• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2022

A number of studies have been conducted to confirm the preventive effect of xylitol on dental caries as a whole or partial alternative to dietary sugars. This study reviewed the oral health effects of xylitol on the prevention mechanism of dental caries, the prevention of dental caries, the inhibition of mother-to-child transmission, and the oral health effects in the elderly based on existing studies on the oral health of xylitol. Carbohydrates and dietary sugars in food are fermented by acid-producing microorganisms in the mouth and produce dental plaque and acid, which cause dental caries. However, most dental decay-causing bacteria cannot produce acids by metabolizing xylitol. Xylitol, stored in cells as a non-metabolizable metabolite by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), affects bacterial glucose metabolism and inhibits bacterial growth. Xylitol consumption also reduces the amount of plaque and the population of S. mutans in both plaque and saliva. In addition, xylitol acts in the remineralization process. Xylitol has been confirmed to effectively prevent dental caries, inhibit mother-to-child transmission of MS, prevent dental caries, and increase salivary flow in the elderly. In conclusion, xylitol is an adequate sugar substitute for dental health, from infants to the elderly. For future studies, the researchers recommend reviewing the effects of xylitol on the oral and intestinal microbial environment and the side effects of excessive intake.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.967-975
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• 2022

Kombucha mutualistic community (KMC) is composed by acetic acid bacteria and yeasts, producing fermented tea with health benefits. As part of the BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment (BIOMEX) project, the effect of Mars-like conditions on the KMC was analyzed. Here, we analyzed metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of the Komagataeibacter, which is a predominant genus in KMC, to understand their roles in the KMC after exposure to Mars-like conditions (outside the International Space Station) based on functional genetic elements. We constructed three MAGs: K. hansenii, K. rhaeticus, and K. oboediens. Our results showed that (i) K. oboediens MAG functionally more complex than K. hansenii, (ii) K. hansenii is a keystone in KMCs with specific functional features to tolerate extreme stress, and (iii) genes related to the PPDK, betaine biosynthesis, polyamines biosynthesis, sulfate-sulfur assimilation pathway as well as type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, quorum sensing (QS) system, and cellulose production could play important roles in the resilience of KMC after exposure to Mars-like stress. Our findings show the potential mechanisms through which Komagataeibacter tolerates the extraterrestrial stress and will help to understand minimal microbial composition of KMC for space travelers.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2022

Among various health functional foods, probiotics constitute the largest market. The interest in probiotics is increasing continuously according to the research results that gut health can control the immune function of the body, prevent diseases, and assist in treatment. In this study, dairy products and dressing sauces were developed using Ficus carica vinegar (FV), and their effects on colon cells were analyzed. When 5% FV was added to regular milk, the satisfaction with the resulting yogurt and ricotta cheese was high. The dairy product was Leuconostoc lactis, and the number of bacteria was more than 1.0×10⁷~1.0×10⁸ CFU/mL. The product satisfied the health food standards as probiotics. An examination of the cell viability of Caco-2 cells, which proliferate similarly to human intestinal epithelial cells, revealed an approximately 19% increase in the proliferation rate when treated with whey at 10%. An antioxidant activity of up to 58% was recorded when the cells were treated with whey at various concentrations. In addition, excellent adhesion was observed for L.latis isolated from whey. This study confirmed that dairy products made using traditionally fermented FV assist intestinal health effectively as the microbiome.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2022

To effectively isolate acetic acid bacteria for producing makgeolli vinegar, various products were researched, and Acetobacter pasteurianus CK-1, a strain that is excellent in acetic acid production, was finally isolated. The optimal growth temperature of the isolated strain was confirmed to be 30℃, and it grew well in the pH range of 5.5~6.5, with optimal growth at pH 6. A. pasteurianus CK-1 had the most active proliferation when the initial ethanol concentration in the medium was 4%, and growth was possible even at an ethanol concentration of 7%. When inoculating the isolated strain into makgeolli to induce acetic acid fermentation, the pH at the beginning of fermentation was 3.54, which was gradually lowered to 2.77 after 18 days of fermentation. The acidity was 0.75% at the beginning of fermentation and gradually started to increase from the 4th day of fermentation. The final acidity at the end of fermentation was 5.54%. In the vinegar fermented by inoculating A. pasteurianus CK-1, acetic acid content was detected to be as high as 3,575.7±48.6 mg%, and the malic acid and citric acid contents were 2,150.8±27.6 and 55.8±3.7 mg%, respectively. Further, it was confirmed that the content and ratio of the organic acids produced significantly differed depending on the type of inoculated bacterial strain. During acetic acid fermentation, the populations of yeast and A. pasteurianus CK-1 were inversely changed. In the initial stage of fermentation, yeast dominated, and after 10 days of fermentation, A. pasteurianus CK-1 slowly proliferated and reached stationary phase.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.375-381
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics and biological activities of Rosa multiflora Thunberg fruit extracts fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum based on fermentation period of 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. The study showed the pH of Rosa multiflora Thunberg fruit fermentation extracts have decreased as fermentation time increased, but the sugar content remained the same. The total acid content increased as the fermentation time increased. The viable cell count was at highest at 24 h (8.59 log CFU/mL) of fermentation, and the viable cell count decreased as the fermentation time increased. The total polyphenol content (14.85 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (6.74 mg RE/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, reducing power, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity were highest at 24 h of fermentation. Therefore, the study proved fermentation of Rosa multiflora Thunberg fruit with lactic acid increases physiological activity compared to nonfermented Rosa multiflora Thunberg fruit. Also the 24 h of fermentation had the highest activity, confirming the possibility of future use as a functional food material.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1461-1478
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• 2022

The maintenance of poultry gut health is complex depending on the intricate balance among diet, the commensal microbiota, and the mucosa, including the gut epithelium and the superimposing mucus layer. Changes in microflora composition and abundance can confer beneficial or detrimental effects on fowl. Antibiotics have devastating impacts on altering the landscape of gut microbiota, which further leads to antibiotic resistance or spread the pathogenic populations. By eliciting the landscape of gut microbiota, strategies should be made to break down the regulatory signals of pathogenic bacteria. The optional strategy of conferring dietary fibers (DFs) can be used to counterbalance the gut microbiota. DFs are the non-starch carbohydrates indigestible by host endogenous enzymes but can be fermented by symbiotic microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This is one of the primary modes through which the gut microbiota interacts and communicate with the host. The majority of SCFAs are produced in the large intestine (particularly in the caecum), where they are taken up by the enterocytes or transported through portal vein circulation into the bloodstream. Recent shreds of evidence have elucidated that SCFAs affect the gut and modulate the tissues and organs either by activating G-protein-coupled receptors or affecting epigenetic modifications in the genome through inducing histone acetylase activities and inhibiting histone deacetylases. Thus, in this way, SCFAs vastly influence poultry health by promoting energy regulation, mucosal integrity, immune homeostasis, and immune maturation. In this review article, we will focus on DFs, which directly interact with gut microbes and lead to the production of SCFAs. Further, we will discuss the current molecular mechanisms of how SCFAs are generated, transported, and modulated the pro-and anti-inflammatory immune responses against pathogens and host physiology and gut health.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.311-320
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• 2023

Surfactin, one of the most powerful biosurfactants, can be widely applied in agriculture, food, and pharmaceutics. The purpose of the present study was to establish suitable indicators for a rapid detection method that can confirm the surfactin productivity of cheonggukjang. In the present study, changes in the total number of bacteria were quantified according to the fermentation time of chenggukjang. Furthermore, physicochemical factors, such as pH, color value, surface tension, refractive index, absorbance, and protein contents, were assessed in chenggukjang viscous substances, and a correlation analysis between the physicochemical factors and surfactin contents was performed. We found that the protein contents gradually increased up to 48 h (4.21±0.11 mg/mL) without a change in the surface tension. Furthermore, the refractive index, absorbance at 280 nm, and color value were significantly increased as the fermentation time increased; however, there were no statistically significant differences after 36 h of fermentation. Interestingly, this result exhibited a tendency similar to the surfactin content according to fermentation time. These findings suggest that surfactin can be used as a suitable quality indicator and may provide an experimental basis for the fermented food industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.576-587
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• 2024

In this study, diverse bacterial strains were isolated from fermented foods to screen those with antibacterial activity. Among them, one strain, identified as Bacillus vallismortis MCBL 1012 through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, was selected for its bacteriocin production. The culture supernatant of B. vallismortis MCBL 1012 showed antibacterial activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that bacteriocin treatment led to cellular content leakages in Listeria monocytogenes KCCM 40307, Enterococcus faecium KCCM 12118, and Streptococcus mutans KCTC 3065. PCR analysis confirmed B. vallismortis MCBL 1012 harbored subtilosin A gene (sbo A). Antibacterial activity was decreased by proteolytic enzymes like proteinase K, subtilisin A, and α-chymotrypsin. The bacteriocin demonstrated stability at 40℃ and 60℃ for 120 min, and up to 80℃ for 60 min, with rapid activity loss at 100℃. It retained full antibacterial activity within a pH range of 4.0 to 8.0 and was not affected by up to 100% organic solvents like ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran. Nevertheless, activity decreased with more than 40% isopropanol and 80% acetone. Most tested inorganic salts and detergents had no effect on antibacterial activity except, CuSO₄ and NiSO₄ at specified concentrations. The bacteriocin exerted its antibacterial effect through bactericidal action against L. monocytogenes KCCM 40307. The bacteriocin was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE anion exchange chromatography, and RP-HPLC. The purification resulted in a final yield of 0.03% and a 283.7-fold increase in specific activity. MALDI-TOF MS analysis determined the exact molecular weight of purified bacteriocin to be 3,326.1 Da.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of mixed Makgeolli with barley and wheats under, fermentation at different temperatures (20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$) and time (3, 6, and 9 days). The pH and sugar of mixed Makgeolli were 3.68~4.26 and $12.30{\sim}17.31^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. The total acidity showed proportionate increase with fermentation temperature and time; whereas, reducing sugar contents decreased with increasing fermentation temperature and time. The alcohol contents of mixed Makgeolli varied significantly by fermentation temperature and time (p<0.05). In terms of color values, the L value decreased with increasing fermentation temperatures, and a value increased significantly with increasing fermentation time. The number of microorganisms (yeast, total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria) in mixed Makgeolli decreased progressively with increasing fermentation temperature and time. Among the organic acids (citric, lactic, malic, and pyruvic acids) in mixed Makgeolli, citric and lactic acid was present at the highest concentrations. From these results, the optimum fermentation conditions of mixed Makgeolli with barley and wheat were $20{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ for 6 days.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.468-475
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• 2005

To determine the effect of different fermentation level on the quality of Nabak Kimchi during storage, this study was carried by analysing the result of physico-chemical properties, microbiological characteristics and sensory evaluation of Nabak Kimchi stored up to 24 days. For the physico-chemical properties, pH, total acidity, reducing sugar, carbon dioxide contents, color values were investigated while for the microbiological characteristics, total microbial counts and lactic acid bacteria were studied. Nabak Kimchi products were fermented at six different level of temperature and time and stored in Kimchi refrigerator at $4^{\circ}C$ for 24 days. As the storage period increased, the pH values of LF15, SF25 and LF25 decreased rapidly after initial fermentation and the pH values of SF4, LF4 and SF15 increased slightly in the beginning and then decreased. total acidity increased as storage period proceeded. the amount of reducing sugar was 4.92mg/ml before fermentation and increased significantly and reached its maximum values then decreased. lightness and redness of Nabak Kimchi decreased as storage period became longer, but yellow of Nabak Kimchi increased during storage. Total microbial counts of SF25 and LF25 reached to the highest at the 6th day and total microbial counts of LF15 reached to the highest at the 12th day and then significantly decreased. However, total microbial counts of SF4, LF4 and SF15 continuously increased up to the 24th day. The number of lactic acid bacteria was similar to the phase of the change of total microbial counts.