Chulkyoon Mok

Enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover pretreated by combined dilute alkaline treatment and homogenization.

Corn stover, the most abundant agricultural residue in the U.S., is a potential feedstock for production of bioethanol because of its high content of carbohydrates, but an efficient pretreatment is required prior to enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, a combination of NaOH treatment and homogenization was used as a pretreatment to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover. The combined pretreatment increased the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover five times compared to the control. The effectiveness of such pretreatment was found to be a function of NaOH concentration and particle size. Within the NaOH concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 N, best performance of this combined pretreatment was achieved at 0.3 N NaOH. There is a significant cross effect of homogenization and NaOH treatment. Among the three particle sizes tested (the particle size was not directly measured; it passed through screens with openings of 2 mm, 0.707 mm, and 0.25 mm respectively), 2 mm was found to maximize the economic benefit of the pretreatment.

Characteristics of yogurt-like products prepared from the combination of skim milk and soymilk containing saccharified-rice solution

Yogurt-like products were prepared from a combination of skim milk and soymilk (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) containing saccharified-rice solution by lactic fermentation of four different cultures. The ratio of skim milk and soy milk had no significant effect on titratable acidity, while the type and nature of culture used for fermentation affected the titratable acidity. Lower syneresis was observed in soy-based yogurt, and both the hardness and springiness of curd increased as the proportion of soymilk in the substrate increased. Skim milk-based yogurt had higher resistance to shear force with higher yield stress. The sensory quality of yogurt produced from mixed culture had higher preference compared with that produced from a single culture (Streptococcus thermophilus). There was no significant difference in texture and overall acceptability among yogurts produced from mixed substrates and skim milk-based yogurt.

Saengshik, a Formulated Health Food, Prevents Liver Damage in CCl4-Induced Mice and Increases Antioxidant Activity in Elderly Women

Saengshik is a Korean noncooked food made with of more than 30 different whole gains, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and seaweeds. All of these ingredients are frozen and dried to minimize the loss of nutrients. Saengshik has become popular among health-conscious people in the Republic of Korea. The study aims to investigate antioxidant effects of Saengshik by in vivo and human experiments. In in vivo tests, mice were fed Saengshik for 4 weeks, and oxidative damage was induced by CCl(4). Then the effects of Saengshik on oxidative damage were examined. It was found that plasma lipid hydroperoxide and protein oxidative damages were significantly suppressed and antioxidants, glutathione, and thiol groups were increased. The activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was increased, and the level of glutamate pyruvate transaminase was decreased. In a human study, elderly people were given Saengshik for 24 weeks, and changes in antioxidant defense of the body were examined. Antioxidant activities in plasma were enhanced, although the difference was not significant. Therefore, it is expected that Saengshik is effective at removing oxidants from body tissues, preventing oxidative damage, and eventually boosting the antioxidant capacity of the body.

Potential applications of nonthermal plasmas against biofilm-associated micro-organisms in vitro.

Biofilms as complex microbial communities attached to surfaces pose several challenges in different sectors, ranging from food and healthcare to desalination and power generation. The biofilm mode of growth allows microorganisms to survive in hostile environments and biofilm cells exhibit distinct physiology and behaviour in comparison with their planktonic counterparts. They are ubiquitous, resilient and difficult to eradicate due to their resistant phenotype. Several chemical‐based cleaning and disinfection regimens are conventionally used against biofilm‐dwelling micro‐organisms in vitro. Although such approaches are generally considered to be effective, they may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and environmental pollution. Consequently, advanced green technologies for biofilm control are constantly emerging. Disinfection using nonthermal plasmas (NTPs) is one of the novel strategies having a great potential for control of biofilms of a broad spectrum of micro‐organisms. This review discusses several aspects related to the inactivation of biofilm‐associated bacteria and fungi by different types of NTPs under in vitro conditions. A brief introduction summarizes prevailing methods in biofilm inactivation, followed by introduction to gas discharge plasmas, active plasma species and their inactivating mechanism. Subsequently, significance and aspects of NTP inactivation of biofilm‐associated bacteria, especially those of medical importance, including opportunistic pathogens, oral pathogenic bacteria, foodborne pathogens and implant bacteria, are discussed. The remainder of the review discusses majorly about the synergistic effect of NTPs and their activity against biofilm‐associated fungi, especially Candida species.

Microbial Decontamination of Dried Alaska Pollock Shreds Using Corona Discharge Plasma Jet: Effects on Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics.

Nonthermal techniques for microbial decontamination are becoming more common for ensuring food safety. In this study, a corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) was used for inactivation of microbial contaminants of dried Alaska pollock shreds. Corona plasma jet was generated at a current strength of 1.5 A, and a span length of 25 mm was maintained between the electrode tip and the sample. Upon the CDPJ treatment (0 to 3 min) of dried shreds, microbial contaminants namely aerobic and marine bacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus were inactivated by 2.5, 1.5, and >1.0 log units, respectively. Also, a one-log reduction of molds and yeasts contaminants was observed. The inactivation patterns are fitted well to the pseudo-first-order kinetics or Singh-Heldman model. The CDPJ treatment did not exert statistically significant (P > 0.05) changes in physicochemical properties, namely color characteristics, volatile basic nitrogen, and peroxide value of dried fish shreds, with some exceptions, as compared to untreated controls. Furthermore, CDPJ treatment had no significant impact on the sensory characteristics of dried fish shreds.

Microwave-assisted pretreatment technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to sugars and ethanol: a review

Lignocellulosic biomass conversion to biofuels such as ethanol and other value-added bio-products including activated carbons has attracted much attention. The development of an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly pretreatment process is a major challenge in lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel conversion. Although several modern pretreatment technologies have been introduced, few promising technologies have been reported. Microwave irradiation or microwave-assisted methods (physical and chemical) for pretreatment (disintegration) of biomass have been gaining popularity over the last few years owing to their high heating efficiency, lower energy requirements, and easy operation. Acid and alkali pretreatments assisted by microwave heating meanwhile have been widely used for different types of lignocellulosic biomass conversion. Additional advantages of microwave-based pretreatments include faster treatment time, selective processing, instantaneous control, and acceleration of the reaction rate. The present review provides insights into the current research and advantages of using microwave-assisted pretreatment technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars in the process of cellulosic ethanol production.

Effect of corona discharge plasma jet on surface‐borne microorganisms and sprouting of broccoli seeds

BACKGROUND Different pathogenic microorganisms have been reported to cause sprouts-associated outbreaks. In order to sterilise and enhance the germination of seeds, non-thermal plasma has been increasingly investigated in the field of agricultural science as an alternative to the traditional pre-sowing seed treatments. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) on disinfection of the natural bio-contaminants of broccoli seed and also studied the plasma effect on sprout seed germination rate and physico-chemical properties of sprouts. RESULTS Aerobic bacteria, moulds and yeasts, B. cereus, E. coli, Salmonella spp. were detected on the broccoli seed surface. After 0-3 min treatment using CDPJ, the detected microorganisms were reduced in the range of 1.2-2.3 log units. Inactivation patterns were better explained using pseudo-first-order kinetics. The plasma treatment of seeds up to 2 min exhibited a positive effect on germination rate, seedling growth. The physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of sprouts were unaffected due to the CDPJ treatment of their respective seeds. CONCLUSION Corona discharge plasma jet can potentially be used for microbial decontamination of broccoli seeds. In addition, the plasma treatment of broccoli sprout seeds has enabled a significant enhancement in their germination rate and seedling growth without compromising physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of their corresponding sprouts.

Aqueous Degradation of Imidacloprid and Fenothiocarb using Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis: Degradation Behavior and Kinetics

Degradation of the pesticides fenothiocarb and imidacloprid in water using contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) achieved rates of 57.8 and 43.2% respectively. Degradation was enhanced using citric or hydrochloric acid to lower the pH to 3.0. Both acids enhanced both the degradation rate and the amount. Fenothiocarb degradation was 77.14% at pH 3 with citric acid, and 100% with HCl. Degradation of imidacloprid at pH 3 was 70.18% with citric acid and 93.02% with HCl. Acidic conditions favor either production of ·OH radicals or enhancement of the degradation of organic compounds by ·OH. Both the degradation rates and amounts for fenothiocarb and imidacloprid were reduced in the presence of methanol due to competition between pesticides and MeOH for ·OH. Degradation of pesticides was not completely inhibited by MeOH. Degradation of both fenothiocarb and imidacloprid using CGDE obeys a first-order rate law with high regression coefficient values (R2>0.99).

Microbial Decontamination of Gwamegi (Semi-dried Pacific Saury) Using Corona Discharge Plasma Jet, Including Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation

ABSTRACT The use of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) for the improvement of hygienic quality of Gwamegi was investigated. Microbial contaminants, namely aerobic, marine bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and molds and yeasts, were detected in Gwamegi samples. The CDPJ generated using 20 kV DC voltage and at 58 kHz frequency was used for the decontamination treatment (1–10 min). The bacterial contaminants and molds and yeasts were inactivated in the range of 1.9–3.3 and 3.2 log CFU/g, respectively. The inactivation pattern fitted well to the pseudo-first-order model. The CDPJ treatment for 10 min did not exert significant changes (p > 0.05) in pH, moisture content, water activity, peroxide value, acid value, and volatile basic nitrogen content of Gwamegi as compared to controls. On the contrary, significant changes (p < 0.05) in color and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels were noted. However, the CDPJ-treated Gwamegi displayed better sensory properties than controls in terms of appearance, visual color, and flavor.

Microbial Inactivation of Grains Used in Saengshik by Corona Discharge Plasma Jet

Inactivation of microorganisms in grains used for saengshik, a formulated health food, was attempted by corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ). The initial microbial counts of the grains were in the range of 1.7×10-9.9×10 CFU/g. The CDPJ-inactivation effect was increased with electric current in the range of 1-1.5 A. Regarding span length between the tips of the electrodes and the treatment surface, the highest inactivation effect was observed at 25 mm. The inactivation pattern fitted well to the Singh-Heldman model. Bacteria were more labile to the CDPJ inactivation than yeasts and molds. Among tested grains, white rice showed the highest sterility followed by pressed barley and brown rice. Despite the inactivation by plasma, the thiobarbituric acid content of the grains remained unchanged over 10 min of treatment. Our results indicated the potential of the CDPJ treatment to improve the hygiene of saengshik products with no remarkable changes in lipid quality.