• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1466-1472
• /
• 2012

A bacterial isolate derived from soil samples near a cattle farm was found to display extracellular phytase activity. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the strain was named Bacillus sp. T4. The optimum temperature for the phytase activity toward magnesium phytate (Mg-$InsP_6$) was $40^{\circ}C$ without 5 mM $Ca^{2+}$ and $50^{\circ}C$ with 5 mM $Ca^{2+}$. T4 phytase had a characteristic bi-hump two pH optima of 6.0 to 6.5 and 7.4 for Mg-$InsP_6$. The enzyme showed higher specificity for Mg-$InsP_6$ than sodium phytate (Na-$InsP_6$). Its activity was fairly inhibited by EDTA, $Cu^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$, $Ba^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. T4 phytase may have great potential for use as an eco-friendly feed additive to enhance the nutritive quality of phytate and reduce phosphorus pollution.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.440-444
• /
• 2003

A new approach for ground water treatment combines a permeable Fe(0) barrier to breakdown higher chlorinated solvents like PCE and TCE with a down gradient aerobic biological treatment system to biotransform less chlorinated solvents, such as DCE and vinyl chloride (VC). The expected bacterial performance down gradient of an Fe(0) barrier was evaluated through laboratory batch experiments with a toluene-degrading mixed culture that cometabolically transforms cis-1,2-DCE and VC. The amount of cis-1,2-DCE (initially at 2,000 ppb) and VC (initially at 2,000 ppb) transformed was controlled by the initial toluene(20,000 ppb) concentration. VC was removed much more effectively than Cis-1,2-DCE, and a higher toluene concentration in comparison to the co-substrate concentrations was needed for complete co-substrate removal. Overall, the coupling of an Fe(0) barrier and subsequent biodegradation appears feasible for remediation of complex mixtures of chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.595-604
• /
• 1997

To investigate characteristics of biogeochemical environment of the Korea Deep Ocean Study(KODOSI area in the northeast Pacific Ocean, we preferentially measured Inorganic nutrients and fluorescent organic matters. Typically. the permanent thermocline was well developed at the depth of 200~1000m In the study area. Nitrate. phosphate and silicate were low In the surface mixed layer and Increased with depth. N/P and N/Si showed 15 and 0.2 respectively In the deeper layer. Two fluorophores, biomacromolecule(protein-like) and geomacromolecule (humid-like) , were observed by three dimensional fluorescence excltatlon/ emission spectra matrix. Biomacromolecule(maximum fluorescence at $Ex_{280m}/Em_{330nm}$) ranged from 41.9 to 147.0 TU with its maximum In the surface mixed layer and minimum in deeper water, This is a same trend that has been reported for DOC in the equatorial Pacific. This suggests that biomacromolecule might be labile and converted to refractory humic substance after bacterial degradation In the deeper layer. On the contrary, geomacromolecule(maximum fluorescence at $Ex_{330m}/Em_{430m}$), ranged from 7.6 to 46.5 QSU, showed minimum in the surface nixed layer(euphotic zone) Implying photodegradation and then increased with depth at all stations. In the characteristics of vertical profiles, the relationship between biomacromolecule and geomacromolecule showed negative correlation. Such trend can be attributed to biochemical regeneration or formation of fluorescent materials accompanying oxidation and rennnerallzation of settling organic matter.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.637-643
• /
• 1999

The effects of yam(Dioscorea) on lowering cholesterol level and its mechanism were investigated. The concentrations of plasma and liver lipids, and the excretions of fecal neutral sterol and bile acid were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Five Groups of 8 rats were fed hypercholesterolemic diet(1% cholesterol, 10% lard ; control), hypercholesterolemic diet plus 15% or 30% dried yam powder prepared by either hot-air(15HY, 30HY) or freeze dry(15FY, 30FY) for 4wk. Plasma total lipid, total cholesterol and cholesterol level was also significantly lower(28%, p<0.05), buy HMG-CoA reductase activity was higher in 30FY(230%, p<0.05) than in control. Although no significant differences in fecal neutral sterols were observed among groups, the yam-fed rats apparently had less bacterial degradation of cholesterol as indicated by a significantly greater of fecal cholesterol to coprostanol than in controls. Total fecal bile acids were significantly greater in rats fed yam(15HY : 5 folds, 15FY ; 12,30HY ; 12, 20FY ; 22) than in controls. The ratio of secondary to primary bile acids was almost 8 times lower in 30FY than in control. These data indicate that yam lowers cholesterol both in plasma and in liver through increasing fecal bile acid excretion as well as HMG-CoA reductase activity. Freeze-dried yam, which possesses viscosity, was more effective in cholesterol-lowering action than hot-air dried one.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.1032-1041
• /
• 2010

The comparative influence of two nanoparticles [viz., superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) and nanobarium titanate (NBT)] upon the in vitro and in situ low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation efficiency of a potential polymer-degrading microbial consortium was studied. Supplementation of 0.01% concentration (w/v) of the nanoparticles in minimal broth significantly increased the bacterial growth, along with early onset of the exponential phase. Under in vitro conditions, ${\lambda}$-max shifts were quicker with nanoparticles and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) illustrated significant changes in CH/$CH_2$ vibrations, along with introduction of hydroxyl residues in the polymer backbone. Moreover, simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DTA) reported multiple-step decomposition of LDPE degraded in the presence of nanoparticles. These findings were supported by scanning electron micrographs (SEM), which revealed greater dissolution of the film surface in the presence of nanoparticles. Furthermore, progressive degradation of the film was greatly enhanced when it was incubated under soil conditions for 3 months with the nanoparticles. The study highlights the significance of bacteria-nanoparticle interactions, which can dramatically influence key metabolic processes like biodegradation. The authors also propose the exploration of nanoparticles to influence various other microbial processes for commercial viabilities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1765-1773
• /
• 2016

Wastewater containing kraft lignin (KL) discharged from pulp and paper industries could cause serious environmental contamination. Appropriate effluent treatment is required to reduce the pollution. Investigations on anaerobic bacteria capable of degrading KL are beneficial to both lignin removal and biofuel regeneration from the effluent. In this paper, an anaerobic strain capable of degrading KL was isolated from the sludge of a pulp and paper mill and identified as Dysgonomonas sp. WJDL-Y1 by 16S rRNA analysis. Optimum conditions for KL degradation by strain WJDL-Y1 were obtained at initial pH of 6.8, C:N ratio of 6 and temperature of 33℃, based on statistical analyses by response surface methodology. For a 1.2 g/l KL solution, a COD removal rate of 20.7% concomitant with biomass increase of 17.6% was achieved after 4 days of incubation under the optimum conditions. After the treatment by strain WJDL-Y1, KL was modified and degraded.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.423-429
• /
• 1994

A bacterial strain which formed a distinct colony on agar plate containing naphthalene as a vapor phase and grew well ina liquid minimal medium was isolated and identified as Alcaligenes sp. A111. Optimum temperature and pH for the cultivation of Alcaligenes sp. A111 were 30$\cir$C and 7.0, respectively. Cell growth increased dramatically from 12 hours after inoculation and revealed a stationary phase at about 48 hours. Relative growth rate ($\mu$')increased hyperbolically depending on the conceration of naphthalene up to 500 ppm and reached to the maximum value pf 2.8/day, but $\mu$' didn't change within a range of 500~4000 ppm naphthalene. NH$_{4}$Cl or NH$_{4}$NO$_{3}$ was preferrd as a nitrogen source and a P : N ratio by weight og 6 : 1 was favorable to cell growth. Alcaligenes sp. A111 utilized the intermediates of degradation of naphthalene and showed tolerance to benzene, toluene, and octane. therefore, it is suggested that Alcaligenes sp. A111 could be effectively used for the biological treatment of wastewater containing naphthalene in the presence of some aromatic compounds.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
• /
• 2003.09a
• /
• pp.590-600
• /
• 2003

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes responsible for degrading connective tissue. MMPs catalyze the breakdown of collagen from the extracellular matrix, leading to wrinkle formation and accelerated skin aging. Furthermore, ultraviolet irradiation causes increased expression of certain MMPs. In the extracellular matrix turnover, MMPs are interacting with endogenous regulators named tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Using peptide substrate assays, it has been demonstrated that TIMP-MMP complexes interact highly specifically with $K_{i}$ values of 10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-16}$ M. Therefore applications for TIMP as inhibitor of collagen degradation are suggested for cosmetic anti-aging products to prevent wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. To date four TIMP proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4) have been identified which show a high degree in sequence similarity. The production of human TIMP-2, a 194-residue nonglycosylated protein, was performed by fed-batch culture of Escherichia coli. TIMP-2 accumulated in the bacterial cells in an insoluble form as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the protein refolded to yield the native TIMP-2 in the active form. The integrity of the protein was confirmed by mass analysis, Edman sequencing and gel shift experiments with authentic samples. The inhibitory activity of the refolded and purified TIMP-2 was demonstrated with MMP-1 and MMP-2 assays using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates.s.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.102-107
• /
• 2003

With the enrichment culture technique, bacterial strains which degrade diesel oil were isolated from soil contaminated with diesel oil. One of the isolates named GENECO 1 showed the highest activity for emulsification of diesel oil as well as the highest growth rate. This strain, GENECO 1, was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. based on its biochemical, physiological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequences. The optimal cultural conditions for cell growth and oil emulsifying activity of its culture were as follow; $30^{\circ}C$ for temperature, 7.0 for pH. Diesel oil degradation was analysed by the gas chromatography. More than 95% of 1% treated diesel oil were converted into a form no longer extractable by mixed organic solvents after 96 hours incubation.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.141-148
• /
• 1997

Alcaligenes xylosoxydans strain SMN3 capable of utilizing biphenyl grew not only on phenol, and benzoate, but also on salicylate. Catabolisms of biphenyl and salicylate appear to be interrelated since benzoate is a common metabolic intermediate of these compounds. Enzyme levels in the excatechol 2. 3-dioxygenas which is meta-cleavage enzyme of catechol, but did not induce catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase. All the oxidative enzymes of biphenyl and 2, 3,-dihydroxybiphenyl (23DHBP) were induced when the cells were grown on biphenyl and salicylate, respectively. Biphenyl and salicylate could be a good inducer in the oxidation of biphenyl and 2, 3-dihydroxybiphenyl. The two enzymes for the degradation of biphenyl and salicylate were induced after growth on either biphenyl or salicylate, suggesting the presence of a common regulatory element. However, benzoate could not induce the enzymes responsible for the oxidation of these compounds. Biphenyl and salicylate were good inducers for indigo formation due to the activity of biphenyl dioxygenase. These results suggested that indole oxidation is a property of bacterial dioxygenase that form cis-dihydrodiols from aromatic hydrocarbon including biphenyl.