• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.494-501
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the presence of Bacillus cereus, aerobic bacteria and coliforms in the raw material of infant formulas and investigate the manufacturing process in terms of microbial safety. Among ten kinds of raw infant formula material samples (n=20), Bacillus cereus appeared in two (n=4). Aerobic bacteria were not detected in raw infant formula material or maximum 4.15 log CFU/g. Eleven species of aerobic bacteria were isolated and 76% of them were Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhizobium radiobactor, or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. A Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the most influential factors for detecting Bacillus cereus were aerobic bacteria and coliforms. In other words, when the measured values of aerobic bacteria and coliforms were higher, the possibility that Bacillus cereus would appear increased. In a regression model to predict Bacillus cereus, the rate of appearance was correlated with aerobic bacteria and coliforms, and its contribution rate for effectiveness was 86%. Improving microbial quality control by pasteurization, spray dry, popping and extrusion resulted in a decrease in the numbers of Bacillus cereus, aerobic bacteria and coliforms in the raw materials. The results suggest that a hazard analysis and critical control point system might be effective for reducing microbiological contamination.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.302-306
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• 2009

The principal objective of this investigation was to identify adequate species for the harvest of Perilla frutescens leaves, which provide profound antioxidant activities, and harbor abundant caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid. Namchun, Donggeul-2, Bora, Sae-bora and Neul-bora variants of the plant were assessed herein. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effects of these plants, and utilized an HPLC system to verify their caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid contents. Dried Perilla frutescens leaves were boiled at a temperature of $100^{\circ}C$ for three hours, and were lyopholized in a freezedryer. The extracts were then processed in order to confirm their antioxidant activities via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total flavonoid content and total polyphenol content assays. According to the observed antioxidant results of the five tested species of Perilla frutescens leaves, Bora and Donggeul-2 were shown to have more potent antioxidant activities than the other tested variants. The scavenge 50% of DPPH radical ($SC_50$ of DPPH) values were 241 ${\mu}g$ DM/mL in Donggeul-2 and 261 ${\mu}g$ DM/mL in Bora. Based on the results of the FRAP assay, the Bora variant showed a value of 796 mM $FeSO_4$ $7H_2O/g$ DM, and Donggeul-2 exhibited a value of 748 mM $FeSO_4$ $7H_2O/g$ DM, of which the total polyphenol contents were measured as 69.4 g GAE/kg DM and 61.8 g GAE/kg DM, respectively. Moreover, the Bora variant had the highest level of caffeic acid, and Donggeul-2 showed the highest rosmarinic acid content among the tested samples (0.87 mg/100 g wet base and 121 mg/100 g wet base, respectively). According to the results of this experiment, we selected two species, Bora and Donggeul-2, which were both verified to contain adequate and favorable antioxidant activities.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.225-237
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• 2018

This study was conducted to compare nutritional analysis and neuroprotective effect of 5 cultivars of Diospyros kaki (Dungsi, Godongsi, Gojongsi, Gabjubaekmok, and Bansi). In nutritional analysis, three free sugars: sucrose, glucose, and fructose, and six fatty acids: tartaric acid, hexadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, octadecenamide, and octadecane, were detected. Potassium and phosphorus levels were the highest in inorganic component analysis, and glutamic acid and aspartic acid were the highest contents in amino acid analysis. Vitamin C was detected in all cultivars. Total phenolic content was the highest in Dungsi. Antioxidant activities such as ABTS (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities, FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power), and MDA (malondialdehyde) inhibitory effect were the highest in Gabjubaekmok. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were measured to confirm the neuroprotective effect in MC-IXC cells. Gabjubaekmok showed significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and neuroprotection.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.821-827
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three kinds of horticultural activities (HAs) on attention concentration of elementary students. We selected 20 students using a Wee Class counseling office at J elementary school in Yeongcheon, and divided them into experimental and control groups composed of ten students each. The experimental group participated in three HAs including flower arrangement, planting, and pressed flower. Each HA was composed of three sessions and a session proceeded for a week. For the examinations of attention concentration, two groups responded the questionnaires before a week of the first session and at the end of the 9th session, only the experimental group participated in the measurement using grid by Harris before a week of the first session and at the end of each HA every week. The results of questionnaire survey showed that the scores of problem in emotion and problem in controlling, and the total score decreased 9.2, 7.8, and 19.0 points, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating that the attention concentration of the experimental group improved compared with the control. In the measurements using grid by Harris, the flower arrangement, planting, and pressed flower activities increased the scores by 2.22, 2.49, and 2.41 points compared with the pre-HA of 6.00, respectively (P < 0.05), that means the improvements of attention concentration. At the post-HAs, the flower arrangement, planting, and pressed flower activities increased the scores by 1.12, 1.39 and 1.31 points compared with the control group of 7.10, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the indoor HAs improved the attention and concentration of elementary students irrespective of kind of activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.4 s.84
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• pp.510-514
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• 2007

This study was carried on cool and RT(room temperature) storage of unhulled rice. In RT storage of an analysis of coefficient relation, high significant positive coefficients were observed in toyo index and breakdown, setback and protein content. high significant negative coefficients were showed setback and breakdown, breakdown and protein content. In cool storage of an analysis of coefficient relation, high significant positive coefficients were observed in toyo index and amylose content and gelatinization start temperature and protein content and high significant negative coefficients were showed toyo index and whiteness, toyo index and gelatinization start temperature, gelatinization start temperature and amylose content. In RT storage of a path coefficient analysis, a highest positive direct influence was observed in amylose content and a highest negative direct influence was protein content. Positive indirect influence was high revealed breakdown and protein content and negative indirect influence was gelatinization start temperature and Mg/K ratio. In cool storage of a path coefficient analysis, a highest positive direct influence was whiteness and a highest positive indirect influence was gelatinization start temperature. Positive indirect influence was high revealed gelatinization start temperature and amylose content, negative indirect influence was whiteness and gelatinization start temperature. In RT storage of Multiple regression equation of Toyo index based on physicochemical properties of unhulled rice, a highest coefficient of determination was revealed among five facters of whiteness, protein content, Mg/K ratio, amylose content and gelatinization start temperature. In cool storage of Multiple regression equation of toyo index based on physicochemical properties of unhulled rice, highest coefficient of determination was revealed among five facters of moisture content, amylose content, gelatinization start temperature, breakdown and setback.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.331-342
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• 2020

The suppression of neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells can be considered a key target for improving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Asparagus cochinchinensis has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory diseases, and brain diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of an aqueous extract from A. cochinchinensis root (AEAC), particularly its anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 microglial cells. BV-2 cells were treated with four different concentrations of AEAC. No significant toxicity was detected in BV-2 cells treated with AEAC. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels were 21% lower in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. Lower proinflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) levels were also detected in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group, albeit at varying rates. Moreover, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group compared to the Vehicle+LPS group, enhancement of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group, while cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase caused by LPS treatment was less severe in the AEAC+LPS group. The increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by LPS treatment was also lower in the AEAC-pretreated group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. This is the first study to show that AEAC exerts anti-neuroinflammatory activity against LPS stimulation by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, the cell cycle, and ROS production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2015

Recently developed black waxy rice with a giant embryo ('Nunkeunheukchal', BGE) was selected and processed to produce high quality nutritional food. BGE contains high levels of several phytochemicals with antioxidant activities, as well as other reported health beneficial properties. In addition, the giant embryo has high protein, lipid, and amino acids contents. Within the free amino acids, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, has long been used for treating the aftereffects of brain injuries and stroke. A method for manufacturing pop-rice and black rice tea by popping process in BGE is provided to increase a taste, nutrition and functionality. The produced 'pop-rice' showed increased protein (11.3%) and lipid (3.7%) contents compared with control variety, IB ('Ilmibyeo'). In addition, melanoidin related products, polyphenol and functional amino acid contents were increased by the popping process. Pop-rice tea made of BGE showed the highest extraction of total sugar, glucose, raffinose and sucrose (4 times higher than brown rice) by hot water. Scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) of processed BGE rice powder showed strong antioxidative activity of 0.24 mg/ml using DPPH and 1.82 mg/ml using ABTs method. Thereafter, these results suggested that the popping processed rice of BGE could be one of the promising materials for healthy food development.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1737-1742
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• 2009

It has been known that Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens are dietary sources of possible chemopreventive compounds such as lignans and $\alpha$-linolenic acid. Here, we investigated and compared the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens on mutagenicity using the Ames test, and growth of human cancer cells (AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma, HT-29 human colon cancer, Hep 3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells). In the Ames test system using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$)-induced mutagenicity was significantly inhibited by treatment with the methanol extract from either Linum usitatissimum or Perilla frutescens (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner. As for N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG)-induced mutagenicity, the methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens showed 63% and 78% inhibitory rates, respectively, indicating that Perilla frutescens possessed stronger antimutagenic activity than did Linum usitatissimum. Inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens on the growth of human cancer cells (AGS, HT-29 and Hep 3B) appeared to increase dose dependently, and the inhibition was more effective against AGS and HT-29 compared to Hep 3B cells. Our results suggested that the methanol extract from Perilla frutescens showed stronger antimutagenic activity than that from Linum usitatissimumas assayed by the Ames mutagenic test, whereas the methanol extract from Linum usitatissimum was more effective than its counterpart for growth inhibition of human cancer cells. It is concluded that intake of Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens as sources of omega-3 fatty acids will be beneficial for preventing cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2009

This study was carried out to examine the antimicrobial effects of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) and processed sulfur solution (PSS) against human skin pathogens: Malassezia furfur, M. restricta, Propionibacterium arnes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. The antimicrobial effects of GSE and PSS were tested by agar diffusion method and micro broth dilution method. As the results, the MIC values of GSE against M. furfur, M. restricta, P. acnes, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were 3.91, 3.91, 0.004, 0.024, and $0.012{\mu}l/ml$, respectively. The MIC values of PSS were 0.03, 0.03, 0.156, 0.003, and $0.012{\mu}l/ml$, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of skin care emulsion products containing 0.5% GSE and 0.5% PSS against human skin pathogens were 5.2, 4.3, 8.0, 9.5 and 12.8 mm, respectively. Refractive index, pH, viscosity and color value of skin care emulsions containing GSE and PSS were measured. According to these results, it was concluded that the GSE and PSS were the promising sources of antibacterial agent which could be useful for skin and hair care products as well as for the alternative medicine development in treatment of certain types of skin ailments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2009

The regulation of gene expression plays an important role in cell cycle controls. In this study, a novel $mas2^+$ (mitosis associated protein) gene, a homolog of human SMARCAD1 was isolated and characterized from a fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) using gene-specific polymerase chain reaction. The isolated gene contained a complete open reading frame capable of encoding 922 amino acid residues with a typical promoter, as judged by nucleotide sequence analysis. It was also found that an SNF2 domain is located, which is involved in the chromosome remodeling. The quantitative analysis of the $mas2^+$ transcript against $adh1^+$ showed that the expression level of $mas2^+$ is high before septum formation in S. pombe. When $mas2^+$ null mutant cells were grown at 27 and $35^{\circ}C$, the cytokinesis of $mas2^+$ null mutant was greatly delayed and a large number of multi-septate and mis-segregated cells were produced. In addition, the number of multi-septate cells significantly increased. When cells were cultured in YES rich medium to increase proliferation, the abnormal phenotypes $mas2^+$ null mutant dramatically increased. These phenotypes could be rescued by an over-expression of the mast gene. The Mas2 protein localized in the nuclei of S. pombe, as evidenced by Mas2-EGFP signals. These results suggest that the $mas2^+$ is homologous to human SMARCAD1 gene and involved in septum formation and chromosome remodeling control.