• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented soybean paste with significant health-promoting effects. On the other hand, there have been insufficient studies on the safety and efficacy of Cheonggukjang, which is produced using traditional methods containing toxins and biogenic amines (BAs). This study compared the laxative effect of Cheonggukjang, containing high or low levels of toxins and BAs (HTBC or LTBC) in a loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce constipation, Lop (5 mg/kg) was administered orally to ICR mice twice a day for 4 days, and the dose was increased to 8 mg/kg after a 3-day rest period. Cheonggukjang (500 mg/kg, HTBC, or LTBC respectively) was administered for four weeks before the Lop treatment. RESULTS: The number of stools, fecal weight, water contents, gastrointestinal transit, and histological alterations were recovered significantly in the HTBC or LTBC groups. HTBC and LTBC administration did not induce significant changes in body weight, dietary intake, and behavior. The opioid-receptor downstream signaling pathway in colon tissues was also evaluated. The c-Kit, stem cell kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38, were all downregulated in the HTBC or LTBC-administered mice colon compared to the Lop group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Cheonggukjang, containing high levels of toxins and BAs, have a similar laxative effect in a mouse model of Lop-induced constipation.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2014

Carbon footprint of apple was a sum of $CO_2$ emission in the step of manufacturing waste of agri-materials, and greenhouse gas emission during apple cultivation. Input amount of agri-materials was calculated on 2007 Income reference of Apple by Rural Development Administration. Emission factor of each agri- materials was based on domestic data and Ecoinvent data. $N_2O$ emission factor was based on 1996 IPCC guideline. Carbon dioxide was emitted 0.64 kg $CO_2$ to produce 1 kg apple fruit, and carbon dioxide was emitted 43.6% in the step of the manufacturing byproduct fertilizer, 1.3% in the step of the manufacturing single fertilizer, 4.7% in the step of the manufacturing composite fertilizer, 6.3% in the step of the manufacturing agri-chemicals, 14.6% in the step of the manufacturing fuel, 11.5% in the step of the fuel combustion, 17.7% of $N_2O$ emission by nitrogen application and 0.18% of disposal of agri-materials. It is needed for farmers to use fertilization recommendation based on soil testing (soil. rda.go.kr) because scientific fertilization is a major tools to reduce carbon dioxide of apple production. The fertilization recommendation could be also basic data in Measurable-ReporTablele-Verifiable (MRV) system for carbon footprint.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.562-569
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• 2024

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes a devastating bacterial leaf blight in rice. Here, the antimicrobial effects of ᴰ-limonene, ᴸ-limonene, and its oxidative derivative carveol against Xoo were investigated. We revealed that carveol treatment at ≥ 0.1 mM in liquid culture resulted in significant decrease in Xoo growth rate (> 40%) in a concentration-dependent manner, and over 1 mM, no growth was observed. The treatment with ᴰ-limonene and ᴸ-limonene also inhibited the Xoo growth but to a lesser extent compared to carveol. These results were further elaborated with the assays of motility, biofilm formation and xanthomonadin production. The carveol treatment over 1 mM caused no motilities, basal level of biofilm formation (< 10%), and significantly reduced xanthomonadin production. The biofilm formation after the treatment with two limonene isomers was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, but the degree of the effect was not comparable to carveol. In addition, there was negligible effect on the xanthomonadin production mediated by the treatment of two limonene isomers. Field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) unveiled that all three compounds used in this study cause severe ultrastructural morphological changes in Xoo cells, showing shrinking, shriveling, and holes on their surface. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR revealed that carveol and ᴰ-limonene treatment significantly down-regulated the expression levels of genes involved in virulence and biofilm formation of Xoo, but not with ᴸ-limonene. Together, we suggest that limonenes and carveol will be the candidates of interest in the development of biological pesticides.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2012

Environment-friendly agro-materials are are likely to be preferred to chemical insecticides recently. For this reason, many studies are conducted to develop environment-friendly insecticides containing natural materials. This study was also conducted so as to assess ecotoxicity for Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) containing 30% of garlic extract or two plant essential oils (Zanthoxylum, Lemongrass) expected to prevent from pests and be used for agro-materials. Target species used to assess acute toxicity were invertebrate (Daphina magna), fish (Oryzias latipes), honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The $EC_{50}$ values for of garlic extract 30% EC, Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC to Daphina magna were 3.3, 10, and $10mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The category of garlic extract 30% EC was moderately toxic, while those of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were slightly toxic according to standard of USEPA. $EC_{50}$ for both of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were more than $10mg\;L^{-1}$ then they were considered as slightly toxicity. In case of acute toxicity test to fish, $LC_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC was $3.3mg\;L^{-1}$. Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC indicated $LC_{50}$ > $10mg\;L^{-1}$. Classification of acute toxicity to all test substances was in Korea criteria. Acute contact and oral toxicity test to Honeybee were conducted. As a result, $LD_{50}$ of all test substances were more than 100 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$ in the acute contact test while $LD_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC was 4.4 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$ and $LD_{50}$ of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were more than 100 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$. In case of acute toxicity test to earthworm, $LC_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC, Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were 267, 592, and $430mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. In conclusion, if the safety for earthworm is confirmed, these substances are expected to be use for environment-friendly insecticide materials with low risk against ecosystem and contribute to developing environment-friendly agro-materials.

• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.213-217
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• 2013

The focus in the present work is to study the agro-waste corn husk bio-filler as reinforcement for polypropylene. These materials have been created by extrusion and injection molding. The effect of filler content by 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt. % and mesh sizes of 50~100, 100 and 300 on the mechanical properties was studied. For the un-notched specimens, the results of flexural strength showed a declining trend with increase the filler loading and the results of impact strength showed an increasing trend with increase the mesh size. In contrast, enhanced flexural modulus was observed with increasing filler loading and size.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2010

The acute toxicity test of high bio-active plant essential oils was conducted with Lavender, Lemon eucalyptus and Cassia oils selected to develop environment-friendly insecticides. The results of acute oral toxicity using rats showed that $LD_{50}$ of over 2,000 mg/kg bw for Lavender, Lemon eucalyptus and Cassia oils. The calculated acute dermal $LD_{50}$ value of all testing materials was over 4,000 mg/kg bw. The Skin irritation test indicated that Lavender and Lemon eucalyptus oil have no irritation while Cassia oil has a moderate irritation. For the Eye Irritation test, the result showed no irritation for Lavender and Lemon Eucalyptus oil and irritation for Cassia oils. However, the irritation was not showed for Eye Irritationwashing test of Cassia oil. Consequently, the Lavender and Lemon eucalyptus oils were showed to be low in toxicity whereas Cassia oil indicated to cause a moderate irritation on the skin and eyes.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2011

Highly bio-active plant essential extracts and oils from pepper, clove bud, rosemary and origanum which are selected to develop environment-friendly insecticides was studied for their acute toxicity. The results of acute oral toxicity using rats showed $LD_{50}$ value of over 2,000 mg/kg bw for pepper, clove bud, rosemary and origanum oils. The calculated acute dermal $LD_{50}$ value of pepper was over 4,000 mg/kg bw and anther testing materials was over 4,000 mg/kg bw. The skin irritation test showed that pepper, clove bud and rosemary oils had no irritation while origanum oil had a moderate irritation. According to the eye irritation test, it showed that there was no irritation for pepper and rosemary oils, while there were irritation for clove bud and origanum oils. Consequently, pepper and rosemary oils were shown to be low in toxicity whereas clove bud oil was indicated to cause a mild eye irritability and origanum oil, causing a moderate skin and eye irritability.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.224-232
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the pesticide residue of commercial medicinal plants used for food materials in the Seoul area. Multi class pesticide multiresidue methods in Korea Food Code was used to analyze 100 pesticides. Analyzed samples were 261 cases(domestic 201, imported 60), detection rate was 19.2%(domestic 20.9%, imports 13.3%). 17 pesticides were detected in fruit(chinese matrimony vine, jujube, rubus coreanus, japanese cornlian cherry, schizandra, tangerine peel), and root(cnidium, licorice, astragalus). Pesticide over Maximum Residue Limits were detected in jujube, cnidium. Frequently detected pesticides were cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, cyhalothrin, fenvalerate, bifenthrin. More than 50% of the sample were detected two or more pesticides at the same time. Because of the variety and increase of pesticide detection in medicinal roots and fruits, continued monitoring and safety management is required.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.478-481
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the acute skin and eye irritation of plant extracts (neem and sophora) against rabbit. The result of skin irritation test indicated that neem extracts and sophora extracts were not irritant. For eye irritation test, the result showed no irritation for neem extracts. Sophora extracts have a severe eye irritation and the symptoms have been reduced to day 3. Thus, safety guidelines for agricultural workers is considered to be needed when sophora extracts is used as an organic agricultural materials.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2011

To work out quality control methods of environmental-friendly organic materials (EFOMs), the reason and basis for EFOM-selection and farmer's favorite formulation type of EFOMs, etc were investigated on farmers who had been practicing environmental-friendly agriculture. EFOMs used were soil amendments, control agents of plant diseases and insect pests, plant growth promotion formulations, in turns. In EFOMs application time, 22.7% of farmers sprayed EFOMs without delay after they were bought, in other hand, 77.3% of farmers used EFOMs which had been bought and stored for some period. Microbial density on seventeen environmental-friendly microbial formulates (EFMFs) including microbial pesticides, a microbial fertilizer, and environmental-friendly organic materials was investigated at different storing temperature and shelf life. When the microbial density of EFMFs was investigated without delay after they were bought, all used microbial pesticides and a microbial fertilizer was confirmed to be optimal for the certified density but two of environmental-friendly organic materials was confirmed not to be optimal. When microbial density of 17 EFMFs were investigated after storing them for six months at $4^{\circ}C$, only one of 9 microbial pesticides was confirmed not to be optimal, the other hand four of seven environmental-friendly organic materials not to be optimal, which each of their microbial density was less than the certified density. Population dynamics of microbial agents was much more influenced in fluctuated temperature (room temperature) than in static temperature condition ($5^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$). Shelf life of microbial agents according to microbial formulation type were high in granule type, liquid wettable type and liquid type in turns.