• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.451-457
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the contents of lead (Pb) and cadmium(Cd) in honeys (n=60) from April to May in 2004 and to provide the scientific basis for heavy metal regulations of Korea Food Code. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed for the contents of Pb and Cd by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). The contents of Pb and Cd [minimum-maximum (mean)] were 0.189-1.82 mg/kg (0.568) and not detected (ND)-0.016 mg/kg (0.0008) in domestic acacia honeys (n=20), ND-1.702 mg/kg (0.329) and ND-0.243 mg/kg (0.013) in domestic wild flower honeys (n= 18), ND-0.322 mg/kg (0.073), ND-0.027 mg/kg (0.002) in imported honeys (n=13), ND-3.754 mg/kg (0.671) and ND-0.658 mg/kg (0.073) in foreign honeys (n=9) brought by Korean travellers, respectively. According to the results, foreign honeys brought by Korean travellers were detected with the highest level of Pb and Cd. Therefore, we recommend that heavy metals of domestic and foreign honeys should be continuously monitored. It is also thought that these results could be the important references to establish the standard of Pb and Cd in honey.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.272-279
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• 2003

To determine optimal fermentation period of wild vegetables mixed with black sugar without microorganisms during plant extract fermentation food processing, changes in chemical components, quality characteristics of the fermented broth, and physiological functionality during fermentation period were investigated. pH and $^{\circ}Bx$ of fermented broths decreased gradually during fermentation period. Except persimmon leaf, viscosity of fermented broths of wild vegetables decreased after 3 months fermentation period. Amylase activity increased to $167{\sim}800%$ of its initial level after 6 months fermentation period, and invertase activity decreased by $60{\sim}170$ units after 1 month fermentation. No significant level of cellulase activity was observed. In the sensory evaluation test, inherent flavors and tastes of the wild vegetable decreased during the fermentation period, while those of others gradually increased. Overall acceptability was the highest after 3 months fermentation. Content of total phenolic compounds and electron-donating ability were highest after 3 to 4 months fermentation period, and decreased thereafter. Except Mugwort, tyrosinase inhibitory activity was found in all fermented broths. SOD-like activities were $23.0{\sim}25.1$ and $27.0{\sim}29.2%$ in fermentation broths of acacia flower and persimmon leaf, respectively, and were maintained throughout the fermentation period. Based on these results, fermentation period of 3 to 4 months was determined to be appropriate for plant extract fermentation food processing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.555-562
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• 2020

This study analyzed the total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TF), and protein content, the Absorbance at 400 nm (A400), and the antioxidant and hemolytic activities of 150 Korean honey products, including 41 chestnut (CH), 42 acacia (AH), 62 multi-floral (MH), and five Styrax japonica (TH) varieties. Our results showed that the components and antioxidant activities of honey are dependent on botanical origin rather than farming area or farmer. CH showed the highest levels of TP (88.6±29.8 mg/100 g) and TF (1.20±0.82 mg/100 g), whereas TH had the highest protein (21.5±5.1 mg/100 g). A400 was the highest in CH (0.161±0.044). All of the honey products exhibited negligible hemolytic activity against human red blood cells up to 1 mg/ml. Potent radical scavenging activities for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonate) (ABTS), nitrite and reducing power were also observed in CH. Correlation coefficients (CCs) between analysis parameters were calculated and the highest was identified between TP and ABTS scavenging activity (0.726). The CCs between A400 and TP and A400 and ABTS scavenging activity were 0.644 and 0.661, respectively, suggesting that A400 could be used as a quality indicator for the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of particular honeys. Future research on polyphenol by flower origin and the identification of compounds for A400 is necessary.