• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.275-279
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• 2015

Micro-algae are unicellular photosynthetic organisms and produce pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoid. Chlorella contains a lot of protein and functional components like lipids, chlorophyll and carotenoids. In this study we induced mutants of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) through ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) and selected two mutants by pigment (chlorophyll and carotenoids) content. We named the mutants ‘UBM1-2’, ‘UBM2-57’ and they were cultivated for 21-days. Cell growth, dry cell weight, protein content, lipid and pigments content were measured. The results indicated that the mutants displayed slower cell growth, lower dry cell weight and protein content than the wild type. However, for UBM1-2 the lipid content was 21% higher than the wild type. In addition, the mutants’ chlorophyll content was 37% and 89% higher than the wild type and the carotenoids content was 27% and 70% higher than the wild type, respectively.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2001

Factors such as temperature $(20,\;60^{\circ}C)$), pH (4.5, 7.0), gaseous phase $(N_2,\;0_2)$, and light (0 lux, 5,000 lux), antioxidants and packaging conditions were investigated to study the effects of above factors on the chlorophyll components in spinach during storage. Regardless of other factors, as the storage temperature increased from $20^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$ and pH decreased from 7.0 to 4.5, the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach decreased significantly (P<0.05). The amounts of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach stored in nitrogen gas were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in sample in oxygen phase. As the light intensity increased from 0 lux to 5,000 lux during storage, the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach significantly (P<0.05) decreased. The antioxidants reduced the degradation of chlorophyll a in a model system during dark storage by minimization of free radical oxidation. The effectiveness of antioxidants decreased as following orders; ${\alpha}-tocopherol$>ascorbic acid>${\beta}-carotene$>catechin>quercetin>rutin>kaempherol>caffeic acid>chlorogenic acid>p-coumaric acid>ferulic acid. The degradation of chlorophyll a in a model system during light storage was minimized by antioxidants due to the reduction of singlet oxygen oxidation. The antidiscoloring potential of antioxidants decreased as following orders; ${\beta}-carotene$>${\alpha}-tocopherol$>ascorbic acid>catechin>quercetin>rutin>kaem-pherol>caffeic acid>chlorogenic acid>p-coumaric acid>ferulic acid. The amounts of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in freeze dried spinach packed with polyethylene bag were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in non-packed freeze dried spinach. The package of spinach in polyethylene bag with the combination of antioxidants could be used to minimize the degradation of chlorophyll components in spinach during storage.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2013

Biomass and community composition of microphytobentos in tidal flats were studied by HPLC analysis and also investigated to examine the relationship between microphytobenthic pigments and Adenosine-5' triphosphate (ATP) as an index of total microbial biomass in intertidal environments (muddy and sandy sediment) of Gyeonggi Bay, west coast of Korea. Microphytobenthic pigments and ATP concentration in muddy sediment were the highest at the surface while the biomass of microphytobenthos in sandy sediment was the highest at the sub-surface (0.75 cm sediment depth). The detected pigments of microphytobenthos were chlorophyll a, b (euglenophytes), $c_3$, peridinin (dinoflagellates), fucoxanthin (diatom or chrysophytes), diadinoxanthin, alloxanthin (cryptophytes), diatoxanthin, zeaxanthin (cyanobacteria), ${\beta}$-carotein, and pheophytin a (the degraded product of chlorophyll a). Among the pigments which were detected, the concentration of fucoxanthin was the highest, indicating that diatoms dominated in the microphytobenthic community of the tidal flats. There was little significant correlation between OC (Organic Carbon) and ATP in both sediments. However, a positive correlation between chlorophyll a concentration and ATP concentration was found in sandy sediment, suggesting that microbial biomass could be affected by labile OC derived from microphytobenthos. These results provide information that may help us understand the relationship between microphytobenthos and microbial biomass in different intertidal sediment environments.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.122-125
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• 2006

The distribution of phytoplankton pigments were studied bimonthly at four stations from the mouth of Mahanadi River at Paradip to the 36.7km off coast in Bay of Bengal during April 2001 to December 2002. Bottom depth was shallower than 40m in all stations. The pigment concentration of Chl-a was measured. It increased from surface to bottom in the water column. The water column integrated chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) varied between 6.1 and $48.5mg{\cdot}m-^2$ with peaks during monsoon period (Aug & Oct). Spatial distribution of salinity depended strongly on freshwater runoff. The salinity was 5psu at river mouth and 25.15psu at offshore in monsoon period; however it was 30psu at the river mouth in summer. We found a linear relationship between the amount of river discharge and integrated Chl-a in coastal region from 2 years observations. Extending this result, we analyzed rainfall and coastal Chl-a using satellite data. The relationship between the river discharge and monthly accumulated rainfall estimated from TRMM and others data sources was analyzed in 2001 and 2002 using Giovanni infrastructure provided by NASA. The result depended on the specified area on TRMM images; the river delta area had sharper relationship than wider rain catchments area. Moreover, the relationship between monthly averaged Chl-a derived from SeaWiFS and monthly accumulated rainfall estimated from TRMM was analyzed from 1998 to 2005. It was clear that the broom in monsoon period was strongly controlled by rainfall on river delta.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 1999

The down-core distribution of chlorophyll a, organic carbon contents and ${\delta}^{13}C$ in the bottom sediments were measured to understand the evolution of eutrophication in Masan Bay. Bottom sediment were collected in January 1994. The chlorophyll a and organic carbon contents in the sediment core decreased with increasing sediment depth, respectively. Bottom sediments (0~20 cm) in Masan Bay was rich in chlorophyll a (avg. 9.6 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ dryweight) and organic C (avg. 2.5%). The down-core distribution of chlorophyll a suggests that the inner part of Masan Bay has experienced the acceleration of chlorophyll a supply since 1960s. Flux of organic carbon to the sea floor is in the range of 10 $gCm^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$ assuming the C:Chl a ratio of 25. It suggests tht approximately 1.3% of the fixed carbon by phytoplankton appears to be deposited in the bottom sediments.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.64-66
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• 2005

Photosynthetic microbes possess a wealth of photoactive proteins including chlorophyll-based pigments, phototropin-related blue light receptors, phytochromes, and cryptochromes. Surprisingly, recent genome sequencing projects discovered additional photoactive proteins, retinal-based rhodopsins, in cyanobacterial and algal genera. Most of these newly found rhodopsin genes and retinal synthase have not been expressed and their functions are unknown. Analysis of the Anabaena and Chlamyrhodopsin with retinal synthase revealed that they have sensory functions, which, based on our work with haloarchaeal rhodopsins, may use a variety of signaling mechanisms. Anabaena rhodopsin is believed to be sensory, shown to interact with a soluble transducer and the putative function is either chromatic adaptation or circadian rhythm. Chlamydomonas rhodopsins are involved in phototaxis and photophobic responses based on electrical measurements by RNAi experiment. In order to analyze the protein, we developed a sensory rhodopsin expression system in E. coli. The opsin in E. coil bound endogenous all-trans retinal to form a pigment and can be observed on the plate. Using this system we could identify retinal synthase in Anabaena PCC 7120. We conclude that Anabaena D475 dioxygenase functions as a retinal synthase to the Anabaena rhodopsin in the cell.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.609-615
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• 2011

Forsythia saxatilis is a Korean endemic plant designated as rare and endangered by the Korea Forest Service (KFS). Growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis were investigated under two different light intensities in order to figure out an appropriate growth environment for conservation and restoration of the species in its natural habitat. Shoot length, leaf size and weight, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameters were measured for F. saxatilis grown at two experimental plots under relative light intensities (RLI) of 20% and 60% of the full sun, respectively. Fresh leaf weight of plants grown under high relative light intensities (RLI-60) exceeded that of plants grown at 20% RLI. The ratio of fresh leaf weight to leaf size at RLI-60 was 1.47 times superior comparing to that recorded at RLI-20. The content of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were higher in plants grown at RLI-60, whereas the ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoid content was higher in the leaves at RLI-20. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate at RLI-60 were, respectively, 2.5, 2.65 and 1.79 times higher comparing to those recorded at RLI-20. Water use efficiency, however, was higher at RLI-20. The chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio was 1.83 times higher at RLI-20 than at RLI-60. In contrast, the ratio of net photosynthesis to chlorophyll content at RLI-60 was 2.58 times higher than that of RLI-20. In conclusion, light intensity might be the major factor affecting growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis grown under canopy of tall tree species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the optimal light conditions for the in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration of Osmanthus insularis, a rare plant species in South Korea. Evaluations included the growth performance, leaf morphological features, photosynthetic characteristics, and photosynthetic pigment contents of seedlings grown from April to November under different light conditions (100%, 55%, 20%, and 10% relative light intensity). The shoot lengths and root collar diameters did not differ significantly with relative light intensity. The dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots and the leaf number were highest at 55% relative light intensity. The leaf shape showed morphological acclimation to light intensity, with leaf area decreasing and thickness increasing as the relative light intensity increased. Several leaf parameters, including photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at light saturation point, net apparent quantum yield, and dark respiration, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, were all highest at 55% relative light intensity. Under full light conditions, the leaves were the smallest and thickest, but the chlorophyll content was lower than at 55% relative light intensity, resulting in lower photosynthetic ability. Plants grown at 10% and 20% relative light intensity showed lower chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, as well as decreased photosynthetic and dark respiration rates. In conclusion, O. insularis seedlings exhibited morphological adaptations in response to light intensity; however, no physiological responses indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in shade were evident. The most favorable light condition for vigorous photosynthesis and maximum biomass production in O. insularis seedlings appeared to be 55% relative light intensity. Therefore, shading to approximately 55% of full light is suggested for the growth of O. insularis seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of high temperature and drought on growth performance, photosynthetic parameters and photosynthetic pigment contents of Liriodendron tulipifera L. seedlings. The seedlings were grown in controlled-environment growth chambers with combinations of four temperature ($-3^{\circ}C$, $0^{\circ}C$, $+3^{\circ}C$, $+6^{\circ}C$; based on the monthly average for 30 years in Korea) and two water status (control, drought). Temperature rise increased growth, total dry weight and leaf area in all water status. Also photosynthetic rate, dark respiration, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate increased with increasing temperature. In contrast, growth and photosynthetic parameters of L. tulipifera seedlings were lower in $-3^{\circ}C$ than $0^{\circ}C$. But temperature rise decreased water use efficiency in all water status. Temperature rise increased photosynthetic pigment contents of leaf. Also chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with increasing temperature. In conclusion, the elevated temperature lead to causes growth increase through the increase of energy production by higher photosynthetic rate during a growth period of L. tulipifera seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.510-515
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• 2014

Duckweed (Lemna perpusilla J. Torrey) is a typical floating aquatic macrophyte that has been used for evaluating phytotoxicity of toxicants. In this study, we evaluated the responses of duckweed to PAHs and ammonium as toxicants that frequently affect the growth of plants in polluted industrial and agricultural areas. As the duckweed is growing in aquatic environment, the PAHs and ammonium were incorporated into nutrient solution and the fronds were cultured hydroponically. Frond growth was responded differentially to the concentration and type of PAHs. The severe inhibition of frond growth was observed in the treatment of fluorene. Fluoranthene and pyrene, however, showed weak inhibition of frond growth. The latter PAHs that showed weak inhibition did not reduced frond number at the low concentration of 30 ppm. Pigment contents were also responded differentially. Phenanthrene and fluorene reduced chlorophyll content more strongly than fluoranthene and pyrene. Carotenoids, well-known antioxidative compound, was relatively increased at the low concentration of PAHs up to 30 ppm by the treatment of fluoranthene and pyrene, suggesting an increased antioxidative activity in fronds. Ammonium treatment showed higher inhibitory effect even low concentration of 3 mM.