• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2007

Manganese dependent peroxidase (MnP) is the most ubiquitous enzyme produced by white-rot fungi, MnP is known to be involved in lignin degradation, biobleaching and oxidation of hazardous organopollutants. Bjerkandera fumosa is a nitrogen-unregulated white-rot fungus, which produces high amounts of MnP in the excess of N-nutrients due to increased biomass yield. The objective of this study was to optimize the MnP production in N-sufficient cultures by varying different physiological factors such as Mn concentration, culture pH, and incubation temperature. The growth of fungus was optimal in pH 4.5 at $30^{\circ}C$, $N_2$-unregulated white-rot fungus produces high amounts of MnP in the excess N-nutrients. The fungus produced the highest level of MnP (up to $1000U/{\ell}$) with $0.25g/{\ell}$ asparagine and $1g/{\ell}$ $NH_4Cl$ as N source at 1.5 mM $MnCl_2$ concentration, pH value of 4.5 at $30^{\circ}C$. Purification of MnP revealed the existence of two isoforms: MnPl and MnP2. The molecular masses of the purified MnPl and MnP2 were in the same range of 42~45 kDa. These isoforms of B. fumosa strictly require Mn to oxidize phenolic substrates. Concerned to kinetic constants of B. fumosa MnPs, B. fumosa has similar Km value and Vmax compared to the other white-rot fungi.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

Abstract: In order to improve the system for biological nitrogen oxidizing process in sewage and wastewater, a bacterium having high abilities to oxidize of nitrogen was isolated from wastewater and polluted soils. The strain was identified to Bacillus sp. CH-N, based on the physiological and biochemical properties. Characteristics and oxidizing ability of both ammonia and nitrite were examined for the strain, Bacillus sp. CH-N. The strain showed the oxidizing rate about 80% to 90% on the sewage and wastewater after 48 h culture. The nitrogen oxidizing rate was increased in proportion to the initial concentration of glucose. The microorganism, Bacillus sp. CH-N cell immobilized on ceramic carrier were evaluated for the oxidation of ammonia in culture media.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2008

Objectives : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$, superoxide anion radical $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities of Mori Fructus in ob/ob mice. Methods : Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Mori Fructus per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, anti-IKK-$\alpha$, anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2 and anti-iNOS respectively. Results : Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondria in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O2^-)$ were inhibited in the Mori Fructus-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they improved in the Mori Fructus-administered groups. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, IKK-$\alpha$, COX-2, iNOS genes, and thereby the activation of NF-$I{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : These results suggest that Mori Fructus is an effective $ONOO^-$, $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and NO scavenger, and therefore it might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.268-276
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• 2004

Objective : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$, formed from the reaction of $O_2^-$ and NO, is a cytotoxic species that can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. It has been implicated in the aging process and age-related disease such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate scavenging activities of $ONOO^-$ and its precursors. NO and $O_2^-$ and its scavenging mechanism using fluorescent probes, DCFDA, DAF-2 and DHR 123.. Methods : Psoralea corylifolia was crushed. The crushed Psoralea corylifolia was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressured using a rotary evaporator to yield 16g. This was done to investigate scavenging activities of $ONOO^-$, NO, $O_2^-$ and its scavenging mechanism using fluorescent probes, DCFDA, DAF-2 and DHR 123. Results : After Psoralea corylifolia was added authentic $ONOO^-,\;{\cdot}\;O_2^-$ and NO was markedly scavenged. Also, $ONOO^-$ induced by $O_2^-$ and NO (these derived from SIN-1) was inhibited. The data showed a decrease in $ONOO^-$ mediated nitration of tyrosine through electron donation after Psoralea corylifolia was added. Data showed a dose-dependent correlation with inhibition of nitration of bovine serum albumin induced by $ONOO^-$, Furtheremore, LPS-induced ROS and RNS generation was blocked. Conclusions: These results suggest potential for use of Psoralea corylifolia as an effective $ONOO^-$ scavenger to counter the aging process and age-related diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.271-280
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• 2001

We report on the applicability oj a method recently developed in our laboratory for measuring the antioxidant potential of isolated chemicals and extracts derived from natural products. Peroxyl radicals generated by thermal homolysis of 2,2'-azobis-amidinopropane (ABAP) oxidize $\alpha$-keto-${\gamma}$-methiolbutyric acid (KMBA) to ethylene, which is monitored by gas chromatography. Inhibition of ethylene formation in the presence of antioxidants that compete with KMBA for peroxyl radicals is the basis of the Total Oxyradical Scavenging Capacity Assay (TOSCA; Winston et al., 1998). Antioxidative activities of water-soluble extracts of American green tea, the anti-hepatotoxic flavonolignan from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) silybin, Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, and a series of naturally occuring sesquiterpene lactones (all ger-macranolides found in in fungi, liverworts, and plants) were studied. The specific TOSC value per $\mu$M silybin was 5.2, which is essentially comparable to that of Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$, a water-soluble vitamine E analog. Tea and Ginkgo extracts exhibited potent peroxyl radical scavenging capacity with values, respectively of =1700 and 1000 $\mu$mols Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$ equivalent per gram dry matter. The known anti-inflammatory activity of some germacranolides prompted study of their antioxidant capacity. None of the lactones exhibited antioxidant capacity toward peroxyl radicals comparable to Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$; costunilide, the most lipophilic, had a TOSC value = to glutathione. The potential role of peroxyl radicals in lipidperoxidation, other cellular damage, and var-ious disease states suggest a possible preventive role for silybin, green tea and Ginkgo biloba in oxidative stress caused by these free radical species.ecies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.716-721
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• 2005

The role of an effective microbial species is critical to the successful application of biological processes to remove sulfur compounds. A bacterial strain was isolated from the soil of a malodorous site and identified as Burkholderia spp. This isolate was able to oxidize thiosulfate to sulfate, with simultaneous pH decrease and accumulation of elemental sulfur. The specific growth rate and the sulfate oxidation rate using the thiosulfate basal medium were $0.003 h^{-1}\;and\;3.7 h^{-1}$, respectively. The isolated strain was mixotrophic, and supplementation of $0.2\%$ (w/v) of yeast extract to the thiosulfate-basal medium increased the specific growth rate by 50-fold. However, the rate of sulfate oxidation was more than ten times higher without yeast extract. The isolate grew best at pH 7.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, and the sulfate oxidation rate was the highest at 0.12 M sodium thiosulfate. In an upflow biofilter, the isolated strain was able to degrade $H_2S\;with\;88\%$ efficiency at 8 ppm and 121/h of incoming gas concentration and flow rate, respectively. The cell density at the bottom of the column reached $3.2{\times}10^8$ CFU/(g bead) at a gas flow rate of 121/h.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1221-1228
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• 2005

Carbon electrode was applied to a wastewater treatment system as biofilm media. The spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in aerobic wastewater biofilm grown on carbon electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and biomass measurement. Five volts of electric oxidation and reduction potential were charged to the carbon anode and cathode of the bioelectrochemical system, respectively, but were not charged to electrodes of a conventional system. To correlate the biofilm architecture of bacterial populations with their activity, the bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons was measured in the bioelectrochemical system and compared with that in the conventional system. In the SEM image, the biofilm on the anodic medium of the bioelectrochemical system looked intact and active; however, that on the carbon medium of the conventional system appeared to be shrinking or damaging. In the AFM image, the thickness of biofilm formed on the carbon medium was about two times of those on the anodic medium. The bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons in the bioelectrochemical system was about 1.5 times higher than that in the conventional system. Some denitrifying bacteria can metabolically oxidize $H_{2}$, coupled to reduction of $NO_{3}^{-}\;to\;N_{2}$. $H_{2}$ was produced from the cathode in the bioelectrochemical system by electrolysis of water but was not so in the conventional system. The denitrification efficiency was less than $22\%$ in the conventional system and more than $77\%$ in the bioelectrochemical system. From these results, we found that the electrochemical coupling reactions between aerobic and anaerobic reactors may be a useful tool for improvement of wastewater treatment and denitrification efficiency, without special manipulations such as bacterial growth condition control, C/N ratio (the ratio of carbon to nitrogen) control, MLSS returning, or biofilm refreshing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 2006

Artificial aggregates made by coal fly ash that is classified as an industrial by-product was tested to oxidize hydrogen sulfide under various testing conditions. For the determination of optimum condition for converting coal fly ash to aggregates, specimens were prepared by varying ratio of fly ash, cement, water content, and foaming agent. These specimens were tested to determine specific gravity, water absorption, and compressive strength. Specimens, which were used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide, were selected based on the measured specific gravity, water absorption, and compressive strength. Tests for hydrogen sulfide removal were performed via batch and column tests. Under the testing conditions used in this study, removal rates of hydrogen sulfide were linearly proportional to amounts of coal fly ash, and further increased when water was added.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.210-215
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• 2018

Coal seam gas (CSG) water, to be discharged, has been usually treated in reverse osmosis (RO) plants which require extensive and expensive pre-treatment. However, current low gas prices have been a great driver for relevant industries to seek for alternative cost-effective technologies in the aspect of its beneficial use and fit-for-purpose usable water production. In this paper, a combined system with a two-stage pore control fiber (PCF) filtration and a RO system was designed and tested for CSG water treatment. Also, a coagulation reactor was placed in front of the PCF to further enhance suspended solid removal. More than 99% of SS were removed through the PCF filtration while organic, total nitrogen and total phosphorous were mostly removed by the RO system. Especially along with a decrease in conductivity, the total dissolved solid derived from salts was mainly removed in the RO system. Having $OH^-$ undetected, $HCO_3{^-}$ was found to be a dominant compound and its removal efficiency was 97-98% after the RO treatment. And a Fe(III) type of Polytetsu, which was the first to be tested in this paper, was found to be a better option than a Al(III) type of Poly Aluminium Chloride due to its greater coagulation efficiency and applicability at a broader range of pH than the Al(III) type. In addition, there was no noticeable change in oxidation reduction potential, suggesting that an additional process is required to oxidize non-ionic organic carbons (detected as total organic carbon).

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2003

A study has been done on the separation of iodide from spent pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuels and its quantitative determination using ion chromatography. Spent PWR fuels were dissolved with mixed acid of nitric and hydrochloric acids (80 : 20 molL%) which can oxidize iodide to iodate to prevent it from be vaporized. After reducing ${IO_3}^-$ ­to $I_2$ in 2.5 M $HNO_3$ with $NH_2OH{\cdot}HCl$, Iodine was selectively separated from actinides and all other fission products with carbontetrachloride and back-extracted with 0.1 M $NaHSO_3$. Recovered iodide was determined using the ion chromatograph of which the column was installed in a glove box for the analysis of radioactive materials. In practice, spent PWR fuel with 42,000~44,000 MWd/MtU was analyzed and its quantity was compared to that calculated by burnup code, ORIGEN2. The agreement was achieved with a deviation of -8.3~-0.5% from the ORIGEN 2 data, $324.5{\sim}343.6{\mu}g/g$.