• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2014

Korea's agricultural land is constantly being reduced. The reasons for this are due to the change of agricultural profitability and the policy conditions. The reduction of agricultural land in 2010 showed a decline trend by 14.4 % of paddy fields and 1.2% of uplands compared to areas from 2000. These reductions were mainly due to switch rice paddy fields into upland or greenhouse facility cultivation because of low profitability of rice products compared to farm products. In addition, the permit system of agricultural areas was relaxed in switching paddy fields and this accelerated the reduction of agricultural land. For this reason, more than 1% of agricultural land area has been reduced every year for last five years. Moreover, indiscreet fill and cover materials such as construction wastes were used in agricultural lands and caused land contamination which threatened foundation as sustainable agricultural lands. For these reasons, it is a desperate situation to conserve good agricultural lands. However, the standards of transported soils, filling soils and cutting soils in the Agricultural Land Act are qualitative and have a problem of causing complaints. Therefore, the following criteria (proposals) are proposed in the Agricultural Land Act; (1) Use the proper soils for crops (criterion), (2) Soil components and amounts should be proper as transported soils (range), and (3) Prohibiting usage of improper earth rocks or recycled aggregates in case of filling soils (kinds). The presented criteria (proposals) suggest following; (1) Use physio-chemically proper soils for crops (criterion), (2) In case of transported soils, i, exclude potential acid sulphate soils, ii, gravel content sould be less than 15%, and iii, Heavy metals and other contaminants should be less than the soil contamination warning limit from the Ministry of Environments, (3) In case of filling soils, 13 kinds of recycled wastes specified in the Wastes Control Act should not be used as filling soils, (4) Practice soil conservation technology in case of sloping areas, and (5) Follow proper fertilizer application standards for maturing paddy fields and uplands when cutting soils.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2015

Microalgae research is gaining momentum because of their potential biotechnological applications, including the generation of biofuels. Genome sequencing analysis of two model microalgal species, polar free-living Coccomyxa sp. C-169 and symbiotic Chlorella sp. NC64A, revealed insights into the factors responsible for their lifestyle and unravelled biotechnologically valuable proteins. However, genome sequence analysis under-explored cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), heme-thiolate proteins ubiquitously present in species belonging to different biological kingdoms. In this study we performed genome data-mining, annotation and comparative analysis of P450s in these two model algal species. Sixty-nine P450s were found in two algal species. Coccomyxa sp. showed 40 P450s and Chlorella sp. showed 29 P450s in their genome. Sixty-eight P450s (>100 amino acid in length) were grouped into 32 P450 families and 46 P450 subfamilies. Among the P450 families, 27 P450 families were novel and not found in other biological kingdoms. The new P450 families are CYP745-CYP747, CYP845-CYP863, and CYP904-CYP908. Five P450 families, CYP51, CYP97, CYP710, CYP745, and CYP746, were commonly found between two algal species and 16 and 11 P450 families were unique to Coccomyxa sp. and Chlorella sp. Synteny analysis and gene-structure analysis revealed P450 duplications in both species. Functional analysis based on homolog P450s suggested that CYP51 and CYP710 family members are involved in membrane ergosterol biosynthesis. CYP55 and CYP97 family members are involved in nitric oxide reduction and biosynthesis of carotenoids. This is the first report on comparative analysis of P450s in the microalgal species Coccomyxa sp. C-169 and Chlorella sp. NC64A.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.223-236
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-diabetic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum KI69. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of L. plantarum KI69 was 91.17±2.23% and 98.71±4.23%, respectively. The propionic, acetic, and butyric acid contents of the MRS broth inoculated with L. plantarum KI69 were 8.78±1.12 ppm, 1.34±0.07% (w/v), and 0.876±0.003 g/kg, respectively. L. plantarum KI69 showed higher sensitivity to penicillin-G, oxacillin, and chloramphenicol among 16 different antibiotics and showed the highest resistance to ampicillin and vancomycin. The strain showed higher β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities than other enzymes. Additionally, it did not produce carcinogenic enzymes, such as β-glucuronidase. The survival rate of L. plantarum KI69 in 0.3% bile was 96.42%. Moreover, the strain showed a 91.45% survival rate at pH 2.0. It was resistant to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus with the rates of 15.44%, 50.79%, 58.62%, and 37.85%, respectively. L. plantarum (25.85%) showed higher adhesion ability than the positive control L. rhamnosus GG (20.87%). These results demonstrate that L. plantarum KI69 has a probiotic potential with anti-diabetic effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.543-548
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• 2018

The current study examined antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of the crude polysaccharide fraction in Cudrania tricuspidata fruits (CTP). The radical scavenging activities of (1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and reducing power and FRAP of CTP were increased dose-dependently. In addition, the expression of neuroprotective effect of CTP was tested in HT22 mouse hippocampal cells. CTP treatment exhibited non cytotoxicity at dose levels below $500{\mu}g/mL$. Within this optimal concentration range, CTP treatment significantly increased cell viability in $H_2O_2-treated$ HT22 cells. Furthermore, CTP treatment increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) levels in HT22 cells. Therefore, these results indicate that the crude polysaccharide fraction from Cudrania tricuspidata fruits (CTP) possesses antioxidant activities and displays therapeutic potential as a useful source material in the development of brain disorder treatments targeting oxidative stress in neuronal cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.478-485
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• 2017

The effect of high carbon dioxide and ethylene treatment on postharvest ripening regulation of red kiwifruit (Actinidia melanandra) was investigated during cold storage. Physio-chemical properties such as weight loss, firmness, SSC, acidity, and market quality were analysed in red kiwifruit held at $10^{\circ}C$ compared to the fruit treated with carbon dioxide and ethylene during 75 days of storage. No significant weight loss was detected in red kiwifruit treated with carbon dioxide until 75 days of storage while the most rapid loss was found in fruit treated with ethylene. In ethylene-treated fruit, the firmness was dramatically reduced from 4.2kg on the first day to 1.2 kg after 27 days of storage at $10^{\circ}C$. However, the firmness of the carbon dioxide-treated fruit was 1.8kg after 54 days of storage. The highest level of SSC(%) was investigated within the 27 storage days at $10^{\circ}C$ for fresh red kiwifruit treated with exogenous ethylene, whereas the carbon dioxide-treated fruit exhibited a greatly increased SSC after 64 days. The carbon dioxide-treated red kiwifruit maintained statistically(p<.01) higher levels of acidity compared to the control and the exogenous ethylene-treated ones during 41 days of storage at $10^{\circ}C$. The SSC/Acid ratio of fruit treated with carbon dioxide was significantly lower (p<.01) maintained than the other two treatments (ethylene-treated and control fruit)throughout the 75-day experiment. Based on the quality characteristics of postharvest red kiwifruit, it could be concluded that the carbon dioxide treatment significantly delayed the ripening process and maintained the market quality of harvested red kiwifruit, which can be a potential application for commercial use in the kiwi industry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1201-1209
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to isolate probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that produce bile salt hydrolase (BSH), and to evaluate its effects on serum cholesterol level. One-hundred-twenty bacterial colonies were initially isolated from human feces, and five strains were selected after screening based on their resistance to acids, tolerance against bile salts, and inhibitory activity on Escherichia coli. The Lactobacillus plantarum strain with the highest level of BSH activity was identified using 16S rRNA sequences, and was named L. plantarum CK 102. L. plantarum CK 102 at a level of 1.36$\times$10$^8$cfu/ml survived in pH 2 buffer for 6 h and exhibited excellent tolerance for bile salt. Coculturing the strain with E. coli in MRS broth resulted in strong inhibition against growth of E. coli at 18 h. Furthermore, the potential effect of CK 102 on serum cholesterol level was evaluated in rats. Thirty-two rats [Sprague-Dawley (SD) male, 129$\pm$l g, 5 weeks old] were divided into four groups of eight each. For six weeks, Group 1 was fed a normal diet (negative control); Group 2 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (positive control); Group 3 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet plus L. plantarum CK 102 at 1.0$\times$10$^7$cfu/ml; and Group 4 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet plus L. plantarum CK 102 at 5.0$\times$10$^7$cfu/ml. Blood samples were collected, serum lipids were analyzed, and weights of the organs were measured. Total blood cholesterol level, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and free-cholesterol values were lower in rats that were fed 1. plantarum CK 102 than in those not fed L. plantarum CK 102. This cholesterol lowering effect implies that L. plantarum CK 102 could be utilized as an additive for health-assistance foods. In conclusion, these results suggest that the 1. plantarum CK 102 isolated could be used commercially as a probiotic.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to examine the feasibility of utilising bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea) shoot shell (BSS) in ruminants. Chemical composition, rumen degradability and some antinutritional compounds were determined for fresh and boiled BSSs to evaluate its feed value and safety. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were allocated to four groups and used to investigate the response in growth rate to supplementing ammoniated rice straw with fresh shell (phase 1) or silage of boiled BSS (phase 2). All animals were offered ammoniated straw ad libitum with 1kg of cotton seed meal (phase 1) or 0.5 kg of cotton seed meal and 0.5 kg of concentrate mixture (phase 2) per head per day. The BSS was supplemented at levels of 0, 3, 6 or 9 kg/d (phase 1) and 0, 5, 10 or 15 kg/d (phase 2) (as fed basis). The BSS was very high in moisture content, and its contents of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were 13~16% DM and 65~76% DM, respectively; boiling resulting in higher moisture and protein. No hydrocyanic acid was detected in both BSSs and content of tannins was negligible. Rumen degradability of BSS was reasonably high, and with boiling the rapidly degradable fraction decreased, and potentially degradable component increased. Silage of the boiled BSS was slightly lower in both rapidly and slowly degraded fractions than the fresh BSS. Animals consumed all supplemented BSSs without any adverse health problems. Intake of ammoniated straw decreased with the increasing levels of BSS, but total intake was higher in almost all supplementary groups than in the non-BSS. Heifers had a higher growth rate in phase 1 with fresh BSS than in phase 2 with ensiled shell, and daily weight gains were 622, 629, 744 or 690 g in phase 1, and 578, 575, 677 or 635 g in phase 2 at four BSS levels, respectively. For both phases growth rate was significantly higher for the animals in groups 3 and 4 than those in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.01), with little difference between groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05) but significant difference between groups 3 and 4 (p<0.05). Supplementation with BSS also resulted in an improved feed conversion rate, with the least concentrate consumption in group 3 for both phases. It is concluded that the BSS has a high potential nutritional value as indicated by its medium protein content, reasonably high rumen degradability, and that inclusion of BSS in ammoniated rice straw diet is not only safe to animals, but also may improve growth rate of ruminants and feed conversion rate. It may be disadvantageous to use high amounts of BSS in ammoniated straw diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1296-1302
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementing brown seaweed by-products (BSB) in the diet of ruminants on ruminal fermentation characteristics, growth performance, endocrine response, and milk production in Holstein cows. In Experiment 1, the effects of different levels (0%, 2%, and 4% of basal diet as Control, 2% BSB, 4% BSB, respectively) of BSB were evaluated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h in vitro batch culture rumen fermentation. The pH tended to be higher for the higher level of BSB supplementation, with the pH at 12 h being significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control. The concentration of ammonia nitrogen was lower at 3, 9, 12, and 24 h incubation (p<0.05) compared with the control, and tended to be low at other incubation times. Volatile fatty acid concentration appeared to be minimally changed while lower values were observed with 4% BSB treatment at 24 h (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, effects of levels (0%, 2%, and 4%) of BSB on growth performance, endocrine responses and milk production were studied with Holstein dairy cows during transition. Dry matter intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected by BSB supplementation. The concentration of plasma estrogen for the control, 2% BSB and 4% BSB after three months of pregnancy were 55.7, 94.1, and 72.3 pg/mL, respectively (p = 0.08). Although the differences of progesterone levels between BSB treatments and the control were minimal, the concentration in 4% BSB treatment increased to 157.7% compared with the initial level of the study. Triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels were also higher after both three months and eight months of pregnancy than the initial level at the beginning of the study. In addition, BSB treatments during one month after delivery did not affect daily milk yield and composition. In conclusion, the present results indicate that supplementation of BSB did not compromise ruminal fermentation, and animal performance at lower levels and hence may have potential to be used as a safe feed ingredient in dairy cows.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2015

Total acid digestion and 1 M HCl extraction methods were used to investigate the pollution status and the degree of ecological risk of trace metals in surface sediments from the Ulsan-Onsan coast. Total concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Hg) were two-fold higher in surface sediments from Onsan coast than in those from Ulsan coast. The mean labile fractions of the total concentrations of Cd and Pb were 72% and 78%, respectively, indicating a high contribution from anthropogenic sources, whereas Cr, Li, Ni, and As in the residual fraction exceeded 80%, indicating a high contribution from natural sources. According to the results of assessment of trace metal pollution using the sediment quality guidelines in Korea, the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg were higher than the values of the probable effects level (PEL) at some stations of Onsan coast, and the concentrations of Cr and Ni were lower than the values of the threshold effects level (TEL). The pollution level and ecological risk of the trace metals were analyzed using various indexes (EF, $I_{geo}$, m-PEL-Q, and ERI). Our results showed that the degree of pollution by trace metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Hg) on the Ulsan-Onsan coast was high, and Hg and Cd were the major potential ecological risk factors.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.10
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• pp.23.1-23.11
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• 2017

Background: Although soybean meal (SBM) is excellent source of protein in diets for poultry, it is sometimes inaccessible, costly and fluctuates in supply. The SBM can partially be replaced by full-fat SBM, but the meals prepared from raw full-fat soybean contain antinutritional factors. To avoid the risk of antinutritional factors, heat treatment is always advisable, but either excessive or under heating the soybean could negatively affect the quality. However, the potential for further improvement of SBM by supplementing with microbial enzymes has been suggested by many researchers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and ileal nutrient digestibility of birds fed on diets containing raw soybeans and supplemented with microbial protease. Methods: A $3{\times}2$ factorial, involving 3 levels of raw full-fat soybean (RFFS; 0, 45 or 75 g/kg of diet) and 2 levels of protease (0 or 15,000 PROT/kg) was used. The birds were raised in a climate-controlled room. A nitrogen-free diet was also offered to a reference group from day 19 to 24 to determine protein and amino acid flow at the terminal ileum and calculate the standardized ileal digestibility of nutrients. On days 10, 24 and 35, body weight and feed leftover were recorded to calculate the body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). On day 24, samples of ileal digesta were collected at least from two birds per replicate. Results: When RFFS was increased from 0 to 75 g/kg of diet, the content of trypsin inhibitors was increased from 1747 to 10,193 trypsin inhibitors unit (TIU)/g of diets, and feed consumption of birds was also reduced (P < 0.05). Increasing RFFS level reduced the BWG from hatch 0 to 10 d (P < 0.01) and hatch to 24 d (P < 0.05). The BWG of birds from hatch to 35 was not significantly (P = 0.07) affected. Feed intake was also reduced (P < 0.05) during 0 to 35 d. However, protease supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the BWG and FCR during 0 to 24 d. Rising levels of RFFS increased the weight of pancreas (P < 0.001) and small intestine (P < 0.001) at day 24. Except for methionine, apparent and the corresponding standardized ileal digestibility of CP and AA were reduced (P < 0.01) by increasing levels of RFFS in diets. Conclusion: This study showed that some commercial SBM could be replaced by RFFS in broiler diets, without markedly compromising productivity. The AID and SID of CP and lysine were slightly improved by dietary supplementation of microbial protease.