• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the anti-obesity effect of Cydonia oblonga Miller fruit extract (COME) and to compare its anti-obesity efficacy with Garcinia cambogia extract (GCE) in diet-induced obese mice. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 were allocated into four groups: control diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 400 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day COME (H+C), or HFD + 400 mg/kg BW/day GCE (H+G) groups. COME or GCE was administered once a day by oral gavage for eight weeks. Body weight, body fat percentage, fat weight, and biochemical parameters in serum were measured. The expressions of transcription factors and their target genes in epididymal adipose tissues were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: COME reduced body weight, weight gain, body fat percentage, total white adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size, and serum levels of insulin and leptin in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. COME suppressed the mRNA expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ, sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and adipocyte protein 2 and increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mRNA expression in epidydimal adipose tissues. The anti-obesity efficacy of COME was found to be similar to that of GCE at the same dose. However, COME more effectively decreased adipose tissue weights, epididymal adipocyte size, serum insulin and leptin compared to GCE. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that COME is not toxic and exhibits anti-obesity efficacy at a level similar to that of GCE, suggesting that COME may be applicable as an anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.379-386
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• 2024

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-β-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.958-963
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• 2012

The antioxidant activities of 6 solvent extracts of Artemisia capillaris were evaluated in a dintroflurobenzen (DNFB)-induced allergic mouse model. In vitro antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH and the FRAP test. Methanol (DPPH: 85.87%, FRAP: 1.772) and $dH_2O$ (DPPH: 60.69%, FRAP: 3.185) extracts showed the highest antioxidant activities compared with other solvents (ethyl acetate 41.81%, 0.407, hexane 8.37%, 0.328, etc.). In addition, we tested atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in mice treated with DNFB. The methanol extract of A. capillaris on the AD-like skin lesions in DNFB-induced atopy inhibited ear thickness increases (47%) and the skin lesions (45%) compared with a positive control (methanol). The results suggest that they have potential as natural antioxidants and allergy-improving substances and that they may be valuable materials in the functional food or cosmeceutical industry.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate water purification properties of porous concrete by using effective microorganisms through the long-term continuous flow test. To solve the problems such as desorption of conventional microorganisms, in this study, tertiary treatment of the effective microorganisms identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis was adopted per each step in the manufacturing process of porous concrete. And concentration for optimum continuous flow test and operation conditions through basic experiments according to retention time were investigated. Based on the experimental results, the porous concrete applying effective microorganisms showed no toxicity on the biological water quality and exhibited excellent removal efficiency than normal porous concrete. Therefore, contaminated water quality would be improved by treatment performance investigation of contaminants through long-term continuous flow test. If problems are complemented during the experiment process, it is expected to be able to reduce the non-point pollution sources flowing into river.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1740-1746
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated the nutritional and functional constituents as well as quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of Korean cultivated wild ginseng (KG). The chemical compositions and amino acid content of KG were 7.56% water, 73.01% carbohydrates, 12.58% protein, 1.99% lipids, and 5.54% ash as well as 16.17 mg/g of amino acids, respectively. The major ginsenoside and minor ginsenoside contents of KG were 15.94 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g, respectively. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of KGE (Korean cultivated wild ginseng with 70% ethanol extract) were 8.93 mg GAE/g and 3.96 mg RHE/g, respectively. KGE also showed higher antioxidant activity than the other extracts (KGW, Korean cultivated wild ginseng with water extract) with regard to DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities (57.75% and 70.73%, respectively), nitrite oxide scavenging activity (44.01%), SOD-like activity (78.05%), reducing power activity ($1.08OD_{700nm}$), and ferrous ion-chelating activity (65.33%). Additionally, KGE had higher elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase inhibition activities than KGW. These results suggest that KGE can be used as a bioactive and functional material in the food industry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.1-23
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• 2005

Kochujang, a fermented hot pepper soybean paste, is a spicy condiment mixed with red pepper, boiled rice and mold fermented soybean (as koji) which is then fermented for several months. It has unique taste of hot, sweet, salty and savory flavor by all mixed ingredients by fermentation, and is one of most famous Korean traditional foods. The scale of the kochujang industry is about 200 billion won in Korea, and 7.8 million dollars and 4,500 tons in exports. Although it is still not a large part of the food industry in Korea, the scale of soy products will increase because it is a major subsidiary food in our dietary life and has grown from a homemade to a mass produced product. Kochujang has the largest market in the scale of sales among fermented soybean products and has merit because of its domestic base and its ability to grow to an international market due to its unique fermented taste. In order to make kochujang an international food, it Is necessary to study the scientific development of kochujang and the diversity of products using kochujang that are fitted to the taste of people around the world. In addition, participation in various exhibitions and food fairs supported by the government should help to promote kochujang throughout the world. In addition, these should be actively supported by the related businesses. Red pepper, a major ingredient in kochujang, has been widely studied and shown to have a positive effect on the reduction of fat, on the strengthening of the immune system, and on active biological functions. A fermented spice like kochujang has been shown to be beneficial for the body due to the process of fermentation rather than from the red pepper itself. If we prove the various biological functions of kochujang with a particular taste and flavor, it will energize a new market. It is necessary for business to make a continuous effort supported fly the scientific world and by government policy, in order to introduce this traditional food to the world. In the present day, the kochujang market is now on a firm basis and has been activated in the field of its study. Now, it is possible to achieve the birth of a secondary international market by concentrating on these efforts.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2018

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] represents an attractive starch crop that can be used to facilitate solving global food and environmental problems in the $21^{st}$ century. It can be used as industrial bioreactors to produce various high value-added materials, including bio-ethanol, functional feed, antioxidants, as well as food resources. The non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) announced sweetpotato as one of the ten 'super foods' for better health, since it contains high levels of low molecular weight antioxidants such as vitamin-C, vitamin-E and carotenoids, as well as dietary fiber and potassium. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reported that sweetpotato is the best bioenergy crop among starch crops on marginal lands, that does not affect food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that world population in 2050 will be 9.7 billion, and require approximately 1.7 times more food than today. In this respect, sweetpotato will be a solution to solving problems such as food, energy, health, and environment facing the globe in the $21^{st}$ century. In this paper, the current status of resources, and cultivation of sweetpotato in the world was first described. Development of a new northern route of the sweetpotato and its prior tasks of large scale cultivation of sweetpotato, were also described in terms of global food security, and production of high-value added biomaterials.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2002

Cocoon production, which is a representative of traditional sericulture shifted into silkworm powder production in the spring of 1995. This, infect, signifies the change from the dress-centered textile business to the bio-industry and the functional resource industry. One of the most outstanding shifting is utilization of silkworm larvae for anti-diabetic agent. In Asian countries including Korea, silkworm powder derived from the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) has long been favored for anti-diabetic agent, but its efficacy was not tested until last decade by modern scientific methods. In this article, we reviewed the major researches on the silkworm powder as a blood glucose-lowering substance. After the beginning test of the efficacy of silkworm powder by a cooperative research between Department of Sericulture and Entomlogy, NIAST, RDA and Kyung Hee University, substantial data have been accumulated so far, In a serial experiment to select best condition, the fifth instar larvae prepared by freeze dry method turned out to have the best blood glucose-lowering effect. In the pharmacological experiment to understand the mechanism of silkworm powder in small intestine, the silkworm powder turned out to inhibit the activity of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, by competitively binding to $\alpha$-type disaccharides. The animal experiment showed that the extract of silkworm powder prevents a rapid increase of blood glucose level after meal and prevents hunger and law blood glucose level during empty stomach. In the experiment to isolate the major component of silkworm powder, which exerts blood glucose-lowering effect, 1-deoxynojirimy-cin (DNJ) was eventually mass-purified, and it turned out that DNJ isolated from silkworm powder was excellent in its blood glucose-lowering effect. In the experiment to understand the personal difference of the efficacy of the silkworm powder, clinical candidates were divided on the basis of the criterion of traditional Chinese medicine: Tae-Yang, Tae-Um, So-yang, and So-Um. The result showed that silkworm powder has a tendency to reduce blood glucose level at fasting and at 2 hours after meal, and this trend was somewhat obvious in the Tae-Um body type. In summary, we reviewed scientific papers on the efficacy of silkworm powder and its purified DNJ as a blood glucose-lowering agent. These suggest that silkworm powder truly possesses blood glucose-lowering effect as documented in the traditional Chinese medicine, although further researches will be required to develop them as "medical" resource instead of functional food.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2011

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a well known edible plant that is traditionally used to treat various illnesses related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Steam distillated ginger oil or water extract are mainly used for related products; however, it is unclear whether these fractions contain most of the bioactive compounds or the highest efficacy. This investigated the antioxidant effects of extracts prepared by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). 6-Gingerol was the most abundant component in hexane fraction of ethanol extract from ginger. The antioxidative properties of SFE oil and Marc ethanol fractions were demonstrated using the 2,20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals scavenging assays. A clear correlation was observed between total polyphenol contents and $RC_{50}$ values in the Marc ethanol fraction. These results indicate that not only SFE oil but the marc after SFE could be good sources for the food industry.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.107-114
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• 2016

Objectives : Poria cocos Wolf has been widely used in Korean medicine as a medicinal fungus. In this study, we investigated that comparative anti-oxidant effects of ethanol extract from wild Poria cocos (WP) and plastic bag-cultivated Poria cocos (PBP).Methods : Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in WP and PBP extract were monitored. And DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl (·OH) free radical scavenging capacity, reducing power and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities of them were determined at 5, 1, 0.5 mg/ml concentrations.Results : Higher total polyphenol contents were found in the PBP extract (52.07±0.6 mg/TAEg) than in the WP extract (28.44±0.26 mg/TAEg). The flavonoid contents in WP and PBP extract were 17.29±0.30 mg/ RUEg, 21.36±0.40 mg/ RUEg, respectively. Also, DPPH, ABTS and ·OH free radical scavenging capacity of PBP extract in treated concentrations (5, 1, 0.5 mg/ml) significantly increased compared to those of WP-treated group. In particular, DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power of PBP extract at 5 mg/ml concentration were similar to positive control (BHA or vit. C). Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition rate in both extract increased dose dependently. But it was significantly increased in PBP-treated group, only at 5 mg/ml, compared to those of WP-treated group. Then, their inhibition rate by PBP was similar to positive control (BHA).Conclusions : These results suggest that PBP extract is superior to WP extract in anti-oxidant capacity thus PBP can be applied in variable antioxidative products as a substitute for WP.