Ki-Seob Gwak

Effect of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol on the ultrastructural changes of Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

The antifungal effects of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and alpha-terpineol on Trichophyton mentagrophytes were investigated. Citral over 0.1 mg/ml strongly inhibited the hyphal growth of T. mentagrophytes, and the antifungal activity of alpha-terpineol was less effective. The morphological changes of the fungus exposed to the terpenes were observed by electron microscopy. The hyphae were distorted and collapsed at 0.2, 0.4 and 1 mg/ml of eugenol, nerolidol and alpha-terpineol respectively, and cell membrane and organelles were irreversibly damaged at 0.2 mg/ml citral. These suggested that four terpenes possess antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, and the activity might lead to irreversible cellular disruption.

The essential oils of Chamaecyparis obtusa promote hair growth through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor gene.

Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) is a conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to northeast Asia. The essential oils of C. obtusa have antibacterial and antifungal effects and several products such as hygienic bands, aromatics, and shampoos contain these oils as a natural source of antimicrobial/antifungal agents. Interestingly, some consumers suffering from baldness and/or other forms of hair loss have reported a hair growth promoting effect of shampoos containing these oils. In the present study, the hair growth promoting effect of C. obtusa oils was elucidated in an animal model. C. obtusa oils promoted the early phase of hair growth in shaved mice. In addition, we examined the molecular effect of C. obtusa oils on the regulation of hair morphogenesis and hair growth using the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. In the current study of hair growth regulating genes, the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF beta 1), and keratinocyte growth factor(KGF) have been analyzed by real-time PCR in HaCaT cells. The essential oils of C. obtusa were divided into seven fractions for treatment of HaCaT cells. VEGF transcripts were induced by fractions 6 and 7; however, TGF beta 1 and KGF mRNA levels were unchanged by C. obtusa oils or fractions. Fraction 7 was separated into seven sub-fractions and studied further. Sub-fractions E and D significantly increased VEGF and KGF gene expression without up-regulating the hair growth inhibition factor, TGF beta 1. The components of the two sub-fractions were further analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Cuminol, eucarvone, and calamenene were common to these two sub-fractions, although the effects of these individual components were not determined. Taken together, these results suggest that C. obtusa oils promote hair growth in an animal model and a positive regulator of hair growth, VEGF, was induced by particular components of these oils.

Inhibitory effect of the essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa on the growth of food-borne pathogens.

In this study, the antibacterial activity of essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc) leaves and twigs was investigated. The test strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Legionella pneumophila, and Methicilline-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial activity was estimated by measuring bacterial growth inhibition. Histopathological examination was also performed. C. obtusa oil distinctly inhibited the growth of all test strains and exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes. It was chromatographically divided into several fractions. The fractions were further tested against antibacterial activity and their chemical compositions were analyzed. The fraction containing terpinen-4-ol (TA) showed high antibacterial activity toward all strains tested. Tests with authentic samples showed that TA played a major role in the antibacterial activity of C. obtusa oil, and in a mice test, the oil actively minimized inflammation by S. aureus.

Effect of Treatment Amounts of Slurry Composting and Biofiltration Liquid Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics and Bioethanol Production of Yellow Poplar

ABSTRACT The main pur ose of this stud y was to examine the influence of treatment amounts of SlurrComposting and Biofiltration liquid fertilizer (SCBLF) on biomass growth of Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and to compare bioethanol production from the harvested wood. Relative growth rate, biomass production and leaf characteristics were significantly enhanced bySCBLF treatment and medium treatment plot showed highest value. Nitrogen compounds and wa-ter content in SCBLF affected to increase chlorophyll contents which led improving biomass pro-duction (64.67%) and glucose contents (6.07%) than control. Organosolv and dilute acid pretreat-ments were preliminarily carried for bioethanol production, and the pretreatment processes wereconducted at all the same solid to liquid ratio (1 : 10), reaction temperature (150°C), preheating time(40 min) and residence time (10 min). The water insoluble solid recovery of Organosolv pretreat-ment with 1% sulfuric acid as a catalyst was the lowest and that of medium treatment plot was44.81%. Exchangeable cations in SCBLF might be affected to increase pretreatment effect. The si-multaneous saccharification and fermentation process was followed to determine the ethanol pro-duction of the pretreated biomass. The highest ethanol production yield based on initial weightwas obtained from high treatment plotby Organosolv pretreatment with 1% sulfuric acid (16.11%).But regarding biomass production, medium treatment plot produced most, and bioethanol pro-duction was increased by 72.93% than control.Keywords: slurry composting and biofiltration, yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), growth characteristics, organosolv pretreatment, bioethanol production

Change in Chemical Composition of Acer mono Saps Collected in Different Region and Time Depending on Storing Period

This study was performed to investigate change in chemical composition of Acer mono saps collected in Hamyang, Inje, Namyangju and Yeongwol depending on storing period. pH of A. mono sap was in the range of 4.43~5.68, and it was decreased rapidly with the increase of storing period. A. mono sap collected in Yeongwol in Feb. 22 contained 2.06% sucrose. Degradation of sucrose was occurred when storing period was extended, and it caused production of organic acid like pyruvic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and ethanol. Detected minerals in A. mono sap were K, Ca, Na, Mg, P, Si, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn, however, K and Ca content reached 93%. A. mono sap collected in Inje in Mar. 03 contained 131.72 mg/, which was especially high K content among the A. mono sap. 1.55~3.50 mg/ of Ascorbic acid was found in the A. mono sap. Sap collected in early date was less degraded.

Biodegradation of PCB congeners by white rot fungus, Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010, and analysis of metabolites

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are difficult to degrade due to poor solubility, toxicity, and thermal stability. In the present study, the feasibility of PCB congener biodegradation by Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010 was evaluated. The biodegradation rates of four PCB congeners, 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl, 2,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl, 2,2′,4,5,5′-pentachlorobiphenyl, and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl were evaluated. The degradation rate of 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl was 34.03% on incubation day 13, while that of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl reached 40.05% on incubation day 17. Therefore, Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010 was degrading the higher PCB congeners more efficiently. PCB congener degradation products were extracted using acetone and ethyl acetate. No 2,2′,4,5,5′-pentachlorobiphenyl metabolites were detected in Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010 culture, whereas 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl appeared to degrade to benzoic acid. However, intermediates of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl were not detected during degradation. Therefore, additional studies should be performed to explore the mechanisms of PCB degradation. Our results indicate that Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010 is able to degrade highly chlorinated biphenyls and has potential for use in PCB biodegradation and bioremediation.

Whitening and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils from Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa

본 연구는 삼나무와 편백나무 정유의 tyrosinase 저해 활성과 DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl) radical 소거 활성, SOD (superoxide dismutase) 유사활성을 구명하여 정유의 미백 및 항산화 효능을 평가하였다. 본 연구를 통해 삼나무와 편백나무 정유의 미백 및 항산화 기능성 소재로 개발하기 위한 기초자료로 이용하고, 건조 중 발생하는 nVOCs의 부가적 가치를 확인하고자 하였다. 삼나무 및 편백나무 잎의 정유는 수증기 증류법으로 24시간 추출하였고, 목부는 고온 열처리기를 이용하여 80, 100, 120℃의 온도조건에서 열기 건조하여 건조 중 목부로부터 발생하는 부산물인 천연 휘발성 유기화합물 (nVOCs, Natural Volatile Organic Compounds)을 응축액의 형태로 추출하였다. 삼나무 잎의 정유가 편백나무 잎의 정유 보다 미백 및 항산화 활성에서 모두 높은 효과를 나타내었고 건조 시 발생한 nVOCs는 온도가 올라갈수록 미백 활성이 높아지는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며 항산화 활성은 120℃에서 발생한 삼나무 nVOCs에서만 나타났다.

Selection of White Rot Fungi for Biodegradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl, and Analysis of Its Biodegradation Rate

In this study, the possibility of biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by various white rot fungi was evaluated, and outstanding white rot fungi for the degradation of PCBs were selected. Seven white rot fungi were used to degrade Aroclor 1254 and 1260, which are widely considered to be toxic and difficult to degrade. And the degradation rates of Aroclors by selected white rot fungi were performed by GC analysis. Through the resistance test of white rot fungi on different concentrations of PCBs, the inhibition of mycelial growth of Cystidodontia isubellina was much less than that of others, and this fungus grew faster than others, relatively. Based on this result, it was considered that C. isubellina was selected as degrading fungus for Aroclors. As a result of biodegradation rate of Aroclors by Cystidodontia isubellina, the degradation rate of Arolor 1254 was reached to 57.57% in 13 days, which showed very high degradation rate. Also the degradation rate of Aroclor 1260 by C. isubellina had a tendency of increasing along with increasing incubation day. Maximal degradation rate of Aroclor 1260 was 49.43% at 13 days. Based on this results, it indicated that in comparison with a previous study, high degradation rate was obtained by C. isubellina.

Analysis of Terpenoids as Volatile Compound Released During the Drying Process of Cryptomeria japonica

본 연구는 삼나무의 건조 중 발생하는 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 중 terpenoids 성분을 분석하기 위해 thermal extractor를 이용하였다. 기존의 건조 조건을 고려하여 27°C, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, 120°C에서 실험을 실시한 결과 온도 조건이 높아질수록 VOCs와 terpenoids의 방산량이 증가하였다. 방산된 VOCs 중 terpenoids 화합물이 차지하는 비율은 각각의 온도에 대해 87.5%, 81.6%, 83.6%, 90.1%, 97.3%로 특히 100°C와 120°C에서는 90% 이상의 높은 비율을 차지하였다. 상대적으로 가장 높은 비율을 차지하고 있는 성분은 δ-cadinene이었으며 이 외에도 총 32종류의 다양한 terpenoids 성분이 검출되었다. 특히 방산된 성분들은 모두 탄소 15개로 이루어진 sesquiterpene 류에 속하는 성분으로서 삼나무를 이루는 주요 성분임을 확인하였다. 방산된 sesquiterpenes 화합물의 이용을 모색하고자 피부사상균에 대한 항진균 활성을 한천희석법을 이용하여 평가해 보았다. 그 결과 공시 균주 Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum에 대해 모두 활성을 나타냈다. 시료의 농도가 5000 ppm일 때에는 3 균주에 대해 모두 100%의 활성을 나타냈으며 1000 ppm일 때에는 95.2%, 98.7%, 97.3%의 활성을, 100 ppm일 때에는 90.5%, 43.6%, 85.9%의 활성을 각각 보였다.

Investigation of the Effective Catalyst for Organosolv Pretreatment of Liriodendron tulipifera

ABSTRACT Organosolv pretreatments which utilized sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and ammonia as catalysts were conducted to screen the effective catalyst for organosolv pretreatment of Liriodendron tulipifera. The enzy-matic hydrolysis was achieved effectively with sulfuric acid (74.2%) and sodium hydroxide (63.7%). They were thus considered as effective catalysts for organosolv pretreatment of L. tulipifera. The organosolv pre-treatments with sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide showed a different behavior on the reaction mechanism. The pretreatment with sulfuric acid increased the biomass roughness and pore numbers. On the other hand, the pretreatment with sodium hydroxide enhanced the surface area due to the size reduction and minor defiberization which were caused by hemicellulose degradation at an initial stage and more de-fiberization by lignin degradation at a later stage. The organosolv pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was performed at several different conditions to evaluate effectiveness of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst for organosolv pretreatment. According to the results of enzymatic digestibility, the changes of chemical com-position and the morphological analysis of pretreated biomass, it was suggested that the pretreatment time impacted primarily on enzymatic hydrolysis. Increase in surface area during the pretreatment was a major cause for improvement in enzymatic digestibility when sodium hydroxide was used as a catalyst. Keywords : Liriodendron tulipifera, organosolv pretreatment, sulfuric acid catalyst, sodium hydroxide cat-alyst, enzymatic hydrolysis