• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Since the environmental problems and new stricter regulations are forcing the industries to introduce more ecological materials for their products, biodegradable materials have attracted increasing attention. Among these materials, Polylactic acid(PLA) is a promising candidate for its modulus, strength, chemical resistance. However, PLA could not be used for automobile industries for its low heat resistance and impact strength. In this study natural fibers were (jute fiber was) introduced as reinforcements in order to improve heat resistance and impact strength of PLA. Especially for improving the adhesion between PLA and jute, various surface treatments were tried. With each treatment, we verified that the impact strength of composite was improved. With annealing treatment, we found a remarkable increase of heat resistance of PLA composite.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.92-99
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• 2012

The optimal physical factors affecting enzyme production in an airlift fermenter have not been studied so far. Therefore, the physical parameters such as aeration rate, pH, and temperature affecting PLA-degrading enzyme production by Actinomadura keratinilytica strain T16-1 in a 3 l airlift fermenter were investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize PLA-degrading enzyme production by implementing the central composite design. The optimal conditions for higher production of PLA-degrading enzyme were aeration rate of 0.43 vvm, pH of 6.85, and temperature at $46^{\circ}C$. Under these conditions, the model predicted a PLA-degrading activity of 254 U/ml. Verification of the optimization showed that PLA-degrading enzyme production of 257 U/ml was observed after 3 days cultivation under the optimal conditions in a 3 l airlift fermenter. The production under the optimized condition in the airlift fermenter was higher than un-optimized condition by 1.7 folds and 12 folds with un-optimized medium or condition in shake flasks. This is the first report on the optimization of environmental conditions for improvement of PLA-degrading enzyme production in a 3 l airlift fermenter by using a statistical analysis method. Moreover, the crude PLA-degrading enzyme could be adsorbed to the substrate and degraded PLA powder to produce lactic acid as degradation products. Therefore, this incident indicates that PLA-degrading enzyme produced by Actinomadura keratinilytica NBRC 104111 strain T16-1 has a potential to degrade PLA to lactic acid as a monomer and can be used for the recycle of PLA polymer.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.588-595
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to increase compatibility of immiscible PLA/PCL blend by using electron beam irradiation in the presence of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The blends of PLA/PCL containing GMA were irradiated at doses of 10, 50 and 100 kGy and then the irradiated samples were characterized by observing morphology and rheological properties. Blends irradiated with 50 and 100 kGy showed greatly improved interfacial adhesion between two phases in the morphology. Complex viscosity of PLA/PCL(9/1) blend irradiated at dose of 100 kGy was about 100 times higher than that of pure PLA. We found that the compatibility of immiscible PLA/PCL could be improved by electron beam irradiation in the presence of GMA from the investigation of morphology and rheology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Dyers and Finishers Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.52-52
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• 2011

PLA 섬유는 폴리머의 주성분이 옥수수에서 추출한 모노머를 중합한 화학섬유가 아닌 인체친화적인 식물성 소재이며 생분해성이 좋은 친환경 소재로 최근 주목받고 있는 섬유소재이다. 본 연구에서는 아토피완화용 여러 섬유 구조체 개발에서 사용되는 섬유소재중 PLA 원사에 항균성 물질을 혼입하여 PLA 항균사 제조를 위한 연구를 수행하였다. PLA Grade의 점도가 낮아질수록 Grade별 용융 지수값은 차이를 나타내지만 방사온도 $230^{\circ}C$를 변곡점으로 하여 용융점도가 급격히 변하였으며, 특히 방사온도 $240^{\circ}C$의 경우 용융지수가 100을 넘어가고 폴리머의 색깔이 황갈색을 띄어 폴리머의 열분해가 많이 일어났을 것으로 판단되었다. PLA의 적정 방사온도 구간은 $210{\sim}225^{\circ}C$ 구간이 최적이며 그 이상에서는 Color 변화 및 물성 저하가 나타나는 것으로 판단되었다. 항균성 PLA 섬유를 제조하기 위하여 피톤치드계 유기항균제를 이용하였으며, 피톤치드에 기능성 엘라스토머를 사용하여 Capsulation을 진행하였다. 이러한 유기항균제 Powder의 경우 비중이 낮아 표면적로 인하여 마스터배치 칩을 만드는 공정에서 잘 혼합되지 않는 문제점이 발생하였으나, 피톤치드의 함량을 조절하여 PLA와의 마스터배치 칩 제조를 시험하였다. 압출온도와 토출량, Screw 조건(Mixing, Zone)을 시험하여 적정 조건을 설정하였다. 항균사 PLA 섬유는 Sheath/Core 복합방사 형태와 단독사 형태의 2가지 Type을 제조하였다. Sheath/Core 복합방사 폴리머 구성은 Sheath부에 PLA항균사, Core부에 PLA 또는 저융점 PET를 사용하였다. Core부의 폴리머는 제사성에 큰 영향을 미치지 않았으나, 항균 마스터배치의 함량이 증가할수록 Pack압 상승이 급격히 일어나는 단점이 나타났다. 항균제 5% 정도가 혼입되어 있는 경우에 2.1 이상의 정균활성치와 99.8% 정도의 정균감소율 성능을 나타내었다. PLA 단독사의 경우, 항균제 최적 함량은 3% 이상으로 정균활성치 5.5 이상, 정균감소율 99.9%의 우수한 항균특성을 나타내었다.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2012

In the study, the effects of $130{\sim}150^{\circ}C$ annealing condition and 1~10 wt% isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (IPPP) on crystallization behavior and flame retardancy of a full name (PLA) film were determined. The crystallization kinetics of PLA films with adding 1, 5, and 10 wt% IPPP at $140^{\circ}C$ were higher than those at 130 and $150^{\circ}C$. The average crystallinity and crystallite size of PLA film with 1 wt% IPPP were 21.3% and 24.8 nm, respectively. With an increasing IPPP content, the crystallinity of PLA film increased and the crystallite size decreased. The burning rate lowered with an increasing IPPP content as well.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2024

Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic that can be produced from renewable material to create various components for industrial purposes. In 3D printing technology, PLA is used due to its good mechanical, electrical, printing properties, environmentally friendly and non-toxic properties. However, the physical properties and excellent electrical insulation properties of PLA have limited its application. In this study, with the carbon black (CB) as filler added into PLA, the lattice spacing and morphology were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The physical properties of PLA-carbon composite were evaluated by using tensile test, shore D hardness test and density and voids measurement. Impedance test was conducted to investigate the electrical properties of PLA-Carbon composites. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of carbon black as filler enhances the physical properties of the PLA-carbon composites, including tensile properties, hardness, and density. The addition of carbon black also leads to improved electrical conductivity of the composites. Better enhancement toward the electrical properties of PLA-carbon composites is observed with 1wt% of carbon black in N774 grade. The N550 grade with 2wt% of carbon black shows better improvement in the physical properties of PLA-carbon composites, achieving 10.686 MPa in tensile testing, 43.330 in shore D hardness test, and a density of 1.200 g/cm3 in density measurement. The findings suggest that PLA-carbon composites have the potential for enhanced performance in various industrial applications, particularly in sectors requiring improved physical and electrical properties.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.919-925
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• 2012

We tried to blend PLLA and PDLA at overall compositions to form PLA stereocomplexes (SC). The presence of the SC crystalline phase in the PLLA matrix was verified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As a result, a various PDLA composition of the PLA SC blends can influence PLA SC formation. And the largest amount of PLA SC crystallites was formed when PLLA/PDLA ratio is 50/50. In addition, we have tried to do PLA SC toughening with two impact modifiers in 92/8, 85/15 ratio of PLLA/PDLA to enhance the mechanical properties such as impact strength. Thermal and mechanical properties of PLA SC were investigated by DSC, HDT, Izod impact tester and UTM. PLA SC formation decreased when 10-20 wt% of Strong120 (impact modifier) was added. On the other hand, there is no effect on PLA SC formation when 10-20% of Elvaloy (impact modifier) was added. HDT values dramatically increased over $100^{\circ}C$ with the addition of PDLA. However, HDT decreased as Strong120 and Elvaloy content increased. Finally, we could find well balanced composition of toughened PLA SC with 10wt% of impact modifier in flexural modulus and impact strength.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2014

Some bacterial metabolites of Xenorhabdus nematophila (Xn) inhibit phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$) activity to shutdown eicosanoid biosynthesis in target insects. However, little has been known about the target insect $PLA_2$ of these bacterial metabolites. Eight bacterial metabolites identified in Xn culture broth exhibited significant insecticidal activities against larvae of both lepidopteran species of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera exigua. Moreover, these bacterial metabolites significantly enhanced insecticidal activities of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). To determine target $PLA_2$, we cloned and over-expressed cellular $PLA_2$ ($SecPLA_2$) of S. exigua. Purified $SecPLA_2$ catalyzed phospholipids derived from the fat body and released several polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most Xn metabolites significantly inhibited $SecPLA_2$ activity, but were different in their inhibitory activities. There was a positive correlation between the inhibition of $SecPLA_2$ and the enhancement of Bt insecticidal activity. These results indicate that $SecPLA_2$ is a molecular target inhibited by Xn metabolite.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.609-615
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• 2021

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanical properties of melt-injected poly lactic acid (PLA) composites with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The PLA mixed with calcined PLA/β-TCP powder to be contents of 0, 10, 30, 50 wt%, respectively, was dissolved in chloroform solvent under stirring for 24 h. Then the liquid mixtures were dropped into ethanol to extract solvent. After drying, the well-dispersed PLA/β-TCP composites were granulated and melt-injected to prepare specimens for various mechanical testing. PLA/β-TCP induced the precipitation of an apatite bone-mineral phase on the surface after immersion in a human simulated body fluid (SBF) for 90 days, showing in bioactivity. Mean various mechanical properties PLA/β-TCP composite were increased up to 10-30 wt% with significantly in part and composite were decreased 50 wt% of showing in mechanical properties. In conclusion, Over 30 wt% addition of β-TCP to PLA may be not advisable to improve the mechanical properties of melt-injected polymeric composites. Results indicated that β-TCP can be used considered as potential reinforcing agent for increasing mechanical properties for PLA. Therefore, it was suggest that the additional effects of β-TCP and research on a wide range of substances.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2016

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer, which represents a valuable alternative to plastic packaging films, often associated with environmental problems. In this study, we tested the suitability of PLA as a biodegradable packaging film and assessed the antimicrobial activity of lemongrass oil (LO), incorporated into the PLA film in different concentrations. To obtain the optimal physical properties for PLA films, tensile strength, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability were measured under different preparation conditions. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the LO contained in the PLA film against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by disc diffusion and viable cell count. Among all concentrations tested, 2% LO was the most suitable in terms of antimicrobial activity and physical properties of the PLA film. Based on these results, we used the PLA film containing 2% LO to pack pork sausages; after 12 d of storage at 4℃, the population of inoculated L. monocytogenes in the sausage samples wrapped with the PLA film containing 2% LO was reduced by 1.47 Log CFU/g compared with the control samples. Our data indicate that PLA films containing 2% LO represent a valuable means for antimicrobial sausage packaging.