• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2695-2699
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• 2011

${\beta}$ Ketoacyl acyl carrier protein synthase III (KAS III) initiates fatty acid synthesis in bacteria and is a key target enzyme to overcome the antibiotic resistance problem. In our previous study, we found flavonoid inhibitors of Enterococcus faecalis KAS III and proposed three potent antimicrobial flavonoids against Enterococcus faecalis and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis with MIC values in the range of 128-512 ${\mu}g/mL$ as well as high binding affinities on the order from $10^6$ to $10^7\;M^{-1}$. Using these series of flavonoids, we conducted biological assays as well as docking study to find potent flavonoids inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus KAS III with specificities against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we propose that naringenin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone) and eriodictyol (5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone) are potent antimicrobial inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus KAS III with binding affinity of $3.35{\times}10^5$ and $2.01{\times}10^5\;M^{-1}$, respectively. Since Arg38 in efKAS III is replaced with Met36 in saKAS III, this key difference caused one hydrogen bond missing in saKAS III compared with efKAS III, resulting in slight discrepancy in their binding interactions as well as decrease in binding affinities. 4'-OH and 7-OH of these flavonoids participated in hydrogen bonding interactions with backbone carbonyl of Phe298 and Ser152, respectively. In particular, these flavonoids display potent antimicrobial activities against various MRSA strains in the range of 64 to 128 ${\mu}M$ with good binding affinities.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.554-569
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum K10. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitory activity, ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity, and lipase inhibitory activity of L. plantarum K10 was $94.66{\pm}4.34%$, $99.78{\pm}0.12%$, and $87.40{\pm}1.41%$, respectively. Moreover, the strain inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($32.61{\pm}8.32%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. In order to determine its potential for use as a probiotic, we investigated the physiological characteristics of L. plantarum K10. L. plantarum K10 was resistant to gentamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and chloramphenicol. It also showed higher Leucine arylamidase, Valine arylamidase, and ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activities. Moreover, it was comparatively tolerant to bile juice and acid, exhibiting resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 90.71%, 11.86%, 14.19%, and 23.08%, respectively. The strain did not produce biogenic amines and showed higher adhesion to HT-29 cells compared to L. rhamnosus GG. As a result of the animal study, L. plantarum K10 showed significantly lower body weight compared to the high-fat diet group. The administration of L. plantarum K10 resulted in a reduction of subcutaneous fat mass and mesenteric fat mass compared to the high-fat diet (HFD) group. L. plantarum K10 also showed improvement in gut permeability compared to the HFD positive control group. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum K10 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the characters of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food, animal feces, dry cattle food, and the environment in Seoul and Kyonggi province during the period from 1998 to 2003. Serotyping of 70 L. monocytogenes isolates was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the microdilution method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. All the isolates were tested against 20 antimicrobial agents. The serotypes of the 70 L. monocytogenes isolates were 1/2c (62.8%), 1/2a (20%) and 1/2b (17.2%). Of the 70 L. monocytogenes isolates, 67.1%, 57.1%, 11.4%, 5.7%, 2.8%, 1.4% and 1.4% were resistant to tetracycline (Te), minocycline (Mi), norfloxacin (Nor), ciprofloxacin (Cip), neomycin (N), chloramphenicol (C) and cephalothin (Cf), respectively. However, all isolates were 100% sensitive to antibiotics such as amikacin, ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamycin, imipenem, kanamycin, ofloxcin, streptomycin, penicillin, trimethoprim, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Multiple resistance patterns of the isolates were observed in TeMiNor Cip (1.4%), TeMiNor (7.1%), TeMiCip (2.9%), TeMiN (1.4%) and TeMi (44.3%). The results of this study indicate that many L. monocytogenes isolates are resistant to antimicrobial agents including Te and Mi. The possibility that the isolates could increasingly acquire multiple antimicrobial resistant properties cannot be precluded.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.605-611
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• 2011

This study examined the suitability of characteristics of potential strains of probiotic bacteria. Among 25 lactic acid bacteria isolated from Korean traditional fermented food, the Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix Shikhae, the SH-10 strain, which exhibited superior resistance to low pH and bile salts, was selected as a potential probiotic bacteria. By examining carbohydrate utilization, morphological properties, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the SH-10 strain was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus (hereafter, P. pentosaceus SH-10). P. pentosaceus SH-10 was resistant to amikacin, cefotetan, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, and vancomycin. Tests of antimicrobial activities against pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Staphylococcus aureus, indicated that P. pentosaceus SH-10 inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria. These results suggest that P. pentosaceus SH-10 can be developed as a probiotic bacteria.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2022

Lactobacillus rhamnosus SKG34 (LrSKG34), a potential probiotic strain, was successfully isolated from Sumbawa Mare's milk. Our previous studies showed that the strain is resistant to gastrointestinal conditions, possesses antioxidant activity, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Further clarification of the potential probiotic characteristics and safety assessment are necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of LrSKG34 to Caco-2 cell monolayers and its effect on mucosal integrity in vitro. We also examined the LrSKG34 safety profile based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing, haemolytic activity determination, Caco-2 cell monolayer translocation evaluation, and in vivo investigation of the effect of LrSKG34 on the physiology, biochemical markers, and histopathological appearance of major organs in an animal model. LrSKG34 attached to Caco-2 cell monolayers and maintained mucosal integrity in vitro. The typical resistance of lactobacilli to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and metronidazole was confirmed for LrSKG34. No haemolytic activity was observed on blood agar plates, and no LrSKG34 translocation was observed in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Administration of LrSKG34 to Sprague-Dawley rats did not adversely affect body weight. No abnormalities in hematological parameters, serum biochemistry levels, or histopathological structures of major organs were observed in LrSKG34-treated rats. Collectively, the results implicate LrSKG34 as a promising and potentially safe probiotic candidate for further development.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.80-85
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the bactericidal effects of copper, brass (copper 78%, tin 22%), and stainless steel against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREFM), and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA). Methods: The isolates (MRSA, VREFM, MRPA) used in this study were mixed wild type 3 strains isolated from patients treated at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital in 2017. These strains showed patterns of multidrug resistance. The lyophilized strains were inoculated into and incubated for 24 hr in tryptic soy broth at $35^{\circ}C$. The initial bacterial inoculum concentration was adjusted to $10^5CFU/mL$. A 100-mL bacterial suspension was incubated in containers made of brass (copper 78%, tin 22%), copper (above 99% purity), and stainless steel at $35^{\circ}C$. Viable counts of bacteria strains were measured for 9 days. Results: In this study, the bactericidal effects of copper and brass on MRSA, VREFM, and MRPA were verified. The bactericidal effect of stainless steel was much weaker than those of copper and brass. The bactericidal effect was stronger on MRPA than on MRSA or VREFM. Conclusion: To prevent cross infection of multidrug resistant bacteria in hospitals, further studies of longer duration are needed for testing of copper materials on objects such as door knobs, faucets, and bed rails.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.896-904
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the probiotic characteristics and immune activities of selected lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains as feed additives in livestock. 301 LAB strains isolated from traditional fermented foods were first assessed for their antibacterial activity potential. Of the 301 isolates, five showed antibacterial activity against five livestock pathogens (Esherichia coli KCCM11234, Listeria monocytogens KCTC3710, Salmonella Typhimurium KCTC1926, Staphylococcus aureus KCCM11593, and Shigella flexneri KCTC2517). The probiotic characteristics of the five selected strains were also investigated by antioxidative activity, hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase, acid resistance and bile tolerance. The SRCM102607 strain was found to have superior probiotic properties and was selected for further experimentation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that SRCM102607 is Pediococcus acidilactici, which was labeled as P. acidilactici SRCM102607 (KCCM 12246P). The survival characteristics of P. acidilactici SRCM102607 in artificial gastrointestinal conditions were assessed under exposed acidic (pH 2.0) and bile (0.5% and 1.0%) conditions. P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was also confirmed to have resistance to various antibiotics, including amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and etc. The TNF-α production by P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was 171.86±4.00 ng/ml. These results show that P. acidilactici RCM102607 has excellent potential for use as a probiotic livestock feed additive.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2007

The detection and distribution of Aeromonas in water supplies were investigated by using the USEPA Method 1605. Water samples were collected from the Han River, finished waters and tap waters supplied from Water Treatment Plants in Seoul monthly from July 2002 to December 2003. Aeromonas species in each water sample were quantified based on the development of yellow colonies on the surface of membrane filter using a selective medium (Ampicillin-Dextrin Agar with Vancomycin). The Quality Control (QC) for this study met the acceptance criteria of Method 1605. The concentrations of Aeromonas species in surface water samples ranged from $1.0{\times}10^{0}\;to\;9.8{\times}10^{3}\;CFU/ml$. Aeromonas species were found only in one tap water sample with concentration of 1 CFU/500 ml. No Aeromonas species were found in any finished water samples. Aeromonas species detected here were identified as A. salmonicida(51%), A. caviae(4.7%), A. schubertti(3.4%), A. sobria(3.8%), A. hydrophila(2.1%), and A. ichithiosmia(0.4%). A. salmonicida was the dominant species, which is of no significance to human health. Chlorine resistance of A. salmonicida was evaluated and as a result, 99.99% of A. salmonicida decreased after 30 seconds exposure at residual free chlorine 0.2 mg/L. These suggest that the waters supplied in Seoul may be safe against the pathogenic agent Aeromonas.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2007

The kinds and quantity of antimicrobial agents used for cattle (animal industry) may be considerable, suggesting the possibility that pathogenic bacteria which cannot be extirpated by the existing antimicrobial agents could appear. Ten cattle, pig and chicken farms, respectively, were randomly selected from 5 provinces in Korea and the samples were collected from excrement, manure, underground water, farmers' hands and the neishboring environment. h total of 299 samples were examined and 197 of Escherichia coli, 13 of Campylobacter jejun/coli, 223 of Enterococcus faecium/faecalis and 42 of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected. All isolates were screened for antimicrobial resistance: 69.4% of E. coli (137/197 strains), 78.6% of S. aureus (33/42 strains), and 82.1% of E. faecium/faecalis (183/223 strains) were resistant to one antimicrobial agent and all of C. jejuni/coli Isolates showed the resistance to one antimicrobial agent. Meanwhile, the multiple resistance ratio for more than 4 lines of antimicrobial agent was 19.2% of E. coli (38/197 strains), 11.9% of S. aureus (5/42 strains), 15.4% of C. jejuni/coli (2/13 strains) and 6.2% of E. faecium/faecalis (14/223 strains). The antimicrobial resistance ratio of bacteria isolated from the cattle farm showed lower than that of bacteria isolated from the pig or chicken farm, which might be related to the quantify of antimicrobial agents consumed. And one strain of vancomycin resistant E..faecium (VREF) were isolated from the excrement of chicken and stream, respectively. Generally, the ratio of VREF collected in animal farm environments is lower than that of VREF collected in medical environment.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 1997

Considering many problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics recently, the appearance of antibiotic resistance bacteria is believed to help the cure of patients greatly. From Jan. 1st, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1996, 6135 strains were examined after being asked of and seperated from the clinical pathology departments of general hospitals, and the isolation frequency of identified bacteria and the susceptibility of antibiotics showed the following result. 1. The isolation frequency of strains was Escherichia coli, 1134 strains (18.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 856 strains (13.9%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus, 793 strains (12.89%), Staphylococcus aureus, 555 strains (9.02%), B. cepacia, 421 strains (6.84%), Enterobacter cloacae, 366 strains (5.95%), Enterobacter faecalis (4.86%), and Klebsiella pneumonia, 220 strains (3.85%). 2. The isolation rate of specimen was urine, 1, 969 strains, wound 1, 104 strains, sputum 701 strains, blood 643 strains, vaginal swab, 342 strains, and eye discharge, 192 strains, 40% of urine strains were E. coli 18％ of wound strains were B. cepacia, 43.7％ of sputum were P. aeruginosa, and in blood strains there were Enterobacter cloacae (25.8%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (19.6%), and P. aeruginosa (8.7%). 3. The result of antibiotics susceptibility showed that, among gram negative bacilli, P. aeruginoas had resistance in almost all antibiotics except ceftazidme imipenem. But B. cepacia, the same glucose non-fermentation gram negative bacilli had more than 90％ of sensitivity in aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciproflxacin, piperacillin, trimethoprim/sulfa and had resistance in the others. Enterococcus faecalis showed more than 85% of sensitivity in penicillin-G, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin. 4. In the case of specimen antibiotics susceptibility, Enterobacter cloacae was lower in specimen isolated from blood than in those isolated from others and p. aeruginosa was low in specimen isolated from urine, which showed that there was difference in specimen antibiotics susceptibility. The result of this study shows that there happen many resisitances in antibiotics used frequently and some countermeasure is necessary because many bacteria began to show new resistance. Also it is desirable that the choice of antibiotics for infection diagnosis and its cure should be made after the inspection of antibiotics.