• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1075-1083
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• 2015

Adipose tissue deposited within muscle fibers, known as intramuscular fat (IMF or marbling), is a major determinant of meat quality and thereby affects its economic value. The biological mechanisms that determine IMF content are therefore of interest. In this study, 48 genes involved in the bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, were investigated to identify candidate genes associated with IMF in the longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). Ten genes, retinoid X receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), phospholipid transfer protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3, fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 2 branched chain, and fatty acid binding protein 4, showed significant effects with regard to IMF and were differentially expressed between the low- and high-marbled groups (p<0.05). Analysis of the gene co-expression network based on Pearson's correlation coefficients identified 10 up-regulated genes in the high-marbled group that formed a major cluster. Among these genes, the PPARG-FABP4 gene pair exhibited the strongest correlation in the network. Glycerol kinase was found to play a role in mediating activation of the differentially expressed genes. We categorized the 10 significantly differentially expressed genes into the corresponding downstream pathways and investigated the direct interactive relationships among these genes. We suggest that fatty acid oxidation is the major downstream pathway affecting IMF content. The PPARG/RXRA complex triggers activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation resulting in increased triglyceride formation by ATP production. Our findings highlight candidate genes associated with the IMF content of the loin muscle of Korean cattle and provide insight into the biological mechanisms that determine adipose deposition within muscle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.671-695
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• 2022

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem that contains a large number of microorganisms with different metabolic capacities. Modulation of the gut microbiome can improve the growth and promote health in pigs. Crosstalk between the host, diet, and the gut microbiome can influence the health of the host, potentially through the production of several metabolites with various functions. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, polyamines, indoles, and phenolic compounds are metabolites produced by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome can also produce neurotransmitters (such as γ-aminobutyric acid, catecholamines, and serotonin), their precursors, and vitamins. Several studies in pigs have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in improving growth performance and feed efficiency, alleviating stress, and providing protection from pathogens. The use of probiotics is one of the strategies employed to target the gut microbiome of pigs. Promising results have been published on the use of probiotics in optimizing pig production. This review focuses on the role of gut microbiome-derived metabolites in the performance of pigs and the effects of probiotics on altering the levels of these metabolites.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.252-257
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• 1994

A new hydrogen sulfide-oxidation bacterium, Thiobacillus sp. was isolated from waste coal mine water around Hawsun in Chunnam province. The isolate was motile gram-negative rod shape, formed spore and grew up to be aerobically facultative chemolithotroph by using energy released from the oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds. It could assimilate various kinds of organic compounds and grew well upon thiosulfate-supplemented basal medium. To the lelvel of 32 mM in thiosulfate concentration, thiosulfate in itself was utilized as energy source for growth. However, from those of the higher concentration than 32 mM, thiosulfate functioned specifically as the substrate inhibitor rather than as the energy source. It was found that the optimum thiosulfate concentration for growth was 32 mM. The G+C content of the DNA was 65.0 mol%. The isolate had 16 : 1 + 17$_{cyc}$, 16 : 0 as their major non-hydroxylated cellular fatty acids, 3-OH 12 : 0 as a hydroxylated fatty acid and also contained unidentified $C_{18}$ branched fatty acid. The ubiquinone system in the respiratory chain was Q-9. Based on the physiological and biochemical characteristics, the isolate was assigned to a novel species of the genus Thiobacillus sp. iw.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.150-156
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• 2000

Oligotrophic bacteria isolated from forest soil showed a specific community consisting of various taxonomic groups compared with those in other soil or aquatic habitats. Based on the cell shape, the isolates were divided into four groups: regular rod, curved/spiral rod, irregular rod, and prosthecate bacteria. The cellular fatty acids 60 oligotrophic isolates were analyzed. The 30 fatty acids which were identified or characterized are classified. At the dendrogram based on cellular fatty acid composition, four clusters(I-IV) were separated at a euclidian distance of about 50. Cluster 3 and 4-a strains were containing Q-8, these strains are accommodated in the Proteobacteria gamma and beta subdivision. The chemotaxonomic profiles of the cluster 4-a strains showed good agreement with those of the genus Burkholderia. Cluster 3 was characterized by the presence of branched-chain fatty acids, iso-C15:0, iso-C17:1, and iso-C17:0 as the major components. These chemotaxonomy suggested the close relationship of the isolates with Xathomonas/Sterotrophomonas group. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the two representative strains(MH256 and MA828) of cluster 3 showed the close relation to genera, Xathomonas/Sterotrophomonas, but were not included in these genera. These strains were even further away from core Xanthomonas, and clearly were seen to branch outside the cluster formed by the Sterotrophomonas maltophilia. MH256 and MA828 16S rDNA sequence was different enough to put new genus on a separate branch. The isolates with Q-10 were also studied. They are corresponded to the two large groups in Proteobacteria alpha subdivision. One was incorporated in the genus Bradyrhizobium cluster, which also includes Agromonas, a genus for oligotrophic bacteria. The strains of the other group showed high similarity to the genus Agrobacterium.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.146-150
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of longterm exposure to ionic liquid (IL) on Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (MR-1). MR1 was acclimated through repeated exposure to IL. The acclimated strain was named as S. oneidensis SH-1 (SH-1) and compared with MR-1 in various aspects including morphology, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), motility, and fatty acid. Compared to the MR-1, SH-1 showed elongated cell shape on scanning electron microscopy. Upon exposure to IL, hydrophobicity of SH-1 (28.2%) was higher that of MR-1 (3.3%). In contrast, motility of SH-1 (7 mm) was lower than that also of MR-1 (22 mm), and branched chain fatty acid of SH-1 was lower than that of MR-1, 27.6% and 41.1%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2022

In this study, we analyzed the compositional characteristics of Melosira nummuloides mass-cultured using Jeju lava seawater. M. nummuloides showed the highest growth rate when cultured for 14 days at 17-20℃ and 15,000 lx. Proximate composition of raw-material (RM) and freeze-dried M. nummuloides (FM) showed high ash content (65-72%), while ethanol-extracted M. nummuloides (EM) had low ash and high lipid contents. The predominantly occurring mineral, Si, was 334 g/kg in RM and 269 g/kg in FM, but EM contained only 1.97 g/kg. The ratio of essential amino acids was similar in RM (38.93%) and FM (36.89%) lower in EM (17.83%), but branched chain amino acids required for muscle metabolism was high (63.40%). The polyunsaturated fatty acids of EM (34.74%) was 11% more than that in RM (23.81%), and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was 1:3.6. Furthermore, the concentration of total chlorophyll was higher by 5.15 times (62.32 mg/g) and that of fucoxanthin by 7.06 times (11.02 mg/g) in EM than in RM (12.11, 1.56 mg/g, respectively). The mass cultivation and filtration of M. nummuloides using lava seawater has high prospects of commercialization as a competitive bio silica, cosmetic and healthy functional food material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2024

Hepatocyte damage caused by medications or herbal products is one of the important problem when these compounds are chronically administrated. Thus, improving hepatocyte survival during treatment offers a wide range of opportunities. Valproic acid (VPA), a branched short-chain fatty acid derived from naturally occurring valeric acid, is commonly used to treat epilepsy and seizures. Although VPA exerts numerous effects in cancer, HIV therapy, and neurodegenerative disease, its effects on the liver and its mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that VPA caused moderate liver cell toxicity and apoptosis. Interestingly, VPA treatment increased transcription levels of PPAR alpha (PPAR-α) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in murine (Hepa1c1c7) hepatoma cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. VPA-induced FGF21 expression was significantly weaker under PPAR-α silencing condition than in cells transfected with non-targeting control siRNA. Subsequent experiments showed that cell viability was significantly lowered when the FGF21 signaling pathway was blocked by FGF receptor antagonist. Finally, we further determined that AMPK phosphorylation was not responsible for VPA-induced FGF21 expression and PPAR-a increments. These results indicate that increases of FGF21 expression alleviate VPA-induced hepatic toxicity, thereby making FGF21 a potential biomarker for predicting liver damage during VPA treatments.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2013

This study investigates the effect of fermentable carbohydrate on the concentration of odorous compounds in pig slurry. Four types of pig diet were studied: control, peanut hull (crude fiber 29.87, NDF 44.02%), golden fiber (crude fiber 48.77, NDF 65.88%), and almond hull (crude fiber 44.30, NDF 64.44%). Pigs (average BW 37.0 kg) were fed diets that met the Korean Feeding Standard (2012) and their excreta samples were collected from the slurry pits. Levels of volatile organic compounds (phenols and indoles) and volatile fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Phenol level was the lowest (p<0.05) in golden fiber (33.26 ppm) group and the highest in control (97.29 ppm). The concentration of indoles in the peanut hull (1.27 ppm), almond hull (1.20 ppm), and golden fiber (1.02 ppm) groups was lower (p < 0.05) than that of control (1.79 ppm). Levels of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) were lower (p < 0.05) in golden fiber (1,319 ppm) and almond hull (1,433 ppm) groups than in control (1,893 ppm). Concentration of branched chain fatty acid (BCFA) in the golden fiber group (74 ppm) was lower (p < 0.05) than that of control (98 ppm). Taken together, the concentration levels of phenols, indoles, and VFAs decreased on addition of peanut hull, golden fiber or almond hull to the diet, suggesting that fermentable carbohydrate may contribute to reducing odorous compounds in pig slurry.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.115-120
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• 1997

The purpose of thesis was to investigate the removal efficiency of surfactants and commercial detergents by Oenanthe javanica that is one of aquatic plants in Korea. The experiment is concerned with measuring the concentrations of surfactants and commercial detergents in different media: 1) in pure water, 2) in water containing Oenanthe javanica, 3) in water containing Oenanthe javanica and commercial nutrients. The surfactants used in this research include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), $\alpha$-sulfo fatty acid methyl esters(MES), and alkylbenzene sulfonates(ABS). Two commercial detergents designated as A and B were in the forms of power and liquid. The results showed that LAS and MES were more effectively removed by Oenanthe javanica probably because these have a chain of linear carbon than on ABS with a branched carbon structure. In the case of commercial detergents, when the except was performed on the basis of surfactants proportion, the removal trends were similar to LAS and MES. The 5-day cultivating test with initial concentration of 0.5-1.0 ppm surfactants showed that less than 10% was removed if no nutrients an Oenanthe javanica were added. When Oenanthe javanica was added into the sample solution containing surfactants, the removal efficiency was increased 100% for the solution containing 0.5-1.0 ppm 60-70% for 5-10 ppm. In addition, chlorisis on Oenanthe javanica was observed due to surfactants and commercial detergents for all three cases. To test the dependence of population density on nutrients, the initial population density was made 300 g/0.4 m$^2$. Throughout the 5-day experiment, the on Oenanthe javanica grew 20-25% with 0.5-1.0 ppm without the synthetic nutrients but by 5% with a high concentrations of 5-10 ppm. The population density was appeared to be independent of synthetic nutrients. The leaves were to be grown with synthetic nutrients, while roots were grown without synthetic nutrients. Based on this research, the fundamental data concerning cultivation and an adequate adjustment of the water condition can provide for the utilization of Oenanthe javanica in real water treatment system.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2014

This study was performed to compare the level of odorous compounds in feces and urine of finishing pigs. Feces and urine from 16 finishing pigs were separately collected for 28-d. Concentrations of volatile organic compound (VOC; phenols and indoles) and volatile fatty acid (VFA; SCFA and BCFA) were measured in feces and urine. Amount of phenols and p-cresol was higher (P<0.05) in urine than in feces. Urinal levels of phenols and p-cresol were 257.8 ppm and 250.9 ppm, and those of fecal phenols and p-cresol were 0.50 ppm and 0.05 ppm, respectively. There was no difference in concentration of indoles from feces (1.0 ppm) and urine (1.8 ppm). Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) level in urine was higher (P<0.05) than in feces showing 4,547 ppm and 863 ppm, respectively. Proportion of acetic acid to total SCFA was higher in urine (94%) than in feces (66%). However, level of branched fatty acid (BCFA) was greater in feces (118 ppm) compare to that of urine (87 ppm). Odorous compounds analyzed in the current study, phenols and SCFA, were contained more in urine than in feces. Greater amount of VFA is typically found in feces than in urine since it is generated in the large intestine. However, urine contained more VFA than feces in the current study. Therefore, it will be necessary to exploit odor reducing techniques especially for pig urine as grassland fertilizer.