• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2005

The development of microbial inoculant was conducted using a by-product of oriental herbal medicine. The constituent of the by-product, which was high in organic matter, was 11.3% of crude protein, 5.1% of crude lipid, 49.7% of NDF (neutral detergent fiber), and 33.8% of ADF (acid detergent fiber). Microorganisms isolated from the by-product of oriental herbal medicine were 35 species. Among them, 6 bacterial species, 4 fungal species, 2 actnomycetes species, and 1 yeast species were effective in the utilization of the by-products. The 13 strains screened were tested for the plant growth-promoting effect in soybean seedling. BL-333 strain was found to increase the soybean yield by about 23% as compared with control. The strain BL-333 was identified as Paenibacillus marcerans. P. marcerans BL-333 showed high anti-fungal activities against virulent fungi, especially Fusarium sp. and Collectotrichum sp. Yields of plants which were inoculated with microbial inoculant prepared with P. marcerans BL-333 and by-product of oriental herbal medicine were found to be higher than control by $3{\sim}24%$. The yield was especially promoted in lettuce, radish, chinese cabbage and cucumber plants.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. R259 enhances human natural killer (NK) cell activity and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 healthy adults with white blood cell counts of $4,000-8,000cells/{\mu}L$ were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan or placebo. Six participants withdrew their study consent or were excluded due to NK cell activity levels outside the normal range. NK cell activity and serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the ${\beta}$-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan also significantly increased NK cell activity compared with placebo after adjusting for smoking and stress status (P = 0.009). In particular, the effect of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2011

Two Gram positive bacterial strains, designated strain GC-1 and GC-4, were isolated from coastal seawater near Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea. The two strains were identified as members of the genus Bacillus, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and data for physiological characteristics analyses. A subtle difference in physiological and genotypical characteristics has led us to designate the strains GC-1 and GC-4. The strain GC-1 showed a 99.91% similarity in 16S rRNA gene sequencing with B. tequiliensis and B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum and the strain GC-4 showed a 100% similarity in 16S rRNA gene sequencing with those of B. altitudinis, B. stratosphericus, and B. aerophilus. However, both strains exhibited different physiological and genotypical characteristics in many aspects from those of their phylogenetically closest neighbors listed above, which implies that genus Bacillus has diversified into various species during its evolutionary process.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.788-794
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• 2009

Both strains of KD-1212 and DAH-1056 were isolated and identified from animal manure-contaminated soil by screening bacterial strains for the removal of sulfur compound-malodor with such substrate as sodium thiosulfate or free sulfur. Then the characteristics on the incubation of these microbes were observed under various incubating-condition such as pH, temperature, aerobic or anaerobic, substrate(sulfur compound) concentration, nitrogen and carbon source and rotating speed for mixing, and the optimum incubating condition was established. The optimum pHs of KD-1212 and DAH-1056 were 7.0 and 4.0, respectively, and their optimum temperatures were in the range of $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$. Another autotrophic strain, ED-1138, was isolated from contaminated soil. The strain DAH-1056 excelled a strain Thiobacillus sp. IW in eliminating hydrogen sulfide during the process of malodor-biofiltration with a fixed strain. The characteristics on the incubation of strain KD-1212 were observed under various substrate-concentrations, nitrogen and carbon sources. KD-1212 favored glucose and maltose, and yeast extract as carbon sources and nitrogen source, respectively. The optimum concentrations of substrate and nitrogen source were 25 mM of sodium thiosulfate and 0.5% yeast extract, respectively for the growth of strain KD-1212.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.396-402
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• 1996

This study was conducted to determine the effect of treatment with the plant-growth-promoting bacteria on the growth and yield of red pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) with different soil electrical conductivity(EC) levels. The mixed liquid culture was done pseudomonas P and saboraud dextrose medium. The isolated bacteria(IB) were inoculated by spray of 3.7ml at 1/2000a pot filled with different soil electrical conductivity level(2.9, 8.6, 11.5dS/m) every week, respectively, with mixed liquid culture (Pseudomonas P+Sabouraud dextrose) of eight strains. The plant height of red pepper with IBs treatment in different soil EC levels showed better growth than IBs nontreatment in the order of the 2.9>8.6>11.5 dS/m. The yield of pepper with IBs treatment in different soil EC level was higher in 13% than IBs nontreatment and chemical properties($P_2O_5$, K, Ca, Mg) of the soil after harvest in IBs treatment were slightly increased, while organic matter and EC of IBs treatment were slightly decreased than those of IBs nontreatment. Moisture content of the soil after the harvesting with IBs treatment was slightly increased than IBs nontreatment.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.758-766
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• 2015

Dextran is a generic term for a bacterial exopolysaccharide synthesized from sucrose and composed of chains of D-glucose units connected by ${\alpha}$-1,6-linkages by using dextransucrases. Dextran could be used as vicosifying, stabilizing, emulsifying, gelling, bulking, dietary fiber, prebiotics, and water holding agents. We isolated new strain capable of producing dextran from Korean traditional kimchi and identified as Leuconostoc sp. strain JYY4. Batch fermentation was conducted in bioreactor with a working volume of 3 L. The media was MMY and 15% (w/v) sucrose. Mineral medium consisted of $3.0g\;KH_2PO_4$, $0.01g\;FeSO_4$, $H_2O$, $0.01g\;MnSO_4$, $4H_2O$, $0.2g\;MgSO_4\;7H_2O$, 0.01 g NaCl, $0.05g\;CaCl_2$ per 1 liter deionized water. The pH of media was initially adjusted to 6.0. The inoculation rate was 1.0% (v/v) of the working volume. Temperature was maintained at $28^{\circ}C$. The agitation rate was 100 rpm. The production pattern of dextran was associated with the cell growth. After 24 hr dextran reached its highest concentration of 59.4 g/L. The sucrose was consumed completely after 40 hr. Growth reached stationery phase when sucrose became limiting, regardless of the presence of fructose or mannitol. When the specific growth rate was 0.54 hr-1, utilization averaged 5.8 g/L-hr. The yield and productivity of dextran were 80% and 2.0 g/L-hr, respectively. Dextrans produced by were separated to two different size by an alcohol fraction method. The size of high molecular weight dextran (45% alcohol, v/v), less soluble dextran, was between MW 500,000 and 2,000,000. Soluble dextran (55% alcohol, v/v) was between 70,000 and 150,000. The molecular weight average of total dextran (70% alcohol, v/v) was between 150,000 to 500,000. The enzymatic hydrolyzates of total dextran of ATCC 13146 showed branched dextrans by Penicillium dextranase contained of glucose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and isomaltooligosaccharides greater than DP4 (degree of polymerization) that had branch points. Compounds greater than DP4 were branched isomaltooligosaacharides. Hydrolysates by the Lipomyces dextranase produced the same composition of oligosaccharides as those by Penicillin dextranase.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2010

The bloom of the genus Stephanodiscus was gradually extinguished after 18 April. Counts of bacterial population were increased as the diatom bloom was disappeared. Numbers of the heterotrophic nanoflagellates and ciliates were also increased during the disappearance of the bloom. The densities of the mesozooplankton, the major predator of the diatoms, started to increase in April. However, their growth was suppressed during the bloom period of the diatoms (from January to March). During the bloom period of the diatoms, the monthly average value of the basic productivity amounted up to 11,765.7 mgC $m^{-2}day^{-1}$, which is relatively high value considering the low temperature and light during that period. The growth rate of phytoplankton in March, when the bloom was beginning to be supressed was 0.007. The growth rate of phytoplankton was negative value in April when the decreasing of the algal density was started.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.761-766
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• 2008

The effects of various enzymes and emulsifiers on the loaf volume and crumb hardness of rice breads were studied. Four different enzymes [fungal ${\alpha}$-amylase (AMYL), maltogenic bacterial ${\alpha}$-amylase (NMYL), glucose oxidases (GO), and xylanase+hemicellulases (PTP)] and four emulsifiers [sorbitan monostearate (SMS), glycerol monostearate (GMS), sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), and glycerol ester+propylene glycol ester+sucrose ester+sorbitan ester (SP)] were supplemented to rice dough. The addition of AMYL, GO, and GO+AMYL increased loaf volume of rice breads. The highest loaf volume was observed in rice bread supplemented with AMYL. Rice breads supplemented with enzymes firmed at lower rates during storage, and AMYL, NMYL, and GO considerably decreased crumb hardness of rice breads, exhibiting a significant antistaling effect. The addition of emulsifiers produced rice breads with better specific loaf volume and crumb texture, and continuously retarded crumb hardness of rice breads during storage. Especially, rice bread supplemented with SSL demonstrated the highest loaf volume and the lowest crumb hardness during storage.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.278-285
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• 2010

We examined the distribution of exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing bacteria population in rhizosphere soils of domestic medicinal herbs; Angelica sinensis, Atractytodes japonica, Achyranthes japonica, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and Astragalus membranaceus. Fifty-six percent of the total isolates from rhizosphere soil of Angelica sinensis were EPS producing bacteria, suggesting the dominance of EPS producing bacteria in rhizosphere soil of Angelica sinensis. EPS producing bacteria were enumerated in root system (rhizosphere soil, rhizoplane, inside of root) of Angelica sinensis. Bacterial density of rhizosphere soil, rhizoplane, and inside of root were distributed $9.0{\times}10^6CFU/g{\cdot}soil$, $7.0{\times}10^6CFU/g{\cdot}soil$, and $1.4{\times}10^3CFU/g{\cdot}soil$, respectively. EPS producing bacteria from rhizosphere soil were categorized into five major phylogenetic groups: Alphaproteobacteria (4 strains), Betaproteobacteria (6 strains), Firmicutes (2 strains), Actinobacteria (3 strains), and Bacteroidetes (1 strain) subdivisions. Also, the EPS producing isolates from rhizoplane were distributed as 7 strains in Alphaproteobacteria, 3 strains in Betaproteobacteria, 2 strains in Actinobacteria, 3 strains in Bacteroidetes, and 1 strain in Acidobacteria subdivisions. All of the EPS producing bacteria inside of root belong to genus Chitinophaga. Burkholderia caribiensis DR14, Terriglobus sp. DRP35, and Rhizobium hainanense SAP110 were selected in 112 EPS producing bacteria. These appeared to have produced high levels of exopolysaccharide 6,555 mpa.s, 3,275 mpa.s, and 1,873 mpa.s, respectively. The purified EPS was analyzed Bio-LC. As neutral sugars, glucose, galactose, mannose were detected and as amino sugars, galactosamine and glucosamine were detected. Especilally, analysis of Bio-LC showed that Rhizobium hainanense SAP110 produced glucose (60~89%) and glucosamine (8.5%) as major neutral sugar and amino sugar, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.322-328
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• 2010

Fermented skate is a traditional Korean food popular in Southwestern area of Korea. It has a characteristic flavor and alkaline pH. In this study we tried to determine the microbial flora in fermented skate using two different approaches. In culture-independent method, we amplified V2 region of 16S rRNA gene by PCR and cloned them into pUC18 plasmid to construct 16S rDNA fragment library. BLAST searches for the sequences obtained from this library revealed that uncultured bacterium clone 054E11.b was the most dominant flora in this fermented fish. In culture-dependent method, we diluted suspension of skate and spreaded on MRS, PCA, and MacConkey plates. We identified colonies grown on those plates by using PCR amplification of V2 region of 16S rRNA and DNA sequencing. BLAST searches of those DNA sequences resulted in totally different species with the observations from the 16S rDNA library analysis. Discrepancies of results obtained from both approaches suggest that the agar plates used in culture-dependent method may be different from the real condition of fermented skate. Therefore, results from culture-independent approach using 16S rDNA fragment library analysis may reflect real microbial flora in fermented skate.