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.

우리나라는 약 4,000여개의 크고 작은 섬들로 이루어져 있고, 그 속에는 다양한 생물종들이 주변 환경과 상호작용하 며 서식하고 있다. 그 중 초식성 곤충은 생물 구성의 1/4로 많은 비율을 차지하며, 생산자인 식물을 먹고 2차 소비자의 먹이원이 됨으로써 생태계의 중간 고리 역할을 한다. 본 연구는 다도해해상국립공원에 속해 있는 크기가 다른 6개의 섬에서 초식성 곤충의 영향을 알 수 있는 식흔과 여기에 영향을 줄 수 있는 환경요인(섬 면적, 육지와의 거리, 해안선 길이, 최고고도)과의 관계를 알아보았다. 식흔을 알아보기 위해 낙엽활엽수인 4개의 수종(참나무속, 벚나무속, 예덕나무속, 오리나무속)을 선정하여 2017년 6월과 9월에 관찰하였다. 이와 함께 초식성 곤충 중 종 다양성이 풍부한 나방을 채집하여 식흔자료와 비교하였다. 조사결과 섬 면적이 커질수록, 해안선의 길이가 길수록, 최고고도가 높을수록 식흔량이 증가하는 경향을 보였고, 나방의 종수도 증가하였다. 반면 육지와의 거리가 멀수록 식흔량이 감소하는 경향을 보였고, 나방 종수도 감소하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 초식성 곤충의 다양성과 환경요인이 관련 있는 것을 확인할 수 있었다

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 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 formation mechanism and photocatalytic properties of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO2- based nanotube (TNTs) composite are investigated. The CNT/TNT composite is synthesized via a solution chemical route. It is confirmed that this 1-D nanotube composite has a core-shell nanotubular structure, where the TNT surrounds the CNT core. The photocatalytic activity investigated based on the methylene blue degradation test is superior to that of with pure TNT. The CNTs play two important roles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity. One is to act as a template to form the core-shell structure while titanate nanosheets are converted into nanotubes. The other is to act as an electron reservoir that facilitates charge separation and electron transfer from the TNT, thus decreasing the electronhole recombination efficiency.

Thrips worms and root-knot nematodes occur in a variety of crops, and have shown a great deal of damage to farm income every year, and the damage is increasing every year. In order to solve these problems, a variety of biological materials are used in Korea to develop a control agent. However, there are very few products available that can satisfy the consumer's satisfactory control effect, efficacy, formulation stability and pesticide compatibility. In order to propose a biological control solution to these problems, this study was conducted to develop the optimal bioprocess technology and formulations suitable for the material by transferring the Aspergillus nigerF22 strain, which is effective for root-knot nematodes, at Chonnam National University. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Aspergillus niger F22 20% suspension concentrate (Productname:NEMAFREE), which has excellent efficacy on root nematodes. The packing test result showed about 70-90% control effect. Soil fumigation and disinfection treatments after 4 days of planting were effective. In addition, we have developed a product to control the under powder pupa using Beauveria bassiana ERL836, an insect pathogenic microorganism, which has excellent control effect against resistant insect pupa. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of insect pests on the under poor control of the pupa in the soil. In the pavement test, more than 70%(GR) formulation, which can be treated withch emical pesticides, and it is confirmed that synergy effect is in the control of Thrips worm.

The present study was carried out to revise the species of Chlaeniini in Carabidae from Korea, using both classic taxonomy and molecular analysis. Another aim is to decide the taxonomic position of Chlaenius micans Fabricius of which subgeneric status in the genus has been in question. As a part of the results, Chlaenius spathulifer Bates, 1873 was newly recognized to Korean insect fauna. With this new addition Korean Chlaeniini contains now in total 34 species and two genera. This study provids a key to species, photos of adult habitus, photos of male genitalia and redescriptions of 28 Korean species in Chlaeniini.

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the difference of the ankle joint movements during landing. Seven adult males voluntarily participated in the study and the average foot size of the subjects was 269.8 mm. Image analysis equipment and the ground reaction force plate (landing type) was used to measure th kinetic variables. As a result of this study, it was confirmed that the vertical ground reaction force peak point appeared once in the barefoot with forefoot, while two peak points appeared in the barefoot and functional shoe foot with rear foot landing. About ankle angle, fore foot landing ankle angle, the average with bare foot landing was -10.302° and the average with functional shoe foot landing was -2.919°. Also about rear foot landing, ankle angle was 11.648° with bare foot landing and 15.994° with functional shoe landing. The fore foot landing, ankle joint force analysis produced 1423.966N with barefoot and 1493.264N with functional shoes. But, the rear foot landing, ankle joint force analysis produced 1680.154N with barefoot and 1657.286N with functional shoes. This study suggest that the angle of ankle depends on the landing type and bare foot running/functionalized shod running, and ankle joint forces also depends on landing type.

Earthworms, especially Eisenia andrei, are cultivated for a variety of purposes including waste disposal and compost production. In this study, bacteria from earthworm gut were cultured and the dominant species identified. Subsequently, we isolated bacteriophages able to lyse the isolated gut bacteria. Two dominant genera of gut bacteria, Aeromonas sp. and Citrobacter sp. were identified by using MALDI-TOF MS analysis and a library was constructed to find lytic phages. Phage EF1 showed lytic activity for C. freundii and two Citrobacter isolates, C. braakii and C. murliniae. These 3 species have similar sensitivities to EF1. Several aspects of the life cycle of EF1 were investigated by using C. freundii under optimal growth conditions. EF1 infects C. freundii with a moderate latent period, approximately 25 min, and a large burst size averaging 5 × 109 per infected cell. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of EF1 was well maintained under diverse conditions including a broad temperature range of 40°C to 50°C and a wide pH range of 4 to 11. In conclusion, the results indicate that earthworm casting contain a wide range of bacteria species, for which there are various corresponding bacteriophages.

An importance of food allergen detection has been growing in food industry. Here, we developed a rapid and easy-to-use detection system for Ara h1, a major allergen in peanut, using gold nanoparticles and switchable linkers. The detection system was performed by two steps. In the first step, Ara h1 was mixed with various concentrations (0.2 - 1.0μg/mL) of biotinylated anti-Ara h1 antibody (i.e., switchable linker, SLs) solutions for 20 min. After mixing, streptavidin coated gold nanoparticle (Abs. 4.0) was added to the mixture solutions with agitation for10 min. Without Ara h1(control), the region of aggregation caused by quantitative relationship between SLs and gold nanoparticle was observed at more than 0.4 μg/mL of SLs. However, under presence of Ara h1, SLs covered with Ara h1 had less ability to react with gold nanoparticles than naked SLs. This resulted in a change of the quantitative relationship mentioned above, which led to shift of the aggregation region. When 10 nM and 40 nM of Ara h1 were added, the aggregation region was appeared from 0.5and 0.8 μg/mLof switchable linkers, respectively. Ara h1 in peanut sample was also detected with this system. 0.4 μg/mL of switchable linkers are mixed with serially diluted peanut extract solutions. As a result, the shift of the aggregation region was observed from undiluted extract to 10 -2 diluted solution. This system could be adapted to detect other harmful/useful bio materials in food.

Oxalic acid has a nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. High producer of oxalic acid was isolated, and then named as Aspergillus niger F22. Oxalic acid production was investigated under various temperatures from 20 – 33oC and rotational speeds in 5 L jar fermenters. Yield of oxalic acid increased with decreasing temperature. The highest yield was obtained at 23oC, showing the yield of oxalic acid of 8.7 g/L, whereas oxalic acid production was least at 33oC. At 20oC, the yield was lower than that of 23oC. At a rotational speed of 300 rpm, serious oxygen depletion was present from 48 - 72 h, resulting in low productivity of 26.2 mg /L·h. When a rotational speed was set at 600 rpm, dissolved oxygen tension was over 40% and oxalic acid production increased up to approximately 55%. Viscosity during the culture differed with temperatures. Viscosity increased with the increment of temperatures. When A. niger F22 was cultured at 23oC, viscosity was 810 cP, which was favorable for oxalic acid production.

A nematode, which showed entomopathogenicity, was isolated from Exomala orientalis in Korea, and then identified as Rhabditis blumi. Pathogenicity of R. blumi was evaluated against major cruciferous insect pests, including Artogeia rapae, Mamestra brassicae, and Plutella xylostella. In Petri-dish tests, insect mortality was dose and time dependent, which increased with dose (0–80 dauer juveniles/larva) and time increments. In greenhouse tests, P. xylostella larvae were most susceptible to nematodes, with insect reduction rate of 88.0 %. The rate varied with vegetable species and persistence time of live nematodes on vegetable leaves after spraying. The aeration rate was an important parameter for cultivation of the nematode R. blumi. A sufficient DOT level in the culture using an air-lift bioreactor should be maintained. The nematode growth rate increased with an increasing DOT level and/or bacteria uptake rate. The maximum nematode yield of 1.75 x 105 per ml was obtained under an aeration rate of 6 vvm.