• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1484-1489
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• 2014

A novel esterase gene, est01, was successfully unearthed from a biogas digester microbiota metagenomic library. The 1,194 bp est01 gene encodes a protein of 44,804 Da (designated Est01). The amino acid sequence of Est01 shows only moderate (33%) identity to a lipase/esterase. Phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization confirmed that Est01 is a new member of family VIII esterases. The purified Est01 from recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) showed high hydrolytic activity against short-chain fatty acid esters, suggesting that it is a typical carboxylesterase rather than a lipase. Furthermore, the Est01 was even active at $10^{\circ}C$ (43% activity remained), with the optimal temperature at $20^{\circ}C$, and had a broad pH range from 5.0 to 10.0, with the optimal pH of 8.0. These properties suggest that Est01 is a cold-adaptive esterase and could have good potential for low-temperature hydrolysis application.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2001

The effect of gamma-irradiation on the microbiological and general quality changes of the kochujang(Korean hot pepper paste) was studied. Kochujang was prepared, irradiated at 5, 10 and 20 kGy, and then stored at $25^{\circ}C$ for twelve weeks. The results showed that the Bacillus were decreased by 5 log cycles with dose of 20 kGy with 3.94 kGy of $D_{10}$ value. Yeast and Lactobacillus cells were nearly eliminated by 10 kGy. The formation of $NH_2-nitrogen$ and reducing sugar, enzyme activity, acid production and browning were not affected by gamma irradiation. Therefore, it was considered that the kochujang treated with gamma irradiation maintained better microbial quality than that of the control with storage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.801-806
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• 2009

A species producing transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) was isolated from forest soil and identified as Streptomyces platensis YK-2. The transglutaminase was purified from culture broth by 50% methanol precipitation, followed by successive chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. The yield and purification-fold was 63.4% and 2.2-fold, respectively. The purified microbial transglutaminase (MTG) migrated as a single band of approximately 45 kDa upon sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis. The isoelectric point determined by multichambered electrofocusing was pH $6.0{\sim}7.0$. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by $Hg^{++}$, but was activated by $Cd^{++}$, $Mg^{++}$, $Mn^{++}$, $Pb^{++}$ and reducing agents such as dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1452-1456
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• 2016

Overexpression of the genes encoding phosphoeneolpyruvate carboxykinase (pckA) and NAD-dependent malic enzyme (maeA) facilitates higher intracellular ATP and NAD(P)H concentrations, respectively, under aerobic conditions in Escherichia coli. To verify a hypothesis that higher intracellular energy reserves might contribute to H₂ fermentation, wild-type E. coli strains overexpressing pckA and maeA were cultured under anaerobic conditions in a glucose minimal medium. Overexpression of pckA and maeA enabled E. coli to produce 3-times and 4-times greater H₂ (193 and 284 nmol, respectively) than the wild type (66 nmol H₂). The pckA and maeA genes were further overexpressed in a hydrogenase-3-enhanced E. coli strain. The hydrogenase-3-enhanced strain (W3110+fhlA) produced 322 nmol H₂, whereas the ATP-enhanced strain (W3110+fhlA+pckA) produced 50% increased H₂ (443 nmol). Total H₂ in the NAD(P)H-enhanced strain (W3110+fhlA+maeA) was similar to that in the control strain at 319 nmol H₂. Possible explanations for the contribution of the increased cellular energy reserves to the enhanced hydrogen fermentation observed are discussed based on the viewpoint of metabolic engineering strategy.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.13
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• 2023

Background: As Actinobacillus pleuropneumonniae (APP) infection causes considerable losses in the pig industry, there is a growing need to develop effective therapeutic interventions that leverage host immune defense mechanisms to combat these pathogens. Objectives: To demonstrate the role of microRNA (miR)-127 in controlling bacterial infection against APP. Moreover, to investigate a signaling pathway in macrophages that controls the production of anti-microbial peptides. Methods: Firstly, we evaluated the effect of miR-127 on APP-infected pigs by cell count/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then the impact of miR-127 on immune cells was detected. The cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were evaluated by ELISA. The expression of cytokines (anti-microbial peptides [AMPs]) was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression level of IL-6, TNF-α and p-P65 were analyzed by western blot. The expression of p65 in the immune cells was investigated by immunofluorescence. Results: miR-127 showed a protective effect on APP-infected macrophage. Moreover, the protective effect might depend on its regulation of macrophage bactericidal activity and the generation of IL-22, IL-17 and AMPs by targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor3 (SIPR3), the element involved in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) cascades. Conclusions: Together, we identify that miR-127 is a regulator of S1PR3 and then regulates TLR/nuclear factor-κB signaling in macrophages with anti-bacterial acticity, and it might be a potential target for treating inflammatory diseases caused by APP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1114-1121
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• 2017

Bacillus strains not producing harmful components were isolated from Korean traditional soybean products. Extracellular enzyme activities (amylase, protease, cellulase, and xylanase) of isolated Bacillus strains were measured, and Bacillus strains with high protease activity were selected. The selected 15 strains were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (10), Bacillus methylotrophicus (1), Bacillus velezensis (1), and Bacillus subtilis (3). Among them, B. subtilis JBG17019, B. amyloliquefaciens JBD17076, and B. amyloliquefaciens JBD17109 showed antimicrobial activities against food-borne microorganisms. The production abilities of glutamate, glutamine, and poly-${\gamma}$-glutamic acid (${\gamma}$-PGA) of the selected Bacillus strains were measured to analyze fermentation characteristics related to glutamic acid metabolism. The factor for multivariate was analyzed by the principal components analysis (PCA) method between fermentation characteristics and ${\gamma}$-PGA production. The three principal components were classified according to the PCA method: PC1 [enzyme activity (amylase, cellulase, and xylanase)], PC2 (${\gamma}$-PGA), and PC3 (protease, glutamate, and glutamine). As a result, B. amyloliquefaciens JBD17076 and B. subtilis JBG17019 strains were evaluated as having excellent enzyme activity and ${\gamma}$-PGA production.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 1981

Reinforced Calcium-alginate gel entrappment method for enzyme immobilization is described with an example of penicillin amidase from Bacillus megaterium KFCC 10029, a partially constitutive mutant of B. megaterium ATCC 14945. Penicillin amidase recovered from the fermentation broth by adsorption on celite is mixed with alginate and gelatin solution, and cast into a pellet or noodle form by coagulation in calcium salt solution followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. Optimum pH and temperature of the immobilized enzyme preparation were 8.0 and 6$0^{\circ}C$, respectively. Kinetic constants such as Km value and the inhibition constant of 6-APA and phenylacetic acid were 2.6 mM, 7.4 mM and 21.2 mM, respectively. The enzyme leakage from the adsorbent during operation was successfully prevented owing to the increase of physical strength of gel coat. The half lives in a column reactor were 6 and 30 days at the respective temperature of 4$0^{\circ}C$ and 3$0^{\circ}C$, which were the 6-8 fold increased values as compared with those of without entrappment. The results highly recommended the use of reinforced Calcium-alginate gel entrappment method for the enhancement of physical strength and the operational stability of alginate gel entrapped enzyme.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.192-203
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• 2019

A study was conducted to determine the influence of feed form and microbial enzyme supplementation on energy utilization, bone quality, and amino acid and mineral digestibility of broiler chickens. Four hundred and eighty Ross 308, day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to eight diets formulated from commonly used ingredients in Tanzania. A 2 (pellet or mash) ${\times}$ 4 (control, Axtra XB, Quantum Blue (QB) and Axtra XB + QB enzyme) factorial array in a completely randomized design having six replicates per treatment (10 birds per replicate) was used. Birds were raised in climate-controlled rooms in a 3-phase; starter (0-10 days), grower (11-24 days) and finisher (25-35 days). Apparent metabolizable energy (AME), metabolizable energy intake, net energy of production, energy retained as protein (REp), and efficiency of metabolizable energy use for energy and protein retention were higher (p < 0.05) in birds fed pelleted diets. The AME and REp was higher (p < 0.05) with enzyme supplementation. Ash content, weight, length, width and breaking strength of tibia bones were highest (p < 0.05) in birds on pelleted diets. Tibia bone traits were improved (p < 0.05) when enzymes were included, particularly in a combination of QB and Axtra XB. However, potassium, magnesium, and zinc contents were highest (p < 0.05) when QB was supplemented. Digestibility of all amino acids was higher (p < 0.05) in birds supplied with pellets and with enzyme supplementation for most amino acids, except for serine. There was a positive interaction (p < 0.05) between feed form and enzymes on lysine and phenylalanine digestibility. Digestibility of Ca, P, K, S, Zn, and Fe was higher (p < 0.05) in birds fed pelleted diets, while those on mashed diets had higher (p < 0.05) digestibility of Cu and B. The digestibility of P, K, and Zn was highest (p < 0.001) when QB was added, while Ca, P, S, and B digestibility was highest when a combination of Axtra XB + QB was applied. Pelleted diets with or without enzymes improved energy utilization, digestibility of amino acids, and minerals, and increased bone strength in broiler chickens.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2020

Edible films containing antimicrobial agents can be used as safe alternatives to preserve food products. Essential oils are well-recognized antimicrobials. However, their low water solubility, volatility and high sensitivity to oxygen and light limit their application in food preservation. These limitations could be overcome by embedding these essential oils in complexed product matrices exploiting the encapsulation efficiency of β-cyclodextrin. This study focused on the maximization of β-cyclodextrin production using cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) and the evaluation of its encapsulation efficacy to fabricate edible antimicrobial films. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize CGTase production by Brevibacillus brevis AMI-2 isolated from mangrove sediments. This enzyme was partially purified using a starch adsorption method and entrapped in calcium alginate. Cyclodextrin produced by the immobilized enzyme was then confirmed using high performance thin layer chromatography, and its encapsulation efficiency was investigated. The clove oil/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes were prepared using the coprecipitation method, and incorporated into chitosan films, and subjected to antimicrobial testing. Results revealed that β-cyclodextrin was produced as a major product of the enzymatic reaction. In addition, the incorporation of clove oil/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes significantly increased the antimicrobial activity of chitosan films against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. In conclusion, B. brevis AMI-2 is a promising source for CGTase to synthesize β-cyclodextrin with considerable encapsulation efficiency. Further, the obtained results suggest that chitosan films containing clove oils encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin could serve as edible antimicrobial food-packaging materials to combat microbial contamination.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 1981

Whole cell penicillin amidase of Escherichia coli was immobilized by entrapment in gelatin followed by extrusion and crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The immobilized engyme preparation demonstrated the recovery yield of activity up to 70% and good stability during storage and operation. The half life of activity decay during the operation was estimated to be about 50 days. The optimum pH and temperature for both of immobilized and soluble enzyme are 8.5 and 5$0^{\circ}C$, respectively. No significant change was demonstrated in the effect of pH and temperature, but the increase in heat stability at high temperature was observed in the case of the immobilized enzyme. It was found that the plug flow reactor could be operated favorably since the pH drop along the column path due to tile reaction product was minimized by employing substrate solution with moderate buffer strength. The optimal condition of reactor operation was discussed with regard to the effect of substrate concentration and the residence time on the conversion efficiency and productivity.