• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2016

Clays, which are abundant in nature and eco-friendly, have been utilized throughout human history due to their characteristic physicochemical properties. Recently, a variety of clays such as montmorillonite, kaolinite, sepiolite and layered double hydroxide with or without chemical modification have been extensively studied for potential application in industries. Clays that possess a large specific surface area, high aspect ratio, nanometer sized layer thickness and controllable surface charge could be utilized as polymer fillers after appropriate chemical modifications. These modified clays can improve mechanical and gas barrier properties of polymer materials but also provide sustained antibacterial activity to polymer films. Furthermore, engineered clays can be utilized as scavengers for chemical or biological pollutants in water or soil, because they have desirable adsorption properties and chemical specificity. In this review, we are going to introduce recent researches on engineered clays for potential applications in future industries such as food packaging and environmental remediation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2020

Rhizoremediation, based on the ecological synergism between plant and rhizosphere microorganisms, is an environmentally friendly method for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. In order to mitigate global climate change, it is necessary to minimize greenhouse gas emissions while cleaning-up contaminated soils. In rhizoremediation, the main factors affecting pollutant remediation efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions include not only pollutant and soil physicochemical properties, but also plant-microbe interactions, microbial activity, and addition of amendments. This review summarizes the development in rhizoremediation technology for purifying oil-contaminated soils. In addition, the key parameters and strategies required for rhizoremediation to mitigate climate change mediation are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: Garlic (Allium sativum) contains polyphenols and sulfur compounds that are recognized as antioxidant, antithrombotic, anticancer, antibacterial, antimicrobial, nematicidal, and insecticidal activity. For this reason, the Environmentally-friendly Agriculture Promotion Act allowed the garlic extract as commercial biopesticide material for crop protection, nine commercial biopesticides containing A. sativum extract have been marketed in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The determination of allylmethyl sulfide (AMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and dipropyl sulfide (DPS) in biopesticides containing A. sativum extract was developed and validated by gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry (MS) with head-space sampler. The developed method was validated, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) and recovery rates of AMS, DMDS, and DPS were 0.08, 0.32, and 0.09 mg/L and 90.3-91.3, 86.2-88.3, and 87.6-89.5%, respectively. From the nine commercial biopesticide samples, contents of AMS, DMDS, and DPS were analyzed using the developed method and results showed

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.345-352
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the major limiting factors in agriculture that affect the growth and productivity of crops. It is economically difficult to artificially purify the soil affected by salt. Therefore, the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in an effort to reduce stress caused by salt is emerging as a cost-effective and environment-friendly method. In this study, the purpose was to isolate the salt-tolerant bacteria from the rhizosphere soil and identify their ability to promote plant growth under salt stress condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The isolates KST-1, KST-2, AST-3, and AST-4 that showed plant growth-promoting activity for barley in salt conditions were close to Bacillus cereus (KST-1, KST-2, and AST-4) and Bacillus thuringiensis (AST-3) and showed high salt tolerance up to 7% of additional NaCl to the media. When inoculated to barley, the strains had only minor effect on the length of the barley. However, the concentrations of chlorophyll in the barley leaves were found to be higher from the bacteria-inoculated pots than those from the uninoculated control. In particular, the chlorophyll concentration in Bacillus cereus AST-4 experiment was 5.45 times higher than that of the uninoculated control under the same experimental condition. CONCLUSION(S): The isolated salt-tolerant bacteria were found to influence on chlorophyll concentration of the barley. As represented by the strain AST-4, microbes may suggest a cost-effective and environmentally benign method to alleviate salt stress of crops cultivated in salt-accumulated soils such as reclaimed lands.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.501-514
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• 2018

This study aimed to develop a program that can be linked to gardening education activities in elementary students' curriculums and creative experience learning courses, and to apply the developed program to 6th graders in an elementary school located in Seoul. Research was conducted in a large category called biophilia, which named the instinct of human nature and nature throughout the research. The curriculum revised in 2015 was selected for the purpose of the garden education program based on the objectives and contents of the unit, and for the purpose of the class. In the process of developing and implementing the program, experience properties and elements were divided into direct and indirect experience of nature, including shapes and forms found in nature, air, water, plants, weather, animals, and natural materials. The results showed that the biophilic horticultural education program was effective in promoting students' multi senses. In the case of the experimental group, all the multi-sensory areas showed statistically significant differences, especially in the area of environmental literacy, environmental effect and emotional balance including plant cultivation knowledge. There was a relatively smaller difference in the dietary effect area than other areas because of no directional dietary program was included in the developed program. As a result, first, it is expected that the data can be utilized on site as a program or place of activity for students in upper grades. Second, it will be necessary to develop a more diverse program using other biophilic elements that were not covered in this study in order to maximize the effects of biophilic education.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.962-968
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical components and quality characteristics of three waxy corn varieties (Heukjinju, Ilmi, and Yeonnong1) harvested by conventional cultivation (CC) and environmentally-friendly cultivation (EFC). Crude ash content of the three corn varieties was higher, but not significant, in CC than EFC. Crude fat and protein contents in Heukjinju were higher in EFC, and amylose content was significantly higher (p<0.001). Free sugar, minerals, and fatty acid composition patterns varied according to the cultivation method. Vitamin E contents in the Heukjinju and Yeonnong1 cultivars were higher in CC than EFC. Total polyphenol content of waxy corns on EFC and CC were 175.28 and 204.00 mg/100 g, respectively, in the Heukjinju cultivar (p<0.01), and 148.64 and 158.42 mg/100 g, respectively, in the Ilimi cultivar, and 123.24 and 128.30 mg/100 g, respectively, in the Yeonnong1 cultivar. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity on EFC and CC was 1.51 and 1.76 in Heukjinju cultivar (p<0.05), 0.29 and 0.34 in Ilmi cultivar (p>0.05), and 0.39 and 0.42 mg trolox eq/g in Yeonnong1 cultivar (p>0.05), respectively. However, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical scavenging activity was higher in CC than EFC.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2018

As a basic study for environment-friendly production of bacterial cellulose (BC) dressing with antimicrobial activity, we isolated and identified acetic acid bacteria which are resistant to silver ions and can biosynthesize silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, conditions of BC production by selected strain were also investigated. Strain G7 isolated from decayed grape skin was able to grow in the presence of 0.1 mM $AgNO_3$ which was identified as Acetobacter intermedius based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. BC production was the highest in a medium containing 2% glucose as a carbon source, 2% yeast extract as a nitrogen source, and 0.115% acetic acid as a cosubstrate. Structural properties of BC produced in optimal medium were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer, and it was found that BC produced was cellulose type I that was the same as a typical native cellulose. When strain G7 was cultured in an optimal medium containing 0.1 mM $AgNO_3$, the color of the culture broth turned into reddish brown, indicating that silver nanoparticles were formed. As a result of UV-Vis spectral analysis of the culture, it was found that a unique absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles at 425 nm was also observed. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed that silver nanoparticles were formed on the surface and pores of BC membrane.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.340-347
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was performed to determine environmental hazard factors and provide more eco-friendly child activity spaces within children's playgrounds installed in Gyeonggi-do Province. Methods: Basic (XRF) and precise (ICP, UV) inspections were conducted. The test items examined were heavy metals and parasite eggs. As a sampling point, painted finish materials (180), synthetic rubber (50), and sand (50) were selected. Results: The total excess rate of heavy metals in the XRF was found to be 7.4% (17/230 points). In a comparison between the basic and precise inspections with 17 excess points, the concentration deviation between the two tests was found to be from 0.01 to 7.7 times, resulting in a large difference. Furthermore, all the excess samples were dual samples. However, the contribution rates of Pb and $Cr^{6+}$ to combined concentration were found to be 85.1 and 14.9% for basic inspection and 91.9 and 8.1% for precise inspections, so there is a similar tendency between the two tests. The excess rate of parasite eggs in sand was expressed at 6%. The excess rate of heavy metals in synthetic rubber was found to be 0%. Conclusion: The reliability of the XRF is low. However, considering the contribution rate of Pb and $Cr^{6+}$ between the two tests, it is likely to be applicable for screening. Dual samples provided high concentrations and excess samples and care should be taken when managing them.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 2010

Brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1), dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), pythium blight (Pythium spp.), anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), yellow patch (Rhizoctonia cerealis) and Zoysia patch (Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2) are the major turfgrasses diseases in Korea. In this study, 23 medicinal plant extracts were tested for antifungal activities against turfgrass pathogenic fungi. In paper disk diffusion method, 12 medicinal plant extracts, including Sophora flavescens, showed antifungal activity. Also, in the test of antifungal activity on media contained the extracts of S. flavescens, Curcuma longa, Rheum undulatum, Coptis chinensis and Asiasarum sieboldi showed above 80% inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth in 110 mg/10 ml concentration of the extracts. S. flavescens, in particularly, showed antifungal activity against the six turfgrass pathogenic fungi. The inhibition rate of S. homoeocarpa was 100% in 10 mg/10 ml, 5 mg/10 ml and 2 mg/10 ml concentrations of C. longa extract. In case of Pythium spp., the extracts of S. flavescens, R. undulatum and C. chinensis showed 100 % inhibition rate on the test media.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.45-64
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to develope issue-centered teaching learning process plan for environment-friendly housing education and to apply it to the housing section of Technology Home Economics in a middle school. PRO-CON cooperative group model was used for the teaching learning process plans of 2-session lessons according to the ADDIE model. In the development stage, 7 activity materials and 20 teaching learning materials (4 reading texts, 12 pictures and photos, & 5 moving pictures) were developed for 2-session lessons. The plans applied to the 7 classes, 222 students, in the third grade of the G middle school in Gyeonggi-do during July 10th-17th, 2008. The results showed that the final pro-con was influenced by the rationals of juries' pro-con of each team and the representative's discussion besides one's environmental perspective. The intention to implement environment-friendly housing activities was significantly increased between before and after the lessons. The contents, methods, goals, and process of the 2-session lessons were evaluated over medium to somewhat higher levels. Those evaluations except methods and general satisfaction with the lessons were differed by sex, students' and their families' interests in environments but not by the type of housing. These results might support that pro-con cooperative group model of controversial issues on parking lot would be appropriate to environment-friendly housing lessons and could apply to broad issues on housing and various schools in other areas.