Hong Joo Son

Soil pH Effect on Phosphate Induced Cadmium Precipitation in Arable Soil

The objective of this study was to determine soil pH conditions that allow cadmium (Cd) to precipitate as Cd minerals in phosphate (P) amended soil. Cadmium immobilization could be attributed primarily to Cd adsorption due to increase in pH and negative charge. Soil pH might not affect Cd precipitation as Cd3(PO4)2 by direct reaction of Cd and P in the studied soil, even when soil pH increased up to 9.0. However, Cd might precipitate as CdCO3 with increasing pH up to 9.0 in P untreated soil and up to 8.0 in P treated soil depending on CO2 level.

Effect of Phosphate Addition on Cadmium Precipitation and Adsorption in Contaminated Arable Soil with a Low Concentration of Cadmium

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the phosphorus (P) level required to induce cadmium (Cd) precipitation in a contaminated arable soil with low concentrations of Cd and (2) the primary mechanism of Cd immobilization at different P levels. Phosphorus was added at levels of 0 800, 1600, and 16,000xa0mgxa0Pxa0kg−1 to a soil containing 5.57xa0mgxa0Cdxa0kg−1. The concentration of 1xa0M NH4OAc extractable Cd decreased significantly with P levels up to 1600xa0mgxa0kg−1 due to an increase in soil pH and negative charge of soil (pxa0<xa00.001). A further decrease in 1xa0M NH4OAc extractable Cd concentration was noted when P was increased to 16,000xa0mgxa0Pxa0kg−1 and may have been the result of Cd precipitation. This study suggest that adding P at high levels may help in the formation of geochemically stable Cd minerals in soil containing low levels of this heavy metal.

Comparative Effect of Two Different Types of Phosphate on Cadmium Uptake by Radish (Raphanus sativa L.) Grown in Arable Soil Affected by Mine Activity

To evaluate the effect of type of phosphate (P) material on reducing soil cadmium (Cd) extractability and radish Cd uptake in the field, two different P materials, fused superphosphate (FSP) and dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4), were applied at rates of 0, 33.5, 100.5, and 167.5 kg P ha−1 before seeding radish (Raphanus sativa L.) in a Cd-contaminated soil. Plant-available Cd concentration in soil and total Cd uptake by radish increased with increasing FSP application but decreased with K2HPO4. The significant decrease in soil pH and negative charge of soil by FSP application led to an increase in bioavailable Cd fraction in soil and in Cd uptake by radish. However, K2HPO4 increased soil pH and negative charge of soil and decreased bioavailable Cd fractions. Soil pH and negative charge of soil played an important role in controlling Cd uptake by radish in soil to which phosphate was applied.

Liming Effect on Cadmium Immobilization and Phytoavailability in Paddy Soil Affected by Mining Activity

Liming Effect on Cadmium Immobilization and Phytoavailability in Paddy Soil Affected by Mining Activity Chang Oh Hong, Yong Gyun Kim, Sang Mong Lee, Hyean Cheal Park, Keun Ki Kim, Hong Joo Son, Jae Hwan Cho and Pil Joo Kim (Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, South Korea, Department of Agricultural Economics, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, South Korea, Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 900, Kaswa-dong, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea, Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School (Brain Korea 21 Program), Gyeongsang National University, 900, Kaswa-dong, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea)

The Effect of Bottom ash in Reducing Cadmium Phytoavailability in Cadmium-contaminated Soil

BACKGROUND: Since bottom ash (BA) contains considerable amounts of CaO and MgO, it could be a useful amendment to increase soil pH and to immobilize cadmium (Cd). This study was conducted to evaluate effect of BA application in reducing Cd phytoavailability.METHODS AND RESULTS: Bottom ash was applied at the rate of 0, 20, 40, and 80 Mg/ha to Cd contaminated soil, and then lettuce was cultivated under field condition. soil pH and net negative charge increased slightly with increasing BA application; however, there was no statistical difference among the rates. Water soluble, exchangeable+acidic, reducible, and oxidizable fraction of Cd decreased with increasing bottom ash application rate, whereas residual fraction of Cd increased with increasing bottom ash application rate. Lettuce yield increased with rate of bottom ash up to 40 kg/ha. Visual evidences of cadmium toxicity and growth inhibition were not found during lettuce cultivation.CONCLUSION: Bottom ash was effective to reduce phytoextractability of Cd and to increase lettuce yield. Conclusively, BA could be a good soil amendment to reduce Cd phytoavailability in contaminated arable soil.

The Effect of Compost Application on Degradation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

BACKGROUND: Petroleum-contaminated soil from leaking above- and underground storage tanks and spillage during transport of petroleum products is widespread environmental problem in recent years. Application of compost may be the most promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly technology for soil bioremediation because of its advantages over physical and chemical technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of compost application on degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. METHOD AND RESULTS: An arable soil was artificially contaminated by diesel, and compost was applied at the different rate of 0, 10, 30, and 50 Mg/ha. Concentration of TPH in the soil decreased as application rate of compost increased. Degradation efficiency was highest at compost 30 Mg/ha; however, it slightly decreased with compost 50 Mg/ha. Kinetic modeling was performed to estimate the rates of chemical reaction. The correlation coefficient (R2) values for the linear plots using the second-order model were higher than those using the first-oder model. Compost 30 and 50 Mg/ha had the fastest TPH degradation rate in the second-order model. Change of microbial population in soil with compost application was similar to that of TPH. Microbial population in the soil increased as application rate of compost increased. Increasing microbial population in the contaminated soil corresponded to decreased in TPH concentration. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, compost application for soil bioremediation could be an effective response to petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. The increase in microbial population with compost suggested that compost application at an optimum rate might enhance degradation of TPH in soil.

Properties of the Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Dongchunghacho, a Newly Developed Korean Medicinal Insect-borne Mushroom: Mass-production and Pharmacological Actions

Cordyceps is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb well-known in China, Korea and Japan since B.C. 2,000. The original entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps sinensis belonging to the genus Cordyceps could not be found inside Korean peninsula due to the absence of the host insect for the corresponding entomogenous fungus. The development of artificial production methods of Korean type Cordyceps using the silkworm Bombyx mori as in vivo culture medium for the the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces tenuipes is the first, and wonderful occasion in the research history of insect industry of this global world. The aim of this article is to review the historical research background, mass-production methods, and pharmacological effects of the silkworm-dongchunghacho (Paecilomyces tenuipes) which is a newly developed Korean medicinal insect-borne mushroom, and another non-insect-borne medicinal mushroom (Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps pruinosa). Their biological actions include anti-tumor, immunostimulating, anti-fatigue, anti-stress, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombosis, hypolipidaemic and insecticidal effects. The bioactive principles are protein-bound polysaccharides (hexose, hexosamin), cordycepin, D-manitol, acidic polysaccharide etc. Protein-bound polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions were demonstrated to show a significant anti-tumor activities but did not show a cytotoxicities. D-mannitol exhibited a significant prolongation of the life span in tumor bearing mice. Ergosterol did not show an efficient anti-tumor activity, but showed a significant phagocytosis enhancing activity. Anti-tumor activity of silkworm-dongchunghacho might be attributed to immuno-stimulating activities rather than cytotoxic effects [164]. Also this review comprises the breeding of Dongchunghacho varieties, optimization of culture conditions, improvement of learning and memory by Dongchunghacho, application of them as foods and chemical constituents.

Therapeutic Effect of Toothpaste Containing Hydroxyapatite and Tribasic Calcium Phosphate on Dentinal Hypersensitivity

Although it is not a pathological symptom, Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) describes pain felt by patients whose tooth roots are exposed outside of the gums and are therefore sensitive to external stimuli. DH is caused by tooth brushing or gum diseases and treatment to reduce the sensitivity can include use of materials having stimulation activity for DH or a resin material applied periodontally. This study examined the hypersensitivity treatment effects of a four-week treatment with a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate (Hap-TCP toothpaste). The Hap-TCP toothpaste was made by mixing a commercially available fluorine-containing toothpaste with 10% (W/W) hydroxyapatite and 19% (W/W) tricalcium phosphate (both 99% purity based on XRD analysis). The tooth hypersensitivity treatment effect was surveyed by scoring VRS values, and showed no significant initial difference compared with the control. However, after 1 week of use, the pain reduction value was 8% in the treatment group compared to the control group. This value increased to 30% and 60% after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Hypersensitivity to cold stimulation, which was used as a VAS value, showed no initial significant differences compared with the control, but was significantly decreased after 1, 2, and 4 weeks in the experimental group, with more than a 3-fold difference after 4 weeks. These findings confirmed that remineralization can alleviate DH as hydroxyapatite fills dentinal tubules and calcium, phosphorus, and tricalcium phosphate ion equilibrium is established.Although it is not a pathological symptom, Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) describes pain felt by patients whose tooth roots are exposed outside of the gums and are therefore sensitive to external stimuli. DH is caused by tooth brushing or gum diseases and treatment to reduce the sensitivity can include use of materials having stimulation activity for DH or a resin material applied periodontally. This study examined the hypersensitivity treatment effects of a four-week treatment with a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate (Hap-TCP toothpaste). The Hap-TCP toothpaste was made by mixing a commercially available fluorine-containing toothpaste with 10% (W/W) hydroxyapatite and 19% (W/W) tricalcium phosphate (both 99% purity based on XRD analysis). The tooth hypersensitivity treatment effect was surveyed by scoring VRS values, and showed no significant initial difference compared with the control. However, after 1 week of use, the pain reduction value was 8% in the treatment group compared to the control group. This value increased to 30% and 60% after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Hypersensitivity to cold stimulation, which was used as a VAS value, showed no initial significant differences compared with the control, but was significantly decreased after 1, 2, and 4 weeks in the experimental group, with more than a 3-fold difference after 4 weeks. These findings confirmed that remineralization can alleviate DH as hydroxyapatite fills dentinal tubules and calcium, phosphorus, and tricalcium phosphate ion equilibrium is established.

Effects of Tested Pack Containing Plant Extracts on Elasticity and Size of Women’s Breasts

In this study, we purified the extracts from the seeds and the roots of various plant species, including Q. acutissima, C. lanceolata, P. mirifica, P. bambusoides, and S. repens, and then investigated the effects of these extracts on cell growth and fat accumulation in adipocytes. We found that the extracts purified from Q. acutissima, C. lanceolata, P. mirifica, P. bambusoides, and S. repens more effectively increased the cell growth, as well as promoting the fat accumulation in adipocytes to a greater extent, than other extracts in vitro. Therefore, we made breast packs containing these effective extracts, and then investigated whether they were effective in enhancing the elasticity and volume of women’s breasts. The measurements of breast elasticity and size revealed that the breast packs efficiently increased the elasticity and size of women’s breasts. Furthermore, evaluation of the questionnaires related to usage of the breast packs indicated great satisfaction in terms of the lift, firmness, and elasticity of breasts. In conclusion, extracts purified from Q. acutissima, C. lanceolata, P. mirifica, P. bambusoides, and S. repens leading to cell growth and fat accumulation in adipocytes can effectively contribute to improving the elasticity and size of women’s breasts.

Nutrient Content of Litter Harvested by Drepanotermes tamminensis (Hill) in Its Mounds Within a Native Reserve In the Western Australian Wheatbelt

This study estimated the mound litter biomass and the nutrient content of mound litter in the two study plots in Durokoppin Nature Reserve, Western Australia between 2004 and 2005. There were no significant differences in biomass of litter in individual mounds between the two study plots. Seven components of litter were found in the mounds. The nutrient concentrations were higher in the wood-land than in the shrubland plot, although the differences were not statistically tested, and the total amount of each nutrient measured was generally greater in the woodland than in the shrubland plot. The aforementioned results show that D. tamminensis harvests various plant material according to bio-mass availability. The role of this termite takes on particular importance in view of the fact that Western Australian soils are notoriously impoverished in nutrients.