• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2018

We investigated the biodiversity of endophytic fungi in Pinus densiflora and Junipreus rigida from Mt. Baekryeonsan and Mt. Johangsan in Korea. In total, 59 isolates were discovered from 26 host plants and identified using sequences from the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Twenty taxa of endophytic fungi were identified in this study; 62% of isolates belonged to Leotiomycetes, 34% belonged to Sordariomyetes, and 4% belonged to Agaricomycetes. Results confirmed three previously unreported endophytic fungi in Korea: Phanerochaete concrescens, Creosphaeria sassafras, and Scopuloides rimosa. Community analysis showed that the fungal diversity patterns of the samples from Mt Baekryeonsan and Mt. Johangsan are similar to those from previous studies and varied depending upon host and locality.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.61-80
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• 2013

Quantification of viable forms of microbial community (bacteria and fungi) using culture-dependent methods was done in order to characterize the indoor air quality (IAQ). Role of those factors, which may influence the concentration of viable counts of bacteria and fungi, like ventilation, occupancy, outdoor concentration and environmental parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were also determined. Volumetric-infiltration sampling technique was employed to collect air samples both inside and outside the schools. As regard of measurements of airborne viable culturable microflora of schools during one academic year, the level of TVMCs in school buildings was ranged between 803-5368 cfu/$m^3$. Viable counts of bacteria (VBCs) were constituted 63.7% of the mean total viable microbial counts where as viable counts of fungi (VFCs) formed 36.3% of the total. Mean a total viable microbial count (TVMCs) in three schools was 2491 cfu/$m^3$. Outdoor level of TVMCs was varied from 736-5855 cfu/$m^3$. Maximum and minimum VBCs were 3678-286 cfu/m3 respectively. Culturable fungal counts were ranged from 268-2089 cfu/$m^3$ in three schools. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was indicated that indoor concentration of viable community reliant upon outdoor concentration. Temperature seemed to have a large effect (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) on the concentration of viable culturable microbial community rather than relative humidity. Consistent with the analysis and findings, the concentration of viable cultural counts of bacteria and fungi found indoors, were of several orders of magnitude, depending upon the potential of local, spatial and temporal factors, IO ratio appeared as a crucial indicator to identify the source of microbial contaminants.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2006

This study was conducted to identify native ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi colonizing Pinus densiflora for revegetation of abandoned coal mines in Korea. Seedlings of P. densiflora growing on coal mining spoils of a study site in Samcheok were collected. ECM roots were observed under stereomicroscope and their DNA were extracted from each root tip for a seedling for molecular identification. A PCR primer pair specific to fungi, ITS1F and ITS4, was used to amplify fungal DNA. Restriction enzymes, Alul and Hinfl were used for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Combined with RFLP profiles and sequence analysis, total twenty one taxa were identified from the ECM root tips. Basidiomycetous fungi including Thelephoraceae, Pezizales, Laccaria, Pisolithus and Ascomycetous fungi including ericoid mycorrhizal fungi were identified from this study. Results showed that the most frequently found in the study sites was a species in Thelephoraceae. A possible use of ECM fungi identified in this study for the revegetation of abandoned coal mines with P. densiflora was discussed.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 2017

Orchidaceous plants have symbiotic relationships with endophytic fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, which play important roles in the seed germination and growth of the host plants. In this study, endophytic fungal communities isolated from the roots of Cephalanthera longibracteata collected from three different sites in Korea were analyzed, and it was determined whether fungal communities were preferentially correlated with the sites. The fungal isolates were identified by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA. In total, 30 species of endophytic fungi, including two species of mycorrhizal fungi belonging to the genus Tulasnella, were identified. Leptodontidium orchidicola showed the highest frequency and was isolated from all root samples. Species diversity and richness were not significantly different among sites. However, the community structure of the endophytic fungi significantly differed among sites, suggesting that the site characteristics affected the community composition of the endophytic fungi colonizing the roots of C. longibracteata. Our findings will aid in developing methods involving the use of symbiotic fungi for orchid conservation and restoration in native habitats.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

This study assessed the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, fungi, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, and qualitative analysis of Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Vibrio spp. in four frozen-raw sliced fishes (cuttlefish, flatfish, salmon, and shrimp) for sushi production. The total aerobic bacteria, fungi, and coliforms were 2.95-3.38, 1.96-2.88, and 0.92-1.29 log CFU/g, respectively. In particular, shrimp was highly contaminated with total aerobic bacteria (3.38 log CFU/g) and fungi (2.88 log CFU/g). Over 3 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria was also detected in cuttlefish, flatfish, and salmon. Less than 1-2 log CFU/g of E. coli was detected in all frozen samples. S. aureus was detected at 2.25-3.13 log CFU/g in most samples. B. cereus was qualitatively detected at 25% in most samples, except for salmon (0%). Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, and Vibrio spp. were qualitatively detected at 25-50% of all four samples. The microbial contamination levels determined in the current study may be potentially used as basic data to perform microbial risk assessments of frozen-raw sliced fishes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure level to dust and airborne microorganisms among employed workers in a clothing shopping center. Materials and Methods: On-site investigation of a clothing shopping center was performed between October and November 2012. The hazardous substances measured in this study are particulate matter(Total dust, respirable dust) and airborne microorganisms (Total airborne bacteria, total airborne fungi). Results: The highest geometric mean levels of particulate matter(total dust, respirable dust) for personal sampling were $1.735(SD:0.883)mg/m^3$ for total dust and $0.0711(SD:0.008)mg/m^3$ for respirable dust, respectively. Those for area sampling were $0.625(SD:0.091)mg/m^3$ for total dust and $0.0718(SD:0.012)mg/m^3$ for respirable dust, respectively. The highest geometric averaged concentrations of airborne microorganisms(Total airborne bacteria, total airborne fungi) were detected at $1,181(SD:105)cfu/m^3$ for total airborne bacteria and $683(SD:114)cfu/m^3$ for total airborne fungi, respectively. Concentrations of particulate matters and airborne microorganism in clothes shopping center did not correlate significantly with environmental factors such as temperature or relative humidity. Conclusions: Exposure levelshave not been established for service workers. Thus, health risk assessment for this group is very difficult. Health guidelines for service workers should be established as soon as possible.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1073-1077
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• 2010

Fungi, including allergenic, pathogenic or toxigenic species, may have direct effects on human health, interfere with the disinfection process and maintenance of chlorine residual, and add to taste and odor problems. We surveyed distribution of waterborne fungi from raw water in Busan metropolitan city using the EPA standard method. According to the survey, conducted from March 2008 to October 2008, the number of fungi in raw water was high in September and low in April. Quantitative enumeration of fungi per 100 ml of raw water ranged from 5 to 64 CFU, and a higher number was detected in the Mulgum region compared to the Maeri region. Total fungi numbers highly correlated with pH, water temperature and total coliform in this area. Predominant fungi genera grown in medium were identified as Aspergillus, Penicillum, Histoplasma, Rhizopus, Trichophyton, Mucor and Sporthrix species. Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum notatum were particularly dominant in both areas. There were a total of 6 and 9 species detected in the Mulgum and Maeri regions respectively, and the number of species was more verified in the Maeri region than the Mulgum region.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.10 no.1_2
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• pp.21-30
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• 1967

The aim of present study is to elucidate the relationship between decay rate of soil organic matter, and the change of soil microbial population under the oak and pine forest soils in Kwang-nung plantation stand. The results obtained are as follows: 1) The correlation coefficient between decay rate and the soil bacteria is 0.84 and fungi 0.93. 2) The distribution of soil microbial population is higher in both F horizon of the oak forest soil, and F and H horizon of the pine forest soil. However, the number of soil microorganisms decreases with the depth in each forest soil. 3) The population of soil microbes is related to moisture content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable calcium, except organic carbon in fungi. 4) The soil organic matter has been mainly decomposed by fungi, and the size of its population are governed by the factors such as moisture content, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable calcium.

• Mycobiology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.110-114
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• 2004

Mycobiota including Alternaria alternata, Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus pulverulents were tested for their ability to uptake radiocobalt(Co-60) and radiocesium(Cs-137) from radionuclide containing medium. A. alternata was the most efficient fungal species for uptake of radioisotopes, followed by A. pulverulents, whereas F. verticilliodies came in the last rank. The conditions of radioisotope uptake were optimized such as the form of the fungal organism either spores or mycelium, inoculum age and pH of growing medium. Furthermore the total pigments of the tested fungi were extracted and tested for their ability to bind with radioisotope, where melanin of A. alternata produced about 60% for radioisotope uptake out of total added radioisotope radioactivity. Moreover, transmission electron microscopic examination of radioisotope exposed spores showed high precipitation of melanin granules in the spore wall and within the cell as comparing to untreated spores.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2007

The effects of biological pretreatment on the Japanese red pine Pinus densiflora, was evaluated after exposure to three white rot fungi Ceriporia lacerata, Stereum hirsutum, and Polyporus brumalis. Change in chemical composition, structural modification, and their susceptibility to enzymatic saccharification in the degraded wood were analyzed. Of the three white rot fungi tested, S. hirsutum selectively degraded the lignin of this sortwood rather than the holocellulose component. After eight weeks of pretreatment with S. hirsutum, total weight loss was 10.7%, while lignin loss was the highest at 14.52% among the tested samples. However, holocellulose loss was lower at 7.81 % compared to those of C. lacerata and P. brumalis. Extracelluar enzymes from S. hirsutum showed higher activity of ligninase and lower activity of cellulase than those from other white rot fungi. Thus, total weight loss and changes in chemical composition of the Japanese red pine was well correlated with the enzyme activities related with lignin- and cellulose degradation in these fungi. Based on the data obtained from analysis of physical characterization of degraded wood by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) and pore size distribution, S. hirsutum was considered as an effective potential fungus for biological pretreatment. In particular, the increase of available pore size of over 120 nm in pretreated wood powder with S. hirsutum made enzymes accessible for further enzymatic saccharification. When Japanese red pine chips treated with S. hirsutum were enzymatically saccharified using commercial enzymes (Cellulclast 1.5 L and Novozyme 188), sugar yield was greatly increased (21.01 %) compared to non-pre treated control samples, indicating that white rot fungus S. hirsutum provides an effective process in increasing sugar yield from woody biomass.