• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.5.1-5.9
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• 2019

Background: Live fish import may lead to the unintended introduction of pathogens. We examined the monthly distribution of microbial pathogens in ornamental finfish imported into South Korea over a 6-month period. Results: Vibrio alginolyticus was detected in one lemon damsel in June and July; V. vulnificus was detected in one lemon damsel, one caerulean damsel, and one pearl-spot chromis and one ocellaris clownfish in July, April, and May, respectively; Photobacterium damselae was detected in one ocellaris clownfish and one caerulean damsel in June and July, respectively; V. anguillarum was detected in one pearl-spot chromis in February; V. harveyi was detected in one ocellaris clownfish and two mandarin fish in February and April, respectively; Yersinia ruckeri was detected in a pearlscale goldfish group in June and July and in two colored carp groups in July; and Lactococcus garvieae was detected in a lemon damsel group and a sutchi catfish group in July and May, respectively. European catfish virus, the only viral pathogen detected, was found in two sutchi catfish groups in May. Conclusion: This study is the first to identify pathogenic species and the presence or absence of pathogens (non-quarantine diseases) in imported ornamental finfish. These results demonstrate that various pathogens with the potential to harm indigenous fish populations can accompany ornamental finfish imported into South Korea.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.176-190
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• 2019

A total of 38 bacterial strains within the classes Bacilli and Deinococci were isolated from various sources in Korea. Samples were collected from animal intestine, urine, soil, tidal flat mud, and kimchi. In the sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, the 38 isolates were assigned to the classes Bacilli and Deinococci with sequence similarities more than 98.7%. Twenty-four strains and 13 strains were classified the order Bacillales and Lactobacillales in the class Bacilli, respectively. In the order Bacillales, there were nine species in the genus Bacillus, seven species in the genus Paenibacillus, and the remaining eight species in the genera Domibacillus, Halobacillus, Virgibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Paenisporosarcina, Planococcus, Savagea, and Staphylococcus. In the order Lactobacillales, there were four species in the genus Lactobacillus, three species in the genus Leuconostoc, three species in the genus Lactococcus, and the remaining three species in the genera Aerococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus. One species was related to the genus Deinococcus of the order Deinococcales. Most of the isolated strains were Gram-stain-positive, but some were Gram-stain-variable or Gram-stain-negative. Cells were rod or cocci-shaped. Based on the results of 16S rRNA analysis, we report 38 strains as previously unrecorded species to Korea, and the basic characteristics of strains are described herein.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1162-1173
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the fermentation profiles, bacterial community and predicted metabolic characteristics of Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Stapf.) during ensiling. Methods: First-cutting Sudangrass was harvested at the vegetative stage and ensiled in laboratory-scale silos (1 L capacity). Triplicate silos were sampled after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of ensiling, respectively. The bacterial communities on day 3 and 60 were assessed through high-throughput sequencing technology, and 16S rRNA-gene predicted functional profiles were analyzed according to the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes using Tax4Fun. Results: The Sudangrass silages showed good fermentation quality, indicated by higher lactic acid contents, and lower pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen contents. The dominant genus Lactococcus on day 3 was replaced by Lactobacillus on day 60. The metabolism of amino acid, energy, cofactors and vitamins was restricted, and metabolism of nucleotide and carbohydrate was promoted after ensiling. The 1-phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase of bacterial community seemed to play important roles in stimulating the lactic acid fermentation, and the promotion of arginine deiminase could help lactic acid bacteria to tolerate the acidic environment. Conclusion: High-throughput sequencing technology combined with 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional analyses revealed the differences during the early and late stages of Sudangrass ensiling not only for distinct bacterial community but also for specific functional metabolites. The results could provide a comprehensive insight into bacterial community and metabolic characteristics to further improve the silage quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2022

This study investigated the minimum salt concentration required for achieving the optimal quality characteristics of sauerkrauts made by adding 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% (w/w) of sea salt to cabbage according to the fermentation period. For evaluating the quality characteristics, we measured the microorganisms (lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and coliform group), pH, total acidity, salinity, chromaticity, and hardness every 24 hours. The lactic acid bacteria were identified and analyzed, and acceptance test was carried out on the 4^th day of fermentation. The results showed that the salinity of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% sauerkrauts on the 4^th day of fermentation was lower than the average salinity of Baechu-Kimchi. The 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% sauerkrauts had significantly higher lactic acid bacteria than the 2.5% sample, and the coliform group was not detected after the 5^th day of fermentation. Among the microbes identified, Weissella cibaria JCM 12495 was found only in domestic sauerkraut, in addition to Lactococcus lactis NCDO 604, Leuconostoc citreum JCM 9698, and Lactobacillus sakei DSM 20017. The results of the acceptance test show that 1.0 and 1.5% sea salt sauerkraut had significantly higher overall acceptance compared to the other samples. In conclusion, sauerkraut with a salt concentration of 1.0 and 1.5% (w/w) had abundant lactic acid bacteria and excellent sensory properties, suggesting that the production of low-salted sauerkraut can be adopted to reduce consumer salt intake in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1583-1588
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains used as starters for kimchi fermentation, namely Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124, Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39, Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim0121Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim33, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim32, on the intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJs). These LAB strains were not cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells at 500 ㎍/ml concentration. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decreased Caco-2 viability, but the LAB strains protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity. We also found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promoted Caco-2 proliferation; however, no specific changes were observed upon treatment with LAB strains and LPS. Our evaluation of the permeability in the Caco-2 monolayer model confirmed its increase by both LPS and H₂O₂. The LAB strains inhibited the increase in permeability by protecting TJs, which we evaluated by measuring TJ proteins such as zonula occludens-1 and occludin, and analyzing them by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Our findings show that LAB strains used for kimchi fermentation can suppress the increase in intestinal permeability due to LPS and H₂O₂ by protecting TJs. Therefore, these results suggest the possibility of enhancing the functionality of kimchi through its fermentation using functional LAB strains.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.559-571
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• 2022

Galectins, a family of ß-galactoside-binding lectins, have emerged as soluble mediators in infected cells and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) responsible for evoking and regulating innate immunity. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of galectin-1 in the host immune response of redlip mullet (Liza haematocheilia). We established a cDNA database for redlip mullet, and the cDNA sequence of galectin-1 (LhGal-1) was characterized. In silico analysis was performed, and the spatial and temporal expression patterns in gills and blood in response to lipopolysaccharide polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, and Lactococcus garvieae were estimated via quantitative real-time PCR. Functional assays were conducted using recombinant protein to investigate carbohydrate binding, bacterial binding, and bacterial agglutination activity. LhGal-1 was composed of 135 amino acids. Conserved motifs (H-NPR, -N- and -W-E-R) within the carbohydrate recognition domain were found in LhGal-1. The tissue distribution revealed that the healthy stomach expressed high levels of LhGal-1. The temporal monitoring of LhGal-1 mRNA expression in the gill and blood showed its significant upregulation in response to immune challenges with different stimulants. rLhGal-1 exhibited binding activity in response to carbohydrates and bacteria. Moreover, the agglutination of rLhGal-1 against Escherichia coli was observed. Collectively, our findings suggest that LhGal-1 may function as a PRR in redlip mullet. Furthermore, LhGal-1 can be considered a significant gene to play a protective role in redlip mullet immune system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.500-510
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• 2023

In this study, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 21 top-selling probiotic products on Korean market and their antimicrobial resistance were analyzed. A total 152 strains were claimed to be contained in these products and 70 isolates belonging to three genera (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus) were obtained from these products. RAPD-PCR showed diversity among isolates of the same species except for two isolates of Lacticaibacillus rhamnosus from two different products. The agar dilution method and the broth dilution method produced different MICs for several antimicrobials. With the agar dilution method, five isolates (three isolates of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, one isolate of B. breve, one isolate of B. longum) were susceptible to all nine antimicrobials and 15 isolates were multi-drug resistant. With the broth microdilution method, only two isolates (one isolate of B. breve and one isolate of B. longum) were susceptible while 16 isolates were multi-drug resistant. In this study, only two AMR genes were detected: 1) lnu(A) in one isolate of clindamycin-susceptible and lincomycin-resistant Limosilactobacillus reuteri; and 2) tet(W) in one tetracycline-susceptible isolate of B. longum B1-1 and two tetracycline-susceptible isolates and three tetracycline resistant isolates of B. animalis subsp. lactis. Transfer of these two genes via conjugation with a filter mating technique was not observed. These results suggest a need to monitor antimicrobial resistance in newly registered probiotics as well as probiotics with a long history of use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1717-1724
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• 2016

Probiotic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum pF1 NITE-P1462 (Lp-pF1), L. plantarum KCCM 11352P (Lp-PNU), L. plantarum CBT LP3 KCTC 10782BP (Lp-CB), and L. plantarum KCTC 3099 (Lp-3099) isolated from kimchi and Lactococcus lactis KFCC 11510P (L-lactis) isolated from Doenjang were studied. Resistance to gastric and bile acid, adhesion to intestines in colon cells, thermal stability, and antioxidative and in vitro anticancer effects in HT-29 cancer cells were evaluated. L. plantarum strains showed improved tolerance of gastric and bile acids than L-lactis. Lp-pF1 had better adhesion ability in the intestine than Lp-PNU, Lp-3099, and L-lactis. Lp-pF1 also showed better heat resistance at $50^{\circ}C$, $70^{\circ}C$, and $80^{\circ}C$ than Lp-CB, Lp-3099, and L-lactis. In addition, Lp-pF1 exhibited greater antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH radicals or hydroxyl radicals and anticancer effects in MTT assay than others. Taken together, these results suggest that L. plantarum isolated from kimchi showed higher probiotic activities with antioxidant and anticancer properties than Lac. lactis isolated from Doenjang. Lp-pF1 revealed the best probiotic activities among L. plantarum and could be used as a promising potential probiotics.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.389-398
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• 2009

Development of expression vectors is important for the basic and applied researches on kimchi LAB (lactic acid bacteria). An expression vector, pSJE6c was constructed by inserting P6C promoter sequence from Lactococcus lactis into pSJE, a shuttle vector for E. coli and Leuconostoc species. To test the efficiency of pSJE6c, aga ($\alpha$-galactosidase) and lacZ ($\beta$-galactosidase) genes were expressed in Lactobacillus brevis 2.14. Compared to the pSJE, expression levels of both genes were increased, indicating P6C promoter was better than indigenous promoters. Enzyme activities of L. brevis cells harboring pSJE6caga (pSJE6c with aga) or pSJE6Z (pSJE6c with lacZ) were 1.5-2 fold higher than those with pSJEaga (pSJE with aga) or pSJEZ (pSJE with lacZ). More RNA transcripts were detected in cells harboring pSJE6c based recombinant plasmid. The results indicated that heterologous gene expressions in kimchi LAB could be improved significantly by use of efficient expression vectors.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2007

This study was designed to examine the suitable characteristics of potential probiotic bacteria. Possible probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Lb. acidophilus B-3208, Bifidobacterium bifidum KCTC 3357, Lb. plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides ATCC 8293, and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis ATCC 7962 were selected. We then measured their acid and bile tolerances, adhesion properties in the gastrointestinal tract, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, and immunomodulation activity. The acid tolerances of Lb. acidophilus DDS-1, Lb. acidophilus B-3208, Lb. plantarum, and Leu. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides ATCC 8293, in PBS (pH 2.5) for 2 hr, were high enough that 50% of the inocula survived. The bile tolerances of all bacteria, except Lc. lactis ssp. lactis ATCC 7962, were also observed at a 3% oxgall concentration in MRS broth. The results of the adhesion property assay showed that the total binding affinities of Lb. acidophilus DDS-1, Lb. acidophilus B-3208, and B. bifidum were about three times higher than those of the other bacteria. In testing their antimicrobial activities against pathogens, Lb. acidophilus B-3208, B. bifidum KCTC 3357, and Lb. plantarum inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria. For their immunomodulation activity, the cell wall fractions from Lb. acidophilus DDS-1 and Lb. acidophilus B-3208 showed the highest bone marrow cell proliferation activities. However, the cell wall fractions of Lb. acidophilus DDS-1 and B. bifidum, and the cytosol fraction of Lc. lactis ssp. lactis ATCC 7962 showed higher macrophage stimulation activities than those of the other bacteria. Since Lb. acidophilus DDS-1 and Lb. acidophilus B-3208 satisfy the requirements for probiotics, they can be considered suitable probiotic bacteria.