• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.318-322
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• 2015

In the modern pork industry, selection of high intramuscular fat (IMF) in pigs is necessary to improve pork quality. Ultrasound has been used previously to predict subcutaneous fat thickness and IMF in the longissimus muscles of line pigs and Real-time ultrasound has also been reported as a reliable method for estimating IMF in live pigs. So we estimate the correlation between meat quality traits and IMF percentage to investigate the possibility of utilizing real-time ultrasound technology for predicting IMF percentage in line pigs to improve pork quality. The genetic and phenotypic correlations for chemical intramuscular fat (CIMF) and ultrasound intramuscular fat (UIMF) were estimated to be 0.75 and 0.76, respectively. These results suggest that genetic factors strongly influence meat quality. The genetic and phenotypic correlation between UIMF and CIMF were 0.75, 0.76, respectively. The heritability of UIMF and CIMF were 0.48 and 0.50, respectively. So we concluded that CIMF can be replaced with UIMF and Ultrasound machines can be used to test IMF in live swine. In future, UIMF can be utilized to improve pork quality as an alternative to CIMF.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2008

Development of genetically modified crops using modern biotechnology is regarded as a promising way to combat with ever-increasing human population. Korea attempted to develop its own genetically modified crops essentially for the past 20 years, however no example of commercialization has been announced. Here, I briefly summarized current status of development and risk assessment of genetically modified crops in Korea. Then, I attempted to identify a death valley in the process of commercialization. Based on experience of risk assessment of 15 different genetically modified organisms, I suggested that lack of the screening of elite events may serve as a death valley.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

The transgenic technologies and their product (living modified organisms) have been developed and commercialized enough to get much attention in terms of their potentials to solve the current global difficulties such as shortage of food and energy. Furthermore, they are expected to make a big role in improving human health levels and creating bio-economy as innovative tools to pursue environmentally sound economic development. However, for the technologies and products to be developed and used in such a way that they continuously give a good impact to human society, first and foremost safety issues surrounding them should be dealt with. Every stage from in-house R&D, pilot field application to on the shelves should be managed to ensure safety following them because many consumers tend to have fear before they get the right or needed information on the modern biotechnology. In this sense, managing research facilities and LMOs for R&D from the point of safety is very crucial in that they are in the early stage of technology or product development. This paper especially deals with those to be complied with by researchers according to the Act on transboundary movement of LMOs, etc, entered into the effect from Jan. 1 2008.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2024

The growing demand for functional cosmetics, driven by modern individuals' quest for healthy and aesthetically pleasing skin, is being challenged by reports of side effects and toxicity associated with these products. This underscores the importance of exploring natural plant-based materials for functional cosmetics. This research focuses on the assessment of antioxidant and whitening properties of mixed extracts from Ipomoea nil, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Angelica gigas Nakai, all of which have proven pharmacological benefits. The study evaluated the extracts' total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities, SOD-like activity, and xanthine oxidase inhibition to determine their antioxidant capabilities. Moreover, the whitening potential was investigated through tyrosinase activity and melanin production assays, alongside a cytotoxicity evaluation via a cell viability test. The findings revealed that the extracts, IAA-1 to IAA-4, demonstrated both antioxidative and whitening capabilities without exhibiting cytotoxic effects. Notably, the extract IAA-4, processed through ultrasonic and ultrahigh pressure extraction, exhibited superior effectiveness. These results indicate that the cavitation formed during ultrasonic irradiation effectively destroys the plant cell wall by creating high pressure, and as a result, it is judged that useful components are easily extracted. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the IAA-4 extract could be applied as a material for functional cosmetics.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2024

The desire of modern people to maintain a healthy and beautiful appearance is increasing day by day along with the increasing interest in skin health and the demand for functional cosmetics. Accordingly, research on functional cosmetic materials with few side effects and excellent efficacy is being actively conducted. Therefore, this study tried to verify the antioxidant and whitening effects of the mixed extracts of Bixa orellana, Ammi majus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra, whose efficacy has been individually verified. Extracts (BAG-1~4) with different extraction methods such as steaming, fermentation, and ultrasonication were prepared for 3 types of natural plants, and antioxidant and whitening effects of these extracts were confirmed. For this purpose, antioxidant, tyrosinase activity, melanin production and stability experiments were conducted. Extracts (BAG-1~4) had no cytotoxicity, and antioxidant and whitening effects were confirmed. BAG-4 extracted by steaming and fermentation showed the best efficacy. It seems that enzymes such as lipase, protease, and amylase increase phenol components by various yeasts involved in the fermentation process, thereby improving antioxidant and melanin production inhibitory effects. It was confirmed that the three types of natural plant extracts could be used as safe and functional cosmetic materials.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.648-658
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• 2016

Preservation of fresh algae plays an important role in algae seed subculture and aquaculture. The determination and examination of the changes of cell viability, composition, and bacterial species during storage would help to take suitable preservation methods to prolong the preservation time of fresh algae. Nostoc flagelliforme is a kind of edible cyanobacterium with important herbal and dietary values. This article investigated the changes of bacterial species and biochemical characteristics of fresh N. flagelliforme concentrate during natural storage. It was found that the viability of cells decreased along with the storage time. Fourteen bacteria strains in the algae concentrate were identified by PCR-DGGE and were grouped into four phyla, including Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Among them, Enterococcus viikkiensis may be a concern in the preservation. Eleven volatile organic compounds were identified from N. flagelliforme cells, in which geosmin could be treated as an indicator of the freshness of N. flagelliforme. The occurrence of indole compound may be an indicator of the degradation of cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.894-898
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• 2001

Genetics has played a pivotal role in increasing the world food production through revolutions in plant and animal sciences. Though the attention on fisheries has been inadequate but the growing importance of modern genetic manipulations and biotechnological innovations to aquaculture has been realized. Recent advances in fish genetics and molecular biology have provided a suite of useful techniques, which have several applications in aquaculture. This paper reviews the advancement in the applications of selection, hybridization, chromosome engineering, sex control, gene transfer and molecular technologies for enhanced aquaculture productivity.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.12.1-12.2
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• 2020

• Carbon letters
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Lignocellulosic biomass conversion to biofuels such as ethanol and other value-added bio-products including activated carbons has attracted much attention. The development of an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly pretreatment process is a major challenge in lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel conversion. Although several modern pretreatment technologies have been introduced, few promising technologies have been reported. Microwave irradiation or microwave-assisted methods (physical and chemical) for pretreatment (disintegration) of biomass have been gaining popularity over the last few years owing to their high heating efficiency, lower energy requirements, and easy operation. Acid and alkali pretreatments assisted by microwave heating meanwhile have been widely used for different types of lignocellulosic biomass conversion. Additional advantages of microwave-based pretreatments include faster treatment time, selective processing, instantaneous control, and acceleration of the reaction rate. The present review provides insights into the current research and advantages of using microwave-assisted pretreatment technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars in the process of cellulosic ethanol production.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.167-179
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• 2005

Chiral epoxides are highly valuable intermediates, used for the synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs and agrochemicals. They have broad scope of market demand because of their applications. A major challenge in modern organic chemistry is to generate such compounds in high yields, with high stereo- and regio-selectivities. Epoxide hydrolases (EH) are promising biocatalysts for the preparation of chiral epoxides and vicinal diols. They exhibit high enantioselectivity for their substrates, and can be effectively used in the resolution of racemic epoxides through enantioselective hydrolysis. The selective hydrolysis of a racemic epoxide can produce both the corresponding diols and the unreacted epoxides with high enantiomeric excess (ee) value. The potential of microbial EH to produce chiral epoxides and vicinal diol has prompted researchers to explore their use in the synthesis of epoxides and diols with high ee values.