• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.787-790
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• 2016

Kefir is a unique fermented dairy product produced by a mixture of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and yeast. Here, we compared the antimicrobial spectra of four types of kefirs (A, L, M, and S) fermented for 24, 36, 48, or 72 h against eight food-borne pathogens. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Cronobacter sakazakii were used as test strains, and antibacterial activity was investigated by the spot on lawn method. The spectra, potencies, and onsets of activity varied according to the type of kefir and the fermentation time. The broadest and strongest antimicrobial spectrum was obtained after at least 36-48 h of fermentation for all kefirs, although the traditional fermentation method of kefir is for 18-24 h at $25^{\circ}C$. For kefir A, B. cereus, E. coli, S. Enteritidis, P. aeruginosa, and C. sakazakii were inhibited, while B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, S. Enteritidis, P. aeruginosa, and C. sakazakii were inhibited to different extents by kefirs L, M, and S. Remarkably, S. aureus, S. Enteritidis, and C. sakazakii were only inhibited by kefirs L, M, and S, and L. monocytogenes by kefir M after fermentation for specific times, suggesting that the antimicrobial activity is attributable not only to a low pH but also to antimicrobial substances secreted during the fermentation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2015

${\gamma}$-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, is involved in sleep physiology. Caffeine is widely used psychoactive substance known to induce wakefulness and insomnia to its consumers. This study was performed to examine whether GABA extracts from fermented rice germ ameliorates caffeine-induced sleep disturbance in mice, without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity and motor coordination. Indeed, caffeine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) delayed sleep onset and reduced sleep duration of mice. Conversely, rice germ ferment extracts-GABA treatment (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), especially at 100 mg/kg, normalized the sleep disturbance induced by caffeine. In locomotor tests, rice germ ferment extracts-GABA slightly but not significantly reduced the caffeine-induced increase in locomotor activity without affecting motor coordination. Additionally, rice germ ferment extracts-GABA per se did not affect the spontaneous locomotor activity and motor coordination of mice. In conclusion, rice germ ferment extracts-GABA supplementation can counter the sleep disturbance induced by caffeine, without affecting the general locomotor activities of mice.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2011

Insampaedok-san is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of colds. We investigated several compounds in Insampeadok-san, and tested their neuroprotective and anti-oxidative activities after fermentation with Lactobacillus. The amounts of four marker compounds (ferulic acid, hesperidin, 6-gingerol and glycyrrhizin) and unidentified compounds in Insampaedok-san (IS) and fermented Insampaedok-san (FIS) were measured and compared by an established HPLC-DAD method. Neuroprotective activity of IS and FIS extracts was evaluated and compared after glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells. Anti-oxidative activity of IS and FIS was also compared in DPPH free radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity assays. Contents of two compounds, ferulic acid and glycyrrhizin were decreased while 6-gingerol was increased by fermentation. FIS showed more potent neuroprotective activity than IS. DPPH, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging was slightly increased by FIS when compared to IS. In conclusion, fermentation with Lactobacillus can vary the amounts of the marker compounds in IS and improve neuroprotective and anti-oxidative activities of IS.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 1973

To understand the characteristics of 29 toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated in Seoul area, type classification, biochemical properties and antibiotic susceptibility pattern to 9 kinds of antibiotics were investigated. The results obtained were summerized as follows; I. Among the 29 strains, gravis type was the overwhelming majority(24 strains), followed by intermedius type(3 strains) and mitis type(2 strains). II. Fermentation of glucose, maltose, lactose, trehalose and mannitol, nitrate reduction and urease were tested. All strains fermented glucose, but not sucrose, lactose, mannitol and trehalose. 9 strains fermented maltose and 20 strains did not. Nitrate was reduced by 28 strains but not by one strain. In urease test one strain showed positive, 28 strains negative. III. Antibiotic susceptibility test to penicillin G, chloramphenical, kanamycin, lincomycin, streptomycin, terramycin, erythromycin and gentamycin were carried out. The MIC of erythromycin(0.025 ${\mu}g/ml$ 26 strains and 0.05 ${\mu}g/ml$ 3 strains) was the lowest, followed by ampicillin, lincomycin and penicillin G. Streptomycin showed the highest MIC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.143-152
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• 2001

Korean-style fermented soybean paste (KFSP), Doenjang, is a traditional food that is consumed as a protein source in Korea. Recently, efforts to identify biolgocial response modifiers (BRMs) have been focused on food products. Accordingly, this study which isolated abiologically active substance form KFSP, named KFSP-BRM, ws defined to be aheat-stable carbohydrate with a molecular weight of 2,000 kDa. The biological activity of KFSP-BRM was not inactivated by treatment with an anti-LPS antibody. The oral as well as intraperitoneal treatment of mice with KFSP-BRM significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG). Subsequently, an increased level of immunoglobulins in the sera was also observed. In vitro. KFSP-BRM was found to upregulate the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 by mactro phages and B cells but not the production of IL-2 by T cells. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the presence of a BRM in KFSP, which may provide an additional benefit to those consuming it is a food. KFSP-BRM is a novel B cellmitogen distinct from fresh soybean lectin or B cell mitogens, such as LPS and Streptococcus protein A. The major biological effects of KFSP-BRM would appear to be anincreased production of IL-1 and IL-6 by macrophages and B cells, thereby enhancing the function of mature B cells.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2016

Red ginseng is known to have many beneficial effects. Cisplatin, an effective antineoplastic drug, can cause many side effects like irreversible sensorineural hearing loss and serious tinnitus in humans. This study is aimed to reduce a cisplatin's side effect, nephrotoxicity by fermentated korean red ginseng. Korea ginseng was produced by steaming and dring and fermentation. And mice were divided into 4 groups- (A) normal mice, (B) Vehicle treated cisplatin mice, (C) RG0F0-treated cisplatin mice, (D) RG8F3-treated cisplatin mice. C and D groups were feed each material 200 mg/kg/day during 4 days. And cisplatin 20 mg/kg injected to B, C, and D groups as abdominal injection. After 24 h, blood sample was collected. The kidneys were harvested for histological, immuno histochemical and western blot analysis. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was depended on steaming hours. RG0F0 and RG8F3 (ginseng-8 h steamed and fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were showed antioxidants effect in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Component amounts according to steaming hours. 8 h steamed red ginseng had the most ingredients of ginsenoside. Treatments with RG8F3 reduced cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in the mice resulting in increase of GSH and decrease of ROS, BUN, creatinine, and inflammatory mediators. This result seems to be involved with the restriction of the inflammation in the kidney. Therefore, fermented red ginseng might have therapeutic efficacy in reduce kidney injury induced by cisplatin treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.874-885
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• 2012

In the present study, the possibility of whether the pharmacological effects of Scutellariae Radix Aqueous Extracts(SR) were favorably changed by report that lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury was treated with Red-Koji(Monascus purpureus 12002) fermentation. Three different dosages of Red-Koji fermented SR extract(fSR), 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS(Escherichia coli 0111:B4) treatments, and then 5 hours after LPS treatment(500 ${\mu}g$/head, intra trachea instillation), all rats were sacrificed. Changes in the body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters(pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) protein, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents were observed with histopathology of the lung, changes on luminal surface of alveolus(LSA), thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs). As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung MDA, MPO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. Especially fSR 125 mg/kg showed quite similar favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injuries as compared with 60 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid and 250 mg/kg of SR. The results suggest that over 125 mg/kg of fSR extracts showed favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injury mediated by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, increases of the pharmacological effects of SR on LPS-induced acute lung injury were observed by Red-Koji fermentation in this study, at least 2-fold higher.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.419-425
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• 2015

Ginseng has been widely used for therapeutic and preventive purposes for thousands of years. However, orally administered ginseng has very low bioavailability and absorption in the intestine. Therefore, fermented ginseng was developed to enhance the beneficial effects of ginseng in the intestine. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of fermented wild ginseng (FWG). We found that FWG significantly alleviated the severity of colitis in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, and decreased expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissue. Moreover, we observed that FWG suppressed the infiltration of macrophages in DSS-induced colitis. FWG also attenuated the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by reducing the translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Our data indicate that FWG contains anti-inflammatory activity via NF-κB inactivation and could be useful for treating colitis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(7): 419-425]

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.92-102
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• 2018

The objectives of this study were to find out the plant to enhance immune activity among 42 kinds of foods frequently consumed by the Korean elderly consisting of 5 food groups and 5 wild plants. Each sample was assessed the immunoactive effect by measuring $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression, nitric oxide and cytokine production in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell. Soybean sprouts of 47 plants showed the highest $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression at the level of $1.13{\pm}0.03$ (O.D. 650 nm) and Soritae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, crown daisy, cabbage and Ailanthus altissima also had high activity of $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell stimulated by LPS. NO production of Ailanthus altissima was significantly higher than that of other plants and 16 plants of glutinous sorghum, black rice, Seoritae, Heuktae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, mungbean sprouts, spinach, crown daisy, young pumpkin, cabbage, soybean sprouts, Actinidia arguta and Aster scaber were the next best activity. The above results selected 17 out of 47 plant samples. Moreover, soybean sprouts was significantly shown to increase $TNF-{\alpha}$ ($1,509.55{\pm}1.38pg/mL$) and $IL-1{\beta}$ ($54.56{\pm}1.08pg/mL$) cytokines in comparison with RAW-Blue cell stimulated by LPS. According to the results of in vitro evaluation, the ethanol extract of soybean sprout increased the production of immune-enhancing cytokines by proliferation of macrophages. In addition, $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor activity and NO production ability were excellent, and it was selected as a material having excellent immunological activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.522-532
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• 2022

Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented food in Korea, which is known to exert beneficial effects on health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cheonggukjang fermented by Bacillus subtilis SCGB 574 (B574) on high fat diet (HFD)-deteriorated large intestinal health. Rats were fed with HFD or HFD supplemented with 10.1% cheonggukjang (B574). Fecal microbiota was analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and the fecal and serum metabolome were measured using GC-MS. Our results showed that SCGB574 intake significantly reduced body weight, restored tight junction components, and ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration. SCGB574 also shifted gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of short chain fatty acid producers such as Alistipes and Flintibacter, although it decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus. Serum and fecal metabolome analyses showed significantly different metabolic profiles between the groups. The top five metabolites increased by SCGB574 were i) arginine biosynthesis, ii) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; iii) starch and sucrose metabolism; iv) neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin biosynthesis; and v) galactose metabolism. These results showed that cheonggukjang fermented by SCGB574 ameliorates adverse effects of HFD through improving intestinal health.