• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2012

Bioaerosols generated from composting facilities and landfills may create health risks for workers and nearby residents. To determine the levels of culturable airborne bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols, samples were seasonally collected at a composting facility and a landfill in Ulsan, Korea with an impaction-type sampler. Concentrations of heterotrophic bacteria averaged (in $MPN/m^3$) $6.5{\times}10^3$ (range $1.5{\times}10^2-1.5{\times}10^4$) in the composting facility and $3.9{\times}10^3$ (range $6.0{\times}10^1-9.3{\times}10^3$) at the entrance of the facility. These concentrations were 460 and 280 times higher than those of reference sites. Coliform bacteria were detected both inside and entrance of the facility. On the landfill, heterotrophic bacterial concentrations averaged (in $MPN/m^3$) $4.9{\times}10^2$ (range $1.7{\times}10^2-1.0{\times}10^3$), while they averaged $3.7{\times}10^2$ (range $4.8{\times}10^1-1.3{\times}10^3$) at the parking lot of the landfill. These concentrations were 35 and 26 times higher than those of reference sites. When we isolated and tentatively identified heterotrophic bacteria, Pseudomonas luteola was the most dominant species in bioaerosols from the composting facility, whereas the most abundant one in reference samples was Micrococcus sp. Average concentrations of airborne fungi were measured between $4.8{\times}10^2$ and $7.9{\times}10^2\;MPN/m^3$ depending on sites, which were 2.1-3.4 times higher compared to those of reference sites. While Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Penicillium were commonly identified fungal genera, genus Aspergillus was identified only in bioaerosols from the composting facility.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.157-163
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• 2019

This study aimed to assess the incidence and distribution of toxigenic fungi in Korean oat. Toxigenic fungi were isolated from oat samples collected from 12 oat fields from heading to harvest in 2017 and 2018. A total of 745 fungal colonies were isolated based on morphology and identified using marker genes. About 92% of the fungal isolates were Fusarium spp. and others were Penicillium (5.9%) and Aspergillus (2.1%). Fusarium isolates comprised mostly of F. asiaticum (83.1%), followed by F. incarnatum (5.4%), F. proliferatum (3.5%), F. fujikuroi (2.8%), F. tricinctum species complex (FTSC) 11 (1.5%) and F. graminearum (1.0%). About 97% of F. asiaticum was nivalenol type, and 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3.2%) and 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol (0.4%) types also were found. Pathogenicity test of the selected Fusarium isolates revealed that F. asiaticum isolates have a wide range of virulence depending on the tested plants. F. graminearum and FTSC 11 isolates from blighted spikelets were the most virulent in naked oat. All Fusarium isolates (n=18) except one (FTSC 11) produced nivalenol (0.2-7.6 ㎍/g), deoxynivalenol (0.03-6.1 ㎍/g), and zearalenone (0.1-27.0 ㎍/g) on rice medium. This study is first report that F. asiaticum causes Fusarium head blight disease of oat in Korea. These findings demonstrate the dominance of F. asiaticum in oat agroecosystems as in rice, wheat and barley in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.478-483
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• 2014

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to assess the levels of hazardous substances in floor dust in primary schools located in the city of Busan in Korea. Materials and Methods: An on-site investigation of three primary schools was performed between April and May 2013. The hazardous substances measured in this study were 14 heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Al, Sn, Co, Mo and Si) and the biological agents were bacteria, fungi and endotoxin). Results: Among the heavy metals, Cd, Co, Pb and Cr were not detected in the floor dust from the three primary schools. The mean levels of other heavy metals were as follows: $20({\pm}10)ng/cm^2$ for As, $30({\pm}20)ng/cm^2$ for Al, $5({\pm}4)ng/cm^2$ for Sn, $20({\pm}20)ng/cm^2$ for Mo, $1,340({\pm}620)ng/cm^2$ for Si, $110({\pm}100)ng/cm^2$ for Cu, $240({\pm}50)ng/cm^2$ for Fe, $30({\pm}30)ng/cm^2$ for Mn, $10({\pm}10)ng/cm^2$ for Ni, and $50({\pm}30)ng/cm^2$ for Zn. It was found that mean concentrations of bacteria, fungi and endotoxin in the floor dust of primary schools were $4.7{\time}10^7({\pm}2.2{\time}10^7)cfu/cm^2$, $6.3{\time}10^6({\pm}6.4{\time}10^6)cfu/cm^2$, and $8,140({\pm}5,801)EU/cm^2$, respectively. The predominant species identified in the floor dust of the primary schools were Pseudomonas spp. for bacteria and Penicillium spp.,Cladosporidium spp.,and Aspergillus spp. for fungi, which would be somewhat similar to the microbial distribution pattern of other general environments. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained from this study, the levels of heavy metals, microbes and endotoxin distributed in the floor dust of primary school were higher than those reported for other general facilities. Thus, preventive measures should be prepared for the health care of children.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.23 no.2 s.59
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• pp.82-88
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• 1984

Fruit rot and blister canker, a disease of apple occurring severely in Korea has been studied for correct identification of the syndrome In fruit and apple trees. Among the fungi isolated from blister cankers, rough barks or fruits showing rotting of 7 different host species were Botryosphaeria berengeriana (pycnidial stage. Dethiorella mali), Penicillium expansum and Alternaria sp. from apple rots and Phomopsis sp. from pear fruit rots. The most dominant isolates were B. berengeriana. Ten isolates of D. mali were grouped in to two conidial types based up mycelial growth rate, growth habits and mycelial coloration on PDA. None of 10 isolates was chromogenic. Pycnidia in apple stems, stromatic, dark brown, globose or subglobose and the measuring were $103.5-287.5{\mu}\times92.0-287.5\mu$. The pycnidia contained hyaline, nonseptate, fusiform conidia. The sizes of pycnidiospore of isolates obtained from apple twig were $4.3-7.2{\mu}\times20.0-31.5{\mu}(average\;5.9\times25.4\mu)$. Some conidia of this fungus from apple, pear, peach and ornamental cherry showed 1-,2-,3-septate before or during germination. Microconidia were observed in pycnidia on PDA and fruit lesion of inoculated host. Symptoms on leaves and fruits were contoured brown spots when inoculated. Wart-like protuberance were formed on the surface of apple and pear. Canker appeared on branches of peach and ornamental cherry inoculated.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.403-408
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• 1987

The effects of gamma irradiation on microbiological and chemical qualities of four kinds of poultry feeds were investigated. The viable counts of total bacteria in the samples were $10^5\;to\;10^6/g$. They were reduced by 2 to 3 log cycles after 3 to 5 kGy irradiation, and were completely eliminated with irradiation of 7 kGy. Coliforms and enteric pathogens were contaminated in high levels in all samples, ranging from $1.2{\times}10^4\;to\;1.7{\times}10^5/g\;and\;4.0{\times}10\;to\;2.6{\times}10^3/g$, respectively, They were sterilized by 3 to 5 kGy irradiation. Fungi, ranging from $10^{2}\;to\;10^4/g$, mainly osmophiles were identified as Aspergillus and Penicillium. They were eliminated to a undetectable level by 5 to 10 kGy irradiation. Six kinds of species, including Aspergillus flavus, were potential mycotoxin producers. Chemical components, such as proximate compositions, and mineral contents were not affected by the gamma irradiation. However, TBA values and amino acid content seemed to be affected by gamma irradiation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.179-183
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• 1987

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to find out the populations and identification of soil bacteria, fungi and their B/F ratio in the rhizosphere of intensively cultivatad hot-pepper, garlic, flower plants, chinese cabbage, and round onion. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The number of bacteria, fungi and their B/F ratio are remarkably lower than that of normal paddy soils. 2. Nitrate reducers and bacteria which utilized simple sugars for their sole carbon source are predominated in the rhizosphere of intensively cultivated upland crops. 3. Alkaligenetic bacteria predominate in rhizosphere of garlic and tomato cultivated upland soils. 4. Genera of Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Bacillus, Arthrobacter, and Achromobacterium are the most common species in the rhizosphere of intensively cultivated upland crops and flower plants. 5. Phytotoxin producers such as Stachybotris sp. were identified in all rhizospheres of intensively cultivated upland crops and flower plants. 6. Most common and highest population of soil fungi were obtained for the genera of Penicillium, Humicola, Phoma and Aspergillus in the rhizosphere of intensively cultivated upland crops and flower plants.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.391-402
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• 2021

Earthworms play an important role in soil fertilization, interacting continually with microorganisms. This study aims to demonstrate the existence of beneficial microorganisms living in the earthworm's immune system, the coelomic fluid. To achieve this goal, a molecular identification technique was performed, using cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcoding to identify abundant endogenic earthworms inhabiting the temperate zone of Rabat, Morocco. Then, 16S rDNA and ITS sequencing techniques were adopted for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Biochemical analysis, showed the ability of bacteria to produce characteristic enzymes and utilize substrates. Qualitative screening of plant growth-promoting traits, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and indole acetic acid (IAA) production, was also performed. The result of mitochondrial COI barcoding allowed the identification of the earthworm species Aporrectodea molleri. Phenotypic and genotypic studies of the sixteen isolated bacteria and the two isolated fungi showed that they belong to the Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Bacillus, Buttiauxella, Enterobacter, Pantoea, and Raoultella, and the Penicillium genera, respectively. Most of the isolated bacteria in the coelomic fluid showed the ability to produce β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, Glutamyl-β-naphthylamidase, and aminopeptidase enzymes, utilizing substrates like aliphatic thiol, sorbitol, and fatty acid ester. Furthermore, three bacteria were able to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate and potassium, and produce IAA. This initial study demonstrated that despite the immune property of earthworms' coelomic fluid, it harbors beneficial microorganisms. Thus, the presence of resistant microorganisms in the earthworm's immune system highlights a possible selection process at the coelomic fluid level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.79-92
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• 2007

Oxidative stress have known to be a risk factor for the degenerative processes and closely related to a lot of diseases. It is well established that antioxidants are good in protection and therapeutic means against oxidative damage. There is increasing interest in natural antioxidants and many natural antioxidants have been found and utilized as the possible protection for various diseases and skin aging. We have screened natural antioxidant agents for cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and drugs as therapeutic and preventive means against oxidative stress, and have developed a number of novel antioxidants from various natural sources. A novel melanin synthesis inhibitor, Melanocin A, isolated from the metabolite of a fungal strain Eupenicillium shearii F80695 inhibited mushroom tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis of B16 melanoma cells with $IC_{50}$ value of 9.0 nM and MIC value of $0.9\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Melanocin A also exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging of DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. UV was found to increase the level of hydrogen peroxides and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin tissues. This increase in ROS may not only alter the structure and function of many genes and proteins directly but may also modulate their expressions through signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, lead to skin damage. We investigated the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced premature skin aging. Firstly, the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT in vitro was investigated. Acute UV irradiation induced MMP-9 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and Melanocin A suppressed this expression in a dose-dependent manner. We then investigated UV-induced skin changes in hairless mice in vivo by Melanocin A. Chronic exposure of hairless mouse dorsal skin to UV increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation and the gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, Melanocin A significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. These results show that Melanocin A can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging. Therefore, we suggest that Melanocin A should be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating premature skin aging. Terrein is a bioactive fungal metabolite isolated from Penicillium species. Terrein has a relatively simple structure and can be easily synthesized. However, the biologic effects of terrein are comparatively unknown. We found for the first time that terrein potently inhibit melanin production in melanocytes and has a strong hypopigmentary effect in a spontaneously immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, Mel-Ab. Treatment of Mel-Ab cells with terrein (10-100 mM) for 4 days significantly reduced melanin levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, terrein at the same concentration also reduced tyrosinase activity. We then investigated whether terrein influences the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which is required for tyrosinase expression. Terrein was found to induce sustained ERK activation and MITF down-regulation, and luciferase assays showed that terrein inhibits MITF promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the correlation between ERK pathway activation and a decreased MITF transcriptional level, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, was applied before terrain treatment and found to abrogate the terrein-induced MITF attenuation. Terrein also reduced the tyrosinase protein level for at least 72 h. These results suggest that terrain reduces melanin synthesis by reducing tyrosinase production via ERK activation, and that this is followed by MITF down-regulation.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2010

To screen for potential biocontrol agents against postharvest disease of garlics caused by Penicillium hirsutum, a total of 1292 isolates were isolated from the rhizoshere or rhizoplane of Allium species. Among them, S59-4 isolate was selected as a potential biocontrol agent by in vivo wounded garlic bulb assay. The isolate was identified as Pantoea agglomerans (Pa59-4) through Biolog system. Pa59-4 did not inhibit the mycelial growth of P. hirsutum in dual-culture with P. hirsutum on tryptic soy agar. In order to elucidate mode of action of Pa59-4 on biological control, nutrient competition between Pa59-4 and P. hirsutum was investigated by the simple method using tissue culture plates with cylinder inserts containing defusing membrane reported by Janisiewicz et al. (2000). The results showed that Pa59-4 effectively suppressed spore germination and mycelial growth of blue mold in the low concentration (0.5%) of garlic juice, but it did not suppress those of blue mold in the high concentration (5%) of garlic juice. This result suggests that the mechanism in biocontrol of garlic blue mold by Pa 59-4 may be involved in nutrient competition with P. hirsutum on garlic bulbs.