Deptt. of Biotechnology

Sweet basil is characterized by its essential oils, synthesized and stored in glandular hairs. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonize the root of most terrestrial plants, forming a very common symbiosis. In the present paper, the effects induced by three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae or Gigaspora margarita or Gigaspora rosea) on shoot growth and essential oil production of Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese were evaluated. Gi. rosea significantly increased internode number and decreased internode distance in comparison with control plants and the other fungal treatments. Furthermore, Gi. margarita and Gi. rosea modified essential oil content analyzed semi-quantitatively.

The present study is the first report on the isolation of Penicillium menonorum from rhizosphere soil in Korea and its identification based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer gene sequence. The fungal isolate was named KNU-3 and was found to exhibit plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity through indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production, as well as P solubilization. KNU-3 produced 9.7 mg/L IAA and solubilized 408 mg of Ca 3 PO 4 /L, and inoculation with the isolate significantly (p < 0.05) increased the dry biomass of cucumber roots (57%) and shoots (52%). Chlorophyll, starch, protein, and P contents were increased by 16%, 45%, 22%, and 14%, respectively, compared to plants grown in uninoculated soil. The fungus also increased soil dehydrogenase (30%) and acid phosphatase (19%) activities. These results demonstrate that the isolate KNU-3 has potential PGP attributes, and therefore it can be considered as a new fungus to enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth. Moreover, the discovery of PGP ability and traits of this fungus will open new aspects of research and investigations. In this study, plant growth promotion by P. menonorum KNU-3 is reported for the first time in Korea after its original description.

We report the isolation of a Gongronella butleri species and describe it based on the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and morphological characteristics. G. butleri has been reported as a high chitosan producer in the literature. This is the first record of G. butleri isolated from crop field soil in Korea.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Vegetation is critical to stabilize and remediate mine tailing sites, but plant growth is often poor due to toxicity from heavy metal(loid)s (HMs). A non-symbiotic endophytic fungus, Trichoderma sp. PDR1-7, isolated from Pb-contaminated mine tailing soil, exhibited both high tolerance to HMs and desirable plant growth-promoting characteristics. PDR1-7 promoted HM solubilization in mine tailing soil and removed significant amounts of Pb and other HMs from liquid media containing single and multiple metals. Pb removal efficiency increased with initial pH from 4 to 6 and with Pb concentration from 100 to 125 mg L(-1). Inoculating soil with PDR1-7 significantly increased nutrient availability and seedling growth, chlorophyll and protein contents, as well as antioxidative enzyme (superoxide dismutase) activity. A decrease in malondialdehyde indicated less oxidative stress. HM concentrations were much higher in Pinus sylvestris roots when PDR1-7 was present. These observations suggest the...

During a survey of fungal species in South Korea, a species of Volutella ciliata was isolated and described based on the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of its rDNA and its morphological characteristics. This is the first record of Volutella ciliata isolated from crop field soil in Korea.

Fungi can facilitate phytoremediation of mine tailing soil containing heavy metal(loid)s (HMs). Penicillium aculeatum PDR-4 and Trichoderma sp. PDR-16, isolated from the rhizosphere of Pinus koraiensis in mine tailing soil, exhibited high HM tolerance and plant growth-promoting characteristics. The isolates increased available P in a 1:1 (w/w) mixture of soil and liquid media by 14-43% and the bioavailability of As, Cu, Pb and Zn was also increased. Both isolates exhibited phosphatase, phytase and siderophore activity. ACC deaminase activity was greater in PDR-16 than in PDR-4; IAA was produced by PDR-4 but not by PDR-16. Sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × sudanense) produced 37-95% more aboveground dry biomass and contained 74-128% more chlorophyll in inoculated soil. In soil inoculated with both isolates, HM concentrations increased in roots by 109% (As), 39% (Cu), 50% (Pb) and 38% (Zn), and in shoots by 72% (As), 69% (Pb) and 82% (Zn) compared to those of control plants (Cu concentration did not increase in shoots). HM bioavailability and available soil P, as well as plant biomass, chlorophyll content and plant As, Pb and Zn concentrations were highest in soil inoculated with both fungi. Results suggest that inoculating soil with P. aculeatum PDR-4 and Trichoderma sp. PDR-16 will be beneficial for phytoremediation and production of sorghum-sudangrass as a bioenergy crop in HM-contaminated soils.

Simultaneous capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its utilization with subsequent work-up would significantly enhance the competitiveness of CO2-based sustainable chemistry over petroleum-based chemistry. Here we report an interfacial catalytic reaction platform for an integrated autonomous process of simultaneously capturing/fixing CO2 in gas-liquid laminar flow with subsequently providing a work-up step. The continuous-flow microreactor has built-in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with immobilized ionic liquid catalysts on tips of cone-shaped nanowire bundles. Because of the superamphiphobic SiNWs, a stable gas-liquid interface maintains between liquid flow of organoamines in upper part and gas flow of CO2 in bottom part of channel. The intimate and direct contact of the binary reagents leads to enhanced mass transfer and facilitating reactions. The autonomous integrated platform produces and isolates 2-oxazolidinones and quinazolines-2,4(1H,3H)-diones with 81-97% yields under mild condi...

Oidiodendron flavum KNU13-6 was isolated for the first time from field soil in Korea and identified based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of rDNA and morphological characteristics. Based on phylogenetic analysis of ITS and morphological characteristics, the species has not been previously reported in Korea.

Pseudallescheria boydii KNU13-2 was isolated from crop field soil and identified by analysis of internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA and morphological characteristics. In the literature, P. boydii has been mentioned as a human pathogen. This is the first record of P. boydii isolated from crop field soil in Korea.

Bauxite residue (red mud), generated during the extraction of alumina from bauxite ore is characterized by high pH, high concentrations of soluble ions with low or virtually no organic matter. These extreme conditions along with numerous nutrient deficiencies, limit the microbial growth and vegetation establishment. In the present study, diversity of both cultivable and non-cultivable bacteria present in the red mud was investigated by 16S rDNA sequence analyses. The cultivable bacteria were identified as Agromyces indicus, Bacillus litoralis, B. anthracis, Chungangia koreensis, Kokuria flava, K. polaris, Microbacterium hominis, Planococcus plakortidis, Pseudomonas alcaliphila and Salinococcus roseus based on their 16S rDNA sequence analysis. These isolates were alkali tolerant, positive for one or more of the enzyme activities tested, able to produce organic acids and oxidize wide range of carbon substrates. For non-cultivable diversity of bacteria, DNA was extracted from the bauxi...

A new recorded species of Mortierella was recovered during the investigation of fungal communities in soil samples collected from different locations of Gangwon-do, Korea. The species was identified and described as Mortierella alpina on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences and morphological characteristics. This species has not been officially reported from Korea thus far.

Antiretroviral drugs are being tried as candidates for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV for a considerable period, due to their potential for immediate inhibition of viral replication. Discrepancies in the findings called for a critical review of the relevant efforts and their outcomes. A systematic literature search identified 143 eligible articles of which only 5 reported complete findings while another 11 were still on-going. Observed moderate efficacy and good safety profile seemed to identify PrEP as a promising step for minimizing the spread of HIV to relatively unaffected population and controlling the epidemic among high risk population groups. But the duration of this efficacy was found to depend heavily on the availability, adherence and other related issues like cost, political commitment, ethical consideration etc. To prevent potential cultural and behavioral modifications, proper pre-administration counseling also seemed critical for the success of PrEP a...

and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Combined effect of malic acid and ozone as sanitizer to inhibit the biofilm formation by Salmonella typhimurium on different food contact surfaces was investigated in this study. Different surfaces used in food industry including PVC pipes, polyethylene bags, plastic surfaces and fresh produce were analyzed for the biofilm formation by S. typhimurium ST1 and ST2. Malic acid alone was not able to inhibit biofilm formation in all the samples. However, combination of malic acid with ozone reduced the biofilm formation on plastic bags as well as on PVC pipes suggesting as an effective disinfectant for food contact surfaces. Five-and six-fold reduction in biofilm formation was observed in microtitre plates after 20 h and 40 h. Scanning electron micrographs of carrot and turnip showed control over the biofilms. Malic acid as sanitizer in food industry was effective for the complete inhibition of biofilm in carrot and other food contact surfaces, besides this, combined sanitizer (malic acid and ozone) was effective in turnip. Biofilms in food-processing industries can survive even after the sanitizer treatment and may represent reservoirs of product contamination leading to subsequent spoilage and/or food safety risks.