• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2003

To isolate and purify the antimicrobial and antitumor agents in Xanthium strumarium L. hydrothermal extract. The crude extract was extracted in ether or ethylacetate under neutral, acidic, and alkali conditions. The antimicrobial activity of each extract was tested against 16 strains of bacteria, 2 strains of yeast, and 2 strains of fungus. The ether neutral extract (XE-N) exhibited the strongest growth inhibition upon the 8 strains of gram-positive bacteria, 6 strains of gram-negative bacteria and Cryptococcus neoformans. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) testing of XE-N and XEA-N showed growth inhibition of the 3 strains of E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans even at 30 ng/mL, with the exception of p. aeruginosa. XE-N-S1 and XE-N-S3 from neutral ether extract (XE-N), XE-N-S3 from the acidic ether extract (XE-A), and XEA-N-S1 from ethylacetate (XEA-N) were purified as antimicrobial and antitumor agents. However all purified compounds decomposed with the exception of XE-N-S1. The results upon the antitumor activities of the crude extract and of its purified compounds, showed that XE-N-S1 had the best antitumor activity against HeLa cells. In terms of antitumor activity against HepG2 cells, XE-N-S1 and XE-N-S3 were superior, and against HT29 cells XE-N and XE-N-Sl were good, against Saos2, NCI H522, NCI H1703, Clone M3 cells XE-N-51 was very good, and against LN CAP cells XE-N-S3 was the best. Comparing of cellular toxicities various extracts and purified compounds with the existing antitumor agents, XE-A, XEA-A and XEA-B had the lowest toxicity, and XE-B had a lower toxicity than etoposide. XE-N-S1 and XE-N-S3 showed higher toxicities than etoposide, and the toxicity of XE-A-S3 was higher than that of etoposide, and lower than that of csplatin.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.519-524
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• 2008

Monacolin-K is a strong anti-hypercholesterolemic agent produced by Monascus sp. via polyketide pathway. High-yielding mutants of monacolin-K were developed through rational screening strategies adopted based on understanding of monacolin-K biosynthetic pathway. Through the experiments for investigating various amino acids as putative precursors for the monacolin-K biosynthesis, it was found that production level of monacolin-K was remarkably increased when optimum amount of cysteine was supplemented into the production medium. We suggested that these phenomena might be related to the special roles of SAM (S-adenosyl methionine), a putative methyl group donor in the biosynthetic pathway of monacolin-K, demonstrating close interrelationship between SAM-synthesizing primary metabolism and monacolin-K synthesizing secondary metabolism. Namely, increase in the intracellular amount of SAM derived from the putative precursor, cysteine which was extracellularly supplemented into the production medium might contribute to the significant enhancement in the monacolin-K biosynthetic capability of the highly mutated producers. On the basis of these assumptions derived from the above fermentation results, we decided to construct efficient expression vectors harboring SAM synthetase gene (metK) cloned from A. nidulans, with the hope that increased intracellular level of SAM could lead to further enhancement in the monacolin-K production through overcoming a rate-limiting step associated with monacolin-K biosynthesis. Hence, in order to overcome the plausible rate-limiting step associated with monacolin-K biosynthesis by increasing intracellular level of SAM, we transformed the producer mutants with an efficient expression vector harboring gpdA promoter of the producer microorganism, and metK gene. Notably, from the resulting various transformants, we were able to screen a very high-yielding transformant which showed approximately 3.3 fold higher monacolin-K productivity than the parallel nontransformed mutants in shake flask cultures performed under the identical fermentation conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1481-1486
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• 2010

In this study we investigated the antioxidant activities and quality characteristics of Halocynthia aurantium and Halocynthia roretzi. The pH of H. aurantium was higher than that of H. roretzi. The volatile basic nitrogens of H. roretzi and H. aurantium were 22.41 mg% and 16.80 mg%, respectively. Lightness and yellowness of H. roretzi were higher than those of H. aurantium, but redness of H. aurantium was higher. The results of sensory evaluation showed that the H. aurantium was better for color, odor, taste and acceptability. Total combined amino acid contents of H. roretzi and H. aurantium were $36368.23\;{\mu}mol/g$ and $36500.12\;{\mu}mol/g$, respectively. Our results showed that H. roretzi had relatively higher contents of Asp, Glu, Gly, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Also total phenol content of H. roretzi was higher than that of H. aurantium. The organoleptic properties of the H. aurantium were superior but the antioxidant activities were relatively lower than those of H. aurantium. For commercial usage, additional study would be helpful in the two ascidians to recommend.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) allows for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies. The main advantages of this assay are its low cost, speed, and automation, allowing for large-scale application. However, despite these advantages, it is not a routine method for prenatal aneuploidy screening in Korea. Our objective in the present study was to validate the performance of QF-PCR using short tandem repeat (STR) markers in a Korean population as a means for rapid prenatal diagnosis. Material and Methods: A QF-PCR assay using an Elucigene kit (Gen-Probe, Abingdon, UK), containing 20 STR markers located on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was performed on 847 amniotic fluid (AF) samples for prenatal aneuploidy screening referred for prenatal aneuploidy screening from 2007 to 2009. The results were then compared to those obtained using conventional cytogenetic analysis. To evaluate the informativity of STR markers, the heterozygosity index of each marker was determined in all the samples. Results: Three autosomes (13, 18, and 21) and X and Y chromosome aneuploidies were detected in 19 cases (2.2%, 19/847) after QF-PCR analysis of the 847 AF samples. Their results are identical to those of conventional cytogenetic analysis, with 100% positive predictive value. However, after cytogenetic analysis, 7 cases (0.8%, 7/847) were found to have 5 balanced and 2 unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities that were not detected by QF-PCR. The STR markers had a slightly low heterozygosity index (average: 0.76) compared to those reported in Caucasians (average: 0.80). Submicroscopic duplication of D13S634 marker, which might be a unique finding in Koreans, was detected in 1.4% (12/847) of the samples in the present study. Conclusion: A QF-PCR assay for prenatal aneuploidy screening was validated in our institution and proved to be efficient and reliable. However, we suggest that each laboratory must perform an independent validation test for each STR marker in order to develop interpretation guidelines of the results and must integrate QF-PCR into the routine cytogenetic laboratory workflow.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

This study's aim was to isolate microorganisms producing agarase with a high activity, with possible applications in improving the performance of the pretreatment processes for bioethanol production. Marine algaes were collected from the south coast of Korea, from which three kinds of microorganisms were isolated. After a 4-day culture of these strains at $25^{\circ}C$, crude enzymes were obtained from culture supernatant or cell-free extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation and membrane dialysis. Agarase activity was observed in these crude enzymes. Notably higher specific activity was observed in the crude enzyme obtained from the culture supernatant rather than that from the cell-free extract. This indicates that a secreted enzyme has a much greater activity than a cellular enzyme. Crude enzymes from the GNUM08122 strain were inferred to have ${\alpha}$-agarase activity because release of p-nitrophenol was observed, possibly due to the cleavage of p-nitrophenyl-${\alpha}$-D-galactopyranoside. The 16S rRNA sequence of GNUM08122 showed a close relationship to Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii KMM 3549 (99.8%) and Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis IMA 14160 (99.7%), which led us to assign it to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Biochemical and physiological study revealed that this strain can grow well at $40^{\circ}C$ under a wide range of pH (pH 4~8) in high-salt conditions (10% NaCl).

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to manufacture Cutting-Gouda cheese and to investigate the change in physicochemical properties of Cutting-Gouda cheese made with Lactobacillus rhamnosus_p1. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Gouda cheese ripened for more than 1 year. They were identified as 2 strains of L. rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus curvatus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus by 16S rDNA sequencing and named L. rhamnosus_p1, L. casei_p2, L. curvatus_p3, L. rhamnosus_p4 and S. saprophyticus_p5. The proteolytic activities of isolated strains against casein were measured using prepared skim milk agar plates. L. rhamnosus_p1 showed the highest proteolytic activity. Cutting-Gouda cheese was made with L. rhamnosus_p1, and its physicochemical properties (moisture, protein, fat, ash and free amino acid content) were measured during ripening periods. Because of the modified atmosphere packaging ($N_2{^-}$), there was no change in moisture, protein, fat, and ash in the experimental group. The total amount of free amino acids in the control and experimental group gradually increased during ripening periods. The sensory evaluation showed that the experimental group was preferable to the control group. This result suggests that L. rhamnosus_p1 has potential to be developed as a new starter for Gouda cheese.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.77-92
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• 2014

Fermented foods have often been implicated as causative agents in poisoning due to toxic levels of biogenic amines. Cheese, a milk-based fermented food, is the product most likely to contain potentially harmful levels of biogenic amines, such as tyramine, histamine, putrescine, and so on. Recently, the risk awareness of a dietary uptake of high loads of biogenic amines has increased. Hence, we here review the published literature on several factors known to affect the biosynthesis of biogenic amines and their accumulation in milk-based foods. Furthermore, with regard to risk analysis, we discuss the control of factors related to the synthesis and accumulation of biogenic amines as a means to reduce their incidence in milk-based products, and thus to increase food safety.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 2004

This study was canied out to evaluate the quality characteristics of the fermented pork with Korean traditional seasonings. The samples, outside muscle of pork ham were cut to cube(7 ${\times}$ 12 ${\times}$ 2cm) and five Korean traditional seasonings such as garlic paste(TI), pickled Kimchi(T2), pickled Kimchi juice(T3), soybean paste(T4), red pepper paste(T5) were seasoned by the proportions of meat to seasonings(1 : 1). The seasoned samples were fennented at - 1 ${\pm}$ 1$^{\circ}C$ for 20 days. According to proximate composition analysis, all pork samples contained protein 20 ${\sim}$ 22%, fat 3 ${\sim}$ 5%, moisture 64 ${\sim}$ 70% and ash 1.8 ${\sim}$ 2.0%. However, T5 had high crude fat level and relatively low moisture content. The highest pH among treatments was shown in TI whereas T3 showed the lowest. Water holding capacity(WHC) of T4 and T5 were higher, while those values were lower in T3 compared with other treatment. Shear force value was the highest in T5, while it was the lowest in T4. TBARS value of T3 was the highest, while that was the lowest in T4. Moreover the highest VBN value was observed in T4 due to fermentation of soy protein. However, the lowest VBN value shown in Tl indicated the inhibition of protein degradation by the garlic. The highest saccarinity was shown in T5 but it was the lowest of in T3. Salinity was shown to be high in T2 and low in T5. $L^*$ values of T4 was higher both at the surface and inner side of samples than the others but T5 showed the lowest value. T2 showed the highest $a^*$ value but T4 and T5 showed the lowest. In the result of sensory evaluation for cooked meat, T5 had the highest score in all item including overall acceptability, while T4 had the lowest score. Unsaturated fatty acid(UFA) ratio of T5 and n were 72.16 and 69.93 respectively, and the ratio of UFA/Saturated fatty acid(SFA) were higher in the order of T5 >T4> T3 >Tl >T2. Overall quality characteristics were higher in the order of T5 >T2 >Tl >T4 >T3.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.301-308
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• 2008

DNA variation of MYL2 intron 5 A345G and ADCYAP1R1 intron 2 A337G were investigated for carcass trait association in finished pigs. Three genotypes(two homozygotes and their heterozygote) were found at 10.6% AA, 45.6% AG and 43.8% GG in MYL2 and 60.5% AA, 34.6% AG, and 22.2% GG for ADCYAP1R1. In finished pig population, individuals containing genotype G- of MYL2 had significantly heavier carcass weight by more than 2.4 kg and thicker backfat thickness by more than 1.3 mm than those of AA homozygous pigs(p<0.05). No significant difference was found in other traits tested in this study such as marbling score, meat color, texture, moisture and separation score(p>0.05). The ADCYAP1R1 intron 2 377GG homozygotes showed coarse texture, i.e., meat quality was inferior than those of AG and AA genotypes, and the moisture level of homozygote AA was higher than those of AG and GG genotypes(p<0.05). The other carcass traits were not significantly associated with ADCYAP1R1 genotypes(p>0.05). The genetic polymorphism of MYL2 and ADCYAP1R1 genes affected the carcass traits in finished pig population. Further studies to explain the association between genetic variations and their phenotypic effects including economic traits in pigs are required including critical mutation in both genes through molecular approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 1981

A Japanese larch has been reforested very much in Korea, but it is not used as a wood resources for paper pulp by now. So this study is carried out to utilize the larchwood for paper pulp manufacture through the Asplund pulping process. The experiment on increasing in the brightness of the pulp is made through the addition of $MgSO_4$, $ZnSO_4$, $Al_2(SO_4)_3$, and KI as a cellulose stabilizer in chip treatment with caustic soda which is followed by high-temperature defibration and conventional peroxide bleaching (5% NaOH plus 2% additive salt per wood in cold pretreatment), or in high-consistency (30%) pulp bleaching of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (100% acitve oxygen per lignin) for conventional one. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The solution of 0.5% additive salts had different pH by the sort of bases that was pH 5.7 in $MgSO_4$, liquor, pH 4.9 for $ZnSO_4$, and pH 2.9 for $Al_2(SO_4)_3$, and in the precepitation of bases which ranged to pH 6-13 for $MgSO_4$, pH 5-12 for $ZnSO_4$, and pH 3-10 for $Al_2(SO_4)_3$. 2. The cellulose stabilizer affective in high-consistency peroxide bleaching was KI, $MgSO_4$, and $ZnSO_4$, but has made a little improvement in de lignification and brightness of pulp in comparison with no addition. 3. The higher alkalinity in the chip treatment has made the higher strength and brightness of larchwood Aspiund pulp instead of downing the pulp yield. And the effective compound for cellulose stabilizer in caustic soda pretreatment of chip was $ZnSO_4$, $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ and KI in order for the conventional peroxide bleaching after Asplund pulping. 4. Therefore, the more effective additives for cellulose stabilization in high-temperature defibration of larchwood suppose to be $ZnSO_4$, $Al_2(SO_4)_3$, and KI, while KI and $MgSO_4$ for peroxide bleaching.