• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.108-116
• /
• 2013

BACKGROUND: Certain crop-based waste materials have been recognized as cost-effective and highly efficient adsorbents for removal and recovery of different kind of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The ability is strongly attributed to the carboxyl functional group of some pectin substances such as galacturonic acid often found in fruit peels. The present manuscript was aimed at assessing the potential applicability of banana peel for metal removal from contaminated waters. METHODS AND RESULTS: As revealed by laboratory investigations, banana peel contains pectin (10-21%), lignin (6-12%), cellulose (7.6-9.6%), and hemicelluloses (6.4-9.4%). The pectin extraction is reported to have glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, and galactouroninc acid. Several studies conducted under different conditions proved that banana peel is capable of adsorbing 5.71, 2.55, 28.00, 6.88, 7.97, and 5.80 mg/g of $Cd^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $Pb^{2+}$, and $Zn^{2+}$, respectively, from aqueous solutions. Adsorption capacity is, however, dependent upon several factors including solution pH, dose of adsorbent and metal concentration, contact time and shaking speed. CONCLUSION(S): Since the annual world production of banana exceeds 100 million tons, about 40 million tons of banana peel (40% of total weight of the fresh fruit) remains vastly unused. Exploring a sound technology with banana peel would therefore, not only address the much needed sustainable tool for cleaning contaminated waters, but of course bring an additional value to the banana industry worldwide.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.271-276
• /
• 1994

A Na-cellulose adsorbent was prepared by treating Sigma S-5504 cellulose with 2M NaOH and examined the adsorption behavior between metal ions and Na-cellulose in aqueous solution with batch method. Considering ion exchange capacity of Na-cellulose, the adsorption ratio of the Na-cellulose to metals charge equivalent indicated that the adsorption result from ion exchanging between metal ions and Na-cellulose. The enthalpy for the metal adsorption on the Na-cellulose was calculated to -18kcal/mol, which value was compared to those of carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) and Dowex 50W-X8, these result suggested that the adsorption on Na-cellulose resulted from ion exchange adsorption.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.21.1-21.11
• /
• 2016

Background: The evaluation of suitable reference genes as normalization controls is a prerequisite requirement for launching quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR)-based expression study. In order to select the stable reference genes in abalone Haliotis discus hannai tissues (gill and hepatopancreas) under heavy metal exposure conditions (Cu, Zn, and Cd), 12 potential candidate housekeeping genes were subjected to expression stability based on the comprehensive ranking while integrating four different statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ${\Delta}CT$ method). Results: Expression stability in the gill subset was determined as RPL7 > RPL8 > ACTB > RPL3 > PPIB > RPL7A > EF1A > RPL4 > GAPDH > RPL5 > UBE2 > B-TU. On the other hand, the ranking in the subset for hepatopancreas was RPL7 > RPL3 > RPL8 > ACTB > RPL4 > EF1A > RPL5 > RPL7A > B-TU > UBE2 > PPIB > GAPDH. The pairwise variation assessed by the geNorm program indicates that two reference genes could be sufficient for accurate normalization in both gill and hepatopancreas subsets. Overall, both gill and hepatopancreas subsets recommended ribosomal protein genes (particularly RPL7) as stable references, whereas traditional housekeepers such as ${\beta}-tubulin$ (B-TU) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were ranked as unstable genes. The validation of reference gene selection was confirmed with the quantitative assay of MT transcripts. Conclusions: The present analysis showed the importance of validating reference genes with multiple algorithmic approaches to select genes that are truly stable. Our results indicate that expression stability of a given reference gene could not always have consensus across tissue types. The data from this study could be a good guide for the future design of RT-qPCR studies with respect to metal regulation/detoxification and other related physiologies in this abalone species.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.347-357
• /
• 2011

The TSP aerosols were collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island between 2003 and 2007, and their aerosol components were analyzed to examine the variations of chemical compositions with the corresponding pathways of inflowing air parcels. According to the comparison of seasonal aerosol compositions, the soil-originated components showed remarkably high concentrations during spring season. On the other hand, the concentrations of anthropogenic components were somewhat high in spring and summer seasons, but low in fall season. Based on the comparison of TSP compositions in relation to the pathways of inflowing air mass, the concentrations of anthropogenic components (nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, S, $NO_3^-$), soil-originated components (nss-$Ca^{2+}$, Al, Fe, Ca), and the heavy metals (e,g., Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Cd, etc.) have relatively increased with the air mass moving from China continent into Jeju area. Meanwhile, the marine-originated components showed an increasing trend with the air mass coming from North Pacific Ocean. In the seasonal and sectional comparison, the nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, nss-$Ca^{2+}$, and Al showed comparatively high concentrations when the air mass moved from China continent during all seasons. Especially, the $NO_3^-$, nss-$Ca^{2+}$, and Al concentrations were somewhat high when the air mass moved from Korean Peninsula during summer season. It was also recognized that the Na+ concentration were high, when the air mass moved from Pacific Ocean through all seasons.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.9
• /
• pp.873-880
• /
• 2009

A novel xylanase gene, Kxyn, was cloned from Kocuria sp. Mn22, a bacteria isolated from the deep sea of the east Pacific. Kxyn consists of 1,170 bp and encodes a protein of 390 amino acids that shows the highest identity (63%) with a xylanase from Thermohifida fusca YX. The mature protein with a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant Kxyn displayed its maximum activity at $55^{\circ}C$ and at pH 8.5. The $K_m,\;V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ values of Kxyn for birchwood xylan were 5.4 mg/ml, $272{\mu}mol/min{\cdot}mg$, and 185.1/s, respectively. Kxyn hydrolyzed birchwood xylan to produce xylobiose and xylotriose as the predominant products. The activity of Kxyn was not affected by $Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Na^+,\;K^+$, ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol, DTT, or SDS, but was strongly inhibited by $Hg^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},Zn^{2+}$, and $Pb^{2+}$. It was stable over a wide pH range, retaining more than 80% activity after overnight incubation at pH 7.5-12. Kxyn is a cellulase-free xylanase. Therefore, these properties make it a candidate for various industrial applications.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.21-30
• /
• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations of physico-chemical and biological aspects of the environment were studied in Vladivostok harbour (Golden Horn Bay, the East Sea/Sea of Japan). The benthic community structure was described with a focus on size-spectra (bacteria, meio- and macrofauna) related with the chemical environment and chemical fluxes in sediment and to reveal their possible ecological role in the process of bioremediation of the environment. Samples from two sites with different concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni Cd, Co) and petroleum hydrocarbon were assessed by a number of methods. These included plate counts of culturable bacteria, observation through a scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These approaches were complemented with microscopic assessments of the diversity of the benthic community. The specific communities had a limited number of species, tolerant to abnormally high levels of toxic compounds. The dominant species were presented by several sho.1-lived small polychaetes (Capitella capitata) and nematodes (Oncholaimium ramosum). The highest population density was recorded in microbenthos, in various diatoms, various physiological groups of bacteria which participate in biomineralization: marine heterotrophic bacteria, which oxidized oil, black oil in addition to groups resistant to heavy metals. They have the entire set of mechanisms for neutralizing the negative effect of those compounds, forming the detrital food web and biogeochemical circulation of material in sediments, which results in the biological self-recycling of sea basins. Macro- and meiobenthic organisms were more sensitive to a greater extent of $H_2S$ and petroleum hydrocarbons than to metal content, but the within-site rankings were the same as those achieved for microbiological analyses.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2003

In August-September 2001, 15 samples of bottom sediments were collected in the inner, middle and open parts of Amursky Bay near Vladivostok, Russia, and barfin plaice Pleuronectes pinnifasciatus was sampled from the inner and the middle locations of the bay. In the sediments from all three sites elevated concentrations of several heavy metals, i.e. Zn ($102-115{\mu}/g$ dry weight), Ni $(70-73{\mu}g/g)$ and Cu $(27-35{\mu}g/g)$ were discovered. The contents of oil hydrocarbons were very close to or slightly higher than the maximal normal environmental background level, $100{\mu}g/g$ dry weight. The sediments contained negligible amounts of hexachlorocyclohexane, while DDT concentrations were quite high (1.7-16.3ng/g dry weight). Generally, there were no substantial differences in the pollution levels of the locations studied and our results resembled those reported for Amursky Bay in the 1990s. Surprisingly, in 2001 'fiesh' DDT comprised 70-85% of the total DDT content in sediment from all the locations studied. In fish liver total DDTs concentrations were 212.8 and 122.54 ng/g wet weight for the inner and the middle locations, respectively, and 'fresh' DDT comprised 35 and 64% of DDTs, respectively. These results provide evidence of recent input of DDT from an unknown source into the ecosystem of Amursky Bay. Histopathological changes revealed in the plaice liver (vacuolization of hepatocytes, coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes, inflammatory reaction, and necrosis of epithelial cells of bile ducts) are probably connected with an intensive metabolism of DDT in the fish organism. No histological and histomorphometric differences were found in the state of the interrenal tissue. Similar condition of the liver and the interrenal tissue in barfin plaice sampled from the inner and the middle locations of Amursky Bay may be explained by the absence of great differences in the pollution levels of these sites.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.478-483
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the physico-chemical properties of Schizandra chinensis Baillon orchard soils located in Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Surface (0 to 10 cm) soils were collected from 200 experimental sites located at Jangsu-eup (53 site), Gyenam-myeon (31), Chunchun-myeon (73), Janggye-myeon (12), Bunyam-myeon (31). The soil texture was mostly loamy sand, and the mean values of degree of soil aggregate and soil porosity were 33.1 and 59.9%, respectively. The pH, EC, total-N, available-P, soil organic matter, and cation exchange capacity of the soils were $5.51{\pm}0.54$, $290{\pm}139{\mu}S\;cm^{-1}$, $946.3{\pm}65.5mg\;kg^{-1}$, $319.6{\pm}29.2mg\;kg^{-1}$, $29.0{\pm}13.9g\;kg^{-1}$ and $4.11{\pm}0.34cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn were $3.48{\pm}0.55$, $0.09{\pm}0.04$, $6.90{\pm}0.91$ and $97.7{\pm}42.2mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. The presented data can be utilized in better managing Schizandra chinensis Baillon orchard soils in the studied areas.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.230-236
• /
• 1993

The isocitrate lyase extracted from Micrococcus luteus was purified 38.8 folds with the overall yield of 10.2%, by the ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose, 1st Sephadex G-200 and 2nd Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The purified enzyme showed to be a single protein band by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated 60,000 by the SDS-polyacry]amide gel electrophoresis. The apparent Michaelis constant, Km value for isocitrate was 0.95 mM. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were pH 7.5 and $40^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was activated by $Mg^{2+}$ and inhibited by $Mn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$ and $CO^{2+}$. In addition, the activity of isocitrate lyase was increased by glutathione and 2-mercaptocthanol at 5 mM and cysteine at I mM.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 1997

An extracellular proteinase of Candida albicans was purified by a combination of 0~75% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 HR molecular sieve chromatography. Its mlecular weight was approximately 41 kDa on SDS-PAGE and isoelectric point was 4.4. The enzyme was inhibited by pepstain A. Optimum enzyme activity ranged from pH 2.0 to 3.5 with its maximum at pH 2.5 and a temperature of 45$^{\circ}C$. The addition of divalent cations, $Ca^{2+}$, Zn$^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, resulted in no significant inhibition of enzymatic activity. However, some inhibitory effects were observed by Fe$^{2+}$, Ag$^{2+}$ and Cu$^{2+}$. With BSA as substrate, an apparent $K_m$ was determined to be 7$\times$10$^{-7}$ M and $K_i$, using pepstatin A as an inhibitor, was 8.05$\times$10$^{-8}$ M. N-terminal amino acid sequence was QAVPVTLXNEQ. Degradation of BSA and fibronectin was shown but not collagen, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin G, or lysozyme. The enzyme preferred peptides with Glu and Leu at the P$_1$ position, but the enzyme activity was highly reduced when the P$_2$ position was phe or pro. This enzyme showed antigenicity against sera of patients with candidiasis.