• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.574-582
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• 2012

This study presents the concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), in 98 sludges from 54 industrial wastewater treatment facilities of South Korea. The mean concentrations of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ were ranged from 32.5 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ to 1189.3 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ by industries, and the highest content was found in the petrochemical industry, followed by chemical, clothing manufacturing and dying, pulp and papermaking, secondary wastewater treatment, and food/beverage producing industries. Comparisons to the EU and Danish standards of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ in sewage sludge for land application showed only two samples (one from petrochemical, and the other from chemical industry) exceeded the limits. ANOVA test with PAH concentrations as variables revealed no statistically significant influences by industrial types and sampling time (i.e., seasonal variations). Pearson correlations between individual PAHs showed strong relationships (r>0.7) among 4-ring PAHs. Concentrations of acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(f)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene presented strong correlations to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. Principal component analysis discriminated entire samples into three groups by two principal components (PC1 and PC2) with 70% of data variations, in which industrial types were not of importance, but a dominance of certain PAHs. Samples in group-I, which is high PC1 and low PC2, were characterized by a dominance of 2-ring PAHs, and in group-II, PC1 and PC2 showed a linear relation, was dominant 4-ring PAHs. Group-III with low PC1 and high PC2 includes 17 samples showing a noticeably high contribution of 3-ring PAHs to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. This study provides concentrations of PAHs in industrial sludges collected from a wide variety of sources (six industrial types) and two seasons of sampling events, and the comparison of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ with other studies are also discussed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 1999

For investigating transfer factors of $^{137}Cs$ in the arable land of Korea, mature crop plants and topsoils were collected from paddy and upland fields located at 33 areas of the country and $^{137}Cs$ concentrations were measured by ${\gamma}-spectrometry$. The $^{137}Cs$ concentrations in soil were in the range of $0.7{\sim}17.7$ Bq/kg-dry in the paddy fields and $1.2{\sim}27.8$ Bq/kg-dry in the upland fields. The $^{137}Cs$concentrations in hulled seed, detected for 12 areas only, were in the range of $0.019{\sim}0.111$ Bq/kg-dry and those in Chinese cabbage, detected also for 12 areas only, were in the range of $0.012{\sim}0.066$ Bq/kg-fresh. Soil-to-plant transfer factors of $^{137}Cs$ were in the range of $1.2{\times}10^{-3}{\sim}1.1{\times}10^{-2}$ for hulled seed and $6.8{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}1.7{\times}10^{-2}$ for Chinese cabbage. Inboth plant stuffs, the factor tended to decrease with increasing soil organic matter or cation exchange capacity and, in hulled seed, it tended to increase with increasing soil clay content. No statistical significance was, however, found in all those relationships. Present results can be utilized for estimating radiation risk resulting from the food consumption by Korean people and deciding agronomical counter-measures at the time of an nuclear accident.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica Extract(AIE) containing azadirachtin as active ingredient have been used worldwide as environment-friendly organic material having pest control properties. However, the extracts prepared with different solvent and from different plant site is very diverse and have different toxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the four week repeated oral dose toxicity test of aqueous AIE in Sprague-Dawley rats was carried out to investigate the toxic effect of liver, main toxicity target organ of AIE. The male and female rats were divided into 4 groups, respectively; control(0 g/Kg bw), low-dose group(0.5 g/Kg bw), middle-dose(1.0 g/Kg bw) and high-dose group(2.0 g/Kg bw). As a results, relative liver weight increased with dose-dependent of AIE(p<0.05). Serum LDH in all AIE-treated groups were significantly lower than the control in male rats(p<0.05). However, serum GOT and GPT were significantly increased in all male AIE-treated groups in male rats(p<0.05) and, in particular, increase of serum GPT in dose-dependent manner raise the possibility of liver damage. Even through serum GLU was increased significantly in high-dose group in male rats compared to control, there were no significant differences of urinary GLU among all groups(p<0.05). In addition, histopathological examination of the liver did not reveal any lesions in all AIE-treated groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 4 weeks of the repeated oral administration of AIE 2.0 g/Kg to rats has resulted no toxic response in liver. Therefore, AIE was no indicated to have any toxic effect in the SD rats, when it was orally administrated below the dosage 2.0 g/Kg/day for 4weeks.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.447-459
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• 2012

In this study, the emission characteristics of volatile and odorant species released from salted meat product (Spam) was investigated as a function of time. Gas samples released from Spam samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and sulfur compounds (RSC) at five different times for the elapsed (E) days of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 (E-0 to E-9) by GC/MS and GC/PFPD system, respectively. Results indicated that reduced sulfur, aldehyde, and ketone groups were the dominant odorants. Especially, hydrogen sulfide was the predominant in concentration and odor activity value (OAV) during the fresh stage. Its concentration was 1465 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (60.0% of the total mass) in E-0 and 455 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (28.0%) in E-1, while its OAV was 19.4 (78.3%: E-0) and 6.02 (41.7%: E-1). On the other hand, the concentration of acetone showed the maximum values in the decaying stage (E-3: 451 (43.2%), E-6: 369 (64.2%), and E-9: 1150 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (70.2%)). Furthermore, the concentration of 2,3-butanedione was also detected considerably from decaying sample (E-3: 17.6 (1.68%), E-6: 16.1 (2.80%), and E-9: 179 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (10.9%)). However, OAV of acetone was insignificant (<0.01%) in the decaying stage, while that of 2,3-butanedione was relatively high in the range of 1.14-11.6 (14.5-76.2% of ${\Sigma}OAV$). It thus confirmed that the major odorant groups generated from Spam samples changed with the progress of decay such as sulfur (fresh stage), aldehyde (intermediate stage), and ketone compounds (decaying stage).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 1999

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various kinds of composts on the change of soil chemical properties in upland soils. Field experiments were conducted in the loam and sandy loam soils. Various kinds of composts such as poultry manure compost(PMC), cow manure compost(CMC), human excrement sludge(HES), and food industrial sludge compost(FISC) were applied annually at rates of 0, 40, and $80Mg\;ha^{-1}$ to soils grown with soybean and maize plants for 4 years during 1994 to 1997. The results of this study were as follows : The continuous application of human excrement sludge decreased soil pH up to 4.4~5.0, while other compost treatments increased soil pH compared with control plot. The EC increased initially and showed their maximum values at 20days after compost application, and then decreased up to 40 days, thereafter kept a certain level. The available phosphorous accumulated at 0~20cm depth in loam soil, and 0~50cm in sandy loam soil. Annual accumulation rates were 17% higher in sandy loam soil than loam soil. The more compost application rates and times, the higher base saturation percentage increased in upland soils. Four year's application at a rate of $80Mg\;ha^{-1}$ per year increased the base saturation percentage to 87~91% compared with 45% at control plot in the loam soil. While in sandy loam soil only three year's application of same rate increased the base saturation percentage to 81~92% compared with 30.4% at control plot. The average annual increasing rate of base saturation percentage at the same application rates of composts were higher in sandy loam soil by 2.0~3.7 times than in loam soil. The application of compost increased the exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K contents of soils by 2, 2~3, and 3~5 times, respectively, compared with the control. The contents of exchangeable canons were high in surface soil. and decreased with increase of soil depths. In the case of heavy metal content, there were no difference at the application of PMC and CMC but Ni. Fe, Zn, Cu was increased a little when the HES applied, and Ni and Cr was increased application with FISC.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.15-35
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• 2002

This study was conducted to provide basic data for policy of Oriental medicine by analyzing community resident's consciousness of taking herb medicine and its related factors. Data were collected from 1478 residents from March 2, 2001 to May 31, 2001. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) The rate of experience of taking herb medicine was 85.2%(88.2% of 'male'; 82.5% of 'female'). It appeared to be significantly higher in the groups of 'the married', 'housewife', and 'Buddhist'. As the age increased, so the rate of experience of taking herb medicine was significantly high. 2) In case of purpose of taking herb medicine, taking herb medicine as a restorative(66.8%) was much higher than taking it as a curative medicine. 3) 52.1% of the respondents satisfied with the effect of herb medicine. The groups of 'male', 'older age', 'residents in a big city', 'insurant in company', and 'the employed' showed significantly high rate in satisfying with herb medicine than the other groups. 4) According to the reason for preferring herb medicine, 36.7% of the respondents preferred herb medicine because the herb medicine was effective, while 27.8% preferred it because its side effect was low. 16.7% preferred it because persons around them recommended it. 5) 42.6% of the respondents did not want to take the herb medicine because the price of the herb medicine was high. Also 20.6% of the respondents did not want to take herb medicine because it is uneasy to take herb medicine. 15.8% did not want to take it because certain food should not be taken during the period of taking it. 9.4% did not want to take it because it tasted bitter. 6) In case of opinions on side effects of herb medicine, 40.8% of the respondents thinks that herb medicine is free from side effects, while 37.5% thinks that it causes side effects. There were significant difference in the opinions on side effects by sex, age, marital status, resident area, education level, occupation, and type of health insurance. 7) 60.7% of the respondents thinks the price of herb medicine is not resonable, while only 10.9% thinks it is resonable. 8) 45.2% of the respondents uses packs of decocted herbs although they think the packs of decocted herb are a little low effective because decocting herbs in home is bothersome. 45.2% uses packs of decocted herbs because they are convenient, being not related to the effect. 7.6% takes medicinal herbs after decocting them in a clay pot because they think the packs of decocted herbs have low effect. 51.9% does not know whether taking herb medicine in summer is effective or not because the effect is different according to their physical constitutions. 35.5% thinks that taking herb medicine is summer is effective because their physical stamina is weakened after sweated a lot, while 12.6% thinks that it is not effective because the effect of herb medicine disappears with sweat. 9) According to the level of satisfaction with Oriental medical care, the respondents marked $3.47{\pm}0.64$ points on the base of 5 points. It was significantly higher in the groups of 'male', 'the married, resident in a big city', 'highschool graduate', 'the unemployed', 'office clerk', 'growing up in a big city', 'insurant in region', and 'the middle class'. 10) According to the result of a regression analysis of factors influencing preference for herb medicine, the factors displayed significant difference by sex, age, education level, health status, and times of receiving Oriental medical care. As shown in the above results, the community residents satisfy with the effect of herb medicine. Therefore, the method of taking herb medicine without difficulty must be devised. The medicinal herbs in packages need to be included in health insurance coverage and resonable price of herb medicine must be set. Also, education program for community residents must be developed in order to provide right information in herb medicine. Therefore, related public authority, associations, and professionals must make efforts, forming organic cooperative system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 1971

Since ${\beta}-aminoethylphosphonic$ acid was discovered in the living organism, the biosynthesis and biological function of aminophosphonic acids have been extensively studied. The purpose of this project consists in the two parts: 1)the preparation of DL-1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonic acid (Phenylalanine aminophosphonic acid) and DL-1-amino-3-methylbutyl-phosphonic acid (Isoleucine aminophosphonic acid) by the method of Chamber and Isbell. 2) the study of metabolism and biological functions of those synthetic materials by the animal experiment (white rats) The importance of this project proved to be the first experience fed by animals for the elucidation of biochemical and metabolic functions in the animal body. The following organic synthesis of DL-1-amino-3-methylbutylphosphonic acid and DL-1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonic acid are studied. 1)Synthesis of DL-1-amino-3-methylbutylphosphonic acid a) Synthesis of Iso-butylbromide b) Synthesis of Ethyl iso-butylmalonate c) Synthesis of Iso-caproic acid d) Synthesis of $Ethyl-{\alpha}-bromo$ iso-caproate e) Synthesis of $Triethyl-{\alpha}-phosphono$ iso-caproate f) Synthesis of DL-1-amino-3-methylbutylphosphonic acid 2)Synthesis of DL-1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonic acid a) Synthesis of Diethyl phosphite b) Synthesis of Ethylchloro acetate c) Synthesis of Triethyl phospho acetate d) Synthesis of Triethyl benzyl phospho acetate e) Synthesis of DL-1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonic acid The synthetic compounds; DL-1-amino-3-methylbutylphosphonic acid and DL-1-amino-2-phenyl ethylphosphonic acid which are essential amino acid (isoleucine, phenylalanine)analogue are supplemented to the animal diet at the level of 0.2% and 0.4% for isoleucine analogue and 0.35% and 0.7% for phenylalanine analogue. The plain isoleucine and phenylalanine at the same level in the diet are fercilitated as comparable groups in this study. Two sets of experience including 100 male rats were carried out for seven weeks each total 14 weeks. During this period, urine samples, and each big organs were collected for the analysis of total nitrogen, phosphorus, and glycogen contents in the individual samples by Micro Kjeldahl Fisk & Subbarow and Nelson Somogye, method. 1) The result of the project a) The yield of DL-1-amino-3-methylbutylphosphonic acid and DL-1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonic acid showed low tendency at the level of 12.5% and 20% Melting point of those two compounds were very high and the ${\alpha}-amino$ group in the synthetic compounds showed positive reaction with ninhydrin in the violet color. b) Ail the experimental groups included in this study revealed statistically no significant difference in the organ weight, total body nitrogen retention and urinary phosphorus excretion This means isoleucine aminophosphonic acid and Phenylalanine aminophosphonic acid were utilized in the body as much as the plain amino acids, isoleucine and phenylalanine did. c) The glycogen contents in the liver of the phenylalaine aminophosphonic acid gruop showed higher statistically significant(p<0.05) in the comparision with the group of the Phenylalanine and the Standard-2. It was noteworthy that the higher glycogen content in the liver might indicate the significance in the incorporation of phenylalanine aminophosphonic acid into the intermediate of tricarboxylic acid cycle as activated state.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2018

Advances in bacterial and fungal genome mining uncover a plethora of cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Guided by the genome information, targeted transcriptional derepression could be employed to determine the product of a cryptic gene cluster and to explore its biological role. Monascus spp. are food grade filamentous fungi popular in eastern Asia and several genome data belong to them are now available. We achieved transcription activation of a cryptic fungal polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthase gene Mpfus1 in Monascus purpureus ${\Delta}MpPKS5$ by inserting Aspergillus gpdA promoter at the upstream of Mpfus1 through double crossover gene replacement. The gene cluster with Mpfus1 show a high similarity to those for the biosynthesis of conjugated polyene derivatives with 2-pyrrolidone ring and the mycotoxin fusarin is the representative member of this group. The ${\Delta}MpPKS5$ is incapable of producing azaphilone pigment, providing an excellent background to identify chromogenic and UV-absorbing compounds. Activation of Mpfus1 resulted in a yellow hue on mycelia and its methanol extract exhibit a maximum absorption at 365 nm. HPLC analysis of the organic extracts indicated the presence of a variety of yellow compounds in the extract. This implies that the product of MpFus1 is metabolically or chemically unstable. LC-MS analysis guided us to predict the MpFus1 product and to propose that the Mpfus1-containing gene cluster encode the biosynthesis of a desmethyl analogue of fusarin. This study showcases the genome mining in Monascus and the possibility to unveil new biological activities embedded in it.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.523-529
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• 2011

This study has been performed to examine the influence of the size of particles on the stabilization in the aerobic stabilization equipment connected with MBT system. The biodegradable waste inside the reactor (60% of food waste, 25% of paper waste, 2% of wood waste and 5% of compost) has been charged in same composition. The degree of stabilization was compared and analyzed after charging with adjustment of particle size in 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm and state of no separation. The experiment revealed that highest temperature beyond $65^{\circ}C$ was shown in the particle size of less than 50 mm in change of temperature and the highest temperature was about $50^{\circ}C$ in reactor of 100 mm and no separation. The proportionality between generated quantity of $CO_2$ and particle size was not observed, even the highest in generated quantity was shown in over 100 mm. The weight changes based on wet and dry conditions in the reaction process showed the 30% and 46% of reduction in the smallest particle size of 5 mm and it showed the trend of the lower reduction rate at the bigger particle size. The water soluble $COD_{Cr}$ and TOC showed the reduction rate of 60% in reactor of particle size in 100 mm and no separation while the reduction rate comparing to the initial stage of reaction in the reactor of less than 50 mm was 80%. Such result derived the conclusion of acceleration in the decomposing stabilization of biodegradable material due to the decomposing rate of organic substance as the particle size of biodegradable waste gets smaller. It is concluded as necessary to react in adjustment under 50 mm of particle size as much as possible.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.180-186
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• 2009

Whole plants of Vitex rotundifolia were extracted for 2 days with methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) followed by extraction of the residue for an additional 2 days. The same procedure was also applied using methanol (MeOH). The two crude extracts were combined and partitioned between $CH_2Cl_2$ and $H_2O$. The organic layer was further partitioned between n-hexane and 85% aq. MeOH, and the aqueous layer was also further fractionated with n-BuOH and $H_2O$, successively. From the 85% aq. MeOH fraction, one compound was isolated through the repeated HPLC. According to the results of physicochemical data including NMR and MS, the chemical structure of the compound was determined as artemetin (1). The antiproliferative effects of the crude extracts, fractions, and compound against HT1080, AGS, MCF-7 and HT-29 human cancer cells were compared with the control by using MTT assay. In the comparative analysis, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction exhibited the strongest antiproliferative effects on human cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). In addition, exposure of compound 1 isolated from 85% aq. MeOH fraction led to strong antiproliferative effect in HT1080 cancer cell lines. These results suggest that the extracts and compound isolated from V. rotundifolia may be used as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.