• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.119.2-120
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• 2003

Seed-borne fungal pathogens on rice seeds were investigated in order to evaluate their effect on rice grain quality. Rice seeds of two cultivars, Ilmibyeo and Daesanbyeo were collected from 27 areas of Korea and the fungal parasites on seeds were isolated by using a blotter method. Isolation frequency and number of species were varied from collection areas of seed samples. A total 13 species of fungi were identified from the seeds. Among them, Altemana alternata was the most frequent over the country. Bipoiaris oryzae most commonly from Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk, Alternaria padwickii from Jeonbuk, and Nigrospora oryzae from Choongnam. However Bipolaris. oryzae, Alternaria padwickii, and Nigrospora oryzae were the most frequently isolated fungi from Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk, and Chungnam, respectively. B. oryzae, A. alternata, A. padwickii, and N. oryzae were dominants on Ilmibyeo showing 10.3％, 10.2％, 5.2％, and 5.2％ infection rate, respectively. While, N. oryzae, A alternata, and Cladosporium sp. were most frequently isolated fungi from Deasanbyeo revealing 15.1％, 9.6％, and 7.5％ infection rate, respectively. These fungi inhabiting on hulls or endosperms of rice seed might be considered as potential factors decreasing rice grain quality. Further investigation of the fungi on grain rice quality are undergoing.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2016

Keratinophilic fungus (KPF), a type of dermatophytes, is usually present as normal flora on the skin of humans and animals but can produce ring worm-like dermatophytosis by invading the skin in infected individuals. They are distributed worldwide, but their occurrences vary distinctively in accordance with the geographical location and environmental change. Because these fungi grow by degrading keratin, they are abundantly found on the skin, hair, and nails, which are rich in keratin. To investigate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil, we selected a popular beach in South Korea, Haeundae Beach, where numerous people gather each year during the summer holidays. Hundred soil samples were analyzed using the hair-baiting technique, among which, a total of 23 colonies of KPF were identified from 21 soil samples. The identified KPF were Microsporum gypseum (43%), Chrysosporium spp. (35%), Trichophyton ajelloi (13%), and Microsporum cookie (9%). This study confirmed that pathogenic fungi can be found in places crowded by many people. Further research and continuous data collection are needed to confirm the distribution of pathogenic KPF.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2006

The objective of this study is to provide fundamental data for pertinent management of indoor air quality through investigating the size-based characteristics of bioaerosol distributed in the general hospital. Measurement sites are main lobby, ICU, ward and laboratory and total five times were sampled with six-stage cascade impactor. Based on the result of this study, concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were the highest in main lobby as followed by an order of ward, ICU and laboratory. Concentrations of airborne bacteria was generally higher than those of airborne fungi and the ratio of indoor and outdoor concentration of both exceeded 1.0 in all the measurement sites of the general hospital. The predominant genera of airborne bacteria identified in the general hospital were Staphylococcus spp.(50%), Micrococcus spp.(15-20%), Corynebacterium spp.(5-20%), and Bacillus spp.(5-15%). On the other hand, the predominant genera of airborne fungi identified in the general hospital were Cladosporium spp.(30%), Penicillium spp.(20-25%), Aspergillus spp.(15-20%), and Alternaria spp.(10-20%). In regard to size distribution of bioaerosol, the detection rate was generally highest on 5 stage($1.1-2.1{\mu}m$) for airborne bacteria and on 1 stage(>$7.0{\mu}m$) for airborne fungi. Cleanliness of facilities in the general hospital and condition of HVAC system should be monitored regularly to prevent indoor air contamination by airborne microorganisms.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.104-114
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• 2007

This study evaluated the airborne concentrations of bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi in waiting rooms, wards, and outdoors, according to time and particle size between October 17 and November 28, 2003. The geometric mean number of airborne bacteria was highest in the morning. The more people there were, the higher was the total bacteria concentration. The concentration of fungi was also highest in the morning. Temperature and relative humidity affected the concentrations of fungi significantly (p<0.05). This study found relationships between microorganism concentrations and (actors such as time, place, temperature, humidity, ventilation, and number of people. Therefore, to manage the pollution resulting from airborne microorganisms, each time, place, and environmental factor should be examined periodically, and the number, size, and movement of airborne microorganisms should be evaluated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.256-262
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• 2010

This study evaluated the airborne concentrations of fungi in university laboratories, hospital diagnostic laboratories in Seoul. The incubated fungi was identified by lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) staining method. Variables such as types of ventilation, temperature and relative humidity were investigated to explain laboratory airborne fungal concentrations. A total of 97 air samples were collected from 10 facilities in two institutions. Aspergilus spp., including Aspergilus niger, Aspergillius flavos and Penicillium spp. were found as predominant species. Airborne fungal concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 1,890 CFU/$m^3$. Airborne fungal concentrations were high in general-ventilated facilities and in laboratories where relative humidity ( > 60 %) were high ( p < 0.001). Therefore, we suggest that relative humidity should be maintained to properly reduce the concentration of fungal in university and hospital laboratories.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate into the distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the greenhouse soils grown strawberry plants in Damyang and Jangheung districts. Twenty three soil samples were collected from strawberry plants under greenhouse conditions, and mycorrhizal spores in soils were separated using wet-sieving methods. Number of mycorrhizal spores per 30g fresh soil sized over 500${\mu}$m, 355~500${\mu}$m, 251~354${\mu}$m, 107~250${\mu}$m and $45{\sim}106{\mu}m$ were 0.3, 1.0, 4.2, 50.4 and 119, etc. Total number of spores per 30g fresh soil were l73.9. Root infection by vesicles and hyphae were 25% and 4%, respectively. Mycorrhizal root infection by arbuscules was not shown in strawberry roots. Isolated mycorrhizal spores were inoculated into the host plant of sudangrass to identify the genus of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and propagated for 4 months. As a result of identification, mass propagated mycorrhizal spores were Glomus sp., Gigaspora sp., and Acaulospora sp., and so on.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2007

A total of 39 essential oils were tested for antifungal activities as volatile compounds against five phytopathogenic fungi at a dose of 1 ${\mu}l$ per plate. Five essential oils showed inhibitory activities against mycelial growth of at least one phytopathogenic fungus. Origanum vulgare essential oil inhibited mycelial growth of all of the five fungi tested. Both Cuminum cyminum and Eucalyptus citriodora oils displayed in vitro antifungal activities against four phytopathogenic fungi except for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris suppressed the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani and that of Cymbopogon citratus was active to only F. oxysporum. The chemical compositions of the five active essential oils were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study suggests that both E. citriodora and C. cyminum oils have a potential as antifungal preservatives for the control of storage diseases of various crops.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2020

Soil degradation can have an impact on the soil microbiota, but its specific effects on soil fungal communities are poorly understood. In this work, we studied the impact of soil degradation on the richness and diversity of communities of soil fungi, including three different degrees of degradation in Germany and Panama. Soil fungi were isolated monthly using the soil-sprinkling method for 8 months in Germany and 3 months in Panama, and characterized by morphological and molecular data. Soil physico-chemical properties were measured and correlated with the observed values of fungal diversity. We isolated a total of 71 fungal species, 47 from Germany, and 32 from Panama. Soil properties were not associated with fungal richness, diversity, or composition in soils, with the exception of soil compaction in Germany. The geographic location was a strong determinant of the soil fungal species composition although in both countries there was dominance by members of the orders Eurotiales and Hypocreales. In conclusion, the results of this work do not show any evident influence of soil degradation on communities of soil fungi in Germany or Panama.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of airborne bioaerosol in public facilities in Seoul. A total of 17 public facilities were investigated from December, 2002 to February, 2003. As results of the survey, the mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi in indoor air of public facilities were $378.08\pm296.33$ CFU/㎥ by RCS and $106.38\pm171.63$ CFU/㎥ and $347.46\pm335.32$ CFU/㎥ and $95.23\pm62.61$ CFU/㎥, by Six-stage cascade air sampler respectively. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $517.14\pm343.93$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $215,83\pm100.71$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $83.14\pm79.16$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $133.50\pm248.07$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air were 449.44 CFU/㎥ for the ground and $217.50\pm103.68$ CFU/㎥ for the underground. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air were $63.89\pm77.66$ CFU/㎥ for the ground and $202.00\pm290.08$ CFU/㎥ for the underground.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2012

This study investigated the distribution of endophytic fungi obtained from the surface sterilized tissues of leaves, stems and roots of chili pepper ($Capsicum$ $annuum$ L.) plants in seedling, flowering and fruiting stages in Korea and their antifungal activity. A total of 481 isolates were recovered and were identified using molecular techniques. Based on rDNA ITS gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, 21 fungal genera were characterized, belonging to 16 Ascomycota and 5 Basidiomycota. $Penicillium$ in seedling stage, $Fusarium$ in flowering stage, $Colletotrichum$ followed by $Fusarium$, $Alternaria$ and $Xylaria$ in fruiting stage was predominant and $Alternaria$, $Cladosporium$ and $Fusarium$ were common in all growth stages. Among 481 endophytes 90 phenotypes were evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against three major pathogens ($Phytophthora$ $capsici$, $Colletotrichum$ $acutatum$ and $Fusarium$ $oxysporum$) of chili pepper. Among them 16 isolates inhibited the growth of at least one test microorganisms. Three strains showed a broad spectrum antifungal activity and displayed strong inhibition against chili pepper pathogenic fungi.