• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.833-839
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• 2003

Quantitaties of flavonoids were determined by HPLC in three different ethanol extract (50, 70 and 95%, v/v) from Korean cherry. Antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract and its solvent fraction (ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions) against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) was evaluated using MIC and disk test. Additionally, UV protective effect was also determined. The highest flavonoid quantity was found in 70% ethanol extract of Korean cherry. The quantities of quercitrin were 12.7 mg% and 2.1 mg% in ethyl acetate fraction and in buthanol fraction, respectively. In addition, the flavonoid in 70% (v/v) ethanol extract of Korean cherry included 14.9 mg% of quercitrin, 6.0 mg% of tannic acid and 5.2 mg% of catechin. Therefore, it was confirmed that main flavonoid of Korean cherry was quercitrin. For antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of Korean cherry against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Staphylococcus epidemidis (ATCC 12228), MIC and disk test using ethyl acetate fraction and butanol fraction were carried out. As a result, ethyl acetate fraction with higher quantity of flavonoid showed higher antimicrobial activity. Therefore, it was confirmed that the higher antimicrobial activity was brought about by flavonoid in Korean cherry. For UV protective effect of Korean cherry, ethanol extract showed the absorption zone of ultraviolet rays in 210∼380 nm including 290∼320 nm that is the wave length of UV-B harmful to the skin of human body. The pattern is the same as the absorption zone of 220∼300 nm in catechin and 210∼400 nm in quercitrin. Then, the functionalities of catechin and quercitrin were anticipated. It is expected that quercitrin in Korean cherry has the antimicrobial effect and UV protective effect related to the skin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2019

Ultraviolet rays (UV) cause photoaging by inducing skin photodamages such as erythema and sunburn. Silymarin is a mixture of antioxidant polyphenols extracted from Silybum marianum fruit (S. m), which is known as milk thistle. It is known to protect skin tissues from UV treatment and antioxidant effects. In this study, we aimed to identify the photoprotective effects of S. m extract, which has silymarin in the epidermis layer of the skin. We found that the extract can function as a UV filter, so it can reduce DNA damage by UV treatment. Especially, we found that, in the stratum corneum, the extract can suppress the protein carbonylarion and DNA damages caused by suberythemal dose of UV treatment which does not induce erythema in the skin. UV treatment also increased protein carbonylation levels in the stratum corneum by oxidation, but it was prevented by applying the extract. The extract can absorb UV with minimal phototoxicity. Together, our study suggests that S. m extract can be used as a photo-protective ingredient to avoid photoaging of the skin.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.165-192
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• 2022

The microbial metagenome characteristics of bioaerosols and particulate matter (PM) in the outdoor atmospheric environment and the effects of climate and environmental factors on the metagenome were analyzed. The concentrations of bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols and PM were determined by sampling different regions with different environmental properties. A variety of culture-independent methods were used to analyze the microbial metagenome in aerosols and PM samples. In addition, the effects of meteorological and environmental factors on the diversity and metagenomes of bacteria and fungi were investigated. The survival, growth, and dispersal of the microorganisms in the atmosphere were markedly affected by local weather conditions and the air pollutant concentration. The concentration of airborne microorganisms increased as the temperature increased, but their concentration decreased in summer, due to the effects of high temperatures and strong ultraviolet rays. Humidity and microbial concentration were positively correlated, but when the humidity was too high, the dispersion of airborne microorganisms was inhibited. These comprehensive data on the microbial metagenome in bioaerosols and PM may be used to understand the roles and functions of microorganisms in the atmosphere, and to develop strategies and abatement techniques to address the environmental and public health problems caused by these microorganisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.331-339
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• 2022

Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes to protect the skin from external stimuli, mainly ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, abnormal and excessive production of melanin causes hyperpigmentation disorders, such as freckles, age spots, and discoloration. Natural cosmeceuticals are a new trend for treating or preventing hyperpigmentation due to fewer side effects and biocompatibility. In this context, the current study focused on Cnidium japonicum, a halophyte with several uses in folk medicine, to evaluate its potential as a skin-whitening agent. The effect of C. japonicum extract (CJE) on melanin production was analyzed in melanogenesis-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that CJE successfully inhibited the oxidation of tyrosine and L-DOPA by tyrosinase and subsequently decreased the production of the key enzymes responsible for melanin production: tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and protein-2. This effect was confirmed by decreased intracellular and extracellular melanin levels in B16F10 melanoma cells after CJE treatment. Further experiments to elucidate the action mechanism revealed that CJE treatment suppressed melanin production by inhibiting the activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSKβ)/β-catenin and protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathways, which are the upstream activators of melanogenesis. In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. japonicum is a potential natural source of bioactive substances for the development of novel cosmeceuticals that can act against hyperpigmentation.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.153-164
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• 2023

The objective of this study is to examine the removal rate of air pollutants, specifically sulfur oxides (SO_x) and nitrogen oxides(NO_x), using concrete permeable blocks containing zeolite beads coated with materials capable of eliminating these pollutants. Titanium dioxide(TiO₂) powder and coconut shell powder were utilized for the removal of SO_x and NO_x and were applied as coatings on the zeolite beads. Concrete permeable block specimens embedded with the coated zeolite beads were produced using an actual factory production line. Test results demonstrated that the concrete permeable block containing zeolite beads coated with coconut shell powder in the surface layer achieved SO_x and NO_x removal rates of 12.5% and 99%, respectively, exhibiting superior performance compared to other blocks. Additionally, the flexural strength and slip resistance were 5.3MPa and 65BPN or higher, respectively, satisfying the requirements specified in KS F 4419 and KS F 4561. Conversely, the permeability coefficient exhibited low permeability, with grades 2 and 3 before and after contaminant pollution, according to the standard for 'design, construction, and maintenance of pavement using permeable block'. In conclusion, incorporating zeolite beads coated with coconut shell powder in the surface layer enables simultaneous removal of SO_x and NO_x, irrespective of ultraviolet rays, while maintaining adequate flexural strength and slip resistance. However, the permeability is significantly reduced, necessitating further improvements.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2023

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is commonly used in sunscreen formulations to protect the skin surface and prevent the penetration of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by the physical scattering action of light. However, a disadvantage of using TiO₂ is that it can cause white turbidity when used on skin due to its inactive mineral ingredient. In addition, when TiO₂ particles are reduced to nanosize to eliminate opacity, they can increase the transmittance of visible light and reduce whitening, but may lead to serious skin problems, such as allergic inflammation. To overcome these issues, the bandgap of TiO₂ was controlled by adjusting the amount of oxygen defect and nitrogen amount, resulting in color TiO₂ tailored to the skin. This innovative technology can reduce the whitening phenomenon and effectively block blue light, which is known to cause skin aging by inducing active oxygen. The bandgap controlled TiO₂ compounds proposed in this study are hypoallergenic, broad-spectrum, and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, these compounds have been shown to significantly enhance sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens, demonstrating their compatibility with blue light blocking products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.236-244
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• 2024

Melanin is a natural pigment found in most plants and animals, and it is involved in determining the color of the skin and hair. Melanogenesis is a reactive occurrence in melanocytes aiming to protect the skin from external stimuli, such as ultraviolet rays. Tyrosine is involved in the biosynthesis of the substrate tyrosine into melanin. However, melanin overproduction can lead to skin diseases, such as melasma, blotching, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Although many studies have been conducted on whitening substances, such as kojic acid and arbutin, some countries have banned or refrained from using them due to their side effects. Therefore, this study assessed the potential of horseradish (HR) as a new whitening agent in cosmetic products. For efficient extraction, subcritical water extraction was conducted. The results showed that the horseradish subcritical water 200℃ (SW 200) extract showed high DPPH radical scavenging ability, total phenolic contents (TPC), inhibiting tyrosinase activity and inhibiting melanin production of B16-F10 melanoma cell lines. To investigate its cytotoxicity to the B16-F10 melanoma cell lines, MTT reduction assay and morphological changes were observed. No cytotoxicity was found in horseradish methanol extract and SW 200. In conclusion, this research suggests the possibility of horseradish subcritical water may be useful as a natural whitening ingredient to be used in cosmetic products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2024

Skin aging progresses due to external factors such as ultraviolet rays and infections. These factors cause skin fibroblasts to secrete proteolytic enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs induce the degradation of collagen located in the extracellular matrix, directly influencing aging. The stems of Akebia quinata Decaisne have been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-aging effect of Akebia quinata Decaisne stem ethanol extract (AQSEE) is not known. Therefore, we studied the TNF-α-induced MMP-1 inhibitory effect in human fibroblasts. When the cell viability of AQSEE was confirmed through MTT asaay, it showed no toxicity up to 400 ㎍/mL. The inhibition of MMP-1 mRNA and protein secretion was confirmed through RT-qPCR and ELISA, and results showed a significant decrease at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 ㎍/mL. We also confirmed by Western blotting that phosphorylation of MAPKs signaling pathway and transcription factors was reduced. As a result, phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun, p65 was significantly decreased at all concentrations. DPPH and ABTS assays were performed to confirm the radical scavenging ability of AQSEE, and the results showed a significant decrease at all concentrations. The results of this study confirmed the MMP-1 inhibitory effect and radical scavenging ability, which suggests that it can be used as an anti-aging substance.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.319-324
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate influences of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) concentrations and irradiation times on growth of Streptococcus mutans when irradiated by visible light (405 nm wavelength) and by ultraviolet light (254 nm wavelength). To find the optimal antibacterial concentration of $TiO_2$, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/ml $TiO_2$ suspension was prepared with sterilized distilled water. S. mutans cultured media was added to $TiO_2$ solution to set the final cell count to $10^4CFU/ml$. The photocatalytic reaction was induced by irradiating 254 nm and 405 nm lights for 10 minutes. To compare the bactericidal activities according to irradiation times, all photocatalytic reaction was carried out with 0.1 mg/ml $TiO_2$ for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes with both lights. After the photocatalytic reaction, $100{\mu}m$ of the reaction mixture was immediately plated on brain heart infusion agar. These plates were placed at 5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, for 24 hours and the bacterial colonies were counted. All experiments were performed in quintuplicate. One-way ANOVA was used to determine whether there were any significant differences between the $TiO_2$ concentrations or the irradiation times. The most effective concentration of $TiO_2$ for its photocatalytic bactericidal effect on S. mutans was 0.1 mg/ml when irradiated with 254 nm and 405 nm lights. The longer the irradiation time, the bigger the bactericidal effect for both wavelengths. Over 99% of bacteria in the inoculum were killed after irradiation with 254 nm for 20 minutes and with 405 nm for 40 minutes. In conclusion, a photocatalytic reaction of $TiO_2$ induced by visible light of 405 nm constitutes the bactericidal effect on S. mutans.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2009

In this study, the thermal insulation effectiveness of the greenhouse insulators by the installation methods was investigated to find the right installation way of the insulation materials. Physical properties of the insulators such as thickness, air transmissivity, apparent density, ultraviolet rays cutoff ratio, reflectance, thermal conductivity, moisture absorptivity were evaluated and the insulation ability of the insulators were measured by the module experiments. For the same insulator, the insulation ability of the case with the outward direction of the black colored face, i.e., with the inward direction of the white colored face, was better than that of vice versa. The case of the black colored both surfaces was better than the case of the white colored both surfaces. For aluminium reflection material, the case with the outward direction of the lustre face, i.e., with the inward direction of the non-lustre face, was better than that of vice versa. For the same material with the inner thin polyethylene foam (or polyester) and the chemical wool, the case with the outward direction of the inner thin polyethylene foam (or polyester), i.e., with the inward chemical wool, was better than that of vice versa. Addition of the inner thin polyethylene foam increased the insulation effect very much.