In 2008, baby formula containing melamine was found to be responsible for a large outbreak of renal failure in infants in China. A total of 294,000 infants were hospitalized, and at least 6 babies died due to ingestion of the tainted formula. Melamine contains high levels of nitrogen (>60%), which is used as an indicator of protein content. Therefore, high levels of melamine in infant formula were thought to be the result of deliberate contamination m an attempt to increase its apparent protein content. Following inspections by China's national inspection agency, assorted products from at least 22 dairy manufacturers across China were found to have varied levels of melamine (range: 0.096196.61 mg/kg). Melamine co-exposure with cyanuric acid can induce acute melamine-cyanurate crystal nephropathy, which can lead to renal failure at much lower doses than if either compound were ingested alone. However, currently, there are very few data on melamine analogues other than cyanuric acid. At an expert meeting of the WHO and FAO held to review toxicological aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid on December 14, 2008, a new tolerable daily intake (TDI) of melamine was established that could be applied to the entire population, including infants. Therefore, a risk assessment of the various theoretical melamine contamination levels in infant formula and selected representative foods (other than infant formula and sole-source nutrition products) is urgently needed for Korean babies and children up to 7 years of age. Although the undetectable level regulation for infant formula may be low enough to guarantee the safety of babies under the age of 1 year (including premature babies), the melamine standard of 2.5 ppm for foods other than baby formula could be insufficient to protect the 95th percentile population aged 1~2 years because of this demographic's high consumption of milk, yogurt, and soy milk (hazard index = 1.79). Because TDIs are chronic values intended to protect an individual over his/her lifetime, occasional modest ingestion in excess of the TDI is not likely to be a health concern. However, children aged 1~2 years may have renal systems that are comparatively more sensitive to the crystallization of melamine and its analogues. Therefore, governmental jurisdictions may need to practice more prudent management of food items that could raise the melamine exposure for this population.

본 연구의 목적은 유가공 폐기물에 대한 혐기성 소화를 통해 바이오메탄의 생성을 확인하고, 생성된 메탄의 에너지원으로의 사용 가능성과 오염도 감소의 정도를 확인하는 것이며, 연구 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 수리학적 체류시간(HRT)을 15일로 유지시키고 $35^{\circ}C$의 중온 조건에서 유가공 폐기물을 혐기성 소화시킨 결과 평균 4.11 ${\ell}$/day의 메탄이 전체 가스의 70% 성분비를 유지하며 일정하게 발생하였다. 이는 다른 폐기물을 이용한 연구 결과와 비교하였을 때보다 상대적으로 높은 값으로, 유가공 폐기물에 대한 혐기성 소화처리를 통해 높은 효율의 에너지원으로 확보할 수 있음을 보여준다. TCOD는 초기 투입된 원수에서의 약 31,000 mg/${\ell}$에서 13,500 mg/${\ell}$ 이하까지 줄어 최대 60%의 TCOD 제거 효율을 보여주었다. 2. HRT를 15일로 유지한 상태에서 온도를 $55^{\circ}C$의 고온으로 변화시킨 경우, 메탄 발생량이 약 5% 가량 증가하였다. 온도의 변화만으로는 메탄 발생량에 큰 영향을 주지 못하였으나, HRT를 15일에서 12일로 감소시킨 경우에는 고온의 경우가 중온의 경우보다 약 44% 가량 많은 메탄 발생량을 보였다. 3. 이상의 결과를 통하여 알아낸 메탄 발생량과 오염 감소율을 토대로 바이오메탄을 에너지원으로 이용했을 경우의 경제성을 분석한 결과, HRT 12일의 고온 조건에서 유가공 폐기물을 혐기성 소화시키는 것이 기업에 많은 경제적인 이익을 가져다 주는 것으로 나타났다.

Lactoferrin was first identified 60 years ago as a "red protein" in bovine milk. Lactoferrin, one of the transferrin family proteins, is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk and various mucosal secretions; it is also released from activated neutrophils. Human lactoferrin has a molecular weight of 82.4 kDa and is composed of 702 or 692 amino acid residues. Bovine lactoferrin has a molecular weight of 83.1 kDa and is composed of 689 amino acid residues. Both lactoferrin and transferrin have the ability to bind two $Fe^{3+}$ ions, together with two ${CO_3}^{2-}$ ions with extremely high affinity; these proteins also have the ability to release this iron at low pH levels. The polypeptide chain in lactoferrin is folded into two globular lobes, representing the N-terminal and C-terminal halves. Both lobes have similar folding and 40% sequence identity. This protein is capable of multiple functions as described in various review papers, including antimicrobial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and cell growth-promoting activities. Lactoferrin also exhibits immunomodulating effects and plays an active role in the regulation of myelopoiesis and the inhibition of bacterial translocation.

To focus attention on milk and dairy products, we celebrate World Milk Day on the first day of June. Milk is a primary source of essential nutrients for newborn mammals, including humans. Milk and its by-products have been integral to human life since domestication of the dairy cow. Even though a large portion of the population is lactase impersistent, consumption of dairy products, including liquid milk, has been increasing over the last decade in Korea. Per capita annual consumption of dairy products in Korea increased to 61.3 kg in 2008, up from 49.4 kg in 1998. However, consumption of liquid milk has only increased marginally from 30.3 kg in 1998 to 35 kg in 2008. In 2007, the price of farm milk in Korea was the highest in the world. High dairy prices are forcing major manufacturers to find alternative, less expensive sources of milk, which has led to an increase in imported dairy products. Recently, the International Dairy Federation (IDF) published a special report containing the figures for world milk production, milk processing, and consumption. Understanding the current situation with regard to world diary production and the outlook for the industry could be useful during the present world economic crisis. The authors of this brief review summarize the status of dairy production in countries throughout the world, including Korea, along with some of the data published in the IDF annual report. The authors greatly appreciate the support of IDF Korea and the IDF for generously providing the data used in this paper.

The mammalian immune system comprises a complex array of cells and molecules that interact to provide protection from pathogenic microorganisms. The beneficial role played by lactic acid bacteria and milk-derived peptides in humans, including their effect on the immune system, has been extensively reported. Lactic acid bacteria and milk-derived peptides, which are present in dairy products, are frequently used as nutraceuticals to improve some biological functions in the host. Activation of the systemic and secretory immune response by lactic acid bacteria and milk-derived peptides requires many complex interactions among the various constituents of the intestinal ecosystem. Thus, the aim of this review was to examine in detail the immunological potential of lactic acid bacteria and milk-derived peptides.

$\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a ubiquitous nonprotein amino acid that is produced primarily by $\alpha$-decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid (Glu) catalyzed by the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). It is well known as a neurotransmitter that regulates inhibitory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system. In addition, GABA has been proved to be effective for lowering blood pressure in mammals. This paper is intended to provide basic information about GABA, including the functional and biological activity of GABA, GABA production by lactic acid bacteria, and the utilization of GABA in the production of dairy products.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Play an important role in the human diet and are used in the production of edible fermented products such as kimchi and yoghurt. LAB are regarded as safe food additives used to enhance the nutritive value of foods. Plant-origin lactic acid bacteria (PLAB) cultured in vegetal media are now widely used in food industries. PLAB have been found to activate intestinal immunity, modulate the balance of the intestinal bacterial from, and enhance intestinal function. They are known for their strong resistance to acid; this enables them to persist for a longer duration in the human intestine. PLAB can also survive in the intestinal environment under conditions of poor nutrition. They have stronger vitality as compared to LAB of animal origin. Due to the unique characteristics of PLAB, they are being widely used in Japan for processing foods such as yoghurt and beverages. Recently, PLAB has also been used as the culture for processing yoghurt in Korea. We expect further research on the functional effects of PLAB.