This work involves the development of a novel waste-derived carbon dots (CDs) conjugated with silver (Ag) nanohybrid system-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) sensor for the detection of melamine. CDs and Ag nanoparticles served as energy donors and energy acceptors, respectively. CDs were synthesized from orange peel waste through a combined hydrothermal and ultra-sonication route. The synthesized CDs had hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups on their surface, explaining that waste-derived CDs can act as reducing and stabilizing agents and showed strong absorption and fluorescence emission at 305 and 460 nm, respectively. The bandgap, linear refractive index, conduction band, and valance band potential of CDs were observed to be 2.86, 1.849, 1.14, and 4.002 eV, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the fluorescence properties at different pH (acid and alkaline) and ionic concentrations. Given their fluorescent nature, the synthesized CDs were used for the detection of melamine. The fluorescence of CDs was found to be quenched by Ag+ due to the FRET energy transfer between CDs to Ag. Notably, the zeta potential of Ag@CDs was changed from − 28.7 mV to − 30.6 mV after the incorporation of Ag+. Ag@CDs showed excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward the sensing of melamine in the aqueous solutions with the limit of detection ~ 0.85 μM. Increasing the melamine level also raises the FL intensity of Ag@CDs. The substrate was effectively used in the detection of melamine in milk as a real application and the recovery percentage was found to be 98.03%. Moreover, other adulterants such as urea and formaldehyde can be detected selectively by Ag@CDs. Overall, the synthesized Ag@CDs can be used as an efficient material for sensing applications involving such food adulterants.

The widespread and extensive use of glyphosate in agriculture has raised concerns about its potential impact on the quality and safety of agricultural products. Conventional detection methods require long analysis times, making them impractical for the rapid detection of large quantities of samples. Therefore, developing a fast and simple detection system for glyphosate pesticide residues is urgent. In this study, the development of a facile fluorescence probe synthesized using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method for the determination of glyphosate is an important step toward addressing the need for a fast and simple detection system. The present sensor was created using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a precursor, and the sensor operates by producing an “off–on” fluorescent signal. The bovine albumin-derived BSA-CDs emitted light yellow fluorescence, but this fluorescence was quenched (or suppressed) by the presence of Cu2+ ions. However, the fluorescence can be restored by the presence of glyphosate, which interacts with the Cu2+ ions to form a complex and release the BSACDs from suppression. The functional groups in glyphosate can capture Cu2+ and break the BSA-CDs/Cu2+ combinatorial system. The BSA-CDs/Cu2+ fluorescence quenching system had good selectivity for glyphosate. The detection limit of the BSA-CD/Cu2+ fluorescence sensor was 0.05 μg/mL. This developed method was utilized to successfully detect glyphosate in Chinese wheat. The average recoveries ranged from 98.9 to 100.7%, with a relative standard deviation < 3.0%, showing good prospects for practical applicability.

본 연구에서는 형광측정기법을 사용하여 태안반도 인근 8지점의 표층 해수 내 미세플라스틱 정량분포를 조사하였다. 연구결과 미세플라스틱의 검출범위는 0~360.5 particles/l (평균 149.7 ± 46.0 particles/l)로 나타났다. 하지만 해양환경 내 미세플라스틱의 정량분석방법이 표준화되지 않아 타 연구결과와 직접비교 하는 것이 불가능한 상황이다. 본 연구결과 검출된 미세플라스 틱을 크기별로 분류하면 < 50 μm 크기가 우점하지만, St. 3의 경우 > 500 μm이 25.6%를 차 지하여 지역별로 우점하는 미세플라스틱의 크기에 차이가 나타난다. 또한 채집지역, 저질의 종 류, 검출되는 플라스틱 크기에 따른 미세플라스틱의 검출량 비교에도 뚜렷한 상관관계를 가지 는 요인을 확인할 수 없었다. 이는 플라스틱의 재질에 따른 물리 · 화학적 특성, 해양의 동적 조건(해류, 바람, 파도, 조류 등), 지질학적 특성(지형, 경사 등), 연안 생물을 포함한 저질의 구성 및 특성, 상호작용, 인간활동(어업, 개발, 관광 등), 기상조건(홍수, 강우 등)과 같은 다양한 요인 이 미세플라스틱의 거동에 영향을 주기 때문이다. 그러므로 향후 정량분석방법 표준화 및 환 경요인에 대한 분석이 수반된 미세플라스틱 모니터링 기초연구가 필요한 상황이다.

The effects of light intensity and external sucrose on the vase life of cut roses were estimated by monitoring the net photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence. Cut flowers were held under different light intensities 10 (L10) or 50 (L50) μmol‧m-2‧s-1 with or without treatment with external sucrose. We found substantial differences in stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate, photosystem II (PSII) quantum efficiencies, specific fluxes, and vase life of the cut flowers when exposed to different light intensities. Light intensity at 50 μmol‧m-2‧s-1 increased photosynthesis capacity, thus delaying petal senescence and extending the vase life of cut flowers. L50 flowers maintained a high photosynthetic rate by reducing heat dissipation (DI0/RC) and increasing electron transport (ET0/TR0 and ET0/ABS) in the electron transport chain of the photosynthesis apparatus. The application of external sucrose extended the vase life of cut flowers by improving water balance and sustaining turgor pressure in the petals of the cut flowers. The net rate of photosynthesis of the cut flowers was increased by higher light intensity; however, it was not affected by the application of external sucrose. Our results indicate that the application of external sucrose is necessary to improve the longevity of cut flowers when endogenous sucrose production by photosynthesis is insufficient under low light conditions during the postharvest period. In addition, our results revealed that most of the photosynthetic parameters were significantly correlated with the vase life of cut rose flowers. Moreover, the relation between the rate of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicates that the rise from the basic dark-adapted fluorescence yield to the maximum (OJIP transient) method can be used as a tool for the evaluation and prediction of the photosynthesis rate in cut flowers.

We successfully synthesize water-dispersible CTAB-capped CdSe@ZnS quantum dots with the crystal size of the CdSe quantum dots controlled from green to orange colors. The quenching effect of Fe(DTC)3 is very efficient to turn off the emission light of quantum dots at four molar ratios of the CdSe quantum dots, that is, the effective covering the surface of quantum dots with Fe(DTC)3. However, the reaction with Fe(DTC)3 for more than 24 h is required to completely realize the quenching effect. The highly quenched quantum dots efficiently detect nitric oxide at nano-molar concentration of 110nM of NO with 34% of recovery of emission light intensity. We suggest that Fe(DTC)3-hybridized CdSe@ZnS quantum dots are an excellent fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe for the detection of nitric oxide in biological systems.

Organisms constituting a large proportion of marine ecosystems, ranging from bacteria to fish, exhibit fluorescence and bioluminescence. A variety of marine organisms utilize these biochemically generated light sources for feeding, reproduction, communication, and defense. Since the discovery of green fluorescent protein and the luciferin-luciferase system more than a century ago, numerous studies have been conducted to characterize their function and regulatory mechanism. The unique properties of fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins offer great potential for their use in a broad range of applications. This short review briefly describes the functions and characteristics of fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins, in addition to summarizing the recent status of their applications.

Food toxins are regarded as a major source of health risks, serious illnesses susceptible to even death. These dangerous pathogens may lead to significant economic impact worldwide. The food production chain undergoes different stages like harvesting, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, and lastly preparation, and consumption. Therefore, each step is susceptible to risks of environmental contamination. Nowadays, the carbon quantum dots (CDs) are regarded as one of the most widely used hybrid carbon nanomaterials due to their different magical physical and chemical properties. The CDs have a size below 10 nm and show the fluorescent property. The CDs find vast applications in different fields like sensing, food safety, drug delivery, bioimaging, catalyst, energy conversion, etc. Compared to other available methods, the fluorescence detection techniques have low cost, easy handling, and safe operating system. There is a need for a review to compile the fluorescence properties of carbon nanodots used to detect food pathogens. This brief review is addressed in that direction and mostly focused on the synthesis of carbon dots-based fluorescence sensors for detecting pathogens and toxins in foods and beverages. The detailed mechanisms and origin of fluorescence properties of carbon quantum dots are also highlighted herewith.

본 연구는 고온과 연속광 조건 하의 복합 스트레스 환경에서 실내 관엽식물이 어떤 엽록소 형광 반응을 나타내는지에 대해 조사 및 분석했다. 대부분의 실내 관엽식물은 이와 같은 스트레스 조건에서 광도가 높아질수록 Fo, Fj 단계에서 형광 밀도가 증가하고 Fi, Fm 단계에서 형광 밀도가 감소한 것으로 나타나 광계II의 반응중심에 있는 전자수용체 퀴논의 상당량이 환원상태에 놓여있음을 암시했다. 뿐만 아니라 최대 양자효율과 최대 양자수율을 나타내는 Fv/Fm와 ΦPo는 광도가 높아질수록 낮게 나타났고 반대로 에너지 소산을 나타내는 DIo/RC 값은 광도가 높아지는 것에 비례하여 높게 나타났다. 이를 미루어보아 고광도 수준에서는 대부분의 광자가 제대로 활용되지 못했음을 알 수 있었다. 특히나 아이비와 테이블야자 는 고온 및 연속광 조건에서 현저한 스트레스를 받는 것으로 분석되었는데 이와 같은 스트레스 조건의 실내에서 재배할 경우 60 μmol m-2 s-1의 저광도 수준에서 재배하는 것이 바람직한 것으로 보인다. 반대로 무늬스킨답서스와 관음죽은 스트레스를 비교적 적게 받는 것으로 나타나 고온과 연속광 조건하에서도 광도의 세기와는 무관하게 양호한 생육이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

Foliage plants are considered as an integral part of adding aesthetic and functional purposes in public places. Nowadays, various foliage plants are used to decorate and enhance the aesthetics of several government and private establishments which offer and run services non-stop that involve medical/police emergencies, entertainment, and travel. Under these conditions, indoor foliage plants are subjected to continuous lighting conditions. Thus, this study aimed to determine the growth and physiological response of common foliage plants (Hoya carnosa f. variegata, Epipremnum aureum f. variegata, Rhapis excelsa, Hedera helix, Chamaedorea elegans, and Spathiphyllum wallisii) under continuous light conditions with varying light intensity levels (60, 120, and 180 μmol m-2 s-1). Plant responses were evaluated using growth parameters and the chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of the OJIP curve and its specific energy flux parameters. Results showed that foliage plants showed positive growth and increase in mass yield in higher light intensities and had a minor impact on color quality. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis suggested that strong stress responses were evident in low light conditions, whereas in fluorescence parameters, continuous lighting conditions with high light intensities showed stress due to excess light to shade-tolerant plants.

본 연구에서는 토마토 유전자원 49점을 대상으로 엽록소형 광 측정 프로토콜인 Quenching act 2를 이용하여 염류 스트레스 수준을 구분할 수 있는 엽록소형광 매개변수를 선발하기 위해 수행되었다. 염류 스트레스 평가는 3엽기 유묘 단계의 토마토 유전자원 49점을 대상으로, 1일 1회 NaCl 400mM로 저면관수를 처리하였다. 염류 스트레스 처리 4일차에 토마토 유묘의 지상부 생체중, 엽록소 및 프롤린 함량 분석을 실시하였 다. 토마토 유전자원 49점의 지상부 생체중 및 엽록소 함량은 대부분 감소하였으며, 프롤린 함량 증가율은 유전자원 별로 유사하였다. 대표적인 12개의 엽록소형광 매개변수는 염류 스트레스에 노출되는 기간이 길어질수록 증감하는 경향을 보였으며, 염류 스트레스에 노출될수록 Y(NO)는 증가하였다. 본 연구결과에서 유전자원 49점의 광계Ⅱ의 비조절 에너지 소산의 양자 수율[Y(NO)]은 염류 스트레스 하에 차이를 보였으 며, 염류 스트레스에 저항성을 지닌 염류 저항성 유전자원과 염류 스트레스에 감수성 유전자원 간의 차이를 확인할 수 있는 엽록소형광 매개변수로 판단되며, 토마토 유전자원에 대해 염류 스트레스 수준을 평가할 수 있는 보완적인 도구로 활용 가능하다고 판단된다.

시설 토양 오이재배에서 토양수분장력계를 이용하여 관수 제어하였을 때 오이의 광합성 형광반응, 수액 흐름, 엽온 등에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 실험을 수행하였다. 오이(Cucumis sativus L.)‘청춘’(해오름 종묘)을 공시하여 관수개시점 10-10-20kPa 또는 20-10-10kPa의 2처리하였다. 766 ~ 854 W·m -2 의 고광, 32°C 이상의 고온인 처리 66일 째 광합성형광반응변수(Fo, Fm, Fv/Fm)값은 처리 간 차이가 컸다. 66일 째 낮 시간 (오전 10시 반 ~ 오후 6시)의 Fo와 Fv/Fm값은 10-10-20kPa 처리보다 20-10-10kPa 처리에서 높았다. 엽온이 높았을 때 Fv/Fm값은 감소하였다. 28일과 66일째 엽생육(엽장, 엽폭, 엽면적)은 차이가 없었으나 엽록소 함량(SPAD 값)은 20-10- 10kPa 처리에서 유의하게 높았다. 광도와 온도가 증가함에 따라 줄기수액흐름상대율(SFRR)과 엽온은 상승하였다. 두 처리구 모두 SFRR은 광도 170 W·m -2 이상인 오전 8시 ~ 9시 간대에 급격한 증가가 시작되었다. 관수 후의 처리구 토양 온도는 감소하였으나, 7월 5일(광도 820W·m -2 , 오후 1시) 토양 온도가 10-10-20kPa에서는 31.0°C, 20-10-10kPa에서는 28.5°C였다. 그러나 처리 간 SFRR, 엽온, 기온차, VPD는 차이가 없었다. SFRR과 엽온 간에는 정의 상관성(p < 0.01, r = 0.770)을 보였으며, SFRR과 엽온은 광, 온도, 토양 온도, 토양 수분함량, VPD 간에는 정의 상관을 상대습도와 기온차 간에는 부의 상관을 보였다.

The occurrence of exotic weeds and their influx into farmlands due to climate change poses many problems. Therefore, it is necessary to generate a prediction model for the occurrence pattern of these exotic weeds based on scientific evidence and devise prevention measures. The photosynthetic apparatus is known as the most temperaturesensitive component of a plant cell and its initial response to temperature stress is to inhibit the activation of photosystem II. This study investigated the potential of OJIP transients in assessing temperature stress in exotic weeds. The four exotic weeds currently flowing into Korean farmlands include Amaranthus spinosus, Conyza bonariensis, Crassocephalum crepidioides, and Amaranthus viridis. These weeds were treated at 5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C and the OJIP curves and JIP parameters were measured and analyzed. The results showed that heat and chilling stress affected the photosystem II (PSII) electron transport of A. spinosus, whereas C. crepidioides and A. viridis were more affected by high-temperature stress than by low-temperature stress. Lastly, C. bonariensis showed resistance to both high and low-temperature stress. The results of this study suggest that OJIP transients and JIP parameters can be used to analyze damage to the photosynthetic apparatus by temperature stress and that they can serve as sensitive indicators for the occurrence pattern of exotic weeds.

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver damage, using fluorescence bioimaging, serum biochemistry, and histopathology. At six weeks of age, eighteen mice were divided into three groups as group 1 (G1) as control, group 2 (G2) as fluorescence probe control and group 3 (G3) as APAP-treated. G3 mice were orally treated with APAP (800 mg/kg b.w.), while G1 and G2 mice were treated with 0.9% saline. Twenty-two hours after APAP treatment, G2 and G3 mice were intravenously treated with Annexin-Vivo 750 as probe, while G1 mice were treated with saline. Fluorescence bioimaging was performed at two hours after probe treatment. The mice were sacrificed and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed. Liver damage was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. In vivo bioimaging, fluorescence intensity of the region of interest (ROI) was significantly increased in the livers of G2 and G3 mice compared with those in G1 mice (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In addition, ex vivo bioimaging confirmed that the fluorescence intensity of the ROI was significantly increased in the livers of G2 and G3 mice compared with those in G1 mice (p<0.05 and p<0.01). All examined serum parameters of G3 were significantly increased compared with G1 and G2 (p<0.05 and p<0.01). H&E examination showed acute hepatic cell necrosis in the livers of G3 mice, while there was no cell death in the livers of G1 and G2 mice. TUNEL staining also showed many cell death features in G3 mice, whereas no pathological findings were shown in G1 or G2 mice. In summary, fluorescence bioimaging showed the possibility of cell death detection in the livers of mice treated with APAP, and this was corroborated by serum chemistry and histopathological examination.

본 연구는 육안판단이 아닌 엽록소형광 이미지 측정기 법을 이용하여 비파괴적으로 수박접목묘 플러그트레이 단일 셀에 대해 건조스트레스를 정량화하고자 수행되었 다. 접목 후 6일차 수박접목묘를 3일동안 균일한 관수관 리 하에서 재배한 후 건조스트레스를 부여하였다. 이후 플러그트레이 단일 셀 형태의 수분함량센서를 이용하여 D1(53.0%, 충분한 수분상태)단계부터 D9(15.7%, 극심한 건조스트레스)단계까지 9개 그룹으로 분류하고 엽록소 형광을 측정하였다. 또한 건조스트레스에 영향을 받은 묘(D5-D9)에 재관수하여 육안판단으로 확인되지 않은 광합성 및 생육 회복 수준을 측정하였다. 3개의 건조스트레스 단계의 엽록소형광 곡선 형태는 건조스트레스 조기 탐지에 대해 다른 양상을 보였다. 총 16개의 엽록소 형광 지수는 건조스트레스에 노출되면서 지속적으로 감소하였으며, 육안으로 판단 가능한 D5(32.1%)단계에서 크게 감소하였다. 형광감소율(Rfd_Lss)는 초기 건조스트 레스 수준(D5-D6)에서 명확하게 감소하기 시작하였으며, 최대 광화학효율(Fv/Fm)은 극심한 건조스트레스 수준 (D7-D9)에서 크게 감소하였다. 따라서, Rfd_Lss 및 Fv/ Fm 지수를 건조스트레스의 초기 및 이후 단계에서 생육 및 광합성 회복 평가를 위한 지표로 선정하였다. 개별 엽록소형광 지수의 수치값 차이와 엽록소형광 이미지를 통해 건조스트레스 수준이 직관적으로 확인되었다. 이러 한 결과는 Rfd_Lss와 Fv/Fm은 각각 초기 및 극심한 건 조스트레스를 탐지하지 위한 엽록소형광 지수로 활용될 수 있으며, Fv/Fm은 재관수시 회복 평가를 위한 최적의 엽록소형광 지수로 판단된다.