• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2016

Background: Workers in pesticide manufacturing industries are constantly exposed to pesticides. Genetic biomonitoring provides an early identification of potential cancer and genetic diseases in exposed populations. The objectives of this biomonitoring study were to assess DNA damage through comet assay in blood samples collected from industry workers and compare these results with those of classical analytical techniques used for complete blood count analysis. Methods: Samples from controls (n = 20) and exposed workers (n = 38) from an industrial area in Multan, Pakistan, were subjected to various tests. Malathion residues in blood samples were measured by gas chromatography. Results: The exposed workers who were employed in the pesticide manufacturing industry for a longer period (i.e., 13-25 years) had significantly higher DNA tail length ($7.04{\mu}m$) than the controls ($0.94{\mu}m$). Workers in the exposed group also had higher white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and lower levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, and mean corpuscular volume in comparison with normal levels for these parameters. Malathion was not detected in the control group. However, in the exposed group, 72% of whole blood samples had malathion with a mean value of 0.14 mg/L (range 0.01-0.31 mg/L). Conclusion: We found a strong correlation ($R^2=0.91$) between DNA damage in terms of tail length and malathion concentration in blood. Intensive efforts and trainings are thus required to build awareness about safety practices and to change industrial workers' attitude to prevent harmful environmental and anthropogenic effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.706-710
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• 2008

This study evaluated the chemical components of five watermelon cultivars. Soluble solids and pH value in the Uoriggul cultivar were higher than those in other cultivars. The mineral components of watermelon were K (106.25-161.22 mg/100 g), P (11.29-20.98 mg/100 g), Mg (5.29-11.10 mg/100 g), Ca (4.10-5.63 mg/100 g), Na (0.92-1.28 mg/100 g), and Fe (0.25-0.46 mg/100 g). The contents of P, K, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the Dalgona cultivar were higher than in other cultivars. The major free sugars of watermelon were fructose (3019.40-4311.11 mg/100 g), glucose (1070.02-1526.41 mg/100 g), and sucrose (4583.68-5341.07 mg/100 g). The total free sugar content was highest in the Uoriggul cultivar. Sensory evaluation revealed that the color, flavor, taste, texture and overall acceptability of Uoriggul were the highest among the cultivars.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.930-937
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• 2011

To develop natural preservatives or functional health foods from soybeans (Baektae and Taekwang), the antioxidant and fibrinoytic activities of the water and 70% (v/v) ethanol extract of soybeans and fermented soybean paste (Chungkukjang) were examined. The polyphenol contents of water extracts from Baektae and Baektae Chungkukjang were 189.25 mg/100 g and 814.58 mg/100 g, respectively, whereas those from Taekwang and Taekwang Chungkukjang were 210.23 mg/100 g and 834.23 mg/100 g. The polyphenol contents of the water extracts from Chungkukjang was 4.0~4.3-fold higher than those from soybean. The electron-donating abilities (EDAs) and superoxide dismutase-(SOD)-like activities of the water and ethanol extracts from Chungkukjang were higher than those of the extracts from soybean. Both extracts were found to have had fibrinolytic activity, and the highest activity was present in the water extracts of Baektae Chungkukjang. The polyphenol contents and antioxidative and fibrinolytic activities of the extracts from Chungkukjang were higher than those of the other soybean extracts. These results indicate that Chungkukjang can be used as a material for health foods or natural antioxidants.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.510-518
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• 2012

In this research, to modernize traditional food and to make functional bokryung-byung, bokryung-byungwas made with Poriacocos Wolf powder added. During its storage, its moisture content ranged from 42.89 to 44.85%. The control group had the highes tmoisture content (44.85%), and it was reduced significantly as the Poriacocos Wolf powder in creased. The longer the storage period was, the lower the pH and the higher the acidity was. The total bacterial count increased from 2.70 to 3.00 Log CFU/g right after the manufacture and increased rapidly on the fourth day of the storage with more than 7.00 Log CFU/g. There was no difference between the control group and the bokryung-byung, though. The Hunter's color value after the manufacture, with the increase in the added Poriacocos Wolf powder, showed a significantly reduced brightness, but significantly increased redness and yellowness. Their chromaticity did not change, how ever, during their storageat a temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. The hardness, solidity, gumminess, and cohesiveness of the bokryung-byung increased, unlike in the control group, and its brittleness increased. In terms of the overall preference, the preference for the control group was high, but was higher when 5 % Poria cocos Wolf powder was added during the manufacture of the bokryung-byung. As a result of these correlations, it is believed that elastic and chewy dduks are preferred and bokryung-byungs could be developed as functional dduks.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.884-890
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• 2011

In this study, the quality characteristics of eight kinds of non-sterilized commercial makgeolli were investigated. The alcohol contents of five kinds of makgeolli were determined to be as follows: 5.7~5.8%, G $6.7{\pm}0.1%$, D $6.8{\pm}0.2%$, and C $7.5{\pm}0.1%$. As for the titratable acidity, makgeolli C and D showed higher than 0.5%, H showed $0.49{\pm}0.02%$, and the rest showed 0.45% or less. For the pH levels, there were no significant differences among the samples. The reducing-sugar content was approximately 200 mg%, and those of makgeolli A and F were lower by approximately 90 mg%. As for the organic acids, malic acid was detected only in makgeolli A and G while the acetic-acid content was high in makgeolli C and D. Concerning free sugars, fructose and sucrose were not detected, and the glucose content of makgeolli G was shown to be the highest ($335.1{\pm}40.3$ mg%). The maltose contents were similar ($23.5{\pm}1.0{\sim}45.0{\pm}1.1$ mg%), except for makgeolli G, whose maltose content was $73.5{\pm}1.8$ mg%. For the alcoholic ingredients, 0.4~0.5 mg/mL 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and iso-amylalcohol were detected, a suitable table wine standard. Further studies involving the quality analysis of the leavening agents, fermentation conditions, and fermentation types are needed.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.939-945
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• 2012

In this study, we isolated microorganisms from dried persimmon in Sangju and obtained 15 strains of microorganisms as the basic research to prevent the quality changes during drying and storage of dried persimmon. Contaminated microorganisms were separated using seven species of medium. Viable cell counts of dried persimmon from Sangju was $5.18{\times}10^2{\sim}1.68{\times}10^7$ CFU/g. Green mold K2-1 accounted for the highest percentage in the contaminated dried persimmons and identified as a major causative microorganism. Light violet and creamy yeasts were the second largest contaminated microorganisms. Green mold K2-1 strain was identified as Penicillium sp. and fungus K-1 and K-3 were identified as Caldosporium sp. and Aspergillus sp.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.986-992
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• 2011

The alcohol fermentation of apple juice was optimized as a preliminary study for the production of natural apple cider vinegar. To gain an optimal fermentation yield, a central composite design was used to investigate the effects of the independent variables [initial Brix (12/14/16/18/20, $X_1$), fermentation time(48/54/60/66/72h, $X_2$), and fermentation temperature(24/26/28/30/$32^{\circ}C$, $X_3$)] on the dependent variables (alcohol content, reducing sugar, Brix, acidity). The alcohol content was 3.4-6.4%, the reducing sugar was 1.93-6.24%, and the Brix was $6.1-13.8^{\circ}$. The alcohol content was mainly affected by the fermentation temperature and increased along with the fermentation time and temperature. The amount of the reducing sugar was significantly affected by the initial Brix and fermentation temperature. The optimal conditions for the alcohol content were found to be 15.22 initial Brix, 64.97 h fermentation time, and $31.56^{\circ}C$ temperature.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.158-167
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• 2015

We selected 8 plants among 11 Jeju native plants to search useful natural anti-oxidants by determining the amount of total polyphenols and the various anti-oxidative effects. Ethyl acetate extracts of Castanopsis sieboldii (Makino) Hatus. and butanol extracts of Oenothera laciniata Hill showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging effect. The IC₅₀ value of each solvent extract was 1.6 ㎍/㎖ and 2.4 ㎍/㎖, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc exhibited strong inhibition against nitric oxide production. For the inhibition of xanthine oxidase, the ethyl acetate extracts of Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc showed strong inhibition activity with 16 ㎍/㎖ of its IC₅₀. The ethyl acetate extracts from Castanopsis sieboldii (Makino) Hatus showed strong superoxide scavenging effect with 7 ㎍/㎖ of its IC₅₀. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of butanol extract of Castanopsis sieboldii (Makino) Hatus was 76%. Therefore, with more researches on purification and identification of active compounds, plants studied are expected to be natural sources for the functional food/cosmeceuticals with anti-oxidative properties.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2010

Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen intermediates has been implicated in a variety of human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and mode of action of environmental toxicants. Tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) is an organic lipid hydroperoxide analogue, which is commonly used as a pro-oxidant for evaluating mechanisms involving oxidative stress in cells and tissues. In this study, the underlying mechanisms involved in the protective effects of Hwabuk 94 kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. 'Hwabuk 94'), which is cultivated in Jeju, on the t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cell. The pretreatment of rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 with Hwabuk 94 extract ($1-100\;{\mu}g/ml$) resulted in a significant recovery from t-BHP-induced cell death and increased Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 expression, whereas the expression of Bax and cleaved PARP were decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control. Furthermore, Hwabuk 94 inhibited the t-BHP-induced p38 MAP kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase activations. Finally, these findings suggest that Hwabuk 94 kiwifruit might attenuate t-BHP-induced PC12 cell cytotoxicity, at least in part, through the inhibition of signaling pathways mediated by the ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.373-377
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• 1985

This experiment was designed to find out the soil properties to control the soil erodibility. Two kinds of soil conditioners, hydrophilic Uresol and hydrophobic Bitumen were treated to sandy loam and silt loam. Soil erodibility was tested during a simulated rainfall in a soil pan which was covered with a 2cm layer of treated and untreated aggregates (< 5.36mm) on a soil layer. The runoff starting time was delayed 8-20 minutes by Uresol treatment and it was hasten 1-21 minutes by Bitumen treatment. Runoff rates were reduced by Uresol to 62.5% in sandy loam and 93.7% in silt loam, but it was increased by Bitumen treatment. Erosion from the Uresol treated soil was remarkably reduced to 1.7-23.6% of that in the untreated soil. In case of the Bitumen treatment, the soil loss from silt loam was reduced to 55.5% of the control, but it was increased in sandy loam soil by 52% over the control. The ratio of soil loss and runoff, sediment concentration in runoff, was noticeably increased when the soil structure was unstable. There was significant correlation between soil loss and logarithm of wetting angle-stability index. Soil loss was greatly increased when the index was less than 0.2.