• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2011

Kimchi is a group of traditional fermented vegetable foods in Korea and known to be the product of a natural mixed-fermentation process carried out principally by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). According to microbial results based on conventional identification, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum were considered to be responsible for the good taste and over-ripening of kimchi, respectively. However, with the application of phylogenetic identification, based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene similarities, a variety of Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus species not detected in the previous studies have been isolated, together with a species in the genus Weissella. Additionally, Lactobacillus sakei has been accepted as the most populous LAB in over-ripened kimchi. In this study, Leuconostoc and Weissella species inhibiting the growth of Lb. sakei were isolated from kimchi for future applications to do with kimchi fermentation. From 25 kimchi samples, 378 strains in the genera Leuconostoc and Weissella were isolated and 68 strains identified as Lc. mesenteroides, Lc. citreum, Lc. lactis, W. cibaria, W. confusa, and W. paramesenteroides exhibited growth inhibition against Lb. sakei. Most of the strains also had antagonistic activities against Lb. brevis, Lb. curvatus, Lb. paraplantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. plantarum. Their antagonistic activities against Lb. sakei were more remarkable at lower temperatures of incubation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2015

Skin is the soft outer covering of vertebrates that provides protection from pathogenic infection, physical damage, or UV irradiation, and controls body temperature and water content. In this study, we examined the effects of oral intake of kimchi-derived Lactobacillus plantarum K8 lysates on skin moisturizing. In an in vitro study, we observed that the hyaluronic acid content increased in HaCaT cells treated with L. plantarum K8 lysates. Oral administration of L. plantarum K8 lysates effectively attenuated the horny layer formation and decreased epidermal thickening in DNCB-treated SKH-1 hairless mice skin. The damage to barrier function was reduced after 8 weeks of oral administration of L. plantarum K8 lysates as compared with that in the atopic dermatitis mice. For the test with volunteers, we manufactured experimental candy containing 2.1% L. plantarum K8 lysates, while control candy did not contain bacterial lysate. A significant increase in hydration in the experimental candy-administered group as compared with the control candy-administered group was observed on the face after 4 and 8 weeks, and on the forearm after 4 weeks. Decreases in horny layer thickness and TEWL value were observed on the face and forearm of the experimental group. Together, the in vitro cell line and in vivo mouse studies revealed that L. plantarum K8 lysates have a moisturizing effect. A clinical research study with healthy volunteers also showed an improvement in barrier repair and function when volunteers took L. plantarum K8 lysates-containing candy. Thus, our results suggest that L. plantarum K8 lysates may help to improve skin barrier function.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2019

Sparassis latifolia is a useful medicinal mushroom that has recently gained popularity in Asia. It has a rich flavor and is a good source of nutrients contains a large number of polyphenols for a functional food or dietary supplement. In addition, S. latifolia is rich in beta-glucan and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These two compounds have been reported to show immune-stimulating and anticancer effects by numerous studies. In this study, four species of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus, and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) were used to ferment the fruiting body of S. latifolia. Fermented S. latifolia extracts were found to have a higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activity following fermentation as well as increased protease activity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 1999

This study was aimed at the investigation of the possibility of the addition of lactic acid bacteria as "starter"for the preparation of radish juice. Forty strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from dongchimi that was fermented by a traditional method. The isolates were assorted into 5groups, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (J-9), Lacobacillus brevis (J-12), Lactobacillus fermentum (J-7), Lactobacillus sake (J-20), and Lactobacillus plantarum (J-39). Leuconostoc mesenteroides was predominated in the sample of dongchimi with frequency of 52.5%. Each of the strain, which exhibited the beat growth in the species, was selected in the 5species, and investigation of the fermentation characteristcis was carried out. The fermentation were performed for 9 days at 25${\circ}C$ after the inoculation of 0.3% ($10^{6}$ cfu/㎖) to each ultra-filtrated radish juice. The pH, total acidity, content of non-volatile organic acids were examined during the fermentation period. Lactobacillus plantarum showed the highest growth rate and the growth rate of Lactobacillus sake was the lowest. The pH (6.3-6.36) and total acidity (0.09-1.0 %) fo the ultrafiltrated radish juice before fermentation were changed to 3.2-4.3 and 0.65-1.2% after 9days, respectively. The changes of the pH and total acidity were related with the growth of the lactic acid bacteria; the better growth of lactic acid bacteria, the more rapid decrease of pH and increase of the total acidity. when the amount of non-volatile organic acids were estimated during fermentation, citric acid, malic acid, malonic acid, and succinic acid were decreased in all cases. However, the content of lactic acid increased with the progression of fermentation. L. mesenteroides (J-9), L. brevis (J-12) and L. fermentum (J-7) were chosen for the candidates of the starter for the lactic fermentation of radish juice based on the biochemical analysis and sensory evaluation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.970-975
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• 2016

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic skin disorder that affects millions of people. The pathogenesis of acne has been known to be closely associated with the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes. Here we investigated the anti-acne activity of Lactobacillus plantarum K-1 BR by observing the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-8, of human keratinocytes. When we applied heat-killed P. acnes to HaCaT cells, the inflammatory cytokines were induced by two- to four-fold compared to the normal control. When the bacteriocin, purified from L. plantarum K-1 BR, was pretreated to the HaCaT cells, the expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ stimulated by P. acnes significantly decreased to 25% and 30% of the induced levels, respectively. The IL-8 levels also significantly decreased with the concentration dependent manner of the bacteriocin. These results suggest that the bacteriocin from L. plantarum K-1 BR could reduce the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and thus may relieve inflammations caused by acne.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.810-818
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• 2015

We analyzed whether lactic acid bacteria could control the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells and whether these bacteria could inhibit the activity of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, and NF-κB p65. We previously described a technique for identification of lactic acid bacteria with anti-atopy functionality by confirming increased expression of CD4+/CD25+/foxp3+ in T cells. We also confirmed that a double-culture method increased the antibacterial activity of these lactic acid bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In the present study, we characterized the effect of lactic acid bacteria cultured by this double-culture method on inhibition of allergic inflammatory reactions of RBL-2H3 mast cells, a cellular model of atopic dermatitis. The strongest anti-allergic effects of the lactic acid bacteria were seen in the following order: Lactococcus lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lactobacillus plantarum culture supernatant > Lc. lactis > Lc. lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant > Lb. plantarum. Thus, Lc. lactis cultured in medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant had the strongest inhibitory effect on the differentiation of mast cells during allergic reactions, which may be mediated through the selective regulation of expression of relevant genes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.438-445
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• 2015

The production of GABA was optimized by co-cultivation of immobilized Lactobacillus plantarum K154 (ILK) with Ceriporia lacerata cultures. The mycelial culture of C. lacerata was performed in a defined medium containing 3% glucose, 3% soybean flour, and 0.15% $MgSO_4$ in a submerged condition for 7 days at $25^{\circ}C$, resulting in the production of 29.7 g/L mycelia, 3.1 g/L exopolysaccharides, 2% (w/w) ${\beta}$-glucan, 68.96 unit/mL protease, and 10.37 unit/mL ${\alpha}$-amylase. ILK in C. lacerata culture showed viable cell counts of $3.13{\time}10^9CFU/mL$ for immobilized cells and $1.48{\time}10^8CFU/mL$ for free cells after 1 day. GABA production in the free and immobilized cells was 9.96 mg/mL and 6.30 mg/mL, respectively, after 7 days. A recycling test of ILK in the co-fermentation was consequently performed five times at $30^{\circ}C$ for 15 days, resulting in the highest production of GABA. GABA could also be efficiently overproduced by co-cultivation with the produced polysaccharides, ${\beta}$-glucan, peptides, and probiotics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2013

In this study, we observed optimal conditions and suitable bacteria for the fermentation of steam-dried ginseng berry extracts (SGB) and determined antioxidant effects of the fermented extracts. Five bacteria (Lactobacillus fermentarum, L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. casei, Bacillus subtillis) were examined on their growth activities and viabilities in various culture temperatures ($25-35^{\circ}C$) and concentrations (25-100%). L. plantarum was considered to be the most suitable bacteria for the fermentation in both growth activity and viability. Moreover, the extracts fermented with L. plantarum showed more potent antioxidant efficacy in both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that fermentation with L. plantarum changed the contents and components of ginsenosides. In conclusion, these data suggest that L. plantarum efficiently ferment SGB and the fermented extracts may have therapeutical values against oxidative stress and be a good candidate in adjuvant therapy where ginsenoside would be the main composition.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.631-636
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• 2002

Lethality of high intensity light pulse on the pre-determined microbial populations has been investigated. Prior to the treatment, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Pediococcus pentosaceus were cultivated separately onto the surface of Lactobacilli MRS agar. Pre-determined microbial populations were applied to the test media and these sample were exposed to high intense light source with an exposure time ranging from 1 to $2500\;{\mu}s$. Results showed that at least 200 light pulses of $1\;{\mu}s$ duration were required to reduce L. Plantarum cells by 90% at 25 kV, the greater the number of light pulses, the larger the reduction in viable cell numbers. Viable cells of L. plantarum and the others were reduced by more than 5 and 6 log cycles at the upper exposure level of $750\;{\mu}s$, respectively. These study shows that pulsed light emissions can significantly reduce populations of lactic acid bacteria on exposed surface with exposure times. Killing efficiency for L. plantarum significantly increased with decreasing the distance between the lamp and the surface of samples.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the efficacy of the immune regulation of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 on atopic dermatitis models. The oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 on mice significantly decreased the amount of scratching, leakage to evans blue, and concentrations of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine compared with the atopic dermatitis - induced group. When atopic dermatitis was induced, the transcription factors (GATA-3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor ${\gamma}$ T [$ROR{\gamma}T$]) and cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-17) of Th2 and Th17 cells were overexpressed at the transcriptional level, and they significantly decreased with oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004. In addition, ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 were shown to modulate the immune balance by increasing the expression of Th1 and Treg transcription (T-bet, forkhead box p3 [Foxp3]) and cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$ [IFN-${\gamma}$], transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ [TGF-${\beta}$]). Galectin-9 and filaggrin were significantly lower in the atopic dermatitis - induced group and significantly higher in the ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan-treated group. In contrast, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was highest in the atopic dermatitis-induced group, while mice that were orally administered ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 showed similar TSLP levels to the control group. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 have immunomodulatory effects and atopic dermatitis improvement effects in an animal model of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is expected that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 can be used as natural materials in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.