• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2094-2103
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• 2017

Aging is associated with distinct changes in immune cells and a decline in immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to infection and reduced responses to vaccination. Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria exert beneficial effects on the immune system. Previously, we reported that Weissella cibaria JW15 isolated from kimchi possesses immune stimulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we further investigated whether oral administration of JW15 improves immune function in aged mice. Eighteen-month-old female mice were administered JW15 daily at low (JW15-L; $1{\times}10^8CFU/mouse$) or high dosage (JW15-H; $1{\times}10^9CFU/mouse$), or with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) using oral gavage. Two-month-old female mice were included as healthy young mice. After 4 weeks, the mice were euthanized and immune profiles were analyzed using whole blood and spleen. In complete blood count analysis, the numbers of white and red blood cells were significantly increased in the JW15-L group compared with those in the old mouse (OM) control group. In addition, administration of either JW15 of LGG resulted in higher numbers of splenocytes in comparison with the OM group. Furthermore, proliferative potentials were higher in all probiotic groups than OM. Cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-6 were secreted at higher levels in splenocytes isolated from JW15-fed mice than in OM control mice. Similarly, mRNA expression of various cytokines was altered in the JW15 groups. Collectively, these results suggest that JW15 supplementation induces immunomodulatory effects in aged mice and indicate JW15 as a potential probiotic strain to improve immune function in aged animals.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.719-726
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• 2011

Pediococcus pentosaceus JWS 939 (JWS 939) is a nonpathogenic bacteriocin-producing probiotic isolated from the duck intestine. This study assessed the immunomodulatory effects of JWS 939 and compared them with those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-known immune enhancer. The immune-enhancing effects of JWS 939 were measured by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, to assess the immune enhancement abilities of JWS 939, in vivo, a Listeria monocytogenes challenge mice model was used. The results showed that heat-killed JWS 939 induced more NO and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ production in mouse peritoneal macrophages than in LGG, and that oral administration of viable JWS 939 in mice increased more NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ level than in LGG in serum upon L. monocytogenes challenge. In addition, mice fed with JWS 939 had a longer survival time after lethal challenge with L. monocytogenes, and these effects were stronger than those induced by LGG. Collectively, P. pentosaceus JWS 939 is a remarkable strain that, by releasing bacteriocin and enhancing host immune responses, may have potential as a duck feed additive to suppress pathogens.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate alterations of seaweed composition upon Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) fermentation as well as potential anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism (s) of water extracts and fermented water extracts of Laminaria japonica (LJ) and Hizikia fusiforme (HF) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Total polyphenol, total sugar, and reducing sugar contents were measured in LJ and HF water extracts before and after fermentation by LGG. Alterations of inflammatory cytokine levels in cell culture media were measured by ELISA, and levels of phosphorylation of c-jun NH2-terminalkinase (JNK) and extra cellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) were examined by Western blot analysis. LGG fermentation of LJ and HF altered total polyphenol and sugar contents in water extracts of LJ and HF. LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was significantly reduced by HF-f compared to control in RAW264.7 cells. Consistent with reduction of anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels by HF-f, HF-f also significantly reduced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, LJ-f and HF also significantly reduced phosphorylation of JNK and ERK induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Overall, our result suggests that HF-f among the four tested seaweed extracts is the most potent anti-inflammatory agent, and its mechanism of action is partially mediated by reduction of JNK and ERK phosphorylation as well as IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1182-1193
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• 2021

The aims of this study were to develop a milk protein-based probiotic delivery system using a modified rennet-induced gelation method and to determine how the skim milk powder concentration level and pH, which can affect the rennet-induced intra- and inter-molecular association of milk proteins, affect the physicochemical properties of the probiotic delivery systems, such as the particle size, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, and viability of probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal tract. To prepare a milk protein-based delivery system, skim milk powder was used as a source of milk proteins with various concentration levels from 3 to 10% (w/w) and rennet was added to skim milk solutions followed by adjustment of pH from 5.4 or 6.2. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was used as a probiotic culture. In confocal laser scanning microscopic images, globular particles with a size ranging from 10 ㎛ to 20 ㎛ were observed, indicating that milk protein-based probiotic delivery systems were successfully created. When the skim milk powder concentration was increased from 3 to 10% (w/w), the size of the delivery system was significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 27.5 to 44.4 ㎛, while a significant (p < 0.05) increase in size from 26.3 to 34.5 ㎛ was observed as the pH was increased from 5.4 to 6.4. An increase in skim milk powder concentration level and a decrease in pH led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the encapsulation efficiency of probiotics. The viability of probiotics in a simulated stomach condition was increased when probiotics were encapsulated in milk protein-based delivery systems. An increase in the skim milk powder concentration and a decrease in pH resulted in an increase in the viability of probiotics in simulated stomach conditions. It was concluded that the protein content by modulating skim milk powder concentration level and pH were the key manufacturing variables affecting the physicochemical properties of milk protein-based probiotic delivery systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.671-680
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• 2017

This study was conducted to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of action of black soybean extracts and fermented black soybean extracts by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animals subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on proliferation of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC). We examined changes in pH, total polyphenol, sugar, and reducing sugar contents according to fermentation period of black soybean extracts. Assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was performed to determine cell toxicity levels of the four black soybean extracts [black soybean water extract (BWE), black soybean ethanol extract (BEE), fermented BWE (F-BEW), and fermented BEE (F-BEE)]. Changes in mRNA expression levels of hair growth promoting factors and hair growth inhibiting factors by the four black soybean extracts were measured by real-time PCR. In addition, phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase family proteins were measured by western blot analysis. As a result, fermentation of black soybeans significantly reduced pH, total polyphenols, and sugar/reducing sugar contents. All four black soybean extracts showed no cellular toxicity in HFDPC. In fact, BEE significantly enhanced cell viability of HFDPC at $100{\mu}g/mL$ compared to control. BWE, BEE, and BWE-F significantly increased mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and all four extracts increased mRNA expression of fibroblast growth factor. However, mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were not affected by black soybean extracts in HFDPC. Furthermore, BWE, BEE, and BWE-F significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase compared to control. Taken together, we demonstrated that black soybean extracts enhanced proliferation of human follicle dermal papilla cells partially via activation of hair growth promoting factors, although no particular significant effects on proliferation were observed by fermentation of black soybeans.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2008

One bacterium, which showed strong antagonistic activity against H. pylori KCCM 41756, was isolated from kimchi. The strain NO1 was designated as Lactobacillus plantarum NO1 based on Gram staining, biochemical properties, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The culture medium $(2{\sim}4{\mu}g/ml)$ of Lb. plantarum NO1 reduced $(40{\sim}60%)$ the urease activity of H. pylori KCCM 41756. Lb. plantarum NO1 inhibited the binding of H. pylori to human gastric cancer cell line, AGS cells, by more than 33%. Lb. plantarum NO1 exhibited high viability (maintained initial viable cell count of $10^9CFU/ml$) in 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) for 2 h, in artificial gastricjuice for 2 h and in 0.3%, 0.5% oxgall for 24 h. Hemolysis phenomena did not observed when Lb. plantarum NO1 was incubated in the blood agar media. We concluded that Lb. plantarum NO1 can be a good candidate as a probiotic, harboring anti-H. pylori activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.785-791
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• 2021

Many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have probiotic properties that exert various health benefits. In this study, the reduction potential of nitrogen oxide compounds and ferric ions by six LAB, including Lactobacillus kimchicus, L. lactis, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus GG, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were evaluated. The L. kimchicus strain produced a substantial amount of nitrite reduced from nitrate added to the media, whereas the other five LAB strains did not. L. kimchicus also showed the most potent reducing activity of ferric to ferrous ions. However, the reduction potential of the autoclaved L. kimchicus was little pronounced. The scavenging activities of viable LAB or their cell lysates against different radicals were not consistent with the potency of the LAB's reducing ability. The present results indicate that L. kimchicus has a strong reduction potential for nitrogen oxides in viable status, and that this ability can be used as a probiotic property for various health benefits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2013

Biological and functional characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were investigated in mustard stem/leaf kimchi (MK), cabbage kimchi (CK), young radish kimchi (YRK), and cubed radish kimchi (CRK). LAB of young radish kimchi were mainly composed of bacilli in contrast to the other kimchi. 89.2% LAB isolated from all kimchi harbored plasmids. However, LAB had an average of $4.1{\pm}0.5$ plasmid bands in YRK, more than MK, CK, and CRK. Exopolysaccharides were produced by 10.9~11.1% of LAB, and were especially by LAB isolated from radish kimchi. A significant percentage of LAB (69.5%) had antibacterial activity against one sensitive strain or more. LAB from CK, YRK and CRK had antimicrobial activities against Bacillus sp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium, while the LAB from MK had activities against Vibrio parahaemolyticus higher than those from the other kimchi. In YRK and CRK, acid-tolerant LAB were twice as prevalent as those in MK and CK. Bile-tolerant LAB isolated from CRK were more prevalent than other kimchi. When $10^8$ CFU of LAB were added to Caco-2 cells, 12.1% of LAB isolated from all kimchi showed similar adherent activity to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. LAB of MK particularly adhered to Caco-2 cells, 2.0~4.1 fold higher than LAB in the other kimchi. From these results, biological and functional characteristics of LAB varied according to the type of kimchi and LAB existing in kimchi were limited to their respective species.