• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.383-391
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• 2020

Use of nanoparticles (NPs) in several commercial products has led to emergence of novel contaminants of air, soil and water bodies. The NPs may exhibit greater ecotoxicity due to nano-scale dependent properties over their bulk counterparts. The present investigation explores the effect of in vitro supplementation of TiO₂, silica and silver NPs on radial growth and ultrastructural changes in the hyphae and spores of two mushroom genera, Ganoderma lucidum and Volvariella volvaceae. A concentration dependent decrease in radial growth on NP amended potato dextrose agar medium was recorded. However, in comparison to control, there was decrease in radial diameter on supplementation with TiO₂ NPs while an increase was recorded for silica and silver NPs amendments as compared to their bulk salts at same concentrations after 48 h of incubation. Optical microscopy studies showed decrease in the number of spores while increase in spore diameter and thinning of hyphal diameter on NPs supplementation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of fungal growth showed presence of deflated and oblong spores in two fruiting strains of Ganoderma while Volvariella exhibited decreased sporulation. Further, hyphal thinning and branching was recorded in response to NP amendments in both the test mushrooms. Enhancement of protein content was observed on NP compared to bulk supplementation for all cultures, concentrations and hours of incubation except for TiO₂ NPs. Likewise, bulk and NP supplementations (at 100 mg L^-1) resulted in enhanced laccase activity with occurrence of laccase specific protein bands on SDS-PAGE analysis.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2010

An alkalophilic microorganism named DK-2386, which produces xylanase, was isolated from soil of Taejo-mountain, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, Korea. The isolated strain was characterized as Gram-positive, with size of 0.4${\times}$2.5 ${\mu}$m, spore forming, anaerobic, catalase positive, possessed with hydrolysis abilities of casein, starch, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, and xylan, reduction of nitrate to nitrite, resistant against lysozyme, urease positive, and motility positive. The color of culture broth was reddish yellow. The strain DK-2386 was identified as Bacillus agaradhaerens by whole cell fatty-acid composition analysis and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. However, it was not identical to Bacillus agaradhaerens 40952 obtained from the Korean Culture Center of Microorganism in its colour of culture broth. Therefore, we have named the newly isolated strain as Bacillus agaradhaerens DK-2386.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2003

The null pigmentation mutant (npgA1) of Aspergillus nidulans was previously characterized by its production of no pigment at any stage of its life cycle, its reduction in hyphal branching, and its delay in the asexual spore development. The chemical composition of the cell wall was also altered in npgA1 mutants that became more sensitive to Novozyme 234$\^$TM/, which is possibly due to a structural defect in the cell wall. To investigate the effects of the cell wall structure on these pleiomorphic phenomena, we examined the ultrastructure of the cell wall in the npgA1 mutant (WX17). Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) showed that after being cultured for six days, the outermost layer of the conidial wall of WX17 peeled off. Although this phenotype suggested that the cell wall structure in WX17 may be modified, examination using TEM of the fine structure of cross-sectioned hyphal wall of WX17 did not show any differences from that of FGSC4. However, staining for carbohydrates of wall layers showed that the electron-translucent layer of the cell wall was missing in WX17. In addition, the outermost layer H1 of the hyphal wall was also absent in WX17. The ultrastructural observation and cytochemical analysis of cell walls suggested that the pigmentation defect in WX17 may be attributed to the lack of a layer in the cell wall.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.340-345
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• 2004

To investigate the co-expression and crystallization of a fusion gene between the Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein and a foreign protein in B. thuringiensis, the expression of the Cry1Ac fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes in a B. thuringiensis $Cry^-B$ strain was examined. The cry1Ac gene was cloned in the B. thuringiensis-E. coli shuttle vector, pHT3101, under the control of the native cry1Ac gene promoter, while the GFP gene was inserted into the XhoI site upstream of the proteolytic cleavage site, in the middle region of the crylAc gene (pProAc-GFP). The B. thuringiensis $Cry^-B$ strain carrying pProAc-GFP (ProAc-GFP/CB) did not produce any inclusion bodies. However, the transformed strain expressed fusion protein forms although the expression level was relatively low. Furthermore, an immu­noblot analysis using GFP and Cry1Ac antibodies showed that the fusion protein was not a single spe­cies, but rather multiple forms. In addition, the N-terminal fragment of Cry1Ac and a non-fused GFP were also found in the B. thuringiensis $Cry^-B$ strain after autolysis. The sporulated cells before autolysis and the spore-crystal mixture after autolysis of ProAc-GFP/CB exhibited insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella larvae. Accordingly, the current results suggest that a fusion crystal protein produced by the transfomant, ProAc-GFP/CB, can be functionally expressed but easily degraded in B. thuring­iensis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 1998

An alkalophilic mi.croorganism (strain YB380), which produces yeast cell wall hydrolase extracellulary, was isolated from Korean soil. The rod-shaped cells were 0.3~0.4 by 2~4${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ long, motile, aerobic, gram-positive, and spore-forming. The color of the colony was light yellow. The temperature range for growth at pH 9.0 was 25 to $45{\circ}C, with optimum growth at $35{\circ}C. The pH range for growth at $35{\circ}C was 8 to 11 with an optimum pH of 9.0. Therefore, the strain YB380 is an obligate alkalophile. The 16S rRNA of strain YB380 has a 99% sequence similarity with that of Bacillus alcalophilus. On the basis of physiological properties, cell wall fatty acid composition, and phylogenetic analysis, we propose that the isolated strain is Bacillus alcalophilus. The yeast cell wall hydrolase from Bacillus alcalophilus subsp. YB380 has been purified and partially characterized. The molecular weight was estimated to be 27,000 daltons with an optimum temperature and pH of $60{\circ}C and 9.0, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was analyzed as Gln- Thr- Val- Pro- Trp- Gly- Ile- Asn- Arg- Val.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.404-416
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• 2020

Bacteria that are resistant to high temperatures and alkaline environments are essential for the biological repair of damaged concrete. Alkaliphilic and halotolerant Bacillus sp. AK13 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Miscanthus sacchariflorus. Unlike other tested Bacillus species, the AK13 strain grows at pH 13 and withstands 11% (w/v) NaCl. Growth of the AK13 strain at elevated pH without urea promoted calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) formation. Irregular vaterite-like CaCO₃ minerals that were tightly attached to cells were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed the presence of CaCO₃ around the cell. Isotope ration mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the majority of CO₃^2- ions in the CaCO₃ were produced by cellular respiration rather than being derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide. The minerals produced from calcium acetate-added growth medium formed smaller crystals than those formed in calcium lactate-added medium. Strain AK13 appears to heal cracks on mortar specimens when applied as a pelletized spore powder. Alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. AK13 is a promising candidate for self-healing agents in concrete.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.467-471
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• 2004

Bacillus sp. SD-10 was investigated to develope biological pesticides for control of mushroom diseases. Bacillus sp. SD-10 showed high antifungal activity when cultured at 35∼4$0^{\circ}C$ for 30∼4$0^{\circ}C$. The culture filtrate of the bacterium inhibited the growth of mycelium of T. virens which is a kind of mushroom pathogene. On the test of inhibition of spore germination of T. virens, more than 5% of the culture filtrate in the media inhibited completely the germination of the spores. An antimicrobial substance, UPX-1 was purified from the culture filtrate of the Bacillus. From the $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR spectrum analysis, the substance was indentifed as disaccharide composed to six carbon sugars. UPX-1 has not only strong antifungal activity against T. virens but also antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas tolaassi.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.157-160
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• 2010

Agaricus blazei Murill is a important medicinal mushroom for a powerful immune system builder and tonic. Currently, it is known about a new disease phenomenon that appears to be occurring on a number of mushroom farms. We described a straightforward approach in which molecular methods was used to survey the presence of potentially endo- and epiphytic bacteria infected with the Agaricus blazei. The 16S rDNA was amplified with universal eubacterial primers directly from pure cultures of Agaricus blazei mycelium and fruit body. The 16S rDNA sequences were almost identical (96 to 97% similarity), and phylogenetic analysis placed them in a single unique rRNA branch belong to the uncultural bacterium phylogroup. PCR detection of uncultural bacterium in the malformed tissues of Agaricus blazei were carried out by using 16S rRNA sequenced specific probe. It was strongly amplified at the malformed pileus region of fruit body and also spore print was impossible.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 1994

This experiment was conducted to test the fungicidal activity of extracts from 50 medicinal plants to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulinginea) and identify the bioactive substances. Among the medicinal plants tested, the water extract of Rheum undulatum was the most effective in spore germination inhibition, which inhibited by 100% at 200-fold dilution. Also, 50-fold dilution of water extract, 100-fold dilution of alcohol extract, 500-fold dilution of crude extract from Rheum undulatum and even 1000-fold dilution of reference chemical inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber more than 60%. 500-fold dilution of crude extract inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber 100% by twice spray treatment. There was phytotoxcity at the 100-fold dilution, but was not recognized this injury at the 500-fold dilution of crude extract. From our research to identify bioactive substance using HPLC, GLC and Mass spectrum analysis, it indicated that Rheum undulatum extract contained tentatively 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.776-783
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• 2000

Various alcohol yeast strains have been isolated from main mashes of Korean traditional liquors, and their genetic diversities were previously reported [23]. In this study, the strain SHY111, showing the highest alcohol production, was tested for its fermentation and sporulation characteristics. Additionally, its haploid cells were isolated and tested for their growth and fermentation patterns. The strain was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on its morphological and physiological characteristics. The sequences of the ITS(internal transcribed spacer) and 5.8S rDNA regions of S. cerevisiae SHY111 were found to be identical to those of S. cerevisiae that was obtained from through the yeast genome project. The maximum fermentation ratio obtained by the strain SHY111 (96.7%) was almost the same as that by S. cerevisiae Balyun No. 1 (96.5%) that was a little higher than that by S. cerevisiae KCCM11215(95.8%). The strain was induced for sporulation in a sporulation liquid medium using log phase cells grown in different types of pre-sporulation media, and its haploid cells were obtained by spore dissection using a micromanipulator. The majority of the spores formed a small colony on a YPD agar plate, and the haploid yeast cells derived from the strain SHY111 showed a variety of growth and alcohol fermentation patterns. It was proposed that the fermentation patterns were related to their growth phenotypes in the most haploid strains, but possible not in some strains.