• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.353-373
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• 2023

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made with salted fermented vegetables and contains various nutrients and functional substances with potential health benefits. The fermentation process used to make kimchi creates chemical changes in the food, developing nutrients and functional substances that are more easily absorbed and enhanced by the body. Recent studies have shown that several lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from kimchi exhibit probiotic properties and have several health benefiting properties such as such as anticancer, anti-obesity, and anti-constipation; they also promote colon health and cholesterol reduction in in vitro and in vivo experiments, as well as in epidemiological cohort studies. Kimchi contains prebiotics, non-digestible fibers that nourish beneficial gut bacteria; therefore, its intake effectively provides both probiotics and prebiotics for improved gut health and a fortified gut-derived immune system. Furthermore, fermentation of kimchi produces a variety of metabolites that enhance its functionality. These metabolites include organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, bioactive compounds, bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides, and γ-aminobutyric acid. These diverse health-promoting metabolites are not readily obtainable from single food sources, positioning kimchi as a valuable dietary option for acquiring these essential components. In this review, the health functionalities of kimchi ingredients, lactic acid bacteria strains, and health-promoting metabolites from kimchi are discussed for their properties and roles in kimchi fermentation. In conclusion, consuming kimchi can be beneficial for health. We highlight the benefits of kimchi consumption and establish a rationale for including kimchi in a balanced, healthy diet.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2007

Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been reported to be very important in the control of blood glucose levels in diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, which are becoming more prevalent in Korea. Bread consumption at breakfast and as a snack is also on the rise. To provide low GI alternatives, breads supplemented with dietary fibers-fructooligosaccharide (FOS), ground whole rye, and 2 types of resistance starch (RS2 and RS4)-were developed. The GIs for these breads were evaluated with 13 healthy college students (M6, F7) and sensory tests were done. Four kinds of breads were made through the modification of a basic recipe for white bread (the control, B) as follows: for Bf, the entire amount of sugar was replaced with FOS. For Ryef, 50% of the white wheat flower was replaced with roughly ground wholerye (20 mesh: 12-20 mesh = 1 : 3) in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. For RS2f and RS4f, 20% of the white wheat flower was replaced with RS2 or RS4, in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. The overall preference score of Bf was similar to that of B, while those of Ryef, RS2f and RS4f were lower than that of B, but showed the acceptable degree of the overall preference. The glycemic indices of Ryef and RS2f were 46.1 and 45.9 respectively, which were significantly lower than the GI of B, 67.8. The GIs of Bf and RS4f were, however, 66.7 and 80.5 respectively, showing no significant difference compared to B. The glycemic loads for a 30 g serving were 9.5, 5.9, 6.2, 11.0 and 9.0 for B, Bf, Ryef, RS2f and RS4f, respectively. In conclusion, addition of RS2 or roughly ground whole rye to the dough formula significantly lowered the GI. Since the preferences shown for those two breads were acceptable, they may be recommended as a substitute for white bread fir persons who need blood glucose management. More studies on the bread making process are required to improve preference and acceptance. Although GI lowering effects for F and RS4 were not found in this study, further studies are needed to verify their effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.515-524
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate effect of dried powders and ethanol extracts of garlic flesh and peel on lipid metabolism and antithrombogenic capacity in 16-month-old rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 618.1$\pm$6.5 g were blocked into five groups according to body weight and raised for 3 months with control and experimental diets containing 5% (w/w) of dried powders of garlic flesh or peel, or ethanol extracts from equal amount of each dried powder and control diet. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol, and plasma HDL-cholesterol, throm-boxane $B_2$ (TX $B_2$), 6-keto-prostaglandin $F_{1a}$ (6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$) concentrations were measured. Total, insoluble and soluble dietary fibers contents were highest in peel powder followed by fresh powder, and those in ethanol extracts of flesh and peel, especially soluble, very low. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations were lower in all the garlic experimental groups compared to Especially, flesh and peel powder lowered plasma total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations markedly, and flesh powder and flesh ethanol extract lowered liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentration remarkably. Plasma TX $B_2$ concentrations in garlic experimental groups were lower than that of control group, and 6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ concentrations. In garlic experimental groups were higher than that of control group. Flesh ethanol extract group showed the lowest TX $B_2$ and the highest 6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ concentrations among experimental groups, so TX $B_2$/6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ ratio in flesh ethanol extract group was significantly lower than that of control group. Moreover, clotting time was significantly increased in flesh ethanol extract group as compared to control group. In conclusion, intakes of dried powders and ethanol extracts of garlic flesh and peel were effective in lowering lipid levels of liver and plasma. And also flesh ethanol extract diet was most effective in antithrombogenic activity among garlic experimental groups as TX $B_2$/6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ ratio in flesh ethanol extract group was significantly lower and clotting time was significantly increased in this group as compared to control group.ntrol group.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.291-300
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• 2016

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis, Hayward) was stored at $25^{\circ}C$ for 0~30 days and investigated to find out the optimum storage time to obtain the best physical and functional properties for consumers' preference. Kiwifruits was stored at different time period (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days) for investigating their physiochemical quality, nutritional components, and functional characteristics. Kiwifruits stored for 20~30 days showed the best physiochemical quality such as higher total acidity and proper firmness. They were also more enriched with dietary fibers, free sugar, and organic acid, although no significant changes were observed in crude protein, crude fat, and moisture content. For functional properties, kiwifruits stored for 20 days showed significantly higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and actinidin. In addition, it showed stronger antioxidant activity, whitening effect, and proteolytic activity when compared with other samples. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the presence of actinidin enzyme in kiwifruits. These results indicated that the kiwifruits stored for 15~20 days possessed excellent quality and high concentrations of nutritional and functional compounds, which could be best for both fresh consumption and product processing.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2005

Ligularia fischeri is widely grown in Korea and is containing medicinal components such as chamomile, jacobine, and ameleme etc.. Its juices from the leaf are well known for anticancer effect. This study was conducted to make Ligularia fischeri as functional food resources as food produce. To examine quality characteristics of Ligularia fischeri - such as color, texture, fiber, minerals, tannin, crude proteins, crude lipids and sensory quality - were determined using physicochemical methods. The content of dietary fibers were 0.56 g in each 100 g of freeze dried Ligularia fischeri. One of the mineral contents, iron showed the highest value. The contents of tannin were 33.3 ppm in fresh Ligularia fischeri. As results of food products having Ligularia fischeri, the content of crude protein were about $9.35\%$ and $10.37\%$ in rolling snack and garlic bread respectively. The content of crude lipid were about $28.27\%$ and $23.39\%$ in rolling snack and garlic bread, respectively. In sensory evaluation, garlic bread appeared better preference than rolling snack, and older age group showed a better acceptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1394-1400
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• 2003

In this study a natural composition containing oriental herbs, KSH28, for reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome was constructed and its efficacy was evaluated in animal and human. To investigate the anti-obesity effect of KSH28, animal study was conducted using high fat diet-induced obese mice. KSH28 significantly decreased body weight and adipose tissue in high fat diet-fed obese mice. The mean size of fat cells in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Glucose and triglyceride levels were also significantly decreased. To elucidate its efficacy in human, a natural food containing KSH28 with grains, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers was constructed and 40 subjects (8 male and 32 female) were tested for the change of body composition, blood pressure and blood lipid profile. All subjects had 2 pack (309 each) of natural food per day for 4 weeks. Compared to the baseline value, body fat was significantly reduced, however, water, protein and mineral contents in the body were not changed, suggesting selective reduction of fat tissue. Blood pressure and serum lipid profile were significantly decreased to reduce risk for metabolic syndrome. Serum GPT, a liver function indicator, was not changed and no significant side effects were detected. Therefore, it was shown that the KSH28 is a safe and effective composition for reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.477-482
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• 2014

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of phytoplant diets in rats fed with a high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD). Experimental diet formulae contained various phytoplants such as brown rice, barley, soybean, germinated brown rice, malt, black bean, sea tangle, and/or dietary fibers including polydextrose, garcinia combogia, glucomannan, ${\small}L$-carnitine, and chitosan. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a HFCD for 6 weeks and then fed with a HFCD with/without phytoplants for another 6 weeks. Rats fed with phytoplant diets showed lower body weights, liver weights, visceral fat levels, and blood lipid levels compared to those of rats fed with HFCD alone. In addition, rats administered phytoplant diets showed increased daily feces production during the second experimental phase. These results suggest that phytoplant diets improve body weight, feces production, adipose tissue weight, and lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.986-995
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• 2019

Intestinal microbiota play a key role in maintaining the host's health, and variety and richness of this microbiota is directly influenced and modulated by the host's diet. Kimchi is a fermented food rich in dietary fibers and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To investigate the effect of fermented kimchi on the host's response and the composition of intestinal microbiota, 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats six weeks old were divided into three experimental groups that received either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with fermented kimchi (FK) or chitosan-added fermented kimchi (CFK) for four weeks. Body weights and feed intakes were measured weekly, and the intestinal contents were collected aseptically and were used for 16S rRNA gene profiling via pyrosequencing. As compared to the control, FK and CFK groups showed less body weight gain, feed efficiency, and blood triglyceride concentration. The diversity of intestinal microbiota was increased in both FK and CFK as compared to the control. At the phylum level, obesity-associated Firmicutes decreased, while leanness-associated Bacteroidetes increased. At the genus-level, the genera that consist of LAB, leanness-associated bacteria, and butyric acid-producing bacteria increased in FK and CFK as compared to the control. The overall results suggest that the consumption of fermented kimchi can reduce obesity and promote the host's health through mechanisms involving the modulation of intestinal microbiota.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.382-390
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• 2021

In this study, solubilized yuzu pulp powder (EYP) was produced using enzyme treated yuzu pulp powder (YP) and used to manufacture yuzu granules (0-20% EYP content). The physicochemical, product stability, and functional properties of Yuzu granules were compared among five enzyme treatments. Among the five treatments, CL had the highest YP solubilization yield (48.68%). Microstructural observation of EYP using FE-SEM revealed that its surface became irregular and porous after enzymatic treatment. Compared to YP, EYP had 2 times lower insoluble dietary fibers and 3 times lower hemicellulose and cellulose content. Among the yuzu granules, IV (yuzu granules with 15% EYP) had an excellent water and oil holding capacity and flowability. IV granule had the highest narirutin and hesperidin content of 3.4 mg and 2.2 mg/g DW, respectively and the highest antioxidant (68.4%) and tyrosinase inhibitory activities (82.5%). Therefore, EYP or granule with EYP can be used as a functional component in food industry or pharmaceutical field.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2013

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a common cruciferous vegetable, and its aerial parts, called Mu-chung in Korean, have plentiful nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Mu-chung has been used as a kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented dish, and dried Mu-chung is an important component of soups commonly consumed during winter in Korea. Since the advent of the mass production of radish in Korea, with the segregation of farm areas and towns and changing diets, Mu-chung has mostly been discarded instead of utilized. In addition, studies concerning the efficient utilization and useful bioactivities of Mu-chung are still lacking worldwide. In this study, we prepared the ethanol extract of Mu-chung and its subsequent solvent fractions. Antimicrobial, antioxidation, and anticoagulation activities were then evaluated in the hopes of developing a functional biomaterial from Korean radishes' aerial parts. The ethanol extraction yield for hot-air dried Mu-chung was 5.6%, and the fraction yields of n-hexane (H), ethylacetate (EA), butanol (B) and water residue were 25.3, 3.6, 19.4, and 51.7%, respectively. Analysis of total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents showed that the EA fraction had the highest content (97.57 and 152.91 mg/g) amongst the fractions. In antimicrobial activity assays, the H and EA fractions were effective against gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis), but not effective against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The B fraction also exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, suggesting that the extract of Mu-chung has various antibacterial components. In antioxidation activity assays, the EA fraction showed strong DPPH, ABTS and nitrite scavenging activities ($69-222{\mu}g/ml$ of $IC_{50}$), including reducing power. In anticoagulation activity assays, the EA fraction demonstrated strong inhibition activity against human thrombin and prothrombin. Prominent anticoagulation activity was found in aPTT assays; the aPTT of the EA fraction was extended 15-fold compared than that of the solvent control. Our results suggest that Mu-chung is an attractive nutritional food material possessing useful bioactivities, and the EA fraction of Mu-chung could be developed as a functional food ingredient.