• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.308-320
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• 2022

The high internal resistance (R_int) that develops across the sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) limits their power production (~4/10 mW m^-2) that can be recovered from an initial oil-contaminated sediment (OCS). In the anolyte, R_int is related to poor biodegradation activity, quality and quantity of contaminant content in the sediment and anode material. While on the catholyte, R_int depends on the properties of the catholyte, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the cathode material. In this work, the main factors limiting the power output of the SMFC have been minimized. The power output of the SMFC was increased (47 times from its initial value, ~4 mW m^-2) minimizing the SMFC R_int (28 times from its initial value, 5000 ohms), following the main modifications. Anolyte: the initial OCS was amended with several amounts of gasoline and kerosene. The best anaerobic microbial activity of indigenous populations was better adapted (without more culture media) to 3 g of kerosene. Catholyte: ORR was catalyzed in birnessite/carbon fabric (CF)-cathode at pH 2, 0.8M Na₂SO₄. At the class level, the main microbial groups (Gammaproteobacteria, Coriobacteriia, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria) with electroactive members were found at C-anode and were associated with the high-power densities obtained. Gasoline is more difficult to biodegrade than kerosene. However, in both cases, SMFC biodegradation activity and power output are increased when ORR is performed on birnessite/CF in 0.8 M Na₂SO₄ at pH 2. The work discussed here can focus on bioremediation (in heavy OCS) or energy production in future work.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2023

Marine macroalgae are important in coastal ecosystems and interact with marine microorganisms. In this study, we isolated fungi from seven types of marine macroalgae including Cladophora sp., Gloiopeltis furcate, Gracilariopsis chorda, Hydroclathrus clathratus, Prionitis crispata, Sargassum micracanthum, and Ulva lactuca collected in Korea. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses identified the isolates as four Aspergillus spp. (A. fumigatus, A. sydowii, A. tamarii, and A. terreus), three Penicillium spp. (P. crustosum, P. jejuense, and P. rubens), and Cladosporium tenuissimum. Among them, A. fumigatus TOP-U2, A. tamarii SH-Sw5, and A. terreus GJ-Gf2 strains showed the activities of all enzymes examined (amylase, chitinase, lipase, and protease). Based on the enzymatic index (EI) values in solid media, A. terreus GJ-Gf2 and C. tenuissimum UL-Pr1 exhibited the highest amylase and lipase activities, respectively. Chitinolytic activity was only observed in A. terreus GJ-Gf2, A. tamarii SH-Sw5, and A. fumigatus TOP-U2. Penicillium crustosum UL-Cl2 and C. tenuissimum UL-Pr1 showed the highest protease activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lipolytic and proteolytic activities in a marine-derived C. tenuissimum strain. Overall, the fungal strains isolated from the marine macroalgae in this study actively produced industrially important enzymes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.376-386
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial hazards posed by food utensils and fixtures in food service operations at selected middle and high schools located in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We collected 200 samples of utensils and fixtures including cups, spoons/chopsticks, food trays and tables from five different schools in Seoul. Target microorganisms of this study were divided into two groups: total bacterial count and total coliform as indicators of microbial contamination and Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus as pathogens of food poisoning. We used selective media to quantify microbial concentration and 16S rRNA PCR assay for qualitative analysis. In addition, intensive interviews with nutritionists were conducted and observations were made to identify factors that may affect microbial contamination. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the microbial concentration and operation characteristics of each operation. Results: The level of microbial concentration in school B and C were significantly lower than in school A, D and E (p<0.05). Some samples from school A, D and E showed over 3.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total bacterial count) and 1.0 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total coliform), which requires immediate hygienic action. The number of customers per staff member, periodicity of hygiene education for staff and daily operation time of sterilizers were also found to be important factors related with the microbial contamination of food service operations. Conclusions: These results suggested that not only a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach, but also efforts to assess internal risk factors within operations be needed to reduce the microbial contamination of food utensils and fixtures. This study is expected to provide preliminary data for assessing microbial hazards in food service operations.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

Background: Honey bees play a crucial role in pollination and ecological balance. Apis mellifera L. colonies, especially those located in specific geographic regions, such as the palm garden in Eastern Thailand, are susceptible to potential threats from microbial contaminants. Understanding and detecting microbial organisms in these beehives is essential for the preservation of bee health, honey production, and the broader ecosystem. However, the problem of microbial infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria is more severe and continuously increasing, resulting in a health, economic, and social crisis. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of microorganisms in A. mellifera beehives in palm gardens in Rayong province, Eastern Thailand. Results: Ten swabs in transport media were swabbed and obtained from different parts of each beehive (1 swab per beehive), for a total of 10 hives. Traditional microbial culture-based methods, biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility (disc-diffusion) tests were used to detect microbial organisms and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The swab tests from nine beehives resulted in the detection of Gram-positive bacteria (63.64%), Gram-negative bacteria (27.27%), and fungi/yeast (9.09%). These microorganisms are classified as a group of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. and made up 40.91% of the bacteria discovered. Other bacteria found were Coryneform bacteria (13.64%), Pantoea spp. (13.64%), Bacillus spp. (9.09%), yeast (9.09%), glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (9.09%), and Pseudomonas spp. (4.55%). However, due to the traditional culture-based and 0biochemical tests usually used to identify the microbial organisms in clinical specimens and the limitation of identifying some environmental microbial species, the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test cannot reveal if the organism is resistant or susceptible to the drug. Nevertheless, drug-sensitive inhibition zones were formed with each antibiotic agent. Conclusions: Overall, the study supports prevention, healthcare, and public health systems. The contamination of microorganisms in the beehives may affect the quality of honey and other bee products or even the health of the beekeeper. To avoid this kind of contamination, it is therefore necessary to wear personal protective equipment while harvesting honey and other bee products.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 1973

The microwave of 2450 MHz, generated by a household cooking oven, was evaluated for its applicability to melt various rehydrated media and to remove dissolved oxygen from tubed media for anaerobic culture. The effect on the sterilization of E. coli in selective media was also evaluated. The following results were obtained. 10 The microwave oven was useful in saving time for melting media and in eliminating heat and combustion gas from the laboratory, which were inevitable by-products in the conventional flame method. 2) Dissolved oxygen could be removed without boiling over by exposing the tubes of anaerobic culture medium after putting them in a wire basket in a beaker with water. 30 The count of E. coli during the melting of MacConkey and EMB agar were similar to those treated with open flame. The microwave treatment was not considered a possible mean to replace autoclaving even in these selective media.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate hazardous microorganisms in mixed baby leafy vegetables and various baby leafy vegetables used as raw materials for fresh-cut produce in spring and summer. To estimate microbial loads, a total of 298 samples including 181 samples of mixed baby leafy vegetables purchased in a Korean market and 117 samples of various baby leafy vegetables from distribution companies were collected. Fecal indicators (coliform and Escherichia coli) as well as food-borne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) were enumerated. As a result, the mixed baby leafy vegetable samples showed significantly higher (P<0.05) coliform bacteria numbers in summer (5.59±1.18 log CFU/g) compared to spring (3.60±2.53 log CFU/g). E. coli was detected in 1.3% (1/79) and 42.2% (43/102) of samples collected in spring and summer, respectively. Only one sample collected from a market in spring was contaminated with S. aureus. In the experiment with baby leafy vegetables, the number of coliforms detected in baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil in spring was 1.15±1.95 log CFU/g, and that in summer was 4.09±2.52 log CFU/g. However, the number of coliforms recovered from baby leafy vegetables cultivated in media was above 5.0 log CFU/g regardless of season. Occurrences of E. coli were 44.4% (12/27) and 19.0% (4/21) for baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil and media, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results are in relation to microbial loads on mixed baby leafy vegetables associated with raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement hygienic practices at baby leafy vegetable farms to enhance the safety of fresh produce.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.709-715
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• 2013

The waste from beer fermentation broth (WBFB) has been found an excellent and inexpensive resource for bioethanol production. We tried to evaluate the saccharification and fermentation capabilities of WBFB to confirm its effectiveness for bioethanol production. The saccharification potentials of the WBFB were evaluated at various temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60 and $70^{\circ}C$). It was found that the saccharification capabilities increased with temperature and highest reached maximum at $60^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$ after 4h. Ethanol production from a mixture of WBFB and chemically defined media (CDM) without addition of any microbial species confirmed the fermentation capabilities of WBFB. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation were performed using WBFB, starch solution and CDM as culturing media. The maximum yield of bioethanol production was obtained at $30^{\circ}C$. The saccharifying enzymes and the yeast cells present in WBFB were essential factors for the production of bioethanol from WBFB without any additional enzymes or microbial cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of bee venom according to the keeping method and period. Method : The author observed microbial contamination of bee venom in nutrient agar, broth, YPD agar and YPD media and antibacterial activity for S. aureus, E. coli manufactured 12, 6 and 3 months ago as the two type of room temperature and $4^{\circ}C$ cold storage. Results : 1. 1:3,000 and 1:4,000 diluted bee venom solution did not show microbial contamination both room temperature and cold storage within twelve months. 2. There was antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in cold storage within twelve months and there was no antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in twelve months, room temperature storage. 3. We could not observe the zone of inhibition around paper disc of all for E.coli. in 1:3,000, 1:30,000 and 1:3,000,000 diluted bee venom solution, respectively. According to results, we expect that diluted bee venom solution is stable both cold and room temperature storage within twelve months.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.490-496
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• 2002

The production of E. coli WC7 phytase from a recombinant E. coli strain was optimized using a statistical experimental design approach. Two-level complete factorial designs with seven variables were used for the media optimization. In the first optimization step, the influence of disodium succinate, yeast extract, $K_2HPO_4,\;NH_4H_2PO_4,\;MgSO_4$, NaCl, and trace elements on phytase production was evaluated. As a result, disodium succinate, yeast extract, $NH_4H_2PO_4$, NaCl, and the trace elements were found to have a positive influence on the phytase production, while $K_2HPO_4\;and\;MgSO_4$ had a negative influence. In the second step, the concentrations of disodium succinate and yeast extract were further optimized using central composite designs. The maximum phytase activity obtained was 234 U/ml using 15.9 g/1 disodium succinate, 20 g/1 yeast extract, 5 g/1 K_2HPO_4,\;10 g/1 NH_4H_2PO_4,\;1.5 g/1 MgSO_4$, 4 g/1 NaCl, and 1.5 m1/1 trace elements, which was about a 14-fold increase in comparison with that obtained using the basal medium.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.322-327
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• 2007

Mineral salts in medium usually profoundly influence microorganism growth and protein synthesis. In order to produce microbial transglutaminase (MTG) with a high yield from Streptoverticillium mobaraense, we screened the minerals $CaCl_2,\;CoCl_2,\;FeSO_4,\;ZnSO_4,\;MnSO_4\;and\;CuSO_4$ for MTG fermentation. The results indicated that appropriate $FeSO_4$ concentrations could significantly promote cell growth and stimulate the production of MTG. With 15 mg/L of $FeSO_4$ added to medium, 58% improvements were noted in MTG productivity (2.24 U/mL). NaCl, $CaCl_2,\;and\;CoCl_2$ enhanced MTG productivity by less than 15%, and the optimal concentrations were determined as 1 g/L, 2 g/L, and 30 mg/L respectively. Furthermore, it was determined that 7.5 mg/L of $ZnSO_4$ in medium could augment MTG productivity by 20% and induce the stationary phase for MTG production to a period 24 hr earlier. This basic and novel discovery should result in the development of a good complement to the previously defined culture media for MTG fermentation.