• 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 Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1262-1271
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• 2021

L-Malic acid (L-MA) is widely used in food and non-food products. However, few microorganisms have been able to efficiently produce L-MA from xylose derived from lignocellulosic biomass (LB). The objective of this work is to convert LB into L-MA with the concept of a bioeconomy and environmentally friendly process. The unique trifunctional xylanolytic enzyme, PcAxy43A from Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus B-6, effectively hydrolyzed xylan in untreated LB, especially corn hull to xylose, in one step. Furthermore, the newly isolated, Acetobacter tropicalis strain H1 was able to convert high concentrations of xylose derived from corn hull into L-MA as the main product, which can be easily purified. The strain H1 successfully produced a high L-MA titer of 77.09 g/l, with a yield of 0.77 g/g and a productivity of 0.64 g/l/h from the xylose derived from corn hull. The process presented in this research is an efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly biological process for the green production of L-MA from LB.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2021

The current study investigated how Saccharomyces cerevisiae ameliorates the adverse effects of aflatoxin on in vitro rumen fermentation. In this study, five groups (T₁: Control [basal feed]; T₂: T₁ + 300 ppb aflatoxin B1 [AFB₁] and T₃, T₄, and T₅: T₂ with 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% of S. cerevisiae, respectively) were prepared and incubated in vitro. The results revealed that truly degradable dry matter (TDDM), gas production (GP), microbial biomass production (MBP), truly degradable organic matter (TDOM), partitioning factor (PF), total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate (A), propionate (P) and butyrate (B) values in the control group (T₁) were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the AFB₁ fed group (T₂). The A : P ratio in the control group (T₁) was reduced (p < 0.05) when compared to that of the T₂ group. The TDDM, TDOM, GP, TVFA, A, P, and B values of T₃, T₄, and T₅ improved with the increasing levels of S. cerevisiae; however, the values of group T₅ were lower (p < 0.05) than that of the control. The values of MBP, A : P ratio and PF in group T₅ were statistically similar to that of the control. It was concluded that the inclusion of S. cerevisiae (0.05 to 0.20%) to the AFB₁ (300 ppb) contaminated feed partially to completely ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB₁ on the in vitro rumen fermentation parameters.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1292-1298
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• 2022

Soil autotrophic bacterial communities play a significant role in the soil carbon (C) cycle in paddy fields, but little is known about how rhizosphere soil microorganisms respond to different long-term (35 years) fertilization practices under double rice cropping ecosystems in southern China. Here, we investigated the variation characteristics of rhizosphere soil RubisCO gene cbbL in the double rice ecosystems of in southern China where such fertilization practices are used. For this experiment we set up the following fertilizer regime: without any fertilizer input as a control (CK), inorganic fertilizer (MF), straw returning (RF), and organic and inorganic fertilizer (OM). We found that abundances of cbbL, 16S rRNA genes and RubisCO activity in rhizosphere soil with OM, RF and MF treatments were significantly higher than that of CK treatment. The abundances of cbbL and 16S rRNA genes in rhizosphere soil with OM treatment were 5.46 and 3.64 times higher than that of CK treatment, respectively. Rhizosphere soil RubisCO activity with OM and RF treatments increased by 50.56 and 45.22%, compared to CK treatment. Shannon and Chao1 indices for rhizosphere soil cbbL libraries with RF and OM treatments increased by 44.28, 28.56, 29.60, and 23.13% compared to CK treatment. Rhizosphere soil cbbL sequences with MF, RF and OM treatments mainly belonged to Variovorax paradoxus, uncultured proteobacterium, Ralstonia pickettii, Thermononospora curvata, and Azoarcus sp.KH33C. Meanwhile, cbbL-carrying bacterial composition was obviously influenced by soil bulk density, rhizosphere soil dissolved organic C, soil organic C, and microbial biomass C contents. Fertilizer practices were the principal factor influencing rhizosphere soil cbbL-carrying bacterial communities. These results showed that rhizosphere soil autotrophic bacterial communities were significantly changed under conditions of different long-term fertilization practices Therefore, increasing rhizosphere soil autotrophic bacteria community with crop residue and organic manure practices was found to be beneficial for management of double rice ecosystems in southern China.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.642-648
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• 2012

To evaluate the water quality in Juksancheon constructed wetlands for treating non-point source pollution, the removal rates of nutrients in water and the total amounts of T-N and T-P uptakes by water plants were investigated. Chemical characteristics of T-N and T-P in sediment were investigated. The concentrations of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), SS (Suspended Solids), T-N and T-P in inflow were 0.07~1.47, 0.60~2.65, 0.50~4.60, 1.38~6.26 and $0.08{\sim}0.32mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The removal rates of BOD, COD, SS, T-N, and T-P were -10, 51, 66, -3 and 5%, respectively. The maximum amount of T-N uptake by water plants in August was $368.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $2^{nd}$ treatment stage by Nymphoides peltata, $1314.6mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $3^{rd}$ treatment stage by Iris pseudacorus, $1160.4mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $4^{th}$ treatment stage by Nymphaea tetragona GEORGI, respectively. The maximum amount of T-P uptake by water plants in August was $121.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Nymphoides peltata in the $2^{nd}$ treatment stage, $268.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Iris pseudacorus in the $3^{rd}$ treatment stage and $212.0mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Nymphaea tetragona GEORGI in the $4^{th}$ treatment stage, respectively. Organic matter contents in sediments were not different. Contents of T-N and T-P in sediments were higher in spring. Microbial biomass C:N:P ratios in sediments in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 117~140:1~4:1, 86~126:5~6:1, 68~101:2~6:1 and 47~138:2~4:1, respectively. We could conclude that Juksancheon constructed wetlands show high removal efficiencies of COD and SS. However, improvements of management in winter season should be considered to improve the removal efficiencies of pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.561-570
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• 2013

Organic carbon distribution and carbon budget of a Pinus densiflora forest in the Songgye valley of Mt. Worak National Park were investigated. Carbon in above and below ground standing biomass, litter layer, and soil organic carbon were measured from May 2011 through April 2012. For the estimation of carbon budget, soil respiration was measured. The amount of carbon allocated to above and below ground biomass was 52.25 and 14.52 ton C $ha^{-1}$. Amount of organic carbon in annual litterfall was 4.71 ton C $ha^{-1}$. Amount of organic carbon within 50cm soil depth was 58.56 ton C $ha^{-1}$ 50cm-$depth^{-1}$. Total amount of organic carbon in this Pinus densiflora forest was estimated to 130.04 ton C $ha^{-1}$. Amount of organic carbon in tree layer, shrub and herb layer was 4.12, 0.10 and 0.04 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$ and total amount of organic carbon was 4.26 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. Amount of organic carbon returned to the forest via litterfall was 1.62 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The amount of carbon evolved through soil respiration was 6.25 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The amount of carbon evolved through microbial respiration and root respiration was 3.19 and 3.06 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The amount of organic carbon absorbed from the atmosphere of this Pinus densiflora forest was 1.07 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$ when it was estimated from the difference between Net Primary Production and microbial respiration.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.400-407
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• 2011

To evaluate the aquatic ecological characteristics in Sinpyongcheon constructed wetlands for treating nonpoint source pollution, the removal rates of nutrients in water, the total amounts of T-N and T-P uptakes by water plants, and chemical characteristics of T-N and T-P in sediment were investigated. The concentrations of BOD, COD, SS, T-N and T-P in inflow were 0.07~1.47, 0.60~2.65, 0.50~4.60, 1.38~6.26 and $0.08{\sim}0.32mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The removal rates of BOD, COD, SS, T-N, and T-P were 14%, 6%, 18%, 24%, and 10%, respectively. The maximum amount of T-N uptake by water plants in August was $813mg\;plant^{-1}$ for Phragmites communis TRIV in $2^{nd}$ bed, $1,172mg\;plant^{-1}$ for Typha orientalis PRESL in $3^{rd}$ bed, respectively. The maximum amount of T-P uptake by water plants in August was $247mg\;plant^{-1}$ for Phragmites communis TRIV in $2^{nd}$ bed, $359mg\;plant^{-1}$ for Typha orientalis PRESL in $3^{rd}$ bed, respectively. Organic matter, T-N, and T-P contents in sediments were high in the order of $1^{st}$ bed > $2^{nd}$ bed > $3^{rd}$ bed. Microbial biomass C/N/P ratios in sediments in $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ were 78~110/3~6/1, 73~204/1~6/1, and 106~169/1~6/1, respectively.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2015

To elucidate the microbial consortia responsible for the anaerobic methane oxidation in the methane hydrate bearing sediments, we compared the geochemical constituents of the sediment, the rate of sulfate reduction, and microbial biomass and diversity using an analysis of functional genes associated with the anaerobic methane oxidation and sulfate reduction between chimney site (UBGH2-3) on the continental slope and non-chimney site (UBGH2-10) on the basin of the Ulleung Basin. From the vertical profiles of geochemical constituents, sulfate and methane transition zone (SMTZ) was clearly defined between 0.5 and 1.5 mbsf (meters below seafloor) in the UBGH2-3, and between 6 and 7 mbsf at the UBGH2-10. At the UBGH2-3, the sulfate reduction rate (SRR) in the SMTZ exhibited was appeared to be $1.82nmol\;cm^{-3}d^{-1}$ at the depth of 1.15 mbsf. The SRR in the UBHG2-10 showed a highest value ($4.29nmol\;cm^{-3}d^{-1}$) at the SMTZ. The 16S rRNA gene copy numbers of total Prokaryotes, mcrA, (methyl coenzyme M reductase subunit A), and dsrA (dissimilatory sulfite reductase subunit A) showed the peaks in the SMTZ at both sites, but the maximum mcrA gene copy number of the UBGH2-10 appeared below the SMTZ (9.8 mbsf). ANME-1 was a predominant ANME (Anaerobic MEthanotroph) group in both SMTZs of the UBGH2-3 and -10. However, The sequences of ANME-2 were detected only at 2.2 mbsf of the UBGH2-3 where high methane flux was observed because of massive amount of gas hydrate at shallow depth. And Desulfosarcina-Desulfococcus (DSS) that is associated with ANME-2 was detected in 2.2 mbsf of the UBHG2-3. Overall results demonstrate that ANME-1 and ANME-2 are considered as significant archaeal groups related to methane cycle in the subsurface sediment of the East Sea, and ANME-2/DSS consortia might be more responsible for methane oxidation in the methane seeping region than in non-seeping region.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.179-192
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• 2023

In this study, changes in the microbial ecosystem of the Yeongheungdo island coastal waters were investigated for five years to collect basic data. To evaluate the influence of distance from the coast on the microbial ecosystem, four sites, coastal Site (S1) and 0.75, 1.5, and 3 km away from the coast, were set up and the changes in physicochemical and biological factors were monitored. The results showed seasonal changes in water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH but with no significant differences between sites. For nutrients, the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen increased from 6.4 μM in April-June to 16.4 μM in July-November, while that of phosphorus and silicon phosphate increased from 0.4 μM and 2.5 μM in April-June to 1.1 μM and 12.0 μM in July-November, respectively. Notably, phosphorus phosphate concentrations were lower in 2014-2015 (up to 0.2 μM) compared to 2016-2018 (up to 2.2 μM), indicating phosphorus limitation during this period. However, there were no differences in nutrients with distance from the coast, indicating that there was no effect of distance on nutrients. Phytoplankton (average 511 cells mL^-1) showed relatively high biomass (up to 3,370 cells mL^-1) in 2014-2015 when phosphorus phosphate was limited. Notably, at that time, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon was not high, with concentrations ranging from 1.1-2.3 mg L^-1. However, no significant differences in biological factors were observed between the sites. Although this study revealed that there was no disturbance of the ecosystem, further research and more basic data on the microecosystem are necessary to understand the ecosystem of the Incheon.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.4B
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• pp.253-259
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• 2012

Wastewater-adapted microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris AG10032, Ankistrodesmus gracilis SAG278-2 and Scenedesmus quadricauda AG10308 are useful biological resources for recovering biofuel and other bio-based materials from wastewater because of their efficient removals of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater and their high fatty acid contents in biomass. Although the concentrations of phosphorus typically vary in wastewater environment, very little is known about the effect of phosphorus concentration, especially phosphorus starvation, on microalgal fatty acid synthesis. This is partially due to the lack of methodological establishment for algal fatty acid analysis. In this study, we compared the analysis performances of microalgal fatty acids by two different methods; one is a non-polar GC (gas chromatography) column based method, which is generally used for microbial fatty acids, and the other is a polar WAX-type GC column method, which is typically used for plant fatty acids. And then, we explored the effect of phosphorus concentration levels on fatty acid production in microalgae cultivated from wastewater. As results, the polar WAX-type column method has better ability to separate poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including $C_{18:3}$ (linolenic acid), and was found to be more applicable in analyzing fatty acids from wastewater-cultivated microalgae than the non-polar column method. The fatty acid characterization by the WAX-type column method revealed little effect of phosphorus starvation on the quantity and composition of fatty acids from wastewater-cultivated microalgae.