• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.274-277
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• 2019

Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was isolated from fecal samples obtained from a healthy Korean. The whole-genome sequence of Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was analyzed using the PacBio Sequel platform. The genome comprises a 2,707,502 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 43.09%, 2,484 total genes, 2,367 protein-coding gene, 14 rRNA genes, and 53 tRNA genes. In the draft genome, genes involved in the hydrolysis enzyme, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolite, antibiotic biosynthesis, and antibiotic resistance have been identified. Those genes of KGMB03662 may be related to the regulation of human health and disease.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of an antibiotic fungicide, kasugamycin, in agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper) using liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with methanol adjusted to pH 13 using 1 N sodium hydroxide, and purified with a HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. Linearity of a matrix-matched calibration curve using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, was excellent with a correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of more than 0.9998. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of instrument were 0.0005 and $0.001{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and the LOQ of analytical method calculated as 0.01 mg/kg. The average recoveries at three spiking levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n=5) were in the range of 71.2~95.4% with relative standard deviation of less than 12.1%. The developed method was simple and all optimized results was satisfied with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could be served as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRL) of kasugamycin and be used as basic data for safety management relative to kasugamycin residues in imported and domestic agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.242-250
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of fenquinotrione, a triketone herbicide, in agricultural products. Fenquinotrione was metabolized to KIH-3653-M-2 in plants. Analyte extraction was conducted using 2% formic acid in acetonitrile and cleaned up using a hydrophillic-lipophillic balance (HLB) cartridge. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.004 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.001{\sim}0.1{\mu}g/mL$) into a blank extract with $r^2>0.99$. The recovery results for fenquinotrione and KIH-3653-M-2 ranged between 81.1 to 116.2% and 78.0 to 110.0% at different concentration levels (LOQ, $10{\times}LOQ$, $50{\times}LOQ$) with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 4.6%. All values were corresponded with the criteria ranges requested in both the Codex (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and MFDS guidelines (2016). Therefore, the proposed method can be used as an official analytical method for determination of fenquinotrione in the Republic of Korea.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2019

In this study, we used extracts obtained from five different solvents (water, ethanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol) of Achyranthes japonica (AJ) and also AJ fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) to confirm effects on the anti-inflammatory activity in RAW264.7 cells. Experiments of measuring nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production were performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells, and the expression of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was observed by a western blot method. The cytotoxicity of RAW264.7 was confirmed by the cell counting kit (CCK) assay at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$, which has no toxicity. As a result of the inhibition of NO production, the inhibition rate of AJ-LP extracted with ethanol samples was about 74% higher than that of using the control group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), which are inflammatory cytokines, also showed an excellent efficacy with inhibition rates of about 57, 70, and 74%, respectively. Comparing to the results of COX-2 and iNOS expression in the AJ group, the inhibition rate of 20-hydroxyecdysone was the highest than others. On the other hand, the COX-2 expression level of AJ-LP group decreased about 16% compared to that of the control group, and the iNOS expression level was also decreased about 7%. These results suggest that the extract of AJ fermented from L. plantarum can be used as an anti-inflammatory natural material.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of quinoxyfen in agricultural products using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile and water was removed by liquid-liquid partitioning with $MgSO_4$ (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and sodium acetate. Dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup was carried out using $MgSO_4$, PSA (primary secondary amine), $C_{18}$ (octadecyl) and GCB (graphitized carbon black). The analytes were quantified and confirmed by using LC-MS/MS in positive mode with MRM (multiple reaction monitoring). The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using six levels ($0.001-0.25{\mu}g/mL$) and the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) was above 0.99. Recovery results at three concentrations (LOQ, 10 LOQ, and 50 LOQ, n=5) were in the range of 73.5-86.7% with RSDs (relative standard deviations) of less than 8.9%. For inter-laboratory validation, the average recovery was 77.2-95.4% and the CV (coefficient of variation) was below 14.5%. All results were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for quinoxyfen determination in agricultural commodities. This study could be useful for the safe management of quinoxyfen residues in agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of fenpropimorph, a morpholine fungicide, in hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) sample preparation and LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The QuEChERS extraction was performed with acetonitrile followed by addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. After centrifugation, d-SPE (dispersive solid phase extraction) cleanup was conducted using anhydrous magnesium sulfate, primary secondary amine sorbents and graphitized carbon black. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using seven concentration levels, from 0.0025 to 0.25 mg/kg, and their correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of five agricultural products were higher than 0.9899. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.001 and 0.0025 mg/kg, respectively, and the limits of quantification for the analytical method were 0.01 mg/kg. Average recoveries spiked at three levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n=5) and were in the range of 90.9~110.5% with associated relative standard deviation values less than 5.7%. As a result of the inter-laboratory validation, the average recoveries between the two laboratories were 88.6~101.4% and the coefficient of variation was also below 15%. All optimized results were satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. This study could serve as a reference for safety management relative to fenpropimorph residues in imported and domestic agricultural products.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Dichlobentiazox is a newly registered pesticide in Korea as a triazole fungicide and requires establishment of an official analysis method for the safety management. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the residual analysis method of dichlobentiazox for the five representative agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three QuEChERS methods were applied to establish the extraction method, and the EN method was finally selected through the recovery test. In addition, various adsorbent agents were applied to establish the clean-up method. As a result, it was found that the recovery of the tested pesticide was reduced when using the d-SPE method with PSA and GCB, but C₁₈ showed an excellent recovery. Therefore this method was established as the final analysis method. For the analysis, LC-MS/MS was used with consideration of the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and was operated in MRM mode. The results of the recovery test using the established analysis method and inter laboratory validation showed a valid range of 70-120%, with standard deviation and coefficient of variation of less than 3.0% and 11.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dichlobentiazox could be analyzed with a modified QuEChERS method, and the method determined would be widely available to ensure the safety of residual pesticides in Korea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.278-286
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• 2019

Sesbania, an annual herb, is known for its high forage value and salt tolerance. It has merits as a forage crop that is adaptable to reclaimed land in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we collected Sesbania genetic resources from the Republic of Korea and other countries, and conducted experiments to evaluate their potential as a forage crop in Korean climate and soil conditions. In the preliminary experiments, 15 genetic resources which were able to set seeds in Korean environment were selected out of a total of 46 collected genetic resources. Among 15 genetic resources, SL13 was the tallest and it was followed by that of SC04, SR01 and SE07. The accessions with the earliest flowering started flowering 101 days after sowing and set seed in early August. Fifteen accessions were evaluated for their salt tolerance at germination stage based on germination rate and growth of germinated seedlings at 0 mM, 150 mM and 300 mM NaCl concentrations. Five genetic resources like SC04, SL13, SS20, SS24 and SR01 were selected to be tolerant to NaCl treatment. Forage value was evaluated based on crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The forage value of leaves was significantly higher than that of stems, and the forage value of the stem was slightly better than that of rice straw. The forage value of leaves of all the genetic resources was higher than grade 1 by the American Forage and Grassland Council grade. Among five selected genetic resources, the relative feed value of SC04 was the highest and it was followed by that of SS20, SL13, SS24 and SR01.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.623-629
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• 2011

The detectable levels and population fluctuations of phytoplasmas infecting dwarf mulberry trees were investigated using nested-PCR and competitive-PCR methods. Samples of five different types were studied : A. petiole of a leaf that displays dwarf symptoms, B. petiole from apparently healthy leaf residing on a branch also supports a leaf with dwarf symptoms, C. the branch portion that supports a leaf with dwarf symptoms, D. the leaf petiole from healthy appearing leaves on branch with no dwarf symptoms, and branch portion of branch with no dwarf symptoms, E. the rootlets of trees with dwarf symptoms. These 5-parts were collected from each tree during June - April, once in every two months. The phytoplasma was detected from all parts of collected mulberry samples during all seasons using nested-PCR with AS-1/AS-2 primer pairs. The phytoplasma was detected until $10^4$ dilution using direct-PCR method, but it was detected until $10^{13}$ dilution by the nested-PCR method. The density of pytoplasma was found to be $7.94{\times}10^{18}-10^{12}copies/{\mu}L$ in mulberry trees. The density of phytoplasma was observed throughout the year in all samples of mulberry trees. The highest rates of phytoplasma was found in the samples B and C during the early growing season followed by the sample A and D during the dormant season. Samples C and E displayed the highest phytoplasma density followed sample D. The density of phytoplasma appeared stable during all the seasons for samples C and A. The result of the present study demonstrates the utility of nested-PCR and competitive-PCR for detection and determination of population fluctuations of phytoplasmas in plant tissues.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2021

The hydrogen in nominally anhydrous mineral is known to be associated with lattice defects, but it also can exist in the form of water and hydroxyl groups on the large surface of the nanoscale particles. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of 1H solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a robust experimental method to quantify the hydrogen atomic environments of amorphous silica nanoparticles with varying relative humidity. Amorphous silica nanoparticles were packed into NMR rotors in a temperature-humidity controlled glove box, then stored in different atmospheric conditions with 25% and 70% relative humidity for 2~10 days until 1H NMR experiments, and a slight difference was observed in 1H NMR spectra. These results indicate that amount of hydrous species in the sample packed in the NMR rotor is rarely changed by the external atmosphere. The amount of hydrogen atom, especially the amount of physisorbed water may vary in the range of ~10% due to the temporal and spatial inhomogeneity of relative humidity in the glove box. The quantitative analysis of 1H NMR spectra shows that the amount of hydrogen atom in amorphous silica nanoparticles linearly increases as the relative humidity increases. These results imply that the sample sealing capability of the NMR rotor is sufficient to preserve the hydrous environments of samples, and is suitable for the quantitative measurement of water content of ultrafine nominally anhydrous minerals depending on the atmospheric relative humidity. We expect that 1H solid-state NMR method is suitable to investigate systematically the effect of surface area and crystallinity on the water content of diverse nano-sized nominally anhydrous minerals with varying relative humidity.