• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.432-437
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• 2007

In this study, we examined the conditions for an auto-aging system placed within a kimchi refrigerator for optimal fermentation, and to prolong the storage time of kimchi. Various characteristics of kimchi fermented at different temperatures ($5-23^{\circ}C$) were compared. We observed that the higher the fermentation temperature, the less desirable the overall acceptability of the product. To establish the time point in which to convert the fermentation mode to the storage mode, kimchi was stored at $-1^{\circ}C$ for 1 week once it reached the designated acidity (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%). The results indicated that the lower the kimchi acidity, the higher the sensory score. The storage temperature of $-1^{\circ}C$ was not low enough to retard microorganism growth completely; however, the kimchi stored at $-2{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ became frozen. Accordingly, $15^{\circ}C$ and $-2{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ are suggested as the fermentation and storage temperatures for the kimchi refrigerator, respectively. A kimchi acidity of 0.4% can be used as an index for the time point to convert fermentation to storage. Subsequently, the time required for the fermentation course can be calculated based on this.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

In this study, we tried to separate the photosensitizer that induces apoptosis of leukemia cells (U937) from perilla leaves. Perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens Britt var. japonica Hara) are a popular vegetable in Korea, being rich in vitamins (A and E), GABA, and minerals. Dried perilla leaves were extracted with methanol to separate the photosensitizer by various chromatographic techniques. The structure of the isolated compound (PL9443) was identified by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and FAB-mass spectroscopy. Absorbance of the UV-Vis spectrum was highest at 410 nm and was confirmed by the 330, 410, and 668 nm. PL9443 compound was determined to be pheophorbide, an ethyl ester having a molecular weight of 620. It was identified as a derivative compound of pheophorbide structure when magnesium comes away from a porphyrin ring. Observation of morphological changes in U937 cells following cell death induced by treated PL9443 compound revealed representative phenomena of apoptosis only in light irradiation conditions (apoptotic body, vesicle formation). Results from examining the cytotoxicity of PL9443 substance against U937 cells showed that inhibition rates of the cell growth were 99.9% with the concentration of 0.32 nM PL9443. Also, the caspase-3/7 activity was 99% against U937 cells with the concentration of 0.08 nM of PL9443 substance. The result of the electrophoresis was that a DNA ladder was formed by the PL9443. The PL9443 compound is a promising lead compound as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

Calcium is one of the important secondary signaling molecules in plant cells. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK)-the sensor proteins of Ca²⁺ and phosphorylating enzymes-are the most abundant serine/threonine kinases in plant cells. They convert and transmit signals in response to various stimuli, resulting in specific responses in plants. In rice, 31 CDPK gene families have been identified, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and are known to play roles in response to various stress conditions. However, little is known about the biochemical characteristics of CDPK proteins. In this study, OsCPK11-a CDPK in rice-was partially purified, and its biochemical characteristics were found. Partially purified OsCPK11 from rice seedlings was obtained by three-step column chromatography that involved anion exchange chromatography consisting of DEAE, hydrophobic interaction chromatography consisting of phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography consisting of Sephacryl-200HR. An in vitro kinase assay using partially purified OsCPK11 was also performed. This partially purified OsCPK11 had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and showed a strong hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic resin. In vitro kinase assay showed that the OsCPK11 also had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity. The OsCPK11 phosphorylated histone III-S, and the optimum pH for its kinase activity was found to be 7.5~8.0. The native OsCPK11 shared several biochemical characteristics with recombinant OsCPK11 studied previously, and both had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity and favored histone III-S as a substrate for kinase activity, which also had a Ca²⁺-dependence.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2020

Since industrialization, the production and utilization of various chemicals has contributed to improving the quality of our lives, but the subsequent discharge of massive waste is inevitable, and environmental pollution is becoming more serious every day. Exposure to chemicals as a result of environmental pollution is having a negative effect on human health and the ecosystem, and cleaning up the polluted environment that can affect our lives is a very important issue. Toxic aromatic compounds have been detected frequently in soil, groundwater, and wastewater because of the extensive use of oil products, and phenol, which is used to produce synthetic resins, textiles, and dyes, is one of the major pollutants, along with insecticides and preservatives. Phenol can cause dyspnea, headache, vomiting, mutation, and carcinogenesis. Phenol-degrading bacterium DWB-1-8 was isolated from the activated sludge of textile wastewater; this strain was identified as Comamonas testosteroni by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The optimal culture conditions for the cell growth and degradation of phenol were 0.7% K₂HPO₄, 0.6% NaH₂PO₄, 0.1% NH₄NO₃, 0.015% MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.001% FeSO₄·7H₂O, an initial pH of 7, and a temperature of 30℃. The strain was also able to grow by using other toxic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, or xylene (BTX), as the sole source of carbon.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.203-218
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• 1975

In order to investigate the compositional change oil composts during the growing of cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), composts and mushrooms during the period of filling to ending under commercial conditions were subjected to chemical analyses. The results are summarized as follows and the mechanism of composting for mushroom cultivation was proposed. 1) The temperature change of growing bed and room was observed and the yield of mushroom for each cropping time was recorded to get $15.6kg/m^2$ in total crops. 2) Composts after filling showed pH 8.2 which dropped to 6.4 after casing and continued so up to ending. 3) On the dry weight basis of composts, crude ash increased whereas total nitrogen, ether extract and crude fibre decreased gradually to bring about the lowering of organic matter. 4) Total nitrogen of composts decreased gradually and more insoluble nitrogen was lost than soluble nitrogen. The C/N ratio of composts was initially 21 which was gradually lowered to 16. 5) The losses of ${\alpha}-cellulose$, pentosan and lignin in composts were 87%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, in which ${\alpha}-cellulose$ decreased markedly after casing. 6) Free reducing sugars of composts increased continuously. Gradually increased free amino acids till second cropping decreased again thereafter. Composts at the filling stage contained alanine, glutamic acid, glycine and serine in which glycine decreased markedly whereas proline increased remarkably upon mushroom cultivation. 7) Among minerals of composts, phosphorus and zinc tended to decrease, potassium and copper tended to increase anti sodium showed no marked change. 8) In comparison of mushrooms from different cropping time with respect to proximate composition, minerals, free reducing sugars and amino acids, no marked difference was observed. However, a little higher values were observed in crude fat, free reducing sugars and sodium content for early crops and in free amino acids and phosphorus content for late crops. Twelve free amino acids including alanine, serine, threonine, and glutamic acid were detected in the cultivated mushroom. 9) According to above experimental results, it was possible to support the mechanism of compositing that the formation of ammonia and decomposition of carbohydrates by mesophiles are followed by protein biosynthesis, formation of microbial bodies and nitrogen-rich lignin humus complex by thermophiles, thus supplying necessary nutrients for mushroom growth, along with residual carbohydrates.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.1 s.25
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• pp.125-135
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• 1989

This paper was carried out to study on correlation between mentally retardation and lead and zinc. The subjects were 297 mentally retarded children: 132 of Bomyung special school and Sunmyung, which were located in Taegu city of Korea. The former had their parents but the latter had not. The control group 63 children were randomly seleted from the Dong-in primary school near to Medical School of Kyungpook National University. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, model IL-551 connected with CTF atomizer(IL. 655) was used for the analysis of lead and zinc. The mean value of lead in hair of mentally retarded children was $14.97{\pm}3.71ppm$ which is significantly higher than that of control group, $11.36{\pm}2.83ppm$. But the content of zinc was not significant in both groups. In the lead there was no significant correlation to age but significant negative correlation to IQ. Zinc showed significant correlation to age but not to IQ. Among the handicapped children, no signigicant correlation between orphan group and non orphan group. Handicaps of mentally-retarded children were speech impairment, emotional disturbance, double and triple handicaps, sensory impairment and abnormal dietary patterns. There were significantly higher contents of lead compared with normal group, except the latter two groups. The disease conditions of mentally retarded children were mongolism, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and microcephaly. In comparing with mongolism, significant difference were existent only on the cerebral palsy and group of unknown etiology. We attempted to divide their past history into external etiology and internal etiology, but could not find significant difference. In view of the whole results, the relationship between mentally-retarded children and lead was presumed to be the early time exposure rather than long interval exposure during growth and the contact opportunity was considered important subject in maternal and child health care.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2015

This study was conducted to establish a simple mass-screening method for resistant melon to Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM). Root-dipping inoculation method has been used to investigate resistance of melon plants to Fusarium wilt. However, the inoculation method requires a lot of labor and time because of complicate procedure. To develop a simple screening method on melon Fusarium wilt, occurrence of Fusarium wilt on susceptible and resistant cultivars of melon according to inoculation method including root-dipping, soil-drenching, tip, and scalpel methods was investigated. Scalpel and tip methods showed more clear resistant and susceptible responses in the melon cultivars than root-dipping inoculation method, but tip method represented slightly variable disease severity. In contrast, in the case of soil-drenching inoculation method, disease severity of the susceptible cultivars was very low. Thus we selected scalpel method as inoculation method of a simple screening method for melon Fusarium wilt. By using the scalpel inoculation method, resistance degrees of the cultivars according to incubation temperature after inoculation (25 and $30^{\circ}C$) and inoculum concentration ($1{\times}10^6$ and $1{\times}10^7conidia/ml$) were measured. The resistance or susceptibility of the cultivars was hardly affected by all the tested conditions. To look into the effectiveness of scalpel inoculation methods, resistance of 22 commercial melon cultivars to FOM was compare with root-dipping inoculation method. When the melon cultivars were inoculated by scalpel method, resistance responses of all the tested cultivars were clearly distinguished as by root-dipping method. Taken together, we suggest that an efficient simple mass-screening method for resistant melon plant to Fusarium wilt is to sow the seeds of melon in a pot (70 ml of soil) and to grow the seedlings in a greenhouse ($25{\pm}5^{\circ}C$) for 7 days, to cut the root of seedlings with a scalpel and then pour a 10 ml-aliquot of the spore suspension of $1{\times}10^6conidia/ml$ on soil. The infected plants were cultivated in a growth room at 25 to $30^{\circ}C$ for about 3 weeks with 12-hr light a day.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.145-160
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• 1979

The effects of organic material application on soil physical properties were reviewed in relation to soil productivity. The organic matter contents and soil physical properties of the cultivated land in Korea were summarized and the effects of organic matter were compared in terms of land uses and soil types. Soil physical properties related to crop yield potential, such as soil aggregation, permeability, water holding capacity, erodibility, and compactibility, were used in evaluating the effects of organic materials as a soil physical amendment. The benefical effects of organic matter addition on soil physical conditions include (1) better aeration and increased infiltration in silty and clayey soils, (2) increased water holding capacity and moisture availability in sandy soils, (3) decreased soil erodibility, and (4) increased resistance to compaction. It is, therefore, concluded that continuous application of organic materials could greatly improve the various soil physical properties and favor the growth and yield of crops. A high rate of organic matter addition could contribute to reducing not only the soil erosion on sloping land, but also the possible detrimental effect of farm mechanization. In general, the effects of organic matter on soil physical improvement were estimated to be much higher in upland than in paddy. Organic matter would have a more pronounced effect on low productive lands such as heavy clayey or sandy soils and newly reclaimed soil. The optimum level of soil organic matter content was estimated to be about 3.0 to 3.5% for the best soil physical condition. Since the organic matter contents of the cultivated lands in Korea are much lower than optimum level, it would be desiable to use more organic materials to soil for the increase of soil productivity, continuation of stabilized high productivity and soil erosion control.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Individual differences of ozone ($O_3$) resistance for seed production, seed germination and seedling development were examined in this study. Five in each healthy and damaged trees of Pinus thunbergii growing in air polluted area for 12 years were chosen based on visible foliar injury and growth. The cones of P. thunbergii, which were collected from healthy and damaged trees, were analyzed for physical characteristics and seeds from the cones were used to test germination percentage under $O_3$ treatment. The germinated seeds were continuously exposed to $O_3$ treatment and the lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidative enzymes were determined for both seeds and seedlings. The $O_3$ treatment for seed germination and seedling development were conducted at three conditions: control, 150 ppb and 300 ppb of $O_3$. The non-treated seeds from the damaged trees showed 21.6% lower germination than those from the healthy ones. On the $O_3$ treatment of 300 ppb, seed germination decreased approximately 10% for the healthy trees and 19% for the damaged trees compared to that on the control. The seeds from the healthy trees showed significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) than those from the damaged trees. The activities of GR, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and CAT decreased along with the increasing $O_3$ concentration in two tree grades. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of seeds was not influenced by $O_3$ treatment for two tree grades. In seedling development, there were no significant differences for length and biomass of needle and root of two tree grades at both the control and 150 ppb of $O_3$. At 300 ppb of $O_3$ treatment, however, the length and biomass of needle and stem decreased for two tree grades but no significant differences was detected in root. The seedlings from the damaged trees were more sensitive to the $O_3$ treatment, showing higher activities of SOD, APX, and CAT and content of MDA compared to those from the healthy tree seedlings. Our results indicate that seed germination and seedling development are vulnerable to increasing $O_3$ concentrations and that attention must be paid to the individual selection of tree species for reforestation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2010

Seedling establishment, overwintering ability and dry matter production of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L. CMV) in natural reseeding practice were compared with the annual seedling in 2006~2007 and 2007~2008. In natural reseeding, CMV seeds were distributed up to 15 cm soil depth in autumn after rice harvest and the seeds generally emerged from soil at less than 5 cm depth while they all emerged from soil surface in the annual seeding. It took 7-8 d longer in seedling establishment of the natural reseeding practice than the annual seeding. Generally, the natural reseeding practice showed higher seedling stand than the annual seeding because of high seedling survival rate. The high seedling survival rate in natural reseeded plant was attributed to the longer root length than that of the annual-seeded plant. In annual seeding, most of the seeds emerged from the soil surface and the root can not easily penetrate the soil while, in natural reseeding technology, the seeds incorporated into the soil during land preparation emerged from the soil at 0 to 5 cm depths, thereby having longer root length. The long root length contributed to greater ability to survive even under low temperature and low soil moisture conditions during winter. The dry matter production in the natural reseeding practice was also higher than the annual seeding when the temperature is low and soil moisture is not sufficient. This result indicates that natural reseeding technology is more stable and beneficial in seedling establishment and dry matter production as compared with the annual seeding especially under unfavorable environmental condition for CMV growth. This practice could be encouraged in CMV-rice cropping system in the southern parts of Korea.