• 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.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.317-326
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• 2009

This study has shown the screening of anti-bacterial activity of three Indian medicinal plant choloroform : methanol (50:50) solvent leaf extracts (i.e. Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, and Curcuma longa) with different concentrations (10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.312, and 0.156 mg/ml) under in vitro conditions against fish pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus iniae, Vibrio harveyi, V. anguillarum, and Edwardsiella tarda isolated from olive flounder farms, Jeju Island, South Korea. The anti-microbial activity of the A. indica and O. sanctum extracts yielded the zones of growth inhibition (ZI) was 3 and 1mm against A. hydrophila at concentration of 0.156 mg/ml when compared to that of tetracycline standard (3 mm). At highest concentration (10 mg/ml) of A. indica, O. sanctum, and C. longa, high inhibition was 9, 7, and 6 mm when compared to that of tetracycline (11 mm) against A. hydrophila. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of A. indica, O. sanctum, and C. longa at 0.156 mg/ml that yield 9, 10, and 13 CFU/ml for A. hydrophila, 16, 22, and 25 CFU/ml for S. iniae and 18, 22, and 23 CFU/ml for E. tarda compared to the tetracycline. At highest concentration (10 mg/ml) of the three extracts was better inhibiting the growth of A. hydrophila, S. iniae and E. tarda. A. indica, O. sanctum, and C. longa were determined to the potential antioxidant activityon the basis of their scavenging activity of the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. A. indica extract was 0.625 mg/ml which indicated that the strong anti-oxidant activity. However, O. sanctum and C. longa extracts showed weak anti-oxidant activity at this concentration. Hence, in vitro assay among the pathogens, A. hydropila is better inhibitory activity of the extracts. It is evident that the Indian medicinal plants extracts were subjected to its effectiveness against A. hydrophila, S. iniae, and E.tarda at low concentrations. The obtained results in the present study suggested that the Indian plant extracts is a prevention tools for Korean olive flounder aquaculture pathogens and its need further advance investigation.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-113
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• 2017

Recently, global warming and drastic climate change are the greatest threat to the world. The climate change can affect plant productivity by reducing plant adaptation to diverse environments including frequent high temperature; worsen drought condition and increased pathogen transmission and infection. Plants have to survive in this condition with a variety of biotic (pathogen/pest attack) and abiotic stress (salt, high/low temperature, drought). Plants can interact with beneficial microbes including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, which help plant mitigate biotic and abiotic stress. This overview presents that rhizobacteria plays an important role in induced systemic resistance (ISR) to biotic stress or induced systemic tolerance (IST) to abiotic stress condition; bacterial determinants related to ISR and/or IST. In addition, we describe effects of rhizobacteria on defense/tolerance related signal pathway in plants. We also review recent information including plant resistance or tolerance against multiple stresses ($biotic{\times}abiotic$). We desire that this review contribute to expand understanding and knowledge on the microbial application in a constantly varying agroecosystem, and suggest beneficial microbes as one of alternative environment-friendly application to alleviate multiple stresses.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2008

Modern automated culture systems have increased the isolation rate of microorganisms and shortened the time to detection, reducing experimental errors in diagnosis of infecting agents. BacT/ALERT 3D system is based on the colorimetric detection of $CO_2$ produced by the growing microorganisms. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the detection system, sterility test were performed using 6 bacteria. With standard aerobic and anaerobic bottles containing the liquid media, both three aerobic bacteria (P. aeruginosa, M. luteus, B. subtilis) and a facultative bacterium S. aureus were detected up to 1 CFU in 31.44 hr. In addition, growth of anaerobic C. sporogenes was recognized up to 1 CFU in 15.96 hr. The slowly growing bacteria P. acnes was detected up to 10,000 CFU in 129.36 hr. In comparison with conventional culture method, BacT/ALERT 3D automated culture system was more sensitive and saved detection time up to$2\sim10$ hr. Therefore, this automated culture system enables to efficiently detect bacteria in clinical samples and biological medicines.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.363-370
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• 2017

In this study, we stored frozen shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) at $4^{\circ}C$ during 12 days and investigated the effect of chitosan coating with natural preservatives (0.05% carvacrol, 0.05% thymol) on the growth of microorganism (mesophilic bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., $H_2S$ producing bacteria) and physiological characteristics (total volatile basic nitrogen and pH) and sensory evaluation (appearance, odor and general acceptance). Chitosan coating with natural antimicrobial compounds (0.05% carvacrol and 0.05% thymol) had inhibited the growth of all the target microorganism and showed the significant antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05) to mesophilic bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria and $H_2S$ producing bacteria until 12 day (the last day of this study). These treated groups had showed the significant difference (p < 0.05) in total volatile basic nitrogen and all the sensory characteristics but not in pH. Therefore, chitosan coating combined with natural antimicrobial compounds (0.05% carvacrol and 0.05% thymol) showed the effective antimicrobial activity on major spoilage microorganism on shrimp and could be used to elongate the shelf life of refrigerated shrimp.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.304-313
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• 2019

Biopolymer based on microbial β-glucan and xanthan gum is effective for vegetation and has a function of enhancing soil strength, which can be used as soil reinforcement and stabilization materials in river embankment. The purpose of this study is to verify the vegetation effect of the surface of levee by biopolymer with seed spraying method. Mixed soils with biopolymer were used to cover the surface of embankments. The strength is higher in biopolymer-treated soil and xanthan gum based biopolymer has advantage for quality control in field scale. In addition, the vegetation of F. arundinacea and L. perenne showed various reactions with types of biopolymers. Biopolymer has a positive effect on the vegetation of them. In contrast, root growth tended to decrease in biopolymer-treated soils. The results indicate that root growth is slow down due to increasing ability to retain water in biopolymer-treated soil. In order to apply biopolymer to river embankment, it is necessary to examine the effects of biopolymers on a wide range of plant species in river embankment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.315-328
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to analyze the problems arising from the actual conditions of the Foodbank, and to implement the HACCP system as a solution in terms of increasing the safety of donated food within the Foodbank. In order to apply HACCP system, the entire Foodbank working process such as preparation, collection, transportation, division, and distribution was considered and analyzed to decide the application point for CCPs. Donated foods mainly consisted of processed foods, raw materials, lunch boxes, and cooked foods from mass catering establishments, which dominated over the others in terms of quantity. Cooked foods were divided into three groups based on menu-types and processing methods. Temperature, pH, and aw were measured on cooked foods, and Total Plate Count, Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7 were conducted in order to apply a HACCP plan. From these experiments, temperature, pH, and $a_w$ of donated food were likely contributed to microbial growth. Donated foods before HACCP implementation showed high numbers in terms of total plate count and Coliforms, both well over the acceptable standard levels. By setting the CCPs on maintenance of donated food below $10^{\circ}C$ and using a $75^{\circ}C$ reheating method, microbiological hazard levels were able to be controlled and lowered. From these results, it is concluded that in order to guarantee food safety, foods donated to the Foodbank must not only maintain a reasonable level of initial microbiological growth, but also must be handled properly through time and temperature controls within the Foodbank system. Furthermore, in terms of implementing the HACCP plan within the Foodbank management structure, basic food safety and sanitation measures, such as reheating facilities and various cold chain systems such as refrigerated vehicle for food transportation are importantly needed. The training and education of Foodbank personnel and management in areas such as awareness of hygiene and safe food handling and practice are also required and necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1997

For screening thermostable $\alpha$-amylase from thermophiles, various samples from extreme environments such as hot spring and sewage near them, and compoat, wereexamined microbial growth in enrichment culture medium at 55$\circ$C on the assumption that enzymes from thermophiles are inevitable thermostable. One strain showing higher $\alpha$-amylase activity was pure cultured and designated as Bacillus sp. TR-25 from the results of morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics. The most important carbon sourses for the enzyme production were soluble starch, dextrin, potato starch and corn starch. Glucose and fructose had a catabolite repression on the enzyme production. The good nitrogen sources for the enzyme production were yeat extract, nutrient broth, tryptone, corn steep liquor and ammonium sulfate. The enzyme production was accelerated by addition of CaCl$_{2}$. $\cdot $ H$_{2}$O. The optimal medium composition for the enzyme production was soluble starch 2.0%, yeast extract 0.55, CaCl$_{2}$ $\cdot $ 2H$_{2}$O 0.015, Tween 80 0.001%, pH8.0, respectively. In jar fermenter culture, this strain shows a rapid growth and required cheaper carbon and nitrogen source. These properties are very useful to fermentation industry. The $\alpha$-amylase of this strain demonstrated a maximum activity at 80$\circ$C, pH 5.0, respectively. And calcium ion did not improve thermostability of the enzyme. At 10$0^{\circ}C$, this enzyme has 235 of relative activity. Transformation was carried out by thermophilic Bacillus sp. TR-25 genomic DNA. As a result, the transformant has increased thermostable $\alpha$-amylase activity.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.402-409
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• 2006

Although microorganisms are, in fact, the most diverse and abundant type of organism on Earth, the ecological functions of microbial populations remains poorly understood. A variety of bacteria including marine Vibrios encounter numerous ecological challenges, such as UV light, predation, competition, and seasonal variations in seawater including pH, salinity, nutrient levels, temperature and so forth. In order to survive and proliferate under variable conditions, they have to develop elaborate means of communication to meet the challenges to which they are exposed. In bacteria, a range of biological functions have recently been found to be regulated by a population density-dependent cell-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum-sensing (QS). In other words, bacterial cells sense population density by monitoring the presence of self-produced extracellular autoinducers (AI). N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing was first discovered in two luminescent marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi. The LuxI/R system of V. fischeriis the paradigm of Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems. At high population density, the accumulated signalstrigger the expression of target genes and thereby initiate a new set of biological activities. Several QS systems have been identified so far. Among them, an AHL-dependent QS system has been found to control biofilm formation in several bacterial species, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Serratia liquefaciens. Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix that adheres to an inert or living surface. Extracellular signal molecules have been implicated in biofilm formation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1(traR, tra::lacZ749) and Chromobacterium violaceum strain CV026 are used as biosensors to detect AHL signals. Quorum sensing in lactic acid bacteria involves peptides that are directly sensed by membrane-located histidine kinases, after which the signal is transmitted to an intracellular regulator. In the nisin autoregulation process in Lactococcus lactis, the NisK protein acts as the sensor for nisin, and NisR protein as the response regulator activatingthe transcription of target genes. For control over growth and survival in bacterial communities, various strategies need to be developed by which receptors of the signal molecules are interfered with or the synthesis and release of the molecules is controlled. However, much is still unknown about the metabolic processes involved in such signal transduction and whether or not various foods and food ingredients may affect communication between spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In five to ten years, we will be able to discover new signal molecules, some of which may have applications in food preservation to inhibit the growth of pathogens on foods.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 1977

Experiments were carried out to pursue the availability and the feasibility of utilizable cellulosic materials as substrate for the production of cellulosic single cell protein. The resuluts were obtained as fellows. 1. Effects of carbolydrates as a sole carton source on the growth of Cellulomonas flavigena KIST 321 were examined. The result showed that cellulose and xylose would be most utlizable for cell mass production. 2. Alkaline treated waste papers and clothes resulted in good growth of the organism than intact ones did. However the waste papers as substrate of cellulosic fermentation were not digestible, even if the meterial was treated with alkalies. 3. Rice straw, rape straw and panic grass appeared to be good substrates for the cell mass production. 4. Leaves were proved to be a good substrate for the cell mass production, but wood sawdust was hardly digested by merely alkaline treatment. 5. When cellulosic wastes as the substrate were examined into the concentration of alkaline solution, the result suggested that the best productivity of cell mass from cellulosic materials was obtained on treatment with 0.8∼1.0％ NaOH solution. 6. The productivity of cell mass was increased by washing out with water after alkaline treatment of newspaper, pine sawdust, lime sawdust and pine leaf.