• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.522-530
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• 2022

In this study we aimed to develop novel ZnO-NP/chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (ZnO-NP/CS/β-GP) antibacterial hydrogels for biomedical applications. According to the mass fraction ratio of ZnO-NPs to chitosan, mixtures of 1, 3, and 5% ZnO-NPs/CS/β-GP were prepared. Using the test-tube inversion method, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the influence of ZnO-NPs on gelation time, chemical composition, and cross-sectional microstructures were evaluated. Adding ZnO-NPs significantly improved the hydrogel's antibacterial activity as determined by bacteriostatic zone and colony counting. The hydrogel's bacteriostatic mechanism was investigated using live/dead fluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, crystal violet staining and MTT assay demonstrated that ZnO-NPs/CS/β-GP exhibited good antibacterial activity in inhibiting the formation of biofilms and eradicating existing biofilms. CCK-8 and live/dead cell staining methods revealed that the cell viability of gingival fibroblasts (L929) cocultured with hydrogel in each group was above 90% after 24, 48, and 72 h. These results suggest that ZnO-NPs improve the temperature sensitivity and bacteriostatic performance of chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (CS/β-GP), which could be injected into the periodontal pocket in solution form and quickly transformed into hydrogel adhesion on the gingiva, allowing for a straightforward and convenient procedure. In conclusion, ZnO-NP/CS/β-GP thermosensitive hydrogels could be expected to be utilized as adjuvant drugs for clinical prevention and treatment of peri-implant inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.330-339
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• 2024

Corn cobs were fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of high quality and excellent food safety. In this work, the fermentation process was optimized by single-factor test and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a material-liquid ratio of 1:30, an inoculum concentration of 11%, a temperature of 32℃, a time of 6 days, and a shaking speed of 200 r/min. Under these conditions, the SDF yield of corn cob increased from 2.34% to 11.92%, and the ratio of soluble dietary fiber to total dietary fiber (SDF/TDF) reached 19.08%, meeting the requirements for high-quality dietary fiber (SDF/TDF of more than 10%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the fermentation effectively degraded part of cellulose and hemicellulose, resulting in the formation of a loose and porous structure. After fermentation the water swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the corn cob SDF were significantly improved and the adsorption capacity of glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ions all increased by more than 20%. Moreover, the total phenolic content increased by 20.96%, which correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of SDF. Overall, the fermentation of corn cobs by A. niger increased the yield and enhanced the functional properties of dietary fiber (DF) as well.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.756-760
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• 2005

In this study, the effect of $N_2$-plasma treatment on carbon blacks (CBs) was investigated by analyzing acid-base surface values and surface functional groups of CBs. The surface characteristics of the CBs were determined by fourier transformed-infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Boehm's titration method. Electrochemical properties of the plasma-treated CBs-supported Pt (Pt/CBs) catalysts were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. From the results of FT-IR and acid-base values, $N_2$-plasma treatment at 300 W intensity on the CBs led to the formation of the free radical. The peak intensity was increased with increasing the treatment time due to the formation of new basic functional groups(such as C-N, C=N, $-NH_3{^+}$, -NH, and =NH) by the free radical. Accordingly, the basic values were increased by the basic functional groups. However, after a specific reaction time, $N_2$-plasma treatment could hardly influence change of surface functional groups of CBs, due to the disappearance of free radical. Consequently, it was found that optimal treatment time was 30 second for electro activity of Pt/CBs catalysts.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2008

In the present study, the effect of oxyfluorination treatment on multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) supports was investigated by analyzing surface functional groups. The surface characteristics were determined by Fourier transformed-infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After the deposition of platinum nanoparticles on the above treated carbon supports, a crystalline size and a loading level had been investigated. Electrochemical properties of the treated MWNTs-supported Pt (Pt/MWNTs) catalysts were analyzed by current-voltage curve measurements. From the results of surface analysis, an oxygen and fluorine-containing functional group had been introduced to the surface of carbon supports. The oxygen and fluorine contents were the highest value at the treatment of 100 temperature. The Pt/100-MWNTs showed the smallest particle crystalline size of 3.5 nm and the highest loading level of 9.4% at the treatment of 100 temperature. However, the sample treated at the higher temperature showed the larger crystalline size and the lower loading level. This indicated that the crystalline size and the loading level could be controlled by changing the temperature of oxyfluorination treatment. Accordingly, an electrochemical activity was enhanced by increasing the temperature of treatment upto 100, and then decreased in the case of 200 and 300. The highest specific current density of 120 mA/mg had been obtained in the case of Pt/100-MWNTs.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.158-171
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• 2023

Pottery filled with organic materials was excavated from the G-2 building site of Yongjangseong Fortress, Jingo, a relic of the Goryeo Dynasty. In this study, the characteristics of organic material were confirmed by a scientific analysis of organic material in pottery found at the palace in Yongjangseong, Jindo. In addition, it was intended to review the analysis method to identify the natural resin and to secure characteristic components(biomarkers) for each natural resin and use them as basic data in the future. The organic materials in the pottery were analyzed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The infrared spectral characteristics were estimated to be natural resin, and biomarkers of organic materials were identified as sesquiterpene-based compounds(C₁₅H₂₄, MW 204) and derivatives. The lacquer(T.vemicifluum) is composed mainly of alkenes, alkanes, and catechol. Pine resin(P.densiflora), on the other hand, is primarily composed of diterpenoid(abietic acid, pimaric acid) and Whangchil(yellow lacquer) is identified to have sesquiterpenes(such as selinene, muurolene, calamenene) as its main components. So, the organic material in the pottery can be identified as Whangchil by comparing their compounds with modern resin materials from Dendropanax. morbifera that correspond with the results. Whangchil, which is exuded from the Dendropanax. morbifera, has been used as a natural coating materials since ancient times, and it has been confirmed that the characteristic components are well preserved even 700 years later. It can be assumed that the interior Whangchil was stored not for use as a coating, but rather for ritual purposes when the building was constructed, because the pottery was found near the cornerstone. Furthermore, based on simplified sample preparation using pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry(Py-GC-MS), the thermal decomposition products were found to be similar to the characteristic components, suggesting that this method can be applied to the identification of natural resins used in historic artifacts.