• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2015

Weissella spp. from traditional Korean foods of Kimchi were isolated and characterized against food-borne pathogenic Listeria monocytogens. The isolates were identified as W. cibaria 0D17 and W. confusa 0D23 from Kimchi by the biochemical characteristics and 16S DNA sequencing. The culture solutions of the isolates adjusted to pH 7.0 showed L. monocytogens inhibition. To analyze the quantitative detection of L. monocytogenes, real-time PCR was performed according to the SYBR Green I method. The isolates grew well and L. monocytogens did not grow during the co-culture with those strains at $37^{\circ}C$. Therefore, W. cibaria 0D17 and W. confusa 0D23 might be the candidates as the functional lactic acid bacteria for improving food safety.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2010

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was applied to detect and identify ten Weissella spp. frequently found in kimchi. The previously reported genus-specific primers designed from 16S rDNA sequences of Weissella spp. were adopted but PCR was performed at the increased annealing temperature by $4^{\circ}C$. The sizes of amplified PCR products and restricted fragments produced by AluI, MseI, and BceAI endonucleases were well correspond with the expected sizes. W. kandleri, W. koreensis, W. confusa, W. minor, W. viridescens, W. cibaria, and W. soli were distinguished by AluI and MseI and W. hellenica and W. paramesenteroides were identified by BceAI. W. thailandensis was distinguished when restriction pattern of other species was compared but identified by the single use of MspI.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 2010

The purpose of this research is to draw the bacterial community difference between Korean and Chinese kimchi for future use in the confirmation of kimchi origin. Initial fermentation stage kimchi samples (above pH 5) were used for the analysis of bacterial diversity. From 26 Korean kimchi samples, 1,017 strains in the 45 genera and from 22 Chinese kimchi samples, 842 strains in the 54 genera were isolated with use of marine medium, nutrient medium, succinate minimal medium (SMM), leuconostocs selective medium (LUSM) agars. In the order of isolated numbers, Bacillus, Weissella, Leuconostoc, Pseudomonas, and Lactobacillus genera and Bacillus, Weissella, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Enterobacter genera were predominated in Korean and Chines kimchi, respectively. Among the isolated lactic acid bacteria, Weissella spp. were isolated most dominantly owing to the biased growth of Weissella spp. on LUSM agar. Species in the genera Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus were the next frequently isolated LAB from Korean and Chinese kimchi, respectively. Weissella confusa was isolated only from Korean kimchi and W. soli and Serratia proteamculans were isolated only from Chinese kimchi. They have a possibility to be used as target bacteria to differentiate Korean kimchi from Chinese kimchi.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to enhance the antioxidant activity of salted squid by inoculation of two Weissella spp. strains (W. cibaria FB-069 and W. viridescens FB-077) isolated from traditional Korea salted squid. The safety and probiotic potential characteristics of these two strains were evaluated. The safety of these strains was analyzed based on hemolytic activity, mucin degradation, biogenic amino production, and resistance to antibiotics. These lactic acid bacteria showed probiotic potential, including resistance to gastrointestinal tract conditions, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, and aggregation. The low-salted squid fermented with Weissella strains had consistently higher antioxidant activity through changing their amino acid profiles. Therefore, W. cibaria FB-069 and W. viridescens FB-077 might be good candidates for fermentation of salted squid to develop functional food with enhanced health benefits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.110-116
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• 2012

Nuruk plays a significant role in the flavor and quality of Takju and Yakju, which are produced through saccharification and alcohol fermentation by various microorganisms. In this study, we identified microbial strains isolated from a plate count and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis targeting the 16S and 28S rRNA genes, in order to characterize bacterial and fungal diversity in Sansung Nuruk. The numbers of bacteria and fungi in Nuruk were $1.5{\times}10^9$ CFU/g and $2.2{\tims}10^8$ CFU/g, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the predominant bacteria in the isolates and PCR-DGGE profile of Nuruk were Kocuria spp., Pantoea spp., Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp., Weissella spp., Staphylococcus spp., endophytic bacterium, uncultured Gamma-proteobacteria, uncultured Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Dominant bacteria from the PCR-DGGE profile were Pediococcous pentosaceus and uncultured Cyanobacteria. The 28S rRNA gene sequence indicated the predominant fungi in the isolates and PCR-DGGE profile to be Trichomonascus spp. Pichia spp., Torulaspora spp., Wickerhamomyces spp., Sacharomycopsis spp., Lichtheimia spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp. Aspergillus spp., and Cladosporium spp. Dominant fungi from the PCR-DGGE profile were Pichia kudriavzevii and Aspergillus oryzae. The PCR-DGGE technique was used for the first time in this study to assess a microbial community in Nuruk and proved to be an effective protocol for profiling microbial diversity.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2006

Seventeen lactic acid bacterial strains (LAB) were isolated using MRS agar medium from Jeotgal, a Korean fermented food, purchased at the Jukdo market of Pohang. To identify the strains isolated, they were tested by examining their cell morphologies, gram-staining, catalase activity, arginine hydrolase activity, D-L lactate form and carbohydrate fermentation. According to the phenotypic characteristics, three strains were tentatively identified as Lactobacillus spp., ten were Enterococcus spp. (or Streptococcus spp., or Pediococcus spp.) and the rest were Leuconostoc spp. (or Weissella spp.). Five strains among 17 were chosen by preliminary bacteriocin activity test. Four bacterial strains which inhibited both indicator microorganisms were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results are as follows; Leuconostoc mesenteroides (HK 4), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (HK 5), Leuconostoc mesenteroides(HK 11), Streptococcus salivarius(HK 8). In order to check LAB which are showing a high survival rate in gut, we investigated three strains inhibiting both indicator microorganisms in artificial gastric acid and bile juice -all except HK8. The three strains mentioned above grew in extreme low acid conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.496-502
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• 2016

This review describes the diversity of Korean fermented foods and their significance as potential sources of probiotic bacteria. Fermented foods consumed in Korea are categorized according to their base material. Fermented foods such as kimchi, meju, doenjang, kangjang, jeotgal, and makgeolli are reported to have significant medicinal properties. These fermented products, which are consumed regularly by local people, are rich sources of beneficial microbes represented by several genera, including Weissella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Mucor, Penicillium, Scopulariopsis, Aspergillus, Rhodotorula, Candida, Saccharomyces, and Bacillus, as well as lactic acid bacteria. Fermented foods are now taken beyond the boundaries of their use as mere side dishes and are used significantly as a functional as well as medicinal foods. Fermented foods are a rich source of potential natural substances with antioxidant, anticancer, anticholesteric, antiobesitic, and antiaging properties, so that traditional fermented foods used as food supplements can impart health benefits. Publication of scientific studies on the dietary benefits of various fermented foods and growing consciousness about the potential health benefits of traditional fermented food are reflected in the scores of reports currently available in this field. Food microbiologists now have abundant opportunities to explore Korean traditional fermented foods for the isolation of new bacterial strains and to evaluate the potential applications of these strains through microbiological research.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.334-342
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• 2023

Forty species of lactic acid bacteria isolated from gajami sikhae were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus brevis, and Weissella paramesenteroides. 10 of the 40 strains were selected and used for the test. In this study, experiments such as those using acid and artificial gastric juice resistance, bile acid resistance, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and cell surface hydrophobicity were conducted to utilize lactic acid bacteria separated from gajami sikhae as probiotics. The separated lactic acid strains showed high survival rates through displaying resistance to acidic and artificial gastric juices; L. plantarum GS11 showed the best resistance. Also, as a result of a measurement of bile acid resistance, all lactic acid bacteria stocks showed survival of more than 100% with a probiotic number of 10⁸ to 10⁹ log CFU/ml. After evaluating cohesion to indirectly measure cell surface adhesion, autoaggregation ability was shown to be more than 46%. Measurement of xylene adhesion for cell surface hydrophobicity evaluation revealed better cell adhesion than B. subtilis, which has 32.2% hydrophobicity in isolated lactic acid strains. Antibacterial force measurement found antibacterial activity in lactic acid bacteria, excluding L. plantarum GS12 and L. plantarum GS13. Therefore, it was judged that lactic acid bacteria separated from gajami sikhae could be used as probiotics with various probiotic properties.

• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2006

Despites many attempts to explore the microbial diversity in kimchi fermentation, the predominant flora remains controversial to date. In the present study, major lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were investigated in Chinese cabbage kimchi in the early phase of fermention. For the samples over pH 4.0, viable cell counts of Leuconostoc and Pediococcus were $10^6\;cfu/ml$ and below $10^2\;cfu/ml$, respectively, and 20 isolates out of 172 were subjected to a biochemical identification (API 50 CH kit) as well as molecular-typing methods including ITSPCR with a RsaI digestion and 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis for species confirmation. Seven isolates were nicely assigned to Lb. brevis, 6 to Leuconostoc spp. (2 mesenteroides, 2 citreum, I carnosum, I gasicomitatum), 4 to Weissella (3 kimchii/cibaria, 1 hanii) and 2 to other Lactobacillus spp. (1 farciminis, 1 plantarum). On the other hand, the biochemical identification data revealed 9 strains of Lb. brevis, 6 strains of Leuconostocs,2 strains of Lb. plantarum and 1 strain each of Lb. coprophilus and Lactococcus lactis. However, a single isolates, YSM 16, was not matched to the ITS-PCR database constructed in the present study. Two Lb. brevis strains by API 50 CH kit were reassigned to W kimchii/cibaria, Lb. coprophilus or W hanii, respectively, judging from the results by the above molecular typing approaches. As a whole, the identification data obtained by the biochemical test were different from those of ITS-PCR molecular method by about $63\%$ at genus-level and $42\%$ at species-level. The data by the ITS-PCR method conclusively suggest that predominant LAB species is probably heterolactic Lb. brevis, followed by W kimchii/cibaria, Leuc. mesenteroides, and Leuc. citreum, in contrast to the previous reports [3] that Leuc. mesenteroides is the only a predominant species in the early phase kimchi fermentation.