• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.341-351
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• 2020

To shed light on the genetic differences among food-originated coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS), we performed pan-genome analysis of five species: Staphylococcus carnosus (two strains), Staphylococcus equorum (two strains), Staphylococcus succinus (three strains), Staphylococcus xylosus (two strains), and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (one strain). The pan-genome size increases with each new strain and currently holds about 4,500 genes from 10 genomes. Specific genes were shown to be strain dependent but not species dependent. Most specific genes were of unknown function or encoded restriction-modification enzymes, transposases, or prophages. Our results indicate that unique genes have been acquired or lost by convergent evolution within individual strains.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the health effects of the general components of acorns in animals. In Korea, acorns have been used as food material in the form of acorn starch. Acorns contain tannin, gallic acid, digallic acid, and gallotannin. Therefore, the health effects of acorns as functional food are actively being studied. The chemical composition of acorns may vary according to the harvest time, region, and breed. Acorns have excellent antioxidant properties and might be beneficial in controlling hyperlipidemia, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, as well as strengthening immune competence. Further study is necessary to better understand the benefits of acorns, as it is expected to represent a large part of the food industry.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2013

Rutin is one of the major flavonoids found in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). While rutin is already known to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. However, the health beneficial function of rutin metabolites is not well understood. In DPPH radical scavenging assays, the present study found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid had the highest total anti-oxidant activity, followed by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, rutin, homovanillic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid. Further, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid strongly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells, compared with other metabolites. Therefore, these results suggest that rutin metabolites have potential to be utilized as food ingredients with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.19-30
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• 2024

Purpose: This research article investigates the intricate relationship between economic growth and employment in the Korean agri-food industry. Research design, data and methodology: Drawing on Okun's law, which proposes a negative correlation between economic growth and unemployment, the study explores the applicability of this law to different sectors. By focusing on the agri-food industry, the study examines the impact of economic growth on both full-time and temporary employment. Results: The findings highlight the industry's role as a buffer, absorbing workers from other sectors, particularly manufacturing. Moreover, the study reveals that temporary employment is more sensitive to economic growth fluctuations compared to full-time employment. Conclusions: The research emphasizes the importance of implementing employment programs that support transitioning workers in the agri-food industry, facilitating knowledge and skill transfer to ensure sustained employment. Furthermore, it recommends government and company support for temporary employment during buffering periods to ensure safe job transitions. This study provides valuable evidence to understand the nuanced relationship between economic growth and employment in the Korean agri-food industry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2018

Although there has been a steady increase in the prevalence of food allergies worldwide in recent decades, no effective therapeutic strategies have been developed. Modulation of the gut microbiota composition and/or function through probiotics has been highlighted as a promising target for protection against food allergies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the allergy-reducing effects of a probiotic mixture (P5: Lactococcus lactis KF140, Pediococcus pentosaceus KF159, Lactobacillus pentosus KF340, Lactobacillus paracasei 698, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 26N) in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy. Administration of P5 significantly suppressed the oral OVA challenge-induced anaphylactic response and rectal temperature decline, and reduced diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, P5 also significantly inhibited the secretion of IgE, Th2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13), and Th17 cytokines (IL-17), which were increased in mice with OVA-induced food allergy, and induced generation of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. These results revealed that P5 may have applications as a preventive agent against food allergy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.138-138
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• 2001

The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the effects of subchronic paternal treatment of cyclophosphamide (CP) and acrolein on male fertility and early embryonic development. Two approaches were pursued. The first was to perform in vivo test for observing the adverse effects of CP and acrolein on the function og male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome.(omitted)

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2006

Glycosides are important functional materials in foods. Transformation, especially hydrolysis, of the sugar moieties tends to improve the functional properties of the administered glycosides in vivo. Various probiotic bacteria and edible food-grade fungi such as bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, leuconostocs, yeasts, and aspergilli are potential industrial microorganisms to transform glycosides of ginsenosides from ginseng, platycodin saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum, Trignoella foenum-graecum (TFG) saponins, and isoflavones from soybeans and Puerariae radix, respectively, by fermentation or enzymatic reaction. In this review, various transformation pathways bearing potential significance with respect to the changes in structure and function of the various glycosides from the food materials will be introduced. In conclusion, the proper combination of food microorganisms and transformation conditions will improve the functionality and the sensory value and reduce the cytotoxicity of the functional glycosides present in various functional food raw materials.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte (CM) hold great promise as a cellular source of CM for cardiac function restoration in ischemic heart disease. However, the use of animal-derived xenogeneic substances during the biomanufacturing of hiPSC-CM can induce inadvertent immune responses or chronic inflammation, followed by tumorigenicity. In this study, we aimed to reveal the effects of xenogeneic substances on the functional properties and potential immunogenicity of hiPSC-CM during differentiation, demonstrating the quality and safety of hiPSC-based cell therapy. Methods and Results: We successfully generated hiPSC-CM in the presence and absence of xenogeneic substances (xeno-containing (XC) and xeno-free (XF) conditions, respectively), and compared their characteristics, including the contractile functions and glycan profiles. Compared to XC-hiPSC-CM, XF-hiPSC-CM showed early onset of myocyte contractile beating and maturation, with a high expression of cardiac lineage-specific genes (ACTC1, TNNT2, and RYR2) by using MEA and RT-qPCR. We quantified N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a xenogeneic sialic acid, in hiPSC-CM using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry. Neu5Gc was incorporated into the glycans of hiPSC-CM during xeno-containing differentiation, whereas it was barely detected in XF-hiPSC-CM. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the electrophysiological function and glycan profiles of hiPSC-CM can be affected by the presence of xenogeneic substances during their differentiation and maturation. To ensure quality control and safety in hiPSC-based cell therapy, xenogeneic substances should be excluded from the biomanufacturing process.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.717-720
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• 2008

In this study, the geographical origin of beef was studied using an electronic nose based on mass spectrometer. Domestic beef was compared with the imported beef from New Zealand and Australia. Each sample was analyzed, and discriminant function analysis was used utilized for the discrimination of geographical origin. The $R^2$ and F-value of discriminant function analysis (DFA)1 were 0.4317 and 14.18, respectively when the samples were separated by geographical origin. The $R^2$ and F-value of DFA1 were 0.8960 and 22.98, respectively when the samples were separated by part of beef.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.238-242
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• 2007

Square root models were developed for predicting the kinetics of growth of Listeria monocytogenes in sesame leaves as a function of temperature (4, 10, or $25^{\circ}C$). At these storage temperatures, the primary growth curves fit well ($R^2=0.898$ to 0.980) to a Gompertz equation to obtain lag time (LT) and specific growth rate (SGR). The square root models for natural logarithm transformations of the LT and SGR as a function of temperature were obtained by SAS's regression analysis. As storage temperature ($4-25^{\circ}C$) decreased, LT increased and SGR decreased, respectively. Square root models were identified as appropriate secondary models for LT and SGR on the basis of most statistical indices such as coefficient determination ($R^2=0.961$ for LT, 0.988 for SGR), mean square error (MSE=0.l97 for LT, 0.005 for SGR), and accuracy factor ($A_f=1.356$ for LT, 1.251 for SGR) although the model for LT was partially not appropriate as a secondary model due to the high value of bias factor ($B_f=1.572$). In general, our secondary model supported predictions of the effects of temperature on both LT and SGR for L. monocytogenes in sesame leaves.