To find out the growth conditions for the maximum activity of nitrogenase which catalyzes nitrogen fixation in Rhodobacter sphaeroides, the promoter activities of nifA and nifH were analyzed and the results indicated that expression of both nifA and nifH was increased in response to deprivation of both O2 concentration and nitrogen source. The nifA mutant was constructed by deleting the gene to investigate the effect of NifA, the transcriptional regulator, on the nifH and nifA expression in R. sphaeroides. Analysis of expression of nif genes using the nifA::lacZ and nifH::lacZ fusions in the nifA mutant revealed that NifA acts as a positive activator for nifH and an autoregulator in its own expression. The promoter activities of nifA and nifH in the prrA mutant grown under anaerobic and NH4 +-free conditions were derepressed, comparing with those of the wild-type grown under the same conditions, indicating that the prrA product acts as a positive regulator in expression of nifA and nifH.

This study was performed to evaluate the asbestos exposure levels and to calculate excess lifetime cacer risks(ELCRs) in asbestos-containing buildings for maintenance and management. The range of airborne asbestos concentration of 33 buildings was 0.0018 ~ 0.0126 f/cc and one site exceeded indoor air-quality recommended limit 0.01 f/cc. And ELCRs based on US EPA IRIS(Integrated risk information system) model are 1.5E-06 ~ 3.9E-05 levels, and there was no site showed 1.0E-04 (one person per million) level or more, and 11 sites showed 1.0E-05 (one person per 100,000 people) level or more. To prevent the release of asbestos fibers, it needs operation and maintenance of asbestos-containing building materials, and there are some methods such as removal, repairment, enclosure and encapsulation. In conclusion, a risk-based air action level for asbestos in air is an appropriate metric for asbestos-containing building management.

쿠메스트롤은 식물이 스트레스에 대항해 합성하는 phytoalexins의 일종으로, 알팔파 새싹, 클로버, 콩나물에서 일반적으로 발견된다. 본 연구에서는 쿠메스트롤의 자외선에 의해 유도되는 피부 진피세포 광노화 예방 효능에 관한 연구를 실시하였다. 쿠메스트롤 전처리는 자외선 B 조사에 의해 감소된 Sirt1 단백질 발현 및 활성과 하위 미토콘드리아 생합성 관련 유전자인 PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM의 발현 변화를 감소시켰다. 또한, ATP 및 ROS 생성량을 정상화시키고 피부 노화를 유도하는 최종당화산물 생성을 억제하였다. 이상의 결과에서 쿠메스트롤은 자외선 조사에 의해 발생하는 진피 세포 내 미토콘드리아 손상 및 이에 따른 당화 단백질 생성을 감소시킴으로써 피부 광노화 현상으로부터 보호할 수 있음을 확인하였다.

A bacterial strain SY-97 that showed algicidal activity against Cochlodinium polykrikoides was isolated from coastal water of Uljin (eastern coast of Korea) in August, 2005. The isolated strain was identified as Brachybacterium sp. by morphological and biological tests, and analysis of 16S rDNA sequence. The optimal culture conditions for the growth of strain SY-97 were 30℃, initial pH 7.0, and salinity 2.0%. From the result of cell culture insert experiment, Brachybacterium sp. SY-97 is assumed to produce secondary metabolites which have algicidal activity. When 10% culture filtrate of this strain was applied to C. polykrikoides (1.2 × 104 cells/㎖) cultures, 100% of C. polykrikoides cells was destroyed within 15 hours. The released algicides were heat-tolerant to 100℃ and stable in pH 6.0～10.0. These results suggest that Brachybacterium sp. SY-97 is potentially useful for controlling outbreaks of C. polykrikoides.

지금까지 (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)는 인간의 피부에 유용한 녹차 카테킨 중에서 가장 강력한 항산화 성분으로 알려져 왔다. 본 연구팀은 용매, 온도, 압력 등 다양한 조건을 변화시키며, 멸균과정(autoclaving) 중에 발생하는 이성질체화(epimerization) 과정을 연구하여, gallocatechin-3-gallate (GCG) 함량이 크게 증가된 열전환-EGCG-복합체(heat-epimerzied-EGCG-mixture, HE-EGCG-mix)를 순수한 EGCG로부터 조제 하였다. 이러한 열전환-EGCG-복합체는 무모쥐 SKH-1을 이용한 실험에서, 손상된 피부 장벽의 회복 시에 인보루크린 7 (involucrin 7) 단백질의 발현량을 EGCG 처리 시보다 증가시킴을 확인하였다. 또한, in vitro 실험을 통하여 GCG는 PPAR-α에 대한 전이활성(transactivation) 효과가 EGCG보다 뛰어남을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 열전환-EGCG-복합체에 함유된 고함량의 GCG 성분에 의해서, 피부 장벽 손상 회복 시 PPAR에 의해 매개된 각질형성세포(keratinocyte)의 분화가 더욱 촉진될 수 있음을 암시한다. 따라서, EGCG의 C-2 에피머(epimer)인 GCG는 녹차 카테킨을 이용한 피부 장벽 개선 용도의 화장품과 건강식품 개발 시 주요 소재로 활용될 수 있다.

The bacterial community structure in biological activated carbon (BAC) process in drinking water treatment plant was investigated by Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe. Samples were collected at different three points in BAC process every month for one year. They were hybridized with a probe specific for the alpha, beta, gamma subclass of the class Proteobacteria, Cytophaga- Flavobacteria group and Gram-positive high G+C content (HGC) group. Total numbers of bacteria in BAC process counted by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining were 5.4×1010 (top), 4.0×1010 (middle) and 2.8×1010 cells/ml (bottom). The number of the culturable bacteria was from 1.0×107 to 3.6×107 cells/ml and the culturability was about 0.05%. The faction of bacteria detectable by FISH with the probe EUB338 was about 83% of DAPI counts. Gamma and alpha subclass of the class Proteobacteria were predominant in BAC process and their ratios were over 20% respectively. In top and middle, alpha, beta and gamma subclass of the class Proteobacteria competed with each other and their percentages was changed according to the season. In bottom, gamma subclass of the class Proteobacteria was predominant all through the year. It could be successfully observed the seasonal distribution of bacterial community in biological activated carbon process using FISH.

Algicidal bacterium was isolated from sea water during the declining period of Cochlodinium polykrikoides blooms and this bacterium had a significant algicidal activity against C. polykrikoides. In this study, algicidal bacterium was identified on the basis of biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and analysis of 16S rDNA sequences. The algicidal bacterium showed 98.6% homology with Micrococcus luteus ATCC 381T. Therefore, this bacterium was designated Micrococcus luteus SY-13. The optimal culture conditions of the algicidal bacterium was 25℃, initial pH 8.0, and 3.0% NaCl concentration. M. luteus SY-13 is assumed to produce secondary metabolites which have algicidal activity. When 10% culture filtrate of this strain was applied to C. polykrikoides (1.0 × 104 cells/㎖) cultures, over 98% of C. polykrikoides cells were destroyed within 6 hours. The culture filtrate of M. luteus SY-13 exhibited similar algicidal activity after heat-treatment at 121℃ for 15 min. While algicidal activity remained in filtrates with pH adjusted to 8.0, loss of algicidal activity occurred when the pHs of filtrates were adjusted to over 9.0 or heat-treated at 121∼180℃ for 1 hour. M. luteus SY-13 showed significant algicidal activities against C. polykrikoides (98.9%) and a wide algicidal range against various harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. However, there was no algicidal effect on diatom and marine livefood organisms except Isocrysis galbana. These results suggest that M. luteus SY-13 could be a candidate for use in the control of HABs.

Feathers are produced in huge quantities as a waste product at commercial poultry processing plants. Since feathers are almost pure keratin protein, feather wastes represent an alternative to more expensive dietary ingredients for animal feedstuffs. Generally they become feather meal used as animal feed after undergoing physical and chemical treatments. These processes require significant energy and also cause environmental pollutions. Therefore, biodegradation of feather by microorganisms represents an alternative method to prevent environment contamination. The aim of this study was to investigate cultural conditions affecting keratinolytic protease production by Bacillus pumilus RS7. We also assessed the nutritive value of microbial and alkaline feather hydrolysates. The composition of optimal medium for the keratinolytic protease was fructose 0.05%, yeast extract 0.3%, NaCl 0.05%, K2HPO4 0.03%, KH2PO4 0.04% and MgCl2ㆍ6H2O 0.01%, respectively. The optimal temperature and initial pH was 30℃ and 9.0, respectively. The keratinolytic protease production under optimal condition reached a maximum after 18 h of cultivation. Total amino acid content of feather hydrolysates treated by NaOH and B. pumilius RS7 was 113.8 ㎍/ml and 504.9 ㎍/ml, respectively. Essential amino acid content of feather hydrolysates treated by NaOH and B. pumilius RS7 was 47.2 ㎍/ml and 334.0 ㎍/ml, respectively. Thus, feather hydrolysates have the potential for utilization as an ingredient in animal feed.

The aim of this study was to isolate mesophilic chicken feather-degrading bacteria and to evaluate feather hydrolysate as alternative biofertilizer. Isolate RS7 was isolated from compost and identified as Bacillus pumilus according to API analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Chicken feathers were completely degraded after 5 days of cultivation at 30℃. Feather hydrolysate treated by B. pumilius RS7 positively influenced Helianthus sannuus L. (sunflower) growth (e.g. growth rate, number and dry weight of leave, and flowering rate). These results suggest that feather hydrolysate prepared using B. pumilius RS7 could successfully be used as alternative biofertilizer, thereby reducing the environmental impact of feather waste from the poultry industry.

The textile remains have been affected largely by environmental factors including microorganisms because they were composed of organic compounds to be easy to damage. So, we selected 8 strains of the 131 isolated strains from museum environments and textile remains by high protease activity, and identified them for measuring the antibacterial activity of Gingko biloba extracts. They were identified Genus Arthrobacter spp. 3 strains (Arthrobacter nicotiannae A12, Arthrobacter sp B12, Arthrobacter oxidans B13), Genus Bacillus spp. 2 strains (Bacillus licheniformis D9, Bacillus cereus D33), Genus Pseudomonas spp. 2 strains (Pseudomonas putida A24, Pseudomonas fluorescene C21) and a Genus Staphylococcus sp. 1 strain (Staphylococcus pasteuri D3) as closest strains through the blast search of NCBI. Though antibacterial activity of the extracts of Gingko biloba leaves as MIC was lower than that of other pharmaceutical antibiotics. However the extracts was crude extracts, the extracts might have good antibacterial against most of the isolates from museum. Especially, the antifungal activity of Gingko biloba is known previously, the extracts of Gingko biloba leaves has possibility of usage as a good natural material for conservation of remains.

From sludge of S municipal wastewater treatment plant in Busan, Korea, we isolated the denitrifier DN-9 which showed the ability of denitrification under aerobic condition by the color change and gas formation in liquid culture with Giltay medium. The isolated strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. DN-9 on the basis of the morphological, physiological, biochemical and nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rRNA. The isolated strain, Pseudomonas sp. DN-9, has cytochrome cd1 nirS of nitrite reductase. By the co-existance of additional ammonium and nitrate ion, the strain was not affected largely on growth in SL series broth. It seemed the result of denitrification. Although Pseudomonas sp. DN-9 has a good nitrate reduction activity under aerobic condition, the activity is less than Pseudomonas stutzeri in same cultivation condition. However, Escherichia coli had little the activity of aerobic denitrification and Pseudomonas putida showed lower activity of aerobic denitrification than Pseudomonas sp. DN-9 and Pseudomonas stutzeri in this study.

We have been proposed model equation which is able to predict the trihalomethane producing concentration formation, that is one of byproduct, in the water treatment processes. In proposed model, the effects of trihalomethane factors like chlorine contact time, pH, temperature, TOC and UV-254 are considered. The concentration of the trihalomethane produced is proportion to the contact with chlorine, pH of water, temperature of water TOC and UV-254, respectively. This proposed model could be predicted the formed concentration of trihalomethanes by trihalomethane factors.

A species of facultative photo-organotrophic, purple, non-sulfur bacterium was isolated from the 47 point at west and south coast of Korea in September 2001. Separated 13 samples of changes with red color under 28～32 ℃, 3000 lux, anaerobe conditions for 7 days cultivated in basal medium. For pure isolation from 13 samples, we used agar-shake tube method (0.4 % agar) and separated 5 strains through 13-repetition test. EGH-24 and EGH-30 was identified as the same strain through the RAPD(Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA)-PCR of strain EGH-9, EGH-13, EGH-23, EGH-24, EGH-30. Four isolates cultivated in synthesis wastewater for wastewater biodegradation test. EGH-24 was selected with efficient wastwater treating strain. Based on the results obtained from morphology, nutrient requirements, major bacteriochlorophyll content, 16S-rDNA phylogenetic analysis, EGH-24 strain may be identified as a new strain of the genus Rhodobacter and named Rhodobacter sp. EGH-24.

The isolated strain, Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT was able to degrade high phenol concentrations up to 10 mM within 24 hours in the medium consisting of 5.3 mM KH2PO4, 95 mM Na2HPO4, 18mM NH4NO3, 1mM MgSO4·7H2O, 50μM CaCl2, 0.5μM FeCl3, initial pH8.0, temperature 30℃ in rotary shaker at 200rpm. This strain was good cell growth and phenol degradation in the alkaline pH range range, and the highest in the pH range of 7 to 9. The microorganism was able to grow at the various chlorinated phenols, benzene, toluene, and bunker-C oil. As Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT was good capable of attachment on the acryl media, it would be used as microorganism to consist of biofilm in wastewater treatment.

The research was performed to compare to the biofilm characteristics and phenol removal efficiency in RBCs(Rotating Biological Contactor) using Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT(single population) and activated sludge(mixed population) as inoculum. Both reactors showed similar tendency on variations of dry weight, thickness and dry density of biofilm. However, the growth of biofilm thickness in 3 and 4 stage of single population reactor has sustained longer than that of the mixed population reactor. Unlike the mixed population reactor, the dry density of biofilm in the single population reactor had a difference between 1, 2 stage and 3, 4 stage. The single population reactor was stably operated without the decrease of phenol removal efficiency in the range of pH 6～9 and 15mM phenol was completely degraded in these pH ranges. But in case of the mixed population reactor, the phenol degradability was dramatically decreased at over 5mM phenol concentration because of the overgrowth and detachment of its biofilm.

A biosurfactant-producing microorganism was isolated from activated sludge by enrichment culture when grown on a minimal salt medium containing n-hexadecane as a sole carbon source. This microorganism was identified as Pseudomonas sp. and it was named Pseudomonas sp. EL-G527. It's optimal culture condition is 2% n-hexadecane, 0.2% NH4NO3, 0.3% KH2PO4, 0.3% K2HPO4, 0.02% MgSO4ㆍ7H2O, 0.0025% CaCl2ㆍ6H2O, 0.0015% FeSO4ㆍ7H2O in 1ℓ distilled water and initial pH 7.0. Cultivation was initiated with a 2% inoculum obtained from starter cultures grown in 30 ㎖ of the same medium in 250 ㎖ flask. They were cultivated at 30 ℃ in reciprocal shaking incubator and the highest biosurfactant production was observed after 4 days.

An antimicrobial substance-producing microorganism was isolated from soil samples. Based of the taxonomic characteristics of its morphological, cultural, physiological properties and 16s rRNA sequence alignment, this microorganism was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and we named Pseudomonas aeruginosa EL-KM. The optimal culture condition for production of antimicrobial substance was 1% mannitol, 0.4% yeast extract, 0.5% Nacl, 0.2% K₂SO₄, 100μM MgSO₄.7H2O, 10μM CaCl2.$2H_2O$, 1μM $FeSO_4$.7H2O, 1μM MnSO4.$4-5H_2O$, initial pH 7 and 200 rpm at 30℃. The purification of the antimicrbial substance was performed by silica gel column chromatographys, and fraction with TLC $R_f$ 0.77 value represented good antimicrobial activity. The crude antimicrbial substance was stable within a pH range of 3-10 and temperature range of 4°C-121°C autoclaving. This crude antibacterial substance acted as bacteriolytic agent against Vibrio cholerae non-Ol ATCC 25872, and also exhibited excellent properties, when the substance was demonstrated against many other gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeast and fungi.

본 연구에서는 모형배수지를 이용하여 유출량의 변동여부와 도류벽의 설치여부에 따른 유출수의 잔류염소농도의 변화를 추적하였다. 모형배수지의 실험결과를 고찰해 보면, 유출량을 변동시킨 경우에 있어서 도류벽이 없을 때와 도류벽이 2개 있을 때, 유출수의 평균 잔류염소농도의 차이가 유출량을 일정하게 유지한 경우에 비하여 줄어 들었다. 이는 유출량 변동의 영향에 의한 것으로 유출량의 변동이 심한 배수지에 있어서는 유출량의 변동이 심하지 않은 정수지에서 보다는 도류

Pseudomonas sp. EL-04J was previously isolated from phenol-acclimated activated sludge. This bacterium was capable of degrading phenol and cometabolizing trichloroethylene (TCE). After precultivation in the mineral salts medium containing phenol as a sole carbon source, Pseudomonas EL-04J degraded 90% of TCE 25μM within 20 hours. Thus, phenol-induced Pseudomonas sp. EL-04J cells can degrade TCE. Following a transient lag period, Pseudomonas sp. EL-04J cells degraded TCE at concentrations of at least 250μM with no apparent retardation in rate, but the transformation capacity of such cells was limited and depended on the cell concentration. The degradation rate of TCE followed the Michaelis-Menten kinetic model. The maximum degradation rate (Vmax) and saturation constant (Km) were 7nmo ℓ/min·㎎ cell protein and 11μM, respectively. Cometabolism of TCE by phenol fed experiment was evaluated in 50·mℓ serum, vial that contained 10 ㎖ of meneral sals medium supplemented with 10μM TCE. TCE degradation was inhibited in the initial period of 1 mM phenol addition, but after that time Pseudomonas sp. EL-04J cells degraded TCE and showed cell growth.