• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2017

Millimeter waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies of 30-300 GHz (wavelength 1-10 mm), and millimeter wave stimulation affects microorganism growth. The present study stimulated Bacillus subtilis with 60 and 70 GHz millimeter waves during cheonggukjang fermentation and characterized the effects on cheonggukjang quality. Cheonggukjang treated with millimeter wave irradiation showed no significant difference in total bacterial count but generated only 5.52-5.92% viscous substance. Irradiation with 60 GHz millimeter waves yielded bright and intense color values relative to 70 GHz millimeter waves. Examination of the amylase activity and reducing sugar content of finished cheonggukjang revealed that irradiation at 70 GHz inhibited amylase activity in cheonggukjang. Furthermore, irradiation at 70 GHz increased protease activity, whereas irradiation at 60 GHz inhibited the activity. Moreover, the amino acid content changed with millimeter wave irradiation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Biochar has ability to reduce N loss, increase crop yield, and sequestrate carbon in the soil However, there is still limited study concerning the interactive effects of various biochars on NH₃ loss and plant growth. This study, therefore, was conducted to investigate the NH₄⁺ adsorption characteristics of biochar derived from rice and maize residues. METHODS AND RESULTS: By-products were pyrolyzed under oxygen-limited conditions at 300-700℃ for 1 hour and used for experiment of NH₄⁺ adsorption in aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics of biochar were studied using Langmuir isotherm. Biochar yield and hydrogen content decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperatures, whereas pH, EC, and total carbon content increased. The biochar pyrolyzed at lower temperatures was more efficient at NH₄⁺ adsorption than those produced at higher temperatures. In addition, the R_L values, indicating equilibrium coefficient were between 0 and 1, confirming that the result was suitable for Langmuir isotherm. CONCLUSION: The maize stalk biochar pyrolyzed at 300℃ was the most efficient to adsorb NH₄⁺ from the aqueous solution. Furthermore, the adsorption results of this experiment were lower than those of other prior studies, which were ascribed to different experimental conditions such as ingredients, and pyrolysis conditions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.377-385
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• 2021

A total of 18 sows with an average body weight (BW) of 211.6 kg (within 24 h after farrowing) were used for a 5-week experiment to determine the effects of the dietary valine : lysine (V : L) ratios on the performance and fecal score in lactating sows and litters. Sows were raised in individual pens and assigned to one of three experimental diets consisting of different V : L ratios (0.83, 0.85, and 0.88%). Sows BW was improved with the 0.85% V : L ratio compared to the 0.83 and 0.88%. However, no significant difference was observed for BW loss, average daily feed intake, back fat thickness and days to return to estrus among the three treatment groups during the experiment period. Furthermore, the growth performance of the piglets, the weaning weight, was improved in the group receiving the diet with the 0.85% V : L ratio compared to the 0.83 and 0.88%. Moreover, the average daily gain of the piglets was increased when the V : L ratio was 0.88% compared to 0.83 and 0.85%. The fecal score of the sows was better (p > 0.05) when the V : L ratio was 0.85% compared to the V : L ratio of 0.83%. In the piglets, the V : L ratios 0.88 and 0.85% had a better fecal score compared to the V : L ratio of 0.83% at day 14. In conclusion, the V : L ratio had no effect on the gut microflora shown by the fecal scores of the sows during lactation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.539-546
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• 2020

A cellulolytic bacterial strain, S2-3, was isolated from sea water collected in Jeju island, Republic of Korea. The strain was aerobic and gram negative, and formed yellow colored colonies on marine agar medium. S2-3 cells were long rod-shaped, 0.5 × 0.25 ㎛ (width x length) in size, and did not have flagella. The optimal growth conditions for S2-3 were 30-35℃ and pH 6.5-7.0. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of S2-3 revealed that it had the highest identity with those of Seonamhaeicola algicola Gy8 (97.08%), Hyunsoonleella udonensis JG48 (95.01%), and Aestuariibaculum scopimerae I-15 (94.86%). In phylogenetic analysis, S2-3 formed the same clade as S. algicola Gy8, implying that S2-3 belongs to the genus Seonamhaeicola. The major fatty acids (>10%) comprised C15:1 iso G (22.29%), C15:0 iso (17.71%), C17:0 iso 3OH (16.06%), and C15:0 iso 3OH (10.7%), resulting in quite different ratio of the component from those of S. algicola Gy8. Moreover, its biochemical characteristics, including acid production and enzyme activities, were different from those of S. algicola Gy8. Therefore, putting all these results together, we concluded S2-3 is distinct species from S. algicola Gy8, and thus named it Seonamhaeicola sp. S2-3. In liquid culture, S2-3 produced extracellular cellulases that can hydrolyze cellulose or cellooligosaccharides into cellobiose, which is a good enzyme resource that deserves further research.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.855-861
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• 2011

Short-term effects of current velocity and turbid water on the benthic diatom community and water quality were examined in artificial channel ($20{\times}200{\times}10cm$) with two different experiments. The first and second experiments were consisted of different current velocities such as 1 L/min., and 1, 3, and 6 L/min., respectively. The concentration of turbid water is prepared with loess and fixed at 10 and 20 times of the turbidity of control inflow (10 NTU, LTW), respectively. At experiment 1 (EXP-1), introduction of turbid water increased dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, pH and turbidity, but there were no differences between low- (100 NTU, MTW) and high-turbid water (200 NTU, HTW). However, experiment 2 (EXP-2) did not change any environmental parameters except dissolved total and inorganic nitrogen like EXP-1. MTW in EXP-1 strongly stimulated the growth of benthic diatom, while both MTW (150 NTU) and HTW (300 NTU) in EXP-2 did not increase or decrease the diatom abundance. Over the study, the dominant species was four, Aulacoseira ambigua, Cyclotella stelligera, Aulacoseira granulata and Achnanthes minutissima. In EXP-1, two highest species in abundance, A. ambigua and A. granulata were highly grown in MTW, while Achnanthes minutissima high in HTW adversely. These results indicate that the introduction of turbid water can play an important role in the shift of water quality and benthic diatom community in stream ecosystem, especially inflow of soil water in low current velocity.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1146-1156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two plant additives, rich in polyphenolic compounds, supplemented to sheep diets on microorganisms and carbohydrate fermentation in rumen. Methods: In the experiment, 6 ewes of the Polish Mountain breed were fitted with ruminal cannulas. Sheep were divided into three feeding groups. The study was performed in a cross-over design of two animals in each group, with three experimental periods (n = 6 per each group). The animals were fed a control diet (CON) or additionally received 3 g of dry and milled lingonberry leaves (VVI) or oak bark (QUE). Additionally, plant material was analyzed for tannins concentration. Results: Regardless of sampling time, QUE diet increased the number of total protozoa, as well as Entodinium spp., Diplodinium spp. and Isotrichidae family, while decreased bacterial mass. In turn, a reduced number of Diplodinium spp. and increased Ophryoscolex spp. population were noted in VVI fed sheep. During whole sampling time (0, 2, 4, and 8 h), the number of protozoa in ruminal fluid of QUE sheep was gradually reduced as opposed to animals receiving CON and VVI diet, where rapid shifts in the protozoa number were observed. Moreover, supplementing sheep with QUE diet increased molar proportions of butyrate and isoacids in ruminal fluid. Unfortunately, none of the tested additives affected gas production. Conclusion: The addition of VVI or QUE in a small dose to sheep diets differently affected rumen microorganisms and fermentation parameters, probably because of various contribution of catechins in tested plant materials. However, it is stated that QUE diet seems to create more favorable conditions for growth and development of ciliates. Nonetheless, the results of the present study showed that VVI and QUE additives could serve as potential natural modulators of microorganism populations and, consequently, carbohydrate digestion in ruminants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1656-1666
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• 2021

Dental pathogens lead to chronic diseases like periodontitis, which causes loss of teeth. Here, we examined the plausible antibacterial efficacy of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized using Cupressus macrocarpa extract (CME) against periodontitis-causing bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of CME-CuNPs were then assessed against oral microbes (M. luteus. B. subtilis, P. aerioginosa) that cause periodontal disease and were identified using morphological/ biochemical analysis, and 16S-rRNA techniques. The CME-CuNPs were characterized, and accordingly, the peak found at 577 nm using UV-Vis spectrometer showed the formation of stable CME-CuNPs. Also, the results revealed the formation of spherical and oblong monodispersed CME-CuNPs with sizes ranged from 11.3 to 22.4 nm. The FTIR analysis suggested that the CME contains reducing agents that consequently had a role in Cu reduction and CME-CuNP formation. Furthermore, the CME-CuNPs exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy against different isolates which was superior to the reported values in literature. The antibacterial efficacy of CME-CuNPs on oral bacteria was compared to the synergistic solution of clindamycin with CME-CuNPs. The solution exhibited a superior capacity to prevent bacterial growth. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of CME-CuNPs with clindamycin recorded against the selected periodontal disease-causing microorganisms were observed between the range of 2.6-3.6 ㎍/ml, 4-5 ㎍/ml and 0.312-0.5, respectively. Finally, the synergistic antimicrobial efficacy exhibited by CME-CuNPs with clindamycin against the tested strains could be useful for the future development of more effective treatments to control dental diseases.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.497-501
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• 2021

Cobalt (Co) is mainly used to prepare cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and binder metals for WC-Co hard metals. Developing an effective method for recovering Co from WC-Co waste sludge is of immense significance. In this study, Co is extracted from waste cemented carbide soft scrap via mechanochemical milling. The leaching ratio of Co reaches approximately 93%, and the leached solution, from which impurities except nickel are removed by pH titration, exhibits a purity of approximately 97%. The titrated aqueous Co salts are precipitated using oxalic acid and hydroxide precipitation, and the effects of the precipitating agent (oxalic acid and hydroxide) on the cobalt microstructure are investigated. It is confirmed that the type of Co compound and the crystal growth direction change according to the precipitation method, both of which affect the microstructure of the cobalt powders. This novel mechanochemical process is of significant importance for the recovery of Co from waste WC-Co hard metal. The recycled Co can be applied as a cemented carbide binder or a cathode material for lithium secondary batteries.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Alpha-linolenic acid is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid that exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of alpha-linolenic acid on the cell proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells under essential amino acid-deficient conditions. Different concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids were added to the growth and differentiation media. The concentrations of 10 µM of alpha-linolenic acid and 2% essential amino acid were chosen for subsequent experiments. Supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids improved the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells and significantly increased the mRNA levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, B-cell lymphoma-2, and beclin-1 as well as the protein levels of PPARγ coactivator-1α compared to those in the controls. Moreover, supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids reduced the levels of phosphorylated H2A.X variant histone, Bcl-2-associated X, p53, and light chain 3 during C2C12 cell proliferation, and increased the expression levels of myogenic factors 4 (myogenin) and 5 during C2C12 cell differentiation. Overall, we determined that alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids maintained the cell proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells via their anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

This study assessed the feasibility of iron oxide nanoparticles impregnated with biochar (INPBC), derived from woody biomass, as a stabilizing agent for the stabilization of farmland soil in the vicinity of an abandoned mine through pot experiments with 28 days of lettuce growth. The lettuce grown in the INPBC amended soils increased by more than 100% and the concentrations of inorganic elements (Cu, Ni, Zn) decreased by more than 40%. As, Cd and Pb were not transferred properly from the soils to the lettuce biomass. The bioavailability of arsenic and heavy metals in the INPBC amended soils were decreased by 26%~50%. It seems that the major mechanisms of stabilization were arsenic adsorption on iron oxides, heavy metal precipitation by soil pH increasing and heavy metal adsorption on organic matter. These results revealed that the lower bioavailability of the inorganic pollutants in the soils stabilized using INPBC induced lower transfer to the lettuce. Thus, INPBC could be used as an amendment material for the stabilization of farmland soils contaminated by arsenic and heavy metals. However, a pre-review of the chemical properties of the amended soil must be performed prior to applying INPBC in farmland soil because the concentration of the nutrients in the soil such as available phosphates and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K) could be decreased due to adsorption on the surface of the iron oxides and organic matter.