The objective of this study was to know the in vitro effects of supplemental anthelmintic plant extracts on the inhibition of protozoa for reducing methane production in the rumen. A fistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The plant extracts (Lonicera japonica, Zanthoxylum piperitum, Pyrethrum, Torreya nucifera, Ruta graveolens) known to have anthelmintic effect were added to the in vitro fermentation bottles containing the rumen fluid and medium. The rumen protozoal population was depressed by the addition of Pyrethrum, Torreya nucifera and Ruta graveolens. The methane production was also significantly (p<0.05)reduced by addition of Pyrethrum (2.20 ml/g DM), Torreya nucifera (2.36 ml/g DM) and Ruta graveolens (2.20 ml/g DM). The microbial growth in the treatments of Ruta graveolens or anthoxylum piperitum was the greatest after 12 h and 24 h incubations, respectively. The results of this study indicated that anthelmintic plant extracts appeared to reduce methane production by inhibition of ruminal protozoa related with the methanogens living endosymbiotic in protozoal cells.

Since Montreal protocol in1989 designated MB(methyl bromide) as ozone depleting chemicals, IPPC(International Plant Protection Convention) has adopted replacing the MB with alternative chemical and reducing the rate of MB use in plant quarantine in 2008. Pineapples are one of the most frequently fumigated imported fruit with MB in Korea. However, there was no technically available replacement. Therefore, we evaluated phosphine(PH3) fumigation as alternative to MB in applying pineapples. In the preliminary test, PH3 gas in 12L desicators to calculate ranged to 0.1 from 2g/m3 was tested at 2 and 24hr exposure to target pest, citrus mealy bug(CMB, Planococcus citri). All different of stage of CMB was shown 100% mortality when 2g/m3 of PH3 applied for 24hrs at 8℃. To confirm studies designed in 0.5m3 fumigation chamber, all egg, nymph and adult stages of CMB was killed completely and there wasn’t any phytotoxic and quality damages on pineapples for 2 weeks post-fumigation periods at 8℃. In terms of commercial use, further commercial research will need to be carry out in cooperation with importers and fumigators.

Cellulose nanofibers from microfibril cellulose (MFC) was prepared by hydrobromic acid (HBr) treatment at different concentrations. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films at various loading level of nanofibers were manufactured by a film casting method. The analysis of degree of polymerization (DP), crystallinity (Xc) and molecular weight (Mw) of cellulose after acid treatment was conducted. The mechanical and thermal properties of the cellulose nanofibers reinforced PVA films were characterized using tensile tests and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DP and Mw of MFC by HBr hydrolysis considerably decreased, but Xc showed no significant change. After acid hydrolysis, the diameter of cellulose nanofibers was in the range of 100 to 200 nm. The thermal stability of the films was steadily improved with the increase of nanofiber loading. There was a significant increase in the tensile strength of PVA composite films with the increase in MFC loading. Finally, 5 wt.% nanofiber loading exhibited the highest tensile strength and thermal stability of PVA composite films.