• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.455-460
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• 2003

Effects of 0.25 and 0.5% citric and phytic acids on color and quality properties of doenjang during fermentation at $30^{\circ}C$ for 80 days were evaluated. As concentration of organic acid and fermentation time of acid-added doenjang increased, acidity, lightness, and antibrowning rate increased, whereas pH, amino nitrogen, and enzyme activity decreased compared to nonacid-added control. Microbial populations of total bacteria, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria were not affected by decrease in pH. Although degree of brown color (p<0.05) could be differentiated, flavor, palatability, acid taste, and overall preference were not significantly different. Browning of doenjang added with 0.25% of either organic acid was inhibited, while quality properties and sensory characteristics were similar to those of the control.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1724-1734
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• 2010

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain isolated from Hippophae rhamnoides rhizosphere was identified as Rahnella sp. based on its phenotypic features and 16S rRNA gene sequence. The bacterial strain showed the growth characteristics of a cold-adapted psychrotroph, with the multiple plant growth-promoting traits of inorganic and organic phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate-deaminase activity, ammonia generation, and siderophore production. The strain also produced indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-lactic acid, and indole-3-pyruvic acid in tryptophan-supplemented nutrient broth. Gluconic, citric and isocitric acids were the major organic acids detected during tricalcium phosphate solubilization. A rifampicin-resistant mutant of the strain exhibited high rhizosphere competence without disturbance to the resident microbial populations in pea rhizosphere. Seed bacterization with a charcoal-based inoculum significantly increased growth in barley, chickpea, pea, and maize under the controlled environment. Microplot testing of the inoculum at two different locations in pea also showed significant increase in growth and yield. The attributes of cold-tolerance, high rhizosphere competence, and broad-spectrum plant growth-promoting activity exhibited the potential of Rahnella sp. BIHB 783 for increasing agriculture productivity.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-98
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• 2013

Mercury (Hg) dynamics in the boreal environment have been a subject of concern in recent decades, due to the exposure of local populations to the contaminant. Land use, because of its impact on mercury inputs, has been highlighted as a key player in the sources and eventual concentrations of the heavy metal. In order to evaluate the impact of watershed disturbances on Hg dynamics in frequently fished, large boreal lakes, we studied sediment cores retrieved at the focal point of eight large lakes of Qu$\acute{e}$bec (Canada), six with watersheds affected by land uses such as logging and/or mining, and two with pristine watersheds, considered as reference lakes. Using a Geographical Information System (GIS), we correlated the recent evolution of land uses (e.g., logging and mining activities) and morphological characteristics of the watershed (e.g., mean slope of the drainage area, vegetation cover) to total Hg concentrations (THg) in sedimentary records. In each core, THg gradually increased over recent years with maximum values between 70 and 370 ng/g, the lowest mercury concentrations corresponding to the pristine lake cores. The Hg Anthropogenic Sedimentary Enrichment Factor (ASEF) values range from 2 to 15. Surprisingly, we noticed that the presence of intense land uses in the watershed does not necessarily correspond to noticeable increases of THg in lake sediments, beyond the normal increment that can be attributed to Hg atmospheric deposition since the beginning of the industrial era. Rather, the terrestrial Hg inputs of boreal lakes appear to be influenced by watershed characteristics such as mean slopes and vegetation cover.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.805-814
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• 2008

Liming of acidic soils can prevent aluminum toxicity and improve crop production. Some maize lines show aluminum (Al) tolerance, and exudation of organic acids by roots has been considered to represent an important mechanism involved in the tolerance. However, there is no information about the impact of liming on the structures of bacterial and fungal communities in Cerrado soil, nor if there are differences between the microbial communities from the rhizospheres of Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive maize lines. This study evaluated the effects of liming on the structure of bacterial and fungal communities in bulk soil and rhizospheres of Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) lines cultivated in Cerrado soil by PCR-DGGE, 30 and 90 days after sowing. Bacterial fingerprints revealed that the bacterial communities from rhizospheres were more affected by aluminum stress in soil than by the maize line (Al-sensitive or Al-tolerant). Differences in bacterial communities were also observed over time (30 and 90 days after sowing), and these occurred mainly in the Actinobacteria. Conversely, fungal communities from the rhizosphere were weakly affected either by liming or by the rhizosphere, as observed from the DGGE profiles. Furthermore, only a few differences were observed in the DGGE profiles of the fungal populations during plant development when compared with bacterial communities. Cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments obtained from dominant DGGE bands detected in the bacterial profiles of the Cerrado bulk soil revealed that Actinomycetales and Rhizobiales were among the dominant ribotypes.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.637-649
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• 2011

Soil microorganisms play a major role in improving soil fertility and plant health. Symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a key component of the soil microbial populations. AMF form a mutualistic association with the host plant and exert a positive influence on its growth and nutrient uptake. The establishment of mycorrhizal symbioses with the host plant can positively be influenced by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria through various mechanisms such as increased spore germination and hyphal permeability in plant roots. Though there are evidences that combined interactions between AMF and PGPR can promote the plant growth however mechanisms of these interactions are poorly understood. Better understanding of the interactions between AMF and other microorganisms is necessary for maintaining soil fertility and enhancing crop production. This paper reviews current knowledge concerning the interactions between AMF and PGPR with plants and discusses on enhanced nutrient availability, biocontrol, abiotic stress tolerance and phytoremediation in sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2005

Estuarine sediments are frequently polluted with hydrocarbons from fuel spills and industrial wastes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are components of these contaminants that tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their low aqueous solubility, low volatility, and high affinity for particulate matter. The toxic, recalcitrant, mutagenic, and carcinogenic nature of these compounds may require aggressive treatment to remediate polluted sites effectively. In petroleum-contaminated sediments near a petrochemical industry in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, in situ PAH concentrations ranged from 10 to 2,900 ${\mu}g/kg$ dry sediment. To enhance the biodegradation rate of PAHs under anaerobic conditions, sediment samples were amended with biostimulating agents alone or in combination: nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of slow-release fertilizer (SRF), lactate, yeast extract (YE), and Tween 80. When added to the sediment individually, all tested agents enhanced the degradation of PAHs, including naphthalene, acenaphthene, anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, and benzo [a] pyrene. Moreover, the combination of SRF, Tween 80, and lactate increased the PAH degradation rate 1.2-8.2 times above that of untreated sediment (0.01-10 ${\mu}g$ PAH/ kg dry sediment/day). Our results indicated that in situ contaminant PAHs in anoxic sediment, including high molecular weight PAHs, were degraded biologically and that the addition of stimulators increased the biodegradation potential of the intrinsic microbial populations. Our results will contribute to the development of new strategies for in situ treatment of PAH-contaminated anoxic sediments.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.746-756
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• 2014

This study investigated the quality characteristics and physiological activities of takju prepared with whole chestnut (15%, 30% and 50% with steamed rice) during fermentation. The pH level began to decrease after the secondary brewing stage. The total acid as well as the organic acid content increased during fermentation. Lactic acid and succinic acid were the main organic acids in takju fermented with whole chestnut. The level of total sugar and reducing sugars in takju fermented with whole chestnut increased at the first brewing stage and then slowly decreased after 4 days of fermentation. Also, the total number of viable cells and microbial populations such as lactic acid bacteria and yeast in the treatments increased to about 108 CFU/mL after 1 days of fermentation and then decreased gradually afterward. The ethanol content in takju fermented with whole chestnut rapidly increased during the initial 4 days of fermentation, to a maximum content of 18.2% after 8 days. The colour values of the treatments did not show any significant differences between 0% and 15% chestnut content. However L value decreased, while the a and b values increased when the whole chestnut content above 30%. The total polyphenol level, electron donating ability, nitrite-scavenging ability and ferrous ion effect also increased as the ratio of whole chestnut increased. Sensory scores of takju fermented with 15% chestnut were greater than those of takju prepared by other treatments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.934-940
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• 1998

Kochujang, fermented hot pepper soybean paste, was prepared by traditional method, and irradiated with gamma ray of $^{60}Co{\;}up{\;}to{\;}15{\pm}1.5{\;}kGy$ for confirming main factor of kochujang fermentation. Nonirradiated (control) and irradiated samples kochujang were fermented at $25^{\circ}C$ and analyzed biochemical properties including enzyme activities and viable cell count during fermentation for 60 days. The total viable count in irradiated kochujang decreased to $10^4{\;}CFU/g$ which was $10^8{\;}CFU/g$ in the control. Because of a little changing enzyme activities of ${\alpha}{\cdot}{\beta}{\;}amylase$ and acid neutral protease by irradiation at the above level, amino type nitrogen which is the main quality reference of kochujang was comparable to the control. By irradiation, gas production was completely stopped which is one of biggest problems during distribution of kochujang. Total volume of gas produced at $25^{\circ}C$ from the control kochujang was 453 mL/100 g which was composed of over 90% of $CO_2$. The odor of irradiated kochujang was inferior to the control which seemed to be related to reduced microbial populations.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.30-44
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• 2011

This review describes the involvement of different microorganisms for the recovery of uranium from the ore. Mainly Acidithiobacillus forrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans are found to be the most widely used bacteria in the bioleaching process of uranium. The bioleaching of uranium generally follows indirect mechanism in which bacteria provide the ferric iron required to oxidize $U^{4+}$. Commercial applications of bioleaching have been incorporated for extracting valuable metals, due to its favorable process economics and reduced environmental problems compared to conventional metal recovery processes such as smelting. At present the uranium is recovered through main bioleaching techniques employed by heap, dump and in situ leaching. Process development has included recognition of the importance of aeration of bioheaps, and improvements in stirred tank reactor design and operation. Concurrently, knowledge of the key microorganisms involved in these processes has advanced, aided by advances in molecular biology to characterize microbial populations.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.423-428
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• 2011

Inactivation kinetic data of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Salmonella Enteritidis via treatment with aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment at a specific concentration were evaluated using the first-order kinetic and Weibull models. The Weibull model showed a better fit with the kinetic data than the first-order kinetic model. The survival curves after the aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment showed $t_R$ values(time required to reduce microbial populations by 90%) of 2.49 min for E. coli O157:H7 at 5 ppm, 1.47 min for L. monocytogenes at 5 ppm, 0.94 min for S. aureus at 5 ppm, 0.87 min for S. Typhimurium at 1 ppm, and 0.08 min for S. Enteritidis at 1 ppm, according to the Weibull model.