• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2000

Analysis of Production of Thermostable Alkaline Protease using Thermoactinomyces sp. E79. Jung, Sang Won, Sung-Sik Park, Yong-Cheol Park" Tae Kwang Oh2, and Jin-Ho Seo*, Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 441-744, Korea, 1lnterdisciplinary program [or Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Seoul National Univer5it}~ Seoul 151 "7421 Koreal 2Microbial Enzyme RU, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Po. Box 1151 Yusong, Taejon 305"6001 Korea - This research was undertaken to analyze fermentation properties of Thermoactinomyces sp. E79 for production of a thermostable alkaline protease, which is able to specifically hydrolyze defatted soybean meal (DSM) to amino acids. TIle optimum pH for cell growth and protease production was pH 6.7, Thermoactinomyces sp. E79 did not grow at pHlO Among carbon sources tested, soluble starch was the best for protease production, while glucose repressed protease production. Tryptone was found to be the best nitrogen source for cell growth and soytone was good tor protease production. Oxygen transfer rate played an important role in producing thermostable alkaline protease. Ma'<..imum values of 6.58 glL of dry cell weight and 43.0 UJmL of protease activity were obtained in a batch fermentation using a 2.5 L jar fermentor at 1.93 X 102 hr-l of volumetric oxygen transfer coeff'jcient (kLa). Addition of 200 mgIL humic acid to the growth medium resulted in 1.64 times higher protease activity and 1.77 times higher cell growth than the case without humic acid addition.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2015

Ten types of farm-made brewing vinegars were collected and four high acetic acid-producing strains (CV1, CV3, CV5, and CV6) were isolated. Among them strain CV1, exhibiting highly alcohol-resistant and acetic acid-producing properties, was selected and its taxonomic properties were investigated by phenotypic (particularly chemotaxonomic) characterization and phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. On SM broth agar, cells of strain CV1 were gram-stainingnegative and formed pale white colonies with smooth to rough surfaces. Strain CV1 produced acetate from ethanol and was resistant to up to 8% (v/v) ethanol in LM broth. Strain CV1 had a G+C content of 61.0 mol%, contained meso-DAP as the cell wall amino acid, and possessed Q-10 as the major ubiquinone. A comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CV1 was most closely related to Gluconacetobacter saccharivorans (≥99.0% identity). In liquid media, the optimum growth conditions for acetic acid production were 30℃ and pH >3.0 and strain CV1 produced 9.3% and 8.4% acetic acids from 10% and 9% alcohol concentrations, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2015

Vinegar is a widely used acidic seasoning and can be manufactured using various methods and bases, including cereals, wheat, and fruits. Most studies on vinegar have been conducted to evaluate its antioxidant activity. In the present study, fermented dark vinegar (FDV) produced from unpolished rice was examined for its antimicrobial activity, biochemical content, including the amounts of sugar, total soluble sugar, organic acid, and free amino acids, and pH and physiological activity. The antimicrobial efficiency of FDV was assessed using the paper disc-agar diffusion method. FDV exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacteria and yeast strains that were tested. In fact, the activity of FDV was shown to be higher than that of the commercial antibiotics carbenicillin (50 µg/ml) and tetracycline (50 µg/ml) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Lodderomyces elongisporus. The antioxidant activity of FDV and ascorbic acid was evaluated. Using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, we found that FDV has the highest activity of the antioxidants. After spreading FDV onto tryptic soy broth and yeast extract-peptone-dextrose agar media, the microbial strains were isolated and characterized through physiological and biochemical analysis. Based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, the isolated microorganisms exhibited a close similarity to Acetobacter papayae, Acetobacter pasteurianus, and Acetobacter peroxidans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1661-1667
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• 2016

The ginsenoside-hydrolyzing β-glucosidase gene (bgy2) was cloned from Lactobacillus brevis. We expressed this gene in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), isolated the resulting protein, and then utilized the enzyme for the biotransformation of ginsenosides. The bgy2 gene contains 2,223 bp, and encodes a protein of 741 amino acids that is a member of glycosyl hydrolase family 3. β-Glucosidase (Bgy2) cleaved the outer glucose moieties of ginsenosides at the C-20 position, and the inner glucose at the C-3 position. Under optimal conditions (pH 7.0, 30℃), we used 0.1 mg/ml Bgy2 in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) for enzymatic studies. In these conditions, 1.0 mg/ml ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside F2 were converted into 0.59 mg/ml ginsenoside Rd and 0.72mg/ml compound K, with molar conversion productivities of 69% and 91%, respectively. In pharmaceutical and commercial industries, this recombinant Bgy2 would be suitable for producting ginsenoside Rd and compound K.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.1.1-1.6
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• 2018

Background: Maize fodder is being used as staple feed for livestock but it lacks protein and essential amino acids; lysine and tryptophan. Intercropping maize with leguminous soybean crop is promising technique under limited land resources of South Korea but it can only give considerable advantages when adequate distance is provided between corn and soybean rows. Main aim of present study was to find-out adequate distance between corn and soybean seeding rows for optimum growth, yield and nutritive value of intercropped forage. Methods: Different interrow distances between corn and soybean were evaluated under four treatments, viz. 1) Corn sole as positive control treatment 2) Zero cm between corn and soybean (control); 2) Five cm between corn and soybean; 3) 10 cm between corn and soybean, with three replicates under randomized block design. Results: Findings depicted that height and number of corn stalks and ears were similar (P > 0.05) among different treatments. Numerically average corn ear height was decreased at zero cm distance. Dry matter percentage in all components; corn stalk, corn ear and soybean was also found not different (P > 0.05) but dry matter yield in component of corn ear was lower (P < 0.05) at zero cm distance as compared to that of 5 and 10 cm interrow distances. In case of nutritive value, total digestible nutrient yield in intercropped corn was also found lower (P < 0.05) at zero cm distance than that of 5 and 10 cm interrow distances between corn and soybean seeding rows. Substantial decrease in dry matter yield of maize ear at zero cm distance might be attributed to factor of closed interrow spacing which made interplant competition more intensified for light interception, necessary for photosynthetic activity. Lower dry matter yield in ear also reduced total digestible nutrients in intercropped maize because it was determining factor in calculation of digestible nutrients. The optimum yield and nutritive value of forage at wider interrow distance i.e. 5 cm between corn and soybean might be due to adequate interseed distance. Conclusion: Conclusively, pattern of corn and soybean seeding in rows at 5 cm distance was found suitable which provided adequate interrow distance to maintain enough mutual cooperation and decreased competition between both species for optimum production performance and nutritive value of intercropped forage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.306-316
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the functional characteristics and safety properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from salt-fermented anchovy, a putative probiotic candidate. The following isolates were identified by biochemical profiles, carbohydrate fermentation patterns, and 16S rRNA sequencing: Enterococcus faecium AJ06, Leuconostoc mesenteroides AJ13, Pediococcus halophilus AJ22, Lactobacillus sakei AJ29, and Pediococcus pentosaceus AJ35. The strains AJ06, AJ22, AJ29 exhibited high tolerance to simulated gastric and intestinal juices and were able to produce bile salt hydrolase on MRS agar plates supplemented with taurocholic acid and/or taurodeoxycholic acid. The strains AJ22 and AJ29, which demonstrated high adherence to Caco-2 cells and resistance to various antibiotics, effectively inhibited the growth of food-borne pathogens by the production of antimicrobial substances. These strains did not show ${\alpha}-$ or ${\beta}$-haemolysis on blood agar. Furthermore, biogenic amines in MRS broth containing the precursor amino acids were not mutagenic in Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA100.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2007

The nutritional compositions of different parts (roots, leaves, and seeds) of two lotus species (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner), Muan's white-flowered and Naju's pink-flowered, are as follows; crude protein content in the seed was four times higher and the carbohydrate content was three times higher than those in the root and leaf. Comparing between the species, the crude protein content of the white lotus was the higher than that of the pink lotus, but the carbohydrate content was comparatively lower. The potassium content of the minerals in all samples was much higher than those in others. Additionally, the iron content of the root was much higher than those in the leaf and seed. In both species, the major free sugar in the root was sucrose; the main sugars in the leaf were fructose and alucose, and those in the seed were stachyose, raffinose, and sucrose. Among amino acids, glutamic acid showed the highest level in the leaf and seed, while aspartic acid was the highest in the root.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.610-616
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• 2017

${\gamma}$-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2) transfers ${\gamma}$-glutamyl moiety from glutamine to amino acids or peptides and hydrolyzes glutamine to glutamate and ammonia. In order to overproduce ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAGGT), the encoding gene was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. The productivity of BAGGT in Bacillus subtilis was improved by 42-fold by using a dual-promoter system that was generated by combining promoters from B. subtilis ${\alpha}$-amylase and BAGGT genes. Through optimization of medium composition by Plackett-Burman design and central composition design, BAGGT was produced at $18.3{\times}10^7U/L$ of culture in the optimized medium. Compared to previously used Luria-Bertani medium, the optimized culture medium (15 g/L molasses, 60 g/L corn steep liquor, 6 g/L yeast extract, 4 g/L NaCl, 6 g/L $K_2HPO_4$, and 2 g/L $KH_2PO_4$), resulted in a 4.3-fold increase in production of BAGGT.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.322-332
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• 2009

Five hundred strains of actinomycetes were screened for inhibitory activity against the phytopathogenic fungi; Alternaria alternata, Botryotinia fuckeliana, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gleosporioides, Corticium sasaki, Cylindrocarpon destructans, Fusarium oxysporium, Magnaporthe grisea, Phytophthora infestans, Phytium ultimum, and Thanatephorus cucumeris. The strain CNU-A91231 (Korea Agricultural Culture Collection #20938) showed a strong activity against the phytopathogenic fungi and it was identified as Streptomyces griseofuscus based on the sequence of 16s rDNA. Practical and simple media for the strain S. griseofuscus CNU-A91231 was developed at the conditions ($28^{\circ}C$ and pH 6 with aeration) for efficient bacterial growth. Alanine, glutamine, proline and ammonium ion were good nitrogen sources for the bacterium. Addition of the major salts including Na, Cl, Ca, P, K, and Mg into molasses did not increase the growth of S. griseofuscus. Addition of fertilizers containing amino acids significantly enhanced growth of the bacterium. The optimal medium was formulated as molasses + 1% of glutamate fermentation waste powder. All the conditions and components used in this study did not affect the antifungal activity of S. griseofuscus. The bacterium and the medium in this study can be used as a bio-antifungal agent for plant farming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1386-1392
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• 2008

A gene (sll0158) putatively encoding a glycogen branching enzyme (GBE, E.C. 2.4.1.18) was cloned from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, and the recombinant protein expressed and characterized. The PCR-amplified putative GBE gene was ligated into a pET-21a plasmid vector harboring a T7 promoter, and the recombinant DNA transformed into a host cell, E. coli BL21(DE3). The IPTG-induced enzymes were then extracted and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The putative GBE gene was found to be composed of 2,310 nucleotides and encoded 770 amino acids, corresponding to approx. 90.7 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses. The optimal conditions for GBE activity were investigated by measuring the absorbance change in iodine affinity, and shown to be pH 8.0 and $30^{\circ}C$ in a 50 mM glycine-NaOH buffer. The action pattern of the GBE on amylose, an $\alpha$-(1,4)-linked linear glucan, was analyzed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) after isoamylolysis. As a result, the GBE displayed $\alpha$-glucosyl transferring activity by cleaving the $\alpha$-(1,4)-linkages and transferring the cleaved maltoglycosyl moiety to form new $\alpha$-(1,6)-branch linkages. A time-course study of the GBE reaction was carried out with biosynthetic amylose (BSAM; $M_p{\cong}$8,000), and the changes in the branch-chain length distribution were evaluated. When increasing the reaction time up to 48 h, the weight- and number-average DP ($DP_w$ and $DP_n$) decreased from 19.6 to 8.7 and from 17.6 to 7.8, respectively. The molecular size ($M_p$, peak $M_w{\cong}2.45-2.75{\times}10^5$) of the GBE-reacted product from BSAM reached the size of amylose (AM) in botanical starch, yet the product was highly soluble and stable in water, unlike AM molecules. Thus, GBE-generated products can provide new food and non-food applications, owing to their unique physical properties.