Flavonoid인 isokaempferide는 간 보호, 항균, 항증식성, 항염 등 다양한 생리활성을 가지는 것을 보고 되고 있으며 Amburana cearensis와 Cirsium rivulare (Jacq.)과 같은 식물에서 추출하여 사용한다. 생물전환은 비교적 값이 싼 물질로부터 고부가가치 물질을 얻기 위한 방법으로 유용물질의 식물추출법을 대체할 수 있는 방법이다. Naringenin으로부터 isokaempferide를 생합성 하기 위해 대장균에 포플러에서 분리한 PFLS와 벼에서 분리한 ROMT-9 유전자를 도입하였다. 이 균주를 이용하여 naringenin으로부터 isokaempferide의 생합성 수율(9.8 mg/L)은 낮았다. Isokaempferide의 생합성 수율을 높이기 위해 S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) 생합성 경로의 transcriptional regulator인 MetJ를 제거함으로써 methyl donor로 사용되는 SAM을 증가시켰다. SAM생합성 대사를 조절한 대장균을 이용하여 생물전환 균주의 최적 세포밀도 및 최적의 기질공급 농도를 결정하였다. 최적화된 조건을 이용하여 isokaempferide의 생합성은 87 mg/L까지 증가하였다.

꼬리겨우살이(Loranthus tanakae) 전초를 80% MeOH 수용액으로 4회 반복 추출한 뒤, 감압 농축한 추출물을 ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butyl alcohol (n-BuOH)과 $H_2O$층으로 계통 분획을 실시하였다. n-BuOH 분획에 대하여 silica gel ($SiO_2$), octadecyl silica gel (ODS), Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies를 반복실시하여 1종의 cyclofarnesane sesquiterpene glucoside 화합물을 분리 및 정제하였다. 스펙트럼 데이터를 분석하여 입체 구조를 포함한 화합물의 구조를 (1'R,3'S,5'R,8'S,2E,4E)-dihydrophaseic acid $3^{\prime}-O-{\beta}-{\text\tiny{D}}$-glucopyranoside로 구조동정 하였다. 이 화합물은 이번 실험을 통하여 꼬리겨우살이로 부터는 최초로 분리되었다. 분리한 단일 물질은 AGS (Caucasian gastric adenocarcinoma cells)와 Hepatocyte carcinoma cells에 대하여 $50{\mu}g/mL$ 이상에서 농도 의존적으로 유의한 정도의 세포독성을 보이는 것이 확인되었다.

딸기는 한국의 주요 농산물 중 하나로 2017년 4,000만 달러 이상이 수출되었다. 최근에는 양액재배를 이용해 경작하는 농가가 많아지면서 농약 관주 처리가 딸기농가에서 큰 관심을 받고 있다. 그러나 농약 관주처리에 대한 연구가 부족하여, 현장에서는 제대로 이용되지 못하고 있다. 이번 연구에서는 관주 처리 활성화와 안전성 향상을 위해서 딸기 중 농약살포조건을 상이하게 하여 관주 처리 후 농약 잔류량을 경시적으로 분석하였다. 실험은 딸기에 시험농약을 상이한 조건(살포횟수, 살포량, 희석배수)으로 관주처리한 후 azoxystrobin과 prochloraz는 0, 7, 14, 24, 40일에 분석하였고, thiamethoxam은 0, 7, 24일 분석하였다. 실험결과 azoxystrobin 및 prochloraz는 관주 처리하였을 때 최종처리 14일 후에 불검출 되었고, thiamethoxam은 0.02-0.85 mg/kg으로 잔류하였다. 농약 관주처리시 이행량은 농약의 옥탄올-물 분배계수와 물의 대한 용해도가 큰 영향을 미쳤다. 농약을 관주처리 할 때 농산물 내 잔류량은 농약을 실질적으로 살포한 유효함량에 가장 큰 영향을 받는 것으로 사료된다.

수증기증류 추출법에 의한 미국산 길초근(Valeriana officinalis)의 구성성분을 알아보기 위해 GC-MS 분석을 수행한 결과, 주요 성분이 patchouli alcohol (18.69%) 및 ${\beta}$-gurjunene (15.26%)인 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 길초근 정유의 살비활성 및 항균활성을 알아보기 위해 작은소피참진드기 및 긴털가루응애에 대하여 접촉독성법을 실시하였고, 식중독균 8 종에 대하여 agar disc diffusion법을 실시하였다. 그 결과, 긴털가루응애 성충에 대하여 $28.01{\mu}g/cm^2$의 $LD_{50}$값을 나타내었으며, 작은소피참진드기 유충 및 약충에 대하여 각각 178.26 및 $207.98{\mu}g/cm^2$의 $LD_{50}$ 값을 나타내었다. 또한 식중독균은 8종 균주에 대하여 항균활성을 나타내었으며, 특히 L.monocytogenes에 대하여 우수한 항균활성을 나타내었다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 수증기증류 추출법에 의한 길초근 정유가 살비제 및 항생제로서의 가치가 있음을 확인하였다.

본 연구에서는 상온 저장이 가능하며 별도의 처리 없이 바로 섭취할 수 있는 통초당옥수수를 위한 최적 살균법을 도출하고 저장기간동안 최적 살균된 초당옥수수의 품질인자를 분석하였다. 살균 시 유통기한 확보 및 초당옥수수의 고유한 특징인 아삭한 식감이 가열처리에 의하여 감소되는 것을 최소화 하기 위해 비가열 전처리 공정으로서 알코올 세척을 도입하였으며, 냉점은 초당옥수수의 속대와 중심 사이로 하였다. 초당옥수수의 표면은 알코올 세척을 통하여 1 log CFU/g 이상을 감소시킨 후 $F_{121.1}=4$분을를 만족하도록 가열하여 $25^{\circ}C$ 인큐베이터에서 9개월간 저장하면서 대조군으로서 일반적인 증숙의 방법으로 가열한 초당옥수수의 품질과 비교하였다. 알코올 처리 및 가열 살균한 초당 옥수수의 조직감은 대조군의 조직감 대비 30%이내를 유지하여 최소 $464.50{\pm}103.35g$에서 최대 $514.50{\pm}81.83g$값을 나타내었으며, 당도는 샘플 간의 차이가 다소 있었으나 최소 $28.83{\pm}1.05%$에서 최대 $34.36{\pm}0.42%$값으로 대조군에 대비하여 30% 이내 당도를 유지하였다. 초당 옥수수 겉표면 황색도는 대조군 대비 5% 이상 향상되어 최대 $34.36{\pm}0.42$값을 나타내었으며, 미생물 검사에서는 일반세균과 진균류가 저장 9개월 동안 검출되지 않았다. 이러한 연구결과는 가열살균한 초당옥수수의 품질변화가 최소화되면서 6개월 이상의 상온유통이 가능한 최적 살균 방법을 도출하였으며, 이에 따라 가열에 의하여 식품 본연의 조직감 감소를 최소화하면서 상온유통이 가능한 살균제품에 이용될 수 있다.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Scutellariae Radix)는 이뇨제, 고지혈증, 항박테리아, 항알레르기, 항염증제 및 항암제와 같은 건강보조식 및 전통 생약으로도 널리 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서 복잡한 S. baicalensis 추출물에서 지표 물질 또는 유효화합물들을 분리하는 것은 신원 확인 및 생리활성 평가를 위한 필수적인 단계다. 8개의 성분들로 구성된 타겟 분획물을 두개의 gradient elution를 사용하여 고성능 액체 크로마토 그래피에서 분석하였다. 중압 액체크로마토그래피 및 개방형칼럼으로 분취를 시뮬레이션함으로 예비실험에서 충분히 분리가 되도록 용리 조건을 결정할 수 있었다. 최적 분취방법으로 확보된 표준유효분획물로부터 8개의 지표성분들이 포함된 것을 확인하였다. 또한, 분획물은 UPLC-QTof-MS 비교 분석으로 MS, UV, HRESIMS 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서, 스케일 업 실험법은 S. baicalensis 추출물에 성공적으로 적용될 수 있었다.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play an important role in cell growth and differentiation, as well as the modulation of proinflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to examine the increase in the anti-inflammatory effect of Gentiana scabra Bunge (GSB), due to bioconversion with the Aspergillus kawachii crude enzyme, via inhibition of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling and MAP kinase pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 cells treated with the GSB ethyl acetate fraction bioconverted with A. kawachii crude enzyme (GE-BA), was dramatically suppressed as compared to GSB ethyl acetate fraction non-bioconverted with the A. kawachii crude enzyme (GE-UA). The phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ in RAW 264.7 cells treated with GE-BA was further suppressed, as compared to exposure to GE-UA. Moreover, the mRNA expression of interleukin 6, interleukin 1-beta, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ was further suppressed by GE-BA, compared to GE-UA. Similarly, anti-oxidant activities, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity, of GE-BA were further increased compared to GE-UA. These observations demonstrate that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of GSB ethyl acetate fraction increases as a result from bioconversion with the A. kawachii crude enzyme.

Biofilms facilitate communication among microorganisms for nutrients and protect them from predators and harmful chemicals such as antibiotics and detergents. Biofilms can also act as cores for the development of clogs in many agricultural irrigation systems and in porous media. In this study, we deployed glass units at a depth of 20 m below the ground surface in the groundwater-surface water mixing zone, and retrieved them after 4 months to investigate the potential colonization of indigenous microbial community and possible mineral-microbe assemblages. We observed the periodic formation of microbial colonies by fluorescence dye staining and microscopy, and analyzed the composition of the microbial community in both the mineral-microbe aggregates and groundwater, by next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons using MiSeq platform. During the course of incubation, we observed an increase in both the mineral-microbe aggregates and content of extracellular polymeric substances. Interestingly, the microbial community from the aggregates featured a high abundance of iron redox-related microorganisms such as Geobacter sp., Comamonadaceae sp., and Burkholderiales incertae sedis. Therefore, these microorganisms can potentially produce iron-minerals within the sediment-microbe-associated aggregates, and induce biofilm formation within the groundwater borehole and porous media.

The ethyl acetate fraction of Bat Faeces (Ye Ming Sha: natural products used in Chinese Medicine) after fermentation (EFBF-AF) showed enhanced anti-oxidative effects in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt assays. Fermentation of the Bat Faeces by using the crude enzyme extract from Aspergillus kawachii, significantly increased the anti-inflammatory effects. Fermented Bat Faeces markedly inhibited nitric oxide production, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The EFBF-AF reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) via $IKK{\alpha}$ and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, and decreased the phosphorylated the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38 expression in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, the EFBF-AF suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$. These results suggest that fermented Bat Faeces may suppress pro-inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages cells via ERK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

All countries, including Korea, are currently experiencing the effect of rapid climate change. As a result, the cultivation area of many crops including wheat is changing, or productivity is falling sharply. If enough nitrogen is present in the soil, the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the greenhouse effect can lead to increased photosynthesis of plants, resulting in increased productivity. By contrast, a low proportion of nitrogen in soil does not increase production, often leading to the use of nitrogen fertilizers to increase crop productivity: this causes serious environmental pollution due to the leakage of nitrogen fertilizers used by crops. Increasing the understanding of the molecular level of the plant nitrogen use efficiency mechanism may contribute to increased productivity of crops and reduced of environmental pollution by nitrogen. In Korea, cultivars have developed 35 kinds of wheat, such as 'keumgang' and 'Chokyeong', which can be used for specific purposes such as baking or noodles. In this study we investigate 'keumgang' and 'Chokyeong' in order to elucidate the mechanism of nitrogen use ability of wheat and contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution by providing guidelines for the proper use of nitrogenous fertilizer.

A novel esterase gene (est7S) was cloned from an enriched metagenomic library derived from an oil-spill area. The gene encoded a protein of 505 amino acids, and the molecular mass of the Est7S was estimated to be 54,512 Da with no signal peptide. Est7S showed the highest identity of 40% to an esterase from a sludge metagenome compared to the characterized enzymes with their properties, although it showed 99% identity to a carboxylesterase in the genome sequence of Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2. Est7S had catalytic triad residues, Ser183, Glu312, and His420, and the GESAG motif in most family VII lipolytic enzymes. Est7S was purified from the crude extract of clone SM7 using Sephacryl S-200 HR and HiTrap Q column chromatographies. The purified Est7S was optimally active at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 10.0. Est7S showed a high specific activity of 366.7 U/mg protein. It preferred short length esters, particularly p-nitrophenyl acetate, efficiently hydrolyzed R- and S-enantiomers of methyl-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, and glyceryl tributyrate. These properties of Est7S may provide potential merits in biotechnological applications such as detergent and paper processing under alkaline conditions.

A yellow resin (gamboge) from Garcinia hanburyi has been widely used as folk medicine due to its antibacterial and antitumor activities. We isolated four ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory compounds from the methanol extract of gamboge. The compounds (1-4) were identified as gambogoic acid (1), moreollic acid (2), gambogic acid (3), and 10-methoxygambogenic acid (4), respectively through spectroscopic data including 2D-NMR and HREIMS. All compounds were examined in the enzyme inhibition assay against ${\alpha}$-glucosidase to identify their inhibitory potencies and kinetic behavior. All compounds (1-4) showed enzyme inhibition against ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, but the activity was significantly affected by the methoxy group on C-10 of ring A and pentenyl pyran moiety of ring D. For example, compound 1 ($IC_{50}=41.4{\mu}M$) bearing pyran ring eight times effective that 4 ($IC_{50}=350.6{\mu}M$) having geranyl group itself. Most active compound was found out to be gambogoic acid (1) which was analyzed most abundant metabolite in gamboge by LC-ESI-MS/MS. In kinetic study, compounds 1 and 2 were proved as noncompetitive inhibitors.

The contents of major ginsenosides (ginsenosides Rb1, ginsenoside Rc, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rf, and ginsenoside Rg1) in ginseng cultivated in different areas in Korea, ginseng that underwent different cultivation processes and ages, and ginseng cultivated in different countries were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with UV/VIS detector. Ginsenoside Rc was the most abundant ginsenoside in all different ginseng samples. The highest total concentration of major ginsenosides was found in the ginseng cultivated in Jinan (0.931 mg/g) and 4-year grown red ginseng (1.785 mg/g). Major ginsenosides were the most abundant in Korean ginseng (1.264 mg/g), compared to those in Chinese and American ginseng. The results of this study showed the different contents of major ginsenosides in the ginseng samples tested and emphasized which sample could contain high yield of ginsenosides.

The root of Panax ginseng is used in ethnomedicine throughout eastern Asia and various recent studies have proved that Panax ginseng has inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease. Each factor causing cardiovascular disease is known to have a very complex process which is achieved by a diverse number of mechanisms. Among these factors, platelets are the most important because they directly participate in thrombogenesis. Therefore, inhibiting the activity of platelets is an essential element for prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study showed the antiplatelet effects of Korean red ginseng extract and two of its components, ginsenoside Rg3 and ginsenoside Ro. However, the inhibitory mechanism of other ginsenosides remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of ginsenoside F4 (G-F4) from Korean red ginseng on the regulation of signaling molecules involved in human platelet aggregation. With the use of G-F4, collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, and it suppressed collagen-induced elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization through elevated phosphorylation of inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor I ($Ser^{1756}$). In addition, G-F4 inhibited fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}_3$ during collagen-induced human platelet aggregation. Thus, in the present study, G-F4 showed an inhibitory effect on human platelet activation, suggesting its potential use as a new natural medicine for preventing platelet-mediated cardiovascular diseases.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anti-aging effects and investigate the effect of simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion on the anti-aging properties and intestinal permeation of the potential fish collagen hydrolysates (FCH). Therefore, procollagen synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production, and Caco-2 cell permeability were analyzed before and after in vitro digestion for FCHs, low-molecular weight fractions (<1 kDa), and high molecular weight fractions (>1 kDa). After being subjected to GI digestion, the level of MMP-1 inhibition was maintained, although the procollagen production was significantly (>20%) lower with all samples. Also, the digested FCHs and their <1 kDa fraction yielded 9.1 and 13.8% increased peptide transport, respectively, compared to undigested samples. Based on the effective intestinal permeation and high digestive enzyme stability, the <1 kDa fraction of FCHs is a potential bioactive material suitable for anti-aging applications in the food and cosmetics industries.