• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2019

To elucidate structure-function relationship of polysaccharide from Angelica gigas, the AGE-2c-I was purified by two successive chromatography steps. AGE-2c-I showed a potent anti-complementary activity in a dose-dependent manner. AGE-2c-I with a molecular weight of 140 kDa comprised four monosaccharides and 13 glycosyl linkages, and strongly reacted with ${\beta}$-glucosyl Yariv reagent. For the fine structure analysis of AGE-2c-I, it was sequentially digested by exo-arabinofuranosidase and endo-galactanase. The results indicated that AGE-2c-I was a typical RG-I polysaccharide with side chains such as highly branched ${\alpha}$-arabinan, ${\beta}$-($1{\rightarrow}4$)-galactan and arabino-${\beta}$-3,6-galactan. To characterize the active moiety of AGE-2c-I, the anti-complementary activities of AGE-2c-I and its subfractions were assayed. It was observed that the anti-complementary activity of AGE-2c-I was due to the entire structure that resembled RG-I. In addition, arabino-${\beta}$-3,6-galactan side chain (GN-I) in AGE-2c-I probably plays a crucial role in the anti-complementary activity, whereas ${\alpha}$-arabinan side chain (AFN-I) consisting of 5-linked Araf and 3,5-branched Araf partially contributes to the activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1136-1143
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of an aqueous extract of Angelica gigas (Ag) fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc). First, the soluble solids of the F/3 group, in which the Ag was fermented by Sc for 3 days, decreased from $1^{\circ}Bx$ to $0.9^{\circ}Bx$. On the other hand, the pH increased with the number of days of fermentation. The result of a TLC experiment confirmed that it gradually decomposed into a low-molecular weight sugar form upon fermentation. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were higher in the fermented group than in the non-fermented group. K and Ca contents were increased by fermentation in the following order: F/3, NF, and F/0 groups. Decursin and decursinol angelate contents were highest in the F/3 group. The DPPH (${\alpha}$, ${\alpha}{\prime}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the NF, F/0, and F/3 groups were 41.89%, 39.51%, and 60.26%, respectively. The inhibition activities of tyrosinase and lipoxygenase were stronger in the F/3 group than in the NF group. This experiment showed that the fermentation of Ag Nakai can lead to an increase in its antioxidant ability, physiological activity, whitening and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, this oriental herbal medicine can be developed into a functional material that can be utilized in the development of cosmetic products in future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2019

Recently, it has been reported that Bacillus mojavensis possesses antifungal properties and plant growth-promoting activities, which are similar to the characteristics of siderophore. In this study, the siderophore produced by B. mojavensis was assessed using a solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS). After B. mojavensis was incubated in phenol medium for 16 hr and lyophilized, the sample was dissolved in water and loaded to an SPE cartridge to remove interferences. The cartridge was washed with 5% methanol in water and eluted with 2% formic acid in methanol sequentially. The eluted solution was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen gas and reconstituted in methanol. The reconstituted sample was filtered, and $1{\mu}l$ of the sample was assessed using Q-TOF MS/MS. The mass spectrometer was operated using the positive electrospray ionization mode. Based on the mass spectrum and tandem mass spectrum, the siderophore produced by B. mojavensis was bacillibactin, one of the catechol types of siderophore with a molecular weight of 882.2556. This siderophore analysis could provide a justification for the study of B. mojavensis as a functional food and for pharmaceutical applications.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Diospyros malabarica stem extract, a natural materials, in oral health material. With this aim in mind, thin layer chromatography (TLC), TLC-bioautography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and real-time qPCR were performed. The antibacterial activity of D. malabarica stem extract against Streptococcus mutans KCTC3065 was confirmed in an n-hexane fraction with low polarity. The molecular weight of the antibacterial compound was estimated to be 188 by ESI-MS analysis. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and gene expression related to biofilm formation of S. mutans were determined by SEM and real-time PCR analysis. The extract inhibited the formation of S. mutans biofilms at D. malabarica stem extract concentrations of 1 mg/ml, as shown by SEM. The real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of the gtfC gene, which is associated with biofilm formation, was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that D. malabarica stem extracts, a natural materials, can be used in oral health products to suppress the formation of biofilms by inhibiting tooth adhesion of S. mutans, a causative agent of dental caries.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2021

Kraft lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, obtained as a black liquor after the extraction of cellulose from wood through the Kraft pulping process. Right now, kraft lignin is utilized as a low-grade boiler fuel to provide heat and power but can be converted into high-calorific biofuels or high-value chemicals once the efficient catalytic depolymerization process is developed. In this work, the multi-functional catalyst of Ru-Mg-Al-oxide, which contains hydrogenation metals, acid, and base sites for the effective depolymerization of kraft lignin are prepared, and its lignin depolymerization efficiency is evaluated. In order to understand the role of different active sites in the lignin depolymerization, the three different catalysts of MgO, Mg-Al-oxide, and Ru-Mg-Al-oxide were synthesized, and their lignin depolymerization activity was compared in terms of the yield and the average molecular weight of bio-oil, as well as the yield of phenolic monomers contained in the bio-oil. Among the catalysts tested, the Ru-Mg-Al-oxide catalyst exhibited the highest yield of bio-oil and phenolic monomers due to the synergy between active sites. Furthermore, in order to maximize the extent of lignin depolymerization over the Ru-Mg-Al-oxide, the effects of reaction conditions (i.e., temperature, time, and catalyst loading amount) on the lignin depolymerization were investigated. Overall, the highest bio-oil yield of 72% and the 3.5 times higher yield of phenolic monomers than that without a catalyst were successfully achieved at 350 ℃ and 10% catalyst loading after 4 h reaction time.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1128-1139
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• 2020

Over recent years, it has become evident that food and agricultural products are easily contaminated by fungi of Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium due to rapid climate change, which is not only a global food quality concern but also a serious health concern. Owing to consumers' interest in health, resistance to preservatives such as propionic acid and sorbic acid (which have been used in the past) is increasing, so it is necessary to develop a substitute from natural materials. In this review, the role of lactic acid bacteria as a biological method for controlling the growth and toxin production of fungi was examined. According to recent studies, lactic acid bacteria effectively inhibit the growth of fungi through various metabolites such as organic acids with low molecular weight, reuterin, proteinaceous compounds, hydroxy fatty acids, and phenol compounds. Lactic acid bacteria effectively reduced mycotoxin production by fungi via adsorption of mycotoxin with lactic acid bacteria cell surface components, degradation of fungal mycotoxin, and inhibition of mycotoxin production. Lactic acid bacteria could be regarded as a potential anti-fungal and anti-mycotoxigenic material in the prevention of fungal contamination of food and agricultural products because lactic acid bacteria produce various kinds of potent metabolic compounds with anti-fungal activities.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2020

For the development of the chitosan industry in Korea, the catch of red snow crabs caught on the east coast is rapidly decreasing. Therefore, it is urgent to develop raw materials that can replace the red snow crab as the top priority to solve the supply and demand problems, as well as wastewater treatment costs account for a large proportion of the cost of chitosan. In order to solve the problems, continuous research on biological extraction methods such as enzymatic extraction and microbial fermentation will increase production efficiency and lower unit cost as well as chemical extraction methods. Further efficient manufacturing method can be established. Establishing of novel techniques is indispensable for production of high-purity chitosan and the ability to regulate and separate the molecular weight, as well as joint research with industry, academia and research institute for the research and development of high-functional chitosan derivatives.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2021

Heavy metals exist in soils in various chemical forms including free metal ions and organo-metal complexes. The ratio of free metal ions has been known to be highly associated with the plant absorption of heavy metals. This study aims to understand the effect of free ions and organo-metal complexes on the absorption of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by plants. For this, lettuce grown in a hydroponic system for 28 days was consequently grown another 48 hours using Pb and Cd solutions. The ratios of free ion to organo-metal complexes in the solutions were adjusted at 100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 60:40 by four different organic acids (citric, oxalic, acetic, and humic acid). After that, the concentration of Pb and Cd in lettuce were analyzed. The Pb and Cd absorption by lettuce was more relied on the types of organic acids treated and the type of metals rather than the ratio of free metal ions. For example, citric acid increased the Pb absorption while it decreased the Cd absorption by lettuce. There was no significant relationship between free metal ion ratios and both Pb and Cd uptake by lettuce. It could be explained that citric acid, a relatively higher molecular weight organic acid, has higher ion binding capacity, so it forms organo-Pb complex easily due to the higher affinity of Pb on the binding site in comparison with Cd. Consequently, this complexation would assist Pb uptake by lettuce.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.23-32
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• 2020

This study investigated the thermal degradation and fading behavior of PTT dyed with vat dye and its dyeing ability. The PTT sample was dyed with vat dye using an acid treatment and pad-steam method to improve the dyeing performance. This method made dye particle nanosize and allowed it to penetrate the polymer material easily. The sample dyed using the pad-steam method showed level dyeing and enhanced dyeing affinity, compared to the batch-dyeing method. The degradation behavior of PTT dyed with vat dye after each heat and UV treatment was examined with the change in tensile strength or K/S value on the sample. The tensile strength and K/S values of the sample dyed with vat dye after the heat and UV treatment decreased with increasing temperature and exposure time. Although they showed high degradation under severe conditions, its rate constant was improved compared to the samples dyed with disperse dye. Consequently, acid treatment and the pad-steam method resulted in the introduction of vat dye on PTT. In addition, the PTT dyed with vat dye showed enhanced thermal and UV resistance because of their high molecular weight and chemical structure for stable adsorption behavior.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2020

The JS18 strain was isolated from an old tree forest and produced extracellular enzymes that decolorize synthetic melanin. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence, indicate that JS18 belongs to the Trametes velutina species. JS18 demonstrated laccase activity but no manganese peroxidase or lignin peroxidase activity. Batch culture indicated that the melanin decolorization activity of JS18 strain originated from the laccase. Syringic acid and CuSO4 induced maximum laccase production, yielding 98 U/ml laccase activity after cultivation for 7 days at 25℃. T. velutina secretes an extracellular laccase in GYP medium, and this enzyme was purified using (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, Hi-trap Q Sepharose columns and gel filtration. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 67 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme produced 80% of its melanin decolorization activity within the first 24 h of evaluation in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), while only about 4% of the melanin was decolorized in the absence of the mediator. The greatest decolorization was observed at 1.5 mM/l HBT, which decolorized 81% of the melanin within the first 24 h. The optimum pH and temperature for this decolorization were found to be 5.0 and 37℃, respectively. Our results suggest the possibility of applying HBT induced T. velutina JS18 laccase-catalyzed melanin decolorization.