• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.505-511
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• 2013

To investigate the potential use of makgeolli by-products as cosmetic materials, their phenolic and kojic acid contents, antioxidant activity, whitening effect, and anti-wrinkle activity were evaluated. Extracts were obtained with five different solvents (containing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% ethanol) from nuruk lees (NL), rice lees (RL), raw makgeolli (RM), and commercial makgeolli (CM) at 20 and $50^{\circ}C$. NL and CM extracts prepared with 75% ethanol had the highest phenolic contents (13.26 and 16.66 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, respectively) at 20 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. The highest kojic acid content was found in NL extracts with 0% ethanol at $20^{\circ}C$, while kojic acid was not detected in extracts prepared at $50^{\circ}C$. NL and RL extracts at $20^{\circ}C$ showed significant antioxidant activity. Whitening effects, determined by tyrosinase inhibitory activity, were highest for the NL extract prepared with 75% ethanol at $50^{\circ}C$. Noticeable anti-wrinkling effects, estimated by elastase inhibition activity, were also found in NL and RL extracts. These results suggest that makgeolli by-products could be valuable cosmetic materials with antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle activities.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.289-294
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• 2023

Background: Artificial sweeteners are chemically synthesized substances used to add sweetness to foods. Representative substances include aspartame and acesulfame-K, which are 200 times sweeter than sugar. Recently, the IARC classified aspartame as class 2B, but Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea announced that it would maintain the current usage standards. Acesulfame-K, which has the potential to cause cancer, was excluded from the list of possible carcinogens, raising questions about its safety. According to a survey by the Consumers Union of Korea, 85% of makgeolli includes artificial sweeteners, but the content labelling is not indicated. It is necessary to accurately determine the intake of artificial sweeteners through makgeolli. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the safety of makgeolli consumption by identifying the content of artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfam-K) and preservatives (sorbic acid). Methods: Twenty makgeolli samples were purchased from large supermarkets and convenience stores by referring to the sales ranking of makgeolli products distributed in South Korea and the purchase ranking from online sites. The sample was sonicated to remove alcohol and carbon dioxide. Nine mL of acetonitrile was mixed with 1 mL of the prepared sample, centrifuged, and the supernatant was filtered and analyzed using HPLC. Results: As a result of the analysis, aspartame was detected in 17 products and acesulfame-K was detected in ten. The ADI of aspartame (40 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the maximum concentration 126.5 ㎍/mL. The ADI of acesulfame-K (15 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the highest concentration of 82.96 ㎍/mL. Although the health risk is low, IARC has raised the possibility of aspartame causing carcinogenesis, so there is a need to reevaluate the standards and regulations for artificial sweeteners. Conclusions: Through this study, we aimed to determine the content of aspartame and acesulfame-K contained in makgeolli currently distributed in South Korea and the safety of exposure to the human body when consumed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.282-289
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Makgeolli and Makgeolli precipitate on hepatotoxity and the serum lipid content in rats. First, we investigated the effect of Makgeolli and ethanol on the progress of alcoholic fatty liver. The effect of Makgeolli precipitate on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in the rats was then studied. Indicators of the health status of the experimental period, the body weight gain in ethanol-treated group tended to be lower than those in the control and the Makgeolli-treated groups. The weight of the liver tissue decreased significantly following the administration of ethanol. However, this was not seen following the administration of Makgeolli. The activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were decreased in the Makgeolli group compared to the ethanol group. Serum cholesterol concentrations increased in the ethanol group, but decreased in the Makgeolli-treated group to an equal volume of the ethanol-treated group. The serum HDL-cholesterol content was significantly higher in the Makgeolli group than in the ethanol group. Analysis of the impact of the Makgeolli precipitate on toxicity induced by $CCl_4$ in the liver showed that the $CCl_4$ treatment significantly increased the activities of serum ALT and AST. However, the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were decreased. The $CCl_4$ treatment increased the activities of AST and ALT. However, the raw Makgeolli precipitate decreased their activities. Moreover, raw Makgeolli precipitate significantly reduced the $CCl_4$-induced elevation of serum lipids more than heated Makgeolli precipitate. These results suggest that raw Makgeolli precipitate may exert a protective effect against $CCl_4$-induced liver injury by preventing lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1485-1492
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• 2015

Makgeolli is a traditional wine in Korea and has been traditionally believed to exhibit health benefits. However, the inhibitory effect of dealcoholized makgeolli (MK) on cancer has never been investigated scientifically. In this study, MK exhibited an anti-angiogenic effect by inhibiting tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, without cytotoxicity. Treatment with MK reduced the proliferation of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner and increased the sub-G1 population. Next, we evaluated whether MK could induce apoptosis in AGS cells by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay or Annexin V method. Treatment with MK at 500 and 1,000 μg/ml increased the number of TUNEL-positive AGS cells. Under the same conditions, MK-treated (500 and 1,000 μg/ml) cells showed significant induction of early or late apoptosis, compared with untreated cells (no induction). In addition, MK also induced phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression in AGS cells. However, p53 expression in AGS cells was not changed by MK treatment. Furthermore, MK at 500 mg/kg·d reduced the tumor size and volume in AGS tumor xenografts. Taken together, MK may be useful for the prevention of cancer cell growth.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 2020

Brown rice Makgeolli was brewed by using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain SRCM102596 under different fermentation conditions: temperatures at 20 and 25℃ and Nuruk ratios of 5, 10, and 15%. There were no significant differences in the pH and total acidity between samples. The alcohol content at the different nuruk ratios varied significantly by the days in the fermentation process. The major free sugars were maltose, glucose, and fructose, and they gradually reduced with fermentation. The major organic acids in the brown rice Makgeolli were oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and acetic acid. The lactic acid content increased with the number of days in the fermentation process. Among the 24 different free amino acid contents identified, the total free amino acid content of, especially, threonine, serine, and alanine were high in the brown rice Makgeolli, at 20℃ and nuruk ratio of 10%.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.583-591
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• 2012

Four kinds of makgeolli brewed with different proportions of rice and wheat flour were prepared to investigate the effects of the carbohydrates source on the storage properties, and to examine the chemical characteristics and BA (biogenic amine) contents in makgeolli stored over 30 days at 4, 10 and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively. The chemical properties and BA contents were sustained at a consistent level for those makgeolli stored at $4^{\circ}C$ over 30 days. The alcohol content was significantly higher for makgeolli brewed with higher proportions of rice (R) over wheat flour (WF) (R 100: WF 0, R 70: WF 30) when compared with those brewed with a high proportion of wheat flour (R 30: WF 70, R 0: WF 100), and increased with increasing storage temperature and duration. The free amino acid contents of makgeolli brewed with high proportion of rice were significantly lower under the same conditions. Among the 8 BAs examined, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine and phenylethylamine were detected, while tyramine and putrescine were mainly detected. Histamine was not detected throughout storage. Makgeolli brewed with rice as the only carbohydrate source exhibited very low levels of total BA during 30 days of storing at $20^{\circ}C$. Total BA contents of R100, R70, R30, R0 were 178.6, 682.9, 1186.7 and 1150.4 mg/L, respectively. These results suggest that makgeolli brewed with relatively higher proportions of rice have better storage properties and are safer for consumption.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.565-572
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of barley (Huinchalssalbori) and domestic wheats (Keumkangmil, Baegjoongmil, Jogyeongmil). The pH and total acidity of mixed Makgeolli were 4.04~4.12% and 0.94~1.06%, respectively. The total acidity, sugar and alcohol contents of Makgeolli, but not pH, varied significantly by wheat cultivar (p<0.05). In terms of color values, the L-value of Baegjoongmil, a-value and b-value of Keumkangmil were highest. The reducing sugar contents was approximately 5.65~7.85 mg/mL, and those of Jogyeongmil and imported wheat were approximately 5.70 mg/mL lower. The yeast cell numbers did not differ significantly, with the exception of in the rice Makgeolli (p<0.05). Among the organic acids (citric, malic, pyruvic and lactic acids) in Makgeolli, citric acid was present at the highest concentration. Regarding the sensory characteristics of Makgeolli mixed with barley and wheat, taste and overall acceptability were highest in Baegjoongmil, and appearance and flavor were highest in Keumkangmil. The rice Makgeolli showed the lowest sensory values, with the exception of appearance. The results of this study suggest that mixing Makgeolli with barley and wheat is an expected to replace the wheat materials in the domestic wheat to be imported.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1216-1224
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• 2017

Acetic acid bacteria strains were isolated from commercial natural vinegar. Ten isolated strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data after evaluating the ethanol- and sulfur-tolerance. Eight of the strains isolated were identified as Acetobacter pasteurianus. A. pasteurianus JAC002, JAC005, and JAC008 strains, which showed a high ethanol tolerance, were selected for making "Makgeolli seed-vinegar". Rice wine vinegars were manufactured with the selected strains through fermentation, and their physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. A. pasteurianus JAC002 strain showed the highest oxidation ability to acetic acid from ethanol on the twentieth day of fermentation, resulting in 4.21% total acidity, 3,791.77 mg% acetic acid content, and 2,931.78 mg% ethanol consumption content. Rice wine vinegar manufactured with the A. pasteurianus JAC002 strain showed increased antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (KACC1927) and Escherichia coli (KACC10115). As a result, A. pasteurianus JAC002 strain was found to be the most suitable strain for "Makgeolli seed-vinegar".

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2016

Bitter melon powder (BMP) was used in the preparation of rice nuruk (RN) and makgeolli as one of raw materials. RN containing BMP (BMP-RN) was prepared by adding 0~2.0% (w/w) BMP into rice. Fermentative microbial, and antioxidant characteristics of makgeolli were determined during the fermentation process. pH during fermentation decreased from 4.52 (0% BMP-RN), 4.93 (0.5%), 4.80 (1.0%), and 4.88 (2.0%) on the initial fermentation day (day 0) to 4.15, 4.30, 4.57, and 4.59, respectively, corresponding to increases in acidity from 0.64~0.70% to 1.17~1.28%, respectively. Soluble solid contents increased from an initial 2.2~4.4 g/L (day 0) to 9.0~9.3 g/L, and alcohol level increased up to 13.0% by the end of fermentation (day 7). Soluble phenolic contents increased from 0.92, 1.01, 1.32, and 1.41 mg/mL on day 0, to 1.85, 2.03, 2.24, and 2.48 mg/mL on day 7, respectively, while the levels of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay increased from 46.95~70.04%, 55.33~74.13%, and 0.629~1.243 on day 0, respectively, to 54.98~83.4%, 70.34~92.39%, and 0.964~1.455 on day 7, respectively. Makgeolli made with BMP-RN had higher soluble phenolic contents and antioxidant activity than those of makgeolli made without BMP-RN. These results suggested that BNP-RN made a functional makgeolli.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.710-716
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Makgeolli (MG) and Makgeolli GiGemi (MGG) on blood flow, serum lipid improvement in vivo, and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro. The activities of serum AST and ALT were increased by ovariectomy. Serum AST levels were decreased to $77.71{\pm}13.97$ and $74.57{\pm}14.90\;unit/ml$ in the OVX-MG50 and OVX-MGG50 groups compared to the OVX-control group ($91.14{\pm}12.02\;unit/ml$). Serum ALT levels were decreased to $34.00{\pm}8.41$ and $30.43{\pm}3.60\;unit/ml$ in OVX-MG50 and OVX-MGG50 groups compared to the OVX-control group ($37.14{\pm}5.40\;unit/ml$). Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents decreased in the sham group compared with OVX-control group by ovariectomy. Six weeks feeding of MG and MGG resulted in a decrease to $116.14{\pm}36.02$ and $109.14{\pm}11.55\;mg/dl$ compared to the OVX-control group ($120.43{\pm}8.36\;mg/dl$) in serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were decreased to $52.43{\pm}12.41$ and $47.29{\pm}12.08\;mg/dl$ in the OVX-MG50 and OVX-MGG50 groups compared to the OVX-control group ($58.57{\pm}5.47\;mg/dl$). The level of HDL-cholesterol in the OVX-control group was significantly reduced to $51.29{\pm}20.49\;mg/dl$ compared to the sham group ($72.29{\pm}10.29\;mg/dl$), but it was increased to $70.71{\pm}19.53$ and $62.00{\pm}20.20\;mg/dl$ with MG and MGG supplementation. Furthermore, the effect of the MG group was higher than the MGG group. Microscopic observation showed that whole blood passed smoothly through the micro channels in the MG and MGG supplemented groups. The platelet aggregation ability of the groups treated with MG and MGG was less than that of the OVX-control group. In vitro assay, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was significantly inhibited by MG and MGG (82.6% and 68.9% inhibition at 0.4 g/ml). These results suggest that the beneficial effects of MG and MGG may be used to improve on the lipid metabolic syndrome of menopausal women. In addition, MG and MGG might improve blood homeostasis mediated activities via antiplatelets and MG and MGG may be used as antihypertensive functional foods and nutraceuticals.