• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.286-290
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• 2010

C-1 compounds are observed in anaerobic sediment of high salt environments. Thus, surface sediments and waters from these environments are therefore potential habitats for aerobic methylotrophic microorganisms. The soil samples collected from saltern and tidal flat as inoculums and methanol as carbon and energy source was supplied. After subculture depending on the salt concentration, methanol oxidizing bacteria growth condition investigated, the results of methanol oxidizing bacteria can grow in salt conditions, and the maximum concentration was 20%. Analysis based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA genes indicates that Methelyophaga-like bacteria were dominants of methylotrophs in the enrichment culture. Quantitative PCR showed that archaeal cells were about 1-10% of bacterial cells. Additionally archaea were assumed not to be involved in methanol oxidation since bacterial antibiotics completely blocked the methanol oxidation. Our results suggest that Methelyophaga-like bacteria could be involved in C-1 compounds oxidation in hypersaline environments although those activities are sensitive to salinity above 20%.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.784-791
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• 2007

The present work aims to use a biofilter technology(aerated submerged filters) for the aerobic transformation at laboratory-scale of olive washing water(OWW) generated in the first steps of olive oil processing, as well as the genetic profiling and identification to the species level of the bacteria involved in the formation of the biofilm, by means of TGGE. Chemical parameters, such as biological oxygen demand at five days($BOD_5$) and chemical oxygen demand(COD), decreased markedly(up to 90 and 85%, respectively) by the biological treatment, and the efficiency of the process was significantly affected by aeration and inlet flow rates. The total polyphenol content of inlet OWW was only moderately reduced(around 50% decrease of the inlet content) after the biofilter treatment, under the conditions tested. Partial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using total DNA extracted from the biofilm and separated by TGGE. Sequences of isolated bands were mostly affiliated to the $\alpha-subclass$ of Proteobacteria, and often branched in the periphery of bacteria] genera commonly present in soil(Rhizobium, Reichenowia, Agrobacterium, and Sphingomonas). The data obtained by the experimentation at laboratory scale provided results that support the suitability of the submerged filter technology for the treatment of olive washing waters with the purpose of its reutilization.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate gene expression related with lipid metabolism and long chain fatty acid oxidation rates in the skeletal muscle by exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (CON: n=7), high-intensity (HI-EX: n=7) and low-intensity exercise (LI-EX; n=7) groups. Rats in LI-Ex group were forced to run on the treadmill at the speed of 10m/min for 60 min. On the other hand, rats in the HI-Ex group were forced to run on the treadmill slope 0 at the speed of 25 m/min for 60 min. The palmitate oxidation rate of the RG was increased immediately and 1 hr after exercise in the HI-Ex group, and the HI-Ex group was higher than in the LI-Ex group in RG and WG. Expression of PPARα of the RG in HI-Ex groups was increased compared with control immediately after exercise. FAT/CD36 expression were not shown any significant effect by exercise. AMPK expression of the RG in the HI-Ex group was significently increased immediately after exercise compared with control. The change in CPT-1 expression of the RG in the HI-Ex group showed a similar pattern to that AMPK. In the summary, the gene expression of PPARα, AMPK and CPT1 that was related lipid metabolism was not significantly affected by low-intensity exercise, but effected by high-intensity exercise. In conclusion, exercise intensity and amounts might be have very important role to regulate gene expression related with metabolism.

• Journal of Wellness
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.177-186
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to find out how Accumulation of Short Duration exercises influence on expression of apoptosis genes in a mouse skeletal muscle. The subjects, ICR-type mice, were divided into three cohorts, Accumulation of Short Duration exercise group, continuous aerobic exercise group, and control group. Accumulation of Short Duration exercise group performed wheel-running for fifteen minutes respectively in the morning and afternoon three times a week. Continuous exercise group performed wheel-running for thirty minutes three times a week. Both split and continuous groups completed the wheel-running trials for sixteen weeks. To identify the difference of apoptosis expression between groups, the data colleted from the skeletal muscle were analysed by one way ANOVA. Analyses of the data revealed that significant differences of apoptosis concentration in both continuous and Accumulation of Short Duration exercise groups, there was a notable differences were observed in control group.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.710-724
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• 2024

Flavobacterium can synthesize xanthophyll, particularly the pigment zeaxanthin, which has significant economic value in nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Recently, the use of carotenoid biosynthesis by bacteria and yeast fermentation technology has shown to be very efficient and offers significant advantages in large-scale production, cost-effectiveness, and safety. In the present study, JSWR-1 strain capable of producing xanthophyll pigment was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea. Based on the morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics, JSWR-1 classified as belonging to the Flavobacterium species. The bacterium is strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and psychrophilic. The completed genome sequence of the strain Flavobacterium sp. JSWR-1 is predicted to be a single circular 3,425,829-bp chromosome with a G+C content of 35.2% and 2,941 protein-coding genes. The optimization of carotenoid production was achieved by small-scale cultivation, resulting in zeaxanthin being identified as the predominant carotenoid pigment. The enhancement of zeaxanthin biosynthesis by applying different light-irradiation, variations in pH and temperature, and adding carbon and nitrogen supplies to the growth medium. A significant increase in intracellular zeaxanthin concentrations was also recorded during fed-batch fermentation achieving a maximum of 16.69 ± 0.71 mg/l, corresponding to a product yield of 4.05 ± 0.15 mg zeaxanthin per gram cell dry weight. Batch and fed-batch culture extracts exhibit significant antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the JSWR-1 strain can potentially serve as a source for zeaxanthin biosynthesis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological contamination on commonly used hand towels in the child care centers and to investigate the toxin gene and toxin production ability of food-borne pathogens. A total of 22 commonly used hand towels including 7 for before use and 15 for during use were tested. The average number of total aerobic bacteria and fungi were 6.2 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ and 4.1 log CFU/100 $cm^2$. Coliform bacteria were detected in 4 out of 7 before used towels (57.1%) and all of during used towels (100%). These results showed that the sanitary conditions of hand towels in the child care centers should be improved promptly. Among the pathogenic bacteria, Staph. aureus and B. cereus without Salmonella spp. were detected in 5 (22.7%) and 11 (50.0%) out of 22 hand towels. All of Staphy. aureus isolated in this study did not possess any toxin genes and did not produce enterotoxin. The detection rate of hblC, hblD, and hblA toxin genes in B. cereus was 72.7, 72.7, and 54.5% respectively. The possession rate of nheA, nheB, and nheC toxin genes showed 81.8, 72.7, and 54.5% respectively. The cytK and entFM toxin genes were presented at 45.5 and 90.0% in B. cereus. The HBL was detected in 8 out of 11 B. cereus isolates (72.7%) and 5 B. cereus isolates produced NHE (45.5%). Ten out of eleven B. cereus isolates (90.9%) produced one or more enterotoxin such as HBL and NHE. From the results, using a private hand towel or paper towel is required to prevent the cross-contamination between commonly used hand towel and children's hands in the child care center.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.599-604
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore methods for efficient management of the quality and safety of simple processed agricultural products in Busan. We tested 258 samples of simple processed agricultural products for distribution of aerobic bacteria and coliforms, and identified food-borne pathogens. The average aerobic bacterial and coliforms counts were 7.1 and 4.1 log CFU/g in simple processed vegetables, 6.8 and 3.5 log CFU/g in dried vegetables, and 6.2 and 2.9 log CFU/g in simple processed fruits. Additionally Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any samples. However, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and E. coli were detected in 41 samples (16.3%), 2 samples (0.8%), and 4 samples (1.6%), respectively. This analysis revealed that none of C. perfringens and E. coli isolates harbored pathogenic toxic genes. However, all of B. cereus isolates carried at least 1 toxin gene.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.799-808
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• 2021

This study was performed to investigate the extent of microbial contamination, the presence of enterotoxin genes, and the antibiotic susceptibility of Bacillus cereus in 58 red pepper plants and 43 environmental samples (soil, irrigation water, and gloves) associated with the plant cultivation. The detected counts of total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus were lower in these samples, as compared to the regulations of standards for foods; moreover, pathogens, such as E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp., were not detected. Genes encoding hemolysin BL enterotoxins (hblA, hblC, and hblD) as well as non-hemolytic enterotoxins (nheA, nheB, and nheC) were detected in 23 B. cereus specimens that were isolated from the test samples and had β-hemolytic activity. Interestingly, B. cereus is resistant to β-lactam and susceptible to non-β-lactam antibiotics. However, in this case, the isolated B. cereus specimens exhibited a shift from resistant to intermediate in response to cefotaxime and from susceptible to intermediate in case of rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, clindamycin, and erythromycin. Therefore, the levels of B. cereus should be monitored to detect changes in antibiotic susceptibility and guarantee their safety.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2024

This study aimed to examine the delivery conditions and microbial contamination of fresh-cut and ready-to-eat foods purchased from online markets between February and November 2023. Upon arrival, the average surface temperature of the products was 11.3℃. In the fresh-cut foods, the average number of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms was 4.5 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g and 1.2 log CFU/g, respectively, whereas in the ready-to-eat foods, these values were 10.6 log CFU/g and 1.2 log CFU/g, respectively. Pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, and pathogenic Escherichia coli were absent from all samples. Bacillus cereus was found in 2.7% of the fresh-cut foods and 0.9% of the ready-to-eat foods, with contamination levels averaging 0.05 log CFU/g and 0.01 log CFU/g, respectively. In the four samples in which B. cereus was detected, genetic testing of the six toxin genes produced by B. cereus revealed the presence of at least one enterotoxin gene, excluding the emetic toxin. L. monocytogenes was absent from ready-to-eat foods but was detected in 0.9% of fresh-cut foods. Analysis of the isolated L. monocytogenes confirmed the presence of six pathogenicity-related genes, including iap, indicating the potential risk of foodborne diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.1717-1726
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• 2013

Fermentation characteristics and health functionalities of kimchi by inoculating kimchi lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starters were studied. We manufactured single LAB starter kimchi (Lactobacillus plantarum pnuK, Lactobacillus plantarum 3099K, Leuconostoc mesenteroides pnuK), mixed LAB starter kimchi (Lb. plantarum pnu/Leu. mesenteroides pnuK, Lb. plantarum 3099/Leu. mesenteroides pnuK) with inoculum size of $10^6$ CFU/g, as well as naturally fermented kimchi (NK), and fermented them for 6 days at $15^{\circ}C$. The pH and acidity of the early phase of fermentation were not different, but kimchi with the starters showed rapid changes in the pH and acidity from 2 days of fermentation. As the fermentation progressed, the level of total aerobic bacteria and Lactobacillus sp. increased similarly with or without Lb. plantarum (LP) inoculation. However, the level of Leuconostoc sp. was high in kimchi inoculated with Leuconostoc sp. starter. In the sensory evaluation test, kimchi with starters received higher overall acceptability scores than those of NK; mixed starter added kimchi earned the highest score. In DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, kimchi with the starters exhibited higher activity than that of NK. In the MTT assay of HCT-116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells, NK showed inhibition rates of 63.4 and 51.9%, but LPpnuK achieved 77.1 and 68.8%, respectively. This study showed that inoculating starters in kimchi increased in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities, and single starter (LP) added kimchi revealed higher functionality than the kimchi with mixed starter. Kimchis with the starters effectively up-regulated the gene expressions of the pro-apoptotic gene of Bax, but down-regulated Bcl-2. They promoted expressions of p53 and p21, and suppressed expressions of inflammation-related genes, iNOS and COX-2, compared with NK. Taken together, it is expected that using starters may help manufacture kimchi with improved sensory quality and health functionality.