• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2000

Leachate from acidogenic fermentation of food waste was effectively treated by the UASB reactor at $37^{\circ}C$. The efficiency of COD removal was consistently over 96% up to the loading rates of $15.8g\;COD/{\ell}{\cdot}d$. The methane production rate increased to $5.5{\ell}/{\ell}{\cdot}d$. Of all the COD removed, 92% was converted to methane and the rest presumably to biomass. At loading rates over $18.7g\;COD/{\ell}{\cdot}d$, the efficiency of COD removal decreased due to the sludge flotation and washout in the reactor, which resulted from short HRT of less than 10.6 hr. The SMA(specific methanogenic activity) analysis showed that the VFA-degrading activity of granule was the highest for butyrate, and the lowest for propionate. This result was consistent with the observation that the residual propionate concentration was the highest among the VFAs in the effluent. Typical granules were found to be mainly composed of microcolonies of Methanosaeta. Though the original seed sludge contained 64.3% of particles smaller than 1.4mm, the sludge particles had been growing during the fermentation, and at the final step of this study, 75.1% of the particles were found to be larger than 1.4 mm in the UASB reactor.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2019

The study was conducted to compare the chemical properties and microbial activity of soil and the crop productivity by applying homemade liquid fertilizers (LF) used in leading cucumber farms as well as to evaluate the eco-friendly LFs to substitute for a chemical fertilizer. Three homemade LFs, EM, starfish, and native microbes, and a chemical LF were regularly fertigated per three days during the growing season. Chemical LF contained the highest pH, EC (electrical conductivity), and concentrations of T-N, $P_2O_5$, K, Ca, and Mg, while the lowest EC level was observed for EM LF. Soil EC was the highest to the 3.0 dS/m for chemical LF-plots, with lowering soil pH, OM (organic matter), and Mg concentration. Soil chemical properties mostly increased in native microbes LF-plots. However, soil microbial properties were not significantly different among the LF treatment plots. OTU (operational taxonomic units), richness estimator, and diversity index of bacteria and fungi increased in the chemical LF and EM LF based on the pyrosequencing analysis. SPAD and PS II values on the treated-cucumber leaves were seasonally decreased from 32 to 60 days after transplanting, with the rapid decline observed at 45 days after transplanting. Number of leaves and crop height increased in the treatments with EM and native microbes LF. LF treated-cucumber crops were not significantly different for total fresh weight and fruit yield.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2022

In this study, the efficiency of treatment of moisture and organic matter in food waste was analyzed according to the air blast volume and preheating using the bio-drying method. Te mount of air blast volume and preheating were determined by the evaluation of temperature and CO2 during food waste treatment using the bio-drying method. As a results, the increase in the air blast volume increased the moisture removal efficiency and removal rate, but, lowered the temperature inside the bio-drying by the decease in microbial activity. In order to maintain the activity of microorganisms, it was estimated that it was necessary to inject an appropriate air blast rate according th the properties of the food waste. In this study, the injection of air blast volume at 15L/min was optimal. It was evaluated that the organic matter and water removal rates according to the presence or absence of air preheating, the organic matter removal rate and water removal rate increased by 3-5% when air preheating was not performed. Also, there was no internal aggregation caused by the generation of condensate inside the bio-drying. Therefore, for effective bio-drying of food waste, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate air blast volume to maintain microbial activity, and it is considered that injection through preheating of air is required.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.743-751
• /
• 2017

During slaughtering, animal blood is typically discarded, resulting in water pollution. However, this discarded blood has valuable components, such as immunoglobulin (Ig). Although several studies have been conducted to develop methods for effective recycling of slaughterhouse blood, they have not been commercially utilized in Korea. Here, we extracted an Ig-rich fraction from porcine blood that was then subjected to various in vitro tests, including pathogen growth inhibition, antigenic cross-reactivity, and anti-toxin activity. The porcine immunoglobulin concentrate (PIC) was effectively purified by eliminating other components, such as albumin, and consisted of approximately $63.2{\pm}2.9%$ IgG and $7.2{\pm}0.4%$ IgM on a protein basis. The results showed that it significantly suppressed the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and bound to all tested pathogens, including both gram-positive and gram-negative species, although the degree of activity differed according to strain. The PIC bound to two types of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) obtained from Escherichia coli O111:B4 and Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the PIC restored the proliferation activity of the lymphoblast K-562 cells when co-incubated with pathogenic LPS. These results confirm that the PIC prepared in this study is a potentially valuable functional food material or diet supplement as an alternative to antibiotics that can protect animals from pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.1437-1444
• /
• 2010

This research was to find out the effectiveness of the horticultural therapy program based on the therapeutic factors and the most meaningful experiences of the clients. For this purpose "Green harmony" program focused on harmony through horticulture was implemented. It is based on the preposition that holistic health is promoted with harmonious relationships with oneself, other people, community and nature. The program has three-fold structure: In innermost it deals with the task of the late adolescent, i.e., self identity, secondly the experience of communication and solidarity in the group, and finally extension of interest to the community. For the therapeutic intervention, questions using the metaphor of the activity were given to the clients for the establishment of self-identity, while group activity and the donation of the works let the second and third purpose accomplished. Outdoor activity, 'Tire garden project', has provided the clients with chances of the contact with nature, cooperation with other group members, and a contest to provoke enthusiasm. Also recycling and greening of the community were possible by utilizing old tires for the containers and by donating the final works to the community. For the evaluation of the result, the effect of the program on the stress of the college students was tested, and the most meaningful experiences during the participation to the program were asked to identify the therapeutic factors acknowledged by clients. "Green harmony" program has brought positive effects on the stress of the clients in spite of relatively short period of five weeks. The clients has acknowledged plant/nature contact and interactions between group members for the most meaningful experiences. This research suggests "Green harmony" horticultural therapy program based on the therapeutic factors is highly applicable for the general populations.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.313-320
• /
• 2011

The oxidative stress level and antioxidant activities in two green algae (Ulva pertusa and Ulva linza), two brown algae (Agarum cribrosum and Dictyota dichotoma), and three red algae (Grateloupia lanceolata, Carpopeltis affinis, and Gracilaria verrucosa) collected from intertidal regions of Korea were assessed. In the two green algae, although the total glutathione content was not as high as that of the brown algae, the glutathione pool was extremely reduced, and the glutathione reductase (GRd)/glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity ratio was high, which apparently plays an important role for protection against oxidative damage, as manifested by low lipid peroxidation. In the brown algae, which exhibited a low lipid peroxidation level that was comparable to the green algal species, the highest glutathione content, together with high GPx activity, appears to be the most important factor in their antioxidant protection. The red algal species exhibited extremely high lipid peroxidation levels. They also contained the lowest and most oxidized glutathione among the species, as well as the lowest GRd activity. In spite of the marked difference in the glutathione content, the significant difference in the activity of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine ligase, the rate limiting enzyme for glutathione synthesis, among the species was not exhibited. Our results suggest that there is a significant difference in the levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity among the algal species, and that the glutathione system, especially the efficiency of glutathione recycling, plays a vital role in antioxidative protection in algal species.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.131-136
• /
• 1996

In order to known the extend of contribution to the degradation of organic materials and nutrient recycling by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methane-producing bacteria (MPB) in sediment, the distribution and activity of these two groups of microorganisms were studied montly in 1994 at two sites, one littoral (Sanggulri) and the other profunndal (DAM), in Lake Soyang. In the seasonal distribution of two microorganisms, SRB were 1.07 $\times$ 10$^{3}$-2.42 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ cells/g-dry weight at Sanggulri, 2.40 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ -1.29 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ at Dam and MPB were 0.52 $\times$ 10$^{3}$ cells/g-dry weight at Sangguri and 1.44 $\times$ 10$^{3}$-6.89 $\times$ 10$^{3}$ at Dam. In these results, the density of SRB in Lake Soyang is much higher than other lakes. These high values might be due to higher sulfate concentration, 0.69-4.05 mM, than normal freshwater, 0.01-1.2 mM. And a good correlation of SRB and chlorophyll a concentration implied that the important environmental factor on distribution of SRB might be the concentration of available organic matter. In a comparison of sulfate-reducing rate and methane producing rate in 1995, the activity of SRB for the degradation of organic matter was higher than MPB by factor of 359. Conclusively SRB superior to MPB in the distribution and activity are more important annearobic bacteria in Lake Soyang sediments.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.349-357
• /
• 2004

Emergy is a measure of the processes required to produce something expressed in units of the same energy form. Emergy based indices can provide insights into the thermodynamic efficiency of the process, the quality of its output, and the interaction between the process and its surrounding environment. However, in an industrial system, the inputs are mostly nonrenewable, renewable energy source is nearly zero, ultimate purpose is pursuit of profits in economic activity. In study, we present two indices based on emergy - EEE(Ecological Economic Efficiency) and ERI(Environmental Responsibility Index). The EEE is taken into account real value of product in market economy. The ERI is shown to be a function of the net yield of the economy, its ‘load’ on the environment and ecological economic efficiency. Manufacturing industry of Korea produced the 30% of total GDP in 2001. We applied these indices to manufacturing industry for environmental management and further sustainable industry. As a results, the highest ERI is 0.34 in recycling industries, the lowest ERI is 0.01 in coke, refined petroleum products which is dominated by ELR. The higher ERI, the more friendly to environment. The suggested indices help us understand relative contributions of various alternatives in company's production and consumption activity, and provide a tool of decision-making for the rearrangement of future industries. Furthermore, they contribute to environmental friendly operation and consumption.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.513-517
• /
• 2010

A thermostable trehalose synthase (TtTSase) from Thermus thermophilus HJ6 was immobilized on chitosan activated with glutaraldehyde. The yield of immobilization was evaluated as 39.68%. The optimum pH of the immobilized enzyme was similar to that of the free enzyme. However, the optimal temperature ranges were shifted by about $4^{\circ}C$ owing to better thermal stability after immobilization. The half-life of heat inactivation for free and immobilized enzymes was 5.7 and 6.3 days at $70^{\circ}C$, respectively, thus showing a lager thermostability of the immobilized enzyme. When tested in batch reaction, the immobilized enzyme retained its relative activity of 53% after 30 reuses of reaction within 12 days, and still retained 82% of its initial activity even after 150 days at $4^{\circ}C$. A packed-bed bioreactor with immobilized enzyme showed a maximum yield of 56% trehalose from 100 mM maltose in a continuous recycling system (bed volume: 10 ml) under conditions of pH 7.0 and $70^{\circ}C$.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.317-321
• /
• 2008

Macrophages play a key role in iron metabolism by recycling iron through erythrophagocytosis. Ferroportin-l (FPN1) is a transporter protein that is known to mediate iron export from macrophages. Since divalent metals often interact with iron metabolism, we examined if divalent metals could regulate the expression of FPN1 in macrophages. J774 macrophage cells were treated with copper, manganese, zinc, or cobalt at 10, 50, or $100\;{\mu}M$ for 16 to 24 h. Then, FPN1 mRNA and protein levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. In addition, effects of divalent metals on FPN1 promoter activity were examined by luciferase reporter assays. Results showed that copper significantly increased FPN1 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The copper-induced expression of FPN1 mRNA was associated with a corresponding increase in FPN1 protein levels. Also, copper directly stimulated the activity of FPN1 promoter-driven reporter construct. In contrast, manganese and zinc had no effect on the FPN1 gene expression in J774 cells. Interestingly, cobalt treatment in J774 cells decreased FPN1 protein levels without affecting FPN1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, our study results demonstrate that divalent metals differentially regulate FPN1 expression in macrophages and indicate a potential interaction of divalent metals with the FPN1-mediated iron export in macrophages.