• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2014

The immune system protects the body from bacterial infection and disease, as well as cancer that develops following the mutation of cells. Aging exerts adverse effects on the immune system, such as chronic inflammation, resulting in rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis, which contains baicalin. HPLC analysis showed that S. baicalensis hot water extracts (SBWE) contained 42.2 mg/g of baicalin. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of SBWE, an MTT assay was carried out in Raw264.7 cells. No cytotoxicity was observed below 160 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SBWE. SBWE at 40 ${\mu}g/ml$ reduced the amount of nitric oxide produced by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide by 40%. In addition, SBWE inhibited phagocytosis stimulated with zymosan. Furthermore, the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) produced by the macrophages was decreased in the presence of SBWE in a dose-dependent manner. SBWE also inhibited the production of interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) in a time course experiment. Moreover, treatment with 20 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SBWE remarkably decreased the expression level of cyclooxynase-2. The results provide evidence that SBWE may exert an anti-inflammatory effect through modulation of the immune system.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2003

Kefir is a traditional fermented milk in Caucasusian area and is made mainly of milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Six typical kefir grains were selected from ten kefir grains collected from different locals in Korea. Kefir grains were gelatinous in texture and had various shapes of villi, grapes, leaves, hulled millets, and towels. To investigate predominant microflora of kefir grains, SPC, MRS, M17, Rogosa, and APT agar media were used for viable cell count MRS, SPC, and Rogosa media were most acceptable for bacterial cell counts of the selected kefir grains. From one or two of the SPC agar plates which contained around 25∼50 colonies, all grown colonies were isolated and identified. Most predominant bacteria was identified as Lactobacillus fermentum by API 50 CHL kit. The proportions of Lb. fermentum and Lb. brevis among the total identified bacteria were around 41~88% and M4%, respectively. To select the best preservation method for kefir grains, refrigeration, freezing, and freeze drying were compared. Freeze drying was found most suitable for the preservation of kefir grains, based upon their acid-producing activities and production of off-flavors.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2017

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world. The three main types are green, black, and post-fermented. Post-fermented teas are produced by the microbial fermentation of sun-dried green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). In this study, the composition of the bacterial communities involved in the production of traditional oriental post-fermented teas (Korean algacha, dancha, and Chinese pu-erh) were investigated using 16S rRNA gene analysis. The dominant microorganisms present in the post-fermented teas included the ${\alpha}$-proteobacteria Rhodobacteraceae and Sphingomonas, and the ${\gamma}$-proteobacteria Pantoea. Cluster analysis confirmed that the microbial populations present in both Korean and Chinese post-fermented teas grouped into the same class. Interestingly, the dominant microorganism present in the Korean post-fermented teas was a bacterium, while for the Chinese post-fermented tea, it was a fungus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.660-664
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• 2011

We investigated the improvement of the antioxidative activity of black garlic with enzymatic treatment and lactic acid bacteria cultivation conditions. Celluclast, a commercially-available polysaccharide hydrolyase, was selected to obtain high total polyphenol content in a black garlic suspension. A lactic acid bacterial strain showing fast growth and high acid production in a black garlic suspension was isolated from Kimchi. This strain was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus 310-7. Enzymatically hydrolyzed black garlic was fermented using the L. pentosus 310-7 strain at $30^{\circ}C$ for 15 hr. The pH and titratable acidity achieved were 4.24 and 0.35%, respectively, after 15 hr fermentation. The viable cell population of L. pentosus 310-7 slowly increased to 7.54 log CFU/g. The polyphenolic compound content, known antioxidants, in black garlic was enhanced with Celluclast treatment and L. pentosus 310-7 cultivation. Total polyphenolic compounds were increased to approximately 60% of the initial concentration, and electron donating ability was also improved, from 39.8 to 65.9%.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intracellular messenger at the physiological level but can be cytotoxic at high concentrations. The cells within periodontal tissues, such as gingival and periodontal fibroblasts, contain nitric oxide syntheses and produce high concentrations of NO when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NO-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues are unclear at present. In our current study, we examined the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanisms in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Cell viability and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using a MTT assay and a fluorescent spectrometer, respectively. The morphological changes in the cells were examined by Diff-Quick staining. Expression of the Bcl-2 family and Fas was determined by RT-PCR or western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the cell viability of the HGF cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP enhanced the production of ROS, which was ameliorated by NAC, a free radical scavenger. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the SNP-induced decrease in cell viability. SNP also caused apoptotic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The expression of Bax, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, was upregulated in the SNP-treated HGF cells, whereas the expression of Bcl-2, a member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated. SNP augmented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and enhanced the activity of caspase-8, -9, and -3. SNP also upregulated Fas, a component of the death receptor assembly. These results suggest that NO induces apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast via ROS and the Bcl-2 family through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-mediated pathways. Our data also indicate that the cyclic GMP pathway is not involved in NO-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.607-622
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• 2004

Recently epidemiologic studies have indicated that the patients with periodontitis may have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, and have suggested the important roles of blood cytokines and acute reactant proteins in the systemic infection and inflammatory response. Periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) may share the common risk factors and the genetic mechanism associated with interleukin(IL)-1A, B and RA genotype may be involved in the production of IL-1. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between angiographically defined CHD and periodontitis as chronic Gram-negative bacterial infection and to determine whether the IL-1 gene polymorphism is associated in both diseases. Patients under the age of 60 who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as positive CHD (+CHD, n=37) with coronary artery stenosis more than 50% in at least one of major epicardial arteries, and negative CHD (-CHD, n=30) without significant stenosis. After recording the number of missing teeth, periodontal disease severity was measured by means of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic bone loss around all remaining teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the 4 deepest periodontal pockets and assessed for cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-1ra, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$). Additionally, blood CHD markers, lipid profile, and blood cytokines were analyzed. IL-1 gene cluster genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction using genomic DNA from buccal swab, and allele 2 frequencies of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-B(-511), and IL-1RA(intron 2) were compared between groups. Even though there was no significant difference in the periodontal parameters between 2 groups, GCF level of $PGE_2$ was significantly higher in the +CHD group(p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive relationship among PD, CAL and coronary artery stenosis(%) and blood $PGE_2$. There was also significant positive relationship between the periodontal parameters (PI, PD, CAL) and the blood CHD markers (leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehyrogenase). IL-1 gene genotyping showed that IL-1A(+3954) allele 2 frequency was significantly higher in the +CHD group compared with the -CHD group (15% vs. 3.3%, OR 5.118,p=0.043). These results suggested that periodontal inflammation is related to systemic blood cytokine and CHD markers, and contributes to cardiovascular disease via systemic inflammatory reaction. IL-1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on periodontal and coronary heart diseases in Korean patients.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 1998

For efficient and economical production of Btrc,illus tlz~rr.ingi~r1~sstirsa in NT0423 as amicrobial-control agents, a new culture medium and culture condition were developed. Five mediadesignatzd as SWI I , SW14, SW23. SW32 and SW4I were prepared ~ : i t hv arious mixture ratio ofsoybean cake and wheat bran. It was founcl that in terms of the cell growth rate and development ofsporulation of B, thrri.il~girrl.sis strain NT0423 in all SW culture media were more efficient than those inGYS and in LB media. Total cell number in all SW media showed similar values, hut SW32 lnediilm wasthe most efficient in the development of spore, which amo~~ntetod 3.7 x 10XC FUImI. Also. at the pHranging frorn 6.2 to 7.3 in the mediiun~ no ad\:erse effect was not made in the culture of B. thur-ingicnsisstrain NT0423. The optimal volume (%) of SW32 mecliuni in a 5 1 fernientor was determined as 4 8\rolume of total niediuni. resulting ill growth (4.2 x 1OTCFUlrnl) of H. t1~~irir1,yirrz.ssit.vr ain NT0423. As H.t l i ~ t r i t ~ g iw~ a~s~ csuil~tu rcd in the shakc-flash and 5 1 fcrnientor. bacterial cells were yielded to 1 X 10"CFUIml and 5 x I O1oCFLJlml.FUIml and 5 x I O1oCFLJlml.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.913-922
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to develop a new salting condition that included added maltodextrin (MD) and grape seed extract (GSE) to ensure the microbiological safety and quality of salted shredded Korean cabbage. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze the effects of four independent variables (NaCl concentration, salting duration, MD concentration, and GSE concentration). The following response variables were evaluated: reduction in total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold counts; weight loss and salt content; and taste, texture, and overall acceptability of salted shredded Korean cabbage. The optimal salting conditions include a combination of 10.09~10.32% NaCl, 9.45~10.00% MD, and 234~300 ppm GSE in a ternary salting solution and a salting duration of 5.68~5.94 hr. This optimal combination reduced total aerobic bacterial and yeast/molds counts by 3.33 and 1.45 log CFU/g, respectively, while maintaining high sensory scores for taste, texture, and overall acceptability of the salted shredded Korean cabbage. In addition, the optimal conditions yielded more acceptable weight loss and salt content characteristics. The results suggest that use of the optimized combination of salting conditions can improve the microbiological safety and quality of salted shredded Korean cabbage used for commercial kimchi production.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.212-219
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• 2016

Forty-nine pigments were extracted from the collections of 106 pigment producing bacteria from the plant rhizosphere soil. Antibacterial activity test was performed in the subjects of the extracted pigments with plant pathogenic bacteria including Xanthomonas axonopodis and Xanthomonas campestris, and with plant pathogenic fungi including Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and Fusarium oxysporum. The yellow pigment by Chryseobacterium sp. RBR9 and the red pigment by of Methylobacterium sp. RI13 showed the antibacterial activities against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Xanthomonas campestris. The violet pigment by Collimonas sp. DEC-B5 showed the antibacterial activity as well as the antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum. Especially, the violet pigment inhibited the growth of Botrytis cinerea more than 65% at MIC $20{\mu}M$. Upon the HPLC analysis result for the isolation of pigment with antifungal activity, violacein (91.6%) and deoxyviolacein (8.4%) were isolated for the pigment by Collimonas sp. DEC-B5. The production amount of the pigment was increased more than 10 times higher when D-mannitol 1.5% and yeast extract 0.2% were added as the nitrogen source to SCB medium. This study suggests that produced violacein by Collimonas sp. DEC-B5 will be effective to control strawberry gray-mold rot fungi by its preventive activity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2008

Recently there are difficulties in management of golf courses because of an ever increasing demand for golf as a leisure sports. Hence natural minerals as an amendment could be applied to improve and manage the physicochemical properties of the golf course soils in an environment-friendly way. In this study, quartz porphyry, which has been shown to be a good soil amendment for crop production, was tested for its effect on physicochemical properties of the golf course soil, growth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and changes of soil microbial communities in the soil. In general, amendment of 20% quartz porphyry into the soil turned out to be most effective in enhancing a proper growth of the grass leaves and roots. DGGE profile data showed that eubacterial species richness was also the highest at this level of the mineral treatment in which Actinobacteria and ${\alpha}$-Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla. This appeared to be attributed to a low level of soluble organic matter content and decreased concentration of cations such as $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $K^+$.