• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2019

This study identified key patents on U.S. underground water technology through patent network analysis. As a result, there were many technologies that used the technology to remove heavy metals to prevent contamination of groundwater. While patents between groundwater technology patents were in charge of intermediaries, the connectivity between groundwater technologies is not high. The patented technologies related to groundwater were largely distinguishable by pumping, monitoring, and decontamination. Monitoring includes techniques that enable identification of physical and biological properties, such as the type of contaminants, as well as geographic characteristics for analysis of groundwater flow, flow or water quality. Pollution purification technology refers to the process of physiochemical and biological purification for soil and groundwater. U.S. technology cases showed that the U.S. had high technology in water treatment area. And patent protection were also needed to cope with water shortages caused by climate change.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2016

Bioremediation is one of the most effective ways to remediate TPH-contaminated sites. However, under actual field conditions that are not at the optimum temperature, degradation of microorganisms is generally reduced, which is why the efficiency of biodegradation is known to be significantly affected by the soil temperature. Therefore, in this study, the labscale experiment was conducted using indigenous crude oil degrading microorganisms isolated from crude oil contaminated site to evaluate the remediation efficiency. Crude oil degrading microorganisms were isolated from crude oil contaminated soil and temperature, which is a significant factor affecting the remediation efficiency of land farming, was adjusted to evaluate the microbial crude oil degrading ability, degradation time, and remediation efficiency. In order to assess the field applicability, the remediation efficiency was evaluated using crude oil contaminated soil (average TPH concentration of 10,000 mg/kg or more) from the OO premises. Followed by the application of microorganisms at 30℃, the bioremediation process reduced its initial TPH concentration of 10,812 mg/kg down to 1,890 mg/kg in 56 days, which was about an 83% remediation efficiency. By analyzing the correlation among the total number of cells, the number of effective cells, and TPH concentration, it was found that the number of effective microorganisms drastically increased during the period from 10 to 20 days while there was a sharp decrease in TPH concentration. Therefore, we confirmed the applicability of land farming with isolated microorganisms consortium to crude oil contaminated site, which is also expected to be applicable to bioremediation of other recalcitrant materials.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.561-567
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• 2021

The edible sargasso seaweed hijiki Sargassum fusiforme is known to have high concentration of arsenic, which is a threat to human health, particularly due to inorganic arsenic. In this study, various methods were used to remove inorganic arsenic from steamed hijiki concentrate. The highest concentration of arsenate [As(V)] in both raw and processed hijiki during steamed hijiki manufacturing process was within the range of 8.213-14.356 mg/kg, and it is a potential source of inorganic arsenic, which can result in re-contamination and cause environmental pollution. The removal efficiencies of the various removal methods were within the range of 57.3-83.4%, and 19.0% reduction was achieved using activated carbon and alginate bead. Further, activated carbon showed the best adsorption effect of inorganic arsenic. Therefore, we suggest that activated carbon is a suitable efficient method for removing inorganic arsenic and has low operational costs in field applicability.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1455-1464
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• 2021

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide in increasing demand for applications in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Single-step trehalose production by trehalose synthase (TreS) using maltose as a starting material is a promising alternative process for industrial application due to its simplicity and cost advantage. Pseudomonas monteilii TBRC 1196 was identified using the developed screening method as a potent strain for TreS production. The TreS gene from P. monteilii TBRC 1196 was first cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified recombinant trehalose synthase (PmTreS) had a molecular weight of 76 kDa and showed optimal pH and temperature at 9.0 and 40℃, respectively. The enzyme exhibited >90% residual activity under mesophilic condition under a broad pH range of 7-10 for 6 h. Maximum trehalose yield by PmTreS was 68.1% with low yield of glucose (4%) as a byproduct under optimal conditions, equivalent to productivity of 4.5 g/l/h using enzyme loading of 2 mg/g substrate and high concentration maltose solution (100 g/l) in a lab-scale bioreactor. The enzyme represents a potent biocatalyst for energy-saving trehalose production with potential for inhibiting microbial contamination by alkaline condition.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2021

Kunun-zaki, produced by submerged fermentation of a combination of millet and sorghum, is a popular beverage in Northern Nigeria. Owing to the nature of the process involved in its production, kunun-zaki is highly susceptible to contamination by food spoilage microorganisms, leading to inconsistent quality and short shelf-life. In this study, we investigated various food spices, including cinnamon, garlic, and nutmeg, as potential preservatives that could be used to extend kunun-zaki shelf-life. Kunun-zaki varieties were fermented with each of these spices mentioned above and subjected to bacterial, nutritional, sensory, and quality maintenance assessments (using a twelve-member sensory panel to evaluate the organoleptic properties of kunun-zaki). Bacterial counts in the final products ranged between 10^5-7 CFU/ml. We identified two bacterial genera, Weissella and Enterococcus, based on partial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Three amino acids, namely leucine, aspartate, and glutamate, were abundant in all kunun-zaki varieties, while the total essential amino acid content was above 39%, suggesting that kunun-zaki could potentially be considered as a protein-rich food source both for infants and adults. The kunun-zaki products were also rich in carbohydrates, crude proteins, ash, crude fiber, and fat, with contents estimated as 81-84, 8-11, 0.8-4.0, 2.9-3.58, and 5.1-6.3%, respectively. However, this nutritional content depreciated rapidly after 24 h of storage, except for kunun-zaki fermented with garlic, which its crude protein and fat content was maintained for up to 48 h. Our results revealed that organic spices increased the nutritional content of the kunun-zaki varieties and could be potentially be used as natural preservatives for enhancing the kunun-zaki shelf-life. However, garlic might be considered a better alternative based on our preliminary investigation. The presence of the isolated microorganisms in the analyzed kunun-zaki samples should be highlighted to raise awareness on the possible health hazards that could arise from poor handling and processing techniques.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.132-139
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• 2021

Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to assess the effect of oxidative decomposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in field soil using peroxy-acid. The study soil texture is sandy soil containing 19.2 % of organic matter at pH 6.8. Among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the study soil, the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene is 2.23 mg/kg which is three times higherthan the Korea standard level. Therefore benzo(a)pyrene was selected as the target study PAH for the treatment by peroxy-acid oxidation using peroxy-acid coupled with hydrogen peroxide, and the efficiency of the oxidative decomposition of benzo(a)pyrene was assessed for the different organic acids and dosages of an organic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Propionic acid among the tested organic acids showed the highest efficiency of benzo(a)pyrene reduction in the peroxyacid oxidation treatment and finally satisfied the Korea standard level.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.215-221
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• 2020

Adulterated herbal medicine is intentionally added with undeclared improper or inferior ingredients which should not be in herbal medicine. The contamination with potentially hazardous substances such as heavy metal, pesticides, fungus, and microorganism sometimes can be regarded as one of adulteration in a broad sense. The problem of adulteration is that adulterated herbal medicine shows poor quality and/or can cause adverse events. Therefore, it is important to control adulteration issues for quality assurance and qualitative improvement of herbal medicines. This study aims to summarize and make a reference how to control adulterated herbal medicine. In this process, this study is to investigate studies about adulterated herbal medicine via searching Korean and foreign electronic databases such as PubMed, NDSL and OASIS. Finally eighteen papers were included to this study and analyzed according to the type of study, the category and efficacy of adulterants, the type of analysis methodologies and possible adverse events of adulterants. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors for male sexual enhancement and anorexic, laxative, diuretic agents for weight loss and treating obesity has been used frequently as adulterants. The range of adverse event caused by adulterated herbal medicine were very wide from mild symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, dizziness and blurred vision to very severe symptoms such as heart failure, hypoglycemia and renal impairment. This study showed the recent trend on the research of adulterated herbal medicine and this will be the ground to develop more detailed systems to control adulterated herbal medicine.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.35-66
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• 2021

This study conducted scientific analysis and conservation treatment on four suits of armor and two helmets from the collection of the National Museum of Korea. Based on the findings, it identified structural characteristics of armor from the middle and late Joseon Dynasty. Since a suit of armor is made of composite materials consisting of both organic and inorganic elements, conservation treatment was conducted to the extent that the stable condition of each material remained unaffected by the other materials. The process took place in the sequence of investigation and analysis, removal of contamination, stabilization and reinforcement, repair of damaged parts, and storage. The armor and helmets had suffered severe damage, but were safely repaired and partially restored through the conservation treatment. The findings from the conservation treatment revealed the materials used and structural characteristics of the armored skirt from a two-piece set of armor from the middle Joseon period and for the two suits of overcoat-style armor, suit of vest-style armor, and helmets from the late Joseon era. It also allowed the investigation of the production methods of the armor and helmets.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.spc
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• pp.1-18
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• 2022

A conceptual site model is used to support decision-making of response strategy development, determination, and implementation within a risk-based contaminated site management system. It aims to provide base information of the relevant site characteristics and surface/subsurface conditions in order to understand the contaminants of concern and the associated risk they pose to the receptors. This study delineated the technical details of conceptual site model development, and discussed the possibility of applying it in domestic subsurface contamination management. Conceptual site models can be developed in various formats such as tables, diagrams, flowcharts, and figures. Contaminated sites are managed for a long period of time following the steps of investigation, remediation design, remediation, verification, and post-remedation management. The conceptual site model can be enhanced in each stage of the contaminated site management based on the continuously updated information on the site's subsurface environment. In the process of enhancement for conceptual site model, precision is gradually improved, and it can evolve from a conceptual and qualitative form to a more quantitatvive and three-dimensional model. In soil pollution management, it is desirable to incorporate the conceptual site model into the soil scrutiny system to better assess the current status of the contaminated site and support follow-up investigation and management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.425-436
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• 2021

In this study, chemically enhanced steam cleaning(CESC) was applied as a novel and efficient method for the control of organic and inorganic fouling in ceramic membrane filtration. The constant filtration regression model and the resistance in series model(RISM) were used to investigate the membrane fouling mechanisms. For total filtration, the coefficient of determination(R²) with an approximate value of 1 was obtained in the intermediate blocking model which is considered as the dominant contamination mechanism. In addition, most of the coefficient values showed similar values and this means that the complex fouling was formed during the filtration period. In the RISM, R _c/R _f increased about 4.37 times in chemically enhanced steam cleaning compared to physical backwashing, which implies that the internal fouling resistance was converted to cake layer resistance, so that the membrane fouling hardly to be removed by physical backwashing could be efficiently removed by chemically enhanced steam cleaning. The results of flux recovery rate showed that high-temperature steam may loosen the structure of the membrane cake layer due to the increase in diffusivity and solubility of chemicals and finally enhance the cleaning effect. As a consequence, it is expected that chemically enhanced steam cleaning can drastically improve the efficiency of membrane filtration process when the characteristics of the foulant are identified.