• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2022

In this study, the survival capacity (acid and bile salt tolerance, and adhesion to gut epithelial cells) and probiotic properties (enzyme activity-inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities, inhibition of adipogenesis, and stress hormone level reduction) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314, isolated from kimchi (Korean traditional fermented cabbage), were investigated. LRCC5314 exhibited very stable survival at ph 2.0 and in 0.2% bile acid with 89.9% adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells after treatment for 2 h. LRCC5314 also inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in elevating postprandial blood glucose levels, by approximately 72.9% and 51.2%, respectively. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with the LRCC5314 lysate decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon-γ by 88.5%, 49.3%, 97.2%, and 99.8%, respectively, relative to those of the cells treated with LPS alone. LRCC5314 also inhibited adipogenesis in differentiating preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), showing a 14.7% decrease in lipid droplet levels and a 74.0% decrease in triglyceride levels, as well as distinct reductions in the mRNA expression levels of adiponectin, FAS, PPAR/γ, C/EBPα, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, LRCC5314 reduced the level of cortisol, a hormone with important effect on stress, by approximately 35.6% in H295R cells. L. plantarum LRCC5314 is identified as a new probiotic with excellent in vitro multifunctional properties. Subsequent in vivo studies may further demonstrate its potential as a functional food or pharmabiotic.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.938-947
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• 2021

Messerschmidia sibirica is a halophyte that grows in high-salinity areas of coastal sand dunes and sandy shores. This study was conducted to investigate the constituents, antioxidant potency, and physiological activities of M. sibirica. Mineral analyses revealed that potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium were the most prevalent minerals in M. sibirica leaves and stems. We used 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, and distilled water as solvents to prepare extracts from M. sibirica tissues, with extraction yields of between approximately 19% and 27% being obtained. Among the six types of extract, the leaf ethanol extract (LEE) was characterized by the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, and the antioxidant activities of the LEE were also the highest among the different solvent extracts. In addition, the leaf water extract was shown to have the highest tyrosinase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, whereas the leaf methanol extract was found to have the highest elastase inhibitory activity. Notably, all leaf extracts were established to have more than 75% β-secretase (BACE1) inhibitory activity at a final concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. These results indicate that leaf extracts of M. sibirica may have beneficial antioxidant properties, and could thus have potential application as functional supplements in food and pharmaceutical products.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2023

Isoflavones found in soybeans are present as glycosides and aglycones, which differ according to their chemical structure. The absorption rate and bioavailability of aglycones are greater than those of glycosides. It is known that aglycone isoflavones in soybean was converted from glycoside isoflavones by activating of endogenous β-glucosidase under drying (40~60℃) conditions after soaking. In this study, we compared and analyzed the proximate composition and isoflavone contents of soybean powders prepared under dried after soaking were analyzed. In the comparison of the proximate compositions, the moisture contents of white soybean powder dried after soaking (WSPDS) and black soybean powder dried after soaking (BSPDS) were decreased as compared with those of the control white soybean powder (CWSP) and control black soybean powder (CBSP). Whereas the contents of other proximate compositions were increased. The aglycone isoflavone contents were higher in WSPDS than in CWSP. Whereas the aglycone isoflavone contents of BSPDS had a similar content those of CBSP because of the component characteristics of black soybean. In conclusion, we believe that it is appropriate to identify and utilize the component characteristics of soybean varieties in order to induce an increase in the functional component content of soybeans under drying conditions after soaking.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.246-255
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• 2023

Genus Penicillium comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including in vitro anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to P. levitum. The chemical compounds in the culture broth of P. levitum strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol (3). Among these, (3) was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 ㎍/mL, respectively, while the compound (1) showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37±1.35% at 25 ㎍/mL by the compound (2). Interestingly, compounds (2) and (3) exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a P. levitum fungus.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2024

Gastrodia elata has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating headaches, dizziness, and convulsive illness for centuries. G. elata has traditionally been processed by steaming or blanching to increase the content and quality of its main ingredients. This study aimed to identify changes in physicochemical properties and active ingredients of G. elata depending on the steaming time. Data of this study could be used to develop traditional medicine and health foods. No steaming was used as a control. Steaming time was 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, or 120 min. The drying yield according to the steaming time ranged from 20.2% to 22.9%, with the lowest drying yield at 120 min. As the steaming time increased, gastrodin content increased more than that in fresh G. elatadue to inhibition of β-glucosidase enzyme activity, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensation, and parishin decomposition. Steamed G. elatadid not show higher total polyphenols, total flavonoids, or ABTS radical scavenging activities than fresh G. elata even with an increase of steaming time. The steaming time to improve the quality of G. elata may varied depending on the size of G. elata. Thus, it is important to set the steaming time taking these characteristics into consideration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1017-1028
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• 2024

Lignocellulolytic enzymes play a crucial role in efficiently converting lignocellulose into valuable platform molecules in various industries. However, they are limited by their production yields, costs, and stability. Consequently, their production by producers adapted to local environments and the choice of low-cost raw materials can address these limitations. Due to the large amounts of olive stones (OS) generated in Morocco which are still undervalued, Penicillium crustosum, Fusarium nygamai, Trichoderma capillare, and Aspergillus calidoustus, are cultivated under different fermentation techniques using this by-product as a local lignocellulosic substrate. Based on a multilevel factorial design, their potential to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes during 15 days of dark incubation was evaluated. The results revealed that P. crustosum expressed a maximum total cellulase activity of 10.9 IU/ml under sequential fermentation (SF) and 3.6 IU/ml of β-glucosidase activity under submerged fermentation (SmF). F. nygamai recorded the best laccase activity of 9 IU/ml under solid-state fermentation (SSF). Unlike T. capillare, SF was the inducive culture for the former activity with 7.6 IU/ml. A. calidoustus produced, respectively, 1,009 ㎍/ml of proteins and 11.5 IU/ml of endoglucanase activity as the best results achieved. Optimum cellulase production took place after the 5th day under SF, while ligninases occurred between the 9th and the 11th days under SSF. This study reports for the first time the lignocellulolytic activities of F. nygamai and A. calidoustus. Furthermore, it underlines the potential of the four fungi as biomass decomposers for environmentally-friendly applications, emphasizing the efficiency of OS as an inducing substrate for enzyme production.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2021

To evaluate hepatoprotective effects, the antioxidant capacities of matcha green tea extract (Camellia sinenesis) were compared to those of green leaf tea and the anti-inflammatory activities in HepG2 cells were investigated. Evaluation of the total phenolic and total flavonoid content, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation indicated that the aqueous extract of matcha green tea presented significant catechin content and antioxidant capacity compared to those of green leaf tea. In addition, the extract had considerable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and advanced glycation end-products. The matcha green tea extract significantly increased cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species in H₂O₂- and high-glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, in response to oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell injury, treatment with matcha green tea aqueous extract inhibited lipid accumulation and regulated the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α. Matcha green tea could be used as a functional material to ameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.570-577
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• 2021

This study elucidated the biological activities and structural characteristics of polysaccharides isolated from ginseng leaves fermented using Cordyceps sinensis (GLF). GLF comprised at least 18 glycosyl linkages, including 4-linked glucose residues (24.0%). To characterize the neutral polysaccharides in GLF, it was further fractionated by anion exchange chromatography, and the unabsorbed fraction (GLF1) was isolated. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with GLF1 produced various cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. The properties and activities of the four subfractions (PHI, PHIA1-PHIA3) obtained after sequential enzymatic digestion were examined. PHI and PHIA3 primarily comprised glucose, whereas PHI exhibited an iodine-color reaction. Furthermore, the PHIA1-3 fractions indicated that cytokine production was completely inhibited. These results suggest at the immune activities of GLF1 may be due to the α-(1→4)-glucan branched at the C(O)6 position, which was produced by C. sinensis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2021

The present study was performed to improve the technique used for fermenting the mushroom growth medium. Taxonomic analysis of 16S rDNA sequence from the predominant Bacillus strain CY-24 isolated during the fermentation phase of the rice straw medium identified it as Bacillus licheniformis. In addition, the growth environment of B. licheniformis was also examined in this study, which revealed the optimal growth temperature and pH to be 30 ℃ and 6.0, respectively. This study also revealed that carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) and polygalacturonase (PGase) enzymes isolated from B. licheniformis achieved their maximal activities at 50 ℃ and 60 ℃ respectively. Furthermore, the study confirmed that the two enzymes, i.e., CMCase and PGase in B. licheniformis are stable at temperatures above 60 ℃. The present study thus demonstrates that B. licheniformis CY-24 possesses excellent enzymatic properties. It also reveals that the action of enzymes during the production of growth mediums used for the cultivation of mushrooms is closely associated with the promotion of fermentation and softening of the rice straw. Overall, this study provides elementary information regarding the role of B. licheniformis enzymes during growth medium fermentation for Agaricus bisporus cultivation.