• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.673-677
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• 2002

To develop a new traditional liquors using purple-fleshed sweet potato, the condition of alcohol fermentation was investigated by adding different concentrations $(5{\sim}75%)$ of cooked purple-fleshed sweet potato into mash and 10% nuruk, and fermenting for $5{\sim}15$ days. The maximum amount of ethanol (15.4%) was produced when 20% cooked purple-fleshed sweet potato and 10% nuruk were added into mash and fermented by S. cerevisiae at $25^{\circ}C$ for 15 days. The acceptability and physiological functionalities of the purple-fleshed sweet potato liquors were also investigated and compared. PSP-10 purple-fleshed sweet potato liquor prepared by adding 10% cooked purple-fleshed sweet potato into mash showed the best acceptability in the sensory evaluation test and color test $(pink{\sim}red)$; its fibrinolytic, electron-donating, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities were better than those of other purple-fleshed sweet potato liquors and wine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1016-1022
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• 2019

Owing to increased interest in preventing obesity in an aging society, both men and women spend considerable amount of cost on obesity managements. In this study, we investigated the natural substances on anti-obesity activities in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Also, to improve anti-obesityeffects, research using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes cells is crucial. The anti-obesity effect of 70% ethanol extract from Torilis Japonica Decandolle on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation with Oil Red O assay, and western blot analysis. Compared to the control, 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle was significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and intracellular triglyceride (TG) level at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. To determine the mechanism of reduction in TG content, we determined the level of protein expression of obesity-related proteins, such as peroxisome-proliferatorsactivated-receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT enhancer-binding-proteins-${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation. As a results, 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle significantly decreased protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and ACC phosphorylation. These results indicate that 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle is the most effective candidate for preventing obesity. However further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of Torilis Japonica Decandolle.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 2019

The use of 16S rDNA is commonplace in the determination of prokaryotic species. However, it has limitations, and there are few studies at the genus level. We investigated conserved genes and metabolic pathways at the genus level in 28 strains of 13 genera of prokaryotes using the COG database (conserved genes) and MetaCyc database (metabolic pathways). Conserved genes compared to total genes (core genome) at the genus level ranged from 27.62%(Nostoc genus) to 71.76%(Spiribacter genus), with an average of 46.72%. The lower ratio of core genome meant the higher ratio of peculiar genes of a prokaryote, namely specific biological activities or the habitat may be varied. The ratio of common metabolic pathways at the genus level was higher than the ratio of core genomes, from 58.79% (Clostridium genus) to 96.31%(Mycoplasma genus), with an average of 75.86%. When compared among other genera, members of the same genus were positioned in the closest nodes to each other. Interestingly, Bacillus and Clostridium genera were positioned in closer nodes than those of the other genera. Archaebacterial genera were grouped together in the ortholog and metabolic pathway nodes in a phylogenetic tree. The genera Granulicella, Nostoc, and Bradyrhizobium of the Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria phyla, respectively, were grouped in an ortholog content tree. The results of this study can be used for (i) the identification of common genes and metabolic pathways at each phylogenetic level and (ii) the improvement of strains through horizontal gene transfer or site-directed mutagenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 2019

Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh is a marine brown algae widely distributed in the North Pacific Ocean. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic effects. In this study, we determined the effects of ethanol extract of Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh (EESH) on anti-obesity activities in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our results indicated that treatment with EESH decreased the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet content observed by oil red O staining. The concentrations of cellular triglycerides were also reduced in 3T3-L1 cells after treatment with EESH. Triglyceride content was inhibited by 13%, 16%, and 23% after treatment with 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of EESH in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed that EESH suppressed adipogenic transcription factor expression in a dose dependent manner. Specifically, it suppressed cytidine-cytidine-adinosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT) /enhancer binding proteins $(C/EBP){\alpha}$, $C/EBP{\beta}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\gamma}$. This indicated that EESH could control the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inhibit the differentiation of adipocytes. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that EESH showed anti-obesity effects and could have potential uses in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

This study examined the techniques of creating gardens overseas using native plants from the Korean peninsula, focusing on the case of 'Das Dritte Land', an art garden created in Berlin, Germany. While Korean garden artists are recognized worldwide and are planning to globalize Korean gardens, the purpose of this study is to share information so that Korean gardeners can expand their activities and rediscover the utilization and value of plants native to the Korean peninsula. The work began as part of a project to mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. To realize the landscape of Korea with the motif of Inwang Jesaekdo, the geographical shape of the Baekdu-Daegan trail was reproduced with black stone, and the naturalization of Korean peninsula species was utilized in the creation of a garden Berlin. It is a surreal bio-top utopia that blooms with the bio-groups of the Korean peninsula. This study examined the process of plant survey analysis, transportation and stabilization, planting planning, composition and monitoring, and targeting the self-growth of the Korean peninsula, which is a symbol of harmony between the South and the North. The planting of Korea's native plants in overseas gardens symbolizes the uniting of the ecosystems on the Korean peninsula. The process of the Korean peninsula's young plants taking root, flowering, and spreading along Germany's previously divided border metaphorically conveys the desire for the unification of the Korean peninsula. In addition, various art programs in the garden space suggest a foundation for cultural dialogue and communication between the two Koreas. Moreover, creating gardens overseas implies that the cooperation of plant research institutes plays an important role in the transfer of plants and the maintenance of life, while the advancement of Korean gardens overseas plays an essential role in the spread of garden culture in our country.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2023

In the present study, we prepared hot water extracts and the subsequent organic solvent fractions of methanol extracts of Houttuynia cordata (HC) and Lespedeza cuneata (LC), and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among the treated samples, hexane, chloroform, and ethyl-acetate fractions of HC and LC inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. And, we analyzed the flavonoid contents of the ethyl-acetate fraction of HC and LC, and chose apigenin for the further experiments because apigenin was one of flavonoids commonly found in HC and LC. Apigenin dramatically inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability and decreased iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. In addition, apigenin suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) indicating that apigenin exerts anti-inflammatory activity via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Subsequently, we conducted RNA-sequencing analysis to detect differentially expressed genes upon apigenin treatment. Among the down-regulated genes, four cytokine genes (interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2)) were selected for the further analysis, and the reduction of their expression by apigenin was confirmed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Overall, our results suggest that Houttuynia cordata and Lespedeza cuneata have the anti-inflammatory effects and apigenin can be the one of key molecules responsible for their anti-inflammatory activities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.25-37
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• 2023

According to the 「Rural Spatial Reconstruction and Regeneration Support Act」, enacted on March 29, 2024, all local governments are required to establish a 'Rural Spatial Reconstruction and Regeneration Plan' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Rural Spatial Plan'). In order for the 'Rural Spatial Plan' to be appropriately established, this study analyzed the supply and demand of spatial data from the perspective of user stakeholders and derived implications for improving rural spatial planning data utilization. In conclusion, three key recommendations come from this result. Firstly, it is necessary to establish an integrated DB for rural spatial planning data. This can solve the problem of low awareness of scattered data-providing websites, reduce the processing time of non-GIS data, and reduce the time required to acquire data by securing the availability of data search and download. In particular, research should be conducted on the establishment of a spatial analysis simulation system to support stakeholders' decision-making, considering that many stakeholders have difficulty in spatial analysis because spatial analysis techniques were not actively used in rural projects before the implementation of the rural agreement system in 2020. Secondly, research on how to improve data acquisition should be conducted in each data sector. The data sector group with the lowest ease of receiving are 'Local Community Domain', 'Changes in Domestic and International Conditions', and 'Provision and Utilization of Daily Life Services'. Lastly, in-depth research is needed on how to raise each rural spatial planning data supply stakeholder to the position of player. Stakeholders of 'University Institutions' and 'Public Enterprises and Research Institutes' should give those who participate in the formulation of rural spatial plans access to the raw data collected for public work. Stakeholders of 'Private company' need to come up with realistic measures to build a data pool centered on consultative bodies between existing private companies and then prepare a step-by-step strategy to fully open it by participating various stakeholders. In order to induce 'Village Residents and Associations' stakeholders to play a leading role as owners and producers of data, personnel should be trained to collect and record data related to the village. In addition, support measures should be prepared to continue these activities.

• 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 Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.377-383
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• 2023

The effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP, nitric oxide donor) on the growth, yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and antioxidant enzyme activity of kimchi cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt) was studied under the low temperature conditions. Kimchi cabbages were treated with SNP of three concentrations (7.5, 15, 30 mg·L^-1) for three times at four-day intervals and exposed to low temperature (16/7℃) stress for seven days. SNP treatment induced increases of net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intracellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (Tr) under the stress condition with the highest level after the third treatment. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ were significantly lower in the treatment of SNP compared to the non-treated control. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), increased in treated plants by up to 38, 187, 24 and 175%, respectively compared to the non-treated control. SNP-treated and untreated plants had similar growth characteristics. Compared to the control group, SNP-treatment increased fresh weight and leaf area by 5%. Overall, our findings suggest that the application of sodium nitroprusside to the leaves contributes to reducing physiological damage and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, thereby improving low temperature stress tolerance in kimchi cabbage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.1206-1211
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• 2015

Grape juice is consumed worldwide and studied due to the high antioxidant activities and contents. The color of grape juice is due to the presence of phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins. Therefore, color values can be an indicator of antioxidant capacities of grape juice. However, the correlation between color values and antioxidant activities in grape juice has not been well studied. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics and correlation between color values and antioxidant capacities of Korean red grape juices (five commercial juices from market and two juices prepared in the laboratory) were investigated to estimate antioxidant capacities. Antioxidant capacities were determined by 1,1-diphenlyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, and total anthocyanin contents, including five kinds of polyphenolic compounds, were examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results for physicochemical properties showed similar values, except titratable acidity. The color hue values of the prepared juices were higher than those of commercial juices, which was in contrast to the lower color intensity values (P<0.05). The Hunter L, a, and b values showed almost no difference between commercial and prepared juices. The antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents of commercial juices were higher than those of prepared ones. Gallic acid, catechin, and quercetin were confirmed by HPLC in all samples. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents showed positive correlation with antioxidant activities. In addition, antioxidant activities and contents correlated with color values. Thus, estimation of antioxidant capacity could be feasible through the spectrophotometric measurement of color values.