• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.40-49
• /
• 2018

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and neuronal cell-protective effect of fucoidan extract from Ecklonia cava (FEC) on hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 and MC-IXC cells to assess its protective effect against oxidative stress. Antioxidant activities were examined using the ABTS radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde-inhibitory effect, and the results showed that FEC had significant antioxidant activity. Intracellular ROS contents and neuronal cell viability were investigated using the DCF-DA assay and MTT reduction assay. FEC also showed remarkable neuronal cell-protective effect compared with vitamin C as a positive control for both $H_2O_2$-treated PC-12 and MC-IXC cells. Based on the neuronal cell-protective effects, mitochondrial function was analyzed in PC-12 cells, and FEC significantly restored mitochondrial damage by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) and ATP levels and regulating mitochondrial-mediated proteins (p-AMPK and BAX). Finally, the inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a critical hydrolyzing enzyme of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cholinergic system, were investigated ($IC_{50}$ value = 1.3 mg/ml) and showed a mixed (competitive and noncompetitive) pattern of inhibition. Our findings suggest that FEC may be used as a potential material for alleviating oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by regulating mitochondrial function and AChE inhibition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1867-1876
• /
• 2017

Most of the biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites are influenced by carbon metabolism and supply of cytosolic NADPH. We engineered carbon distribution to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and redesigned the host to produce high levels of NADPH and primary intermediates from the PPP. The main enzymes producing NADPH in the PPP, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (encoded by zwf1 and zwf2) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (encoded by zwf3), were overexpressed with opc encoding a positive allosteric effector essential for Zwf activity in various combinations in Streptomyces lividans TK24. Most S. lividans transformants showed better cell growth and higher concentration of cytosolic NADPH than those of the control, and S. lividans TK24/pWHM3-Z23O2 containing zwf2+zwf3+opc2 showed the highest NADPH concentration but poor sporulation in R2YE medium. S. lividans TK24/pWHM3-Z23O2 in minimal medium showed the maximum growth (6.2 mg/ml) at day 4. Thereafter, a gradual decrease of biomass and a sharp increase of cytosolic NADPH and sedoheptulose 7-phosphate between days 2 and 4 and between days 1 and 3, respectively, were observed. Moreover, S. lividans TK24/pWHM3-Z23O2 produced 0.9 times less actinorhodin but 1.8 times more undecylprodigiosin than the control. These results suggested that the increased NADPH concentration and various intermediates from the PPP specifically triggered undecylprodigiosin biosynthesis that required many precursors and NADPH-dependent reduction reaction. This study is the first report on bespoke metabolic engineering of PPP routes especially suitable for producing secondary metabolites that need diverse primary precursors and NADPH, which is useful information for metabolic engineering in Streptomyces.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND: The vigorous shoot growth in upper part of apple tree canopy leads to poor fruit quality and flower bud formation in lower part of canopy. So, this study was conducted to develop the proper control method about the shoot growth in upper part of apple tree canopy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Trunks of 'Fuji'/M9 apple trees were cut (back pruned) to 2.5 m in tree height on 11 February (dormant) or 12 April (full bloom). Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was applied at 2.0% to cut surface when trunk was pruned. Prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) was sprayed at 250 mg/L above 2.0 m in tree height at 23 April (petal fall). The NAA or Pro-Ca application after trunk was pruned at dormant (TR-2 and TR-3) significantly reduced shoot growth in upper part of canopy compared with the control (tree was only pruned at dormant, TR-1), but the percent of shoots showing the secondary growth of TR-3 was higher over 2 times than that of TR-2. The reduction of shoot growth in upper part of canopy by TR-2 and TR-3 increased the fruit red color from the lower part in the treating year and blooming of the lower part in the following year. CONCLUSION: Applying 2.0% NAA to cut surface of pruned apple trunk at dormant was the most effective way for stabilization of the tree vigor in upper part of the canopy in a high density apple orchard.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.421-430
• /
• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the possibility of the addition of mugwort herb extract (MH) and vitamin C (VC) alone (0.05%) and in combination (0.05% each) on shelf-life of seasoned pork. The combination of VC+MH demonstrated a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and volatile basic nitrogen in seasoned pork. Also, the pH values, total lactic acid concentration, lactic acid bacteria count, and the sensory properties (discoloration, flavor, and overall acceptability) of seasoned pork were not significantly affected by adding MH and/or VC. All seasoned pork were rejected by sensory panel when LAB count reached levels of 5-6 Log CFU/g, TLA concentration has been above a level of 3.6-3.9 mg lactic acid/g, and pH values ranged from 5.31-5.51 (15 d). Therefore, the findings showed that spoilage of seasoned pork does not appear to be the result of lipid oxidation, but is caused by lactic acid producing bacteria which result in sour odor.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.141-151
• /
• 2000

Over-grown seaweeds in Donghae(east sea of Korea peninsula) may impedes ocean environment, however, they can be a good nutrient resources for poultry feeds if they are utilized properly. In this study, seaweeds powder were tested for laying hens\` ration to investigate the effects on egg production rate, egg quality and calcium phosphorus excretion. One hundred 65wks-old brown layers were fed for 5 weeks alotted with seaweeds powder addition to experimental diet by 0(control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%, respectively, and obtained following results; 1. Seaweeds proved a mid-protein low-energy feed resources with planty of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Sr and Fe. 2. Seaweeds addition by 0.5% and 1.0% improved egg production rate and egg-mass output markedly(p<0.05) than control. Seaweeds addition did not alter cholesterol level of yolk and yolk index, however egg shell thickness showed increasing trend by increasing seaweeds addition level. 3. Protein absorption and digestibility in seaweed addition treatments were significantly higher(p<0.05) than control group and protein contents of excreta in 0.5% and 1.0% treatments were reduced(p<0.05), which suggests effective protein metabolism for egg production. Increasing seaweeds addition reduces Ca and P contents in rectum and excreta, suggesting Ca and P utilization improvement in laying hens and lessening soil pollution. 4. In conclusion, seaweeds addition in layers' diet by 1.0% level improves egg-mass production and might be egg quality by increasing metabolism of protein, calcium and phosphorus.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.99-102
• /
• 2003

IARC classified areca quid as a human carcinogen. Areca quid chewed in Taiwan includes Piper betle inflorescence, which contains high concentrations of safrole (15 mg/fresh weight). Safrole is a documented rodent hepatocarcinogen, and chewing areca quid may contribute to human exposure (420 $\mu$m in saliva). The carcinogenicity of safrole is mediated through 1'-hydroxysafrole formation, followed by sulfonation to an unstable sulfate that reacts to form DNA adducts. Using human liver microsomes and Escherichia coli membranes expressing bicistronic human P450s, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9 were identified as the main P450s involved in the activation of safrole. We have demonstrated the presence of stable safrole-dGMP adducts in human oral tissues following areca quid chewing using $^{32}$ P-postlabeling and HPLC mass spectrometry methods. By studying 88 subjects with a known AQ chewing history and 161 matched controls, we have demonstrated that the presence of safrole-DNA adducts in peripheral blood cells was correlated to AQ chewing, and CYP2E1 seemed to play an important role in the modulation of safrole-DNA adduct formation. We have also shown that safrole can form stable safrole-DNA adducts as well as oxidative damages in rodent liver. However, the stable safrole-DNA adducts may represent a more significant initial lesion as compared to the rapidly repaired safrole-induced 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. This oxidative DNA damage is mediated through the formation of hydoryxchavicol, the major safrole metabolite in human urine. Hydroxychavicol may have gone through two-electron oxidation to the o-quinone; then via one-electron reduction to semiquinone radicals to generate oxidative DNA damage. However, these reactive metabolites can be efficiently conjugated by GSH. These data suggest that safrole may contribute to the initiation of oral carcinogenesis through safrole-DNA adduct and not oxidative DNA damage. In addition, CYP2E1 may modulate this adduct formation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.1 s.88
• /
• pp.8-18
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study is to evaluate the emission characteristics of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium from medium size municipal solid waste incinerators(MSWIs) in Korea. The concentrations of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium emitted from medium size MSWI stack were $2.67\;{\mu}g/Sm^3,\;0.38\;mg/Sm^3,\;1.33\;{\mu}g/Sm^3,\;0.28\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$, respectively. The concentration levels of mercury, lead, arsenic in flue gas from medium size MSW incinerator stacks selected were nearly detected under the Korea criteria level. Removal efficiencies of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium in waste heat boiler(WHE) and cooling tower(CT) were $90.36\%,\;69.76\%,\;43.04\%,\;40.64\%$, respectively. In general, the removal efficiencies of mercury and lead in WHE were higher than those of arsenic and selenium in WHE. Emission gas temperature reduction from waste heat boiler(WHB) and cooling tower(CT) can control mercury and lead of medium size MSWIs. To evaluate the relationship between mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium of fly ash and those of flue gas, it was carried out to correlation analysis of each metal concentration in the fly ash and in the flue gas from medium size MSWIs. From the correlation analysis, the coefficients of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium were 0.61, -0.38, 0.87, 0.28, respectively. The results of correlation analysis revealed that it should be highly positive to the correlation coefficients of mercury and arsenic in the fly ash and those of the flue gas emitted from medium size MSWIs. As it were, the concentrations of mercury and arsenic of flue gas from medium size MSWIs are high unless mercury and arsenic in fly ash are properly controlled in dust collection step in medium size MSWIs. It was also concluded that mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium from MSWIs stacks could be controlled by waste heat boiler(WHE) and dust collecting step in medium size MSWIs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.1173-1180
• /
• 2016

Though traditional seasonings are widely used in many dishes, however, no attention has been paid to the investigation of their effects on quality characteristics of food products. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of incorporating several traditional seasonings including doenjang (fermented soybean paste), gochu-jang (red pepper paste), fresh medium-hot, and hot peppers, and fresh garlic on the lipid oxidation, cholesterol content and sensory characteristics of fermented sausages. Six fermented sausage treatments (5 with 1% (w/w) each test seasoning and 1 without added test seasoning (control) were prepared. The addition of seasonings generally had beneficial effects on the improvement of fermented sausage's quality however the effects differed depending on the each type of seasonings added. Significant lower pH values were found in all fermented sausages made with the seasonings while, lower levels of lipid oxidation were found in the treatments with hot peppers and garlic as compared with the control (p<0.05). The treatment with seasonings did not cause color or texture defects in the products whereas the sausages made with gochu-jang had significantly higher Commission International de $l^{\prime}Eclairagea^{\ast}$ (redness) value in comparison with the control. Noticeably, incorporating doenjang, medium-hot peppers, hot peppers and garlic resulted in reduction of 26.50, 32.54, 47.04, and 48.54 mg cholesterol/100 g samples, respectively (p<0.05). Higher scores for the sensory traits such as aroma, taste, color and acceptability were also given for the sausages made with seasonings. The current work demonstrates that the test seasonings represent potentially natural ingredients to be used for producing healthier fermented sausages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.825-835
• /
• 2020

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary zinc supplementation of Friesian cows on chemical-nutritional and aromatic properties of Caciocavallo cheese after 7 days (C₇) and 120 days (C₁₂₀) of ripening. Methods: Twenty eight Friesian cows, balanced for parity, milk production and days in milk, were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The control group (CG) was fed with a conventional complete diet, while the experimental group (zinc group, ZG) received a daily zinc supplementation of 60 mg for kg of dry complete feed. During the experimental period, the milk yield was monitored and samples of milk and caciocavallo cheese were collected and analyzed for chemical-nutritional composition and aromatic profile. Results: The enrichment of dairy cows diet with zinc, did not influence milk yield and composition, however a marked reduction of somatic cell count was evidenced. Both in milk and cheese the ZG samples were characterized by a lower concentration of satured fatty acids and an increase in oleic, vaccenic and rumenic acids. The aromatic profile of dairy products was also positively affected by dietary zinc intake, with an increase in concentration of carboxylic acids, esters and lactones. Conclusion: The present results suggest a positive role of dietary zinc intake in improving the quality of bovine milk and related cheese, in particular for the increase in concentration of bioactive fatty acids such as rumenic acid. The changes evidenced in cheese through the analysis of the volatile profile, would be consistent with the development of interesting organoleptic properties, although further evaluations should be performed to confirm the consumer acceptability of these changes.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.317-325
• /
• 2017

Direct communication between neighboring cells through connexin (Cx)-based gap junction is a crucial biological manner to regulate functions of a tissue consisting of multi-cell types. The present research evaluated expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis of adult rat exposed to estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the early postnatal age. A single subcutaneous administration of EB at a low-dose [$0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW)] or a high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) or Flu at a low-dose ($500{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) or a high-dose (5 mg/kg BW) was performed to an animal at 1 week of age. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to determine expressional changes of Cx isoforms. The transcript levels of Cxs30.3 and 37 were decreased by a low-dose EB treatment, while decreases of Cxs31, 31.1, 32, 40, and 45 transcript levels were observed with a low-dose EB treatment. The treatment of a high-dose EB resulted in expressional reduction of Cxs30.3, 31, 31.1, 37, 40, 43, and 45. The Flu treatment at a low dose caused increases of Cxs26, 37, and 40 transcript levels but decreases of Cxs31.1, 43, and 45 transcript levels. Increases of Cxs30.3, 31, 37, and 40 mRNA amounts were induced by a high-dose Flu treatment. However, exposure to a high-dose Flu produced expressional decreases of Cxs31.1, 32, and 43 in the adult caput epididymis. These observations suggest that exposure to EB or Flu at the neonatal period could lead to aberrant expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis.