• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.932-941
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• 2013

This work aimed to classify Aspergillus (8 species, 28 strains) by using a secondary metabolite profile-based chemotaxonomic classification technique. Secondary metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC-IT-MS) and multivariate statistical analysis. Most strains were generally well separated from each section. A. lentulus was discriminated from the other seven species (A. fumigatus, A. fennelliae, A. niger, A. kawachii, A. flavus, A. oryzae, and A. sojae) with partial least-squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) with five discriminate metabolites, including 4,6-dihydroxymellein, fumigatin, 5,8-dihydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, cyclopiazonic acid, and neosartorin. Among them, neosartorin was identified as an A. lentulus-specific compound that showed anticancer activity, as well as antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus epidermidis. This study showed that metabolite-based chemotaxonomic classification is an effective tool for the classification of Aspergillus spp. with species-specific activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.696-699
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• 1990

Some mixed culture systems consisting of koji molds and yeast were tested for the ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using polished rice as the substrate. Aspergillus shirousamii showed the highest ethanol production in the mixed culture with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on steamed rice added with 150 ml water in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The optimum initial pH, temperature and specific surface for the ethanol production in this system were 6.5, $30^{\circ}C$, and 0.1, respectively. Under this condition, 12.9% ethanol was produced with inoculation with $5{\times}10^2$ conidia/ml of A. shirousamii and $5{\times}10^6\;cells/ml$ of S. cerevisiae in 10 days.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 1999

In order to improve the quality of nuruk a Korean traditional fermenting agent for brewing nuruk was modified by a new method inoculating Rhizopus japonicus T2 Aspergillus oryzae L2 and hansenula sp. BC26 which had been isolated from traditional Nuruk. And the characteristics of modified Nuruk were investimgated as compared with current fermenting agents such as commercial Nuruk and rice koji of As-pergillus kawachii. The odor of modified Nuruk was savory but those of commercial Nuruk and rice koji were fetid andinodorous repectively. The extracted waters of modified Nuruk commercial Nuruk and rice koji were yellow pale yellow and colorless and showed 6.15, 6.01 and 3.30 of pH respectively. Mod-ified Nuruk had 7.6${\times}$106CFU/g of yeast but commercial uruk and rice koji had no yeast. Commercial Nuruk had 1.0${\times}$102CFU/g of lactic acid bacteria but modified Nuruk and rice koji had no lactic acid bacteria. The amylolytic and proteolytic activities of modified Nuruk were much higher than those of commercial Nuruk or rice koji. Seed mash of modified Nuruk had ester aroma but that of commercial Nuruk rather offensive odor and that of rice koji neither ester aroma or offensive odor. It seemed that if the modified Nuruk is used in seed mashing the supplement of acidulant is need to lower pH. The quality of modified Nuruk was thought to be much better than that of commercial Nuruk or rice koji.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 1999

The major flavor compounds of Takju mash which was brewed with a modified Nuruk made by inocu-lation and cultivation of Rhizopus japonicus T2, Aspergillus oryzae L2 and Hansenula sp. BC26 isolated from Nuruk, were analyzed, as compared with those with current fermenting agents such as commerical Nur-uk and rice koji of Aspergillus kawachii. The contents of isoamyl alcohol isobutyl alcohol and ethyl acet-ate which were known as aroma compounds in Takju were much higher in mash of modified Nuruk than in that of commercial Nuruk or ricd koji. The major organic acids were lactic fumalic and succinic acid in mash of modified and lactic and acetic acid in mash of commercial Nuruk and citric lactic and suc-cinic acid in mash of rice koji. The contents of total organic acids were 5,146mg/L, 1,706mg/L and 1, 388 mg/L in mash of commercial Nuruk rice koji and modified Nuruk respectively. The major free amino acids were glutamic acid alanine proline and histidine in mash of modified Nuruk and glutamic acid proline leucine and histidine in mash of commercial Nuruk and arginine proline and glutamic acid in mash of rice koji. The contents of total free amino acids were 14,090mg/L 12,202mg/L and 7,152 mg/L in mash of modified Nuruk commercial Nurcuk and rice koji respectively. Therefore it seemed that the Takju mash of modified Nuruk was better than that of commercial Nuruk or rice koji.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 1999

Physicochemical and sensory properties of Takju which was brewed with a modified Nuruk made by inoculation and cultivation of Rhizopus japonicus T2. Aspergillus oryzae L2. and Hansenula sp. BC26 isolated from Nuruk were investigated as compared with those with current fermenting agents such as com-mercial Nuruk and rice koji of Aspergillus kawachii. The contents of total acid were 0.88% 0.47% and 0.39% in mash of commercial Nuruk rice koji and modified Nuruk respectively. The contents of alcohol were 15.5% 15.1% and 9.0% in mash of modified Nuruk rice koji and commercial Nuruk respectively. The contents of reducing sugar were 2.80% 1.24% and 0.80% in mash of commercial Nuruk modified Nuruk and rice koji respectively. The contents of amino acid were 0.55% 0.47% and 0.23% in mash of modified Nuruk commercial Nuruk and rice koji respectively. Suspended solids were sedimented much more slowly in Takju of modified Nuruk or commercial Nuruk than in that of rice koji Color was pre-ferred in the order of Takju of modified Nuruk commercial Nuruk and rice koji. Odor and taste were preferred in the order of Takju of modified Nuruk rice koji and commercial Nuruk. Therefore it seem-ed that the Takju of modified Nuruk was better than that of commercial Nuruk or rice koji in quality.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2009

Three kinds of grape yakju (Kyoho, Campbell and Moru) and grape-free control were fermented with rice using koji of Aspergillus kawachii as a fermenting agent, and their fermentation characteristics were investigated. For the three yakju, reducing sugar content decreased slowly over 2 days fermentation after an initial rapid decrease. In case of Brix, the reducing sugar content increased gradually after increasing rapidly during the first 2 days of fermentation. The Kyoho and Moru groups displayed a gradual increase in reducing sugar content after an initial 2-day decrease, and the sugar content of the Campbell group increased gradually during fermentation. Uniformly, pH increased gradually after an initial 2-day decrease, however total acid increased continuously throughout fermentation. Alcohol content of yakju showed almost no change after increasing until day 6 (Kyoho) of day 4 (others), with the control displaying the highest content. Control $\alpha$-amylase activity decreased gradually after an initial 2-day increase, while that of the three yakju decreased throughout fermentation. Activities of $\beta$-amylase activities paralleled the results of reducing sugar. Concerning total anthocyanin, the Moru and Campbell groups displayed a rapid increase until day 2, a decrease until day 12, and a gradual increase thereafter. While the Kyoho and control groups displayed virtually no change after an initial 2-day increase until day 12, after which a gradual increase also occurred. In concerning sensory evaluation, Moru yakju scored highest for violetness, flavor of grape, and sweet taste, and also displayed a low alcohol content. These attributed Moru yakju the preferred choice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1555-1563
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• 2008

A novel $\alpha$-amylase ($\alpha$-1,4-$\alpha$-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.1), ScAmy43, was found in the culture medium of the phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum grown on oats flour. Purified to homogeneity, ScAmy43 appeared as a 43 kDa monomeric enzyme, as estimated by SDS-PAGE and Superdex 75 gel filtration. The MALDI peptide mass fingerprint of ScAmy43 tryptic digest as well as internal sequence analyses indicate that the enzyme has an original primary structure when compared with other fungal a-amylases. However, the sequence of the 12 N-terminal residues is homologous with those of Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus kawachii amylases, suggesting that the new enzyme belongs to the same GH13 glycosyl hydrolase family. Assayed with soluble starch as substrate, this enzyme displayed optimal activity at pH 4 and $55^{\circ}C$ with an apparent $K_m$ value of 1.66 mg/ml and $V_{max}$ of 0.1${\mu}mol$glucose $min^{-1}$ $ml^{-1}$. ScAmy43 activity was strongly inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, and $Ba^{2+}$, moderately by $Fe^{2+}$, and was only weakly affected by $Ca^{2+}$ addition. However, since EDTA and EGTA did not inhibit ScAmy43 activity, this enzyme is probably not a metalloprotein. DTT and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol strongly increased the enzyme activity. Starting with soluble starch as substrate, the end products were mainly maltotriose, suggesting for this enzyme an endo action.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.149-157
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• 2015

We examined taxonomic characteristics and safety of eight Nuruk molds that are widely used for making soybean paste, soy sauce and alcoholic beverages in Korea. HK1 from Hakyeong Fermentation Co., SW101 from Suwon Fermentation Co., CF1001, CF1002, CF1003 from Chungmoo Fermaentation Co. and KACC 93210 are yellow-Nuruk molds, and SW201 from Suwon Fermentation Co. and CF1005 from Chungmoo Fermentation Co. are white-Nuruk molds. Six strains of yellow-Nuruk molds were identified as Aspergillus oryzae. HK1, SW101, CF1001 and CF1003 of yellow-Nuruk molds have middle length of stipes ($711{\sim}1,121{\mu}m$), and CF1003 (for sake) produced less conidia and more hyphae than HK1, SW101 and CF1001 (for soybean paste). CF 1002 used for soy sauce has shorter stipes ($543{\mu}m$) and is clustered into IBLB-group based on omtA gene analysis although the other yellow-Nuruk molds are clustered into ICAo group. KACC 93210 isolated from traditional Korean Meju has very short stipes (average $270{\mu}m$), and showed velvety colonies although the others showed floccose colonies. The strain has different DNA sequences of omtA gene from other strains in NCBI GenBank as well as strains used in Korea, suggesting that it is unique from other strains published. SW201 and CF1005 of white-Nuruk molds were identified as Aspergillus luchuensis or A. luchuensis mut. Kawachii that is known as safe, non-toxigenic fungus. The six strains of yellow-Nuruk molds did not produce mycotoxins including aflatoxin, cyclopiazonic acid, and sterigmatocystin. Therefore, eight strains of Nuruk molds used for making soy sauce, soybean paste and alcoholic beverages in Korea were proved to be safe in this study.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate anti-cancer effects of Danggui Liuhuang Decoction extract bioconverted by protease liquid coenzyme of Aspergillus kawachii (DLD-BE), compared to a non-bioconverted DLD extract (DLD-E) and determine the underlying mechanisms. Methods: DLD-E and DLD-BE were evaluated for their ability to modulate these signaling pathways and suppress the proliferation of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, HCT-116, LoVo, and HT-29. The anti-cancer effects of DLD-E and DLD-BE were measured by using proliferation and migration assays, cell cycle analysis, Western blots, and real-time PCR. Results: In this study, treatment with DLD-E and DLD-BE at concentrations of 25-100 ㎍/mL inhibited proliferation and migration in human CRC cells. DLD-BE induced apoptotic cell death and decreased COX-2 expression in HT-29 cells. The mechanisms of action included modulation of the AKT and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling cascades along with inhibition of COX-2 expression. The results demonstrate novel anti-cancer mechanisms of DLD-BE against the growth of human CRC cells. Thus, we propose that DLD-BE can be developed as a more potent supplement to inhibit colorectal tumor growth and intestinal inflammation than DLD-E.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2019

The mulberry tree (Morus alba L.) has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. We investigated the effects of bioconversion on different components of the mulberry tree, and determined changes in the physiological activities. Ethyl acetate-soluble fractions of five different segments (fruit, Mori Fructus; leaf, Mori Folium; twig, Mori Ramulus; root, Mori Cortex; and mistletoe, Loranthi Ramulus) of the mulberry tree show enhanced anti-oxidant effects in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylvenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays, and enhanced anti-inflammatory effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, after being treated with a crude enzyme extract from Aspergillus kawachii, in the following order of activity: Mori Folium>Mori Cortex>Mori Ramulus>Mori Fructus>Loranthi Ramulus. Ethyl acetate- soluble fraction of mulberry leaves (Mori Folium) that underwent bioconversion was most effective, and was devoid of any cytotoxicity. The fraction was also effective against mRNA expression of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, $interleukin-1{\beta}$, and interleukin-6. In addition, the fraction was effective in LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and IKK, and $I{\kappa}B$ degradation, followed by translocation of the nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Thus, bioconversion increased the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the mulberry leaf.