• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.990-998
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and potential inhibitory effects from four types of edible domestic brown seaweeds, Undaria pinnatifida (UP), Laminaria japonica (LJ), Sargassum fulvellum (SF), and Hizikia fusiforme (HF), on preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cell line. Water and ethanol extracts from the four types of seaweeds were prepared and tested for cell viability in the 3T3-L1 cell line by using MTT assay. In addition, various doses of the water extract of seaweeds (WES) and ethanol extract of seaweeds (EES) were treated at the beginning of 3T3-L1 differentiation and continued until the cells were fully differentiated to adipocytes. Oil Red-O staining was performed to determine the potential cell differentiation inhibitory effects of the WES and EES by measuring the levels of lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced by WESs of UP, LJ, and HF as well as EESs of LJ and HF. As a result, we observed the superior cell differentiation inhibitory effects of WES compared to that of EES in a dose-dependent manner without any significant cytotoxicity in mouse adipocytes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.717-724
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• 2000

A number of epidemiological studies has indicated lifestyles including dietary habits are closely related to the development of certain forms of cancer. These findings have led several investigators to identify the ways in which these factors mdulate the risk of cancer. Seaweeds are rich sources of non-digestible polysaccharides which possibly posses physiological functions. In vitro studies showed several components in seaweeds inhibit tumor cell growth and mutagenicity of known food mutagens. On the other hand non-digestible polysaccharides of different food sources negatively affect mineral nutrition by decreasing mineral absorption. The objectives of this study was to investigate the effect of major seaweed intake on azoxymethane(AOM) - induced DNA damage a known cancer initiation step and on apparent absorption of calcium and iron. To accomplish these objectives twenty five ICR mice were divided into five groups and fed one of the following diets for 10 days : control diet d, diet containing 10% water-soluble fraction of seamustard or seatangle diet containing 10% water-insoluble fraction of seamustard or seatangle. AOM was injected 6 hours before sacrifice and N7-methylated guanines from the colonic DNA were quantified using a gas chromatography -mass spectroscopy. Fecal samples were collected on days 4 and 8. Caclium and iron contents of the diets and feces were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the apparent absorption of these minerals. Results are as follows. AOM-induced guanine methylation of colon was decreased in animals fed diets containing water-soluble fractions of seamustard or seatangle compared to those in animals fed control diet although only the seatnagle fed group showed statistically significant effect. Apparent calcium absorption was significantly reduced in animals fed diets containing water-insoluble fractions of seaweeds. Iron absorption was significantly decreased and negatively balanced in animals fed diets containing water-insoluble fractions of both seaweeds, and water-soluble fraction of seatangle. In conclusion, seamustard and seatangle intakes may effectively prevent colon tumorigenesis by reducing a carcinogen-induced DNA damages, and more mechanistic studies on possible role of seaweeds on carcinogenesis are required. Also, adverse effects of seaweed diets cintaming a large amount of polysaccharides on mineral nutrition should be carefully monitored.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.296-306
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• 1996

The ultimate aim of this study is to find high-fiber sources among Korean common foods and to develop a high-fiber supplement which can be useful in the therapeutic diet for the diabetic patients. For this purpose the effect of four kinds of seaweeds(mixture of purple laver & sea lettuce : MPS, sea tanle : ST, sea mustard : SM, agar agar : AA) on the glucose and lipid mtabolism were examined. Seven groups of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fed dietary fiber-free control diet or one of experimental diets containing 7% of one of four seaweeds for six weeks. The effects of seaweeds were campared with the effects of fiber-free diet or pectin diet. ST, SM, and AA showed a tendency of improving glucose tolerance improvement by those seaweeds, however, was less than that by pectin. MPS was found to possess a serum cholesterol-lowering effect which is comparable to that of pectin. All the supplementations of seaweeds induced significant increase in fecal steroids excretion. The amounts of fecal cholesterol excretion follwing in feeding of MPS and SM were as high as the level cause by pectin. The excretion of bile acids in the MPS group was much higher than that in the pectin group. Based on its effects of alleviating the diabetic symptoms in the previous study and of improving the glucose tolerance, sea mustard seems to have a benefical effect on glucose metabolism. The serum cholesterol-lowering effect of MPS possibly due to the significant increase in fecal steroids excretion suggests that MPS may be effective in improving abnormalities of lipid metabolism. Therefore, sea tangle and mixture of purple laver & sea lettuce seem to be promising as an effective source of high-fiber supplement for the diabetic patients.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.768-775
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• 2015

Seasonal variability in the marine seaweed community structure was examined in the intertidal zones at nine study sites in Hallyeohaesang National Park, on the southern coast of Korea from March to October 2014. A total of 145 seaweeds were indentified, comprising 15 green, 41 brown and 89 red algae. Coarsely branched seaweeds were the dominant functional group, comprising 58.95% in species number, whereas filamentous, sheet, thick leathery, crustose and jointed calcareous forms comprised 2.63-17.72% each. The seaweed biomass averaged 358.00 g dry wt/m² and it was maximal at Somaemuldo (847.64 g dry wt/m²) and minimal at Gamam (56.51 g dry wt/m²). Based on biomass, the dominant and subdominant seaweeds were Ulva australis at Gamam, Sargassum thunbergii at Sangju, Ulva australis and S.fulvellum at Neukdo, S.horneri at Dala-Bijindo-Somaemuldo, S. thunbergii at Dapo, and Corallina pilulifera at Songdo. Community indices were as follows: dominance index (DI), 0.43-0.71; richness index (R), 8.26-16.50; evenness index (J'), 0.36-0.54; and diversity index (H'), 1.57-2.19. In conclusion, we found that both biomass and the community structure of seaweeds in Hallyeohaesang National Park were similar to those in other studies of the Southern Sea along the Korean peninsula, and that Hallyeohaesang National Park is a relatively favorable habitat for seaweeds. Future studies should examine the changes in seaweed composition and biomass as they relate to climate change and environmental pollution.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2006

Extracts which were prepared by four different extractions - 80% methanol extracts (ME) at high ($70^{\circ}C$) and a room temperature ($20^{\circ}C$), respectively and aqueous extracts (AE) at both temperatures with the residue after the methanol extracts - of 10 green, 19 brown and 25 red seaweeds collected in Jeju Island coast were examined for their DPPH free radical scavenging activity using a ESR (electron spin resonance) spectroscopy. A variety of the extracts showed positive scavenging effect against DPPH free radical (except the green seaweeds). Among the extracts, the brown seaweed extracts exhibited the highest scavenging activity. Especially, Sargassum spp. of the brown seaweeds have remarkable scavenging activities - both methanolic and aqueous at the both temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$). On the other hand, ME showed better scavenging activity than AE in the red seaweed extracts. These results indicate that autogenous seaweeds in Jeju will be potential natural antioxidants for functional food compounds.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.157-164
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• 1975

The distribution and population densities of yeasts including their epiflora on seaweeds were estimated over two months in inshore waters of Mok-po, Korea. Nine species of 48 isolates were obtained from this area. Rhodotorula, Torulopsis and Debaryomyces that are widespread in estuaries were of common occurrence in this water body. The highest counts belonged to Torulopsis candida which was predominated in temperate estuarine zone. The distribution of sea weeds seems to be correlated with the population densities of yeasts. Two species of marine algae harbored yeasts during May and July, 1975. Among seaweeds isolates, the highest numbers werre of the species Rhodotorula glutinis var. glutinis. A dominant colonization of this strain on Chlorophyceae and Phaeophyta and a role of water temperature for the growth of yeasts are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2003

Effective alginate extraction from waste-brown seaweeds was studied. The waste-brown seaweeds almost consist of stems of seaweeds. Alginate could be obtained from the stems as well as leaves of seaweed. Ultrasonic vibration(47kHz) facilitated filtering step in the alginate extraction process. Among various alkalies for alginate extraction, $NaHCO_3$ was most appropriate concerning use of dealginates. The yield of alginate extraction using $NaHCO_3$ 2wt% solution was 19.3% at $60^{\circ}C$. The dealginates from $NaHCO_3$-extraction process have been found most suitable food for red-worms.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2007

There are produced more than 600,000 tons of seaweeds every year along the coast of the Korea. Jeonnam province, south-west coast area, of Korea is producing 93% of total amounts of seaweeds. The laver, sea mustard, and tangleweed maintain stability in the output and has been exported as a simple product processing through drying or salting. It was evaluated the low value-added products and limited the expansion for the consumption of seaweeds. The seaweeds contains 40-60% carbohydrate and structurally different compared with land plant. The dietary fiber from seaweeds has been known the function of facilitating the bowl movement, excretion the heavy metal in the body, lowering the blood cholesterol level, anti-coagulant of blood, and anticancer. Especially, brown algae including sea mustard, seaweed fusiforme, and tangleweed contains alginic acid, laminarin, mannitol, fucoidan which are lowering the blood cholesterol level, lowering blood pressure, and fusion of blood clot. Agar-agar, carrageenan, and porphyran compound in red algae are known to antimutagenicity and anticoagulant function. In spite of potential of seaweed as a main bio-resource, there are lack of research to facilitate the consumption with its functional properties and consumers are unsatisfied with simple processing products. Also, the seaweed by-product dump into the sea and cause pollution of the seawater. Therefore, there are needed the scheme to promote the consumption of seaweeds. The development of value-added products, finding functional properties from seaweeds, development the functional feed for animal using seaweed by-products, and utilization of unused algae for food or other industrial uses will increase fisherman's income as well as serve as an aid for the people health due to its functional properties. Using by-product of seaweed and unexploited seaweed are needed to development of bio-degradable food packaging material and functional feed for animal.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.1073-1077
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• 2010

This study was aimed to evaluate the estimated availabilities and contents of major minerals (Ca, P, and Mg) in seven different seaweeds using the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) which could bind minerals. The estimated availability was calculated by subtracting the NDF-bound major mineral contents from the total major mineral contents of seaweeds. Average estimated availability of Ca, P, and Mg contents of seven seaweeds were 96.31, 73.24, and 96.79%, respectively. These results may suggest that seaweeds could be one of the good sources of major minerals for human nutrition because of their high average estimated availabilities of Ca, P, and Mg.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.613-626
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• 2014

Seaweeds were identified after qualitative sampling at 14 stations of Dokdo coasts from May to July 2013 and seaweeds and animals inhabiting 23 Eisenia bicyclis plants were examined to evaluate its ecological role. Biomass was calculated by using regression between stipe length and weight of E. bicyclis. A total of 128 species were identified, including 18 green, 35 brown, and 75 red algae. Coarsely branched form was dominant functional group occupying 47.66% and 91 species (71.09%) were in ESG I group, growing in stable environmental coast. Also, R/P, C/P, and (R+C)/P were 2.14, 0.51, and 2.66, respectively showing temperate and mixed flora. Biomass and density of E.bicyclis were $23.74kg\;m^{-2}$ and 64 fronds $m^{-2}$. Twelve seaweeds and 83 animal species (15 Annelida, 25 Mollusca, 34 Arthropoda, 3 Echinodermata, and 6 others) were observed from 23 holdfasts and Ericthonius pugnax was dominant taxon having 538 (43.11%) of 1,248 animal individuals. These results indicate that E.bicyclis is a keystone species showing very important ecological role. In conclusion, the number of seaweeds increased because of intensive research and dominance of coarsely branched form and ESG I group seaweeds, representing that environmental condition of Dokdo is still intact.