• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.208-217
• /
• 2016

Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (P. densiflora) contains several phenolic compounds that exhibit biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antihypertensive effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of P. densiflora on skin has rarely been reported. Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) is a commensal microbe that induces skin inflammation and is associated with several chronic disorders, such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, papillomatosis, and sepsis. The aim of our study was to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of P. densiflora needle extracts on skin health subjected to M. furfur-induced inflammation. The methanolic extract of the pine needles was partitioned into n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water layers. We measured the anti-inflammatory effects (in macrophages) as well as the antioxidant, antifungal, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of each of these layers. The antioxidant activity of the individual layers was in the order EtOAc layer > n-BuOH layer > water layer. Only the n-BuOH, EtOAc, and n-hexane layers showed antifungal activity. Additionally, all the layers possessed tyrosinase inhibition activity similar to that of ascorbic acid, which is used as a commercial control. The EtOAc layer was not cytotoxic toward the RAW 264.7 cell line. Interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression levels in M. furfur-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with the EtOAc layer were decreased markedly compared to those in cells treated with the other layers. Taken together, we believe that the needle extracts of P. densiflora have potential application as alternative anti-inflammatory agents or cosmetic material for skin health improvement.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.660-665
• /
• 1999

Structure of water soluble chitosan (WSC) was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometer and thermal analyser. The viscosity average molecular weight of WSC ranged from $3.0{\times}10^{4}$ to $4.5{\times}10^{4}$. Using the WSC having viscosity average molecular weight of $3.0{\times}10^{4}$, the antimicrobacterial effects against microorganism and oral microorganism showed 81.7% and 80.6% for Staphyloccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively, while the anitmicrobacterial effect exhibited 100% and 73.8% against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis, respectively. Therefore it is concluded that WSC is more effective against oral microorganism that microorganism in terms of antimicrobacterial effects. WSC sample with the viscosity average molecular weight of $4.5{\times}10^{4}$ exhibited a half of the antimicrobacterial effect of the low MW sample, indicating that the WSC with low MW was better than that with high MW. Chitin and chitosan showed a drastic decrease of acidity from pH 7.0 to 4.9 after 8 minute incubation time and reached an equilibrium after that. WSC, however, restrained pH of the sample from lowering up to about 16 minutes of incubation and reached an equilibrium after that. WSC obviously showed a buffering effect against pH change.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2008

Background: Acinetobacter infections are difficult to treat as they often exhibit multiple resistance to the antibiotics that are currently available for the treatment of pneumonia. Colistin is active against gram-negative bacteria, including the multiple drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species. However, intravenous administration of colistin was abandoned because of its nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The aims of this study were to examine the efficacy and safety of colistin administered by aerosol in the treatment of pneumonia caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from Dec. 2006 to Aug. 2007 who had been diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and had been treated with nebulized colistin. Results: 31 patients received aerosolized colistin. The average duration of the treatment was $14{\pm}7$ days and the daily dose of ranged from 225 mg to 300 mg. All patients received concomitant intravenous antimicrobial agents. The average length of the stay in the ICU was $34{\pm}21$ days and in the hospital $58{\pm}52$ days. The overall microbiological eradication was observed in 25 patients (80.6%). 14 of these (56%) were cured, and 11 (44%) were infected with other microorganisms. The overall crude mortality of the ICU was 48%. Nephrotoxicity and significant bronchial constriction did not occur in any patient during neublized colistin treatment. Conclusion: Nebulized colistin may be a safe and effective option in the treatment of pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Its role in therapy warrants further investigation in comparative studies.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.98-107
• /
• 2008

The ozone has the oxidizing power which is powerful the fluorine and the antimicrobial spectrum of wide scope. Researches were carried out to use the merits that ozone has in various fields including the food industry, and many studies are also conducted nowadays for more efficient use of ozone. The ozone was permitted legally as a food additive and was practically used in the United States, Australia, Japanese etc. In November 2007, ozone water was permitted as a food additive in Korea and the interest in the use of ozone water has been on the rise in the Korea's food industry. As a olisinfectant method, ozone has many advantages. The maintenance and management expenses of ozone are lower than the installation cost at early stages and no by-products are generated after use it compared to others. Recently the demand of ozone as a olisinfectant method is increasing drastically. Although ozone water is popularly used to sterilize raw foods like fruits, vegetables and meats, the cases are still limited and were verified by the survey results. However, the use of ozone water is gradually being increased and is focused on food services. Ozone water refers to a state where ozone is dissolved into water to more conveniently use ozone. Accordingly, ozone water should be managed in regards with the amount and time of water-dissolved ozone, and the control of discharged ozone concentration is required for safe use of ozone water. The items to control mentioned above are directly related to the performance of the devices, and therefore, it is required to newly establish the performance criteria of ozone water manufacturing devices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.924-930
• /
• 2002

Ixeris dentata extracts exllibited antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and fungi. Also EtOH extracts showed strong antioxidant activity and RC$_{50}$ value was 28 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. The inhibitory effect of Ixeris dentata on the mutagenicity in Salmonella and cytotoxicity on cancer cell were studied. Ixeris dentata extracts showed anti-mutagenic effects of 78.83 and 75.96% on B(a)P in S. typhimurium TA98 and Th100, respectively. These extracts showed 78.72% antimutagenicity on TA100 against MNNG. The Ixeris dentata extract with strong antimutagenic activities was further fractionated by hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Butanol fraction was found to be highest in antimutagenic activity against MNNG than the other fractions. Butanol fraction of Ixreis dentate revealed the highest cytotoxicity against AS49 human lung carcinoma cells in which cell growth was inhibited by 93.75% at 375 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Hexane fraction of ixeris dentate exhibited 68.56% inhibition against MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells at 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Hexane fraction of Ixeris dentata exhibited 84.91% inhibition against Hep 3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells at 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. From these results, it is considered that Ixeris dentata has strong antimutagenic and anticancer effects in vitro. However, these extracts and fractions did not show any cytotoxic effect against 293 cells.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.237-244
• /
• 2009

When the symptom of periapical infection is not released by mechanical instrumentation. anti-microbial agents including antibiosis become necessary in order to remove microorganisms from the root canal. Since anti-microbial agents of natural origins are currently popular, more natural remedies are being sought out. As it turns out, it is well known isothiocyanates (ITCs) in horseradish root extract have anti-microbial activity from many studies. In this research, anti-microbial effects of horseradish root extract and chlorhexidine, a typical anti-microbial agent, were investigated and compared against two kinds of obligate anaerobes. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella nigrescens, that are often discovered in infected root canal, and Clostridium perfringens, which is resistant to antibiotics and frequently used as a control strain for antibacterial studies 1. The MIC and MBC of horseradish root extract were ranged from 87 to 470 ppm and from 156 to 625 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. Horseradish root extract showed the strongest anti-bacterial activity (MBC, 156 ppm) against F. nucleatum and also showed anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic resistant obligate anaerobes. C. perfringens. 2. The MIC and MBC of chlorhexidine were ranged from 3.12 to 6.25 ppm and 10.94 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. 3. The MIC with 87-470 ppm of horseradish root exact has the same growth inhibiting effect as the one of 3.12-6.25 ppm of chlorhexidine. Likewise, the MBC with 156-625 ppm of horseradish has the similar bactericidal effect as 10.94 ppm of chlorhexidine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.736-745
• /
• 2016

Cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean fermented soy food, was prepared by inoculation of Bacillus subtilis EMD4 or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens EMD17 with anti-bacterial or anti-fungal activities into soybeans. Cheonggukjang was also prepared by co-inoculation of EMD4 and EMD17 (1:1, v/v). Control cheonggukjang was prepared by using B. subtilis KACC16450 (Natto strain). Growth of B. cereus cells spiked with starter organisms was completely inhibited by B. amyloliquefaciens EMD17 after 12 h of fermentation at $37^{\circ}C$. Growth of B. cereus was also inhibited by B. subtilis EMD4, but the degree of inhibition was weaker. After 48 h of fermentation, cheonggukjang samples were stored for 10 days at $4^{\circ}C$. B. cereus cells were not detected from cheonggukjang inoculated with EMD4, whereas significant numbers still present in control. The pH values of cheonggukjang samples were not significantly different. During fermentation, cheonggukjang fermented with EMD17 showed the highest fibrinolytic activity and during storage, cheonggukjang fermented with a Natto strain was the highest. Cheonggukjang fermented with a Natto strain also showed the highest amount of total phenolic compounds. The results show that control of B. cereus in cheonggukjang is possible by using starters such as B. amyloliquefaciens EMD17.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2013

Biological and functional characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were investigated in mustard stem/leaf kimchi (MK), cabbage kimchi (CK), young radish kimchi (YRK), and cubed radish kimchi (CRK). LAB of young radish kimchi were mainly composed of bacilli in contrast to the other kimchi. 89.2% LAB isolated from all kimchi harbored plasmids. However, LAB had an average of $4.1{\pm}0.5$ plasmid bands in YRK, more than MK, CK, and CRK. Exopolysaccharides were produced by 10.9~11.1% of LAB, and were especially by LAB isolated from radish kimchi. A significant percentage of LAB (69.5%) had antibacterial activity against one sensitive strain or more. LAB from CK, YRK and CRK had antimicrobial activities against Bacillus sp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium, while the LAB from MK had activities against Vibrio parahaemolyticus higher than those from the other kimchi. In YRK and CRK, acid-tolerant LAB were twice as prevalent as those in MK and CK. Bile-tolerant LAB isolated from CRK were more prevalent than other kimchi. When $10^8$ CFU of LAB were added to Caco-2 cells, 12.1% of LAB isolated from all kimchi showed similar adherent activity to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. LAB of MK particularly adhered to Caco-2 cells, 2.0~4.1 fold higher than LAB in the other kimchi. From these results, biological and functional characteristics of LAB varied according to the type of kimchi and LAB existing in kimchi were limited to their respective species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1438-1446
• /
• 2016

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of superheated steam (SHS) treatment on the physicochemical and microbial properties of garlic. The garlic was treated by SHS at temperatures of 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and $350^{\circ}C$ for 60 s. The moisture content of raw garlic was lower than that of SHS-treated garlic. The total thiosulfinate and pyruvate contents were dramatically reduced by SHS treatments. The antioxidant activities of garlic measured by ferric reducing/antioxidant power, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical scavenging assay, and total phenolics content decreased by SHS. The major volatile sulfur compounds of garlic such as diallyl disulfide, allicin, allyl sulfide, diallyl sulfide, and diallyl trisulfide were significantly reduced by SHS. The antimicrobial effects of raw garlic were stronger than those of SHS-treated garlic against three strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. However, total aerobic bacteria in garlic were dramatically reduced by SHS from 8.6 to 2.9 log CFU/g. The results from the sensory evaluation show that SHS treatment of garlic above $200^{\circ}C$ provides better acceptably due to reduction of off-flavor and pungency of garlic. These results suggest that superheated steam treatment can used as an efficient process for reducing garlic off-flavor and pungency.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2017

Zerumbone is a major component of the essential oil from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, which is a kind of wild ginger. In addition, various biological functions, such as liver protection, pain relief, atherosclerosis, and antimicrobial activity have been reported. It is also known to be effective in the proliferation of immune cells and the expression of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effects of zerumbone on monocyte activation. First, it was confirmed that the proliferation of THP-1 cells was increased by zerumbone. The strongest increase in THP-1 proliferation after lipopolysaccharide treatment was observed at $5{\mu}M$ zerumbone treatment, and the increase of cell proliferation without lipopolysaccharide was the highest at $10{\mu}M$. Conversely, when treated with $50{\mu}M$ zerumbone, a rapid decrease of proliferation was observed regardless of the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phosphorylation of signaling protein, Erk, induced by LPS was also increased by zerumbone. The strongest increase in phosphorylation was observed when treated with $50{\mu}M$ of zerumbone with reduced proliferation. The activity of transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ was not significantly altered by zerumbone alone, but increased when treated with lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, the transcription of the inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-8, which are regulated by $NF-{\kappa}B$, is also increased by zerumbone. These results suggest that zerumbone can enhance the proliferation and activity of monocytes. Furthermore, it is believed that zerumbone can enhance rthe immune responses through increased monocyte activity in bacterial infections with LPS, thereby helping to treat effective bacteria.