• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.20-30
• /
• 1999

In order to modify lipid production of Perilla qualitatively as well as quantitatively by genetic engineering, genes involved in carbon metabolism were isolated and characterized. These include acyl-ACP thioesterases from Perilla frutescens and Iris sp., four different $\beta$-ketoacyl- ACP synthases from Perilla frutescens, and two $\Delta$15 a-cyl-ACP desaturases(Pffad7, pffad3). Δ15 acyl-ACP desa turase (Δ15-DES) is responsible for the conversion of linoleic acid (18:2) to $\alpha$-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3). pffad 3 encodes Δ15 acyl-desaturase which is localized in ER membrane. On the other hand, Pffad7 encodes a 50 kD plastid protein (438 residues), which showed highest sequence similarity to Sesamum indicum fad7 protein. Northern blot analysis revealed that the Pffad7 is highly expressed in leaves but not in roots and seeds. And Pffad3 is expressed throughout the seed developmental stage except very early and fully mature stage. We constructed Pffad7 gene under 355 promoter and Pffad3 gene under seed specific vicillin promoter. Using Pffad7 construct, Perilla, an oil seed crop in Korea, was transformed by Agrobacterium leaf disc method. $\alpha$-linolenic acid contents increased in leaves but decreased in seeds of transgenic Perilla. Currently, we are transforming Perilla with Pffad3 construct to change Perilla seed oil composition. We isolated three ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP) genes from Perilla immature seed specific cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that two of three AGP (Psagpl, Psagp2) genes encode AGP small subunit polypeptides and the remaining (Plagp) encodes an AGP large subunit. PSAGPs, AGP small subunit peptide, form active heterotetramers with potato AGP large subunit in E. coli expressing plant AGP genes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.1505-1510
• /
• 2010

In this study, we investigated antimicrobial- and anticarcinogenic activities of Amphitrite albicostatu (AA) fractions. AA was extracted with methanol first and then further fractionated into four different types: hexane (AAMH)-, methanol (AAMM)-, buthanol (AAMB)- and aqueous (AAMA) partition layers. In the paper disk test, the antimicrobial activity of AA fractions increased in proportion to concentration. Among the various solvent fractions, only AAMB showed antimicrobial activity. We also determined the growth inhibition and quinone reductase (QR) induced effects of AA fractions on cancer cells. The growth inhibition effects of AA fractions on HepG2 and B16F10 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. AAMM showed the strongest growth inhibition effects on HepG2 and B16F10 cells. The quinine reductase (QR) induced effects of AAMM on HepG2 cells at 100 ug/ml concentration indicated it to be 2.04 times higher than the control values of 1.0. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that Amphitrite albicostatu (AA) could have a potential use as a food preservative and chemopreventive agent.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.536-547
• /
• 2008

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.289-294
• /
• 2008

The influence of gamma irradiation with low doses (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kGy) on the meat quality of chicken breast was determined for 6 days of storage at $4^{\circ}C$. The pH of irradiated chicken was lower than that of the control at day 1 (p<0.05), while no difference was found among irradiation at different doses. Drip loss was higher in irradiated chicken with doses of 0.5 and 1.0 kGy compared to the control at day 1 and day 3 (p<0.05). Lightness (L) at day 1 and day 6 was increased due to irradiation (p<0.05). Redness (a) increased with irradiation doses of 1.0 and 1.5 kGy at day 1 and day 3 (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in yellowness (b). The number of aerobic plate count of irradiated chicken during storage was significantly lower than the control (p<0.05). E. coli and coliforms were not detected after irradiation at any dose. Also, irradiation doses of 1.0 and 1.5 kGy significantly reduced volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values compared to the control during storage (p<0.05). These results suggest that low dose gamma irradiation can be useful to extend the shelf life of chicken breast during cold storage.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.70-79
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to develop natural additive for the improvement of lipid stability and the suppression of pathogenic contamination during the storage periods of fermented sausage. Fermented sausage prepared with grapefruit extract showed good suppression of lipid oxidation and pathogenic bacterial growth, and it was higher than that of fermented sausage prepared with nitrate until 7 days of storage. Fermented sausage prepared with treatment A (sodium nitrate and L. acidophilus), B (sodium nitrate and L. brevis), C (ascorbic acid and L. brevis) and D (grapefruit extract and L. brevis) were compared. As results, treatment C and D showed the lowest pH changes among treatments, and the highest growth of lactic acid bacteria was represented in treatment D. In the suppression effect of E. coli, the bacterial count was below 100 in all treatment except the treatment A. There were no differences among treatment in the brightness of meat color (p<0.05). Treatment D showed significantly high values in the redness, but showed the lowest values in the yellowness. In sensory and texture test, treatment C and D were superior compared to others. Therefore, grapefruit was represented as a good source of antioxidant for fermented sausage, and L. brevis isolated from kimchi was effect in lowering pH value of sausage during fermentation and it was also effective to persist fermentation during storage period and to reduce the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria by the suppression of their growth.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 1993

8-Fluorociprofloxacin(8-FCP) is an investigational quinolone derivative that is substituted with fluorine at the C-8 position of ciprofloxacin(CP). It was found that the in vitro activity of 8-FCP against Gram(+) bacteria was more potent that of CP, but the opposite against Gram(-) bacteria was true. However, 8-FCP showed better in vivo efficacy than CP against representative Gram(-) organisms, E. coli and K pneumoniae. In an attempt to seek for factors causing this discrepancy in the antibacterial activities, a comparative pharmacokinetic study of 8-FCP and CP was conducted in mice and rats treated either intravenously or orally at a single dose of 30 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetic parameters in mice were as follows; the mean peak serum concentrations(C$_{max}$) following i.v. and oral doses were 12.4 and 5.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for 8-FCP, and 9.5 and 2.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for CP, respectively. The terminal half-life(t$_{1/2\beta}$) was 72.9 min for 8-FCP, and 98.2 min for CP, and the oral bioavailability(F) was 89.9% for 8-FCP, and 50.5% for CP. In rats, the mean ($\pm$SD) $C_{max}$ after i.v. administration were 11.6$\pm$1.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for 8-FCP, and 10.2$\pm$1.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for CP, whereas oral administration produced $C_{max}$ of 5.9$\pm$1.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for 8-FCP and 1.1$\pm$0.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for CP, respectively. The t$_{1/2\beta}$ was 67.9$\pm$8.4 min for 8-FCP, and 76.4$\pm$7.2 min for CP. The F was 88.6$\pm$6.3% for 8-FCP, and 40.7$\pm$6.5% for CP. Marked differences were observed between the two quinolones in the $C_{max}$ and the area under the concentration-time curve obtained after oral administration in mice and rats. The extent of 8-FCP absorption in both mice and rats was approximately 2-fold higher than that of CP, suggesting that the fluorine atom attached to C-8 plays an important role in facilitating oral absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.254-259
• /
• 2006

Bacillus spp. isolated from mushroom medium wastes were evaluated for their biocontrol potentials on control of Sclerotinia rot of lettuce. The Bacillus isolates were more effectively obtained from waste suspension when directly added into nutrient agar(NA) medium than plating on the agar medium. Totally 42 isolates obtained from the wastes B23 and B42 showed highest antifungal activity against eight fungal pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Cladosporium cucumerinum, and Botrytis cinerea and B23 and B42 were finally selected for further studies. Optimal concentration of the isolates was $10ml(10^7cfu/ml)$ to suppress the Sclerotinia rot of lettuce. Supplements such as starch, glycerol, and egg-yolk successfully maintained the bacterial population for 30 days in vitro and increased bio-control potentials against the disease. The bacterial isolate B23 alone showed 72% control value, furthermore it presented 95% control value when supplemented with 0.2% of starch, glycerol, and egg-yolk. The promising Bacillus isolates B23 and B42 were identified as Brevibacillus brevis and Bacillus stearothermophillus, respectively, based on morphological and physiological characteristics according to API database.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2007

In order to identify probiotic microorganisms, 25 isolates of Lactobacillus sp. were selected from kimchi based on their growth rates, lactic acid production and salt tolerance. The isolate JK-01 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by the API kit and 16S rDNA analysis (99.9% of homology), and named as L. plantarum JK-01. The maximum number of L. plantarum JK-01 was reached at 18 hr fermentation in MRS broth and the pH gradually decreased to 4.5. L. plantarum JK-01 showed high enzyme activities for xylanase, amylase, protease, and phytase on MRS agar plates containing each substrate. L. plantarum JK-01 showed high resistance to acidic pH and bile salts, and grew well even at pH 2.0 and 1.0% bile salt. In particular, L. plantarum JK-01 showed high heat stability as shown by $3.3{\times}10^3$ CFU/mL at $60^{\circ}C$. The isolate showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against E. coli in MRS broth based on its disappearance after 18 hr and clear zone formation using a paper disk assay. These results suggest that L. plantarum JK-01 may be probiotic in nature.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.741-755
• /
• 1999

As a material of metal-ceramic prosthesis, nickel as a form of Ni-Cr alloy has been used for many dental prostheses in many cases. However, several problems in use of the alloy have been revealed (ex : tissue stimulation, skin allergy, hypersensitivity, cytotoxicity and carcinogenecity). Little is known about nickel with respect to the relationship between Ni-prosthesis and gaining of Ni-resistance in oral microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to check wheather use of Ni-prosthesis leads to occurrence of Ni-resistant microorganisms. So this study may suggest the possible relationships between the oral microorganisms and nickel-resistance in oral environment. Bacteria were isolated from the gingival crevicular fluid on the pateints wearing Ni-Cr prosthesis. The isolated bacteria were tested for their Ni-resistance in nickel containing media at different concentration from 3mM to 110mM. E. coli HB101 was used as control. The Ni-resistant bacteria were isolated and biochemically identified. The Ni-resistant bacteria were tested several bio-chemical, molecular-biological tests. Performed tests were ; measuring the growth curve, antibiotic test, growth ability test in liquid media, isolation of the chromosome and plasmid, digestion of DNA by restriction enzyme, electrophoresis of chromosome and plasmid DNA, identification of Ni-resistant genes by the DNA hybridization. The results were as follows: 1) The bacteria isolated from gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr alloy pros-thesis showed nickel-resistance. 2) The isolated microorganisms grew at nickel containing media of high concentrations (60mM-110mM). 3) Based on the biochemical tests, the isolated microorganisms were identified as Enterococcus faecalis(13 cases), Klebsiella pneumoniae(1 case) and Enterobacter gergeviae(1 case). 4) Enterococcus faecalis expressed not only nickel resistance but also the multi-drug resistance to several antibiotics ; chloramphenicol, kanamicin, streptomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin. However, all strain showed the sensitivity against the tetracycline. 5) DNA hybridization result suggest that there is no homology between the previousely known gene of nickel resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and chromosomal DNA of Enterococcus faecalis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.556-562
• /
• 2007

A total of 126 crossbred weanling pigs (average body weight of $6.3{\pm}0.3$ kg) were used to investigate the effect of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, pH of gastro-intestinal tract (GI), intestinal and fecal microflora of young piglets. Pigs were allocated to three dietary treatments based on body weight and gender in a single factorial arrangement. Treatments were control (No COS), T1 (0.2% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.1% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, and T2 (0.4% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.3% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, respectively. Each treatment had 3 replicates and 14 pigs were raised in each pen. COS is a low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan that can be obtained from chitin of the crab shell after deacetylation with concentrated sodium hydroxide at high temperature and then further decomposition by chitosanase enzyme in the presence of ascorbic acid. For the starter and grower periods, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio among treatments. However, during the overall period (6-30 kg), T2 showed better (p<0.05) feed to gain ratio than other treatments. A digestibility study was conducted at the end of grower phase which showed improvement (p<0.05) in DM and crude fat digestibility in T2 over the control. At 25 kg body weight, 6 pigs per treatment (2 per replicate) were sacrificed to determine the effect of diets on pH and microbial count at different sections of the GI tract. The pH of the cecal contents in pigs fed 0.1% COS was higher (p<0.05) than in the other treatments. Total anaerobic bacterial number increased from cecum to rectum in all treatments. The weekly total bacterial counts showed higher (p<0.05) in feces of pigs fed COS than that of untreated pigs at the $8^{th}$ week. The number of fecal E. coli in untreated pigs at $4^{th}$ wk was 7.35 log CFU/g compared to 6.71 and 6.54 log CFU/g in 0.1 and 0.3% COS-treated pigs, respectively. Similarly, at $8^{th}$ wk, fecal clostridium spp. were lower in pigs fed 0.3% COS (5.43 log CFU/g) than in untreated pigs (6.26 log CFU/g). In conclusion, these results indicated that chito-oligosaccharide could improve feed efficiency in young pigs and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria.