• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.34-45
• /
• 2016

Global warming and climate change have been caused by combustion of fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases contributed to the rise of temperature between $0.6^{\circ}C$ and $0.9^{\circ}C$ over the past century. Presently, fossil fuels account for about 88% of the commercial energy sources used. In developing countries, fossil fuels are a very attractive energy source because they are available and relatively inexpensive. The environmental problems with fossil fuels have been aggravating stress from already existing factors including acid deposition, urban air pollution, and climate change. In order to control greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, fossil fuels must be replaced by eco-friendly fuels such as biomass. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly necessary. The biomass resources are the most common form of renewable energy. The conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common form of converted biomass is pellet fuels as biofuels made from compressed organic matter or biomass. Pellets from lignocellulosic biomass has compared to conventional fuels with a relatively low bulk and energy density and a low degree of homogeneity. Thermal pretreatment technology like torrefaction is applied to improve fuel efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, i.e., less moisture and oxygen in the product, preferrable grinding properties, storage properties, etc.. During torrefacton, lignocelluosic biomass such as palm kernell shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) was roasted under an oxygen-depleted enviroment at temperature between 200 and $300^{\circ}C$. Low degree of thermal treatment led to the removal of moisture and low molecular volatile matters with low O/C and H/C elemental ratios. The mechanical characteristics of torrefied biomass have also been altered to a brittle and partly hydrophobic materials. Unfortunately, it was much harder to form pellets from torrefied PKS and EFB due to thermal degradation of lignin as a natural binder during torrefaction compared to non-torrefied ones. For easy pelletization of biomass with torrefaction, pellets from PKS and EFB were manufactured before torrefaction, and thereafter they were torrefied at different temperature. Even after torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, their appearance was well preserved with better fuel efficiency than non-torrefied ones. The physical properties of the torrefied pellets largely depended on the torrefaction condition such as reaction time and reaction temperature. Temperature over $250^{\circ}C$ during torrefaction gave a significant impact on the fuel properties of the pellets. In particular, torrefied EFB pellets displayed much faster development of the fuel properties than did torrefied PKS pellets. During torrefaction, extensive carbonization with the increase of fixed carbons, the behavior of thermal degradation of torrefied biomass became significantly different according to the increase of torrefaction temperature. In conclusion, pelletization of PKS and EFB before torrefaction made it much easier to proceed with torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, leading to excellent eco-friendly fuels.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.35-63
• /
• 1989

Geochemical characteristics of the Guryongsan (Ogcheon) uraniferous black slate show that this is an analogue to the conventional Chattanooga and Alum shales in occurrences. Whereas, its highest enrichment ratio in metals including uranium, among others, is explained by the cyclic sedimentation of the black muds and quartz-rich silts, and the uniform depositional condition with some what higher pH condition compared to the conditions of the known occurrences. The cyclic sedimentation, caused by the periodic open and close of the silled basin, has brought about the flush-out) of the uranium depleted water and the recharge with the new metal-rich sea water, which consequently contributed to the high concentration of metals in mud. The metal-rich marine black muds, which mostly occur in the early to middle Palaeozoic times, is attributed by the geologic conditions which related to the atmospheric oxygen contents, and these are scarcely met in the late Precambrian and/or with the onset of Palaeozoic era in the geologic evolution of the earth.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.236-243
• /
• 2017

In the present study, 70% ethanol extract, the ethyl acetate fraction were prepared from citron (Citrus junos)seed and their antioxidative ability was evaluated. The yields of extract and fractions were 5.1 and 0.9% per dried powder, respectively. In the 1,1-Phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical test, free radical scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of 70 % ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction were 512.1 and $514.0{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Evaluation of total antioxidant capacities ($OSC_{50}$) using $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA system. Their $OSC_{50}$ of ethyl acetate fraction were $86.5{\mu}g/mL$. this antioxidant capacities higher than that of 70% ethanol extract. but lower than that of L-ascorbic acid ($1.72{\mu}g/mL$), known as a prominent water soluble antioxidant. The cellular protective effects on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of rabbit erythrocytes were evaluated and the results showed that the extract was lower than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol and low concentration of ethyl acetate fraction was similar to (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol. but not at high concentrations of ethtyl acetate fraction. it was able to induce cellular damage at high concentration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2008

Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated and an increase of CRP is more exaggerated in the acute exacerbation form of COPD (AECOPD) than in stable COPD. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common complication of COPD. An increased level of CRP is known to be associated with the risk of systemic cardio-vascular disorders. However, few findings are available on the potential role of CRP in pulmonary arterial hypertension due to COPD. Methods: This study was performed prospectively and the study population was composed of 72 patients that were hospitalized due to AECOPD. After receiving acute management for AECOPD, serum CRP levels were evaluated, arterial oxygen pressure ($PaO_2$), was measured, and the existence of pulmonary arterial hypertension under room air inhalation was determined in the patients. Results: The number of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension was 47 (65.3%)., There was an increased prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and an increase of serum CRP levels in patients with the higher stages of COPD (e.g., patients with stage 3 and stage 4 disease; P<0.05). The mean serum CRP levels of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension were $37.6{\pm}7.4mg/L$ and $19.9{\pm}6.6mg/L$, respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of the mean values of $PaO_2$ between patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension statistically ($77.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ versus $87.2{\pm}6.0mmHg). Conclusion: We conclude that higher serum levels of CRP can be a sign for pulmonary arterial hypertension in AECOPD patients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.517-527
• /
• 2018

The current study investigated in vitro anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction in Actinidia arguta sprouts (EFAS), on $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma MC-IXC cells. EFAS had high total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. An assessment of 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity of EFAS, as well as its potential for inhibiting malondialdehyde production, indicated that EFAS may possess significant antioxidant properties. EFAS exerted inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ via glycemic regulation which forms advanced glycation end products. In addition, EFAS exhibited significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Moreover, EFAS displayed protective effects against $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cell death, and inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in MC-IXC cells. Finally, the main physiological compound of EFAS was identified via high performance liquid chromatography as a rutin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.423-430
• /
• 2014

In this study, the antioxidative effects for the extracts of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) were investigated. The purple sweet potato was extracted with 70% ethanol and the ethyl acetate fraction was obtained from the extracts. The yields of extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 39.2% and 3.49% per dried powder, respectively. To confirm the antioxidative effects of the extracts, free radical scavenging activities (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), total antioxidant capacity by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay and the protective effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in erythrocytes were measured. Free radical scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were $90.16{\mu}g/mL$ and $7.69{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate fraction was higher than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($8.98{\mu}g/mL$). Total antioxidant capacities ($OSC_{50}$) of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were $5.75{\mu}g/mL$ and $1.92{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The capacity of ethyl acetate fraction was similar to L-ascorbic acid, known as a prominent water soluble antioxidant ($1.50{\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of the ethyl acetate fractions on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes were increased in a concentration dependent manner ($5{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$). The ${\tau}_{50}$ value in $5{\mu}g/mL$ was 45.6 min which was higher than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol in all concentrations. These results indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction of purple sweet potato (I. batatas) has the excellent antioxidative capacity and could be applicable to anti-aging cosmeceutical ingredients for skin aging inhibition.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.878-895
• /
• 1999

Ischemic preconditioing (IPC), i.e., a preliminary brief episode of ischemia and reperfusion, has been shown to reduce the cell damage induced by long ischemia and reperfusion. Superoxide radical which is produced during reperfusion after ischemia was recognized as a factor of the ischemic injury and it is dismutated into $H_2O_2$ and $O_2$ by two types of intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu,Zn-SOD in cytoplasm and Mn-SOD in mitochondria. Recently oxygen free radicals are suggested to induce the apoptosis, however mechanism of the reduced apoptosis by ischemic preconditioing was unknown, while many studies performed in mammalian heart indicated that ATP-sensitive $K^+$ ($K_{APT}$) channel activation related with the protective effects. The aim of present study is to investigate 1) whether IP upregulate the Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities, and 2) whether ischemic preconditioning decreases apoptosis via $K_{APT}$ channel activation in timely reperfused skeletal muscle after long ishemia. The experimental animals, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250~300g, were divided into 8 groups; 1) control group, 2) ischemic preconditioning only groups, 3) pinacidil, a $K_{APT}$ channel opener, treatment only groups, 4) glibenclamide, a $K_{APT}$ channel blocker, treatment only groups, 5) ischemia groups, 6) ischemia after IPC groups, 7) ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups, and 8) IP and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment groups. Animals of the control group were administered with the vehicle (DMSO) alone. Pinacidil (1mg/kg) was administered intravenously 5 minutes after initiation of ischemia, and glibenclamide (0.5mg/kg) was injected intravenously 20 minutes before IPC. In rats that were ischemic preconditioned, the left common iliac artery was occluded for 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion by three times using vascular clamp. Ischemia was done by occlusion of the same artery for 4 hours. The specimens of left rectus femoris muscle were obtained immediately (0 hour), 12 hours, 24 hours after drug administrations, IP or ischemia and reperfusion. The immunoreactivities of SOD and its alterations were observed by use of sheep antihuman Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD antibodies on the $10{\mu}m$ cryosections. The incidencies of apoptosis were observed by TUNEL methods with in situ apoptosis detection kit on $6{\mu}m$ paraffine section. The results obtained were as follows : 1. After IPC, immunoreactivities of Cu,Zn-SOD mainly in the small-sized fibers were increased by 24 hours, that of Mn-SOD at 0 hour and 24 hours. 2. No significant changes in immunoreactivities of SOD was observed in the pinacidil and in the glibenclamide treatment only groups, and in the ischemia only groups. 3. The immunoreactivities of the Cu,Zn-SOD were increased in the ischemia after IPC groups and the ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups. 4. The immunoreactivities of the Cu,Zn-SOD in the IPC and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment groups were not increased except for the 12 hours reperfusion group. But, Mn-SOD immunoreactivities were increased in the 0 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after reperfusion. 5. In the control group, the IPC only groups, and the pinacidil treatment only groups, negative or trace apoptotic reactions were observed, but the positive apoptotic reaction occured in the glibenclamide treatment groups. 6. Moderate or many number of apoptosis were revealed in the ischemia groups, and also the IPC and ischemia after glibenclamide pretreatment group except for 12 hours and 24 hours after reperfusion. However, the incidence of apoptosis was decreased in the ischemia after IPC groups and in the ischemia and pinacidil treatment groups. 7. There is a coincidence between the increase of Cu,Zn-SOD immunoreactivities and the decrease of apoptosis in the presence of ischemia and reperfusion. These results suggest that the protective effects of ishemic preconditioing may related to the SOD activation, and the ischemic preconditioning decreases the apoptosis partially via $K_{APT}$ channel activation in timely reperfused rat skeletal muscle. It is also suggested that inhibition of apoptosis by IPC may related with the SOD activation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.1 s.106
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2004

We investigated the effect of physicochemical environmental factors on the community dynamics of phytoplanktons and bacteria at the Hoeya Dam Reservoir, a drinking water reservoir for Ulsan city. Water samples were collected and analyzed every two to four weeks at three sites along the reservoir from April to October, 2001. During the study period, the Secchi depths were between 0.4 and 3.5 m. At the surface layer of water column, temperature ranged 10.2 ~ $32.0^{\circ}C$, pH 7.3${\sim}$9.6, dissolved oxygen 5.5 ${\sim}$ 12.4 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 5.0 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.7 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 8.9 ${\sim}$ 60.9 mg $m^{-3}$. At the bottom layer, temperature varied 7.2 ${\sim}$ $28.9^{\circ}C$, pH 7.1 ${\sim}$ 9.3, dissolved oxygen 0.6 ${\sim}$ 9.7 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 4.5 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.9 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 4.3 ${\sim}$ 81.9 mg $m^{-3}$. The numbers of phytoplanktons were 7.4${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.6{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at surface and 2.5${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.4{\pm}10^4$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at bottom, and were positively correlated with water temperature and Chl- a concentration. Genus Stephanodiscus and genus Oscillatoria dominated on April and on May, respectively. Cyanobacterial blooms of Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, Anabaena were observed from June to early September, and thereafter Stephanodiscus and Aulacoseiral dominated again. Total microbial counts ranged 1.73${\pm}10^4{\sim}1.68{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with water temperature and phytoplankton counts at surface water. Heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) ranged 30${\sim}4.1{\pm}10^3$ CFU $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with $BOD_5$ and $NO^3\;^-$-N concentration at bottom water. Unlike the total microbial counts, the numbers of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci as well as HPCs were higher at the bottom than the surface layer and were highest at the upper a site among the three sampling sites. Since the concentrations of fecal coliforms and streptococci were still high at the bottom of site c, where intake for water treatment plant is located, it appeared that special management of water treatment processes may be needed especially after strong rainfall.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2000.04a
• /
• pp.51-52
• /
• 2000

생물공정의 운전에 있어서 적절한 공정변수가 부족한 경우가 많다. 이것은 멸균과정을 견딜 수 있는 신뢰성 높은 센서가 부족하기 때문이다[1]. 생물공정에 주로 사용되는 센서로서는 온도, pH, D.O., rpm, viscosoty 등이 있으나 이 센서들은 배양액의 물리적 혹은 화학적 상태를 측정할 수 있는 경우가 대부분이다[2]. 미생물의 대사활동과 관련이 있는 공정 변수로는 배출가스의 성분을 측정하여 얻을 수 있는 Oxygen uptake rate, Carbon dioxide evolution rate 및 Respiratory quotient가 있으며 현재 생물공정의 운전에 사용되고 있다[3]. 그러나 반복적인 센서의 보정과 연결관의 잦은 청소 및 보수를 필요로 하여 제한적으로 사용되고있는 실정이다. 자동화된 습식분석장치, Gas chromatograph, High Performace Liquid Chromatograph 혹은 Mass spectrophtometry 등을 온라인 샘플 처리장치와 연결하여 발효조의 배양액의 성분을 온라인으로 분석하고 공정의 운전에 응용하는 사례가 많이 발표되었다[4-6]. 고가의 장비 및 운전의 번거러움이나 추가적인 인력이 필요하므로 역시 특별한 경우에만 사용되고 있다. 이외에도 여러 종류의 온라인 센서 및 바이오 센서등이 개발되어 사용되고 있으나 역시 그 사용범위는 특수한 영역에 한정되어있다. 이와 같이 새로운 센서를 개발하여 공정변수를 측정하려는 시도중의 하나가 소프트웨어 센서의 개발이다. 이 것은 공정상에서 발생하는 1차 공정변수를 이용하여 배양액의 상태 혹은 2차적인 공정 변수를 추측해내는 것이다. 대부분의 경우 기존의 공정 변수를 사용하므로 추가적인 비용이 들지 않고 소프트웨어의 형태로 구현되므로 센서의 보정과 설치 및 유지관리의 노력이 매우 적은 장점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 생물공정에서 자동제어 과정에서 발생하는 여러 가지 공정상의 제어 신호로부터 새로운 공정 변수를 얻어내고자 시도하였다. 대부분의 생물공정에서는 pH의 자동제어가 필수적인데 자동제어 과정에서 발생하는 pH 제어 신호 및 pH의 변화 응답신호를 이용하여 배지의 완충용량의 변화와 알칼리의 소비속도를 온라인으로 측정할 수 있었다. 여기에 인공지능망을 설계하여 균체의 량을 온라인으로 추정하는 방법을 개발하였다 [7].산업용 발효조의 운전 온도는 주로 냉각수의 단속적인 공급에 의하여 항상 일정하게 조절된다. 따라서 냉각수의 냉각량을 측정하면 미생물의 배양시 발생하는 대사열량을 측정할 수 있게 된다. 본 연구에서는 실험실의 발효조를 냉각수의 단속적인 공급에 의하여 자동온도 조절이 되도록 개조하고 여기에 냉각수의 유출입 지점에 온도센서를 부착하여 냉각수의 온도를 측정하고 냉각수의 공급량과 대기의 온도 등을 측정하여 대사열의 발생을 추정할 수 있었다. 동시에 이를 이용하여 유가배양시 기질을 공급하는 공정변수로 사용하였다 [8]. 생물학적인 폐수처리장치인 활성 슬러지법에서 미생물의 활성을 측정하는 방법은 아직 그다지 개발되어있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 슬러지의 주 구성원이 미생물인 점에 착안하여 침전시 슬러지층과 상등액의 온도차를 측정하여 대사열량의 발생량을 측정하고 슬러지의 활성을 측정할 수 있는 방법을 개발하였다.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.417-425
• /
• 2009

The potential utility of fish scales to the functional food industry has been investigated due to its antioxidant and antihypertensive characteristics. In this study, we report on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of gelatin hydrolysates processed from Branchiostegus japonicus scales, which are also high in protein content (about 46.1%). We prepared the enzymatic gelatin hydrolysates with four proteases (${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin, Alcalase, Neutrase and trypsin) from B. japonicus scale gelatin, which was prepared according to different reaction times, substrate/enzyme ratios and substrate concentrations. The enzymatic hydrolytic degrees of the gelatin increased time-dependently up to 6 hrs, while the Alcalase gelatin hydrolysates showed the highest hydrolysis degrees compared to the others. Furthermore, gelatin hydrolysates of Neutrase and ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin showed the highest DPPH radical and $H_2O_2$ scavenging activities ($IC_{50}$ value; 9.18 mg/mL and 9.74 mg/mL), respectively. However, the activities were not significant (P<0.05). We also observed that the four gelatin hydrolysates significantly increased ACE inhibitory activities from approximately 20% to 60% (P<0.05), Among them, the Alcalase gelatin hydrolysates showed the higher ACE inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}$ value; 0.73 mg/mL) compared to the others. These results suggest that the enzymatic gelatin hydrolysates prepared from B. japonicus scales may possess a potentially useful function as an ACE inhibitory agent. As such, the utility of B. japonicus scales should be given due consideration for application in the functional food industry.