• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2012

Obesity is an important issue worldwide as it may associated with increased prevalence of metabolic diseases. Mung bean is known as a functional food for decreasing the glycemic index and lipid profile of plasma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of vitexin from mung bean on the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and adipocytokine secretion. When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with vitexin from days 0 to 14 at various levels of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$, there was no change in cell viability. Vitexin treatment at 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$ decreased triacylglycerol levels in cells, but only $100{\mu}M$ vitexin induced lipolysis. At $200{\mu}M$ of vitexin, phosphorylation of p38 and ERK, which causes secretion of inflammatory adipocytokines, was depressed, whereas there was an increase in expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, the key regulator of adipocyte differentiation. Phosphorylation of AMPK increased at $100{\mu}M$ vitexin. TNF-${\alpha}$ and aP2 mRNA expression increased at $25{\mu}M$ vitexin, whereas only TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression increased at $200{\mu}M$ vitexin. Further, the mRNA levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and aP2 decreased at other concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Since we observed that mRNA expression of C/EBP, SREBP1, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ did not change upon vitexin treatment, our future studies will investigate other genes such as mTOR, which is related with apoptosis signaling, or SIRT1, which is associated with inhibition of adipogenesis. Our results indicate that vitexin at concentrations between 100 and $200{\mu}M$ is suitable in vivo for the development of mung bean as an anti-obesity therapy or functional food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.943-949
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• 2012

This study investigated the effects of diets with a supplement of Job's tears (JT) and Cudrania tricuspidata leaf (CTL) powder as a functional food ingredient on obesity and lipid profiles in diet-induced obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (D12492, 45 kcal fat) for 5 weeks during the first phase. In the second phase, which lasted 5 weeks, the rats were divided into four experimental groups. The groups were a high-fat diet group as a control (HFD), a high-fat diet with 10% JT powder supplement group (JT-10), a 10% CTL powder supplement group (CTL-10), and a 20% JT and CTL 1:1 mixed-powder supplement group (MIX-20). The adipose tissue (RFP, EFP) weights were significantly decreased in the CTL-10 and MIX-20 groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The fecal weight produced by the MIX-20 group was highest among all experimental groups (p<0.05), and it was significantly increased during the second phase compared to the first phase (p<0.05). The serum total cholesterol content was significantly decreased in the CTL-10 and MIX-20 groups, and the LDL-cholesterol content was significantly low in the JT-10 and MIX-20 groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The blood glucose levels were significantly decreased in all experimental diet supplement groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The findings show that a diet of mixed JT and CTL could improve lipid metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1158-1167
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• 2012

During the peeling, cutting, and shredding of wild root vegetables, the surface is exposed to air. This results in a rapid deterioration in quality and an increase in the potential of contamination by microorganisms, both of which reduce the shelf-life of wild root vegetables in retail markets. Thus, in this study, the effects of various washing treatments on the quality of wild root vegetables, including lotus root, burdock root, and bellflower root, were investigated at 10 and $24^{\circ}C$. Lotus root, burdock root and bellflower root were washed with 0.2% acetic acid (AA), 0.2% citric acid (CA), 500 ppm acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), and tap water (TW), which was used as a control, and stored at $10^{\circ}C$ and $24^{\circ}C$. The changes in total plate counts, coliform groups, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, color, pH, and exterior appearance of the samples were then evaluated. The pH and initial microbial contamination levels were reduced when the root vegetables were washed with AA, CA, and ASC. In particular, initial population levels of total plate counts and coliform groups were not detected in lotus root and burdock root that had been washed with ASC and their growth was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited during storage at 10 and $24^{\circ}C$ when compared to the control (TW). In addition, the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities of the root vegetables washed with AA, CA and ASC were lower than that of root vegetables washed with TW. ASC was determined to be the most effective treatment for preventing microbial growth, tissue softening, and the development of browning and an unpleasant smell. At $10^{\circ}C$, the overall qualities of the wild root vegetables were maintained longer when compared to $24^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2008

Mycelial growth of Lentinula edodes on solid or liquid culture media supplemented with differentconcentrations of oak wood vinegar varied depending on the types of wood vinegar or mushroom varieties used.Oak wood vinegar obtained from traditionally carbonizing kiln (TWV) inhibited mycelial growth of L. edodes atthe dilution level of less than $5{\times}10^{-2}$, but stimulated at $10^{-3}$ to $2{\times}10^{-3}$. Wood vinegar from mechanicallycarbonizing kiln (MWV) inhibited at $10^{-3}$, but stimulated at $2{\times}10^{-3}$. In liquid culture media, both wood vinegarinhibited at $5{\times}10^{-2}$, but stimulated at $2{\times}10^{-3}$. Sanjo-302-ho grown in liquid culture media at $2{\times}10^{-3}$, and Sanrim 2and 3-ho grown at $4{\times}10^{-3}$ showed relatively high degree of wood decay (DWD) and growing ability within wood(GAWW) when these isolates were inoculated onto oak wood logs. TWV completely inhibited mycelial growth ofgreen mold fungi, Trichoderma species, tested at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ dilution level, while MWV inhibited at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ to $5{\times}10^{-2}$dilution level. For Diatrype stigma, TWV inhibited mycelial growth at the dilution level of less than $5{\times}10^{-2}$, whileMWV did 80% of mycelial growth at $10^{-2}$, and 100% at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ dilution level. Fresh and dry weight of fruitingbodies harvested after soaking of wood logs into wood vinegar solutions with different concentrations werecompared, and were the highest at $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level. Storage test of fruiting bodies at $10^{\circ}C$ for 10 daysshowed that fruiting bodies harvested after soaking in the solution with $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level showed the bestfreshness by general test and color changes. In addition, shear force value of L. edodes fruiting bodies measuredby using texture analyzer showed that $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level was the best concentration for keeping flesh texture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.957-962
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• 2012

The principal objective of this study was to determine the effects of an ethanol extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg (PMT) on body lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet for 5 weeks. The rats were divided into 6 groups: a control group (I), a cholesterol-control group (II), a control group treated with 0.5% PMT (III), a control group treated with 1% PMT (IV), a cholesterol-control treated with 0.5% PMT (V), and a cholesterol-control group treated with 1% PMT (VI). Body weight gains and food efficiency ratios were not significantly different among the groups. The levels of serum blood glucose and triglycerides of the treated animals significantly decreased compared to the control and the cholesterol-control groups (p<0.05). There was a clear tendency of decreased LDL-cholesterol level in PMT-treated animals compared to the cholesterol-control group. However, no significant differences were observed in the serum HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol concentration, both the 0.5% PMT and 1% PTM extract intake groups had a higher percentage than in the control and cholesterol-control groups (p<0.05). In addition, the atherosclerotic index in serum was significantly lower in the PMT intake group than those in the group control and the cholesterol-control. These results indicated that the PMT extract was effective on the improvement of lipid metabolism in SD rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1485-1490
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• 2008

The effects of $\gamma$-irradiation on antioxidant and physicochemical properties of powder and 70% fermented ethanol extracts of Ishige okamurai (I. okamurai) were investigated. In case of powder, although yields were increased, there were no significant changes in total phenolic compounds (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect by $\gamma$-irradiation at 3, 7, and 20 kGy. In case of 70% fermented ethanol extracts, the results of TPC and DPPH radical scavenging effects showed no significant changes. However, antioxidant index increased in the 20 kGy irradiated I. okamurai extracts and decreased in 3 kGy irradiated ones. The optical density value of UV spectrum at 427 nm significantly decreased depending on increasing irradiation dosage. In conclusion, irradiated extracts of I. okamurai can be applied to the food industry due to irradiation stability on antioxidant properties. Also, irradiated extracts can be more useful for food processing as a result of a decrease of extracts color by irradiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1529-1533
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• 2008

The detection characteristics of gamma-irradiated ($0{\sim}10.0\;kGy$) medicinal herbs (Platycodon grandiflorum, Acanthopanax chiisanensis) were investigated by photostimulated luminescence (PSL), thermoluminescence (TL), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The results of the PSL, a first screening method in comparison with the TL, showed photon counts greater than 5,000 counts/60 s (positive) in the irradiated samples, while the non-irradiated samples yielded photon counts less than 700 counts/60 s (negative). The TL was also applied for the detection method of irradiated medicinal herbs and showed that the non-irradiated sample revealed a glow curve with a low intensity, while the irradiated samples showed a higher intensity. These results were normalized by re-irradiating the mineral grains with a irradiation dose of 1.0 kGy, and a second glow curve was recorded. The ratio of the intensity of the first glow curve ($TL_1$) to that after the normalization dose ($TL_2$) was determined and compared with the recommended threshold values. TL ratio ($TL_1/TL_2$) was below 0.007 for the non-irradiated sample and higher than 0.1 for all irradiated samples (above 1.0 kGy). ESR spectroscopy revealed specific signals (6.065 mT) derived from free radicals in cellulose containing irradiated medicinal herbs. The P. grandiflorum showed clearer signals than A. chiisanensis. From the results of our studies, the PSL, TL, and ESR determinations were found to be suitable for the detection of irradiated medicinal herbs such as P. grandiflorum and A. chiisanensis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1401-1407
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• 2008

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is a strong $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitor which inhibits hyperglycemia in animals. To select the Bacillus strains highly producing DNJ, 4,000 strains were isolated from soil and grain samples. By the inhibitory activity against $\alpha$-glucosidase, nine Bacillus strains were selected and then identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. B. subtilis S10 was finally selected as the best strain for the production of DNJ. Various carbon sources and nitrogen sources in culture medium were evaluated for the highest production of DNJ. As the results, the optimized concentration of carbon source and nitrogen source was 1.0% galactose and 1.6% polypeptone and the concentration of DNJ produced was 0.75 g/L. The effect of culture supernatant of B. subtilis S10 on lowering blood glucose level was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model. Mice were randomly assigned to control group (saline) and three test groups such as acarbose group, silkworm powder group and B. subtilis S10 group. After eight-week oral feeding, blood glucose levels of the B. subtilis S10 and silkworm powder groups were respectively $209.1{\pm}19.6\;mg/dL$ (59.1%) and $208.6{\pm}39.8\;mg/dL$ (59.0%) lower than $510{\pm}10\;mg/dL$ of the control group. These results indicated that the culture supernatant of B. subtilis S10 was able to reduce the blood glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1472-1478
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• 2008

Four kinds of wild grape Yakju were fermented with wild grape and cereal such as rice, glutinous rice, barley or millet, and their quality characteristics were investigated. Reducing sugar, total sugar, and activities of $\alpha$- and $\beta$-amylase decreased until 2nd day, increased on 3rd day, and gradually decreased after 5 days of fermentation. Reducing sugar content was in the order of glutinous rice> barley> rice> millet group, and this was consistent with the result of $\beta$-amylase activity. Total sugar content was in the order of glutinous rice> rice> barley> millet group, and it was consistent with starch content of each cereal. Alcohol content decreased after 2 days, then glutinous rice group gradually increased from 3 days whereas other groups showed no difference from 5 days of fermentation. pH decreased until 2 days of fermentation, slightly increased and then showed almost no change after 5 days of fermentation. Total acid increased until 2 days, then decreased on 3rd day of fermentation, and gradually increased in the order of barley> millet> rice> glutinous rice group. L value was the highest in the initial day of fermentation, however it decreased with fermentation time. While a value was also the highest in the initial day of fermentation, it gradually decreased after slightly increasing in 3 days of fermentation. In contrast, b value was the lowest in the initial day of fermentation. It greatly increased until 3 days, then decreased on 5th day of fermentation and gradually increased again. Groups of rice and glutinous rice had more brown color than those of barley and millet. In the sensory evaluation, wild grape Yakju using rice was the most preferred in taste, flavor, and overall preference.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-145
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• 2008

Marketing for the distribution industry is making an ongoing progress in the changes of customers, the competitive environment, and the internal marketing environment. Integrated marketing communication activities are required for the enhancement of efficiency in the market.oriented activities. In this study, IMC is defined as "a notion that a market oriented business integrated marketing communication means, conducting and evaluating marketing activities with consistent messages in order to communicate with customers based on databases." In this study, an IMC planning model for the improvement of marketing efficiency in the distribution industry was derived from a pilot study. This model may be broken down into the following phases: IMC goals setting, situational analysis (customer analysis, competition analysis and company analysis), customer data analysis, contact management, budgeting, the establishment of an IMC strategy, the IMC mix and execution, an evaluation system, and feedback. In consideration of the characteristics of the distribution industry, this study was accompanied by a vocational study on IMC means employed by, in particular, department stores and other distributors such as: advertising, sales promotion, sales promotion advertising, direct marketing, public relations, personal selling, the Internet, mobile, visual merchandising, words of mouth. In addition, this study also covered the correlation among variables such as IMC activities of distributors, the process of forming customer's brand attitudes, brand loyalty and repurchase intention. This research would enhance the utilization of IMC. The analysis on customer's brand attitudes toward the IMC activities of distributors requires the simultaneous consideration of how they are linked to purchase as well as their attitudes toward both distributors and stores. The formation of brand loyalty and repurchase intention is related to the integration of marketing communication and the maintenance of consistency in contents, which requires integrated brand communication (IBC) strategies. IBC is a concept of using IMC means to manage the brand in a continuing and consistent manner and measuring their effect, which is a process to establish enterprise.level brand identity and maximize brand loyalty and repurchase intention by integrating IMC means. For an empirical analysis in this study, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among those department store customers from 20's to 50's who reside either in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas and have made purchase at department stores. In this study, the research model consisted of four theoretical variables: IMC activities, IMC attitudes, brand loyalty, and repurchase intention, on which variables a pilot study was conducted. A number of hypotheses were constructed on the relations between IMC activities and IMC attitudes, between IMC attitudes and repurchase intention, and between brand loyalty and repurchase intention. The test of the hypotheses may be summarized as follows: Firstly, the test of the hypothesis concerning the relation between IMC attitudes and IMC activities - advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, public relations, personal selling, the Web, mobile, visual merchandising, and word of mouth - indicates that advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, public relations, personal selling, mobile, visual merchandising, and word of mouth have significant impact on IMC activities. In addition to the result similar to those of previous studies that such marketing communication means as word of mouth, advertising, personal selling and sales promotion, in particular, play very important roles, a notable finding of this study is that visual merchandising performed by department stores is shown to have very significant impact on IMC activities. On a separate note, it is also noteworthy that Internet marketing activities engaged by department stores are not shown to have significant impact on IMC attitudes. Secondly, the test of the hypothesis on the relation between IMC attitudes and brand loyalty attests that IMC attitudes for the distribution industry significantly affect brand loyalty. Thirdly, the test of the hypothesis concerning the relation between IMC attitudes and repurchase intention confirms that IMC attitudes for the distribution industry significantly affect repurchase intention. Fourthly, the test of the hypothesis concerning the relation between brand loyalty and repurchase intention indicates that brand loyalty significantly affect repurchase intention. A comprehensive view of these findings points to the conclusion that the IMC activities for the distribution industry do affect IMC attitudes, brand loyalty, and repurchase intention.