• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.292-295
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• 2013

Fermented whey solution presenting bifidogenic growth stimulation (BGS) activity was processed as prototypes such as sterilized fermented whey (SFW), spray-dried fermented whey (SDFW), and freeze-dried fermented whey (FDFW) and their BGS activities were compared. In optical density ($OD_{600}$) test, the BGS activity of three prototypes, which showed similar activities, were significantly different with non-fermented whey solution adjusted to pH 4.5 as a control (P<0.05). In viable cell count test, SDFW had the most positive influence than other prototypes on the BGS activity even though the difference was not significant. However, the activities of all prototypes were significantly different than the negative control (no addition). These results indicate that the processed prototypes of fermented whey solution show BGS activities and might be commercialized, with further evidences, in animal or human studies.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.867-873
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• 2015

1,4-Dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA), a precursor of menaquinone (vitamin K2), has an effect on growth stimulation of bifidobacteria and prevention of osteoporosis, making it a promising functional food material. Therefore, we tried to clone the menB gene encoding DHNA synthase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides CJNU 0147. Based on the genome sequence of Leu. mesenteroides ATCC 8293 (GenBank accession no., CP000414), a primer set (Leu_menBfull_F and Leu_menBfull_R) was designed for the PCR amplification of menB gene of CJNU 0147. A DNA fragment (1,190 bp), including the menB gene, was amplified, cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector, and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of MenB (DHNA synthase) protein of CJNU 0147 had a 98% similarity to the corresponding protein of ATCC 8293. The menB gene was subcloned into pCW4, a lactic acid bacteria - E. coli shuttle vector, and transferred to CJNU 0147. The transcription of menB gene of CJNU 0147 (pCW4::menB) was increased, when compared with those of CJNU 0147 (pCW4) and CJNU 0147 (−). The DHNA was produced from it at a detectable level, indicating that the cloned menB gene of CJNU 0147 encoded a DHNA synthase which is responsible for the production of DHNA, resulting in an increase of bifidogenic growth stimulation activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.442-449
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• 1998

Several transglucosylated xylitols were synthesized using intermolecular transglucosylation reaction of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) and their bifidogenic effects were investigated. The CGTase from Thermoanaerobacter sp. showed the highest transglycosylation activity on xylitol compared to those obtained from other strains. Extruded starch was identified to be the most suitable glucosyl donor for transglucosylation reaction on xylitol molecule by CGTase. The optimum reaction conditions for transglucosylation were also studied using extruded starch as a glucosyl donor. The transglucosylated xylitols were purified by activated carbon column chromatography with ethanol gradient elution from 0 to 18%, and their chemical structures were analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometer, $\^$13/C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and enzyme digestion method. Two transglucosylated xylitol, F-I and F-II, which had one or two glucose molecules attached to maternal xylitol by ${\alpha}$-1,4-linkage, were mainly obtained. F-II showed increased stimulation effect on the growth of Bifidobacterium breve compared to xylitol, indicating the possibility utilized as a new functional alternative sweetners having bifidogenic effects.