• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.808-817
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• 2011

Because of its elevated cellulolytic activity, the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum has a considerable potential in biomass hydrolysis applications. Trichoderma harzianum cellobiohydrolase I (ThCBHI), an exoglucanase, is an important enzyme in the process of cellulose degradation. Here, we report an easy single-step ion-exchange chromatographic method for purification of ThCBHI and its initial biophysical and biochemical characterization. The ThCBHI produced by induction with microcrystalline cellulose under submerged fermentation was purified on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 media and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The ThCBHI biochemical characterization showed that the protein has a molecular mass of 66 kDa and pI of 5.23. As confirmed by smallangle X-ray scattering (SAXS), both full-length ThCBHI and its catalytic core domain (CCD) obtained by digestion with papain are monomeric in solution. Secondary structure analysis of ThCBHI by circular dichroism revealed ${\alpha}$- helices and ${\beta}$-strands contents in the 28% and 38% range, respectively. The intrinsic fluorescence emission maximum of 337 nm was accounted for as different degrees of exposure of ThCBHI tryptophan residues to water. Moreover, ThCBHI displayed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ with specific activities against Avicel and p-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-D-cellobioside of 1.25 U/mg and 1.53 U/mg, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.776-782
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• 2005

The effects of purification using ${\alpha}-amlyase$ (Termamyl 120L) on physicochemical properties of ${\beta}-glucan$ from oat bran were studied. Four fractions were selected as fraction A ($55^{\circ}C$, 15%, pH 6), fraction B ($45^{\circ}C$, 15%, pH 6), fraction C ($50^{\circ}C$, 0%, pH 7), and fraction D ($50^{\circ}C$, 10%, pH 5) from the result of physiological test, and three consecutive subfractions were obtained by repeated ${\alpha}-amlyase$ treatments on the each fractions. The contents of ${\beta}-glucan$, protein, and ash after purification were in 81.4-88.2%, 4.1-6.3% and 2.6-6.2%, respectively. The apparent viscosities of purified ${\beta}-glucan$ aqueous solutions were similar to those of hydroxy methyl cellulose. Glucose was a major monosaccharide of ${\beta}-glucan$ extracts, and xylose and arabinose were also detected as minor constituents on TLC. The average molecular weight ranged $2.0{\times}10^6-5.1{\times}10^6$ and was decreased after purification. From the result of the differential scanning calorimetry, the melting point ranged $130-140^{\circ}C$ with purification step and thermal transition enthalpy was increased. The ratio of ${\beta}-(1{\rightarrow}3)\;to\;{\beta}-(1{\rightarrow}4) $ linkages were 1:2.22-1:2.52, and increased up to 1:5.50 after purification.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of the peptide to carrier ratio on the immune and biological functions to inhibin immunization in Hanwoo. A peptide sequence kom the alpha -subunit (19~32 peptide) of porcine inhibin was synthesized for antigen and conjugated to human serum albumin(HSA) for carrier protein. Anti-inhibin sera(AI) were produced 52 day later from rabbit after injection of inhibin-$\alpha$ -subunit peptide conjugator for antigen with the interval of 2 weeks. Immune-blotting analysis using antibody specific fur inhibin-$\alpha$ subunits revealed that the inhibin was detected at 1.0 cm bovine follicular fluid(bFF). However, each stage of corpus lutea and 0.1 cm of follicular fluid were not detected. The maximal contents of estradiol-17 $\beta$ in Hanwoo ovarian follicular fluid were detected at 2.0 cm of follicular size(diameter), but the mean total contents of these hormone decreased significantly with decreasing diameter of follicles. However, progesterone contents of follicular fluid were high at 1.0 cm of follicle. Progesterone secretion by Hanwoo granulosa cell cultured for 48 hr in vitro was significantly (p＜0.05) inhibited in 5% bFF and 5% bFF + 5% AI addition group compared with control group. Estradiol-17 $\beta$ secretion by Hanwoo granulosa cell cultured for 48 hr in vitro was significantly (p＜0.05) increased in 5% AI and 5% AI + 5% bFF addtion group compared with control group. However, the groups added 5% AI were not changed compared to control groups in progesterone and estradiol-17 $\beta$. Taken together, we suggested that inhibin in the mature FF plays a pivotal role on the biosynthesis of steroid hormone of follicular cells during follicular development.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of chitosan on mineral metabolism in rats exposed to cadmium by oral administration. Six week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. Four groups were fed AIN-93G based 3% ${\alpha}$-cellulose diets and the other four groups were fed 3% chitosan diets for four weeks with the oral administration of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg Cd/2ml distilled water three times per week, respectively. The essential mineral contents of serum, liver, kidney and bone (femur and lumbar), and the excretion of calcium in feces and urine were determined. There was no significant difference in weight gain and food intake among groups. The cadmium administration significantly decreased calcium in serum, iron in blood, calcium and iron in liver and iron contents in kidney. In contrast, calcium and zinc contents in kidney increased by the administration of cadmium. The weight, length and breaking forces of the femur and lumbar were not significantly different due to cadmium administration and chitosan among the groups. The fecal excretion of calcium was increased by the administration of cadmium. On the other hand, calcium absorption and the absorption rate were decreased by Cd administration. In the groups without Cd administered (N, N-Chi groups), chitosan significantly decreased the absorption rate of calcium by increasing the excretion in feces (p<0.05). These results suggest that cadmium administration may facilitate the decline of essential minerals in rats and also, chitosan may have a conflicting effect between cadmium and the essential minerals of tissues.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.951-959
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• 2009

Most, if not all, Basidiomycetes mushrooms have biologically active polysaccharides showing potent antitumor activity with immunomodulating properties. These polysaccharides have various chemical compositions and belong primarily to the $\beta$-glucan group. In this study, the crude water-soluble polysaccharide HEF-P, which was obtained from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation, was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B column chromatographies. This process resulted in four polysaccharide fractions, named HEF-NP Fr I, HEF-NP Fr II, HEF-AP Fr I, and HEF-AP Fr II. Of these fractions, HEF-AP Fr II was able to upregulate the functional events mediated by activated macrophages, such as production of nitric oxide and expression ofcytokines (IL-1${\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The molecular mass of HEF-AP Fr II was estimated by gel filtration to be 13 kDa. Its structural characteristics were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analyses, including methylation, reductive cleavage, acetylation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicate that HEF-AP Fr II is a low-molecular-mass polysaccharide with a laminarin-like triple helix conformation of a ${\beta}$-1,3-branched-${\beta}$-1,6-glucan.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.569-578
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• 2007

This study investigated the effects of chitosan on cadmium(Cd) toxicity and mineral metabolism in rats exposed to cadmium by oral administration. Six week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. Four groups were fed AIN-93G based 3% ${\alpha}$-cellulose diets while the others were fed 3% chitosan diets for four weeks with oral administration of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg Cd/2ml distilled water three times a week, respectively. Cd contents in the serum, liver, kidney, testis and bone, and the excretion of cadmium in feces were determined. There was no significant difference in weight gain and food intake among groups. Cadmium contents in the serum, liver, kidney, testis, femur and lumbar were significantly increased in proportion to the administration level of Cd (p<0.05). A protective effect of chitosan on cadmium toxicity in tissue was shown only in the high level cadmium-intake group. The fecal excretion, absorption of Cd were increased by the administration levels of cadmium. These results suggest that Cd administration may facilitate the accumulation of Cd in the blood and tissue in proportion to the amount of administration, and also, that chitosan may be effective in lowering the accumulation of cadmium.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.245-247
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• 2005

A cellulolytic fungus isolated from Agave plantation in northeastern Thailand was identified as Acrophialophora nainiana. The fungus was capable of growing at pH between 3 - 7 and 25 - 45 $^{\circ}C$, with the optimum conditions at pH 5.0 and 40 $^{\circ}C$. The wild isolate produced cellulases, comprising of exoglucanase (0.019 U/mg protein), endoglucanase (0.366 U/mg protein), and ${\beta}$-glucosidase (0.001 U/mg protein). Mutations with UV and NTG produced the UV 10-2 mutant with cellulases activities including exoglucanase (0.093 U/mg protein), endoglucanase (0.585 U/mg protein), and ${\beta}$-glucosidase (0.013 U/mg protein). Purification of the enzymes with ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion-exchange chromatography yielded the maximal cellulase specific activities of 2.736 U/mg protein (exoglucanase), 0.235 U/mg protein (endoglucanase), and 0.008 U/mg protein (${\beta}$-glucosidase). The mutant's cellulases were the most active at pH 5.0 and 60 $^{\circ}C$. Ion-exchange chromatography revealed that A. nainiana UV 10-2 cellulases were comprised of two peaks with one peak showing the single endoglucanase activity while the other peak showed a mixture of the three enzyme activities. Production of A. nainiana UV 10-2 cellulases using banana leaf stalk as the sole carbon source gave comparable yields to that of the pure ${\alpha}$-cellulose. The enzymes were used in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of plant residue (Coix aquatica) along with Kluveromyces marxianus to produce ethanol. Moreover, when the enzymes were used in the bioscouring process of fabric, the desiravle traits of textile processing including immediate water absorbency, increased in whiteness and reduction of yellowness of the treated fabric were observed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 1993

A strain of yeast which can convert starch directly to ethanol was developed by the intergeneric protoplast fusion between Schwanniomyces alluvius possessing $\alpha$ amylase as well as glucoamylase with debranching activity and FSC-14-75 which previously had been formed from a heterologous transformation and subsequent intergeneric protoplast fusion. Fusants were selected on minimal medium after protoplasts of auxotrophic mutant of S. alluvius fused with heat-treated protoplasts of FSC-14-75 in the presence of 30%(w/v) PEG and 20 mM $CaCl_2$. The fusion frequency was in the range of $10^{-6}$ order. All fusants tested were intermediate types of parental strains for carbon compound assimilation, and their cell volumes were approximately 1.1 times larger than FSC-14-75 and 1.8 times larger than S. alluvius. The fusants were unable to sporulate like FSC-14-75, while S. alluvius could sporulate. In flask scale the most promising fusant, FSCSa-R10-6, produced 7.83%(v/v) and 10.17%(v/v) ethanol from 15% and 20% of liquefied potato starch, respectively, indicating that the fermetation efficiency of each case increased 1.2 times and 1.6 times than that of FSC-14-75. The elution pattern on DEAE-cellulose chromatography showed that FSCSa-R10-6 has four distinct amylase peaks of which two peaks originated from S. alluvius and the other two from FSC-14-75. These results suggest that the enhanced fermentation efficiency of the fusant might be due to almost-complemented parental amylases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 1992

The intestinal microflora of humans is an extraordinarily complex mixture of microorganisms, the majority of which are anaerobic microorganisms. The distribution of amylolytic microorganisms in the human large intestinal tract was investigated in various individuals of differing ages using anaerobic culture techniques. A large percentage of the amylolytic microorganisms present belonged to the Genus Bifidobacteria. The number of Bifidobacteria increased significantly at two years of age. Adults and children above 2 years old carried about $0.8{\times}10^9-2.0{\times}10^{10}$ colony forming units (CFU/gram) of amylolytic Bifidobacteria. Among these amylolytic Bifidobacteria, Int-57 was chosen for further studies. Between 65% and 85% of the amylase produced was secreted and the remaining amylase was bound to the cell wall facing the outside. Amylase production could be induced by starch in a stable form. When cells were grown on maltose or glucose, amylase production was much lower than on starch and amylase activity disappeared after 24 hours growth on these media. Partially purified enzymes showed optimum activity at a temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ and at an optimum pH of 5.5, respectively. Heat treatment at $70^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes almost completely inactivated amylase. The hydrolysis products of starch were mainly maltose and maltotriose. Soluble starch, amylose, amylopectin, and $\gamma$-cyclodextrin($\gamma$-CD) were easily hydrolyzed. The rate of hydrolysis of $\alpha$-CD and $\beta$-CD was slower than that of $\gamma$-CD. Carboxymethyl cellulose, $\beta$-1, 3-glucan and inulin were not hydrolyzed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.284-292
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• 2011

An endocellulase-free multienzyme complex was produced by a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum strain NOI-1, when grown on xylan. The temperature and pH optima for growth were $60^{\circ}C$ and 6.0, respectively. The bacterial cells were found to adhere to insoluble xylan and Avicel. A scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the adhesion of xylan to the cells. An endocellulase-free multienzyme complex was isolated from the crude enzyme of strain NOI-1 by affinity purification on cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The molecular mass of the multienzyme complex was estimated to be about 1,200 kDa. The multienzyme complex showed one protein on native PAGE, one xylanase on a native zymogram, 21 proteins on SDS-PAGE, and 5 xylanases on a SDS zymogram. The multienzyme complex consisted of xylanase, ${\beta}$-xylosidase, ${\alpha}$-L-arabinofuranosidase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, and cellobiohydrolase. The multienzyme complex was effective in hydrolyzing xylan and corn hulls. This is the first report of an endocellulase-free multienzyme complex produced by a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium, T. thermosaccharolyticum strain NOI-1.