• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.540-547
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• 2024

The continuous use of polymer materials has exacerbated waste and environmental challenges, spurring a growing interest in eco-friendly polymers, especially biodegradable polymers. These polymers are gaining attention for their potential as antimicrobial agents, particularly in fields like food packaging a need further underscored by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This study focuses on the development of an antibacterial polymer by combining poly-butylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with zinc pyrithione (ZnPt). The antibacterial properties were assessed through turbidity analysis, the shaking flask method, and the film adhesion method. The antibacterial activities of the composites with varying ZnPt% (w/w) contents (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) were evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Results revealed that even at a low concentration of 0.1% (w/w), the composites demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). Composites with ZnPt concentrations of 0.3% (w/w) or higher achieved over 99.999% antibacterial efficacy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis of the fracture surfaces of the composites confirmed the uniform distribution of ZnPt particles, ranging from 1-4 ㎛. Further FE-SEM analysis of bacterial suspensions exposed to the composite surfaces showed clear evidence of cell wall destruction in both E. coli and S. aureus. As an antimicrobial biodegradable polymer, PBAT-ZnPt composites show great promise for applications in various sectors, including food packaging.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1322-1326
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• 2013

New antifungal agents are required to compensate for the increase in resistance to standard antifungal agents of Candida albicans, which is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes minor infections in many individuals but very serious infections in those who are immune-compromised. In this study, combinations of theaflavin and epicatechin are investigated as potential antifungal agents and also to establish whether antifungal synergy exists between these two readily accessible and cost-effective polyphenols isolated from black and green tea. The results of disc diffusion assays showed stronger antibacterial activity of theaflavin:epicatechin combinations against C. albicans NCTC 3255 and NCTC 3179, than that of theaflavin alone. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1,024 ${\mu}g/ml$ with theaflavin and 128-256 ${\mu}g/ml$ with theaflavin:epicatechin combinations were found. The fractional inhibitory concentration indexes were calculated, and the synergy between theaflavin and epicatechin against both isolates of C. albicans was confirmed. Theaflavin:epicatechin combinations show real potential for future use as a treatment for infections caused by C. albicans.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.195-198
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the potential use of Zanthoxylum schinifolium and Zanthoxylum piperitum A.P. DC. as a source of antimicrobial agents against food borne pathogens. Essential oils of Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum A.P. DC. were collected by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was examined using the agar diffusion and micro-dilution assays. The effectiveness of Z. schinifolium essential oil was greater against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus than other pathogens, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 1.25, 2.5, and 1.25, 2.5, and $1.25\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Z. piperitum A.P. DC. essential oil was the most effective against all pathogens tested except for Escherichia coli O157:H7, and the MIC values against B. cereus, Salmonella choleraesuis, and V. parahaemolyticus were 1.25, 2.5, and $1.25\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Limonene, the major component of Z. piperitum A.P. DC. essential oils, had the highest inhibitory activity toward V. parahaemolyticus with a MIC value of $0.15\;{\mu}g/mL$. Meanwhile, citronellal and geranyl acetate, major components of both essential oils, displayed antibacterial activity against only B. cereus with MIC values of 1.25 and $5\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Therefore, these essential oils could be useful as antimicrobial agents against foodborne pathogens.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence rate of bacteremia following toothbrushing with toothpastes composed of several antibacterial agents and compare the results with the conventional oral hygiene maintaining methods in orthodontic patients. Methods: This clinical study included 100 adult orthodontic patients who were divided into 4 groups. Each group comprised of 25 patients, wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. In the first group, bacteremia was assessed after toothbrushing without using any toothpaste. In the second group, a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse was used before brushing with no toothpaste. In the third group, subjects brushed with a commonly used toothpaste which did not include an additional antimicrobial agent. The fourth experimental group used toothpaste which included tea tree oil, clove oil, peppermint oil and bisabolol as antimicrobial elements. Pre- and post-brushing blood samples were obtained using a strict aseptic technique. All samples were microbiologically evaluated using blood culture bottles. Results: Toothbrushing in orthodontic patients yielded to an increase in the occurrence rate of bacteremia when using normal toothpaste or no toothpaste at all. Conclusions: The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash before toothbrushing, and brushing with antimicrobial toothpaste did not show a statistically significant difference in preventing the occurrence of bacteremia (p > 0.05).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2024

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) growth in processed meat products produces slime. In this study, 10 different biofilm-forming LAB, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Levilactobacillus brevis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc citreum, Weissella viridescens, and Latilactobacillus sakei, were isolated from various meat products and identified based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. To inhibit biofilm formation by LABs, Eisenia bicycles methanolic extract (EB) and ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EA) were used as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents, respectively. Furthermore, EA and EB were employed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) such as EB-AuNPs and EA-AuNPs, which could serve as antibiofilm agents against the isolated LAB. These findings demonstrate that EA, EB-AuNPs, and EA-AuNPs exhibit significant antibacterial activity against the isolated LAB. Furthermore, EB-AuNPs reduced L. citreum biofilm production, whereas EA-AuNPs inhibited L. mesenteroides and L. brevis biofilm formation. The current results suggest that EB-AuNPs and EA-AuNPs can be used as nanomaterials to inhibit LAB that form biofilms on meat products.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Asthma is a complex inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by variable airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and reduction of respiratory function. Its prevalence and incidence are increasing because of the effect of various environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Steroid inhalation, long-acting agonists, and other synthetic drugs are used for the treatment of this disease. However, they have some side effects and show unsatisfied result and response after treatment. Therefore, many researchers have focused on the development of natural product-related treatment for asthma to suppress the side effects and unsatisfied results. Seaweeds contain various bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-oxidant activities. Thus, we investigated the asthma treatment-related literature using marine algae via the Google scholar search engine. Consequently, the literature is rarely investigated, but is increasing steadily. The literature was performed as a comparison study with an ovalbumin-induced group or drug-treated group, and investigated the antiasthma activity of algae ethanol extract. Although many researchers have studied marine algae-derived therapeutic agents for asthma, the amount of literature is rare compared with those of herbal medicine-derived therapeutic agents. Conclusively, we suggest that many researchers should investigate and develop algae-derived therapeutic agents for asthma treatment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.425-432
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• 2020

For this study copper ions-containing bioactive glass nanoparticles commonly used in mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was developed to improve the mechanical properties and promote antibacterial effect of MTA with the original material. The mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of Cu-BGn incorporating varying amounts cooper incorporated bioactive glass nano particles(BGn) 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 wt% in MTA were characterized composition of the resulting were investigated. The compressive strength was calculated by weighing specimens with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 6 mm according to ISO 6876 (2012). The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using two strains of S. mutans and E. faecalis. The mechanical properties of the test results was Cu-BGn increased no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Adhesion experiment results S. mutans in contrast to the control group Ortho MTA, 4.0 wt% of Cu-BGn added experimental group showed a significant difference was observed (p<0.05). Also, E. faecalis statistical analysis indicated a significant difference for antibacterial agents between control and Cu-BGn containing(p<0.05). It seems that this Cu-BGn proved that even a antibacterial effect was demonstrated. Therefore, it was suggest that it is necessary for in-depth research into various environments that can reproduce the oral environment.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.42-51
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• 2019

We compared the antibacterial activities of spermidine and astaxanthin against two gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus parauberis and S. iniae to find new antibacterial candidates. We also evaluated the preventive effects of spermidine against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 myoblasts. Our results indicated that spermidine has more significant antibacterial activities than astaxanthin against both two fish pathogenic bacteria as well as gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli used as a control group. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of spermidine were 0.25 mM and 1 mM against S. parauberis, 1 mM and 3 mM against S. iniae, and 0.5 mM and 1.5 mM against E. coli, respectively. In addition, the postantibiotic effect lasted from 7 h, 5 h and 6 h for S. parauberis, S. iniae and E. coli, respectively. The results also showed that the decreased C2C12 cell viability by H₂O₂ could be attributed to the induction of DNA damage and apoptosis accompanied by the increased production of reactive oxygen species, which was remarkably protected by spermidine. Additionally, the antioxidant effect of spermidine was associated with the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway. According to the data, spermidine may be a potential lead compound which can be further optimized to discover novel antibacterial and antioxidant agents.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Objectives Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a human pathogen and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. New antibacterial agents that have not been compromised by bacterial resistance are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity ofethanol extract of Haedokgeumhwa-san (HGH) which prescription is composed of korean medicine against MRSA. Methods The antibacterial activity of HGH extract was evaluated against MRSA strains by using the Disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration; MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test; its mechanism of action was investigated by bacteriolysis, detergent or ATPase inhibitors. The checkerboard dilution test was used to examined synergistic effect of ampicillin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, gentamicin and norfloxacin in combination with HGH ethanol extract. A time-kill assay was performed a survival curve which was obtained by plotting viable colony counts depending on time on bacterial growth. Results The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract (HGH) ranged from 1,000 to $2,000{\mu}g/mL$ against all the tested bacterial strains, respectively. We are able to confirm that HGH extract has potentially strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, fractional inhibitory concentration index of HGH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergy or partial synergism against S. aureus. A time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after 8 hr of treatment with the combination of HGH with selected antibiotics. For measurement of cell membrane permeability, HGH $250{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$ along with concentration of Triton X-100 (TX) and Tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris) were used. In the other hand, N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) and Sodium azide ($NaN_3$) was used as an inhibitor of ATPase. TX, Tris, DCCD and $NaN_3$ cooperation against S. aureus showed synergistic action. Accordingly, antimicrobial activity of HGH was affected by cell membrane and inhibitor of ATPase. Conclusions These results suggest that Haedokgeumhwa-san extract has antibacterial activity, and that HGH extract offers a potential as a natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.113-125
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• 2018

Purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors affecting the production of antibacterial substances and histamine in rennet curd prepared by inoculation of histamine-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and probiotic LAB. Probiotic Lactobacillus sakei PIL52 and Lactobacillus plantarum FIL20 produced strong antimicrobial agents against histamine-producing bacteria Lactobacillus brevis LAS129, Enterococcus faecium SBP12, and Enterococcus faecalis SBP58. The lactic acid and crude bacteriocin produced from the probiotic LAB inhibited histamine-producing bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner. As the number of probiotic LAB inoculated for the production of rennet curd increased, the antibacterial activity against histamine-producing bacteria was elevated due to the increased amount of lactic acid and crude bacteriocin in the sample. The growth of probiotic LAB as well as histamine-producing bacteria was inhibited by addition of 10% NaCl, thus the antibacterial substances and histamine contents in rennet curd were significantly lower than those of the control (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the histamine content was not significantly increased when the rennet curd prepared by mixing probiotic LAB and histamine-producing bacteria was stored at $25^{\circ}C$ for 5 days. However, the amount of histamine detected in the rennet curd was significantly (P < 0.05) increased because the antibacterial activity of the bacteriocin produced by the probiotic LAB was decreased at $20^{\circ}C$ for 20 days.