• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2094-2103
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• 2017

Aging is associated with distinct changes in immune cells and a decline in immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to infection and reduced responses to vaccination. Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria exert beneficial effects on the immune system. Previously, we reported that Weissella cibaria JW15 isolated from kimchi possesses immune stimulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we further investigated whether oral administration of JW15 improves immune function in aged mice. Eighteen-month-old female mice were administered JW15 daily at low (JW15-L; $1{\times}10^8CFU/mouse$) or high dosage (JW15-H; $1{\times}10^9CFU/mouse$), or with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) using oral gavage. Two-month-old female mice were included as healthy young mice. After 4 weeks, the mice were euthanized and immune profiles were analyzed using whole blood and spleen. In complete blood count analysis, the numbers of white and red blood cells were significantly increased in the JW15-L group compared with those in the old mouse (OM) control group. In addition, administration of either JW15 of LGG resulted in higher numbers of splenocytes in comparison with the OM group. Furthermore, proliferative potentials were higher in all probiotic groups than OM. Cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-6 were secreted at higher levels in splenocytes isolated from JW15-fed mice than in OM control mice. Similarly, mRNA expression of various cytokines was altered in the JW15 groups. Collectively, these results suggest that JW15 supplementation induces immunomodulatory effects in aged mice and indicate JW15 as a potential probiotic strain to improve immune function in aged animals.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.247-259
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• 2008

Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, one of rapid culture-independent microbial community analysis methods, was used to determine the lactic acid bacterial complexity and dynamics during kimchi fermentation at $15^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$. At both temperatures, the common presence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lc. inhae, Lc. kimchi, Weissella koreensis, W. cibaria, Lactobacillus sakei, Lb. curvatus, Lb. plantarum, Lb. paraplantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis was predicted. Lc. citreum and Enterococcus faecalis were detected at $15^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. W. koreensis predominated during the mid stage of kimchi fermentation whereas lactobacilli were dominants during later stage. Lb. sakei and Lb. curvatus became dominants regardless of fermentation temperature but the growth of Lb. plantarum, Lb. paraplantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis was restricted at psychrophilic temperature. Some species of leuconostocs were maintained until the later stage of kimchi fermentation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1198-1205
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• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have beneficial effects on intestinal health and skin diseases. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, is known to induce the production of several cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 and affect the intestinal microflora, anti-aging, sepsis, and cholesterol level. In this study, Weissella cibaria was isolated from Indian dairy products, and we examined its immune-enhancing effects. Live and heat-killed W. cibaria did not induce the secretion of immune-related cytokines, whereas LTA isolated from W. cibaria (cLTA) significantly increased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. cLTA increased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases in THP-1 cells. The secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 was also increased in the cLTA-treated mouse splenocytes. These results suggest that cLTA, but not W. cibaria whole cells, has immune-boosting potential and can be used to treat immunosuppression diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.943-946
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• 2017

Although the genus Leuconostoc, generally found in various fermented foods, has often been suggested to be a novel probiotic for food fermentation and health promotion, the strains in this genus showed low acid tolerance and low osmotic stress resistance activities, which are required for survival during food fermentation events. Recently, a novel species of Weissella, W. jogaejeotgali $FOL01^T$ (= KCCM 43128 = JCM 30580), was isolated from Korean fermented clams. To determine the genomic features of this new species, its genome was completely sequenced and analyzed. The genome consists of a circular chromosome of 2,114,163 bp of DNA with a G+C content of 38.8%, and the plasmid pFOL01 consists of 35,382 bp of DNA with a G+C content of 39.1%. The genome analysis showed its potential for use in food fermentation and osmotic stress resistance abilities for processing in food industries. In addition, this strain was predicted to have acid tolerance and adhesion to the mucosal layer for survival and colonization in the gut. Subsequent experiments substantiated these abilities, suggesting that W. jogaejeotgali may have probiotic potential and a high survival rate during food fermentation. Therefore, it may be suitable as a novel probiotic strain for various applications in food industries.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.371-378
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• 2020

Background: In this study, the radix of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge extract fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Weissella cibaria, and Pediococcus pentosaceus to increase the levels of isoflavonoid aglycone contents. Methods and Results: In order to change the in isoflavonoids, we fermented the radix of A. membranaceus extracts with microorganisms that have β-glucosidase activity. Besed on the β-glucosidase activity, we selected three strains, Weissella cibaria, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. HPLC analysis revealed that the levels of isoflavonoid aglycones were increased in all fermentation cases, and the extracts fermented by S. cerevisiae showed the highest levels of isoflavonoid aglycones. We evaluated the antioxidant activity, anti-wrinkle effects and whitening effects of the S. cerevisiae-fermented extracts using the DPPH assay, tyrosinase inhibition activity assay, and collagenase inhibition activity assay. We confirmed higher activity in S. cerevisiae-fermented extracts than in control, with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 565.1 ± 59.1 ㎍/㎖ in DPPH radical scavenging activity, tyrosinase inhibition rate of 78.4 ± 0.9%, and collagenase inhibition rate of 83.8 ± 1.1%. Conclusions: We selected three stains of microorganisms showing high β-glucosidase activity, W. cibaria, P. pentosaceus and S. cerevisiae. Isoflavonoid glycones in the radix of A. membranaceus were converted to isoflavonoid aglycones by fermentation. In addition, the fermented radix of A. membranaceus exhibited antioxidant activity, anti-wrinkle effect, whitening effect and radical scavenging activity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2019

The assortment of endophytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in kimchi derives from its raw vegetables, which include Chinese cabbage, radish, welsh onion, onion, garlic, red pepper, and ginger. These vegetables were examined during mulkimchi fermentation using gene-specific multiplex polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis. Sixteen species from five LAB genera (Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus, and Weissella) appeared in the raw kimchi materials. Interestingly, nine LAB species were identified in mulkimchi on fermentation day 0 as follows: Leuconostoc carnosum, Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc gelidum, Leuconostoc inhae, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactococcus lactis, and Weissella confusa. Seven additional LAB species were present in mulkimchi at fermentation day 9 as follows: Leuconostoc gasicomitatum, Leuconostoc kimchii, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus pentosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella koreensis. These species corresponded completely with the LAB in kimchi vegetables. Wei. confusa was the predominant LAB during early fermentation (pH 6.20 to 4.98 and acidity 0.20 to 0.64%), while Lac. sakei, Lac. plantarum, and Wei. koreensis became dominant later in fermentation (pH 4.98 to 3.88 and acidity 0.64 to 1.26%). These results collectively demonstrate that the LAB involved in mulkimchi fermentation originates from the raw vegetables examined.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.415-423
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• 2016

This study was carried out to obtain basic data for the industrial use of Weissella koreensis and Lactobacillus sakei. The antibacterial activity of supernatants obtained from W. koreensis and L. sakei were tested against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli KCCM 11234, Salmonella enteritidis KCCM 3313, Salmonella enteritidis KCCM 12021, Salmonella typhimurium KCCM 40253, and Salmonella typhimurium KCCM 15. The supernatant of L. sakei showed antibacterial activity against E. coli KCCM 11234, S. enteritidis KCCM 12021, and S. typhimurium KCCM 15, while the supernatant of W. koreensis showed antibacterial activity against E. coli KCCM 11234 and S. enteritidis KCCM 12021. The effect of pH changes and heat treatment on antibacterial activity of the supernatants was examined using the sensitive pathogenic bacteria (E. coli KCCM 11234, S. enteritidis KCCM 12021 and S. typhimurium KCCM 15). Antibacterial activity against sensitive pathogenic bacteria was maintained under heat treatment at all temperatures, but there was no antibacterial activity associated with pH modification. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the antibacterial activity of the supernatants obtained from W. koreensis and L. sakei was a result of organic acids including, lactic, acetic, phosphoric, succinic, pyroglutamic, citric, malic, and formic acids. Therefore, the present study showed that the organic acids produced by L. sakei and W. koreensis exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, in the food industry, these organic acids have the potential to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and improve the quality of stored food.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1705-1713
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• 2012

A gene encoding ${\beta}$-glucosidase was cloned from Weissella cibaria 37, an isolate from human feces. Sequence analysis showed that the gene could encode a protein of 415 amino acids in length, and the translated amino acid sequence showed homology (34-31%) with glycosyl hydrolase family 1 ${\beta}$-glucosidases. The gene was overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) using pET26b(+) and a 50 kDa protein was overproduced, which matched well with the calculated size of the enzyme, 49,950.87 Da. Recombinant ${\beta}$-glucosidase was purified by using a his-tag affinity column. The purified ${\beta}$-glucosidase had an optimum pH and a temperature of 5.5 and $45^{\circ}C$, respectively. Among the metal ions (5mM concentration), $Ca^{2+}$ slightly increased the activity (108.2%) whereas $Cu^{2+}$ (46.1%) and $Zn^{2+}$ (56.7%) reduced the activity. Among the enzyme inhibitors (1 mM concentration), SDS was the strongest inhibitor (16.9%), followed by pepstatin A (45.2%). The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of purified enzyme were 4.04 mM and 0.92 ${\mu}mol/min$, respectively, when assayed using pNPG (p-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside) as the substrate. The enzyme liberated reducing sugars from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1022-1032
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• 2019

Probiotics are known to provide the host with immune-modulatory effects and are therefore of remarkable interest for therapeutic and prophylactic applications against various disorders, including inflammatory diseases. Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) has been reported to possess probiotic and antioxidant properties. However, the effect of JW15 on inflammatory responses has not yet been reported. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of JW15 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The production of pro-inflammatory factors and the cellular signaling pathways following treatment with heat-killed JW15 was examined in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with heat-killed JW15 decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ production via down-regulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, treatment with heat-killed JW15 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. The anti-inflammatory properties of treating with heat-killed JW15 were associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway-mediated suppression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$. These results indicated that JW15 possesses anti-inflammatory potential and provide a molecular basis regarding the development of functional probiotic products.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2023

Nuruk is a starter culture of Korea manufactured by spontaneous fermentation of grains. We isolated bacteria of the genera Bacillus and Staphylococcus, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from eight commercial nuruk samples collected from four districts of Korea using selective agar media and identified them based current taxonomic standards. Bacillus was detected in all samples, but Staphylococcus or LAB were not detected in three samples. In seven samples, except one sample scored the highest cell number of LAB, Bacillus and Staphylococcus were counted as the highest and the lowest numbers, respectively. Six species of Bacillus were identified, and B. subtilis, B. velezensis, and B. licheniformis were predominant species. Nine species of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were identified, and the predominance of S. pseudoxylosus and S. saprophyticus was confirmed. Ten species of LAB including Enterococcus, Lactobacillus and close relatives, Pediococcus, and Weissella were identified. P. pentosaceus was identified as the predominant species.