• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.603-610
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• 2009

This research was performed to improve removal efficiency of toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) using Candida tropicalis, one of the yeast species. An airlift loop bioreactor (ALB) was employed to enhance the capability of mass transfer for toluene and MEK from the gas phase to the liquid, microbial phase. Polymer gel media made from PAC, alginate and PEG was applied for the effective immobilization of the yeast strain on the polymer gel media. The experimental results indicated that the mass transfer coefficient of toluene without polymer gel media was 1.29 $min^{-1}$ at a gas retention time of 15 sec, whereas the KLa value for toluene was increased to 4.07 $min^{-1}$ by adding the media, confirming the enhanced mass transfer of volatile organic compounds between the gas and liquid phases. The removal efficiency of toluene and MEK by using yeast-immobilized polymer gel media in the ALB was greater than 80% at different pollutant loading rates (5, 10, 19 and 37 g/$m^3$/hr for toluene, 4.5, 8.9, 17.8 and 35.1 g/$m^3$/hr for MEK). In addition, an elimination capacity test conducted by changing inlet loading rates stepwise demonstrated that maximum elimination capacities for toluene and MEK were 70.4 and 56.4 g/$m^3$/hr, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.303-310
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• 2014

This study investigated the reduction of food waste through the slurry phase decomposition in a source of food waste by microorganisms. The reactor used in the experiment was composed of both woodchip with wood material and sponges with polyurethane material as media of attached microorganisms, and food waste was mixed with a constant cycle consisted of a stirring device. During the experimental period of 100 days, the change in weight over the cumulative total amount of food waste added was reduced by 99%. Approximately, 1% of the residual food waste could be inherently recalcitrant materials (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) and thus was thought to be the result of the accumulation. The initial pH in wastewater generated from food waste was low with 3.3 and after 24 hours treatment this pH was increased to 5.8. The concentrations of COD, BOD, SS, salinity, TN and TP were gradually decreased. Food waste decay was proceeded by the seven species microorganisms identified and confirmed in this study, making a slurry phase and thus reducing residual food wastes. In the initial phase, the microbial population was approximately $3.3{\times}10^4$ cell/mL, and after 15 days this population was a constant with $5.1{\times}10^6$ cell/mL which means a certain stabilization for the reduction of food wastes. From these results, it can be considered that organic matter decomposition as well as the weight loss of food wastes by microorganisms is done at the same time.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2011

In this study, we determined the changes in microbial numbers in solar salts according to the manufacturing process and storage duration. The salt samples were harvested from salt farms in Shinan (area 2) and Yeonggwang (area 1). They were serially diluted ten-fold and then placed on 4 kinds of cultivable media (mannitol salt agar, eosin methylene blue, plate count agar, and trypticase soy agar). After incubation, we obtained 62 halophilic isolates from the salt samples. Coliform and general bacteria were not detected in all salt samples. By 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, we found 12 kinds of halophilic bacteria belonging to the genera Halobacillus, Halomonas, Bacillus, Idiomarina, Marinobacter, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Salinivibrio, Virgibacillus, Alteromonas, Staphylococcus and some un-known stains. In our study, we discovered two novel species that have a 16S rDNA sequence similarity below 97%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2008

In this paper, the property of influent water and variations of removal efficiencies in each unit processes were studied based on the experiment data from the advanced water treatment plant in a city of Korea. The microbial species in the biological activated carbon(BAC) after backwashing of activated carbon filtration tank(ACFT) were also identified. The property and the removal efficiencies were evaluated by considering 8-9 items. The variations of 4 items were investigated from the influent and effluent of ACFT. SEM recording were conducted on BAC samples before and after backwashing. And the existence of attached microorganisms were identified through HPC(Heterotrophic Plate Counter) investigation. For the property of influent water, the concentrations of most items were maintained in the constant ranges, some items had seasonal properties. For the removal efficiencies, there were some items showing similar monthly-pattern and increasing with time, other items decreasing at the ozone contactor. Through these investigations, it was possible to distinguish the target items, which were removed by the advanced processes. The existence of microorganisms in ACFT could be predicted based on the variation curve of NH$_3$-N, and this fact were proved by SEM and HPC.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2011

Wild grape juice was fermented by Gluconacetobacter hansenii TF-2 isolated from tea fungus, to develop a new acidic beverage (fermented wild grape beverage, WGB). Broth was prepared by fermentation of 11~17% (v/v) juice, and sweetened with sucrose (initial sucrose level: $10^{\circ}$ Brix). Fermentation was initiated by addition of 5% (w/v) seed gel (the pellicle of the tea fungus) which had been previously cultured in the same medium (freshjuice broth), and fermentation proceeded in the dark at $29{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for about 15 days. The major acids produced were succinic acid, malic acid, and acetic acid. After 15 days of fermentation, the organic acid content (principally succinic acid) was 49.6 ppm in WGB 11 and 77.4 ppm in WGB 17. The free sugar content of WGB was 1063.6-1082.5 mg/mL, composed of unfermented fructose, glucose, and sucrose, in that order. The microbial inhibitory effects of the fermented beverage were most apparent when Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) were tested; the inhibition rate was 34.46-88.00%. The new fermented beverage thus displays effective antimicrobial activity against some species of bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2007

The RecA protein of Deinococcus radiodurans is essential for the extreme radiation resistance of this organism. The central steps involved in recombinational DNA repair require DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis by recA protein. Key feature of RecA protein-mediated activities is the interactions with ssDNA and dsDNA. The ssDNA is the site where RecA protein filament formation nucleates and where initiation of DNA strand exchange takes place. The effect of sequence heterogeneity of ssDNA was examined in this experiment. The rate of homopolymeric synthetic ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis was constant or nearly so over a broader range of pHs. For poly(dT)-dependent ATP or dATP hydrolysis, rates were generally faster, with a broader optimum between pH 7.0 and 8.0. Activities of RecA protein were affected by the ionic environment. The ATPase activity was shown to have different sensitivity to anionic species. The presence of glutamate seemed to slimulate the hydrolytic activity. Dr RecA protein was shown to require $Mg^{2+}$ ion greater than 2 mM for binding to etheno ssDNA and the binding stoichiometry of 3 nucleotide for RecA protein monomer.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Background: The skin consists of tightly connected keratinocytes, and prevents extensive water loss while simultaneously protecting against the entry of microbial pathogens. Excessive cellular levels of reactive oxygen species can induce cell apoptosis and also damage skin integrity. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated how propofol influences intracellular autophagy and apoptotic cell death induced by oxidative stress in human keratinocytes. Method: The following groups were used for experimentation: control, cells were incubated under normoxia (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, and 74% $N_2$) without propofol; hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($300{\mu}M$) for 2 h; propofol preconditioning (PPC)/$H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with propofol ($100{\mu}M$) for 2 h were exposed to $H_2O_2$; and 3-methyladenine $(3-MA)/PPC/H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$. Cell viability, apoptosis, and migration capability were evaluated. Relation to autophagy was detected by western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability decreased significantly in the $H_2O_2$ group compared to that in the control group and was improved by propofol preconditioning. Propofol preconditioning effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced cell apoptosis and increased cell migration. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol on cell apoptosis. Autophagy was activated in the $PPC/H_2O_2$ group compared to that in the $H_2O_2$ group as demonstrated by western blot analysis and autophagosome staining. Conclusion: The results suggest that propofol preconditioning induces an endogenous cellular protective effect in human keratinocytes against oxidative stress through the activation of signaling pathways related to autophagy.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.297-304
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• 2001

Scrophularia buergeriana Misrule has been contaminated with various pathogens in condition of field and storage period. This study was carried out for production of multiple stress resistance plant containing disease resistance that CGST gene expressed in transgenic Scrophularia buergeriana Misrule genome. Glutathione S-Transferases (GSTs) detoxify endobiotic and xenobiotic compounds by covalent linking of tripeptide glutathione to hydrophobic substrate. GST enzymes have been identified and characterized in insects, bacteria, and many plant species. A cDNA clone of GST was introduced into Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel by transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciences. In coporation of the CGST gene into S. buergeriana Misrule was confirmed by PCR analysis of genomic DNA. Influence of exposure to darkness on the regeneration potential and transformation frequence were assessed. The activity of GST in transgenic plants was two times higher than that of non-transgenic plants. As a result of anti-microbe assays, the crude extract protein of transgenic plants showed the antimicrobial effects higher than control plants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.517-522
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• 2013

The effect on methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by the addition of plant extracts (pine needles and ginkgo leaves) was studied with particular reference to their effectiveness for decreasing methane emission. The plant extracts (pine needles and ginkgo leaves) were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population including bacteria, ciliated-associated methanogen, four different groups of methanogens and Fibrobacter succinogenes were quantified by using the real-time PCR. Gas profiles including methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and runinal fermentation characteristics were observed in vitro. The methane emission from samples with an addition of individual juices from pine needles, ginkgo leaves and 70% ethanol extract from ginko leaves was significantly lower (p<0.05, 27.1, 28.1 and 28.1 vs 34.0 ml/g DM) than that of the control, respectively. Total VFAs in samples with an addition of any of the plant extracts were significantly lower than that of the control (p<0.05) as well. The order Methanococcales and the order Methanosarcinales were not detected by using PCR in any incubated mixtures. The ciliate-associated methanogens population decreased from 25% to 49% in the plant extacts as compared to control. We speculate that the supplementation of juice from pine needles and ginkgo leaves extract (70% ethanol extract) decreased the protozoa population resulting in a reduction of methane emission in the rumen and thus inhibiting methanogenesis. The order Methanobacteriales community was affected by addition of all plant extracts and decreased to less than the control, while the order Methanomicrobiales population showed an increase to more than that of the control. The F. succinogenes, the major fibrolytic microorganism, population in all added plant extracts was increased to greater than that of the control. In conclusion, pine needles and ginkgo leaves extracts appear to have properties that decrease methanogenesis by inhibiting protozoa species and may have a potential for use as additives for ruminants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 1985

The yeast cell wall lytic action of the alkaline AL-protease, which was found out of the crude Zymolyase that a kind of yeast cell wall lytic $endo-{\beta}-1$, 3-glucanase produced from Arthrobacter luteus, was investigated with the viable cells of S. sake and it's cell wall preparation. AL-protease on the lysis of the viable yeast cells showed very low activities with the alone, but the lytic activities were highly increased with the combination of AL-protease and Zymolyase. On the stepwise treatment of the viable yeast cells with AL-protease and Zymolyase, the cells were lysed highly only by the course having a treatment with Zymolyase after pretreatment with AL-protease. Thus synergistic action of AL-protease was not observed with any some commercial enzymes, known as a type of alkaline and serine protease such as AL-protease, and was also found to be affected greatly by the culture conditions and species of the yeast tested. AL-protease caused the release of some peptide and a lot of sugar from the cell wall preparation, but could not lysed the cell wall more than 66%. Whereas Zymolyase could lysed the cell walls almost completely with alone. On the basis of these results, the synergistic action of AL-protease on the lysis of S. sake cells is hypothesized that at first AL-protease bind to the yeast cell surface layer consisting of mannan and protein, and then changes their conformation to facilitate the penetration of Zymolyase from the outside to the inside framework layer constituted of alkali insoluble ${\beta}-1,\;3-glucan$.