• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 1991

This study was initiated to investigate the effects of organic germanium on cadmium and mercury intoxication. The effect was determined by the metallothionein induction in liver and kidney. Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were treated with CdCI$_{2}$ (2mg/kg), HgCI$_{2}$ (1 mg/kg) and organic germanium (GE-132) (100 mg/kg) in single and in combination via intraperitoneal injection or intragastric administration every other days for 17 days. Experimental animals were sacrificed after 7, 12 and 17 days treatment. The serum transaminase activities (SGOT, SGPT), concentration of metal and metallothionein, metal-binding capacity of metallothionein in liver and kidney were determined and pathomorphological observations were undertaken. The combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$ significantly decreased the increment of serum transaminase activities in rats treated with CdCI$_{2}$ only, but the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$ did not affect to activities of transaminases induced by mercury only. The concentration of metals (Cd and Hg) except Ge in the liver and kidney of rats increased with the time of treatment. Mercury concentration in kidney of rat treated with HgCI$_{2}$ only was significantly higher than the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$. The combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$ significantly increased the concentration of metallothionein in liver compared to the CdCI$_{2}$ only, although the concentration of cadmium in liver were not significantly different between two groups. This indicates that GE-132 decreased toxicity of cadmium in liver by promoting metallothionein induction. There were no significant differences in metallothionein concentration in liver and kidney of rats between the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$ and HgCI$_{2}$ only. Metal-binding capacity of metallothionein varied with each time intervals in liver and kidney of metals treated rats except the liver of the combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$. This finding explains the concentration of metallothionein in liver keeps abreast with the concention of metal. Furthermore, the combined treatment of GE-132and CdCl$_{2}$ revealed pathologically less changes in liver tissue than CdCl$_{2}$ only; the damages of liver cell, such as lobular necrosis and portal inflammation, were relieved and appeared more later. From the above results, organic germanium is considered to have some beneficial effect on the protection of liver from the cadmium intoxication.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.549-557
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• 2010

This study was established on which germanium (Ge), known as one of the functional nutrients, treatment is the most effective method for increasing Ge uptake and contributing flowering development in the pruned branches in the winter. Ge treatment included foliar application, soil fertigation, trunk injection, and the three-combined application. Ge concentration in the pruned branches was greater on the three-combined treated trees, and Ge treated branches had greater Ge concentrations than the control. Pruned branches grown in the solution culture had greater bud weight and bud scale number on the Ge treated trees than the control. Ge treatments increased flowering per branch and flower number per bud as well as improved resistance of the freezing temperature damage. Overall, there were no consistent results of all the variables by the Ge application methods.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.399-405
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• 1997

We examined the determination of trace amount of germanium in rocks and sediments by hydride vapor generation-ICP-AES. Germanium is formed volatile compounds with various types of acid reagents, but volatilizing of germanium was decreased in the presence of $H_3PO_4$. Sediments and rocks can be dissolved by mixed acids of $HF-HNO_3-H_3PO_4$ without volatilizing loss of germanium in open digestion system and it was possible to determine germanium by hydride generation-ICP-AES without further sample treatment. Detection limit of Ge is reached to 0.08 ppb under the condition of 5M $H_3PO_4$ and 1% $NaBH_4$ as a supporting acid and a reducing reagent, respectively. The measured values by hydride generation-ICP-AES agreed well with the reference values of SRMs as well as the values determined by solution nebulization-ICP-MS.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.13 no.spc1
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• pp.110-113
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• 2012

Ge-S and Li-Ge-S powders were synthesized via solution-based process in order to employ chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte for use in Li secondary batteries. GeCl4 and thioacetamide in combination result in Ge-S powders of which major crystalline phase becomes GeS2 where the tetragonal and orthorhombic phases coexist after heat treatment. A chemical treatment using NaOH brings about the reduction of chlorine in the powders obtained. However, the heat treatment at 300 ℃ is more effective in minimizing the chlorine content. When lithium chloride is used as the precursor of Li ions, the LiCl powders are agglomerated with an inhomogeneous distribution. When Li2S is used, the Li-Ge-S powders are distributed more uniformly and the orthorhombic GeS2 phase dominates in the powders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.615-620
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• 2002

This study was conducted to elucidate the characteristics of soybean sprouts cultured in water containing germanium. In three varieties of Eunhakong, Seomoktae and Subaktae, the yields of germanium soybean sprout were 10~20% more than those of control soybean sprouts after 5 day-cultivation. The hypocotyl of germanium soybean sprouts was thicker than that of control soybean sprouts, but there were no significant differences in the length of hypocotyl and the thickness of cotyledon. Germanium soybean sprouts showed deeper green and yellow color than control soybean sprouts. In addition, the hardness exhibited strongly in germanium soybean sprouts, especially Seomoktae. In the sensory evaluation, germanium soybean sprouts were better than control soybean sprouts in appearance, taste, flavor and preference.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2011

To investigate the effect of inorganic ($GeO_2$) and organic (Ge-132) germanium treatment on Brasica juncea C. plant, growth characteristics and Ge contents were examined with various inorganic or organic germanium treatments (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and $100mg\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Brasica juncea C. growth did not much inhibited until Ge $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments as compared to control. On the other hand, at Ge concentration higher than $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration, Brasica juncea C. growth was inhibited under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments. Under treatment of $GeO_2$, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $5mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Under treatment of Ge-132, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Total Ge contents in Brasica juncea C. early seedlings with $GeO_2$ treatment were a bit higher than those with Ge-132 treatment. Germanium was primarily accumulated in the roots (77%) with organic Ge (Ge-132) treatments, whereas Ge was primarily accumulated in the leaf (70%, respectively) with $GeO_2$ treatments. The Ge uptake rates in inorganic Ge treatments were slightly high than those in organic Ge treatments. Under inorganic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 3% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 84.8% and 15.2%, respectively. Under organic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 2.6% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 66.4% and 33.6%, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.675-679
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• 2009

We investigated how Germanium (Ge) application, and the application method, affected 'Niitaka' (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruit quality in a conventional orchard. Ge-treated pears weredark yellow in color, indicating appropriate maturation. Other fruit characteristics, and weight, did not significantly differ between tests and controls. Compared to controls, fruit from Ge-treated trees had more soluble solids, a lower acid content, and fewer stone cells, which reduced fruit chewiness. Ge-treated trees showed a higher Ge concentration in fruit but a lower calcium (Ca) concentration. Other fruit mineral nutrients, includingP, K, and Mg, did not differ in level between Ge-treated fruit and controls. Ge-treated fruit showed greater firmness and a heavier specific weight during 6 months of storage, compared to control fruit. Therefore, Ge treatment reduced fruit pithiness, which can be a problem in 'Niitaka' pears. Overall, there was no significant difference between Ge-treated and control fruit qualities, but a combined Ge treatment (fertilization plus foliar application plus trunk injection) slightly improved fruit quality.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to develop selenium (Se)- and germanium (Ge)-enriched rice by foliar spray application of organic or inorganic Se and Ge. METHODS AND RESULTS: The time and frequency of organic or inorganic Se and Ge treatment were performed at the five main growth stages as followings: effective tillering stage (E), maximum tillering stage (M), booting stage (B), heading stage (H), grain filling stage (G). The main treatment plots were consisted of (1) 'once' treatment (at each E, M, B, H, G stage, Se/Ge single apply), (2) 'twice I' (at H + G stages, organic or inorganic Se/Ge apply), (3) 'twice II' (at H + G stages, mixture apply of Se + Ge + pesticide). The organic or inorganic Se treatment concentration was 20 and 40 ppm, and the Ge was 50 and 100 ppm. The Se and Ge contents in rice grain (brown rice and polished rice) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The highest Se content was noted in brown rice 'twice I' with Se 40 ppm (1394.06) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Se 40 ppm ($367.79{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. The highest of Se content in polished rice was found in 'twice I' of Se 40 ppm (1090.25) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Se 40 ppm ($403.53{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at E stage. On the other hand, The highest of Ge content in brown rice was found in 'twice I' with Ge 100 ppm (398.66) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Ge 100 ppm ($139.64{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. The highest of Ge content in polished rice was found in 'twice I' of Ge 100 ppm (300.29) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Ge 100 ppm ($142.24{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. CONCLUSION: Se and Ge contents both in brown rice and polished rice treated with organic Se and Ge forms were higher than those of inorganic Se and Ge. Overall results concluded that the supplementation of organic Se and Ge contents in brown and polished rice contents were comparatively higher than the inorganic Se and Ge. This is results also proved that the foliar spray application of organic Se and Ge has positive nutritive effect on the rice for regular consumption.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.246-251
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate an efficacy about activation on macrophage, using model that measured cell viability, nitric oxide (NO), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) on Raw 264.7 cells following treatment of Germanium-fortified Yeast in 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ and the same concentration of dried yeast without germanium. Cell viability (%) and NO produced in activated-macrophage were dose-dependant, a significant increase of the cell viability (132.5%) and NO in $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ (p < 0.05). Increase in iNOS level was in $10\;{\mu}g/ml$. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was produced dose-dependant, e.g. in activated-macrophage with a significant increase of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ in 5 and $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ (p < 0.05). Therefore, Germanium-fortified Yeast had an efficacy of NO mediated iNOS and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production by activated macrophage. This result showed that Germanium-fortified Yeast induced activation of cellular immunity, returned to normalcy on injured immune system and procured anticancer system by activation of macrophage, which was important in immune and anticancer function.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate that inorganic germanium $(GeO_2)$ did not exist in germanium-fortified yeast or obtained to non-detectable value by current analytical methods and equipments. For this purpose, we achieved $GeO_2$ qualitative analysis protocol which could be the scientific basis of the study. Since reddish brown precipitate was formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 1 equiv $NaBH_4$, and dark brown precipitate was also formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 2 equiv $NaBH_4$, $GeO_2$ was qualitatively analyzed by observing these particular colored-precipitates. Because no color change was showed from the reaction between $NaBH_4$ and $SiO_2$, the color change could be caused by charge transfer transition on Ge-O and B binding properties. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and germanium-fortified yeast did not show any color change and precipitate formation which meant no $GeO_2$ existed in germanium-fortified yeast. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and supernatant specimen collected from the outside of dialysis membrane (MWCO 1,200 dalton) did not show any color change and precipitate formation. Therefore, we considered that the both germaniums in and outside of the dialysis membrane were organic germaniums. Germanium-fortified yeast which was biosynthesized organic germanium can be applied not only as a new functional material for improving health, prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative diseases including cancers, and the regulation of immune system, but also as a new materials.