• 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.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.363-367
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• 2014

One chambered sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was equipped with Fe, brass (Cu/Zn), Fe/Zn, Cu, Cu/carbon cloth and graphite felt anode. Graphite felt was used as common cathode. The SMFC was membrane-less and mediator-less as well. Order of anodic performance on the basis of power density was Fe/Zn ($6.90Wm^{-2}$) > Fe ($6.03Wm^{-2}$) > Cu/carbon cloth ($2.13Wm^{-2}$) > Cu ($1.13Wm^{-2}$) > brass ($Cu/Zn=0.24Wm^{-2}$) > graphite felt ($0.10Wm^{-2}$). Fe/Zn composite anode have twisted 6.73% more power than Fe alone, Cu/carbon cloth boosted power production by 65%, and brass (Cu/Zn) produced 65% less power than Cu alone. Graphite felt have shown the lowest electricity generation because of its poor galvanic potential. The estuarine sediment served as supplier of oxidants or electron producing microbial flora, which evoked electrons via a complicated direct microbial electron transfer mechanism or making biofilm, respectively. Oxidation reduction was kept to be stationary over time except at the very initial period (mostly for sediment positioning) at anodes. Based on these findings, cost effective and efficient anodic material can be suggested for better SMFC configurations and stimulate towards practical value and application.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1865-1869
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• 2018

This study examined the effects of alfalfa seed germination on growth of Salmonella enterica. We investigated the population changes of S. enterica during early sprout development. We found that the population density of S. enterica, which was inoculated on alfalfa seeds was increased during sprout development under all experimental temperatures, whereas a significant reduction was observed when S. enterica was inoculated on fully germinated sprouts. To establish a model for predicting S. enterica growth during alfalfa sprout development, the kinetic growth data under isothermal conditions were collected and evaluated based on Baranyi model as a primary model for growth data. To elucidate the influence of temperature on S. enterica growth rates, three secondary models were compared and found that the Arrhenius-type model was more suitable than others. We believe that our model can be utilized to predict S. enterica behavior in alfalfa sprout and to conduct microbial risk assessments.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.405-411
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• 1999

Growth responses and yields of cucumber, the populations of soil microorganisms, and the control value of nematodes were examined with six different treatments of chemical fertilizer, compost, microbial fertilizer(MF), and the combined applications of NPK + MF and compost. Cucumber, Eunseong Bakdadaki cultivar, was cultivated in the greenhouse. Higher plant height was appeared with treatments of the combined application of NPK + compost and NPK + MF compared to other treatments, especially at the early growth until 20th day after transplanting. Also, higher number of opened flowers showed with the combined treatments of NPK + compost and NPK + MF than those with others. The control value of nematodes at 60th day after transplanting with treatments of MF and NPK + MF was about 39.0% and 61.6%, respectively. The density of soil microorganisms was higher in order of actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungus. Their densities were not clearly different with treatments. Fruit yields of cucumber with treatments of NPK, compost, microbial fertilizer, and additions of compost and microbial fertilizer to NPk were higher, about 40 to 60%, than that with the control. The highest fruit yield was with NPK + MF and next highest fruit yield was with NPK + compost. It is assumed that the combined application of chemical fertilizers, compost, and microbial fertilizers would be increased the plant productivity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Inter-cellular communication via diffusible small molecules is a defining character not only of multicellular forms of life but also of single-celled organisms. A large number of bacterial genes are regulated by the change of chemical milieu mediated by the local population density of its own species or others. The cell density-dependent "autoinducer" molecules regulate the expression of those genes involved in genetic competence, biofilm formation and persistence, virulence, sporulation, bioluminescence, antibiotic production, and many others. Recent innovations in recombinant DNA technology and micro-/nano-fluidics systems render the genetic circuitry responsible for cell-to-cell communication feasible to and malleable via synthetic biological approaches. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular biology of bacterial intercellular communication and the novel experimental protocols and platforms used to investigate this phenomenon. A particular emphasis is given to the genetic regulatory circuits that provide the standard building blocks which constitute the syntax of the biochemical communication network. Thus, this review gives focus to the engineering principles necessary for rewiring bacterial chemo-communication for various applications, ranging from population-level gene expression control to the study of host-pathogen interactions.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.225-231
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• 2014

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) and bioelectrochemical systems are novel bioprocesses which employ exoelectrogenic biofilm on electrode as a biocatalyst for electricity generation and various useful chemical production. Previous reports show that electrogenic biofilms of MFCs are time varying systems and dynamically interactive with the electrically conductive media (carbon paper as terminal electron acceptor). It has been reported that maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method can automatically control load by algorithm so that increase power generation and columbic efficiency. In this study, we developed logic based control strategy for external load resistance by using $LabVIEW^{TM}$ which increases the power production with using flat-plate MFCs and MPPT circuit board. The flat-plate MFCs inoculated with anaerobic digester sludge were stabilized with fixed external resistance from $1000{\Omega}$ to $100{\Omega}$. Automatic load control with MPPT started load from $52{\Omega}$ during 120 hours of operation. MPPT control strategy increased approximately 2.7 times of power production and power density (1.95 mW and $13.02mW/m^3$) compared to the initial values before application of MPPT (0.72 mW and $4.79mW/m^3$).

• Membrane Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2010

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising renewable energy source that can generate electrical energy from organic wastes using microbe. This technology has been regarded as a future green alternative energy in that MFC makes use of organic-rich wastewater and also reduces waste sludges as well as produces electricity. To be practically realized, however, achieving higher power density than now is demanded, which may be possible by eliminating various negative factors to act as resistances in MFC operations. For instance, highly activated microbes, highly conductive electrode materials, and fast electron transfer between microbes and electrodes can lead to MFC with high power density. In particular, polymer electrolyte membranes are also a key component for improved MFC performance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.567-578
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• 2013

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that converts chemical energy in the chemical bonds in organic compounds to electrical energy through catalytic reactions of microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. Power density and Coulombic efficiency are significantly affected by the types of microbe in the anodic chamber of an MFC, configurations of the system and operating conditions. The achievable power output from MFC increased remarkably by modifying their designs such as the optimization of MFC configurations, the physical and chemical operating conditions, and the choice of biocatalysts. This article presents a critical review on the recent advances made in MFC research with the emphasis on MFC configurations, optimization of important operating parameters, performances and future applications of MFC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2013

We introduce a high-performance microbial fuel cell (MFC) that was operated using a 0.1M bicarbonate buffer as the cathodic electrolyte. The MFC had a 136.42 $mW/m^2$ maximum power density under continuous feeding of 5 mM acetate as fuel. Results of the electrode potential measurements showed that the cathode potential of the bicarbonate-buffered condition was higher than the phosphate-buffered condition, although the phosphate condition had less interfacial resistance between the membrane and electrolyte. Therefore, we posit here that the increased power of the bicarbonate-buffered MFC may be caused by the higher cathode potential rather than by the interfacial membrane-electrolyte resistance.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2003

In microbial coal desulfurization process (MCDP) by using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, the effect of process variables on pyritic sulfur removal efficiency has been investigated. The inhibitory effect of toxic materials contained in coal matrix on the activity of desulfurizing bacteria have been evaluated in coal extracts, and the results showed that the method was useful to evaluate the applicability of a coal which is to be desulfurization to MCDP. The removal efficiency increased with decreasing particle size and decreases with increasing pulp density, but has no significant influence of particle size and pup densities at high pulp densities over 20 wt%. The mass transfers of gaseous nutrients such as oxygen and carbon dioxide into coal slurry with various pulp densities and coal particle size has been studied in an airlift bioreactor. Mass transfer coefficient was independent of pulp density in coal slurry with fine particle below 175 $\mu\textrm{m}$, but significantly decreased with increasing pulp density over 225 $\mu\textrm{m}$. The coal particles over 575 $\mu\textrm{m}$ were significantly settled to the bottom of bioreactor resulting in poor mixing. Considering mass transfer, pulp density and coal mixing, an optimal size of coal particle for the microbial coal desulfurization process seems to be about 500 $\mu\textrm{m}$.