• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic diversity of the bacterial community and isolation of extremely halophilic bacteria using culturomics in a gray solar saltern. The number of bacterial living cells, enumerated in a gray solar saltern by direct fluorescence microscopy was three to four orders of magnitude greater than those enumerated by plate counts, suggesting the distribution of 'viable but non-culturable bacteria'. The biodiversity of bacterial communities in a gray solar saltern was investigated by pyrosequencing, 1,778 OTUs of bacteria were comprised of 18 phyla 46 classes 85 orders 140 families 243 genera with 6.16 diversity index. Archaea communities were composed of 3 phyla 6 classes 7 orders 7 families 38 genera with 4.95 diversity index from 643 OTUs. Totally 137 isolates were isolated by 59 different cultural methods based on culturomics considering culture media and conditions suitable for the growth of extremely halophilic bacteria. Phylogenetic analyses of extremely halophilic isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, extremely halophilic isolates were composed of 4 phyla and 11 genera. Haloterrigena and Haloferax can be successfully isolated from culturomics. These culturomics were effective methods for collection of diversity of extremely halophilic bacteria.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2024

Background: As pollutants caused by non-point sources flow into rivers, river water quality monitoring for fecal pollution is becoming increasingly important. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of microbial communities in the Yeongsangang River water system and sewage treatment plants in Gwangju and to evaluate their antibiotic resistance. Methods: In the experiment, samples were distributed to five selective media at each point and then cultured for 18 to 24 hours. When bacteria were observed, they were sub-cultured by size and shape and identified using MALDI-TOF MS equipment. When identification was completed, 17 types of antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using VITEK II equipment, focusing on gram-negative dominant species among the identified strains. Results: During the study period, a total of 266 strains were isolated from 39 samples. Gram-positive bacteria were 37 strains in four genera, or 13.9% of the total, and Gram-negative bacteria were 229 strains in 23 genera, or 86.1% of the total. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of 23 strains, the major dominant species, showed that one strain (4.3%) was resistant to only one antibiotic, and two strains (8.7%) were 100% susceptible to the 17 antibiotics tested. The other 20 strains (87.0%) were multidrug resistant bacteria resistant to two or more antibiotics. There were various types of multidrug resistance. Among them, penicillin and cephalosporin series showed the highest resistance. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it was found that the bacterial community structure changed according to regional and environmental factors, and it was judged that continuous research such as genetic analysis of antibiotic-resistant bacteria present in natural rivers is necessary.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.21
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• pp.59-72
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• 2007

The relationship between soluble salts and microbial growth on stone surface was investigated. Samples from deteriorated surface layers of several stone monuments were collected, and the soluble salts in samples were chemically analysed. According to the results of chemical analyses, $Na_2SO_4$, $CaSO_4$ $2H_2O$, and NaCl and so on were added to isolation media. As a result of preliminary experiments, 15 bacteria were selected. They are all Gram positives and fourteen of them were rods. Every bacteria could grow not only in media without salts, but also in media with $CaCO_3$, $CaSO_4$ $2H_2O$, and $Ca(OH)_2$. Three bacteria, Bl6, B56, and B6l, secreted viscous substances in these $Ca^{2+}$ added media. $CaCl_2$ $2H_2O$ was the most hygroscopic among 11 soluble salts, but it seemed to interfere with bacterial growth. Ammonium ion was the inhibitor, too.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.603-608
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• 2001

In this study, we studied on the remeval of toluene vapors in a lab-scale biofilter. Biofiltration was performed in a column fed downflow with contaminated air at ambient conditions. The column was packed with mixture of Peat and Calstene(5:3 vol. Ratio), Synthesized media, Bark and Wood chip, which were inoculated with microbial population of selected stains(Pseudomonas. putida, KCCM 11343, ATCC 12633). The microorganisms were immobilized on the bed medium and then biofilm were formed. The biofilter was operated under the conditions of various inlet toluene concentrations for 180 days and treated up to the elimination capacity of maximum 40 g/㎥hr at the inlet load of 30 g/㎥ hr with percentage removals of 20∼90% and gas retention times between 1 and 2 min. The pressure drop was very negligible through the biofilter columps because its value of 0.054 cmH$_2$O/m was much less than others. The effect of operating conditions such as flow rate, inlet toluene concentration and moisture contents on the performance of the biofilter was sequentially investigated in this study.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2013

There was a study for biological characteristics, except for physico-chemical and mineralogical properties, on the natural bentonite that is considered as a buffer material for the high-level radioactive waste disposal site. A bentonite slurry that was prepared from a local 'Gyeongju bentonite' in Korea was incubated in a serum bottle with nutrient media over 1 week and its stepwise change was observed with time. From the activated bentonite in the nutrient media, we can find a certain change of both solid and liquid phases. Some dark and fine sulfides began to be generated from dissolved sulfate solution, and 4 species of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were identified as living cells in samples that were periodically taken and incubated. These results show that sulfate-reducing (or metal-reducing) bacteria are adhering and existing in the powder of bentonite, suggesting that there may be a potential occurrence of longterm biogeochemical effects in and around the bentonite buffer in underground anoxic environmental conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.513-525
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• 2006

In recent decades, biofiltration has been widely accepted for the treatment of contaminated air stream containing low concentration of odorous compounds or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, conventional biofilters packed with flexible synthetic polyurethane (PU) foam carriers were operated to remove toluene from a contaminated air stream. PU foams containing various amounts of pulverized activated carbon (PAC) were synthesized for the biofilter media and tested for toluene removal. Four biofilter columns were operated for 60 days to remove gaseous toluene from a contaminated air stream. During the biofiltration experiment, inlet toluene concentration was in the range of 0-150 ppm and EBRT (i.e., empty bed residence time) was kept at 26-42 seconds. Pressure drop of the biofilter bed was less than 3 mm $H_2O/m$ filter bed. The maximum removal capacity of toluene in the biofilters packed with PU-PAC foam was in the order of column II (PAC=7.08%) > column III (PAC=8.97%) > column I (PAC=4.95%) > column IV (PAC=13.52%), while the complete removal capacity was in the order of column II > column I > column III > column IV. The better biofiltration performance in column II was attributed to higher porosity providing favorable conditions for microbial growth. The results of biodegradation kinetic analysis showed that PU-PAC foam with 7.08% of PAC content had higher maximum removal rate ($V_m$=14.99 g toluene/kg dry material/day) than the other PU-PAC foams. In overall, the performance of biofiltration might be affected by the structure and physicochemical properties of PU foam induced by PAC content.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2012

The effect of continuous humidifier use on the bioaerosol concentration in an indoor environment was investigated. An ultrasonic humidifier was operated for 10 hr per day for 15 days in an apartment room. During this time period, viable bioaerosol samples were taken using a single-stage Andersen sampler containing culture media plates for bacteria and fungi. The culture plates were then incubated at room temperature for 2~7 days depending on the media. The counts for the air sample plates were corrected for multiple impactions using the positive hole conversion method and are reported as the colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). While the bacterial concentration measured using the tryptic soy agar (TSA) did not show any significant change during the first 3 days, the concentration increased from the $6^{th}$ day (6979 CFU/$m^3$) and reached a maximum on the $9^{th}$ day (46431 CFU/$m^3$). The concentration then decreased to 2470 CFU/$m^3$ on the $12^{th}$ day, at which point the fungal concentration increased rapidly to 14424~16038 CFU/$m^3$. Also, while the fungal concentration showed a significant change until the $9^{th}$ day of humidifier use, fungal growth was observed on the wallpaper and increased rapidly from the $12^{th}$ day. However, the bacterial concentration increased rapidly after the fungi were removed by remediation. The major fungal species identified in the samples were Penicillium representing 34%, Aspergillus representing 31%, Cladosporium representing 24%, and Alternaria representing 1%. The results also indicated that a relative humidity over 80% was easily achieved with continuous humidifier use. Yet, maintaining a high humidity in a room can cause a rapid outbreak of microbial growth.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1981

To maximize the production of penicillin amidase from Estherichia coli (ATCC 9637), the media composition and several factors affecting the engyme production during fermentation were studied. The optimal media composition was found to be; 3.5% tryptone, 1.5% monosodium glutamate and 0.5% yeast extract. The addition of 0.15% phenylacetic acid as an enzyme inducer at the initial stage of cultivation increased the engyme productivity about 5 fold. It was found that the engyme activity reached maximum within 16hr of cultivation. The maximum production of the enzyme obtained was about 102.5 units/l broth under the optimized condition. The enzyme production was markedly increased by the optimization as compared with those previously reported.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2008

Fermentative $H_2$ production was studied using microbial consortia isolated from heat-treated ($90{\circ}C$, 20 min) sewage sludge. Important parameters investigated were carbon(C) and nitrogen(N)-sources, C/N ratio, phosphate concentration, pH and temperature during anaerobic cultivation in serum bottles. Starch, ribose, sucrose and glucose were good C-sources for the culture growth and $H_2$ production. Yeast extract was better N-source than $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ or peptone when individually added to the synthetic media, however the combination of above three N-sources exhibited the additional effect for cell growth and $H_2$ evolution. Addition of 100 mM phosphate as a buffering agent prevented the rapid pH drop during the cultivation. The optimum initial pH for the cell growth was at 7.0, whereas $H_2$ production was observed at pH 5.5. Optimum temperature for the cell growth and $H_2$ production was $37{\circ}C$. Initial C/N ratio of 1.22 in the media using glucose and yeast extract as the C- and N-sources, respectively, showed the $H_2$ yield 1.0 mol $H_2$/mol glucose.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2006

The effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and n-dodecane) on the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient $(k_L\;a)$ were studied in flat alveolar airlift reactor and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In the flat alveolar airlift reactor, high aeration rates (>2vvm) were required in order to obtain efficient organic-aqueous phase dispersion and reliable $k_La$ measurements. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane increased the $k_La$ 1.55- and 1.33-fold, respectively, compared to the control (superficial velocity: $25.8{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, sparger orifice diameter: 0.5 mm). Analysis of the gas-liquid interfacial area a and the liquid film mass transfer coefficient $k_L$ suggests that the observed $k_La$ increase was a function of the media's liquid film mass transfer. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane to analogous setups using CSTRs led to a $k_La$ increase by a factor of 1.68 and 1.36, respectively (superficial velocity: $2.1{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, stirring rate: 250 rpm). These results propose that low-concentration addition of oxygen-vectors to aerobic microbial cultures has additional benefit relative to incubation in purely aqueous media.