• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.259-266
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• 2021

Cannabis (Marijuana) is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, and its distribution has been controlled in South Korea since 1976. Identification of 11-nor-Δ⁹-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in urine can provide important proof of cannabis use, and it is considered scientific evidence in the forensic field. In this study, we describe a simultaneous quantitative method for identifying THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in urine, using simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). THCCOOH-D₃ and THCCOOH-glucuronide-D₃ were used as internal standards. Validation results of the matrix effect, as well as recovery, linearity, precision, accuracy, process efficiency, and stability were all satisfactory. No carryover, endogenous or exogenous interferences were observed. The limit of detection (LOD) of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide were 0.3 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively. The developed method was applied to 28 authentic human urine samples that tested positive in immunoassay screening and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) tests. The ranges of concentrations of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in the samples were less than LOQ~266.90 ng/mL and 6.43~2133.03 ng/mL, respectively. The concentrations of THCCOOH-glucuronide were higher than those of THCCOOH in all samples. This method can be effectively and successfully applied for the confirmation of cannabinoid use in human urine samples in the forensic field.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.925-932
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• 2017

Changes in the metabolite profiles of Lactobacillus sakei and its growth media, based on different culture times (0, 6, 12, and 24 h), were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography-MS with partial least squares discriminant analysis, in order to understand the growth characteristics of this organism. Cell and media samples of L. sakei were significantly separated on PLS-DA score plots. Cell and media metabolites, including sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, were identified as major metabolites contributing to the difference among samples. The alteration of cell and media metabolites during cell growth was strongly associated with energy production. Glucose, fructose, carnitine, tryptophan, and malic acid in the growth media were used as primary energy sources during the initial growth stage, but after the exhaustion of these energy sources, L. sakei could utilize other sources such as trehalose, citric acid, and lysine in the cell. The change in the levels of these energy sources was inversely similar to the energy production, especially ATP. Based on these identified metabolites, the metabolomic pathway associated with energy production through lactic acid fermentation was proposed. Although further studies are required, these results suggest that MS-based metabolomic analysis might be a useful tool for understanding the growth characteristics of L. sakei, the most important bacterium associated with meat and vegetable fermentation, during growth.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.2057-2064
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• 2014

Thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) was conducted in autoclave on the system of crude oil and $MgSO_4$ at different temperatures. Gas chromatography pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD) was used to detected the composition of organic sulfur compounds in oil phase products. The results of the analysis indicate that with increased temperature, the contents of organic sulfur compounds with high molecular weight and thermal stability, such as benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes, gradually became dominated. In order to gain greater insight into the formation and distribution of organic sulphur compounds from TSR, positive ion electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was used in detecting the detailed elemental composition and distribution of them. The mass spectra showed that the mass range of sulfur compounds was 200-550 Da. Four sulfur class species, $S_1$, $N_1S_1$, $O_1S_1$ and $O_2S_1$, were assigned in the positive-ion spectrum. Among the identified sulfur compounds, the $S_1$ class species was dominant. The most abundant $S_1$ class species increase associated with the DBE value and carbon number increasing which also indicates the evolution of organic sulfur compounds in TSR is from the labile series to the stable one. In pure blank pyrolysis experiments with crude oil cracking without TSR, different composition and distribution of organic sulfur compounds in oil phase products were seen from mass spectra in order to evaluate their pyrolysis behaviors without $MgSO_4$. FT-IR and XRD were used in analyzing the products of solid phases. Two distinct crystallographic phases MgO and $MgSO_4$ are found to coexist in the products which demonstrated the transformation of inorganic sulfur compounds into organosulfur compounds exist in TSR.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.53
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• pp.298.1-298.10
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• 2018

Background: The renal function of individuals is one of the reasons for the variations in therapeutic response to various drugs. Patients with renal impairment are often exposed to drug toxicity, even with drugs that are usually eliminated by hepatic metabolism. Previous study has reported an increased plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate and decreased plasma concentration of $4{\beta}$-hydroxy (OH)-cholesterol in stable kidney transplant recipients, implicating indoxyl sulfate as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibiting factor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of renal impairment severity-dependent accumulation of indoxyl sulfate on hepatic CYP3A activity using metabolic markers. Methods: Sixty-six subjects were enrolled in this study; based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), they were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. The plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate was quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Urinary and plasma markers ($6{\beta}$-OH-cortisol/cortisol, $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisone/cortisone, $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol) for hepatic CYP3A activity were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total plasma concentration of cholesterol was measured using the enzymatic colorimetric assay to calculate the $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio. The correlation between variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation test. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between MDRD eGFR and indoxyl sulfate levels. The levels of urinary $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisol/cortisol and $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisone/cortisone as well as plasma $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol and $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol were not correlated with MDRD eGFR and the plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate. Conclusion: Hepatic CYP3A activity may not be affected by renal impairment-induced accumulation of plasma indoxyl sulfate.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2020

In this study, we investigated pesticide residues in 207 agricultural products distributed by direct trade in the northern area of Gyeonggi Province. A total of 94 general agricultural products and 113 eco-friendly agricultural products collected from local grocers and cooperative stores were analyzed by multiresidue method for 263 pesticides using GC (gas chromatography)/ECD (electron capture detector), GC/NPD (nitrogen phosphorus detector), GC-MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry), LC (liquid chromatography)/PDA (photodiode array detector), LC/FLD (fluorescence detector), LC-MS/MS. All samples showing pesticide residues were general agricultural products collected from local food stores. The pesticide residue levels of 14 samples (6.8%) were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) and one of them (0.5%) exceeded the MRLs. Sixteen pesticides were detected from samples of the following produce items: spinach, young cabbage, perilla leaves, mallow, cucumber, chives and water dropwort. The safety of the detected pesticides was assessed by monitoring the daily intake estimate (EDI) and the daily intake allowance (ADI) based on the amount of pesticides detected. The ADI percentage range (the ratio of EDI to ADI) was 0.0134-61.6259% and there was no health risk connected with consuming agricultural products in which pesticide residues were detected.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2017

Lacquer has been used as a natural paint or adhesive in Korea since 2nd century B.C. It has been found to have been used as an adhesive as mentioned in old records and as seen in excavated relics, It was also mixed with flour, animal glue, or fish glue to produce lacquer adhesives. Qualitative analysis and evaluation of the applicability of lacquer and additives was performed in this study. The results of EGA analysis for lacquer additives confirmed that the pyrolysis temperature of lacquer, glucose glue, and animal glue. On the basis of this result, raw lacquer sample was checked that pyrolysis product that originated from urushiol side chain (R group). Components originating from glucose and amino acid were detected in glutinous rice paste and animal glue samples. In this study, the optimum pyrolysis temperature for each lacquer and additive mixture was determined from basic qualitative analysis data. By performing the qualitative analysis of each mixture, the applicability of this technique for analyzing real relics was evaluated.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: For the safety of imported agricultural products, the study was conducted to develop the analytical method of unregistered pesticides in domestic. The analytical method of 6 pesticides, chlorthal-dimethyl, clomeprop, diflufenican, hexachlorobenzene, picolinafen, and propyzamide, for a fast multi-residue analysis were established for two different type crops, orange and brown rice by GC-ECD and confirmed by mass spectrometry. METHODS AND RESULTS: The analytical method was evaluated to limit of quantification, linearity and recoveries. The crop samples were extracted with acetonitrile and performed cleanup by liquid-liquid partition and Florisil SPE to remove co-extracted matrix. The extracted samples were analyzed by GC-ECD with good sensitivity and selectivity of the method. The limits of quantification (LOQ) range of the method with S/N ratio of 10 was 0.02~0.05 mg/kg for orange and brown rice. The linearity for targeted pesticides were $R^2$ >0.999 at the levels ranged from 0.05 to 10.0 mg/kg. The average recoveries ranged from 74.4% to 110.3% with the percentage of coefficient variation in the range 0.2~8.8% at two different spiking levels (0.02 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg) in brown rice. And the average recoveries ranged from 77.8% to 118.4% with the percentage of coefficient variation in the range 0.2~6.6% at two different spiking levels (0.02 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg) in orange. Final determination was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) to identify the targeted pesticides. CONCLUSION: As a result, this developed analytical method can be used as an official method for imported agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the applicability of the photostimulated luminescence (PSL), thermoluminescence (TL), electron spin resonance (ESR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods for 5 seeds which are not allowed to be irradiated in Korea. All 5 seeds including evening primrose seed, safflower seed, rape seed, sunflower seed and flax seed were analyzed. Samples were irradiated at 1~10 kGy using a $^{60}Co$ gamma-ray irradiator. In PSL study, the photon counts of all the unirradiated samples showed negative (lower than 700). The photon counts of irradiated (1, 5, 10 kGy) samples showed positive (higher than 5,000). In TL analysis, results showed that it is possible to apply TL method to all foods containing minerals. In ESR measurements, the ESR signal (single-line) intensity of irradiated foods was higher than non-irradiated foods. The hydrocarbons 1,7-hexadecadiene ($C_{16:2}$) and 8-heptadecene ($C_{17:1}$) from oleic acid were detected only in the irradiated samples before and after the treatment at doses ${\geq}$ 1 kGy, but they were not detected in non-irradiated samples before and after treatment. These two hydrocarbons could be used as markers to identify irradiated safflower seed, rape seed, Sunflower seed and flax seed. And then, the hydrocarbons 1,7,10-hexadecatriene ($C_{16:3}$) and 6,9-heptadecadiene ($C_{17:2}$) from linoleic acid were detected in the evening primrose seed, safflower seed and sunflower seed. According to the results, PSL, TL and GC/MS methods were successfully applied to detect the irradiated foods. It is concluded that PSL, TL and GC/MS methods are suitable for detection of irradiated samples and a combined method is recommendable for enhancing the reliability of detection results.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2011

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to determine residues of phenothrin and silafluofen, known as synthetic pyrethroids, in agricultural commodities. Insecticide residues were extracted with acetone from representative samples of four crops which comprised rice, apple, pepper and cabbage. The extract was purified serially by liquid-liquid partition and Florisil column chromatography. For rice and pepper samples, acetonitrile/n-hexane partition was additionally adopted to remove nonpolar interferences. Reversed phase HPLC using an octadecylsilyl column was successfully applied to separate two phenothrin isomers and silafluofen from sample co-extractives. Intact parent compounds were sensitively detected by ultraviolet absorption at 226 nm. Recovery experiment at the quantitation limit validated that the proposed method could apparently determine phenothrin and silafluofen residues at 0.02 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Mean recoveries of phenothrin and silafluofen from four crop samples fortified at three levels in triplicate were in the range of 82.4~109.8% and 83.7~109.8%, respectively. Relative standard deviations of the analytical method were all less than 10%, irrespective of crop types and spiking levels. A selected-ion monitoring (SIM) LC/mass spectrometry (MS) with electrospray ionization was provided to confirm the suspected residue of phenothrin, even though no sufficient ionization of silafluofen was obtained. Both phenothrin and silafluofen could be successfully confirmed by gas chromatography/MS SIM with electron impact at 70 eV. The proposed method is sensitive, repeatable and rapid enough to apply to officially routine inspection of agricultural products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2019

Previous screening of novel antibacterial agents revealed that some bacterial isolates exhibited antibiotic activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and that they showed antibacterial activity, even against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among these isolates, one bacterial strain, BCNU 1204, was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa using phenetic and phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. The maximum productivities of antimicrobial substances of BCNU 1204 were obtained after being cultured at $35^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0 for 4 d in King's medium B (KMB). Dichloromethane (DCM) and ethylacetate (EA) extracts of P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria. The EA extracts exhibited broad-spectrum activity against antibiotic resistant strains. Fraction 5-2, was obtained by recycling preparative liquid chromatography (LC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and was identified as phenazine-1-carboxylic acid belonging to phenazines using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were $25{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, ${\geq}25{\mu}g/ml$, and ${\geq}50{\mu}g/ml$ for MRSA CCARM 3089, 3090, 3091, and 3095 strains, respectively. P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204 may be a potential resource for the development of anti-MRSA antibiotics. Additional research is required to identify the active substance from P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204.