• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1045-1059
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• 2021

Various abiotic stressors like drought, salinity, temperature, and heavy metals are major environmental stresses that affect agricultural productivity and crop yields all over the world. Continuous changes in climatic conditions put selective pressure on the microbial ecosystem to produce exopolysaccharides. Apart from soil aggregation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production also helps in increasing water permeability, nutrient uptake by roots, soil stability, soil fertility, plant biomass, chlorophyll content, root and shoot length, and surface area of leaves while also helping maintain metabolic and physiological activities during drought stress. EPS-producing microbes can impart salt tolerance to plants by binding to sodium ions in the soil and preventing these ions from reaching the stem, thereby decreasing sodium absorption from the soil and increasing nutrient uptake by the roots. Biofilm formation in high-salinity soils increases cell viability, enhances soil fertility, and promotes plant growth and development. The third environmental stressor is presence of heavy metals in the soil due to improper industrial waste disposal practices that are toxic for plants. EPS production by soil bacteria can result in the biomineralization of metal ions, thereby imparting metal stress tolerance to plants. Finally, high temperatures can also affect agricultural productivity by decreasing plant metabolism, seedling growth, and seed germination. The present review discusses the role of exopolysaccharide-producing plant growth-promoting bacteria in modulating plant growth and development in plants and alleviating extreme abiotic stress condition. The review suggests exploring the potential of EPS-producing bacteria for multiple abiotic stress management strategies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2008

The biofilm of white-rot fungi fully exposed in atmosphere are that operation is easy, management cost and energy waste is low. To develop biofilm of white-rot fungi fully exposed in atmosphere, basic test are as follows. To select most effective microoganism species, investigated treatment characteristics of wastewater containing non-biodegradable material for three species of white-rot fungi(Phanerochaete chrysosporium PSBL-1, Phanerochaete chrysosporium KCTC 6147, Trametes sp. KFCC 10941) and activated sludge. And then investigated attached and detached biomass of selected white-rot fungi species on HBC ring surface. Among the three strains tested, P. chrysosporium PSBL-1 and P. chrysosporium KCTC 6147 showed higher efficiency for organics removal than Trametes sp. KFCC 10941, and P. chrysosporium PSBL-1 showed higher efficiency for nitrogen removal than P. chrysosporium KCTC 6147 and Trametes sp. KFCC 10941. Respectively, 51$\sim$59.8%, 57.5$\sim$60.3% of NBDCOD was removed for P. chrysosporium PSBL-1 and P. chrysosporium 6147 in pH 3.5$\sim$5.5. TN removal efficiency showed 39.3$\sim$85.3%, 3.4$\sim$7.6% for P. chrysosporium PSBL-1 and P. chrysosporium 6147 in pH 4.5$\sim$11.5 respectively. Considered that white-rot fungi remove organism and nitrogen simultaneously, the microorganism selected white-rot fungi P. chrysosporium PSBL-1. White-rot fungi P. chrysosporium PSBL-1 attached on HBC ring surface 4,538 mg/L, 4,546 mg/L, 4,531 mg/L after 5 minutes, 4,575 mg/L, 4,573 mg/L, 4,568 mg/L after 10 minutes from initial MLSS 4,600 mg/L in pH 4, 7 and 10 respectively. Also detached biomass is negligible from right after attachment to 10 day in pH 4, 7 and 10.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.837-847
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• 2000

For the treatment of wastewaters generated from beer industry and petrochemical company with high organic and nitrogen contents, laboratory scale of A/O Pure-Oxygen Biofilm (POB) process was developed and studied by means of the comparative economic analysis with extended aeration process. When the wastewater of beer company was initially treated by the A/O POB process in the ranges of 70 to 150 mg TOC/L diluted with tap water, higher than 92% of TOC removal was accomplished in the all ranges. In case of petrochemical wastewater, the initial TOC removal was as low as 52%, though, it increased to 86% after 32 days of operation and also the TKN removal marked 71% after 27 days. Continuous high removal rates were monitored in both the TOC and TKN parameters during the experimental period. Due to the cost for PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) setting and biomass supporting media installation, the initial construction cost of A/O POB process was 2.9 times higher than that of extended aeration process. However, the advantages such as low sludge production, no need for sludge recycling and low energy consumption allow the A/O POB process to have 2.5 times lower operation and maintenance costs. Consequently, in the long term of operation, it is likely that A/O POB process would show higher performance as well as cost effectiveness compared to extended aeration process.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1487-1497
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• 2016

Bacterial cell to cell communication strategies called quorum sensing (QS) using small diffusible signaling molecules (auto-inducers) govern the expression of various genes dependent on their population density manner. As a consequence of synthesis and response to the signaling molecules, individual planktonic cells synchronized group behaviors to control a diverse array of phenotypes such as maturation of biofilm, production of extra-polymeric substances (EPS), virulence, bioluminescence and antibiotic production. Many studies indicated that biofilm formations are associated with QS signaling molecules such as acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) mainly used by several Gram negative bacteria. The biofilm maturation causes undesirable biomass accumulation in various surface environments anywhere water is present called biofouling, which results in serious eco-technological problems. Numerous molecules that interfere the bacterial QS called quorum quenching (QQ), have been discovered from various microorganisms, and their functions and mechanisms associated with QS have also been elucidated. To resolve biofouling problems related to various industries, the novel approach based on QS interference has been emerged attenuating multi-drug resisting bacteria appearance and environmental toxicities, which may provide potential advantages over the conventional anti-biofouling approaches. Therefore this paper presents recent information related to bacterial quorum sensing system, quorum quenching enzymes that can control the QS signaling, and lastly discuss the anti-biofouling approaches using the quorum quenching.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

The capacity of natural purification was limited by the interruption of natural flow and the problems such as eutrophication were occurred by nutritive salts accumulation in stagnant stream. Moreover, the inflow of non-point sources causes non-degradable materials to increase in stagnant stream. In this study, an upflow biological activated carbon (BAC) biofilm process comprised of anoxic, aerobic 1, and aerobic 2 reactors were introduced for treatment of stagnant stream and SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN, and TP were monitored in the upflow BAC biofilm reactors with continuous cycling. In order to simulate stagnant stream, the lake water of amusement park and golf course were stored as influent in a tank of $2m^3$ and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was changed into 6, 4, and 2 hours. At HRT 4hr and the lake water of amusement park as influent, the removal efficiencies of SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN, and TP showed the best water quality improvement and were 69.8, 83.0, 91.3, 74.1, 74.7, and 88.9%, respectively. At HRT 4hr and the lake water of golf course as influent, the removal efficiencies of SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN and TP were 78.5, 78.0, 80.2, 74.9, 55.6 and 97.5%, respectively. As the results of polymerase chain reaction - denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), microbial community was different depending on influent type. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that nitrifying bacteria was dominant at HRT 4 hr. The biomass amount and microbial activities by INT-DHA test were not decrease even at lower HRT condition. In this study, the upflow BAC biofilm process would be considered to the water quality improvement of stagnant stream.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of Stewartia koreana as oral healthcare materials. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts from leaves and branches of S. koreana against oral bacteria was confirmed. The leaf and branch extracts (1 mg/disc) showed antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis only among several tested oral bacteria. The leaf extracts showed higher antibacterial activity, with values similar to those of chlorhexidine, which was used as a positive control. The MIC of the leaf extract against P. gingivalis was 0.4 mg/ml and showed bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and on gene expression related to biofilm formation by P. gingivalis were determined by biofilm biomass staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm production rate and cell growth of P. gingivalis in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml of S. koreana leaf extracts were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on the formation of P. gingivalis biofilms at concentrations of 1 mg/ml was confirmed by SEM. The qRT-PCR analysis showed concentration-dependent suppression of the fimA and fimB gene expression associated with fimbriae formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml S. koreana leaf extract. These results support the conclusion that S. koreana leaf extracts can be used as oral healthcare materials derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the antibacterial action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. gingivalis.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.521-524
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• 2001

The anaerobic continuous reactor, which was filled with a sludge of anaerobic digestion from Sooyoung sewage treatment plant, was supplied with synthetic wastewater of various concentration. After changing to substrate concentration, 디 1is research indicated that attached biomass was kept constant after attachment 23 days. In SEM photographs. shape and structure of biofilm could be observed, but bacteria species and methanogens were not identified. A large number of methanogenic bacteria were showed on the surface of PE substratum by fluorescence under 480nm of radiation.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.238-242
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• 2020

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) illustrated great potential for powering environmental sensors and bioremediation of sediments. In the present study, array anodes for SMFCs were fabricated with graphite rods as anode material and stainless steel plate as electric current collector to make it inconvenient to in situ settle down and not feasible for large-scale application. The results demonstrated that maximum power of 89.4 ㎼ was obtained from three graphite rods, twice of 43.3 ㎼ for two graphite rods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that three graphite rods resulted in anodic resistance of 61.2 Ω, relative to 76.0 Ω of two graphite rods. It was probably caused by the parallel connection of the graphite rods, as well as more biomass which could reduce the charge transfer resistance of the biofilm anode. The presently designed array configuration possesses the advantages of easy to enlarge the surface area, decrease in anodic resistance because of the parallel connection of each graphite rod, and convenience to berry into sediment by gravity. Therefore, the as prepared array node would be an effective method to fabricate large-scale SMFC and make it easy to in situ applicate in natural sediments.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.415-422
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• 1994

The biodegradation of aromatic compounds by a mixed culture GE1 was investigated in an artificial wastewater containing 250 mg/l of benzene, toluene, and phenol in semicontinuous culture. In the control group (no strains) with an aeration rate of 75 ml/l/min, 37% of phenol and 83% of benzene were volatilized during early 24 hrs and toluene was disappeared from the medium within 12 hrs. The biodegradation of benzene and toluene was effective in SB (strains + biofilm) treatment, while phenol was degraded more quickly in SG (strains + glucose) treatment including glucose as an additional carbon source. aromatic compounds added at a concentration of 250 mg/l were completely removed by SG treatment after 16 hrs or 32 hrs, respectively. The removal rate of COD was high as much as 80 mg/l/h in SG treatment during early period, but COD revealed a stable value of 116~140 mg/l after 12 hrs caused by increased biomass. Therefore, it is concluded that the mixed GE1 could be used for the wastewater treatment including aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and phenol.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 2014

Despite the enormous technical and economic efforts to improve environmental conditions, currently about 40% of the global population (or 2 billion people) are still lack access to safe water supply and adequate sanitation facilities. Pollution problems and transmission of water- related diseases will continue to proliferate. The rapid population growth and industrialization will lead to a reduction of arable land, thus exacerbating the food shortage problems and threatening environmental sustainability. Natural systems in this context are a transdisciplinary approach which employs the activities of microbes, soil and/or plants in waste stabilisation and resource recovery without the aid of mechanical or energy-intensive equipments. Examples of these natural systems are: waste stabilisation ponds, aquatic weed ponds, constructed wetlands and land treatment processes. Although they require relatively large land areas, the natural systems could achieve a high degree of waste stabilisation and at the same time, yield potentials for waste recycling through the production of algal protein, fish, crops, and plant biomass. Because of the complex interactions occurring in the natural systems, the existing design procedures are based mainly on empirical or field experience approaches. An integrated kinetic model encompassing the activities of both suspended and biofilm bacteria and some important engineering parameters has been developed which could predict the organic matter degradation in the natural systems satisfactorily.