• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.941-945
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• 2015

We examined the in vivo efficacy of ultra-high molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid (UHMW γ-PGA) for wound healing. The wound area was measured by a ruler and documented by digital photography before the animals were sacrificed at days 8 and 16 post wounding. The areas of wounds treated with UHMW γ-PGA were significantly decreased on days 8 and 16, as compared with those receiving a control treatment, and more than 70% of the UHMW γ-PGAtreated area was repaired by day 8. Hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed that the epidermis had regenerated in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated wounds. At 16 days post wounding, collagen pigmentation and cross-linking were increased as compared with the control groups, and greater regeneration of blood vessels had occurred in UHMW γ-PGA-treated groups. Increased levels of transforming growth factor-beta and β-catenin were also observed in skin samples collected from UHMW γ-PGA-treated animals on days 8 and 16 post incision. Taken together, these findings suggest that UHMW γ-PGA promotes wound healing in vivo.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 1990

As a possible biocompatible and biodegrable polymer skeleton for drug delivery system, block copolymers of L-lactic acid and L-glutamic acid with different composition were synthesized and characterized. Poly (L-lactide) was prepared by polymerization of L-lactide with zine oxide at $130^{\circ}C$ for 72 hrs. 3-Amino-l-propanol was introduced to poly (L-lactide) by an ester linkage in order to initiate polymerization. Polymerization of $\gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride(\gamma-BLG-NCA)$ utiliizing the amino group of modified poly (L-lactide) as an initiator gave rise to the block copoly $(L-lactide-\gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate).$ The NMR study of resulting block copolymers showed that the composition of L-lactic acid and $\gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate$ in block copolymers was depended on the weight ratio of poly (L-lactide) and $\gamma-BLG-NCA.$ The thermal properties of the resulting block copolymers were determined by the differential scanning calorimetry and by the thermogravimetry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.407-412
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• 2015

We investigated the effect of ultra-high molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid (UHMW γ-PGA) on hair loss in vitro and in vivo. 5-Alpha reductase is an enzyme that metabolizes the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. By performing an in vitro experiment to analyze the inhibitory effects of UHMW γ-PGA on 5-alpha reductase activity, we determined that UHMW γ-PGA did in fact inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity, indicating the use of UHMW γ-PGA as a potential 5-alpha reductase inhibitor in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. To evaluate the promotion of hair growth in vivo, we topically applied UHMW γ-PGA and minoxidil on the shaved dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the groups treated with UHMW γ-PGA showed hair growth on more than 50% of the shaved skin, whereas the control group showed less hair growth. To investigate the progression of hair follicles in the hair cycle, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. Histological observations revealed that the appearance of hair follicles was earlier in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group than in the control group. The number of hair follicles on the relative area of shaved skin in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group was higher than that observed on the shaved skin in the control group. These results indicate that UHMW γ-PGA can promote hair growth by effectively inducing the anagen phase in telogenic C57BL/6 mice.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.357-362
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• 2005

Poly-${\gamma}$-glutamic acid (${\gamma}-PGA$), which is extracted from fermented soybeans, is a high molecular weight, adhesive, and negatively charged(anionic) polymer. Recently, ${\gamma}-PGA$ has gained attention due to its potential as polymer. The objectives of this study were to examine the applicability of ${\gamma}-PGA$ as a coagulant and/or a coagulant aid, to evaluate the efficiency of ${\gamma}-PGA$ for the removal of Organic and Ammonium substance in wastewater treatment. The effect of coagulation was evaluated for the removal of SS and organic matter using poly aluminum chloride(PACI) as well as newly developed ${\gamma}-PGA$. The maximum COD removal rate of 63% and the SS of 78% were occurred at the dosage of 50mg/L ${\gamma}-PGA$ only. The most effective removal for particulate and organic matter was occured when both PACI and ${\gamma}-PGA$ were applied at the rate of 20:1(10mg/L PACI and 0.5mg/L ${\gamma}-PGA$). When mixed with PACI, only small portion of ${\gamma}-PGA$ was enough to improve removal efficiencies of organic and particulate matter in wastewater. This result showed the positive potential of ${\gamma}-PGA$ as a new coagulant materials for wastewater treatment.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.921-924
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• 1999

Hydrogels were prepared from poly( Υ-glutamic acid) (PGA) solution by g-irradiation of 90 kGy and 170 kGy. The hydrogels were more cross-linked with a higher dosage g-irradiation and completely hydrolyzed at 85℃ within 4 hours resulting in homogeneous solution. NMR techniques were employed to clarify chemical bond formation and scission involved during γ-irradiation and hydrolysis. Characterization of these samples was carried out by taking both liquid state and solid state NMR spectra of PGA and hydrolyzed hydrogels and comparison of these spectra with the solid state NMR spectra of hydrogels. Our results indicate that complicated chemical bond formation and scission have occurred during hydrolysis and γ-irradiation. The samples prepared with higher dosage of γ-irradiation showed more diverse chemical bond formation and scission.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2015

Poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a natural polymer that is synthesized by Bacillus species and has been reported to have antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of γ-PGA on the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN). A retrospective observational study on γ-PGA therapy for biopsy-proven VAIN was conducted. The efficacy was assessed by evaluating the results of Pap cytology and the viral load of high-risk HPV at three time points: at enrollment, and at the first and second post-treatment visits. Of 17 patients treated with γ-PGA, only 12 patients who had a high-risk HPV infection were included in the analysis. Histology was VAIN1 in seven patients, VAIN2 in two patients, and VAIN3 in three patients. γ-PGA was administered for newly diagnosed VAIN in five (41.7%) patients and persistent VAIN in seven (58.3%) patients for the mean time of 4.5 months. At the first and second post-treatment visits, cytological regression was observed in five (41.7%) and six (50%) patients, respectively. Regarding the HPV load, the overall response rate was 66.7%, and the mean level was 670.6 ± 292.5 RLU at the first follow-up, which was lower than the initial viral load of 1,494.8 ± 434.5 RLU (p = 0.084). At the second follow-up, the overall response rate was 58.3%, and the mean viral load level was 924.2 ± 493.7 RLU. γ-PGA may be helpful for the cytological regression and reduction of viral load in patients with high-risk HPV-positive VAIN, suggesting that γ-PGA is a promising treatment option for primary or persistent VAIN.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.645-651
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• 2015

This paper presents an experimental study on the freeze drying process for poly ${\gamma}$ glutamic acid. The physical properties of poly ${\gamma}$ glutamic acid are measured during the freeze-drying process. The moisture contents of poly ${\gamma}$ glutamic acid according to the glass transient temperature are obtained by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) analysis. The end point of primary drying for the poly ${\gamma}$ glutamic acid with a thickness of 3 mm is obtained by measuring the thickness of the dried layer, the amount of moisture evaporation, the moisture content, and the pressure in the drying vacuum chamber during the freeze-drying process. By considering the variation in the glass transient temperature with respect to the moisture content of the material, a control schedule for the heating plate temperature is suggested during the secondary drying process.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

${\gamma}$-PGA(poly-${\gamma}$-glutamic acid) is an unusual anionic polypeptide that is made of D- and L-glutamic acid units connected by amide linkages between ${\alpha}$-amino and ${\gamma}$-carboxylic acid groups. ${\gamma}$-PGA has been isolated from many kinds of organisms. Many Bacillus strains produce ${\gamma}$-PGA as a capsular material of an extracellular viscous material. It is safe for eating as a viscosity element of fermented soybean products such as Chungkookjang and Natto. It is biodegradable, edible and nontoxic toward humans and the environment and its molecular weight varies from ten thousand to several hundred thousand depending on the kinds of strains used. Therefore, potential applications of ${\gamma}$-PGA and its derivatives have been of interest in the past few years in a broad range of industrial fields such as food, cosmetics, medicine, water-treatment, etc. In this study, a bacterium, Bacillus subtilis GS-2 isolated from the Korean traditional seasoning food, Chungkookjang could produce a large amount of ${\gamma}$-PGA with high productivity and had a simple nutrient requirement. Based on carbon utilization pattern and partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the GS-2 strain was identified as B. subtilis. The determination of purified ${\gamma}$-PGA was confirmed with thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and $^1H$-nuclear magnetic resonance ($^1H$-NMR) spectroscopy.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.677-684
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• 2012

A bacterium strain GS-2 isolated from the Korean traditional seasoning food, Chungkookjang and was determined to produce large amounts of ${\gamma}$-PGA with high productivity when provided with simple nutrients (L-glutamic acid 2.0%, glucose 1.0%, $NH_4Cl$ 0.5%, $KH_2PO_4$ 0.05%, $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ 0.01%, pH 7.0). In this study, the culture medium for this strain was optimized for the production of ${\gamma}$-PGA. The Bacillus subtilis GS-2 required supplementation with L-glutamic acid and other nutrients for maximal production of ${\gamma}$-PGA. The optimal culture conditions for ${\gamma}$-PGA production were a 48 hr culture time, a temperature of $33^{\circ}C$ and initial pH of 6.5 by rotary shaking (220 rpm). A maximum ${\gamma}$-PGA production of 31.0 $g/{\ell}$ was obtained with L-glutamic acid (30 $g/{\ell}$), sucrose (the main carbon source, 30 $g/{\ell}$), $NH_4Cl$ (the main nitrogen source, 2.5 $g/{\ell}$), $KH_2PO_4$ (1.5 $g/{\ell}$) and $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ (0.15 $g/{\ell}$) in the culture medium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2006

This study was Conducted to investigate the effect of ${\gamma}-PGA\;({\gamma}-poly\;glutamic\;acid)$ on Ca absorption and bone metabolism in rats. Weaned 4-week old male rats were fed Ca-deficient diets for 3 weeks after the adjustment period. Rats were divided into 6 groups and were fed experimental diets for four weeks. Experimental groups were basal (Ca deficient), control (Ca diet: Ca 0.45%), CP1(Ca 0.45%+casein phosphopeptide 1%), PG1(Ca 0.45%+gamma poly glutamic acid 1%), CPG (Ca 0.45%+casein phosphopeptide 1%+gamma poly glutamic acid 1%) and PG3(Ca 0.45%+gamma poly glutamic acid 3%). Though daily Ca intake and food intake of experimental groups showed no significant difference that of control group. The values of fecal Ca excretion and urinary Ca excretion in groups fed ${\gamma}-PGA$ were significantly lower than that in tile control group. The values of Ca absorption in groups fed ${\gamma}-PGA$ were significantly higher than that in the control group. The levels of femur Ca in ${\gamma}-PGA$ supplemented group were significantly increased compared to the control group. Also, breaking force of femur in ${\gamma}-PGA$ supplemented group showed about 40% increase compared to the control group. These results show that ${\gamma}-PGA$ supplement could be helpful to increase Ca absorption as well as to intensify the femur strength and to increase the Ca content of femur in rats.