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In-Kyu Choi

Seoul National University · Engineering

About the Lab

Professor In-Kyu Choi's research lab specializes in fungal biotechnology and sustainable bioprocessing, focusing on the application of white rot fungi for environmental remediation and the biotransformation of natural compounds. The lab investigates lignin degradation and biomodification using ligninolytic enzymes, explores the biocatalytic conversion of terpenes into high-value chemicals, and evaluates natural products—particularly from *Chamaecyparis obtusa*—for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Additionally, the lab is advancing renewable biofuels, including high-energy-density bio-aviation fuels derived from terpenes via Diels–Alder chemistry and catalytic upgrading.

fungal biodegradationbiotransformationbio-aviation fuelnatural antioxidantslignin modification

Research Overview

Papers
227
Total Citations
3,306
Papers (5y)
29
Primary Field
Engineering

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
29total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
166total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|139 citations·2018
Simultaneous production of glucose, furfural, and ethanol organosolv lignin for total utilization of high recalcitrant biomass by organosolv pretreatment
June-Ho Choi, Soo‐Kyeong Jang, Jong-Hwa Kim, Se‐Yeong Park, Jong-Chan Kim, Hanseob Jeong, Ho‐Yong Kim, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Renewable Energy
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
2
Article|65 citations·2014
Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis conditions for extraction of pectin from rapeseed cake (Brassica napus L.) using commercial enzymes
Hanseob Jeong, Ho‐Yong Kim, Sye Hee Ahn, Sei Chang Oh, In Yang, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Food Chemistry
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
3
Article|65 citations·2016
Levulinic acid production by two-step acid-catalyzed treatment of Quercus mongolica using dilute sulfuric acid
Hanseob Jeong, Soo‐Kyeong Jang, Chang-Young Hong, Seon-Hong Kim, Suyeon Lee, Soo Min Lee, Joon Weon Choi, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Bioresource Technology
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
4
Article|62 citations·2009
The essential oils of Chamaecyparis obtusa promote hair growth through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor gene
Geun‐Shik Lee, Eui‐Ju Hong, Ki‐Seob Gwak, Mi Jin Park, Kyung‐Chul Choi, In‐Gyu Choi, Je-Won Jang, Eui‐Bae Jeung
SJR Q2Fitoterapia
UrologyMedicine
5
Article|58 citations·2009
Purification and characterization of a thermostable xylanase from the brown-rot fungus Laetiporus sulphureus
Jae‐Won Lee, Jun-Yeong Park, Mi Kyung Kwon, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q2Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
6
Article|50 citations·2019
Selective deconstruction of hemicellulose and lignin with producing derivatives by sequential pretreatment process for biorefining concept
June-Ho Choi, Se‐Yeong Park, Jong-Hwa Kim, Seong-Min Cho, Soo‐Kyeong Jang, Chang-Young Hong, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Bioresource Technology
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
7
Article|47 citations·2018
Catalytic conversion of hemicellulosic sugars derived from biomass to levulinic acid
Hanseob Jeong, Se‐Yeong Park, Gahee Ryu, June-Ho Choi, Jong-Hwa Kim, Won-Sil Choi, Soo Min Lee, Joon Weon Choi, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Catalysis Communications
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
8
Article|45 citations·2007
Dibutyl phthalate biodegradation by the white rot fungus, Polyporus brumalis
Soo‐Min Lee, Jae‐Won Lee, Bon‐Wook Koo, Myungkil Kim, Don‐Ha Choi, In‐Gyu Choi
SJR Q2Biotechnology and BioengineeringOA

In this study, white rot fungus, Polyporus brumalis, was applied to degrade dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a major environmental pollutant. The degradation potential and resulting products were evaluated with HPLC and GC/MS. As DBP concentration increased to 250, 750, and 1,250 microM, the mycelial growth of P. brumalis was inhibited. However, growth was still observed in the 1,250 microM concentration. DBP was nearly eliminated from culture medium of P. brumalis within 12 days, with 50% of DBP adsorb

Health, Toxicology and MutagenesisEnvironmental Science
9
Article|45 citations·2004
Biodegradation of dibutylphthalate by white rot fungi and evaluation on its estrogenic activity
Soo‐Min Lee, Bonwook Koo, Sung-Suk Lee, Myung-Kil Kim, Don‐Ha Choi, Eui‐Ju Hong, Eui‐Bae Jeung, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q2Enzyme and Microbial Technology
Health, Toxicology and MutagenesisEnvironmental Science
10
Article|33 citations·2017
Phanerochaete chrysosporium Multienzyme Catabolic System for in Vivo Modification of Synthetic Lignin to Succinic Acid
Chang-Young Hong, Sun-Hwa Ryu, Hanseob Jeong, Sung-Suk Lee, Myungkil Kim, In-Gyu Choi
SJR Q1ACS Chemical Biology

Whole cells of the basidiomycete fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 20696) were applied to induce the biomodification of lignin in an in vivo system. Our results indicated that P. chrysosporium has a catabolic system that induces characteristic biomodifications of synthetic lignin through a series of redox reactions, leading not only to the degradation of lignin but also to its polymerization. The reducing agents ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were used to stabilize the free radicals gener

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
11
Article|26 citations·2011
Characterization of lignin-rich residues remaining after continuous super-critical water hydrolysis of poplar wood (Populus albaglandulosa) for conversion to fermentable sugars
Sun-Joo Moon, In‐Yong Eom, Jae‐Young Kim, Tae-Seung Kim, Soo Min Lee, In-Gyu Choi, Joon Weon Choi
SJR Q1Bioresource Technology
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
12
Article|26 citations·2015
Biotransformation of (−)-α-Pinene by Whole Cells of White Rot Fungi,Ceriporiasp. ZLY-2010 andStereum hirsutum
Su‐Yeon Lee, Seon-Hong Kim, Chang-Young Hong, Ho‐Young Kim, Sun-Hwa Ryu, In‐Gyu Choi
SJR Q2MycobiologyOA

Two white rot fungi, Ceriporia sp. ZLY-2010 (CER) and Stereum hirsutum (STH) were used as biocatalysts for the biotransformation of (-)-α-pinene. After 96 hr, CER converted the bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon (-)-α-pinene into α-terpineol (yield, 0.05 g/L), a monocyclic monoterpene alcohol, in addition to, other minor products. Using STH, verbenone was identified as the major biotransformed product, and minor products were myrtenol, camphor, and isopinocarveol. We did not observe any inhibitory

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
13
Article|25 citations·2018
A comparative study on the fuel properties of biodiesel from woody essential oil depending on terpene composition
Seong-Min Cho, Jong-Hwa Kim, Seon-Hong Kim, Se‐Yeong Park, Jong-Chan Kim, In‐Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Fuel
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
14
Article|24 citations·2015
Effect of freeze storage on hemicellulose degradation and enzymatic hydrolysis by dilute-acid pretreatment of Mongolian oak
Hanseob Jeong, Soo‐Kyeong Jang, Ho‐Yong Kim, Hwanmyeong Yeo, Joon Weon Choi, In‐Gyu Choi
SJR Q1Fuel
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
15
Article|24 citations·2010
Inhibitory effect of the essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa on the growth of food-borne pathogens
Mi Jin Park, Won-Sil Choi, Ha‐Young Kang, Ki‐Seob Gwak, Geun‐Shik Lee, Eui‐Bae Jeung, In‐Gyu Choi
SJR Q2The Journal of Microbiology

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 in

Food ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences

Research Areas

Biomedical EngineeringPlant ScienceFood ScienceMechanical EngineeringMolecular BiologyMaterials Chemistry

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