• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.344-354
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• 2020

Identification of the target species of 2-MIB (2-methyllisoborneol) production is crucial in the management of off-flavor problem in the freshwater system. This study was conducted to identify 2-MIB-producing Pseudanabaena strains occurring in the North Han River system using molecular genetic method. Eleven phenotypes of Pseudanabaena were isolated from several mainstream sites of the North Han River, including Sambong-ri, Joam-myun, and Lake Uiam areas. Despite of morphological similarity of the strains, the phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA classified them into different species with low genetic similarity (40~55%). Isolated Pseudanabaena strains were converged to four species; Pseudanabaena cinerea, P. yagii, P. mucicola, and P. redekei. Among them, the 2-MIB synthesizing gene (mibC) was detected in P. cinerea, P. yagii, and P. redekei. However, actual 2-MIB production was detected only in P. cinerea and P. redekei based on gas chromatography analysis. This study is the first report of the molecular identification of Pseudanabaena strains and their 2-MIB production potential in Korea. The results of this study provides an evidence of species diversity of Pseudanabaena occurring in the North Han River.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2023

Cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena strains are known to produce 2-MIB(odorous material) in freshwater systems, thereby causing problems in water use. However, their physiological responses to environmental factors in relation with 2-MIB production is not well explored. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on the growth and 2-MIB production of Pseudanabaena redekei. The experimental cyanobacteria strains were separated from the Uiam Reservoir (North Han River) and cultured in the BG-11 medium. Temperature was set to 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30℃ for the experiment, in the reflection of the seasonal water temperature variation in situ. For each temperature treatment, cyanobacterial biomass(Chl-a) and 2-MIB concentration (intra-cellular and extra-cellular fractions) were measured every 2 days for 18 days. Both maximal growth and total 2-MIB production of P. redekei appeared at 30℃. While intra-cellular 2-MIB contents were similar (26~29 ng L^-1) regardless of treated temperatures, extra-cellular 2-MIB concentration was higher only in high temperature conditions (25~30℃), indicating that the extents of 2-MIB biosynthesis and release by P. redekei vary with temperature. The 2-MIB productivity of P. redekei was much higher in low-temperature conditions (10~15℃) than high temperature conditions (25~30℃). This study demonstrated that temperature was a critical factor contributing to 2-MIB biosynthesis and its release in cell growth (r=0.605, p<0.01). These results are important to understand the dynamics of 2-MIB in the field and thereby provide basic information for managing odorous material in drinking water resources.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.619-627
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• 2015

Cyanobacteria were sampled at five sites in the Han River, Nakdong River, and Geum River watershed from June 2014 to May 2015 and then cultivated. Two genera and five species of the cyanobacteria were newly recorded in Korea. The newly recorded species were Limnothrix redekei, Pseudanabaena galeata, Pseudanabaena amphigranulata, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides, and Calothrix parietina. As a result, the Korean flora of the cyanobacteria now include four orders, 22 families with 73 genera, 143 species, and two varieties, giving a total of 146 taxa.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.381-397
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• 2021

Off-flavor materials (geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB)) produced by microorganisms, such as, cyanobacteria and actinomycetes, cause freshwater use problems worldwide. Due to unpleasant taste and odor, these microorganisms have raised issues especially in drinking water resources. Recently, there has been increasing concern about 2-MIB and causal cyanobacteria, namely, Pseudanabaena, in Korea. However, material production and ecological dynamics remain largely unexplored. This study reviewed the distribution of Pseudanabaena, its species diversity, and the research trend of molecular ecology related to 2-MIB production in Korea. Based on published literature, we found that seven species of Pseudanabaena which include P. mucicola, P. limnetica, P. redekei, P. catenata, P. galeata, P. yagii, and P. cinerea appeared to occur in a variety of Korean water systems. All of these Pseudanabaena species were found in the North-Han River system (Lakes Soyang, Chuncheon, Uiam, and Paldang). Some of these species were also detected in other watersheds, but the precise species diversity was not identified. Species belonging to the Pseudanabaena genus are hard to classify through general microscopic alpha taxonomy, due to their very small cell size and similar morphological characters. Moreover, the potential of 2-MIB production cannot be detected by microscopic observation. Combining molecular ecological techniques, such as, environmental genomic materials (eDNA, eRNA) analyses to conventional methods could be useful to better understand the off-flavor material production and dynamics, thereby providing more efficient management strategies of freshwater systems.