD) matter and ammonia. The objectives of this study are to remove NBD matters including aromatic compounds and ammonia in livestock wastewater using Coagulation-Fenton oxidation-Zeolite (CFZ) processes and ascertain applicable feasibility in the field through pilot plant experiment. NBD matters and color remained in the treated water were removed over 92% by Fenton oxidation as the second treatment process. Ammonia was removed by over 99.5% in the zeolite ion exchange process as the last treatment method. From $UV_{254}$, $E_2/E_3$ ratio and GC/MS analyses of treated water at each process, the aromatic compound was converted to aliphatic and aromaticity was decreased. In pilot scale test, organics and ammonia removal efficiencies were not much different from the result of lab-scale test at various operation conditions. Furthermore, reaction time and dosage of Fenton reagent in pilot scale experiment reduced by 40 min and 50% rather than in lab-scale test. $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, SS, T-N and T-P of treated water in the pilot-scale experiment also met the effluent standards.

• 한국환경과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경과학회 2003년도 International Symposium on Clean Environment
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• pp.85-88
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• 2003

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PARs) are an important group of organic contaminants present in sewage sludge, due to their persistence, toxic, bioaccumulative and long range transfer. These characters make themselves as Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs) in Long Range Transboundary Air Pollutions convention(LRT AP) of Europe. A method of the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) determination of PARs present in sewage sludge was developed and applied to analyzed samples from five sewerage treatment plants (SWTPs), having different treatment types. PARs were extracted from freeze-dried samples by toluene 16 hours in a soxhlet extraction system. The sludge extracts were cleaned-up by an activated silica gel column chromatography. The sum of the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency PARs sewage sludge samples varied from 2.44 to 4.82 ${\mu}g$/g. Concentration of emission carcinogen PARs(PARcarc), such as Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(k)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(a, h)anthracene and Indeno(1, 2, 3-cd)pyrene ranged from 0.62 to 1.03 ${\mu}g$/g. The total amount of PAHs emission from sewage sludge in Korea was calculated as a top-down approach. PARs and $\sum$PAHcarc from sewage treatment plants had several pathway each by-products. In the ocean dumping, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 1155.95 kg/year and 5040.32 kg/year. In recycle, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 98.36 kg/year and 428.87 kg/year. In the landfill, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 190.40 kg/year and 830.21 kg/year. In the incineration, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emission were 33.10 kg/year and 830.21 kg/year. (In case of incineration, the whole provisions of PARs and $\sum$PAHcarc contained to flowed in sludge was supposed to be exhausted to environment through exhaust after incineration.)