• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to estimate the microbial metabolic activity of indigenous soil microbes under the radon exposure with different intensity and times in the secured laboratory radon chamber. For this purpose, the soil microbes were collected from radon-contaminated site located in the G county, Korea. Thereafter, their metabolic activity was determined after the radon exposure of varying radon concentrations of 185, 1,400 and 14,000 Bq/㎥. The average depth variable concentrations of soil radon in the radon-contaminated site were 707, 860 and 1,185 Bq/㎥ from 0, 15, and 30 cm in deep, respectively. Simultaneously, the soil microbial culture was mainly composed of Bacillus sp., Brevibacillus sp., Lysinibacillus sp., and Paenibacillus sp. From the radon exposure test, higher or lower radiation intensities compared to the threshold level attributed the metabolic activity of mixed microbial consortium to be reduced, whereas the moderate radiation intensity (i.e. threshold level) induced it to the pinnacle point. It was decided that radon radiation could instigate the microbial metabolic activity depending on the radon levels while they were exposed, which could consequently address that the certain extent of threshold concentration present in the ecosystem relevant to microbial diversity and population density to be more proliferated.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2015

In this study, continuous microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were operated using non-precious metal catalysts such as iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) and cobalt tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP)) as alternative cathode catalysts for platinum. To evaluate MFCs performance, operational conditions of organic loading rate (OLR) (0.5~3 g COD/L/d) and hydraulic retention rate (HRT) (0.25~1 day) were changed. Power density of MFCs were determined by cathode electrode performance. The maximum power density was $3.3W/m^3$ with platinum at OLR 3 g COD/L/d. Given each HRTs at 1 g COD/L/d, FePc showed to be a better alternative for platinum than CoTMPP because the power density of MFC with FePc was similar to that of MFC with platinum. CoTMPP catalyst, however, showed the lowest power density due to increase of internal resistance during continuous operation.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.498-504
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• 2008

Metal-reducing bacterium, Geobacter sulfurreducens is available for mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC) because it has biological nanowires(pili) which transfer electrons to outside the cell. In this study, in the anode chamber of the MFC system using G. sulfurreducens, the concentrations of NaCl, sodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate as electrolytes were mainly optimized for the generation of electricity from acetate. 0.4%(w/v) NaClO and 0.5M $H_2SO_4$ could be utilized for the sterilization of acrylic plates and proton exchange membrane (major construction materials of the MFC reactor), respectively. When NaCl concentration in anode phosphate buffer increased from 5 to 50 mM, power density increased from 6 to $20\;mW/m^2$. However, with increasing sodium phosphate buffer concentration from 5 to 50 mM, power density significantly decreased from 18 to $1\;mW/m^2$. Twenty-four mM sodium bicarbonate did not affect electricity generation as well as pH under 50 mM phosphate buffer condition. Optimized anode chamber of MFC using G. sulfurreducens generated relatively high power density ($20\;mW/m^2$) with the maximum coulombic efficiency (41.3%).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-135
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• 2003

Bell pepper was packed with several plastic films, and investigated the quality Characteristics such as gas composition, weight loss, microbial load, soluble solid content, ascorbic acid and color during storage at 10$^{\circ}C$. Cast polypropylene (CPP), low density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyolefin (MPD, PD961) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were used for this purpose. Oxygen concentration inside packages generally showed a 10∼14% after 1∼2 weeks, but package with CPP maintained above 15％ throughout the storage. Carbon dioxide concentration of CPP was above 2%, but other treatments showed below 2%. Weight loss of all treatments was below 3.0% after 5 weeks. Total microbial count showed a similar pattern compared to yeast and mold, and CPP maintained the highest microbial load after 3 weeks. Yellowness (b value) of bell pepper was generally increased throughout the storage, and MPD and PD961 were higher than other treatments.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2018

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative environmental and energy system that converts organic wastewater into electrical energy. For practical implementation of MFC as a wastewater treatment process, a number of limitations need to be overcome. Improving cathodic performance is one of major challenges, and introduction of a current collector can be an easy and practical solution. In this study, three types of current collectors made of stainless steel (SS) were tested in a single-chamber cubic MFC. The three current collectors had different contact areas to the cathode (P $1.0cm^2$; PC $4.3cm^2$; PM $6.5cm^2$) and increasing the contacting area enhanced the power and current generations and coulombic and energy recoveries by mainly decreasing cathodic charge transfer impedance. Application of the SS mesh to the cathode (PM) improved maximum power density, optimum current density and maximum current density by 8.8%, 3.6% and 6.7%, respectively, comparing with P of no SS mesh. The SS mesh decreased cathodic polarization resistance by up to 16%, and cathodic charge transfer impedance by up to 39%, possibly because the SS mesh enhanced electron transport and oxygen reduction reaction. However, application of the SS mesh had little effect on ohmic impedance.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.252.1-252.1
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• 2010

These studies convert to useful electricity from swine wastewater and to treat this wastewater. In order to operate the microbial fuel cell(MFC) for the swine wastewater, the anode volume of MFCs was scaled up with 5L in the vacant condition. Graphite felts and low-priced mesh stainless-less as electrode had mixed up and packed into the anode compartment. The meshed stainless-less electrode could also be acted the collector of electron produced by microorganisms in anode. For a cathode compartment, graphite felt loaded Pt/C catalyst was used. Graphite felt electrode embedded in the anode compartment was punched holds at regular intervals to prevent occurred the channeling phenomenon. The sources of seeding on microbial fuel cell was used a mixture of swine wastewater and anaerobic digestion sludge(1:1). It was enriched within 6 days. Swine wastewater was fed with 53.26 ml/min flow rate. The MFCs produced a current of about 17 mA stably used swine wastewater with $3,167{\pm}80mg/L$. The maximum power density and current density was 680 $mW/m^3$ and 3,770 $mA/m^3$, respectively. From these results it is showed that treatment of swine wastewater synchronizes with electricity generation using modified low priced microbial fuel cell.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.187-187
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• 2003

To examine the effect of packaging method on strawberry, tomato, and plum quality, the rate of weight loss, Hunter a value, decay rate, anthocyanin contents, and microbial (total bacterial counts, mold and yeast, and pseudomonas) changes were determined during storage. Strawberry was packaged with low density polyethylene (LDPE). Tomato and plum were packaged with high density polyethylene film (HDPE). Strawberries, tomatoes, and plums were then stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 20$^{\circ}C$, respectively. LDPE package was the most effective on the decrease of decay rate of strawberry and the rate of weight loss for packaged strawberry was lower than that of the non-packaged. HDPE package was the most effective on the rate of weight loss during storage of tomatoes and plums regardless of storage temperature. Hunter a value increased during storage. Anthocyanin contents of plums increased overall with increasing storage time, and plums stored without package were changed more than those with package. Microbial changes of strawberry, tomato, and plum stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 20$^{\circ}C$ were monitored during storage. Packaging method did not affect the microbial change, yet temperature did affect the microbial change significantly. These results indicate that storage of these commodities at 4$^{\circ}C$ should be recommended in terms ,of microbial safety as well as quality and shelf-life.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2017

Simultaneous treatment of food waste leachate and power generation was investigated in an air-cathode microbial fuel cell. A TCOD removal efficiency of $95.4{\pm}0.3%$ was achieved for an initial COD concentration of 2,860 mg/L. Maximum power density ranged was maximized at $1.86W/m^3$, when COD concentration varied between 60 mg/L and 2,860 mg/L. Meanwhile, columbic efficiency was determined between 1.76% and 11.07% for different COD concentrations. Cyclic voltammetric data revealed that the oxidation peak voltage occurred at -0.20 V, shifted to about -0.25 V. Moreover, a reduction peak voltage at -0.45 V appeared when organic matters were exhausted, indicating that reducible matters were produced during the decomposition of organic matters. The results showed that it was feasible to use food waste leachate as a fuel for power generation in a microbial fuel cell, and the treatment efficiency of the wastewater was satisfied.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.219-224
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the energy production from plant-microbial fuel cells using representative indoor plants, such as Scindapsus aureus and Clatha minor. The maximum power density of microbial fuel cell (MFC) using S. aureus ($3.36mW/m^2$) was about 2 times higher than that of the MFC using C. minor ($1.43mW/m^2$). It was confirmed that energy recovery is possible using plant-MFCs without fuel. However, further research is needed to improve the performance of plant-MFCs. Nevertheless, plant-MFCs have proved their potential as a novel energy source to overcome the limitations of the conventional renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar cells, and could be employed to a power source for the sensor in charge of the fourth industrial revolution.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.841-860
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• 2023

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary mangosteen peel extract (MPE) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, jejunum morphology, and cytokine levels in growing pigs raised at a high stocking density. A total of 120 male growing pigs (43.68 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with stocking density (high; HD, 0.55 m²/pig and normal; ND, 0.82 m²/pig) and dietary MPE (0 or 5 g/kg) as factors. Each treatment had six replicates with four or six pigs per treatment. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 6 weeks. The HD group exhibited lower final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed than the ND group (p < 0.05). None of the factors affected villus height to crypt depth ratio. Dietary MPE, but not stocking density, increased IL-10 levels in the serum com-pared to the non-supplemented control diet (p < 0.05). In the microbiome analysis, alpha diversity analysis showed significant reductions in the MPE-treated group only under normal density conditions. High density stress induced gut microbiome changes and these response was differ between normal and MPE diet fed pigs. Overall, each group exhibited different major microbial composition in the gut. In conclusion, there were significant changes in the major microbial composition in response to high-density stress, and this variation was influenced by dietary treatment.