• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of five single(Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix) aqueous herbal extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, PatrinaeRadix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at Minimal Incubation Concentration(MIC) and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using murine macrophage(Raw 264.7) and human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7). Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix against Staphylococcus aureus were detected as $0.215{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.273{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.469{\pm}0.297$ mg/ml, $11.850{\pm}8.406$ mg/ml, and $0.664{\pm}0.546$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, all five single aqueous herbal extracts were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. The effects of intracellular killing with Raw 264.7 and inhibition of bacterial invasion with MCF-7 cells were detected, in the order of Sophorae Flos, Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Radix aqueous extracts in the present study. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that all five single aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. They showed the significant intracellular killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion effects. It means, all five single aqueous herbal extracts may show potent anti-infectious effects against Staphylococcus aureus for mastitis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2013

Slightly acidic hypochlorous water (SAHW) is well known for having a powerful and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and is harmless to the environment and humans. SAHW (pH 5~6.5, 20~30 ppm available chlorine concentration) was generated by electrolysis of dilute solution of HCl (4%) in a chamber of a non-membrane electrolytic cell. Our objective was to determine SAHW has a potential fungicidal activity on some phytopathogenic fungi. Spores of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum and Phytophthora capsici were not culturable on agar media at approximately 10 seconds after treatment by SAHW. However, inactivation of Penicillium hirsutum was required over 3 min. Dilution of SAHW with sterilized distilled water (SDW) at the ratio of 1:1 (SAHW:SDW) against C. acutatum showed 100% inactivation but, the efficacy in 1:2 decreased until 63.2%. Control value of SAHW was 70.4% against C. acutatum on pepper fruits when applied upto 24 h postinoculation. SAHW has a powerful and wide spectrum antifungal activity and could be applied as a potential alternative to fungicidal agent for control of plant disease.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2016

Helicobacter pylori primarily colonizes the human stomach. Infection by this bacterium is associated with various gastric diseases, including inflammation, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Although there are antibiotic regimens for the eradication of H. pylori, the resistance of this species against antibiotics has been continuously increasing. The natural compound plumbagin has been reported as an antimicrobial and anticancer molecule. In this study, we analyzed the inhibitory effect of plumbagin on H. pylori strain ATCC 49503 as well as the expression of various molecules associated with H. pylori growth or virulence by immunoblotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. We demonstrated the minimal inhibitory concentration of plumbagin on H. pylori through the agar dilution and broth dilution methods. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of plumbagin treatment on the expression of the RNA polymerase subunits and various virulence factors of H. pylori. Plumbagin treatment decreased the expression of RNA polymerase subunit alpha (rpoA), which is closely associated with bacterial survival. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of the major CagA and VacA toxins were decreased in plumbagintreated H. pylori cells. Likewise, the expression levels of urease subunit alpha (ureA) and an adhesin (alpA) were decreased by plumbagin treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that plumbagin may inhibit the growth, colonization, and pathogenesis of H. pylori by the mechanism demonstrated in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.951-957
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• 2009

In this study, antibacterial activity of extruded ginseng extract by 60 and 80% Et-OH were investigated by agar diffusion assay against two bacteria causing dental caries (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei). Extrusion conditions were 20% moisture content $100^{\circ}C$ and $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature. The inhibition effect of 60% Et-OH ginseng extract was higher than 80% Et-OH ginseng extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 80% Et-OH extruded ginseng extract at 140 and $100^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature against L.casei were 100 and 150 mg/mL respectively using broth assay method. The amount of glucosyltransferase (GTase) inhibitory content was the highest in extruded ginseng at $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature with 60% Et-OH. Moreover, n-hexane and n-butanol fraction ginseng extract had potential against tested bacteria. Our results demonstrated that antibacterial activities of extruded ginseng extract at $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature were more effective than Ex-$100^{\circ}C$, RG and WG.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.1469-1473
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• 2011

The efficacy of antimicrobial agents and heat treatments on spore inactivation was investigated. Grapefruit seed extract (GFE) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were used and as antimicrobial agents, and heat treatments were conducted at $70^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$, and $90^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. Heat treatments at $90^{\circ}C$ were the most effective on spore inactivation as a single treatment and caused a 2.3 log reduction. When combined with a single treatment to discover synergistic effects, 1% GFE with $80^{\circ}C$ heat treatments and 0.5 mM EDTA with $80^{\circ}C$ heat treatments resulted in 2.1 log and 3.2 log reductions, respectively, though they did not show reductions at each single treatment (GFE 1% (v/v), EDTA 0.5 mM, $80^{\circ}C$). So it was concluded that by combining GFE, EDTA in low concentration treatment, and heat treatment, B. cereus spores can be effectively inactivated.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1986

Conditions for production, fusion and reversion of protoplasts of Aspergillus niger were investigated, and an attempt was made to enhance fusion frequency. Auxotrophic mutants and morphological mutants were induced by U.V. irradiation $(9.9\;erg/mm^2,\;13min)$ on Aspergillus niger. Maximum yield of protoplasts was obtained from 21 hr cultured mycelia by using 1% driselase in 0.6 M KCl or 0.6 M $NH_4Cl$ as osmotic stabilizer. The optimal temperature for mycelium digestion was $30^{\circ}C$, and the optimal pH was 6.0. Protoplasts produced at different digestion period showed heterogeneity in size and vacuole content. Maximal frequency of protoplasts reversion was obtained on 0.6 M KCl stabilized agar medium at pH 5.0. Reversion frequencies of protoplasts produced for 3 hr and 1 hr mycelial digestion were 8.0% and 15.3%, respectively. The optimal concentration of PEG(m.w. 6000) for protoplast fusion was 30%, and that of $CaCl_2$ was $1{\sim}50\;mM$. The optimal pH and period for the reaction of PEG solution were 8.0 and 10 minutes, respectively. Fusion frequencies between auxotrophic protoplasts produced for 3 hr-mycelial digestion were $0.06{\sim}0.42%$, and those for 1 hr-mycelial digestion were $0.09{\sim}0.54%$.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 1995

The effect of low concentrations of ethanol (3-7％, v/v) in tryptic soy broth (TSB) as an antibacterial agent against Listeria monocytogenes was tested at -20, 5, 35, 45, 50 and 55$^{\circ}C$. Increasing concentrations of ethanol progressively inhibited initial growth of L. monocytogenes at 35$^{\circ}C$. Growth occured at 5％ ethanol, but only after a prolonged lag period. The number of viable cells of L. monocytogenes declined during incubation at 7％ ethanol. TSB containing 3-7％ ethanol was inoculated with 10$\^$5/-10$\^$6/ cells/$m\ell$ or L. monocytogenes and incubated at low temperatures (5$^{\circ}C$, -20$^{\circ}C$). In the presence of 3％ of ethanol at 5 or -20$^{\circ}C$, bacterial growth was inhibited more than 90％ of control cells. TSB containing 3-7％ ethanol was inoculated with 10$\^$6/-10$\^$7/ cells/$m\ell$ of L. monocytogenes and incubated at high temperatures (45$^{\circ}C$, 50$^{\circ}C$, 55$^{\circ}C$). Decrease in viability of the cells incubated at 45 or 50$^{\circ}C$ was slow and the survival of L. monocytogenes was not affected so much in the presence of 3％ of ethanol. The viability of L. monocytogenes was decreased with increasing concentration of ethanol and temperature. Decimal reduction times (D-values) based on tryptic soy agar plates at 55$^{\circ}C$ were 20.1, 12.6, 7.4 and 4.2 min in 0, 3, 5 and 7％ ethanol, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 1963

According to the experiment on pure-isolation and the related contaminants of Chlorella, the phenomena of the ecological distributions of Chlorella in Korea have been manifested in several areas and also the aim that in going to do culture, biological and physiological study of Chlorella is carried out. Contaminants very oftenly occupied on the colony of the strains taken in order to fulfil pure-isolation of Chlorella, but in accordance with being piled up the minute research on this subject, I can obtain the desirable results as follows: 1. For the pure-isolation, the duration chose the time from May to September 1957 so that may easily isolate from contaminant water with utilizing the antibiotic substances. 2. To take long time, 36-48 hours until growth of nascent through the non-sporulated, it originates from the difference of the cultured media. In addition to the above mention, the mechanism of growth until nascent through the sporulated must not always require the ligh. However the supply of metabolic energy depend upon its nutritional conditions per phase. 3. The culture of Chlorella should be based on the lower culturing except adding especial conditions such as reagent concentration of media, artifical shake of media and other facts due to the natural conditions. And also these strains grew not only in distilled water but 2% NaCl solution without any abnormality in cell it self. I, therefore, guess it is possible to culture in sea-water under phasic environment. 4. In the experiment of ammonia detection, it is caused by the sampling surroundings to contain the minute quantity of ammonia in strain No. M 918; that is the place to be plenty of Carbohydrate on behalf of protein. 5. To compare the absorption curve of chlorophyll of higher plant with that of Chlorella, the absorption zone made mostly the Same ones each other but a little absorption grade dose not clearly appear. The colony which formed giant type grows with intensive colour and green band on surrounding of the colony and after that it was changed into all the green colour and developed up to end. 6. At first phase for a week, the development of Chlorella suspends the normal condition as in vivo but after a few days, the colour of chlorophyll gradually changed into blue-yellow which secrete the mucous substances on the agar media. The cell was flew out the contained substances itself on leaving the cell wall only, or the various micro-organism diffused on the outer-region of the cell.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to bioaerosols in the indoor environment could be associated with a variety adverse health effects, including allergic disease such atopy. The objectives of this study were to assess children's exposure to bioaerosol in home indoor environments and to evaluate the association between atopy and bioaerosol, environmental, and social factors in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: Samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by impaction onto agar plates using a Quick Take TM 30 and were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). Bioaerosols were identified using standard microbial techniques by differential stains and/or microscopy. The environmental factors and possible causes of atopy based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) were collected by questionnaire. Results: The bioaerosol concentrations in indoor environments showed log-normal distribution (p < 0.01). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of airborne bacteria and fungi in homes were 189.0 (2.5), 346.1(2.0) CFU/$m^3$, respectively. Indoor fungal levels were significantly higher than those of bacteria (p < 0.001). The concentration of airborne bacteria exceeded the limit recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment, 800 CFU/$m^3$, in three out of 92 samples (3.3%) from 52 homes. The means of indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O) for airborne bacteria and fungi were 8.15 and 1.13, respectively. The source of airborne bacteria was not outdoors but indoors. GM of airborne bacteria and fungi were 217.6, 291.8 CFU/$m^3$ in the case's home and 162.0, 415.2 CFU/$m^3$ in the control's home respectively. The difference in fungal distributions between case and control were significant (p = 0.004) and the odds ratio was 0.996 (p = 0.027). Atopy was significantly associated with type of house (odds ratio = 1.723, p = 0.047) and income (odds ratio = 1.891, p = 0.041). Some of the potential allergic fungal genera isolated in homes were Cladosporium spp., Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternatia spp. Conclusions: These results suggest that there this should be either 'was little' meaning 'basically no significant association was found' or 'was a small negative' mean that an association was found but it was minor. It's a very improtant distinction. Association between airborne fungal concentrations and atopy and certain socioeconomic factors may affect the prevalence of childhood atopy.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2009

Anticandidial activity of seven herbal extracts, Taraxacum Platycarpum, Houttuyniae Herba, Lonicerae Flos, Anemarrhena Rhizome, Forsythia Fruit, Paeoniae Ratix, and Coptidis Rhizoma, were determined against five different Candida sp. by agar diffusion assay. The concentration of total phenolic compounds of seven herbal extracts ranged from 0.6 to $2.5{\mu}g/mg$. The total antioxidant activities showed that Taraxacum Platycarpum and Houttuyniae Herba were 60% in 80% ethanol extract and Lonicera Flower and Paeoniae Ratix were 70, 75%, respectively, in 100% ethanol extract. Coptidis Rhizoma extract showed antifungal activity against non-Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. The MIC values of a compound separated in TLC from Coptidis Rhizoma extract were 24, and $48{\mu}g/mL$ against C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. The above compound showed the same retention time with berberin in HPLC analysis.