• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate that inorganic germanium $(GeO_2)$ did not exist in germanium-fortified yeast or obtained to non-detectable value by current analytical methods and equipments. For this purpose, we achieved $GeO_2$ qualitative analysis protocol which could be the scientific basis of the study. Since reddish brown precipitate was formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 1 equiv $NaBH_4$, and dark brown precipitate was also formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 2 equiv $NaBH_4$, $GeO_2$ was qualitatively analyzed by observing these particular colored-precipitates. Because no color change was showed from the reaction between $NaBH_4$ and $SiO_2$, the color change could be caused by charge transfer transition on Ge-O and B binding properties. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and germanium-fortified yeast did not show any color change and precipitate formation which meant no $GeO_2$ existed in germanium-fortified yeast. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and supernatant specimen collected from the outside of dialysis membrane (MWCO 1,200 dalton) did not show any color change and precipitate formation. Therefore, we considered that the both germaniums in and outside of the dialysis membrane were organic germaniums. Germanium-fortified yeast which was biosynthesized organic germanium can be applied not only as a new functional material for improving health, prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative diseases including cancers, and the regulation of immune system, but also as a new materials.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2003

The two experiments in this study compared litter nitrogen (N) contents after broiler chicks were raised for 42 days. Experiment I compared litter treated with aluminum sulfate (alum) [Al$_2$(SO$_4$)$_3$ㆍ14$H_2O$] (T$_1$) with nontreated litter (T$_2$) when the broiler chicks were fed the same levels of dietary protein (23% for 0∼3 weeks, 21% for 4∼6 weeks) Experiment 2 compared the alum treated litters of broiler chicks fed high protein diets (T$_3$) having 20.4% protein for 0∼3 weeks and 19.3% for 4∼6 weeks, with lower protein diets (T$_4$) having protein levels of 18.0% for 0∼3 weeks and 17.0% for 4 6 weeks. Each treatment had four replicate cages. As shown in Table 1, T$_1$ had a significantly (P<0.0l) lower pH and significantly (P<0.05) higher total N (TN), NH$_4$-N and inorganic N (IN) than T$_2$. T$_1$ and T$_2$ had similar moisture, organic carbon (OC), NO$_3$-N and organic N (ON). Alum treatment increased available N (AN) significantly (P<0.05) from 13.75$\pm$0.0l mg/g to 14.90$\pm$0.01 mg/g and predicted available N (PAN) significantly (P<0.05) from 15.00$\pm$0.0l to 16.50$\pm$0.02. The C : N ratios were 18.84$\pm$0.40 (T$_1$) and 19.46$\pm$0.10 (T$_2$) while the C : ON ratios were 28.49$\pm$1.15 (T$_1$) and 28.34$\pm$0.20 (T$_2$) although C : N ratios or C : ON ratios did not show any difference between T$_1$ and T$_2$. In Table 2, T$_3$ had significantly (P<0.05) higher moisture, TN, NH$_4$-N, ON and IN than T$_4$, while the pH, OC and NO$_3$-N were similar in both groups. The AN of T$_3$ increased significantly (P<0.05) from 10.99$\pm$0.0l mg/g to 12.98$\pm$0.03 mg/g, while the PAN increased significantly (P<0.05) from 12.39$\pm$0.10 mg/g (T$_4$) to 14.68$\pm$ 0.30 mg/g (T$_3$). The C : N ratios increased significantly (P<0.0l) from 20.07$\pm$0.20 (T$_3$) to 24.40$\pm$0.10 (T$_3$). The C : ON ratios also increased significantly (P<0.0l) from 28.99$\pm$1.15 (T$_3$) to 35.51$\pm$0.20 (T$_4$). These current research results show increased AN contents and PAN contents in alum treated litter or with increased CP levels regardless of alum treatment. However, none of the litters in this study could initially increase mineralization.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.270-277
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• 1995

The phosphate fractions and their relationships with other soil characteristics in greenhouse soils located on the southwest region in Korea were studied to demonstrate the possibility of the application of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. The average contents of organic matter of 4.0% and exchangeable K, Ca, Mg of 1.16, 3.4, and $1.2cmol\;kg^{-1}$ respectively were higher than the aiming level for improvement of low fertile soil. Especially, available $P_2O_5$ of $1,193mg\;kg^{-1}$ was far more than the aiming level. The distribution of greenhouse soils classified by their total P contents was 46.1% for the range of $1,000{\sim}2,000mg\;kg^{-1}$, 29.6% for $2,000{\sim}3,000mg\;kg^{-1}$, and 12.9% for $3,000{\sim}4,000mg\;kg^{-1}$. And the soils containing more than $1,000mg\;kg^{-1}$, available $P_2O_5$ occupied 63.0% of the examined soils. The main forms of inorganic phosphates in greenhouse soils were Ca-P and Fe-P. The P fractions compared to total P were significantly correlated to soil pH, while available P was not so. Available phosphate was significantly correlated with the contents of organic matter and nitrogen, which are closely related to soil microbial activity, at the probability level of less than 1%.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2004

The most commonly used inorganic nutrient compositions such as Murashige & Skoog medium have been optimized for heterotrophic growth. Therefore, they may not be optimal for photomixotrophic and photoautotrophic growth of plantlets. In photomixotrophic micropropagation, emdium sugar level is often lowered, while light and $CO_2$ levels in vessel are raised, and chlorophyllous explants are used to facilitate photosynthetic carbon acquisition. In a factorial experiment effect of addition (+) and omission(_) of organic materials (OM, 0.5 g ${\cdot}$ $m^{-3}$ each of thiamine, nicotinic acid and pyridoxine and 100 ${\cdot}$ $m^{-3}$ myo-inositiol) combined with three sucrose levels (0, 15, and 30 kg ${\cdot}$ $m^{-3}$) was tested on the growth of potato plantlets. Each of nodal cuttings with a leaf was cultured on 0.1${\times}$$10^{-4}m^{-3}$) MS agar ( 8 kg ${\cdot}$ $m^{-3}$) medium (pH 5.80 before autoclave) in glass test tubes (100 mm${\times}$25mm) capped with a sheet of transparent film with a 6 mm diameter gas permeable filter (5.1 air exchanges ${\cdot}$$h^{-1}$). Cultures were maintained in a room for 27 days at $23^{\circ}C$, 50% RH, 350-450${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;mol^{-1}CO_2$, 16 h ${\cdot}$ $d^{-1}$ photoperiod at 13${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m\;{\codt}\;s^{-1}$ PPFD provided by white cool fluorescent lamps. Growth of potato plantlet in the +OM and -OM treatments were similar, while medium pH was 0.2 scale lower in the latter. Dry weight, % dry matter, and stem diameter enhanced, while shoot to root dry weight ratio, leaf area, chlorophyll concentration per gram dry weight, and medium pH decreased with increasing initial sucrose level. Interaction between OM and sucrose levels was observed in shoot length and medium pH. Results indicate that OM can be omitted from the medium without detrimental effect while addition of sucrose was beneficial for the photomixotrophic growth of potato plantlets under raised light and $CO_2$.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.605-619
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to analyze eutrophication characteristics, empirical model analysis, and variation of water quality according to monsoon intensity in Hapcheon Reservoir for 16 years from 2002 to 2017. Long-term annual water quality analysis showed that Hapcheon Reservoir was in a meso-nutrition to eutrophic condition, and the eutrophic state intensified after the summer monsoon. Annual rainfall volume (high vs. low rainfall) and the seasonal intensity in each year were the key factors that regulate the long-term water quality variation provided that there is no significant change of the point- and non-point source in the watershed. Dry years and wet years showed significant differences in the concentrations of TP, TN, BOD, and conductivity, indicating that precipitation had the most direct influence on nutrients and organic matter dynamics. Nutrient indicators (TP, TN), organic pollution indicators (BOD, COD), total suspended solids, and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), which was an estimator of primary productivity, had significant positive relations (p<0.05) with precipitation. The Chl-a concentration, which is an indicator of green algae, was highly correlated with TP, TN, and BOD, which differed from other lakes that showed the lower Chl-a concentration when nutrients increased excessively. Empirical model analysis of log-transformed TN, TP, and Chl-a indicated that the Chl-a concentration was linearly regulated by phosphorus concentration, but not by nitrogen concentration. Spatial regression analysis of the riverine, transition, and lacustrine zones of $log_{10}TN$, $log_{10}TP$, and $log_{10}CHL$ showed that TN and Chl-a had significant relations (p<0.005) while TN and Chl-a had p > 0.05, indicating that phosphorus had a key role in the algal growth. Moreover, the higher correlation of both $log_{10}TP$ and $log_{10}TN$ to $log_{10}CHL$ in the riverine zone than the lacustrine zone indicated that there was little impact of inorganic suspended solids on the light limitation in the riverine zone.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Due to water shortages caused by water pollution and climate change, total organic carbon (TOC) standards have been implemented for wastewater discharged from public sewage treatment facilities. Furthermore, there is a growing interest and body of research pertaining to the reuse of sewage treatment water as a secure alternative water resource. The membrane bio-reactor (MBR) method is commonly used for advanced wastewater treatment because it can remove organic and inorganic ions and it does not require or emit any chemicals. However, the MBR process uses a separation membrane (MF), which requires frequent film cleaning due to fouling caused by a high concentration of mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS). In this study, process improvement and microbubble cleaning efficiency were evaluated to improve the differential pressure, water flow, and MF fouling, which are the biggest disadvantages of operating the MF. The existing MBR method was improved by installing a precipitation tank between the air tank and the MBR tank in which raw water was introduced. Microbubbles were injected into a separation membrane tank into which the supernatant water from the precipitation tank was introduced. The microbubble generator was operated with a 15 day on, 15 day off cycle for 5 months to collect discharged water samples (4L) and measure TOC. As the supernatant water from the precipitation tank flowed into the separation membrane tank, about 95% of the supernatant water MLSS was removed so the MF fouling from biological contamination was prevented. Due to the application of microbubbles to supernatant water from the precipitation tank, the differential pressure of the separation membrane tank decreased by 1.6 to 2.3 times and the water flow increased by 1.4 times. Applying microbubbles increased the TOC removal rate by more than 58%. This study showed that separately operating the air tank and the separation membrane tank can reduce fouling, and suggested that applying additional microbubbles could improve the differential pressure, water flow, and fouling to provide a more efficient advanced treatment method.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 1976

The studies were carried out to examine the effects of supplementation of nutritional substances and physical conditions in substrate on the mycelial growth and yield of fresh sporophores of winter mushroom, Flammulina velutipes(Curt. ex Fr.) Sing. and to obtain further informations on the nutritional requirements of the fungus with reference to improvement of substrate through [analysis of chemical composition of the substrates during the cultivation period. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The best yield of fresh sporophores, 84.4 g per 280 g substrate in a bottle, was obtained from the mixture of poplar sawdust 10 and rice bran 3 by volume when Flammulina velutipes was cultivated on the poplar sawdust supplemented by rice bran, wheat bran, cattle manure and various combinations of these materials as nutrient sources. The substrates of poplar sawdust 10 plus rice bran 3 and 2 or wheat bran 3 with a higher yield of fresh sporophores showed a comparatively higher content of total nitrogen. total sugar, and potassium. 2. The mycelial growth of the fungus was compared on the substrates of poplar sawdust supplemented by the several nutrient sources and poplar sawdust alone. The fastest linear growth occurred on substrates of poplar sawdust alone and poplar sawdust plus cattle manure deficient in sugar and nitrogen sources, but mycelial density was more sparse on the substrates. Also, growth in a solution extracted from these substrates was very meager. 3. In the substrates which varied with bulk density and moisture content optimum bulk density and moisture content for mycelial growth was 0.2g/cc and 72% on a dry weight basis, respectively, but the highest yield of fresh sporophores was obtained at the bulk density of 0.3g/cc and moisture content of 67%. 4. By increasing the ratio of rice bran in poplar sawdust the loss of total weight and ash, content at each stage was increased, and during the cultivation period of 75 days, loss of total weight of the substrates at inoculation was 17.8 to 28.8% and ash content increased about 12%. 5. 11 to 14% of the cellulose and 3 to 4% of the lignin content per original substrate were decreased without a great difference depending of the mixing ratio of rice bran. The soluble glucose concentration in the substrates was increased during the same period. 6. In the process of vegetative and reproductive growth of the fungus upon the substrates, the total nitrogen was increased in quantity per dry weight of sample but was reduced in absolute quantity to a minute extent. There is no great changes in content of organic nitrogen including amino acid nitrogen, and hydrolysable ammonium nitrogen during the vegetative growth period, but occurrence of sporophores resulted in a decrease in the nitrogen content of these forms. On the one hand, by an increase of additive amounts of rice bran, nitrogen contents of these forms were higher and the reduction range during the reproductive growth period became wider. 7. Mycelial growth of the fungus was accelerated in various liquid media supplemented with organic nitrogen sources such as peptone and yeast extract in comparison with addition of inorganic nitrogen sources. Furthermore, mycelial growth was mere vigorous in the media with higher content of organic nitrogen sources.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.153-170
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• 1970

1. Isolation and identification of amylase-producing bacteria. The powerful strain A-12 and S-8 were respectively isolated from air and soil after screening a large number of amylase-producing bacteria. Their bacterial characteristics have been investigated and it has been found that all characteristics of strain A-12 and S-8 are similar to Bac. subtilis of Bergey's manual except for the acid formation from a few carbohydrates and the citrate utilization, i.e., the strain A-12 shows negative in the citrate utilization, and the acid formation from arabinose and xylose, S-8 shows negative in the acid formation from xylose. 2. Amylase production by Liquid cultures with solid materials. Several conditions for amylase production by strain A-12 in stationary cultures have been studied. The results obtained are as follows. (1) The optimum conditions are:temperature $35^{\circ}C$, initial pH 6.5 to 7.0 and incubation time 3 to 4 days. (2) The amylase production is not affected by the preservation period of the stock cultures. (3) Among the various solid material, the defatted soy bean is found to be the best for t1e amylase production. However, the alkali treatment of the defatted soy bean gives no effect contrary to the cage of defatted rape seed. The addition of soluble starch to the alkali extract of defatted soy bean shows the increased amylase production. (4) Up to 1% addition of ethanol to carbon dificient media gives the improved amylase production, whereas the above effect is not found in the case of carbon rich media. (5) The amylase production can be increased 2.5 times when 10% of defatted soy bean is admixed to cheaply available wheat bran. (6) The excellent effect is found for amylase production when 20% of wheat bran is admixed to defatted dry milk which is a poor medium. The activity is found to be $D^{40^{\circ}}_{30'}$ 7,000(L.S.V. 1,800) in 10% medium. (7) No significant effect is observed due to the addition of various inorganic salts. 3. Amylase production by solid cultures. Several conditions for amylase production by strain A-12 in wheat bran cultures have been studied and the results obtained are as follows. (1) The optimum conditions: are temperature $33^{\circ}C$, incubation lime 2 days, water content added 150 to 175% and the thickness of the medium 1.5cm, The activity is found to be $D^{40^{\circ}}_{30'}$ 36,000(L.S.V. 15,000) (2) No significant effect is found in the case of the additions of various organic and inorganic substances.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1195-1206
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• 2011

This study was conducted to apply LCA (Life cycle assessment) methodology to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production systems in Namyang-ju as a case study. Five lettuce growing farms with three different farming systems (two farms with organic farming system, one farm with a system without agricultural chemicals and two farms with conventional farming system) were selected at Namyangju city of Gyeonggi-province in Korea. The input data for LCA were collected by interviewing with the farmers. The system boundary was set at a cropping season without heating and cooling system for reducing uncertainties in data collection and calculation. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to find out the effect of type and amount of fertilizer and energy use on GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emission. The results of establishing GTG (Gate-to-Gate) inventory revealed that the quantity of fertilizer and energy input had the largest value in producing 1 kg lettuce, the amount of pesticide input the smallest. The amount of electricity input was the largest in all farms except farm 1 which purchased seedlings from outside. The quantity of direct field emission of $CO_2$, $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ from farm 1 to farm 5 were 6.79E-03 (farm 1), 8.10E-03 (farm 2), 1.82E-02 (farm 3), 7.51E-02 (farm 4) and 1.61E-02 (farm 5) kg $kg^{-1}$ lettuce, respectively. According to the result of LCI analysis focused on GHG, it was observed that $CO_2$ emission was 2.92E-01 (farm 1), 3.76E-01 (farm 2), 4.11E-01 (farm 3), 9.40E-01 (farm 4) and $5.37E-01kg\;CO_2\;kg^{-1}\;lettuce$ (farm 5), respectively. Carbon dioxide contribute to the most GHG emission. Carbon dioxide was mainly emitted in the process of energy production, which occupied 67~91% of $CO_2$ emission from every production process from 5 farms. Due to higher proportion of $CO_2$ emission from production of compound fertilizer in conventional crop system, conventional crop system had lower proportion of $CO_2$ emission from energy production than organic crop system did. With increasing inorganic fertilizer input, the process of lettuce cultivation covered higher proportion in $N_2O$ emission. Therefore, farms 1 and 2 covered 87% of total $N_2O$ emission; and farm 3 covered 64%. The carbon footprints from farm 1 to farm 5 were 3.40E-01 (farm 1), 4.31E-01 (farm 2), 5.32E-01 (farm 3), 1.08E+00 (farm 4) and 6.14E-01 (farm 5) kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ lettuce, respectively. Results of sensitivity analysis revealed the soybean meal was the most sensitive among 4 types of fertilizer. The value of compound fertilizer was the least sensitive among every fertilizer imput. Electricity showed the largest sensitivity on $CO_2$ emission. However, the value of $N_2O$ variation was almost zero.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.185-190
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• 2008

In order to obtain the basic information for agricultural utilization of Germanium(Ge), the growth characteristics and the germanium uptake by water celery were investigated at different concentration of germanium in soil. This experiment was carried out in the Wagner pot(1 $5,000^{-1}a$). Germanium concentrations in soil for water celery cultivation were maintained at 0.26, 25.0, 62.5, and 125.0 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively. The treatment of over Ge 25.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ in the soil led to germanium phytotoxicity such as reduction of plant height and fresh weight. The contents of germanium in water celery were increased with the increase of germanium concentration in the soil. When water celery was cultivated from soil maintained with Ge 25.0 and 62.5 mg $kg^{-1}$, its germanium contents in plant were 89.9 and 371.6 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Then, the efficiency of germanium uptake of water celery in Ge 25.0 and 62.5 mg $kg^{-1}$ maintained plots was 1.7 and 2.4%, respectively. When water celery was cultivated from soil maintained with Ge 25.0, 62.5 and 125.0 mg $kg^{-1}$, its content of amino acid was found to be 89.8, 198.4, and 318.2 mg $g^{-1}$, respectively. To investigate the effect of N fertilizer application in uptake of germanium by water celery, these were treated with nontreatment, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of N application based on soil testing for cultivation of water celery. However, the amount of the N fertilizer application did not affect the contents of germanium in the water celery. When water celery was cultivated from soil maintained with two kinds of inorganic and organic germanium 50 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively, the content of germanium were 24.2 mg $kg^{-1}$ in the Ge-132 treatment and 11.8 mg $kg^{-1}$ in the $GeO_2$ treatment.