• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2009

To understand contribution of thermophilic microorganisms in decomposition of litter deposits on shore of lakes, we surveyed a lakeshore litter deposit for bacteria growing at $60^{\circ}C$. Ten thermophilic isolates were selected for in-depth characterization, based on their high capacity to degrade high molecular weight organic compounds. Based on phylogenetic analysis on their 16S rRNA gene sequences, all isolates were identified as Geobacillus. The optimal growth temperature and pH of the strains ranged $55{\sim}60^{\circ}C$ and 6.0${\sim}$8.0, respectively. Salinity was inhibitory to the growth of the isolates, showing marked decrease of growth rates at 3% salinity. Based on activities of hydrolytic enzymes and profiles of carbohydrate utilization (determined by API 50 CHB kit), three G. stearothermophilus strains showed patterns clearly distinctive from other isolates. Two G. kaustophilus strains also demonstrated distinctiveness in their metabolic pattern and ecological parameters. However, ecological and metabolic profiles of the other five isolates were more variable and showed some degree of digression from their phylogenetic classification. Therefore, it could be concluded that endospore-forming thermophilic bacteria in lakeshore litter deposits contribute to degradation of organic materials with diverse ecological niches while having successions similar to microbial flora in compost. We propose that the thermophilic isolates and/or their thermo-tolerant enzymes can be applied to industrial processes as appropriate mixtures.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.364-368
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• 2014

This study investigated ginseng growth and ginsenoside contents after control a reserved ginseng cultivation land using various green manure crops for stable ginseng cultivation. Followings are results obtained from this research. After cultivate the green manure crops, microbial flora in soil was diversified, organic matter and total-N content increased, but salt content decreased. The highest output obtained from the wheat cultivated area among various green manure corps. Growth of shoot and root of two years old ginseng increased significantly at the green manure crop cultivated area. Specially, the wheat cultivated area was the most effective in growth. Also, the rate of the leaf discoloration at the aerial part and the rusty root at the root was the least at the wheat cultivation area. Meanwhile, the ginsenoside content was the most at the wheat cultivation area. Thus, the reserved ginseng cultivation land could be managed by cultivating wheat for effective ginseng growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1399-1407
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• 2015

Klebsiella pneumoniae is found in the normal flora of the skin, mouth, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and intestines in human. However, the stain is opportunistic pathogen, which is the causative agent of community acquired pneumonia. Corn silk has been known to be effective for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including K. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, et al. In this study we focused on the antimicrobial properties of con silk water extract of K. penumoniae. K. pneumoniae isolates K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 and broad-spectrum β-lactamase (BSBL), exteded-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase-producers. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the disk diffusion method. Searches for bla genes were performed by PCR amplication and direct sequencing. MacConkey agar plate medium was prepared using the corn silk extracts (50% or 100%) instead of distilled water for antimicrobial activity test. The microbial growth inhibitory potential of K. pneumoniae was determined by using the MacConkey agar plate spreading method, and the plate was incubated 18 hr at 37℃. Genes encoding β-lactamases including SHV-1 (n=8), SHV-2a (n=8), SHV-5 (n=2), SHV-11 (n=2), SHV-12 (n=18), TEM-1 (n=10), CTX-M-3 (n=2), CTX-M-14 (n=2), CTX-M-15 (n=1), GES-5 (n=5), KPC-2 (n=6), KPC-3 (n=4), and NDM-1 (n=2) were detected. The corn silk extract showed significantly antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, but BSBLs, ESBLs, and carbapenemase producers were not. Therefore, corn silk extract is thought to be able to assist in the prevention and rapid recovery of infectious disease caused by K. pneumoniae.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2015

To study the halobacterial diversity at the rhizospheric soil of coastal plant native to Dokdo islands, several host plant were selected and its rhizospheric soil was sampled. Soil sample was diluted serially and pure isolation was done by sub-culture using marine agar media. 26 halophilic strains cultivable at the marine medium containig concentration of 9.0% sodium chloride were selected among total 161 isolates. Their partial 16S rRNA gene sequences extracted from genomic DNA were analyzed and partially identified. Furthermore, to identify their genetic relationship, phylogenetic tree was deduced. Total 26 strains were belongs to Firmicutes (30.8%), Gamma proteobacteria (53.8%), Bacteroidetes (7.7%), Alpha proteobacteria (7.7%), and Actinobacteria (7.7%). These results showed the specific difference from previous researches which has been reported the microbial flora of soil or sea water around the Dokdo islands. Furthermore, 4 among 26 halophilic strains grew at above 12.0% NaCl concentrated marine broth, and 2 strains Idiomarina abyssalis LM4H23 and Halomonas huangheensis AS4H13 grew at 15.0% concentration. These halophilic strains thought to overcoming the severe stress like high salt concentration or variation derived from Dokdo-specific climate and might have unknown, specific relationship with their host coastal plant native to Dokdo islands.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2000

The investigation and the analysis of soil chemical properties, microbial flora and cultural practices in plastic house of 60 farms (pepper 20, cucumber 20, oriental melon 20) were conducted in Chonnam area film. An amount of fertilizer application of farms was more than that of standard fertilizer application. That was phosphate at two and a half times, potassium at twice and manure at three times the amount of standard application. It was inferred that excessive fertilizer application would lead to salts accumulation in soil. Continuous cropping injury would be incurred by excesive salts accumulation in soil. Even if inorganic elements in soil culturing peppers, cucumbers and oriental melons were greater than optimum level, base-saturation degree of soil culturing peppers, cucumbers and oriental melons was 40:18:12, 55:16:14 and 40:27:11 respectively. That was lower than the optimum levels (60:15:5). Therefore, crops would be affected by uptake inhibition by nutrition imbalance. Density of Fusarium is related to plant decease in soil i.e. pepper $26.2{\times}10^2\;cfu\;g^{-1}$, cucumber $75.8{\times}10^2\;cfu\;g^{-1}$ and oriental melon $6.5{\times}10^2\;cfu\;g^{-1}$. B/F of soil planted with pepper, cucumber and oriental melon was 91.2, 80.4 and 18.8, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.345-353
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• 2005

The complex ecosystem of intestinal micro flora is estimated to harbor approximately 400 different microbial species, mostly bacteria. However, studies on bacterial colonization have mostly been based on culturing methods, which only detect a small fraction of the whole microbiotic ecosystem of the gut. To clarify the initial acquisition and subsequent colonization of bacteria in an infant within the few days after birth, phylogenetic analysis was performed using 16S rDNA sequences from the DNA iso-lated from feces on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th day. 16S rDNA libraries were constructed with the amplicons of PCR conditions at 30 cycles and $50^{\circ}C$ annealing temperature. Nine independent libraries were produced by the application of three sets of primers (set A, set B, and set C) combined with three fecal samples for day 1, day 3, and day 6 of life. Approximately 220 clones ($76.7\%$) of all 325 isolated clones were characterized as known species, while other 105 clones ($32.3\%$) were characterized as unknown species. The library clone with set A universal primers amplifying 350 bp displayed increased diversity by days. Thus, set A primers were better suited for this type of molecular ecological analysis. On the first day of the life of the infant, Enterobacter, Lactococcus lactis, Leuconostoc citreum, and Streptococcus mitis were present. The largest taxonomic group was L. lactis. On the third day of the life of the infant, Enterobacter, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, S. mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius were present. On the sixth day of the life of the infant, Citrobacter, Clostridium difficile, Enterobacter sp., Enterobacter cloacae, and E. coli were present. The largest taxonomic group was E. coli. These results showed that microbiotic diversity changes very rapidly in the few days after birth, and the acquisition of unculturable bacteria expanded rapidly after the third day.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.243-255
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• 2021

Objective: Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that frequently contaminate maize and grain cereals, imposing risks to the health of both humans and animals and leading to economic losses. The gut microbiome has been shown to help combat the effects of such toxins, with certain microorganisms reported to contribute significantly to the detoxification process. Methods: We examined the cecum contents of three different dietary groups of pigs (control, as well as diets contaminated with 8 mg DON/kg feed or 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed). Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons were acquired from the cecum contents and evaluated by next-generation sequencing. Results: A total of 2,539,288 sequences were generated with ~500 nucleotide read lengths. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, occupying more than 96% of all three groups. Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Megasphaera, and Campylobacter showed potential as biomarkers for each group. Particularly, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides were more abundant in the DON and ZEN groups than in the control. Additionally, 52,414 operational taxonomic units were detected in the three groups; those of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Campylobacter, and Prevotella were most dominant and significantly varied between groups. Hence, contamination of feed by DON and ZEN affected the cecum microbiota, while Lactobacillus and Bacteroides were highly abundant and positively influenced the host physiology. Conclusion: Lactobacillus and Bacteroides play key roles in the process of detoxification and improving the immune response. We, therefore, believe that these results may be useful for determining whether disturbances in the intestinal microflora, such as the toxic effects of DON and ZEN, can be treated by modulating the intestinal bacterial flora.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2024

The gut microbiome of broilers is a critical factor in overall health and productivity. However, high summer temperatures and high stocking density (conventional farm condition) may cause stress to broilers, resulting in an imbalance in the gut microbiome. This study was conducted to compare the gut microbiome of broilers between spring and summer in welfare (Bosung, Jeollanam-do, South Korea) and conventional farms (Jangsu, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea). A total of 31 broilers were assigned to the following groups: conventional farm in spring (n = 8); conventional farm in summer (n = 8); welfare farm in spring (n = 7); welfare farm in summer (n = 8). Cecal digesta were collected from eight broilers from each farm, and microbiome analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Beta diversity analysis indicated clear differences in cecal microbiome composition between spring and summerin both welfare and conventional farm. At the phylum level, analysis of conventional farm revealed a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes in spring than in summer. At the genus level, broilers exhibited a higher abundance of Bacteroides and Alistipesin spring compared to summer. In contrast, the difference in microbial flora composition observed in welfare farm was relatively small compared to conventional farm. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that heat stress can negatively affect the caecum microbiome of broilers. However, improvements in the housing environment can mitigate the effects of heat stress.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.304-311
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• 2024

The present study aimed to compare the accuracy of the compact dry and culture plate methods for natural flora (yeasts/molds, coliforms, and total bacterial count) and artificial inoculum (Escherichia coli) in dosirak (meat-based), meal kits (seafood-based), and Doenjang (traditional food). Compact dry TC, EC, CF, and YMR were compared with culture plate methods using a suitable medium for each bacterium. The total bacterial count, coliforms, yeasts/molds, and E. coli were assessed with 3M Petrifilm (aerobic bacterial, coliform, yeast/mold, and E. coli count plates) using culture plate methods. Analysis of the recovery rates of target microorganisms in the three food samples showed that the compact dry method for total bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli exhibited recovery capabilities equivalent to those of the culture plate and Petrifilm methods, with no significant differences (P>0.05). Overall, compact dry TC, CF, and EC showed a good correlation between the methods used in this study, indicating rapid and convenient microbial enumeration by saving time and requiring less space.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 1976

The present studies were carried out to observe the nutritional effects of three kinds of locally produced dried infantile formula milk (DFM) and one fermented milk (FM). A feeding trial with 60 male growing albino rats weighing $60{\sim}70$ grams was conducted during 6 weeks to compare the nutritive values and protein qualities of three DFM and a FM. The diet treatments consisted of 100% control diet, 70% control diet plus 30% DFM-A, 70% control diet plus 30% DFM-B, 70% control diet plus 30% DFM-C, 100% control diet with FM and 70% control diet plus 30% DFM-B with FM. The items investigated were body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio (FER), various organ weights, protein efficiency ratio (PER), digestibility of nutrients, biological value, utilizability of protein and intestinal microbial changes of albino rats. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. Although there was no statistical significance, rats fed diets containing DFMs and FM gained faster than the rats fed control diet. The best growth rate was obtained with the DFM-A and DFM-C groups. In spite of the lower protein contents of the three DFM diets than the control diet, the growth rate of albino rats fed the DFM diets was somewhat improved than rats fed control diet. 2. No statistical significance was found in feed consumption but the trend was that the feed intake of control group was higher than those of the DFM diet group. 3. Feed efficiency was inproved significantly (p<0.01) by feeding DFMs as compared with control diet. DFM-A group showed the best FER, although no statistical significance was found. 4. Rats fed the DFM diets showed significantly (p<0.01) higher PER as compared with those of the control group. But no difference was found anions DFM groups. The significant improvement (p<0.01) of PER due also to the feeding of FM was seemed to be brought about by the beneficial effect of FM. 5. The present data revealed that feeding DFM and FM didn't affect the weights of various organs of rats. 6. The protein digestibility of experimental diets was similar to each other. Although no statistical significance was found among treatments, the DFMs and FM surely tended to improve the biological value and utilizability of protein. 7. Microbial study indicated that among intestinal flora FM fed group, there were more Lactic acid bacteria than E. coli. From the experimental results described above, it may be concluded that the nutritive effects of three kinds of locally produced DFMs are much alike and the growth rate of growing albino rats can be improved by feeding either DFM or FM due to their beneficial effects on the feed efficiency and protein utilization.