Chemical investigation of a marine-derived fungus, Penicillium steckii 108YD142, resulted in the discovery of a new tanzawaic acid derivative, tanzawaic acid Q (1), together with four known analogues, tanzawaic acids A (2), C (3), D (4), and K (5). The structures of tanzawaic acid derivatives 1–5 were determined by the detailed analysis of 1D, 2D NMR and LC-MS data, along with chemical methods and literature data analysis. These compounds significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and the new tanzawaic acid Q (1) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins and mRNA expressions in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, compound 1 reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that the new tanzawaic acid derivative inhibits LPS-induced inflammation. This is the first report on the anti-inflammatory activity of tanzawaic acid Q (1).

Two marine species of bacteria were isolated that are capable of degrading organometallic contaminants: Pseudomonas balearica, which decomposes methylmercury; and Shewanella putrefaciens, which decomposes tributyltin. P. balearica decomposed 97% of methylmercury (20.0 μg/L) into inorganic mercury after 3 h, while S. putrefaciens decomposed 88% of tributyltin (55.3 μg Sn/L) in real wastewater after 36 h. These data indicate that the two bacteria efficiently decomposed the targeted substances and may be applied to real wastewater.

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After prohibition of use of organic tin compounds, new antifouling agents have been used as substitute paints. In 2009, this lab re-conducted the same research from 2006 that focused on concentrations of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol in the major bays of Korea, in order to assess changes in concentrations. Among the new antifouling agents detected in 2006, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol 1051 were detected up to 4.19, 61.69, and 23.80 ng/L, respectively. However, in 2009, up to 67.96, 74.79, and 67.64 ng/L were detected. Compared to 2006, there were apparent increases in the concentration of all three compounds in all areas where the research was conducted. These results indicate the need for further research regarding the hazards of these compounds.

Chemical investigation of a marine-derived fungus, Penicillium sp. 108YD020, resulted in the discovery of six bile acid derivatives, glycocholic acid (1), glycocholic acid methyl ester (2), cholic acid (3), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (4), glycodeoxycholic acid methyl ester (5), and cholic acid methyl ester (6). The structures of six bile acid derivatives 1-6 were determined by the detailed analysis of 1D, 2D NMR and LC-MS data, along with chemical methods and literature data analysis.