• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible utility of 3 Aspergillus oryzae strains (designated as SCF-6, SCF-37, and JJSH-1), isolated from Korean traditional fermented materials, as starter cultures in the soybean paste industry. Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) was made with the A. oryzae strains described above, and its quality attributes were analyzed during a 60-day aging period. No significant differences in pH, moisture, or salt content were detected among the doenjang varieties made with the 3 Aspergillus strains. The concentration of amino-nitrogen, an indicator of doenjang aging, increased in each sample during the aging period. After the 60-day aging period, the contents of amino-nitrogen and free amino acid in doenjang made with SCF-6 showed the highest concentrations among the tested doenjang products: 971.6 and 8,064.9 mg%, respectively. Measurements of the color of doenjang showed that lightness and yellowness decreased during the aging period, but redness increased. After the 60-day aging period, the ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric-n-acid (GABA) concentrations in doenjang made with SCF-6 and SCF-37 were 61.3 and 53.7 mg%, respectively. In doenjang samples, aflatoxin was not detected and the concentrations of biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine) were 2.55-5.60 mg/kg and 3.70-5.87 mg/kg, respectively. These results indicated that A. oryzae SCF-6 isolated from traditional fermented foods could be useful as a starter culture in the soybean paste industry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1467-1475
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• 2015

The use of microbial extracts containing plant hormones is a promising technique to improve crop growth. Little is known about the effect of bacterial cell-free extracts on plant growth promotion. This study, based on phytohormonal analyses, aimed at exploring the potential mechanisms by which Enterococcus faecium LKE12 enhances plant growth in oriental melon. A bacterial strain, LKE12, was isolated from soil, and further identified as E. faecium by 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The plant growth-promoting ability of an LKE12 bacterial culture was tested in a gibberellin (GA)-deficient rice dwarf mutant (waito-C) and a normal GA biosynthesis rice cultivar (Hwayongbyeo). E. faecium LKE12 significantly improved the length and biomass of rice shoots in both normal and dwarf cultivars through the secretion of an array of gibberellins (GA₁, GA₃, GA₇, GA₈, GA₉, GA₁₂, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₄, and GA₅₃), as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study indicating that E. faecium can produce GAs. Increases in shoot and root lengths, plant fresh weight, and chlorophyll content promoted by E. faecium LKE12 and its cell-free extract inoculated in oriental melon plants revealed a favorable interaction of E. faecium LKE12 with plants. Higher plant growth rates and nutrient contents of magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, silicon, zinc, and nitrogen were found in cell-free extract-treated plants than in control plants. The results of the current study suggest that E. faecium LKE12 promotes plant growth by producing GAs and IAA; interestingly, the exogenous application of its cell-free culture extract can be a potential strategy to accelerate plant growth.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.656-660
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• 2013

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CL0145A was discovered at the New York State Museum Field Research Laboratory as an effective agent against the environmentally destructive zebra mussel, which has contaminated US waters. Dried cells of the microbe are being commercialized as an environmentally friendly solution to the problem. We found that antibiotic activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is produced and excreted by this strain. We have carried out studies to optimize production of the antibiotic. Studies were begun in a complex corn meal medium. Activity was found in both cells and culture supernates and was maximal after one day of fermentation. Static fermentation conditions were found to be superior to shaken culture. Production of extracellular antibiotic in complex medium was found to be dependent on the content of sucrose and enzyme-hydrolyzed casein. Indeed, production was greater in sucrose plus enzyme-hydrolyzed casein than in the complex medium. Of a large number of carbon sources studied as improvements over sucrose, the best was glycerol. An examination of nitrogen sources showed that production was improved by replacement of enzyme-hydrolyzed casein with soy hydrolysates. Production in the simple glycerol-Hy-Soy medium was not improved by addition of an inorganic salt mixture or by complex nitrogen sources, with the exception of malt extract. In an attempt to keep the medium more defined, we studied the effect of amino acids and vitamins as replacements for malt extract. Of 21 amino acids and 7 vitamins, we found tryptophan, glutamine, biotin, and riboflavin to be stimulatory. The final medium contained glycerol, Hy-Soy, tryptophan, glutamine, biotin, and riboflavin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.505-514
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• 2020

The symbiotic nature of the relationship between algae and marine bacteria is well-studied among the complex microbial interactions. The mutual profit between algae and bacteria occurs via nutrient and vitamin exchange. It is necessary to analyze the genome sequence of a bacterium to predict its symbiotic relationships. In this study, the genome of a marine bacterium, Pseudoruegeria sp. M32A2M, isolated from the south-eastern isles (GeoJe-Do) of South Korea, was sequenced and analyzed. A draft genome (91 scaffolds) of 5.5 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 62.4% was obtained. In total, 5,101 features were identified from gene annotation, and 4,927 genes were assigned to functional proteins. We also identified transcription core proteins, RNA polymerase subunits, and sigma factors. In addition, full flagella-related gene clusters involving the flagellar body, motor, regulator, and other accessory compartments were detected even though the genus Pseudoruegeria is known to comprise non-motile bacteria. Examination of annotated KEGG pathways revealed that Pseudoruegeria sp. M32A2M has the metabolic pathways for all seven vitamin Bs, including thiamin (vitamin B1), biotin (vitamin B7), and cobalamin (vitamin B12), which are necessary for symbiosis with vitamin B auxotroph algae. We also identified gene clusters for seven secondary metabolites including ectoine, homoserine lactone, beta-lactone, terpene, lasso peptide, bacteriocin, and non-ribosomal proteins.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.387-393
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• 2015

Damages of wooden cultural heritages caused by various bio-species have been a trend that is increasing on climate change. The decay and bio-damage caused by microbial organisms or insect species are also known to factors of the shape changes and structural problems of wooden cultural heritages. There are so many phenomenons of damage and weathering in wooden cultural heritage for many years and particularly termite can threaten seriously wooden cultural heritage. We investigated with respect to internal and external environment and termite inhabitation around the wooden cultural heritage in Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeju-do. As this investigation results, we confirmed that there were the difference in between resident and non-resident about temperature, humidity, moisture contents of wooden building. Resident building is high temperature but humidity and moisture contents is low and these factors are sources of inhabitation condition change about insects as termites. Now we suggest to carry out in parallel to the target wooden cultural heritage and the surrounding habitat for wooden cultural heritage termite damage investigation. Also with the chemical control methods, we must consider necessary to present eco-friendly control management such as construction of heating facilities, residential status, periodic management.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.277-282
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• 1999

This study was carried out to clarify the microorganisms which participated in the fermentation of kanjang. The changes in the viable cell counts of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts for raw soybean, soybean during cooking, meju during cultivation, and kanjang mash during maturing were investigated along with the changes in components during those periods. Lactic acid bacteria that were found to be $6{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$ in raw soybean were disappeared after cooking process, but total aerobic bacteria were diminished from $1.9{\times}10^6\;CFU/g$ to $10^2\;CFU/g$. Aerobic bacteria of inner and outer parts of meju increased to more than $10^9\;CFU/g$. The higher viable cell counts of lactic acid bacteria in the inner parts of meju were observed than those in outer ones. On the contrary, significantly higher viable cell counts of yeasts in the outer parts of meju were found. Total nitrogen content and color density of kanjang increased by using meju with extended cultivation periods. No significant differences were observed in microbial counts between kanjang mash with aeration and non-aeration during kanajng mash maturing.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.530-537
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• 2014

Moisture is a major factor causing the deteriorative physical change, microbial growth, and chemical reaction of the products. In this study, the moisture absorbing composite films have been prepared with moisture absorbing material of polyacrylic acid partial sodium salt (PAPSS) impregnated on LLDPE polymer for the functional packaging applications. The results showed that PAPSS impregnated film illustrated uniformly dispersed PAPSS particles in the LLDPE polymer matrix. The transparency of the PAPSS impregnated film decreased slightly at higher PAPSS concentrations. An increase in the PAPSS content for moisture-absorbing films showed a similar decrease in tensile strength, percent elongation at break, and tear strength. Their values of films impregnated with PAPSS of 0.5, 1, and 2% showed no significant difference. Meanwhile, 4% PAPSS films significantly decreased the values of mechanical properties compared to the films impregnated with different PAPSS levels. Values of the oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability for PAPSS impregnated films decreased significantly with greater PAPSS. The results indicate that 4% PAPSS impregnated in LLDPE films had high affinity of moisture absorbencies compared to the other films. The mathematical equation that best described the moisture sorption isotherm of each film sample was the GAB equation at $25^{\circ}C$. The crystallization and melting temperatures of PAPSS films were influenced by the addition of PAPSS material, but showed good thermal stability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.396-402
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• 1996

This study was conducted to determine the effect of treatment with the plant-growth-promoting bacteria on the growth and yield of red pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) with different soil electrical conductivity(EC) levels. The mixed liquid culture was done pseudomonas P and saboraud dextrose medium. The isolated bacteria(IB) were inoculated by spray of 3.7ml at 1/2000a pot filled with different soil electrical conductivity level(2.9, 8.6, 11.5dS/m) every week, respectively, with mixed liquid culture (Pseudomonas P+Sabouraud dextrose) of eight strains. The plant height of red pepper with IBs treatment in different soil EC levels showed better growth than IBs nontreatment in the order of the 2.9>8.6>11.5 dS/m. The yield of pepper with IBs treatment in different soil EC level was higher in 13% than IBs nontreatment and chemical properties($P_2O_5$, K, Ca, Mg) of the soil after harvest in IBs treatment were slightly increased, while organic matter and EC of IBs treatment were slightly decreased than those of IBs nontreatment. Moisture content of the soil after the harvesting with IBs treatment was slightly increased than IBs nontreatment.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.234-241
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• 2007

Biological amendments consisting of suspensions of selected microorganisms are often used in conjunction with various organic materials for amending soils to improve soil quality and plant growth. The effects of the biological amendment on chemical and biological properties of soil were investigated for a biological amendmentalone and when combined with different organic materials includingmunicipal compost (MC), poultry litter (PL), and cover crops (red clover (RC) and spring oats). A liquid preparation of a biological amendment called Effective Microorganisms was sprayed on the tested plots three times over a two-year period. Effective Microorganisms alone did not influence pH, K, or organic matter content in soil. However, increases in P in PL-treated soils in fall of both years andCa in MC-treated soil in fall 2001, and decreases in Ca, Mg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in RC-planted soil were associated with EM. Increased dehydrogenase(DH) activitiesassociated with Effective Microorganismswere only detected in July (P=0.0222) and October (P=0.0834) for RC-planted soils in the first year. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysisappeared to be enhanced by Effective Microorganisms in soils untreated or treated with MC and oatsbut only sporadically during the sampling period. FDA hydrolysis in both PL- and RC-treated soils as well as DH activity in PL-treated soils decreased with Effective Microorganisms treatment. Effective Microorganisms did not influence substrate utilization patterns expressed by the BIOLOG assay. We conclude that Effective Microorganisms effects on soil chemical and biological properties varied depending on the added organic materials. Effective Microorganisms periodically increased soil DH activity and FDA hydrolysis with RC and with MC plus oats, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.317-320
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• 2009

'Niitaka' (Pyrus pyriforia) has been the major cultivar of the Asian pear since the 1970s, and yielded about 70% of pear production in South Korea in 2002. When Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) is earlier than the fruit maturation period, farmers seek to advance the harvesting date to keep pace with the increase in consumer demand caused by the holiday. However, unripened fruit is of suboptimal marketable value because the flesh has a low soluble solid content, the fruit color is not attractive, and stone volume is high. Compost treatment can enhance soil microbial activity and affect soil chemistry, which may accelerate fruit maturation and allow an earlier harvesting date. Therefore, we examined the effect of 2 years of compost application on the fruit quality of Asian pear trees grown under conventional management conditions. The Hunter "L" and "a" values were higher in compost-treated fruit, which also showed greater sweetness and lower acidity than did conventional fruit. The stone volume was reduced and fruit calcium concentration was increased by compost treatment. Therefore, compost treatment may advance fruit harvesting owing to the increased marketability afforded by attractive skin color, sweetness, and reduced stone volume.