Radiation workers, especially those dealing with Uranium isotopes, can potentially intake Uranium -containing materials through their respiratory and digestive systems. According to the “Regulations on the Measurement and Calculation of Internal Exposure” from Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), those who intend to work in or enter the nuclear facilities with a risk of exceeding 2 mSv exposure per year should be examined the internal exposure. However, when it comes to in-vitro bioassay, Uranium intake through drinking water can affect the quantitative analysis. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) reported in ICRP Publication 23 (Report on the Task Group on Reference Man) that the reference man excretes Uranium in the urine (0.05-0.5 μg/day) and feces (1.4-1.8 μg/day). Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) set the 90.5 ng/day as the 238U background of workers handing Uranium based on the daily Uranium intake of Koreans. In this research, we examined the possible effects of Uranium in drinking water on internal exposure by analyzing the concentration of Uranium in bottled waters from various water sources sold in the domestic market and a water from the water purifier. The 238U concentration results of analyzing 11 bottled waters and 1 purified water, were ranged from 0 to 10.2 μg/L. All the results were satisfied the standard of 30 μg/L according to “Regulations for Drinking Water Quality Standards and Inspection” enacted by the Ministry of Environment. However, various concentrations were shown depending on the water sources. Assuming that these concentrations of water are consumed by drinking 1 L per day, the internal dose assessment result is 0 to 0.94 mSv. On the other hand, if it is assumed to be inhaled, it can be an overestimated because the dose coefficient of inhalation, Type M is higher than that of ingestion, f1=0.02 which are the values recommended by ICRP Publication 78 (Individual Monitoring for Internal Exposure of Workers) when the Uranium compound is unspecified. In case of two workers at KAERI, the daily excretion of urine was 151 and 120 ng/day respectively in the first quarter monitoring. However after changing the kind of drinking water in the second quarter monitoring, it dropped to 17.4 and 15.4 ng/day respectively. Through this study, it is confirmed that the Uranium background in urine can be analyzed differently depending on the kind of drinking water consumed by each worker. Depending on the Uranium concentration of drinking water, the internal exposure dose assessment can be overestimated or underestimated. Therefore, the Uranium concentration and intake amount according to the kind of drinking water should be considered for in-vitro bioassays of Uranium handlers. Furthermore, if necessary, the Uranium isotope ratio analysis in urine and the handling information should be comprehensively considered. In addition, in order to exclude the effect of intake through the digestive system, replacing the kind of drinking water can be considered. The additional analysis such as in-vivo bioassay and 24 hours urine analysis rather than spot samples can be also recommended.

Background : Korean mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) are difficult to industrially apply because of its scarcity and high cost. Advances in plant biotechnology have made it possible to produce mountain ginseng on a large scale using adventitious root cultures in bio-reactors. This study was conducted to develop a cosmetic emulsion using ginsenoside and physiological activity - enhanced raw materials by fermentation process. Methods and Results : Wild ginseng adventitious roots were fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus HLJG 0702 (KACC 81017BP). ginsenoside contents was analysed by using HPLC. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and whitening effect was measured by tyrosinase inhibitory activity. After microfluidizer processing was performed to prepare emulsions with homogenized particles, particle size and distribution were measured through a transmission electron microscop e(TEM). Particle stability compares pH, viscosity, light and zeta potential. When fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus HLJG 0702, the highest change rates of Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 were shown and the antioxidant activity was increased. The whitening effect was 73.2 ± 0.9% when treated at 100 ㎍/㎖, 1.5 times higher than the control. The optimum particle size and distribution were shown to be 418.0 ± 14.9 ㎚ for 6 times treatment with 0 - 10 times microfluidizer treatment. Stability was about 3% in pH, viscosity and light test. the zeta potential was found to be homogeneous at –33.33 mV. Conclusion : Pediococcus pentosaceus HLJG 0702 Fermented Wild ginseng adventitious roots were found to have effective ingredients and improved physiological activity. We have also developed emulsions that exhibit optimal particle size and distribution

Background : The minor saponins produced by the hydrolysis of a major saponins sugar. The minor saponins has high absorption and efficacy compared to major saponin. The acid treatment, heat treatment and fermentation with minor saponin research has been actively conducted. This study was performed in order to investigate the bioconversion of ginsenoside Rg5 of fermented wild ginseng adventitious roots by using lactic acid bacteria. Methods and Results : 20g adventitious roots of ginseng was added to water (10-fold v/w). 10% (v/v) of lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus pentosaceus HLJG0702[KACC 81017BP]) were inoculated with wild ginseng adventitious roots. For the fermentation process the inoculated samples were transferred to culture room for 1, 3 and 5 days. The fermented samples were dried at room temperature and extracted with 70% ethanol. Extract was concentrated completely at 50 ℃ and Rg5 was analysed by using HPLC. Results showed no significant difference the dry weight of non-fermented and fermented wild ginseng adventitious roots. During the fermentation process, the pH changed from 5.7 to 4.2. HPLC analysis showed higher ginsenoside Rg5 (39.588 mg/g) at 3 days. Conclusion : The fermentation of ginseng root can increase the Rg5 contents and minor saponin composition. This process may be used to enhance the minor saponin thereby increasing in fermented property of wild ginseng adventitious roots.