In probiotics production, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are cultured on a large scale to achieve efficient processing through fermentation optimization and scale-up. In this Current study, the LAB strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WiKim0125 was isolated from kimchi and optimized the production. The optimization strategy for cultivating L. plantarum WiKim0125 consisted of investigating media components, selecting physiochemical conditions to enhance productivity, and scaling up for pilot-scale production. Each process condition was evaluated based on substrate consumption, lactic acid production, and viable cell yield. As a result, the final viable cell and lactic acid yield of L. plantarum WiKim0125 increased by 38.6% and 19.4%, respectively. This study provides an overview of fermentation optimization and scale-up processes for the industrial application of L. plantarum WiKim0125.

Destruxins (Dtxs) are insecticidal cyclic hexadepsipeptides produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Media composition for dtxs production was optimized with industrial grade media. Glycerol and casein peptone were selected as a carbon source and a nitrogen source, respectively. Dtxs production varied with C/N ratios. High yields of dtxs were observed at C/N ratios ranging 0.3 to 1.5, with concentrations mostly higher than 800 mg/L. Low yields were caused by high C/N ratio ranging from 3.0 to 8.0, resulting in less than 500 mg/L. The highest yield of Dtxs was obtained with 2% glycerol and 3% casein peptone, showing 192.2 mg/L of dtx A, 911.1 mg/L of dtx B, and 113.3 mg/L of dtx E, respectively. These results indicated that dtxs production is highly influenced by C/N ratio, especially the content of nitrogen source.

Japanese pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is considered as a serious pest in pine trees. To develop an eco-friendly strategy to manage this forest insect, we collected entomopathogenic fungi from Korean soil and assessed their virulence against the adults of the insect in laboratory conditions. As a result, two isolates with conidial suspension (1.0×107conidia/ml), showed 87% and 90% mortality 12 days after fungal treatment, respectively. We assessed the potential of the fungi-derived destruxin and protease as additives to the fungal isolates, and they showed insecticidal activity via feeding and spraying treatments. Finally, we produced fungal conidia in massive solid cultures and formulated wettable powders, and now studying optimal conditions of oil-based formulation with two isolates. Based on these results, we are evaluating the control efficacy of the fungal agents against M. alternatus in field conditions.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is one of potent biological control agents against a variety ofinsect pests. In this study, we investigated enzyme production of M. anisopliae strains A and B. They produced extracellularenzymes for degrading the epidermis of Monochamus alternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchusxylophilus. With Q-TOF MS/MS analysis, 29 kDa protein, a major band on a SDS-PAGE gel, was identified as subtilisin-likeserine protease PR1A. M. anisopliae A produced an extracellular enzyme more efficiently than M. anisopliae B: however,enzyme activities targeted for the cuticle were comparable. Our results suggest that the two strains of M. anisopliae havethe biological potential against M. alternatus with insecticidal protease production.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae B is a powerful biological control agent against Monochamusalternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this study, production of destruxins(dtxs), insecticidal cyclic hexadepsipeptides, was monitored in the submerged culture of M. anisopliae B. Three typesof dtxs, i.e., destruxin A, B, and E, were produced during the culture. Among the three dtxs, the production yield ofdestruxin A was best, followed by destruxin B and E. Destruxin A production was increased when pH was controlledat 6.0, whereas production of destruxin E was not affected by the pH control. The highest yield of dtxs A, B, and Ewere 16.4, 7.3, and 6.1 mg L-1, respectively. Considering that process for dtxs production has not been optimized, M.anisopliae B has more powerful implication as a biocontrol agent.

The adult activity of M. alternatus caught in a pheromone trap showed a bimodal form consisted of the first peak in mid to late June and the second peak in mid to late September in Jeju area, Korea. The two peaks were separated apparently between mid and late August, showing a valley. The pine trees without oleoresin flow were abundant during early July to early August, and declined thereafter, which did not match with the valley of adult activity curve. Thus, the hypothesis that dying pine trees attract much strongly M. alternatus adults than that of pheromone lures may not fully explain the bimodal pattern, because the first adult activity peak occurred during the peak period of dying pine trees and it declined with decreasing dying pine trees. The accumulated degree-days showed that the emergence of the 2nd generation adults could occur before the second peak when the diapause ecology of M. alternatus was not considered. The voltinism of M. alternatus can affect basically the control strategy of this pest. Consequently, further studies are required to find out clearly the voltinism of M. alternatus in Korea.

Magnetic flux ropes, often observed during intervals of interplanetary coronal mass ejections, have long been recognized to be critical in space weather. In this work, we focus on magnetic flux rope structure but on a much smaller scale, and not necessarily related to interplanetary coronal mass ejections. Using near-Earth solar wind advanced composition explorer (ACE) observations from 1998 to 2016, we identified a total of 309 small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs). We compared the characteristics of identified SMFR events with those of normal magnetic cloud (MC) events available from the existing literature. First, most of the MCs and SMFRs have similar values of accompanying solar wind speed and proton densities. However, the average magnetic field intensity of SMFRs is weaker (~7.4 nT) than that of MCs (~10.6 nT). Also, the average duration time and expansion speed of SMFRs are ~2.5 hr and 2.6 km/s, respectively, both of which are smaller by a factor of ~10 than those of MCs. In addition, we examined the geoeffectiveness of SMFR events by checking their correlation with magnetic storms and substorms. Based on the criteria Sym-H < -50 nT (for identification of storm occurrence) and AL < -200 nT (for identification of substorm occurrence), we found that for 88 SMFR events (corresponding to 28.5 % of the total SMFR events), substorms occurred after the impact of SMFRs, implying a possible triggering of substorms by SMFRs. In contrast, we found only two SMFRs that triggered storms. We emphasize that, based on a much larger database than used in previous studies, all these previously known features are now firmly confirmed by the current work. Accordingly, the results emphasize the significance of SMFRs from the viewpoint of possible triggering of substorms.

Background : The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to high quality food ramie rice cake, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of different Split Application and Adapted Fertilizer Culture for Stable Production with Edible Leaf in Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.). Methods and Results : Method of fertilizer application were conducted under three condition compose to standard application (N-P-K-Compost applied at 27-9-27-1,500 ㎏․ 10 a−1), 25% increased application (N-P-K-Compost applied at 34-11-34-1,500 ㎏․10 a−1), 50% increased application (N-P-K-Compost applied at 41-14-41-1,500 ㎏․ 10 a−1) cultivation. Compost and fused phosphate applied at 100% of basal fertilizer in March 25. The split application level of standard application (N-K) applied at 50% of basal fertilizer in March 25, 50% of top dressing were five times application (N-K) in May 4, July 5, September 5, October 5, 20% respectively. Transplanting with Yeongkwang varieties in April 12 by growing pot seedling for 35 days in 2011. Planting density were spaced 60 ㎝ apart in rows 25 ㎝ apart with rice straw cutting covered open cultivation. Plot design randomized block 3 repetition. Conclusion : Organic matter, available phosphate, K2O, CaO, and MgO of soil increased in all plots with the addition of fertilizers culture, specifically in 25% and 50% increased application. Growth characteristics by 50% of top dressing were five times application (N-K) in May 4, July 5, September 5, October 5, compared to standard application (N-K) applied at 100% basal fertilizer, aerial part as a result were so many such amount of growth as number of branch and leaf per plant, etc., Length, width of leaf and leaf colorimetry of aboveground part growth increment rising highest. Green leaf yields compared to standard fertilizer 100% application (1,344 kg․ 10 a−1). 25% and 50% increased application (N-K) applied at 50% basal fertilizer, 50% of top dressing were five times application increased by 9%, 17%. respectively.

Manganese () is a trace element that is essential for normal physiology, and is predominantly obtained from food. Several lines of evidence, however, demonstrated that overexposure to exerts serious neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and developmental toxicity, particularly in male. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 0, 1.0, 3.3, and 10 mg/kg/day doses of on the reproductive organs in the immature female rats. Rats (PND 22; S.D. strain) were exposed to () dissolved in drinking water for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed on PND 35, then the tissues were immediately removed and weighed. Histological studies were performed using the uteri tissue samples. Serum LH and FSH levels were measured with the specific ELISA kits. Body weights of the experimental group animals were not significantly different from those of control group animals. However, ovarian tissue weights in 1 mg and 3.3 mg dose groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Uterine tissue weights of 3.3 mg dose groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.01), while the 1 mg dose and 10 mg dose failed to induce any change in uterine weight. Similarly, only 3.3 mg dose could induce the significant decrease in the oviduct weight compared to the control group (p<0.05). Non-reproductive tissues such as adrenal and kidney failed to respond to all doses of exposure. The uterine histology revealed that the exposure could affect the myometrial cell proliferation particularly in 3.3 mg dose and 10mg dose group. Serum FSH levels were significantly decreased in 1mg dose and 10 mg groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In contrast, treatment with 1 mg dose induced a significant increment of serum LH level (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated that exposure is capable of inducing abnormal development of reproductive tissues, at least to some extent, and altered gonadotropin secretions in immature female rats. Combined with the well-defined actions of this metal on GnRH and prolactin secretion, one can suggest the might be a potential environmental mediator which is involved in the female pubertal process.