• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.340-349
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• 2009

A CJ9 bacterial strain, which showed antifungal and antibacterial activities, was isolated from meju and identified as Bacillus polyfermenticus based on Gram staining, biochemical properties, as well as its 16S rRNA sequence. B. polyfermenticus CJ9 showed the antimicrobial activity against the various pathogenic molds, yeasts, and bacteria. The antibacterial activity was stable in the pH 5.0~9.0, but the activity was lost at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The antifungal activity was stable in the pH range of 3.0~9.0 and reduced at $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min, but antifungal activity was not completely destroyed. The antibacterial activity was completely inactivated by proteinase K, protease, trypsin, and $\alpha$-chymotrypsin. The antifungal activity was also completely inactivated by protease and $\alpha$-chymotrypsin, and reduced its activity by proteinase which indicated that the antifungal and antibacterial compounds have proteineous nature. The apparent molecular mass of the partially purified antifungal compound, as indicated by using the direct detection method in Tricine-SDS-PAGE, was approximately 1.4 kDa. The molecular mass of the antibacterial compound could not be determined because of its heat-liable characteristic.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.707-717
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• 2018

Leukocytes are reportedly the first line of the innate immune defense and essential for the control of common bacterial infections. Therefore, in this work, the antibacterial activity of crocodile leukocyte extract against Propionibacterium acnes was evaluated, and we also characterized the related activity of skin infection. The leukocyte extract showed the minimum inhibitory concentration to be $100{\mu}g/ml$ to P. acnes. SEM imaging demonstrated that the leukocyte extract adversely affected P. acnes cell permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the crocodile leukocyte extract could significantly reduce proinflammatory markers and decrease inflammatory signs in infected mouse ears. The crude leukocyte extract was further purified using FPLC and RP-HPLC. The resulting fraction F5 was indicated as the anti-acne peptide-containing fraction. The molecular mass of the peptide contained in F5 was calculated to be 4,790.5 Da. N-Terminal sequencing revealed the amino acid sequence as GPEPVPAIYQ, which displays similarities to immunoglobulin A and leucine-rich repeat neuronal protein. This is the first reported amino acid sequence of a crocodile leukocyte extract that possesses anti-acne activity. To attempt to use it in a prototype cosmetic, an anti-acne gel containing crude crocodile leukocyte extract was formulated, resulting in seven gel formulations (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, and G7). The formulations G5, G6, and G7 exhibited 2-fold higher anti-acne activity than G1-G4. Investigation of accelerating stability studies of anti-acne gel formulations G5, G6, and G7 demonstrated that a low storage temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) is suitable for maintaining the physical properties and biological activity of the anti-acne gel products.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 1993

In order to retain the freshness of fruits and vegetables and to reduce the rate of disease damage, grafruit seed extract (GPSE), natural microorganism control agent, was applied during the preservation process of fresh fruits and vegetables. GFSE showed an effective inhibitory action against plant putrefactive bacteria and fungi which were involved in the decay of fruits and vegetables. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for GFSE against the microbes were in the range of 50 to 2,000 ppm. Direct observation of microbial cells and spores using electron microscopy showed their function was destroyed by the treatment of the dilute solutions of GFSE. Fresh Welsh onions, onions and red peppers treated with GFSE and stored in polyethylene film (0.1 mm) retained better quality in color and texture than the non-treated control. GFSE was efficient in controlling the germination of potatoes. It was observed that GFSE would reduce disease damages and have bactericidal and fungicidal properties during the storage of such fruits and vegetables as zucchinis, cucumbers, tomatoes and mandarin oranges.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2018

As a basic study for environment-friendly production of bacterial cellulose (BC) dressing with antimicrobial activity, we isolated and identified acetic acid bacteria which are resistant to silver ions and can biosynthesize silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, conditions of BC production by selected strain were also investigated. Strain G7 isolated from decayed grape skin was able to grow in the presence of 0.1 mM $AgNO_3$ which was identified as Acetobacter intermedius based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. BC production was the highest in a medium containing 2% glucose as a carbon source, 2% yeast extract as a nitrogen source, and 0.115% acetic acid as a cosubstrate. Structural properties of BC produced in optimal medium were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer, and it was found that BC produced was cellulose type I that was the same as a typical native cellulose. When strain G7 was cultured in an optimal medium containing 0.1 mM $AgNO_3$, the color of the culture broth turned into reddish brown, indicating that silver nanoparticles were formed. As a result of UV-Vis spectral analysis of the culture, it was found that a unique absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles at 425 nm was also observed. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed that silver nanoparticles were formed on the surface and pores of BC membrane.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate nutritional and physiologically active characterizations of sikhae and the seasoned products from the sea squirt Halocynthia roretzi. The total taste values of sikhae fermented for 4 and 5 days were 10.9 and 15.4, respectively, which was lower than for commercially seasoned sea squirts. The sikhaes contained mostly glutamic and aspartic acids. The total amino acid contents of sikhaes fermented for 4 and 5 days were 5.5 and 6.0 g/100 g, respectively, which were lower than those of commercial seasoned-sea squirts or similar. An amount of 100 g of sikhae and its seasoned products contained P, K, Mg and Fe, and these minerals, which are deemed good for our health, were at 10% above the recommended daily requirements. The functional properties of sikhae fermented for 4 and 5 days were as follows: for ACE inhibiting activity, 69 and 69.5%, respectively; for antioxidative activity, 28.9 and 29.3%, respectively; for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, 52.8 and 53.1%, respectively; and for ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity, 2.4 and 1.4%, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the 5 day fermented sikhae against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphyloccus aureus was detected in 8 mm and in 7 mm against Escherichia coli.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2007

The MJP1 bacterial strain, which possesses antifungal activity, was isolated from meju and identified as Bacillus subtilis based on its morphological and biochemical properties, as well as its 16S rRNA sequence. Antimicrobial activity was found against various species of Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, and molds, including food-spoilage microorganisms. The antifungal activity was found to be stable after heat and proteolytic enzyme treatment, and in the pH range of $6.0{\sim}10.0$. The antibacterial activity was stable in the pH range of $6.0{\sim}10.0$, but about 50% of the activity was lost after 24 hr at $30^{\circ}C$. The antibacterial compound was also inactivated by proteolytic enzyme treatment, indicating its proteinaceous nature. The apparent molecular masses of the partially purified antifungal and antibacterial compounds, as indicated by using the direct detection method in Tricine-SDS-PAGE, were approximately 2.4 kDa and 4.5 kDa, respectively. These studies suggest that B. subtilis MJP1 produces two bacteriocin-like substances with antifungal and antibacterial activities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2008

A strain IDCC 9203 isolated from infant feces was identified as Lactobacillus johnsonii on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis. L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was highly resistant to acid (MRS broth at pH 2.3) and bile (MRS broth with 0.3% oxgall). The antibacterial activities of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was examined against Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2054. The growth of S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 was inhibited by the cell-free culture supernatant (at pH 4.0) of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 as well as by the respective control (MRS broth at pH 4.0). Antimicrobial effect against S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was probably due to the lactic acid. By an in vitro cell adhesion model, L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 preincubated or coincubated with Caco-2 cells reduced the adhesion of S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 to Caco-2 cells by 74% or 47.1%, respectively. Also in an in vivo model, L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was colonized in mice intestines which were disrupted by ampicillin treatment. Its proliferation in the mice intestines reduced abnormal salmonella growth from $10^9CFU/g$ feces to $10^5CFU/g$ feces as an indigenous level. The results obtained in this study suggest that L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 may be a potential probiotic strain.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 2013

In the course of a study for the development of functional foods utilizing Woosul (Achyranthis radix), the components and various biological activities of Korean Woosul (AJN: Achyranthes japonica Nakai) and Chinese Woosul (ABB: Achyranthes bidentata Blume) were compared. Woosul in Korea, including AJN and ABB, are regulated and part of the Korean Pharmacopoeia. From AJN and ABB, ethanol extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were prepared and their in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-diabetes activities were evaluated. Although AJN and ABB have no clear distinction in terms of usage in Korea, our results suggest that AJN has higher quantities of lipid-soluble components and lower amounts of water-soluble sugars than does ABB. ABB also appears to possess greater amounts of flavonoid and polyphenol substances than AJN. Analyses of biological activities showed that the fractions of AJN were more active as antibacterial agents, and possessed more pronounced ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities than those of the ABB fractions. However, the antioxidant activities of the ABB fractions, as determined by DPPH anion-, ABTS cation-, nitrite-scavenging activity and reducing power, were higher than those of the AJN fractions. Our results suggest that the components and bioactivity of the extracts and subsequent fractions of AJN and ABB are different. Therefore, usage of either AJN or ABB should be carefully considered, as regards their individual properties, when the active fractions of Woosul are employed in the development of functional foods or novel plant-derived medicines.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2005

Benzophenanthridine alkaloids - sanguinarine, chelirubine, macarpine, and chelerythrine are produced from Eschscholtzia californica (Californica Poppy, used as a sedative by Native Americans) and most of them are derived from dihydrosanguinarine. The properties of sanguinarine are the basis of its antimicrobial activity and its use in chemosurgery and skin cancer excision. For overproduction of sanguinarine from E. californica, yeast extract was used as elicitor and the elicited cell's metabolites were checked. Sanguinarine production was increased intracelluarly about 8 times in the cell and 5 times extracelluarly. We have peformed proteomic analysis of proteins sequentially extracted from E. califormica suspended cells which were cultured with elicitor, an increase of spot intensity was seen at 24 hours following elicitation. These proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). We found several spots that were expected to be related to benzophenanthridine alkaloids production by comparing the production profiles of metabolites such as sanguinarine. These results demonstrate the use of metabolite analysis as a tool for detecting target proteins related to metabolites production pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to isolate the probiotic lactic acid bacteria, and verify the possibility of the final selection strain as probiotic material. For screening of biogenic amines non-producing microorganisms, 42 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from various berries, extract and vinegar grown in Sunchang. Isolates were investigated for various physiological activities such as extracellular enzyme, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and 5 isolates were firstly screened. SBB07 was finally selected by analyzing the biogenic amine, and named Lactobacillus brevis SBB07 by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Next, SBB07 was assayed for their survival ability when exposed to acidic and bile conditions as well as heat and antibiotic resistance. As a result, SBB07 showed more than 86% and 54% higher survival rate in acidic condition at pH 2.0 and bile resistance with 0.5% oxgall. In addition, SBB07 showed a survival rate of more than 113% in $60^{\circ}C$, and also confirmed that it has resistant to various antibiotics. As a result of confirming the possibility of prebiotics, SBB07 showed the best utilization of GOS as a prebiotic substrate, and utilization of FOS and inulin were also high. These results suggest that SBB07 have good potential for application as probiotic lactic acid bacteria.