• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.818-823
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• 2011

Recently, we showed that green tea extract (GTE) markedly lowers the intestinal absorption of $^{14}C$-benzo[a]pyrene ($^{14}C$-BaP) and enhances its secretion into the biliary route, suggesting a protective role for GTE against body burden. These findings indicate that green tea could be used as an effective dietary means against the toxicity of BaP. The present study, therefore, was designed to investigate if green tea intake could affect the tissue distribution and deposition of $^{14}C$-BaP in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats had free access to a nutritionally adequate AIN-93G diet and deionized water. At ~340 g of weight, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with 27.4 kBq of [4-$^{14}C$]-BaP and 5.0 mg of BaP dissolved in $300\;{\mu}L$ of olive oil and then assigned randomly to the following two groups: one group (GTE) of rats was fed the AIN-93G diet with GTE via drinking water at approx. 4.7 mg of catechins/d, whereas the other was fed the same diet but without GTE (control). At 4 wk of dietary treatment with GTE, animals were euthanized and heart, liver, brain, spleen, kidney, retroperitoneal fat, testis, and epididymal fat were collected, weighed, and analyzed for tissue $^{14}C$-BaP. Both the control and GTE groups continuously gained weight throughout the study, but there was no significant difference between the groups. No significant differences were observed in the weights of heart, liver, brain, spleen, kidney, retroperitoneal fat, testis, and epididymal fat. However, the radioactivities of $^{14}C$-BaP, expressed in dpm/g, were significantly lower in the heart, liver, brain, spleen, and epididymal fat of rats receiving GTE as compared to their respective controls. These data indicate that green tea intake markedly lowers tissue accumulation of $^{14}C$-BaP. Taken together, these findings suggest that the decreased tissue levels of BaP by GTE intake may be associated with lowered intestinal absorption of BaP and its enhanced secretion into the bile.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.1397-1403
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• 2011

Epimedium koreanum Nakai is a wild medicinal plant commonly consumed in South Korea due to its health beneficial effects. In the present study, the antioxidative, antimutagenic and immunological activities of E. koreanum Nakai extracts were investigated for their use in food. The yields of icariin compounds from the ethanol extract as well as the ethyl acetate, butanol, hexane, water, and chloroform fractions of E. koreanum were 27.9, 2.5, 1.7, 1.4, and 1.3 ${\mu}g/g$, respectively. The icariin components (295.5 ${\mu}g/g$) were collected from the ethyl acetate fraction by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and analyzed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activities of each fraction were as follows: ethyl acetate (49.0 ${\mu}g/mL$), butanol (59.2 ${\mu}g/mL$), hexane (119.8 ${\mu}g/mL$), water (122.0 ${\mu}g/mL$), and chloroform (138.5 ${\mu}g/mL$), based on $RC_{50}$ ${\mu}g/mL$. Icariin, isolated and identified as the main component, showed strong antioxidant activity with a $RC_{50}$ value of 15.3 ${\mu}g/mL$, which was higher than those of ascorbic acid (19.5 ${\mu}g/mL$) and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (18.2 ${\mu}g/mL$). In an Ames test, none of the fractions produced mutagenic effects on Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA100. In an immunomodulating activity test, the effects of E. koreanum Nakai on B cells (Rhamos) and T cells (Jurkat) were investigated. These results show that the growth and viability of B and T cells were increased by isolated icariin components for 1.27 and 1.28 fold, respectively. These results also provide preliminary data for the development of E. koreanum Nakai as an edible food material.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2006

To understand the changes in plasma levels of sex steroids in the wild Japanese eel Anguilla japonica during artificially maturing process, eels received weekly intraperitoneal injections of a water-in-oil (W/O) type emulsion with Freund`s incomplete adjuvant containing salmon pituitary extract (SPE; 20 mg pituitary powder/fish) were examined. In the weekly Eel's Ringer-treated control wild eels, the body weight (BW) changes of fish decreased slowly during the experiment period. Plasma testosterone (T), $estradiol-17{\beta}\;(E_2)$ and $17a,20{\beta}-dihydroxyprogesterone$ (DHP) levels did not change significantly at the end of the experiment. In the weekly SPE-treated silver eels, however, rapid increase in BW changes occurred after 6 to 10 weeks, and the oocytes of all fish were observed to be in the migratory nucleus stage. Furthermore, significant increase in sex steroid hormones (T and $E_2$) levels occurred from 6 weeks. In the weekly SPE-treated yellow eels, the BW changes of fish increased slowly at 6 weeks and then increased. In these fish, the oocytes were at the tertiary yolk globule stage even at the end of the experiment. Plasma sex steroid hormones profiles revealed individual variability in SPE-treated yellow eels. Plasma T and $E_2$ levels significantly increased at 8 weeks and after 6 weeks, respectively, in SPE-treated yellow eels. In the weekly SPE-treated wild eels (silver and yellow eels), however, plasma DHP levels did not change significantly during the experiment period. In silver eel, final maturation could be induced by weekly administration of SPE using W/O type emulsion.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2015

Purpose: Poncirus trifoliata has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune activities. However, its anti-obesity activity and the mechanism by which the water extract of dried, immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliata (PF-W) acts are not clear. This study suggests a potential mechanism associated with the anti-obesity activity of PF-W. Methods: We measured the effect of PF-W on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) regulation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an activity assay. The LPL regulation mechanism was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the mRNA expression of biomarkers related to protein transport and by western blot for analysis of the protein expression of the transcription factor CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein ($C/EBP{\beta}$). Results: The total polyphenol and flavonoid content of PF-W was $52.15{\pm}4.02$ and $6.56{\pm}0.47mg/g$, respectively. PF-W treatment decreased LPL content in media to $58{\pm}5%$ of that in control adipocyte media, and increased LPL content to $117{\pm}3.5%$ of that in control adipocytes, but did not affect the mRNA expression of LPL. PF-W also increased the mRNA expression of sortilin-related receptor (SorLA), a receptor that induces endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of LPL, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Finally, cell fractionation revealed that PF-W treatment induced the expression of $C/EBP{\beta}$, a SorLA transcription factor, in the nuclei of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusion: The LPL secretion and activity assay showed PF-W to be an LPL secretion inhibitor, and these results suggest the potential mechanism of PF-W involving inhibition of LPL secretion through $C/EBP{\beta}$-mediated induction of SorLA expression.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.452-460
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• 2016

This study was designed to develop a functional pharma-food using Salicornia europaea (SE). Tiny seeds from the mature SE were collected, and their biological activities were evaluated. The extraction yield of the seed in hot water was found to be 29.6% and the hot water extract (HWE) contained 25.7 mg/g total polyphenol (TP) and 11.5 mg/g total flavonoid (TF), which are similar to those contained in leaf and stem of SE. Among the subsequent organic solvent fractions, the ethylacetate (EA) fraction exhibited the highest content of TP (158.3 mg/g), TF (136.2 mg/g), and total sugar (228.3 mg/g). The EA fraction exhibited broad-range antibacterial activities against gram-positive bacteria, and the butanol fraction exhibited growth inhibitory effect against only Staphylococcus epidermidis. An antioxidation activity assay of the HWE and its fractions showed the EA fraction to have the highest radical scavenging activity with $RC_{50}$ values of 57.0, 29.0, and $28.9{\mu}g/ml$ against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite, respectively. The $RC_{50}$ values of vitamin C against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite were 10.7, 4.0, and $18.0{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, indicating that the EA fraction of SE has potent antioxidant compounds. In an anticoagulation assay, the EA fraction exhibited a 15-fold extended thrombin time at 5 mg/ml and activated partial thromboplastin time at 7 mg/ml, which are comparable to the activities of aspirin. The HWE and its fractions had no hemolysis activities against human RBCs at up to 1 mg/ml. These results suggest that the EA fraction from SE has a great potential as a new antibacterial and anticoagulation agent.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

A simultaneous analytical method was developed for the determination of isoxaflutole and metabolite (diketonitrile) in agricultural commodities. Samples were extracted with 0.1% acetic acid in water/acetonitrile (2/8, v/v) and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference obtained from sample extracts, adjusting pH to 2 by 1 N hydrochloric acid. The analytes were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive-ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Matrix matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.02-2.0{\mu}g/mL$) for all the analytes into blank extract with $r^2$ > 0.997. For validation purposes, recovery studies were carried out at three different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ) performing five replicates at each level. The recoveries were ranged between 72.9 to 107.3%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guideline (CAC/GL40, 2003). Furthermore, inter-laboratory study was conducted to validate the method. The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective, and sensitive for isoxaflutole and diketonitrile determination in agricultural commodities.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-341
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• 2009

The antioxidant properties of green tea leaves and powder extracts were determined using several tests including estimation of reducing power, DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity, and FRAP(Ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assay. All tests indicated that extracts of green tea powder had higher antioxidant activities than extracts of green tea leaves, and the activities were concentration-dependent. However, each test yielded somewhat different results with respect to storage conditions. The reducing power of green tea leaves was highest at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, storage at $4^{\circ}C$, and an Aw(water activity) value of 0.23. However, the reducing power of green tea powder, assayed at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, was high under all storage conditions(with variations in temperature and Aw), and was about 1.5.2-fold greater than that of green tea leaves. Radical-scavenging activity, as assessed by the DPPH assay, increased in a dose-dependent manner over the range $15{\sim}125{\mu}g/mL$. At higher concentrations, activities were $80{\sim}90%$ of maximal were attained. The FRAP activity of green tea extract also increased with rising concentration. Particularly in the case of green tea leaves, antioxidant activity was most greatest with storage at $-20^{\circ}C$ and Aw values of 0.69 and 0.23 when assayed at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. These results indicate that the most important factor during storage of green tea is not the Aw value but rather temperature, and that use of refrigeration($4^{\circ}C$) is preferable to increase or maintain the antioxidant activities of biological components in green tea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1554-1558
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• 2012

Method development and validation of ellagic acid for the standardization of Gochang Bokbunja as a functional ingredient and health food were accomplished. A Symmetry$^{(R)}$ (C18, $4.6{\times}250mm$, $5.0{\mu}m$) column was used with a gradient elution system of 1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. This method was validated according to specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision test, and recovery test. Specificity was confirmed with identical retention time, and calibration curves of ellagic acid showed good linear regression ($R^2$ >0.9996). Relative standard deviations (RSD) of data from the intra- and inter-day experiments were less than 2.28% and 2.84%, except in the low limit of quality control (LLOQ, $1{\mu}g/mL$) sample. The results of the recovery test were from 89.17% to 97.92% with RSD values from 0.05 to 0.14%. Therefore, we performed analysis of ellagic acid as a marker compound in Gochang Bokbunja extracts. The amount of ellagic acid in Gochang Bukbunja was about $1.918{\mu}g/mg$ (0.192%) in the three times analysis, and RSD was less than 2.36% by the validated method. These results suggest that the developed HPLC method is simple, efficient, and could contribute to the quality control of Gochang Bokbunja extract as a functional ingredient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Plebeiae Herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) on the proliferation of AGS cell lines and the activation of splenocytes. In an anti-cancer test using AGS cells, water and ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba inhibited the growth of AGS cell lines and morphological changes were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Water extract of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of 43.3% at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 69.7% at $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. Ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of approximately 37.3% for $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 75.8% for $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. The Plebeiae Herba induced the proliferation of spleen cells and increased interleukin (IL)-2, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Plebeiae Herba seems to have antiproliferationg effect against the AGS cell and acts as a potent immunomodulator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.356-362
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• 2015

Prickly pear cactus cladodes were extracted with hot water and 70% ethanol, followed by fractionation with n-hexane (HF), ethyl acetate (EF), n-butanol (BF), and distilled water. Total phenolics and total flavonoid contents as well as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities were then measured. Total phenolic contents were 784, 452, and 220 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, whereas total flavonoid contents were 214, 76, and 113 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g in EF, BF, and HF, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities ($IC_{50}$) were 103 and $105{\mu}g/mL$ in EF, 359 and $379{\mu}g/mL$ in BF, and 469 and $605{\mu}g/mL$ in HF, respectively. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity was highest at $391{\mu}M$ TE in EF (in decreasing order of $117{\mu}M$ TE in BF and $64{\mu}M$ TE in HF), whereas superoxide anion radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$) was highest at $40{\mu}g/mL$ in EF (in decreasing order of $69{\mu}g/mL$ in BF and $98{\mu}g/mL$ in 70% ethanol extract). Inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}$) of nitric oxide (NO) production induced by LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells was highest at $62{\mu}g/mL$ in HF (in decreasing order of $104{\mu}g/mL$ in EF and $465{\mu}g/mL$ in BF). The selectivity index (ratio of inhibitory activity of NO production to cell cytotoxicity) was highest at 4.63 in EF (in decreasing order of 3.37 in HF and 2.14 in BF). In conclusion, EF showed potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects with high phenolic and flavonoid contents.