• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.837-846
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• 2020

In present study, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of Momordica charantia(as well known "bitter melon"). This study was conducted to determine antidiabetic mechanism of Bitter Melon Extract (BME). We measured blood glucose, insulin, glucagon level in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of high-fat diet/streptozotocin(HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes. Five experimental groups were used: normal, HFD/STZ, BME 62.5 mg/kg HFD/STZ, BME 125 mg/kg HFD/STZ and BME 250 mg/kg HFD/STZ. BME was orally administered to the rats every other day for 9 weeks. Results showed that fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the BME 125 mg/kg(150.17 ± 20.22 mg/dL) and 250 mg/kg(124.17 ± 22.17 mg/dL) groups than in the vehicle group(188.83 ± 26.63 mg/dL)(p<0.05). In addition, glucagon levels were lower in the three BME treatment groups than in the vehicle group(p<0.05). Oral glucose tolerance tests revealed that the BME 250 mg/kg group had significantly(p<0.05) reduced 120-minute blood glucose levels and areas under the curve. Our results suggest that BME induces antidiabetic effects via the reduction of glucagon and blood glucose levels.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.485-493
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• 2010

A modified graphite felt electrode with neutral red (NR-electrode) was shown to catalyze the chemical oxidation of nitrite to nitrate under aerobic conditions. The electrochemically oxidized NR-electrode (EO-NR-electrode) and reduced NR-electrode (ER-NR-electrode) catalyzed the oxidation of $1,094{\pm}39$ mg/l and $382{\pm}45$ mg/l of nitrite, respectively, for 24 h. The electrically uncharged NR-electrode (EU-NR-electrode) catalyzed the oxidation of $345{\pm}47$ mg/l of nitrite for 24 h. The aerobic bacterial community immobilized in the EO-NR-electrode did not oxidize ammonium to nitrite; however, the aerobic bacterial community immobilized in the ER-NR-electrode bioelectrochemically oxidized $1,412{\pm}39$ mg/l of ammonium for 48 h. Meanwhile, the aerobic bacterial community immobilized on the EU-NR-electrode biochemically oxidized $449{\pm}22$ mg/l of ammonium for 48 h. In the continuous culture system, the aerobic bacterial community immobilized on the ER-NR-electrode bioelectrochemically oxidized a minimal $1,337{\pm}38$ mg/l to a maximal $1,480{\pm}38$ mg/l of ammonium to nitrate, and the community immobilized on the EU-NR-electrode biochemically oxidized a minimal $327{\pm}23$ mg/l to a maximal $412{\pm}26$ mg/l of ammonium to nitrate every two days. The bacterial communities cultivated in the ER-NR-electrode and EU-NR-electrode in the continuous culture system were analyzed by TGGE on the $20^{th}$ and $50^{th}$ days of incubation. Some ammonium-oxidizing bacteria were enriched on the ER-NR-electrode, but not on the EU-NR-electrode.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.245-247
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• 2005

A cellulolytic fungus isolated from Agave plantation in northeastern Thailand was identified as Acrophialophora nainiana. The fungus was capable of growing at pH between 3 - 7 and 25 - 45 $^{\circ}C$, with the optimum conditions at pH 5.0 and 40 $^{\circ}C$. The wild isolate produced cellulases, comprising of exoglucanase (0.019 U/mg protein), endoglucanase (0.366 U/mg protein), and ${\beta}$-glucosidase (0.001 U/mg protein). Mutations with UV and NTG produced the UV 10-2 mutant with cellulases activities including exoglucanase (0.093 U/mg protein), endoglucanase (0.585 U/mg protein), and ${\beta}$-glucosidase (0.013 U/mg protein). Purification of the enzymes with ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion-exchange chromatography yielded the maximal cellulase specific activities of 2.736 U/mg protein (exoglucanase), 0.235 U/mg protein (endoglucanase), and 0.008 U/mg protein (${\beta}$-glucosidase). The mutant's cellulases were the most active at pH 5.0 and 60 $^{\circ}C$. Ion-exchange chromatography revealed that A. nainiana UV 10-2 cellulases were comprised of two peaks with one peak showing the single endoglucanase activity while the other peak showed a mixture of the three enzyme activities. Production of A. nainiana UV 10-2 cellulases using banana leaf stalk as the sole carbon source gave comparable yields to that of the pure ${\alpha}$-cellulose. The enzymes were used in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of plant residue (Coix aquatica) along with Kluveromyces marxianus to produce ethanol. Moreover, when the enzymes were used in the bioscouring process of fabric, the desiravle traits of textile processing including immediate water absorbency, increased in whiteness and reduction of yellowness of the treated fabric were observed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.432-436
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• 2019

This study demonstrates the effect of addition of Fe particles of different sizes on the critical properties of the superconductor $MgB_2$. Bulk $MgB_2$ is synthesized by ball milling Mg and B powders with Fe particles at $900^{\circ}C$. When Fe particles with size less than $10{\mu}m$ are added in $MgB_2$, they easily react with B and form the FeB phase, resulting in a reduction in the amount of the $MgB_2$ phase and deterioration of the crystallinity. Accordingly, both the critical temperature and the critical current density are significantly reduced. On the other hand, when larger Fe particles are added, the $Fe_2B$ phase forms instead of FeB due to the lower reactivity of Fe toward B. Accordingly, negligible loss of B occurs, and the critical properties are found to be similar to those of the intact $MgB_2$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.562-578
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• 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Ca-Mg complex on the longevity and reproductive performance of sows. In total, seventy-two gilts ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc, average body weight 181 kg) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments during 4 successive parity in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of CON (basal diet), CM1 (basal diet -MgO - 0.3% limestone + 0.4% Ca-Mg complex), and CM2 (basal diet - MgO - 0.7% limestone + 0.4% Ca-Mg complex). A higher (p < 0.05) number of totals born and live piglets, and sows increased feed intake during gestation and lactation, increased backfat thickness, and increased estrus interval were observed (p < 0.05) during their third and fourth parity than during their first and second parity. Ca-Mg complex supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the number of total piglets during the first and second parity as well as live-born piglets during the first to third parity, reduction (p < 0.05) in backfat thickness during the third and fourth parity, a higher (p < 0.05) initial and final number of suckling piglets as well as higher weaning weight compared with sows fed CON diet during the first, second, and third parity. The average daily gain (ADG) was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets born to CM1 and CM2 sows regardless of parity. The treatment diets fed to sows lowered (p < 0.05) the duration of first to last piglet birth and placenta expulsion time compared with CON sows. A significant interactive effect (p = 0.042) between parities and treatment diets was observed for the first to last piglet birth. Thus, Ca-Mg complex supplementation by partially replacing limestone in the basal diet enhanced sow performance, specifically during their third and fourth parity, thereby improving sow longevity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.563-572
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• 2006

In order to propose optimum in-situ treatment for reducing phosphorous release from sediment of stationary lakes, a series of column tests were performed. The sediment used in experiment was very fine clay with a mean grain site $7.7{\phi}$ and high $C_{org}$ contents(2.4%). Phosphorous releases were evaluated in two ways : in lake water(with microbial effect) and in distilled water(without microbial effect). As in-situ capping material, sand and loess were used while Fe-Gypsum and $SiO_2$-Gypsum were used for in-situ chemical treatment. In case of lake water considering the effect of microorganism, phosphorous concentration rapidly decreased in the early stage of experiment but it was gradually increased after 10 days. Flux of phosphorous release for control was $3.0mg/m^2{\cdot}d$. Whereas, those for sand layer capping(5 cm) and loess layer capping(5 cm) were $2.5mg/m^2{\cdot}d\;and\;1.8mg/m^2{\cdot}d$, respectively because the latter two were not consolidated sufficiently. For Fe-gypsum and $SiO_2$-gypsum the fluxes were $1.4mg/m^2{\cdot}d$ which meant that reduction efficiency of phosphorous release was more than 40% higher than that of control. The case capping with complex layer was $1.0mg/m^2{\cdot}d$, which showed high reduction efficiency over 60%. The addition of gypsum($CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$) into the sediment reduced release of Phosphorus from the sediments. Gypsum acted as a slow-releasing source of sulphate in sediment, which enhanced the activity of SRB(sulfate reducing bacteria) and improved the overall mineralization rate of organic matter.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-418
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• 2007

The objective of this research was to characterize the fate and transport of Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater in the Daejeon industrial area. Five subsidiary monitoring wells were newly installed and two existing wells were utilized for the investigation and the reduction process of Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater of the Daejeon(Mun-pyeong) national groundwater monitoring station. The Cr(VI) concentrations at the shallow aquifer well of the station were in the range of 3.2-4.5 mg/L indicating continuous contamination. However, Cr was not detected at the deep bedrock well and the other monitoring wells except MPH-1 and 3. The Cr(VI) concentrations of MPH-1 and MPH-3 were below the drinking water guideline value (0.05 mg/L). Therefore, the plume of the Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater was predicted to be confined within the narrow boundary around the station. The soluble/exchangeable Cr(VI) concentrations were below the detection limit in all core and slime samples taken from the five newly installed wells. Although the exact source of contamination was not directly detected in the study area, the spatial Cr(VI) distribution in groundwater and characteristics of the core samples indicated that the source and the dispersion range were confined within the 100 m area from the monitoring station. The contamination might be induced from the unlined landfill of industrial wastes which was observed during the installation of an subsidiary monitoring well. For the evaluation of the natural attenuation of Cr(VI), available reduction capacities of Cr(VI) with an initial concentration of 5 mg/L were measured in soil and aquifer materials. Dark-gray clay layer samples have high capacities of Cr(VI) reduction ranging from 58 to 64%, which is obviously related to organic carbon contents of the samples. The analysis of reduction capacities implied that the soil and aquifer materials controlled the dispersion of Cr(VI) contamination in this area. However, some possibilities of dispersion by the preferential flow cannot be excluded due to the limited numbers of monitoring wells. We suggest the removal of Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater by periodical pumping, and the continuous groundwater quality monitoring for evaluation of the Cr(VI) dispersion should be followed in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.413-433
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• 1994

Jinhae Bay once was a productive area of fisheries. It is, however, now notorious for its red tides; and oxygen deficient water-masses extensively develop at present in summer. Therefore the shellfish production of the bay has been decreasing and mass mortality often occurs. Under these circumstances, the three-dimensional numerical hydrodynamic and the material cycle models, which were developed by the Institute for Resources and Environment of Japan, were applied to analyze the processes affecting the oxygen depletion and also to evaluate the environment capacity for the reception of pollutant loads without dissolved oxygen depletion. In field surveys, oxygen deficient water-masses were formed with concentrations of below 2.0mg/l at the bottom layer in Masan Bay and the western part of Jinhae Bay during the summer. Current directions, computed by the $M_2$ constituent, were mainly toward the western part of Jinhae Bay during flood flows and in opposite directions during ebb flows. Tidal currents velocities during the ebb tide were stronger than that of the flood tide. The comparision between the simulated and observed tidal ellipses showed fairly good agreement. The residual currents, which were obtained by averaging the simulated tidal currents over 1 tidal cycle, showed the presence of counterclockwise eddies in the central part of Jinhae Bay. Density driven currents were generated southward at surface and northward at the bottom in Masan Bay and Jindong Bay, where the fresh water of rivers entered. The material cycle model was calibrated with the data surveyed in the field of the study area from June to July, 1992. The calibrated results are in fairly good agreement with measured values within relative error of $28\%$. The simulated dissolved oxygen distributions of bottom layer were relatively high with the concentration of $6.0{\sim}8.0mg/l$ at the boundaries, but an oxygen deficient water-masses were formed within the concentration of 2.0mg/l at the inner part of Masan Bay and the western part of Jinhae Bay. The results of sensitivity analyses showed that sediment oxygen demand(SOD) was one of the most important influence on the formation of oxygen depletion. Therefore, to control the oxygen deficient water-masses and to conserve the coastal environment, it is an effective method to reduce the SOD by improving the polluted sediment. As the results of simulations, in Masan Bay, oxygen deficient water-masses recovered to 5.0mg/l when the $50\%$ reduction in input COD loads from Masan basin and $70\%$ reduction in SOD was conducted. In the western part of Jinhae Bay, oxygen deficient water-masses recovered to 5.0mg/l when the $95\%$ reduction in SOD and $90\%$ reduction in culturing ground fecal loads was conducted.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 1999

This study was carried out to examine the behavior of THM formation in water treated with chlorine dioxide where humic acid was used as THM precursor. THM was not detected in bromide-free water, but formed in water containing bromide. When 10 mg/l of chlorine dioxide was added to water containing 5 mg/l of humic acid and bromide respectively, 20.46 ${\mu}$g/l of THM was formed. It is postulated that chlorine dioxide oxidize bromide to hydrobromous acid, which subsequently reacted with humic acids similar to chlorine reaction. The formation of THM could be reduced at low pH. Among THM formed, CHBr$_3$ was the predominant species in the alkaline solution, while CHCl$_3$ in the acidic solution. A sample pretreated with chlorine dioxide for 24h before addition of chlorine showed a reduction of 75.1% in THM formation, compared with a sample not pretreated with chlorine dioxide and a sample treated by chlorine for 24h prior to addition of chlorine dioxide also showed a reduction of 37.8% in THM formation, compared with a sample not added with chlorine dioxide. It may explain that chlorine dioxide oxidizes directly a fraction of THM.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thinning on fine root biomass and vertical distribution. and litterfall amount in a 50 year old Pinus koraiensis plantation in Chuncheon, Kangwon Province. Fine root (< 2 mm in diameter) biomass ($367\;g/m^2$) in the site 'OC_75', thinning once in 1975, was 68% of those in the site 'CON', no thinning after planting, and in the site 'TC_00', thinning twice in 1975 and 2000. There were no significant differences of dead roots among treatments. Diameter $0{\sim}1\;mm$ roots were vertically decreased only in the TC_00 site. The litterfall was very similar between OC_75 ($5.2\;Mg\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$) and TC_00 ($4.7\;Mg\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$), but the composition of litterfall was different: The proportion of leaves and branches was 80% and 13% in OC_75 and 56% and 36% in TC_00, respectively. Reduction of P. koraiensis density by thinning decreased leaf litter as well as fine roots of P. koraiensis, but increased fine roots production by neighboring understory plants offset the reduction of fine roots of P. koraiensis. We suggest that belowground as well as aboveground responses, including both over- and understory vegetation, should be considered to measure the responses of trees in thinned forest ecosystems.