• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2003

The inoculation of some microorganisms into a microcosm containing soil from a barren lakeside area at Lake Paro in Kangwon-do enhanced plant growth significantly. The direct and viable counts of soil bacteria and soil microbial activities measured by electron transport system assay and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis assay were higher in inoculated soil. The plant growth promoting effect of this inoculation may be caused by phytohormone production and the solubilization of insoluble phosphates by the inoculated bacteria. Three inoculated strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens produced several plant growth promoting phytohormones, including indole-3-acetic acid (auxin), which was confirmed by thin layer chromatography and GC/MS. P. fluorescens strain B16 and M45 produced 502.4 and 206.1 mg/l of soluble phosphate from Ca3(PO4)2 and hydroxyapatite, respectively. Bacillus megaterium showed similar solubilization rates of insoluble phosphates to those of Pseudomonas spp. We believe that this plant growth promoting capability may be used for the rapid revegetation of barren or disturbed land.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.spc1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2005

It had long been assumed that a bacterial cell was dead when it was no longer able to grow on routine culture media. We now know that this assumption is simplistic, and that there are many situations where a cell loses culturability but remains viable and potentially able to regrow. This mini-review defines what the 'viable but nonculturable' (VBNC) state is, and illustrates the methods that can be used to show that a bacterial cell is in this physiological state. The diverse environmental factors which induce this state, and the variety of bacteria which have been shown to enter into the VBNC state, are listed. In recent years, a great amount of research has revealed what occurs in cells as they enter and exist in this state, and these studies are also detailed. The ability of cells to resuscitate from the VBNC state and return to an actively metabolizing and culturable form is described, as well as the ability of these cells to retain virulence. Finally, the question of why cells become nonculturable is addressed. It is hoped that this mini-review will encourage researchers to consider this survival state in their studies as an alternative to the conclusion that a lack of culturability indicates the cells they are examining are dead.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.295-298
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• 2018

Lactobacillus plantarum is a Gram-positive, facultative heterofermentative, nonspore-forming nonmotile bacterium found in a wide range of environmental niches. Here we present the complete genome sequence of L. plantarum SK151 isolated from kimchi, which shows high adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. The genome is 3,231,249 bp in length and has a GC content of 44.6%. The genome contains genes related to cell adhesion and a complete operon for riboflavin biosynthesis.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

To study the biodiversity of bacterial species, here we report indigenous prokaryotic species of Korea. A total of 23 bacterial strains affiliated to the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from various environmental sources including seaweeds, seawater, fresh water, wetland/marsh, tidal sediment, plant roots, sewage and soil. Considering higher than 98.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and formation of a well-defined phylogenetic clade with named species, it was confirmed that each strain belonged to the predefined bacterial species of the class Alphaproteobacteria. There is no official report of these 23 species in Korea; 20 species of 16 genera (Mameliella, Yangia, Paracoccus, Ruegeria, Loktanella, Phaeobacter, Dinoroseobacter, Tropicimonas, Lutimaribacter, Litoreibacter, Sulfitobacter, Roseivivax, Labrenzia, Hyphomonas, Maricaulis, Thalassospira) in the order Rhodobacterales and 3 species of a single genus (Brevundimonas) in the order Caulobacterales. Gram-staining, cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation sources, optimum temperature, growth media, and strain IDs are detailed in the species description as well as Table 1.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.229-239
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• 2023

We isolated and identified 25 unrecorded bacterial species belonging to the phylum Actinomycetota found in the Republic of Korea. Sequence comparison of 16S rRNA was performed using the NCBI BLAST and EzBioCloud database to identify 25 species, which had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of >98.8% and were allocated as unrecorded species in the Republic of Korea. Among the 25 unrecorded bacterial strains, Streptomyces was the most common with nine species, followed by Leifsonia with two species. Isoptericola, Nocardioides, Dermacoccus, Sinomonas, Patulibacter, Marmoricola, Allobranchiibius, Aldersonia, Actinokineospora, Agromyces, Aeromicrobium, Cellulomonas, and Gordonia with one species each were also found. Twenty-five unrecorded species were excavated in various environments, such as tidal flats, ferns, soil, pine cones, moss, mud, wetlands, and plants. These isolates were characterized on the basis of their phylogenetic, biochemical properties, and morphological data, and species descriptions were provided.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2022

A fungal isolate belonging to the phylum Ascomycota was isolated and identified as Talaromyces veerkampii in 2017 during a survey of fungal diversity in field soils in Korea. This fungal isolate was identified and described based on macro- and micromorphological and molecular characterization. The identification was also based on partial 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S rDNA and calmodulin (CaM)-encoding gene sequencing data. Talaromyces veerkampii has not been previously reported in Korea. Thus, we report here a newly discovered species from soil in Korea along with its morphological and molecular characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2014

Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) lactonase has been proved to be the AHL-degrading enzyme with the highest substrate specificity for AHL molecules and has shown a considerable potential as low-cost and efficient quorum quenching (QQ) technique. However, few studies focused on its inhibitory effect on biofilm formation which is also a quorum sensing (QS)-regulated phenomenon. In this study, QQ activity of six isolates from biofouled reverse osmosis membranes was studied using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 as biosensors under various conditions. All of the isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus and showed QQ activity regardless of the acyl chain length or substitution of AHL molecule. The isolates were capable of significantly inhibiting biofilm formation (46.7-58.3%) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and produced heat-sensitive extracellular QQ substances. The LC-MS analysis of the QQ activity of a selected isolate, RO1S-5, revealed the degradation of N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12 AHL) and the production of corresponding acyl homoserine (3-oxo-C12-HS), which indicated the activity of AHL lactonase. The broad AHL substrate range and high substrate specificity suggested that the isolate would be useful for the control of biofilm-related pathogenesis and biofouling in industrial processes.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.343-352
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• 2013

In this study, we have evaluated the effect of efficient microorganisms on odor-removal efficiency and early stabilization of the burial sites. We have developed an efficient microorganism designated as 'KEM' which have the ability to degrade organic compounds and remove odor effectively. Other efficient microorganisms already used on site, such as EM and Bacillus sp., were also compared. We preceded these experiment using lab-scale reactors under three conditions (control, only media and only body) and comparing the effect of with or without the application of tree efficient microorganisms separately. Analysis was focused on eight components (ammonia, TMA, $H_2S$, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, $CO_2$ and $CH_4$), and as a result, efficient microorganisms were shown efficiency in the removal of ammonia and methyl mercaptan. The applied KEM decayed up to 71.2% of the buried meat. We were unable to observe significant differences in microbial communities between efficient microorganisms-treated and non-treated reactors due to the large presence of microorganisms in both soil and carcasses. However, it was possible to observe the effect on odor control and decay rate through the application of efficient microorganisms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.501-506
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• 2011

Purpose: A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area. Methods: Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of $NO_2$, $CO_2$, $O_3$, particulate matter (PM) $PM_{10/2.5}$, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined. Results: The levels of outdoor CO, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, $CO_2$, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). Conclusion: We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2012

The purpose of this research was to optimize electric current production of sediment microbial fuel cells by injecting glucose and to investigate its impact on microbial communities involved. It was shown that injection of proper concentration of glucose could increase electric current generated from sediment microbial fuel cells. When 1,000 mg/L of glucose, as opposed to higher concentrations, was injected, electric current increased up to 3 times. This increase is mainly attributed to the mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria and exoelectrogenic bacteria. Here the organic acids generated by fermenting bacteria could be utilized by exoelectrogenic bacteria, removing feedback inhibition caused by the organic acids. When glucose was injected, the population of Clostridium increased as to ferment injected glucose. Glucose fermentation can have either a positive or negative effect on electric current generation. When exoelectrogenic bacteria may readily utilize the end-product, electric current could increase. However, when the end-product was not readily removed, then detrimental chemical reactions (pH decrease, methane generation, organic acids accumulation) occurred: exoelctrogenic bacteria population declined and non-microbial fuel cell related microorganisms prospered. By injecting a proper concentration of glucose, a mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria, such as Clostridium, and exoelectrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter, should be fulfilled in order to increase electricity production in mixed cultures of microorganisms collected from the aquatic sediments.