• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1970

Five samples of Korean native Maeju(fermented soy-bean mash) loaves which were collected each from Kyunggi, Chungchung, Kangwon, Cholla and Kyungsang-Do were examined for their fermenting microorganisms. The results of taxonomic and ecological studies of fermentation microorganisms in these Maeju loaves were as the fellows. (1) The fungus flora grew only is the outer layer of Maeju loaves. Miscellaneous molds, 3 species of Mucor, 2 species of Pericallium., one species each of Scopulariopsis and Aspergillus, were isolated. None of them seemed exclusively predominant to be able to designate as the ecologically significant. (2) The bacterial flora which consisted of two species, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus were distributed uniformly in th a entire Maeju loaves. The inner parts of Maeju loaves were especially inhabited solely by these bacterial flora. Probably the Korean native Maeju fermentation could be characterized by these bacterial flora. A Staphylococcus species was also isolated probably as a casual contaminant. (3) The yeasts, Rhodotorula flava and Torulopsis dattila, were isolated from Maeju loaves though their ecological significance was not clear. (4) The ecological aspects of fermentation microbes in the outer and inner parts of Maeju loaves were apparently different, consequently different fermentation processes might have occurred in these two parts and it brought quite different final outlooks in the final matured Maeju loaves. The outer part, rather rigid and dry, retained the light brown color of boiled soy-bean; whereas the inner part, soft and sticky, showed dark brown color indicating severe chemical changes. (5) The aflatoxin producing mold, Aspergillus oryzae was isolated from one sample among 5 of Maeju loaves. In addition to the low probability of isolability from Maeju loaves samples, since this mold grew only in the outer layer of Maeju loaves with such a low population density, about $10^4/g$, perhaps the aflatoxin problem in Korean native soysauce may not be critical.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.274-284
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• 2013

This study presents a survey on the bryophytes in Dongbaek-dongsan located at Seonheul Gotjawal on the north-eastern face of Mt. Halla in Jeju Island, Korea. A total of 85 taxa belonging to the Bryophyta (22 families 44 genera 62 species), Marchantiophyta (12 families 16 genera 23 species) were found. Among them, 3 moss species, Diphyscium perminutum Takaki, Racomitrium japonicum Dozy & Molk., and Isopterygium minutirameum (M$\ddot{u}$. Hal.) A. Jaeger. were new additions to the bryophyte flora of Korea. The liverwort index was 27.0%. Predominant life-form was weft. The rates for the bryophytes dominating in mesic to hygric sites were higher than for the bryophytes mainly observed in xeric habitats. We considered that the composition and distribution of species are affected by the different environmental factors according to the evergreen broad-leaved forests, wetlands and exposed spaces. Moreover, the rocks were the substrate type that play a major role in providing the micro-habitats for bryophytes in this area. Particularly, the bryophytes of swamps in this area were very unique and various for its limited space and showed plant communities with mosaic spatial pattern, along with vascular plants. We suggest more detailed and comprehensive studies on the swamps where endemic fern Mankyua chejuense B. -Y. Sun, M. H. Kim & C. H. Kim inhabits to provide valuable information for the conservation and restoration of the species and habitats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.387-392
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented spent mushroom substrate (FSMS) on growth performance, blood profile, intestinal microflora and ammonia gas production of feces in broiler chickens. A total of three hundred sixty, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 20 birds each. The treatments were control (free FSMS), 15% FSMS (basal diet with 15% FSMS) and 30% FSMS (basal diet with 30% FSMS). The final body weight and body weight gains were slightly improved in 30% FSMS than control (P<0.05). Feed intake and feed conversion were significantly improved as compared to those of the control groups. The Leukocytes of blood serum in FSMS groups were significantly decreased as compared to those of control groups. There are no significant differences among the groups in the contents of albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (TCHO), glucose (GLU), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood serum. The content of total glucose (TG) in 30% FSMS containing dietary groups was significantly decreased as compared to that of the control groups. The content of HDLC in 30% FSMS containing dietary groups was significantly increased as compared to that of the control group. The number of lactobacillus in the intestinal microflora were significantly increased in chicks fed FSMS groups. The ammonia gas production in FSMS groups was siginificantly decreased as compard to that the control groups. These results indicated that dietary FSMS exerted growth performance for feeding broiler.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2000

A study was carried out to determine the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus reuteri BSA-131 by investigating the growth performance and fecal microbial population of piglets. Five dietary treatment groups, the basal diet (control, BD), basal diet with antibiotics(BA), basal diet with 2$\times$106/g of probiotics (BP6), 2$\times$108/g of probiotics (BP8) and basal diet with antibiotics and 2$\times$108/g probiot-ics(BAP8) were divised. Each dietary treatment group was consisted of 1 month of age piglets(male 13, female 12). Fecal micro-flora, body weights and feed consumption were measured at before, after and stop feeding of probiotics. The results showed that the CFU of fecal Enterobacteriaceae of piglets of the group BA, BP6, BP8 and BAP8, were reduced (P<0.05) compared to control BA. On the contrary, Lactobacillus counts were increased significan시 (P<0.001) in all groups fed probiotics dites, but not antibiotics. Body weight of probiotics treated piglets were improved 5% (p<0.001) in BP6 group than that of control group and antibiotic treated piglets BAP group was 27% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The amount of feed consumption value of probiotics treated piglets showed 21-30% (P<0.001) lower intake than the control group, whereas antibiotic treated piglets BAP was 20% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The results showed that body weights and feed to gain ratios were improves 19% when compared to control piglets for groups fed diets probiotic. It is very suggestive that productivity of probiotic piglets would be economical in pig farming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1109-1114
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• 2008

To understand the role of intestinal microflora in the biological effect of functional herbs, which have been used in Korea, Japan, and China as traditional medicines, and suggest new bioactive compounds transformed from herbal constituents, the metabolic activities of the functional herb components (ginsenoside Rb1, crocin, amygdalin, geniposide, puerarin, ginsenoside Re, poncirin, hesperidin, glycyrrhizin, and baicalin) toward their bioactive compounds (compound K, crocetin, benzaldehyde, genipin, daidzein, ginsenoside Rh1, ponciretin, hesperetin, 18b-glycyrrhetic acid, and baicalein) were measured in fecal specimens. The metabolic activities of these components were $882.7{\pm}814.5$, $3,938.1{\pm}2,700.8$, $2,375.5{\pm}913.7$, $1,179.4{\pm}795.7$, $24.6{\pm}10.5$, $11.4{\pm}10.8$, $578.8{\pm}206.1$, $1,150.0{\pm}266.1$, $47.3{\pm}58.6$, and $12,253.0{\pm}6,527.6\;{\mu}mol/h/g$, respectively. No differences were found in the metabolic activities of the tested components between males and females, although these metabolic activities between individuals are extensively different. The metabolites of functional herb components showed more potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells than nonmetabolites. These findings suggest that intestinal microflora may activate the pharmacological effect of herbal food and medicines and must be the biocatalytic converter for the transformation of herbal components to bioactive compounds.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2001

In recent years, colon cancer has been reported to be one of the most important causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in Korea. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used to ferment dairy products inhibits colon carcinogenesis. The present study was designed to determine whether the colon cancer inhibitory effect of LAB (Bifidobacterium longum Hy8001; Bif and Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2l04; Lac) of Korean origin, is associated with intestinal microflora composition and certain enzyme activity in rats treated with azoxymethane (AOM). At five weeks of age, SD rats were divided at random into four (AOM alone, Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac) groups. Oral administration of lactic acid bacteria cultures were performed daily until the termination of the study. Two weeks later all animals were given a subcutaneous injection of AOM dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight once weekly for 2 weeks. Every two weeks for 10 weeks, five of the rats in each group were randomly chosen for fecal specimen collection. The fecal specimens were used for assay of $\beta$-glucuronidase and nitroreductase, and analysis of intestinal microflora composition. The activity of $\beta$-glucuronidase which plays an important role in the production of the carcinogenic metabolite of azoxymethane was remarkably increased in the AOM alone group after AOM injection and maintained the high level during the experiment. However, LAB inhibited the AOM-induced increase in $\beta$-glucuronidase activity. Nitroreductase activity decreased by 30-40% in LAB treated groups in comparison with that of the AOM alone group. The results of the present study suggest that LAB inhibits colon carcinogenesis by modulating the metabolic activity of intestinal micro-flora and improving the composition of intestinal microflora.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.61-80
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• 2013

Quantification of viable forms of microbial community (bacteria and fungi) using culture-dependent methods was done in order to characterize the indoor air quality (IAQ). Role of those factors, which may influence the concentration of viable counts of bacteria and fungi, like ventilation, occupancy, outdoor concentration and environmental parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were also determined. Volumetric-infiltration sampling technique was employed to collect air samples both inside and outside the schools. As regard of measurements of airborne viable culturable microflora of schools during one academic year, the level of TVMCs in school buildings was ranged between 803-5368 cfu/$m^3$. Viable counts of bacteria (VBCs) were constituted 63.7% of the mean total viable microbial counts where as viable counts of fungi (VFCs) formed 36.3% of the total. Mean a total viable microbial count (TVMCs) in three schools was 2491 cfu/$m^3$. Outdoor level of TVMCs was varied from 736-5855 cfu/$m^3$. Maximum and minimum VBCs were 3678-286 cfu/m3 respectively. Culturable fungal counts were ranged from 268-2089 cfu/$m^3$ in three schools. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was indicated that indoor concentration of viable community reliant upon outdoor concentration. Temperature seemed to have a large effect (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) on the concentration of viable culturable microbial community rather than relative humidity. Consistent with the analysis and findings, the concentration of viable cultural counts of bacteria and fungi found indoors, were of several orders of magnitude, depending upon the potential of local, spatial and temporal factors, IO ratio appeared as a crucial indicator to identify the source of microbial contaminants.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 2015

We studied the effects of the proprietary prebiotic Immunogen$^{(R)}$ on the growth, hematology and gut microbiota of common carp fingerlings. A basal diet was formulated using common feed ingredients and supplemented with Immunogen$^{(R)}$ at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20 and $40g\;kg^{-1}$, each of which was tested experimentally on replicated groups of fish. The trials ran for 8 weeks. Common carp fingerlings with an initial weight of $4.82{\pm}0.05g$ were randomly distributed among the experimental tanks at a stocking density of 25 fish per tank. The experimental diets were provided thrice per day; on each occasion the fingerlings were given a weight of feed that amounted to 4% of fish biomass. At the end of the experimental period, we determined the growth performance, feed conversion ratio, hematological parameters, body composition and gut micro-flora parameters of the test fish. Inclusion of $5g\;kg^{-1}$Immunogen$^{(R)}$ in the diet significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization in comparison with controls. However, the whole-body composition of the fish was not significantly influenced by prebiotic inclusion. Inclusion of $5g\;kg^{-1}$ Immunogen$^{(R)}$ significantly increased the total bacterial and Lactobacillus counts in fish intestines, but these bacterial parameters were significantly negatively impacted by higher concentrations of the prebiotic. Red blood cells counts were increased by prebiotic dietary supplementation at concentrations of 5 and $10g\;kg^{-1}$ prebiotic. Glucose and cholesterol levels were elevated by administration of Immunogen$^{(R)}$. Thus, dietary supplementation with $5g\;kg^{-1}$ Immunogen$^{(R)}$ improved fingerling common carp growth performance and feed utilization, and beneficially influenced the gut microflora

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3_4
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• pp.29-36
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• 1990

Aflatoxins, produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, can be found worldwide in corn, barley, peanuts, and other commodities. Among this group of toxins, aflatoxin B$_1$was realized to be one of the most potent environmental carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens. It is routinely monitored by methods such as thin layer chromatography, liquid chromatography, fluorodensitometric technique and radioimmunoassay. However, these assays are expensive, necessitate radioactive reagents, and require overnight incubation. In this study, the determination of fungal flora in several sorts cereals has been carried out in order to obtain an appropriate information of the population of fungi. The quantitative analysis of aflatoxin B$_1$has been carried out by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results were summarized as follow: 1) From the 100 samples,313 colonies of fungi were isolated. Among the 313 colonies, 274 were possible to identify into 11 genera. The identified genera were Aspergillus Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Cladosorium, Fusarium, Circinella, Chrysosporium, Paecilomyces and Phoma. 2) Six of Aspergillus flavus were aflatoxin-producing strains. Aspergillus flavus isolated from sample barleys was contained the highest content (21.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) of aflatoxin B$_1$. 3) The yield of aflatoxin B$_1$-oxime compound was appromately 75%. Aflatoxin B$_1$-oxime-Human serum albumin was approved by formal consent as complete antigen. 4) Direct competitive ELISA permitted detection of 0.15 ng levels. In the quantitative microanalysis, ELISA was superior to HPLC method.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1988

Research was conducted to obtain easy and secure methods for promoting germination of Korean lawngrass (Zoysia japonic a Steud.) seed. The effect of sodium hypochiorite (NaOCl) treatment on germination of seeds was compared with that of potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment under conditions of duration of seed storage after harvest and temperature of treatment. Emergence of seedlings from soil and micro-flora infection rate among seed treatments were investigated. 1. The promotion of germination was much more evident in seeds treated with 4% NaOCl for 8 and 10 hours than in seeds treated with 25% or 30% KOH for 30 and 40 minutes. Longer durations of storage before seed treatment in KOH than in NaOCl were required to initiate enough germination. 2. Differences in temperature of treatment with NaOCT did not have much influence on germination of seeds and treatment temperature of 15˚C was better than that of 200˚C and 300˚C for promoting germination. But seed treatment with KOH significantly promoted germination with increasing temperature of treatment from I 5˚C to 20˚C and 30˚C. 3. GA$_3$ treatment enhanced germination in NaOCl-pretreated seeds at early stage of imbibition and in-creased about 10% germination after 10 days of imbibition in KOH-pretreated seeds. 4. NaOC1 treatments significantly decreased the rate of the infection of microflora in seed samples and enhaced emergence of seedlings from soil compared with KOH treatment. 5. NaOC1 treatment had advantage over KOH treatment with respect to ease of preparing, securing and handling in stimulating germinating of Korean lawngrass seeds.