• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2007

Organic farming systems based on ecological concepts have the potential to produce sustainable crop yields with no decline in soil and environmental qualities. Recent expansion of sustainable agricultural systems, including organic farming, has brought about need for development of sustainable farming systems based on value judgments for key properties of importance for farming. Chemical and microbiological properties were chosen as indicators of soil quality and measured at soil depth intervals of 5-20 and 20-35 cm in conventional and organic-based apple orchards located in Yeongchun, Gyeongbuk. The orchards were two adjacent fields to ensure the same pedological conditions except management system. Soil pH in organic farming was around 7.5, whereas below 6.0 in conventional farming. Organic farming resulted in significant increases in organic matter and Kjeldahl-N contents compared to those found with conventional management. Microbial populations, biomass C, and enzyme activities (except acid phosphatase) in apple orchard soil of organic farming were higher than those found in conventional farming. Higher microbial quotient ($C_{mic}/C_{org}$ ratio) and lower microbial metabolic quotient for $CO_2(qCO_2)$ in organic farming confirmed that organic farming better conserves soil organic carbon. Biological soil quality indicators showed significant positive correlations with soil organic matter content. These results indicate organic-based farming positively affected soil organic matter content, thus improving soil chemical and biological qualities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.819-822
• /
• 2003

Polyketides are an extensive class of secondary metabolites with diverse molecular structures and biological activities. A plasmid-based minimal polyketide synthase (PKS) expression cassette was constructed using a subset of actinorhodin (act) biosynthetic genes (actI-orfl, actI-orf2, actI-orf3, actIII, actⅦ, and actIV) from Streptomyces coelicolor, which specify the construction of an orange-fluorescent anthraquinone product aloesaponarin II, a type II polyketide compound derived from one acetyl coenzyme A and 7 malonyl coenzyme A extender units. This system was designed as an indicator pathway in S. parvulus to generate a hybrid type II polyketide compound via gene-specific replacement. The act ${\beta}-ketoacyl$ synthase unit (actI-orfl and actI-orf2) in the expression cassette was specifically replaced with oxytetracycline ${\beta}-ketoacyl$ synthase otcY-orfl and otcY-orf2). This plasmid-based hybrid PKS cassette generated a novel orange-fluorescent compound structurally different from aloesaponarin II in both S. lividans and S. parvulus. In addition, several additional distinctive blue-fluorescent compounds were detected, when this hybrid PKS cassette was expressed in S. coelicolor B78 (actI-orf2 mutant), implying that the expression of plasmid-based hybrid PKS cassette in Streptomyces species should be an efficient way of generating hybrid type II polyketide compounds.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.759-770
• /
• 1998

biotic indices scoring with the benthic macroinvertebrates were assessed as pollution monitoring tools in the north branch of the Han River system, Korea. We investigated the temporal variability of water quality at unpolluted, moderately polluted and heavily polluted sites using several biotic indices and assessed appropriate biological monitoring indices for lotic systems in Korea. The following biotic and chemical indices were employed in order to compare their applicability to the lotic systems : Trent Biotic Index (TBI), Chandler's Biotic Index-Average Score per Taxon (CBI-ASPT), Modified Biological Monitoring Working Party Score System-Average Score per Taxon (BMWP-ASPT), Hilsenhoff's biotic Index (BI) and Family-level Biotic Index (FBI) models for biotic analyses and National Sanitation foundation's Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and comprehensive Chemical Pollution Index (Pb/n) for chemical analyses of water quality. Index and score values were compared with each other and with 24 water chemistry parameters. All biotic indices were significantly auto-correlated (p<0.001) and BI and FBI/ROK among them were highly correlated (r=0.84). BI and BMWP-ASPT models were also highly correlated with NSFWQI, while TBI values showed high correlation with the Pb/n. The BI and BMWP-ASPT were highly correlated with the most water chemistry parameters. We conclude that the BI model, which includes indicator species and abundance of taxa, is best suited for the bioassessment of lotic systems in Korea. For rapid field-based assessments, FBI/ROK and BMWP-ASPT models are also appropriate.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.290-294
• /
• 1991

For the determination of peripheral COMT activity, we synthesized $[2-^{14}C]-3',4'-dihydroxyacetophenone([^{14}C]-DHAP)$, a model substrate closely related to catecholamines, which cannot be attacked by monoamine oxidase. After i.v.-injection of $[^{14}C]-DHAP$ in living animals, only 3',4'-dihydroxy-acetophenone (3',4'-DHAP) and 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyacetophenone (3'-MHAP) were detected in blood by thin layer radio chromatography. It could be speculated that 3',4'-DHAP was primarily O-methylated by COMT, followed by subsequent conjugations. The concentration of 3',4'-DHAP, a substrate for COMT, in blood at 5 min after injection of $[^{14}C]-DHAP$, were similar in all animals. The rate of 3'-MHAP formation can be therefore used as an indicator for peripheral COMT activity. The velocity of methylation in 15 min after i.v.-administration of $[^{14}C]-DHAP$ was $0.28\;{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}min$. From these results, 3',4'-DHAP was shown to be used as an appropriate substrate to determine the COMT activity in vivo.

• Plant Resources
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2000

Autotoxicity restricts reseeding of new alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) after alfalfa until autotoxic chemical(s) breaks down or is dispersed into external environments, often requiring up to a year or more. One solution for reducing autotoxicity would be to select germplasms or cultivars with tolerance to the autotoxic chemical(5) and use genetically breeding program. Bioassay of seed germination and early seedling growth was conducted to evaluate autotoxic responses of 3 varieties of alfalfa to the water-soluble extracts(at 4 and 8g/L) from alfalfa ‘Cody’leaf by using agar and filter paper medium in a petri-dish assay. Root length at 5 days after seeding was more sensitive to the extract than was hypocotyl length or seed germination, and was a better parameter of autotoxic effects of alfalfa leaf extracts. Use of an agar medium gave better sensitivity of root length than did use of filter paper. Evaluating tolerance with percent of control was more important indicator than was mean of root length because of significant variation among varieties in root length of control treatment. Bioassay ranked varieties in the following order of tolerance on the basis of relative root length; “Cody” >“ Pioneer 5373” >“ Alfagraze”. Seedling growth from old “Cody” seed was more sensitive to the autotoxic chemical(5) than was that from newly produced seed.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.108-115
• /
• 2014

Various metal chlorides and acid catalysts in ionic liquid solvent were investigated to directly convert cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Metal chlorides containing Sn(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Fe(III), Cu(II), and Cr(III) were used and acidic ionic liquid immobilized on silica gel as an acid catalyst and commercial acid catalysts (sulfuric acid, chloric acid, Amberlyst-15,DOWEX50x8) were used for comparison studies. The acid strength and amount of acid catalysts were probed with Hammett indicator. The selectivity and yield of 5-HMF were determined with reaction temperature, reaction time and catalyst ratio. A catalyst containing $CrCl_3-6H_2O$ and $SiO_2-[ASBI]HSO_4$ showed the highest selectivity and it was found that this catalyst had higher activity than commercial solid acid catalysts such as Amberlyst-15 and DOWEX50x8. The selectivity of 5-HMF appeared to be mainly dependent on the acid strength and catalyst ratio, it was found that levulinic acid was produced from 5-HMF by rehydration.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.669-674
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the suitability of hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) vapor system for platform interior decontamination. Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicator(BI) strips and a field tent were used as a biological simulant and as a simulated platform, respectively. Decontamination was performed based on injection rates and tent sizes with exposure time 60 minutes. We standardized the conditions for the field tent decontamination : 8.0 g/min for $30m^3$($H_2O_2$ vapor concentration of 150~500 ppm, relative humidity of 50 %) and 12.0 g/min for $60m^3$($H_2O_2$ vapor concentration of 250~400 ppm, relative humidity of 55 %). Thus we suggest the system is one of the possible candidates for decontamination of platform interiors.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.6-10
• /
• 2021

The shorting resistance (SR) of the PEMFC(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) polymer membrane is an important indicator of the durability of the membrane. When SR decreases, shorting current (SC) increases, reducing durability and performance. When SR becomes less than about 0.1 kΩ·㎠, shorting occurs, the temperature rises rapidly, and MEA(Membrane Electrode Assembly) is burned to end stack operation. In order to prevent shorting, we need to control the SR, so the conditions affecting the SR were studied. There were differences in the SR measurement methods, and the SR measurement method, which improved the DOE(Department of Energy) and NEDO(New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) method, was presented. It was confirmed that the SR decreases as the relative humidity, temperature and cell compression pressure increase. In the final stage of the accelerated durability evaluation process of the polymer membrane, SR rapidly decreased to less than 0.1 kΩ·㎠, and the hydrogen permeability became higher than 15 mA/㎠. After dismantling the MEA, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis showed that a lot of platinum was distributed inside the membrane.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.132-144
• /
• 1994

The relationship of zooplankton communities and distributions of copepods as indicator species to environmental variables, such as temperature, salinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) was studied in Pusan Harbor in October 1990 and January, April and July 1991. Zooplankton communities were analysed by using cluster analysis and species diversity index. Four groups of copepods as indicator species were Acrocalanus gacilis, Euchaeta plana, pareuchaeta russell and Pleuromamma gracilis as the oceanic warm water species; Cemtropages abdominalis as the neritic cold water species; Meridian lucens as the oceanic cold water species Acartia omorii as the polluted water species. the offshore waters of Pusan harbor was dominated by the oceanic warm water species in October and by the neritic cold water species in January and April. This area showed the low values of COD and Tin. the inshore waters of Pusan harbor, where the high values of cod And Tin and the low value of diversity were recorder was represented by A.. omorii. Cluster analysis of the zooplankton community revealed two or three regional areas in Pusan harbor. Area I, the offshore area of Pusan harbor, not only was represented high species diversity and low density of A. omorii but also was dominated copepods in zooplankton roups. Areas II and III were grouped horizontally from offshore to inshore of Pusan harbor. Area II was showed intermediate values in diversity, density of A. omorii and percentage composition of copepods. Area III was revealed the lowest diversity,density of A.omorii and percentage composition of Cladocerans.Coperpoda was a dominant zooplankton group in each area during the study periods except two special cases.Area II was dominated by Noctiluca scintillans in April and Area III was occupied by Cladocerans in July.Distribution of Indicator species and areas demarcated based on cluster analysis showed a close relationship with environments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.212-220
• /
• 2009

In this study, we analyzed fish compositions and ecological characteristics such as trophic guilds and tolerance guilds in association with water quality characteristics in Masan Reservoir during November 2008. Total number of species were 12 species (6 families) and the dominant species were Zacco platypus, Hemiculter eigenmanni, and Pseudorasbora parva. We found three Korean endemic species and one exotic species, Carassius cuvieri. According to the analysis of ecological indicator characteristics, relative proportion of tolerant and omnivore species was 98% of the total indicating that probably, the fauna was influenced by physical habitat disturbance and physicochemical degradations. Fish distribution analysis along with littoral zone showed that the most fishes (${\sim}$95%) were observed in the littoral zone where emerged macrophytes were well developed. Also, substrate analysis indicated that the most species were found near silt area (11 species, 91.7%), so that the significant differences were found between the substrate types. Analysis of water quality indicated that concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll-a (ChI-a) as a lake trophic indicator were judged as eutrophic states, respectively and COD as an indicator of organic matter pollution averaged 10.9 mg $L^{-1}$. Based on the water quality, this system were influenced by the nutrient enrichments and organic matter. The degradations of water quality in Masan Reservoir resulted in trophic compositions of fish (increase of omnivore species) and the dominance of tolerant fish. This Monitoring data may contribute changes of fish fauna and compositions in relation to habitat modifications and chemical water quality degradations in the future.