• 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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1428-1433
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• 2011

In this study, we isolated and characterized plant-associated lactic acid bacteria which are able to produce angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and antioxidative activities. Five lactic acid bacteria were isolated from plants (grape and leek), a plant-associated fermentative product (Kimchi) and Korean traditional alcohol (Dongdongju). Strains K-1 and K-21 from Kimchi, strain L-5 from leek, strain G-3 from grape, and strain D-3 from Dongdongju were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella cibaria, L. plantarum, and L. brevis, respectively, by 16S rRNA gene analysis. ACE inhibitory activities of isolated strains ranged from 44.3 to 71.9% in the MRS broth. G-3, L-5 and K-1 strains especially showed high ACE inhibitory activities (59.8-98.69%) in the MRS broth containing skim milk. DPPH radical scavenging activities of the strains were in the range of 42.5-82.7%. All strains showed varying levels of resistance in artificial gastric fluid (pH 2.5), retaining viability ranging from 42.2 to 88.1% after 3 hr of incubation. All strains showed high resistance to 0.3% oxgall after 24 hr of incubation; survival rates were in the range of 55.4-112.8%. Isolated strains were found to be antagonistic to some pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.701-708
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the hyaluronidase (HAase) inhibition activity of Asparagus cochinchinesis (AC) extracts following fermentation by Weissella cibaria through response surface methodology. To optimize the HAase inhibition activity, a central composite design was introduced based on four variables: the concentration of AC extract ($X_1$: 1-5%), amount of starter culture ($X_2$: 1-5%), pH ($X_3$: 4-8), and fermentation time ($X_4$: 0-10 days). The experimental data were fitted to quadratic regression equations, the accuracy of the equations was analyzed by ANOVA, and the regression coefficients for the surface quadratic model of HAase inhibition activity in the fermented AC extract were estimated by the F test and the corresponding p values. The HAase inhibition activity indicated that fermentation time was most significant among the parameters within the conditions tested. To validate the model, two different conditions among those generated by the Design Expert program were selected. Under both conditions, predicted and experimental data agreed well. Moreover, the content of protodioscin (a well-known compound related to anti-inflammation activity) was elevated after fermentation of the AC extract at the optimized fermentation condition.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2023

This study investigated the effect of the addition of pomegranate concentrate to yogurt on the growth of pathogenic and lactic acid bacteria. The concentration of the MRS broth was adjusted to one-half and used for an experiment. Pomegranate concentrate was added at concentrations of 4%, 2%, 1%, and 0.5%, which significantly promoted the growth of Lacto-coccus cremoris, Weissella cibaria, Weissella paramesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophillus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus lactis. The growth of lactic acid bacteria increased with higher concentrations of pomegranate. However, the addition of pomegranate concentrate inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli KCCM11587, E. coli KCCM11591, E. coli KCCM11596, and E. coliKCCM11600. Yogurt with added pomegranate concentrate demonstrated optimal conditions compared to that of the control without the addition. Particularly, the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria was significantly higher in the yogurt with pomegranate concentrate. Furthermore, the viability of the lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt with pomegranate concentrate was higher than that of the control without the addition of concentrate during storage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.599-603
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• 2020

In the present study, we examined the effects of interleukin (IL)-10 expression-inducing bacteria Bifidobacterium adolescentis HP1, Lactobacillus mucosae HP2, and Weissella cibaria HP3 on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and liver steatosis in mice. Oral gavage of HP1, HP2, and HP3 reduced HFD-induced bodyweight gain, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in the blood and liver. They also suppressed HFD-induced colitis and the fecal δ,γ-Proteobacteria population. Of the tested bacteria, HP2, which most potently inhibited IL-10 expression, also suppressed HFD-induced bodyweight gain, liver steatosis, and colitis most effectively. These findings suggest that IL-10 expression-inducing gut bacteria can suppress obesity and liver steatosis.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.801-813
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• 2014

A study was conducted to improve the biological activity of two medicinal plants, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, by fermentation. The biological activity was assessed by determining antibacterial, antioxidant and antimethanogenic properties. Fermentation was achieved by adding the plant materials in MRS broth at 10% (w/v) and different starter cultures at 1% (v/v). Condition for fermentation were incubation temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ and agitation at 150 rpm for 48 h. Six starter cultures, Weissella confusa NJ28 (Genbank accession number KJ914897), Weissella cibaria NJ33 (Genbank accession number KJ914898), Lactobacillus curvatus NJ40 (Genbank accession number KJ914899), Lactobacillus brevis NJ42 (Genbank accession number KJ914900), Lactobacillus plantarum NJ45 (Genbank accession number KJ914901) and Lactobacillus sakei NJ48 (Genbank accession number KJ914902) were used. Antibacterial activity was observed in L. curvatus NJ40 and L. plantarum NJ45 only as opposed to other treatments, including the non-fermented groups, which showed no antibacterial activity. Both plants showed antioxidant activity, although E. ulmoides Oliv. had lower activity than G. uralensis. However, fermentation by all strains significantly improved (p<0.05), antioxidant activity in both plants compared to non-fermented treatment. Six treatments were based on antibacterial activity results, selected for in vitro rumen fermentation; 1) non-fermented E. ulmoides, 2) fermented E. ulmoides NJ40, 3) fermented E. ulmoides NJ45, 4) non-fermented G. uralensis, 5) fermented G. uralensis NJ40, 6) fermented G. uralensis NJ45. A negative control was also added, making a total of 7 treatments for the in vitro experiment. Medicinal plant-based treatments significantly improved (p<0.05) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Significant methane reduction per mol of VFA were observed in G. uralensis (p<0.05). Based on the present study, fermentation improves the biological activity of E. ulmoides Oliv. and G. uralensis. Fermented G. uralensis could also be applied as an enteric methane mitigating agent in ruminant animals.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.491-502
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• 2014

The present study was conducted to investigate effective starter culture to improve biological activity of Asarum sieboldii. Antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity and reduction of enteric rumen methane production were used as criterions for biological activity. Ground A. sieboldii was added in MRS broth at 10% (w/v) and fermented by different starter cultures. Weissella confusa NJ28, Weissella cibaria NJ33, Lactobacillus curvatus NJ40, Lactobacillus brevis NJ42, Lactobacillus plantarum NJ45 and Lactobacillus sakei NJ48 were used for starter culture strains. Each starter culture was inoculated with 1% (v/v) ratio and fermentation was performed at $30^{\circ}C$ with agitation (150 rpm) for 48 h. MRS broth for the control was employed without starter culture. Then the fermentation growth was dried and extracted using ethyl alcohol. The growth of starter culture was detected at NJ40, NJ42, NJ45 and NJ48. And the highest cell growth was found in NJ40. Antibacterial activity against to Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogens, Mannheimia haemolytica and Salmonella gallinarum were observed in the extract fermented by NJ40 and NJ45. All treatments showed antioxidant activities, however, there were no significant differences (p>0.05). In in vitro rumen fermentation, negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) were assigned to without extract and with non-fermented A. sieboldii extract. Significant suppression of gas productions were detected in positive control and treatments compared to negative control (p<0.05). However, total volatile fatty acid production was not suppressed. Significant methane reduction per total volatile fatty acid productions were found in positive control and NJ45 treatment (p<0.05). The present study suggested a fermentation of A. sieboldii using NJ45 strain could improve its biological activity and make possible for its use in bio additive for enteric rumen methane mitigation without suppression of animal productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.429-438
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• 2018

Objective: Although the efficacy of Rubus coreanus (RC) byproducts as a feed additive has been recognized, its effects on intestinal microorganisms and the immune system are still unknown. Methods: Six-week-old male rats were treated with 0.5% RC (T1), 1.0% RC (T2), and 1.5% RC (T3) for 4 weeks. Results: We found that treatment with RC byproducts significantly increased the daily gain of body weight and feed intake. Treg-cell differentiation was enhanced in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen from the rats fed with RC byproducts. Illumina sequencing showed that bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes decreased and while those in the phylum Bacteroidetes increased in RC-treated groups. Particularly, the pathogenic microorganisms in the family Peptococcaceae decreased, and the non-pathogenic families Lachnospiraceae and S24-7 increased. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the RC byproducts increased the lactic acid bacteria Bifidobacterium spp., Oscillospira spp., Leuconostoc citreum, and Weissella cibaria in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: RC byproducts may be effective in immunomodulation by affecting intestinal microorganisms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.620-631
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• 2015

A total of 59 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from corn stover silage. According to phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences and recA gene polymerase chain reaction amplification, these LAB isolates were identified as five species: Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum subsp. plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Enterococcus mundtii, Weissella cibaria and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, respectively. Those strains were also screened for antimicrobial activity using a dual-culture agar plate assay. Based on excluding the effects of organic acids and hydrogen peroxide, two L. plantarum subsp. plantarum strains ZZU 203 and 204, which strongly inhibited Salmonella enterica ATCC $43971^T$, Micrococcus luteus ATCC $4698^T$ and Escherichia coli ATCC $11775^T$ were selected for further research on sensitivity of the antimicrobial substance to heat, pH and protease. Cell-free culture supernatants of the two strains exhibited strong heat stability (60 min at $100^{\circ}C$), but the antimicrobial activity was eliminated after treatment at $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. The antimicrobial substance remained active under acidic condition (pH 2.0 to 6.0), but became inactive under neutral and alkaline condition (pH 7.0 to 9.0). In addition, the antimicrobial activities of these two strains decreased remarkably after digestion by protease K. These results preliminarily suggest that the desirable antimicrobial activity of strains ZZU 203 and 204 is the result of the production of a bacteriocin-like substance, and these two strains with antimicrobial activity could be used as silage additives to inhibit proliferation of unwanted microorganism during ensiling and preserve nutrients of silage. The nature of the antimicrobial substances is being investigated in our laboratory.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.655-659
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• 2014

Food-grade protective agents, namely, skim milk, yeast extract, soy powder, and trehalose, were studied for their ability to improve the viability of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Weissella cibaria SW1-1, Lactobacillus plantarum A-1, Lactobacillus sakei 2-12 24, and Leuconostoc citreum 3526. The best results were obtained with 10% soy powder; approximately 90% cell viability was observed during the freeze-drying process. Increase in the concentration of soy powder did not cause a proportional increase in the survival rate of LAB. Further, no significant difference was observed when two agents were combined in a 1:1 ratio (p<0.05).