• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.307-311
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• 2014

2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) is used as a redox indicator in culture media. It is colorless in the oxidized form and is reduced to formazan, an insoluble pigment, by dehydrogenases in actively growing microbial cells. The aim of this study was to assess by microbial test of the pathogenic microorganisms using TTC reduction. The pathogenic microorganisms were reduced in medium by dehydrogenase to produce insoluble red formazan. We observed that the optimization method of TTC allowed more than 12 h incubation in 0.04% concentration. Also, the growth of microorganisms with media was increased formazan production. We confirmed that microorganisms were quickly observed to grow colonies cultured red color without affecting the growth of microorganisms. It is suggested that the microbial test using TTC can provide better and quicker test method in cosmetics development.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.361-366
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• 2009

This research aims to develop a new drying technology using super-heated steam to reduce the time required for drying ginseng and to enhance its quality. The drying rate of ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam was about 40% faster than the drying rate of ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying. Minimal difference was found between hot-air drying and hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam in the general composition of the ginseng powder, such as its crude lipid, crude protein, crude fiber, and ash. Moreover, no difference was found between hot-air drying and hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam in terms of the ginseng powder's mineral and free sugar contents. The crude saponin contents was 5.43% in the ginseng treated with hot-air drying and 5.4% in the ginseng treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam. The ginseng powder that was treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam had a slightly higher redness compared to the ginseng powder that was treated with hot-air drying alone. The number of microorganisms of the ginseng powder treated with hotair drying after drying with super-heated steam showed a reduction of one log cycle in the total bacteria and two log cycles in the yeast molds compared to the ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying alone.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1571-1586
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• 2012

On earth, there are about 5,400 kinds of mammals, of which about 1,000 kinds are herbivores. Among herbivores, about 250 kinds are known to be ruminants. As for cattle and sheep, which are ruminants, fermentation takes places mainly in their rumen; in contrast, for pigs and men, which are non-ruminants, fermentation takes place mainly in their caecum, colon, and rectum. As for the kind and dominance of rumen microorganisms, Bacteroidetes account for 51% and Firmicutes for 43%. As for the dominance of the large intestine microorganisms in men, Firmicutes account for 65% and Bacteroidetes for 25%. Cell wall components are decomposed by microorganisms, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are generated through fermentation; the ratio of acetate, propionate, and butyrate generate is 60:25:15. Butyrate absorbed through the primary butyrate transporter MCT1 (mono carboxylate transports-1) in the intestines activates such SCFA receptors as GPR43 and GPR41. Butyrate has a strong anti-tumorigenic function. Butyrate is characterized by the fact that it has an effect on many cancer cells, contributes to the coordination of functions in the cells, and induces cancer apoptosis. Butyrate activates caspase but inhibits the activity of HDAC (histone deacetylase), so as to induce apoptosis. In addition, it increases p53 expression, so as to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Anti-inflammation actions of SCFA include the reduction of IL-8 expression in intestinal epithelial cells, the inhibition of NO synthesis, and the restraint of the activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$), so as to suppress the occurrence of cancers caused by inflammation. Butyrate plays an important role in maintaining physiological functions of intestinal mucous membranes and is used as a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1045-1051
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• 1996

The influence of electrolyzed acid-water (oxidation-reduction potential (ORP): above 1,150 mV, pH : 2.5) on the survival of some microorganisms was investigated. It was observed that the ORP of electrolyzed acid-water was kept at the level of above 1,000 mV for 15 days at room temperature. Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were not detected after 10 to 40 min in electrolyzed acid-water. However, Bacillus cereus showed higher tolerance to electrolyzed acid-water than other test microorganisms. After 60 min of inoculation, only 0.4% of initial population remained. The investigation of surface sterilization effect on some vegetables was carried out too. Total count of cabbage, Chinese cabbage and kale were reduced to below 3% of initial count, and no coliform was detected after 20 to 60 min of immersion in 5 volumes of electrolyzed acid-water. In the lettuce, total and coliform counts were reduced to 90% and 2% of initial population. This study shows that the electrolyzed acid-water has a potential for the sterilization of food products such as vegetables and fruits which cannot be thermally sterilized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1715-1724
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• 2015

The combined effects of a sanitizer mixture solution and antimicrobial ice on the quality of salted Chinese cabbages were examined. Salted Chinese cabbages were treated with a sanitizer mixture (comprised 50 ppm aqueous $ClO_2$ and 0.5% citric acid), packed in 2% brine and antimicrobial ice, and stored for 12 days at 4 and $10^{\circ}C$. Microbiological data on the salted Chinese cabbages after washing with the sanitizer mixture indicated that the populations of total aerobic bacteria, and yeast and molds decreased by 2.20 and 1.28 log CFU/g after treatment with the sanitizer mixture. In addition, coliforms population of salted Chinese cabbage after 12 days storage at $4^{\circ}C$ in the combined mixture of the sanitizer and antimicrobial ice was 3.22 log CFU/g, which was a significantly different from that of control (5.46 log CFU/g). The combined treatment of sanitizer mixture, antimicrobial ice, and low temperature at $4^{\circ}C$ suppressed reduction of pH and elevation of titratable acidity, resulting in delaying the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Differences in salinity, hardness, and Hunter's $L^*$, $a^*$, and $b^*$ values among treatments were negligible during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Therefore, this study suggests that a combination of sanitizer mixture, antimicrobial ice treatment, and low temperature storage could improve the microbial safety and quality of salted Chinese cabbages during storage.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.42-63
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• 1992

In order to investigate the effect of nonionic surfactants on the antimicrobial activity of preservatives in the presence and absence of p.0.E(20) Sorbitan fatty acid ester commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical systems, these experiments were carried out by determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC) values and MIC values of adaptation against test organisms. And also the inactivation of the preservative against each microorganism in formula added with various concentrations of P.0.E(20) Sorbitan monostearate were measured by use of a preservative death time curve The results obtained were as fort low : 1) Nonionic surfactant inactivated Methylparaben to varying extents, but not Imidazolidinyl urea. 2) A combined preservative system was inactivated to a little extent (range of 0.16-0.20% Conc.), no adaptation was observed for the 5. aureus ATCC 6538. Imidazolidinyl urea complex combined with Methylparaben had a broad antibacterial spectrum against the Gram(.) and the Gram(-) bacteria It was found that preservatives had a synergistic effect by use of mixed form of preservatives, 3) In formula preserved with 0.2% Methylparaben containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% P.0.E(20) Sorbitan monostearate, E. coli ATCC 10s36 and P. aeruginosa NCTC 10490 died quickly within in 2hr 4) However, from Fig.5, S. aereus ATCC 6538 died more slowly within increasing surfactant concentration and the D-values(Decimal reduction time) were 5.2, 8 and 14 hr. for samples containing 0.5, 1 0 and 2.0% P 0. E(20) Sorbitan monostearate, respectively. 5) In the case of Methylparaben, no adaptation for the E. coli ATCC 10536 6) All of the nonionic surfactant, p.0. E(20) Sorbitan fatty acid ester used in the experiments decreased the effectiveness of Methylparaben, but not of Imidazolidinyl urea.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.62-69
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• 2014

In the results of monitoring nitrate concentration in more than 8,000 groundwater wells around agro-livestock, the average and maximum nitrate concentration was 9.4 mg/L and 101.2 mg/L, respectively. Since about 31% of the monitoring wells was exceed the quality standard for drinking water, nitrate control such as remediation or source regulation is required to conserve safe-groundwater in South Korea. Typical nitrate-treatment technologies include ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and biological denitrification. Among the treatment methods, biological denitrification by indigenous microorganism has environmental and economic advantages for the complete elimination of nitrate because of lower operating costs compared to other methods. Major mechanism of the process is microbial reduction of nitrate to nitrite and nitrogen gas. Three functional genes (nosZ, nirK, nirS) that encode for the enzyme involved in the pathway. In this work, we tried to develop simple process to determine possibility of natural denitrification reaction by monitoring the functional gene. For the work, the functional genes in nitrate-contaminated groundwater were monitored by using PCR with specific target primers. In the result, functional genes (nosZ and nirK) encoding denitrification enzymes were detected in the groundwater samples. This method can help to determine the possibility of natural-nitrate degradation in target groundwater wells without multiplex experimental process. In addition, for field-remediation application we selected nitrate-contaminated site where 200~600 mg/L of nitrate is continuously detected. To determine the possibility of nitrate-degradation by stimulated-natural attenuation, groundwater was sampled in two different wells of the site and nitrate concentration of the samples was 300 mg/L and 616 mg/L, respectively. Fumarate for different C/N ratio was added into microcosm bottles containing the groundwater to examine denitrification rate depending on carbon concentration. In the result, once 1.5 times more than amount of fumarate stoichiometry required was added, the 616 mg/L of nitrate and 300 mg/L of nitrate were completely degraded in 8 days and 30 days. The nitrite, byproduct of denitrification process, was also completely degraded during the experimental period.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.184-195
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• 2022

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary live yeast supplementation on ruminal pH pattern, fermentation characteristics and associated bacteria in beef cattle. Methods: This work comprised of in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro fermentation was conducted by incubating 0%, 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%, 0.125%, and 0.15% active dried yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ADY) with total mixed ration substrate to determine its dose effect. According to in vitro results, 0.1% ADY inclusion level was assigned in in vivo study for continuously monitoring ruminal fermentation characteristics and microbes. Six ruminally cannulated steers were randomly assigned to 2 treatments (Control and ADY supplementation) as two-period crossover design (30-day). Blood samples were harvested before-feeding and rumen fluid was sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h post-feeding on 30 d. Results: After 24 h in vitro fermentation, pH and gas production were increased at 0.1% ADY where ammonia nitrogen and microbial crude protein also displayed lowest and peak values, respectively. Acetate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations heightened with increasing ADY doses and plateaued at high levels, while acetate to propionate ratio was decreased accordingly. In in vivo study, ruminal pH was increased with ADY supplementation that also elevated acetate and propionate. Conversely, ADY reduced lactate level by dampening Streptococcus bovis and inducing greater Selenomonas ruminantium and Megasphaera elsdenii populations involved in lactate utilization. The serum urea nitrogen decreased, whereas glucose, albumin and total protein concentrations were increased with ADY supplementation. Conclusion: The results demonstrated dietary ADY improved ruminal fermentation dose-dependently. The ruminal lactate reduction through modification of lactate metabolic bacteria could be an important reason for rumen pH stabilization induced by ADY. ADY supplementation offered a complementary probiotics strategy in improving gluconeogenesis and nitrogen metabolism of beef cattle, potentially resulted from optimized rumen pH and fermentation.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.291-304
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• 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become an increasing concern in terms of human health risks as well as aesthetic impairment due to their toxicity. The reduction of water pollutants, especially nutrients from non-point sources in a reservoir watershed, is fundamental for HABs prevention. We investigated the pollutant removal efficiencies of a constructed wetland to evaluate its feasibility as a method for controlling non-point sources located in the Annaecheon stream within the Daecheong Reservoir watershed. The overall removal efficiencies of pollutants were as follows: BOD 14.3%, COD 17.9%, SS 50.0%, T-N 19.0%, and T-P 35.4%. These results indicate that constructed wetlands are effective in controlling pollutants from non-point sources. The seasonal variation in removal efficiency depended on the specific pollutants. The removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, and T-N were stable throughout the year, except during winter, which might have been influenced by lower microorganism activity. In contrast, T-P showed a consistent removal efficiency even during the winter season, suggesting that the wetland can reduce external phosphorus loading to the reservoir. Regarding the effects of pollutant loadings on removal efficiency, the effluent concentrations of all pollutants were significantly decreased compared to those in the influent in case of middle and high loadings. This demonstrates that constructed wetlands can handle high pollutant loads, including the initial runoff during rainfall, to prevent reservoir eutrophication. Despite the various strengths of wetland water purification, there are limitations as passive treatment. Therefore, more case studies should be conducted to suggest optimum operational conditions for constructed wetlands, taking into consideration reservoir-specific characteristics.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

Background: Despite the rise in the number of domestic indoor climbing gyms, there is a lack of specific hygiene standards and research on the holds installed in them. Holds can act as vectors for microbial transmission through the hands, posing a risk of infectious diseases, especially with damaged skin. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the contamination level and species of microorganisms on holds according to the management methods practiced in indoor climbing gyms and identify effective strategies for reducing microbial contamination. Methods: We investigated factors that may influence microbial contamination of holds, including hold management methods, user information, and hygiene management at three climbing gyms in Seoul. A total of 72 holds were sampled, 18 for each management method of brushing, high-pressure washing, and ethanol disinfection. Samples were cultured on LB and blood agar at 37℃ for 48 hours to calculate CFUs. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA was carried out to identify microorganisms. Dunn-Bonferroni was employed to see the microbial reduction effect of the management method and the difference in microbial contamination by management method and climbing gym. Results: As a result of microbial identification, microorganisms such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus, which were derived from various environments such as skin and soil, were discovered on the surface of the climbing hold. Among the discovered microorganisms, some species had potential pathogenic properties that could cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal disease, bacteremia, and sepsis. All hold management methods were effective in reducing microorganisms (p<0.05), with ethanol disinfection being the most effective (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there are potential pathogens on holds that demand thorough management for microbial prevention. Proposed methods include regular brushing and ethanol disinfection in addition to high-pressure washing with long cycles, which are the existing forms of hold management. Further studies on shoe management are advised to curb soil-derived microorganisms.