• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibiting cholesterol-lowering activity from the Korean traditional fermented food, kimchi. The previously isolated LAB strains were assessed for cholesterol-lowering efficacy in the presence of 0.1% cholesterol. All LAB strains tested in this study were able to assimilate cholesterol at varying levels, ranging from 35.0 to 99.4%. Among them, the Lactobacillus plantarum FMB 31 strain exhibited the highest cholesterol-lowering effect with 99.4% cholesterol removal efficiency. The strain was stable in the presence of acid, bile, and salt stress, and showed high adherence on HT-29 cells, a human colon line. In addition, the LAB strain showed no pathogenic properties such as the production of hemolysin and biogenic amines. Thus, this study suggests that the L. plantarum FMB 31 strain isolated from kimchi can be a potential source of probiotic products with strong cholesterol-lowering effect.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Objective : This study was conducted to evaluate the changes in the levels of neurotransmitters and cortisol in patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to evaluate their correlation with symptoms after long-term pharmacological treatment. Methods : Twenty-eight Vietnam veterans with chronic PTSD and 34 non-PTSD patients were consecutively recruited. The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate symptom severity. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) was performed to evaluate the plasma level of cortisol. Results : Plasma cortisol was significantly lower in PTSD patients than in control subjects, while there was no significant difference in plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine between the two groups. The scores of M-PTSD, CAPS, HAMD and HAMA were signigicantly higher in PTSD patients than control group. Conclusion : After long-term treatment, the levels of neurotransmitters in PTSD patients returned to within the normal range, and the patients' symptoms showed some improvement. However, the core symptoms of PTSD continued to appear intermittently, and they are thought to be associated with hormonal systems, such as the HPA axis. It is also suggested that PTSD should be considered to be a complex disorder associated with multiple systems and that combinations of the effective medications for each system should be used to treat patients with PTSD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2021

Previously, our research group isolated Bifidobacterium breve IDCC4401 from infant feces as a potential probiotic. For this study, we evaluated the safety of B. breve IDCC4401 using genomic and phenotypic analyses. Whole genome sequencing was performed to identify genomic characteristics and investigate the potential presence of genes encoding virulence, antibiotic resistance, and mobile genetic elements. Phenotypic analyses including antibiotic susceptibility, enzyme activity, production of biogenic amines (BAs), and proportion of D-/L-lactate were evaluated using E-test, API ZYM test, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and D-/L-lactic acid assay respectively. The genome of B. breve IDCC4401 consists of 2,426,499 bp with a GC content of 58.70% and 2,016 coding regions. Confirmation of the genome as B. breve was provided by its 98.93% similarity with B. breve DSM20213. Furthermore, B. breve IDCC4401 genes encoding virulence and antibiotic resistance were not identified. Although B. breve IDCC4401 showed antibiotic resistance against vancomycin, we confirmed that this was an intrinsic feature since the antibiotic resistance gene was not present. B. breve IDCC4401 showed leucine arylamidase, cystine arylamidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, and α-glucosidase activities, whereas it did not show production of harmful enzymes such as β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase. In addition, B. breve IDCC4401 did not produce any tyramine, histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, or 2-phenethylamine, which are frequently detected BAs during fermentation. B. breve IDCC4401 produced 95.08% of L-lactate and 4.92% of D-lactate. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the safety of B. breve IDCC 4401 as a potential probiotic for use in the food industry.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.685-702
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• 2023

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used as probiotics; however, not all LAB strains have the same beneficial effects. To successfully use LAB as probiotics in canines, LAB species should originate from the canine intestinal tract as they display host specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic and genomic traits of potential probiotic LAB isolated from canine fecal samples. Twenty LAB samples were evaluated for their potential probiotic characteristics including resistance to low pH, bile salts, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, adhesion to epithelia or mucosa, and production of inhibitory compounds. Additionally, we evaluated their safety and other beneficial effects on canine health, such as DPPH free radical scavenging, and β-galactosidase. Four strains demonstrated potential probiotic characteristics and were selected: Enterococcus hirae Pom4, Limosilactobacillus fermentum Pom5, Pediococcus pentosaceus Chi8, and Ligilactobacillus animalis FB2. Safety evaluations showed that all strains lacked hemolytic activity, could not produce biogenic amines, and did not carry any pathogenic genes. In addition, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 displayed susceptibility to all antibiotics and concordant with the absence of antibiotic resistance genes. Based on their phenotypic and genomic characteristics, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 were identified as potential probiotic candidates for canines.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1990

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was reported to elicit natriuresis and diuresis when given intracerebroventricularly (icv) and these effects were shown to be abolished by icv methysergide, $5-HT{_1}$ antagonist, thus suggesting that central tryptaminergic system may also participate in the regulation of renal function. We tried in this study to elucidate the role of $5-HT_2$ receptors in the central tryptaminergic regulation of renal function, observing the effects of icv ketanserin, a specific $5-HT_2$ antagonist. Ketanserin (KET) icv in doses of $120{\mu}g$ $(=0.3\;{\mu}moles)/kg$ produced significant natriuresis without affecting renal hemodynamics, indicating that it resulted from decreased tubular Na reabsorption. Systemic blood pressure decreased slightly but significantly. When given iv, no significant effect was observed. 5-HT, $200{\mu}g/kg$ icv, produced mild but significant natriuresis and diuresis. However, after KET, $40{\mu}\;g/kg$ icv, a dose which minimally affects renal function, the natriuresis and diuresis by 5-HT was greatly augmented, with the fractional excretion of filtered sodium reaching 9.3%. The renal effects of other biogenic amines administered icv, such as norepinephrine, dopamine and histamine, were not significantly affected by the KET pretreatment. These observations suggest that central tryptaminergic system influences renal function in dual ways, i.e., natriuretic and diuretic influence via $5-HT_1$ receptors, whereas $5-HT_2$ subtypes mediate the antinatriuretic and antidiuretic effects, and that the central tryptaminergic system plays a role in the regulation of rabbit renal function.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.306-316
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the functional characteristics and safety properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from salt-fermented anchovy, a putative probiotic candidate. The following isolates were identified by biochemical profiles, carbohydrate fermentation patterns, and 16S rRNA sequencing: Enterococcus faecium AJ06, Leuconostoc mesenteroides AJ13, Pediococcus halophilus AJ22, Lactobacillus sakei AJ29, and Pediococcus pentosaceus AJ35. The strains AJ06, AJ22, AJ29 exhibited high tolerance to simulated gastric and intestinal juices and were able to produce bile salt hydrolase on MRS agar plates supplemented with taurocholic acid and/or taurodeoxycholic acid. The strains AJ22 and AJ29, which demonstrated high adherence to Caco-2 cells and resistance to various antibiotics, effectively inhibited the growth of food-borne pathogens by the production of antimicrobial substances. These strains did not show ${\alpha}-$ or ${\beta}$-haemolysis on blood agar. Furthermore, biogenic amines in MRS broth containing the precursor amino acids were not mutagenic in Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA100.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible utility of 3 Aspergillus oryzae strains (designated as SCF-6, SCF-37, and JJSH-1), isolated from Korean traditional fermented materials, as starter cultures in the soybean paste industry. Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) was made with the A. oryzae strains described above, and its quality attributes were analyzed during a 60-day aging period. No significant differences in pH, moisture, or salt content were detected among the doenjang varieties made with the 3 Aspergillus strains. The concentration of amino-nitrogen, an indicator of doenjang aging, increased in each sample during the aging period. After the 60-day aging period, the contents of amino-nitrogen and free amino acid in doenjang made with SCF-6 showed the highest concentrations among the tested doenjang products: 971.6 and 8,064.9 mg%, respectively. Measurements of the color of doenjang showed that lightness and yellowness decreased during the aging period, but redness increased. After the 60-day aging period, the ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric-n-acid (GABA) concentrations in doenjang made with SCF-6 and SCF-37 were 61.3 and 53.7 mg%, respectively. In doenjang samples, aflatoxin was not detected and the concentrations of biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine) were 2.55-5.60 mg/kg and 3.70-5.87 mg/kg, respectively. These results indicated that A. oryzae SCF-6 isolated from traditional fermented foods could be useful as a starter culture in the soybean paste industry.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.444-454
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• 2016

Sixteen lactic acid bacterial strains were isolated from silage and cow dung samples, and characterized to identify their potential as silage additives. They were identified as the members of the genera Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Weissella, and clustered into nine groups based on the sequences of the genes for 16S rRNA, RNA polymerase alpha subunit, 60-kDa heat shock protein, and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase alpha subunit. Among them, the three strains which were genetically similar to L. plantarum showed the fastest growth and pH decrease in MRS and rye extract media, the highest numbers of available carbohydrates, and the widest ranges of pH, temperature, and salinity for growth. In addition, they showed no amplified DNA products in the PCR examination targeting the genes for the production of biogenic amines, and the MRS media where they had been cultured showed relatively high inhibition effect against the growth of silage-spoiling microorganisms, including fungi, yeast, and clostridia. The results suggest that these strains are good candidates for silage additives. However, the rye extract media where the lactic acid bacteria had been cultured had no effect on or stimulated the growth of the silage-spoiling microorganisms, and the causes must be established for the practical use of the lactic acid bacteria as silage additives.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2015

It has been known for some time to the wine industry that non-Saccharomyces yeasts play an important role in increasing volatile components through the secretion of extracellular enzymes. The objective of this study was to investigate what types of enzymes are produced by 1,007 non-Saccharomyces yeast strains isolated from Korean fermented foods. Among 1,007 yeast strains, the 566, 45 and 401 strains displayed β-glucosidase, glucanase and protease activity, respectively. In addition, the 563 and 610 strains possessed tolerances against cerulenin and TFL, and the 307 strain was tolerant to 15% ethanol. Yeasts producing harmful biogenic amines and hydrogen sulfide were excluded from further study, and eventually 12 yeast strains belonging to the genera Wickerhamomyces, Hanseniaspora, Pichia, Saccharomyces were identified, based on the 26S rRNA gene sequences. Among the 12 strains, the 9 and 5 strains possessed glucose and ethanol tolerance, respectively. Yeasts belonging to the genus Saccharomyces produced more than 8% alcohol, but non-Saccharomyces yeasts produced only 3% alcohol.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.796-804
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• 2016

In the present study, we screened suitable yeasts for wine fermentation and evaluated the fermentative characteristics of Saccharomyces sp. BCNU 6006 and its anti-oxidant activities. Firstly, various yeasts were isolated from Makgeolli, fruits, and fermented foods. Then, the preliminary selections of suitable yeasts were made using an enzymatic activity assay of glucosidase, glycosidase, protease and tolerance to ethanol and SO₂. In addition, the production of biogenic amines and hydrogen sulfide was also monitored. The 9 yeast strains initially selected were determined to belong to the genera Saccharomyces and Kazachtania phylogenetically. We investigated the optimal conditions for wine fermented with black garlic juice (BGJ). The optimal conditions of alcohol fermentation using BGJ were 26 brix, 28℃, and 10 days. Finally, the fermentation products of black garlic wine (BGW) fermented with Saccharomyces sp. BCNU 6006 exhibited 15.03% ethanol, 12 brix of sugar, and pH 4.01. The contents of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, tannin, and 5-HMF compound of BGW were 3.85 mg/ml, 0.51mg/ml, 5.90 mg/ml, and 0.07 mg/ml respectively, lower than that of BGJ. DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and reducing power of BGW were 90.77%, 95.20% and 1.261 respectively, lower than that of BGJ. Superoxide anion (O²-) radical scavenging activity was 94.42%, higher than that of BGJ. Based on the above results, the industrial potential of Saccharomyces sp. BCNU 6006 as a wine-making yeast was confirmed in the present study.