• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2007

Since germanium has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of diseases such as cancer and rheumatic arthritis, we developed an adapted process of bio-germanium preparation using inorganic germanium. In the present study we determined the optimal conditions for culturing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KCTC-1199), and the best concentrations of inorganic germanium for the adaptation process. The resulting method was successful at producing high quantities of germanium yeasts. The following are the culture conditions that obtained the highest level of productivity: an inorganic germanium concentration of 3,000-5,000 ppm, a pH of 6.5, a temperature of $35^{\circ}C$, and 20 hr of incubation time. In addition to this high-yield quantity study, we observed the acute oral toxicity of mice treated with Geranti Bio-Ge $Yeast^{(R)}$. We found no changes in body weight, or in the mortality between the control groups and the bio-germanium yeast group. There were also no digestive problems such as diarrhea that occurred in either group.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.214-221
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• 2016

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of germanium treatment on the growth and organic germanium production in the roots of Oplopanax elatus plantlets. Methods and Results: O. elatus plantlets were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of germanium dioxide ($GeO_2$) to analyze optimum growth conditions. Exogenous treatment of $10mg/{\ell}\;GeO_2$ promoted growth and an increase in the contents of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid in O. elatus. The germanium accumulation and production in roots of O. elatus plantlets treated with organic germanium reached the highest levels. The growth of the aerial and underground portion of O. elatus with organic germanium was greater than that of the control. The accumulation and production of organic germanium reached the highest level ($40.89{\mu}g/plantlet$) with the treatment of $50mg/{\ell}\;GeO_2$. Antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and ABTS assays also increased with the germanium treatment and improved the DPPH and ABTS radical activity by 200% compared with that in the control. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the plantlets with a treatment of $50mg/{\ell}\;GeO_2$ were higher than in the control. Conclusions: Taken together, the growth of O. elatus was increased with the treatment of $50mg/{\ell}\;GeO_2$ germanium and the biological references improved, with increased antioxidant activity and organic germanium production.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2006

Germanium is found in a range of minerals and ores and is present in foods including beans, tomato juice, oysters, tuna and garlic. Germanium is a non-metallic element, which can exist in valence states of 2 and 4. Clinical trials and use in private practices for more than a decade have demonstrated organic germanium's efficacy in treating serious disease including cancer, arthritis and senile osteoporosis. But it was rarely reported that inorganic germanium has biological properties. STB-BM contains mineral complex, rare earth elements and a little amount of Inorganic germanium. The experiment was carried out the anti-obesity effect. To investigate anti-obesity effect of STB-BM, we measured the effect of body weight, fat weight (subcutaneous fat, epididymal fat, visceral fat, kidney fat and total fat) and serum biochemical level in rats fed high fat diets. STB-BM 35 mg/kg suppressed the increasing ratio of body weight, epididymal fat weight, visceral fat weight, total fat weight, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to develop selenium (Se)- and germanium (Ge)-enriched rice by foliar spray application of organic or inorganic Se and Ge. METHODS AND RESULTS: The time and frequency of organic or inorganic Se and Ge treatment were performed at the five main growth stages as followings: effective tillering stage (E), maximum tillering stage (M), booting stage (B), heading stage (H), grain filling stage (G). The main treatment plots were consisted of (1) 'once' treatment (at each E, M, B, H, G stage, Se/Ge single apply), (2) 'twice I' (at H + G stages, organic or inorganic Se/Ge apply), (3) 'twice II' (at H + G stages, mixture apply of Se + Ge + pesticide). The organic or inorganic Se treatment concentration was 20 and 40 ppm, and the Ge was 50 and 100 ppm. The Se and Ge contents in rice grain (brown rice and polished rice) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The highest Se content was noted in brown rice 'twice I' with Se 40 ppm (1394.06) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Se 40 ppm ($367.79{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. The highest of Se content in polished rice was found in 'twice I' of Se 40 ppm (1090.25) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Se 40 ppm ($403.53{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at E stage. On the other hand, The highest of Ge content in brown rice was found in 'twice I' with Ge 100 ppm (398.66) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Ge 100 ppm ($139.64{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. The highest of Ge content in polished rice was found in 'twice I' of Ge 100 ppm (300.29) at H + G stages, but the lowest was in 'once' with Ge 100 ppm ($142.24{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) at B stage. CONCLUSION: Se and Ge contents both in brown rice and polished rice treated with organic Se and Ge forms were higher than those of inorganic Se and Ge. Overall results concluded that the supplementation of organic Se and Ge contents in brown and polished rice contents were comparatively higher than the inorganic Se and Ge. This is results also proved that the foliar spray application of organic Se and Ge has positive nutritive effect on the rice for regular consumption.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate that inorganic germanium $(GeO_2)$ did not exist in germanium-fortified yeast or obtained to non-detectable value by current analytical methods and equipments. For this purpose, we achieved $GeO_2$ qualitative analysis protocol which could be the scientific basis of the study. Since reddish brown precipitate was formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 1 equiv $NaBH_4$, and dark brown precipitate was also formed from the reaction of $GeO_2$ with 2 equiv $NaBH_4$, $GeO_2$ was qualitatively analyzed by observing these particular colored-precipitates. Because no color change was showed from the reaction between $NaBH_4$ and $SiO_2$, the color change could be caused by charge transfer transition on Ge-O and B binding properties. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and germanium-fortified yeast did not show any color change and precipitate formation which meant no $GeO_2$ existed in germanium-fortified yeast. The reaction between $NaBH_4$ and supernatant specimen collected from the outside of dialysis membrane (MWCO 1,200 dalton) did not show any color change and precipitate formation. Therefore, we considered that the both germaniums in and outside of the dialysis membrane were organic germaniums. Germanium-fortified yeast which was biosynthesized organic germanium can be applied not only as a new functional material for improving health, prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative diseases including cancers, and the regulation of immune system, but also as a new materials.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2003

This study conducted to investigate the effect of dietary germanium biotite by protein level in laying hen diets. One hundred forty four, 51 weeks old ISA brown commercial layer, were used in experiment. Dietary treatments were 1) low protein diet(LPD), 2) high protein diet(HPD), 3) LPD-GB(LPD + 1.0% germanium biotite) and 4) HPD-GB(HPD + 1.0% germanium biotite). Henday egg production tended to be increased as the concentration of protein in diets increased with significant difference(P<0.01). Egg weight tended to decrease by increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(P<0.01). Egg shell breaking strength was not influenced by germanium biotite supplementation(P>0.05). Large band of egg decrease as increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(P<0.02). Sharp and middle band of egg were not influenced by germanium biotite supplementation. Egg yolk index tended to decrease as increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(p<0.01). Fecal propionic acid(P<0.01) and butyric acid(P<0.03) were decrease as the concentration of germanium biotite in the diet was increased. Also, butyric acid increased as the concentration of protein in diets increased with significant difference(P<0.02). Supplementation germanium biotite in the diet reduced the fecal acetic acid(P<0.01). Fecal $NH_3$-N of hens fed HPD-GB diet was decreased(P<0.05) compared to that LPD-GB diet. In conclusion, germanium biotite supplementation to layer diets can reduce fecal volatile fatty acid compabebts.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2011

To investigate the effect of inorganic ($GeO_2$) and organic (Ge-132) germanium treatment on Brasica juncea C. plant, growth characteristics and Ge contents were examined with various inorganic or organic germanium treatments (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and $100mg\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Brasica juncea C. growth did not much inhibited until Ge $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments as compared to control. On the other hand, at Ge concentration higher than $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration, Brasica juncea C. growth was inhibited under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments. Under treatment of $GeO_2$, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $5mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Under treatment of Ge-132, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Total Ge contents in Brasica juncea C. early seedlings with $GeO_2$ treatment were a bit higher than those with Ge-132 treatment. Germanium was primarily accumulated in the roots (77%) with organic Ge (Ge-132) treatments, whereas Ge was primarily accumulated in the leaf (70%, respectively) with $GeO_2$ treatments. The Ge uptake rates in inorganic Ge treatments were slightly high than those in organic Ge treatments. Under inorganic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 3% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 84.8% and 15.2%, respectively. Under organic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 2.6% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 66.4% and 33.6%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2007

To investigate effects of inorganic $(GeO_2)$ and organic (Ge-132) germanium (Ge) on seed germination and on early stage growth of plane and the uptake characteristics, various concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg $L^{-1}$) of Ge to popular vegetables such as leaf mustard, chinese cabbage and pak-choi, respectively, were treated. On seed germination, no significant effect was observed in both inorganic and organic Ge treatments except 100 mg $L^{-1}$ treatment of inorganic Ge. Exogenous inorganic Ge ($10{\sim}100$ mg $L^{-1}$ treatments significantly inhibited the early root elongation growth of all plants. However, slight enhancement of early shoot elongation was detected in low concentrations (10 and 25 mg $L^{-1}$) of Ge in the leaf mustard and chinese cabbage plants. Organic Ge treatments significantly stimulated the 개ot and shoot growth at the 10, 25 and 50 mg $L^{-1}$ treatments. Ge was accumulated linearly in the vegetables as both inorganic and organic Ge concentrations were increased. Interestingly, total contents of Ge in plants with Ge-132 treatments were $2\sim4.5$ times more than those with inorganic Ge treatments in all concentrations. At 25 mg $L^{-1}$ treatment of Ge, contents of Ge in vegetables are following: in leaf mustard, inorganic Ge: 0.37 mg $g^{-1}dw$ and organic Ge: 1.47 mg $g^{-1}dw;$ in the chinese cabbage, inorganic Ge: 0.4 mg $g^{-1}dw$ and organic Ge: 0.86 mg $g^{-1}dw;$ in the pak-choi, inorganic Ge: 0.33 mg $g^{-1}dw$ and organic Ge: 0.70 mg $g^{-1}dw$, respectively. These results showed organic Ge is much better on early stage seedling growth and on germanium accumulation of vegetables than inorganic Ge.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2006

Background: Germanium compounds are increased to use in nutrient foods and medicines in terms of antibiotics to microbes, anticancer, modulation of immune system and neutralizing heavy metal toxins. Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, containing stable organic germanium and bound to the yeast protein was developed by Geranti Pharm. LTD. and the modulation effect in the immune system was examined in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, was fed to female Balb/c mice (each group has 10 mice) for 4 weeks and the yeast powder and steamed red ginseng powder were used as control during the same feeding time points. During 4 weeks there was no symptom to be considered, and after 4 weeks feeding all mice were sacrificed to check the changes of related immune cells and subsidiary responses (i.e. cell counting, FACS, MTT, LDH, PFC assay). Results: In pre-post comparison, B cell population was increased in the group of Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast in a dose dependent manner (100 to 800 mg/kg). However, the population of T cell, dendritic cell and macrophage was not comparably changed in all doses. The ability of cytokine production and proliferation was almost same level as shown in control group. In contrast, PFC assay informed that the compound increase the antibody production ability when fed over 200 mg/kg implying that the increase of PFC number might be due to the increase of B cells. Conclusion: Over the entire study, we concluded that the compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast has better potential in immune response in terms of B cell proliferation than that of positive control, red ginseng, and the compound can be one of the future candidates for a new supplementary source improving immune system activity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.355-368
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• 2003

In Exp. 1, this study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary germanium biotite on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs. A total of sixty crossbred pigs (initial body weight 15.09$\pm$0.18kg) were used in this experiment. This study was carried out for 28 days. The five treatments were control (CON; basal diet), GB0.1 (basal diet + germanium biotite 0.1%), GB0.3 (basal diet + germanium biotite 0.3%), GB0.6 (basal diet + germanium biotite 0.6%) and GB1.0 (basal diet + germanium biotite 1.0%). For overall period, ADG and Gain/feed were not significantly different among the treatments. In Exp. 2, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of germanium biotite as a substitute for antibiotics in growing pigs. A total of fifty five crossbred pigs (initial body weight 32.47$\pm$0.9kg) were used in this experiment. The three treatments were negative control (NC: basal diet without antibiotic), positive control (PC: basal diet + 200ppm CTC) and GB0.3 (basal diet + germanium biotite 0.3%). Pigs fed PC (17%, 385 vs 451 g/d) and GB0.3 (14%, 385 vs 438 g/d) diets grew faster(P<0.05) than pigs fed NC diet. Pigs fed PC and GB0.3 diets resulted higher(P<0.05) ADFI than pigs fed CON diet. However, pigs fed GB0.3 diet had improved gain/feed compared to pigs fed NC diet(P<0.05). Apparent digestibility of DM and N by pigs fed PC and GB0.3 diets were greater(P<0.05) than those by pigs fed NC diet. In Exp. 3, a study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary germanium biotite on growth performance, plasma characteristics, backfat thickness and fecal ammonia gas concentration in finishing pigs. A total of seventy-two finishing pigs (initial body weight 78.56$\pm$1.32kg) were used in this experiment. The treatments included 1) Control (CON; basal diet) 2) GB1.0 (basal diet + germanium biotite 1.0%), 3) GB3.0 (basal diet + germanium biotite 3.0%). Pigs fed GB1.0 diet grew faster than pigs fed CON diet and GB0.3 diet (P<0.05). Also, pigs fed CON diet showed higher(p<0.05) ADFI than pigs fed GB3.0 diet. Pigs fed GB diets had improved gain/feed compared to pigs fed CON diet(P<0.05). Total?and VLDL concentrations in plasma of pigs fed GB diets treatments were significantly decreased compared to those in pig fed CON diet(P<0.05). However, HDL-cholesterol concentration in plasma of the pig was significantly increased compared to those in pigs fed CON diet (P<0.05). Pigs fed CON diet exerted higher(P<0.05) backfat thickness than pigs fed GB1.0 (5.4%, 27.19 vs 25.71mm) and GB3.0 (16.1%, 27.19 vs 22.81mm) diets. Feces from CON treatment were higher in fecal ammonia gas concentration than faces from pigs fed GB1.0 (64.1%, 17.00 vs 6.10mg/kg)and GB3.0 (61.8%, 17.00 vs 6.50mg/kg) treatments(P<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that the dietary addition of germanium biotite into diets for nursery pigs did not affect growth performance. The results also suggest the possibility of germanium biotite to replace antibiotic in diets for growing pigs. In finishing pigs, dietary supplementation of germanium biotite was an effective means for improving growth performance and for decreasing Total-and LDL+VLDL-plasma cholesterols, backfat and fecal ammonia gas concentration.