• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and total mercury in alcoholic beverages in Korea. Concentration of Hg was analyzed by gold amalgamation method, using mercury analyzer, while concentration of Pb, Cd and As was analyzed by ICP-MS. Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of heavy metal in fermented liquors were; for Pb $9.9\;{\pm}\;8.4$(0~38.0), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;4.9$(0~5.4), As $28.6\;{\pm}\;19.4$(1~96.4), Hg $0.7\;{\pm}\;1.2$(0~10.6). Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of distilled liquors were ; for Pb $4.4\;{\pm}\;5.7$(0~29.3), Cd $2.0\;{\pm}\;2.5$(0~10.3), As $12.0\;{\pm}\;17.0$(0~95.6), Hg $0.2\;{\pm}\;0.3$(0~2.3). Concentration(${\mu}g/kg$ of other liquous were ; for Pb $7.5\;{\pm}\;5.1$(0~13.7), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;3.9$(0.6~11.2), As $25.2\;{\pm}\;39.0$(0.5~103.3), Hg $0.3\;{\pm}\;0.1$(0.1~0.5). The present study showed that difference of the amount of constituent in a same category of food are not affect to the content of heavy metals among them. The residual levels of takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors are within the maximum levels, prescribed by Korea food code. It is given that heavy metal exposure of Pb, Cd, As, Hg from consumption of alcoholic beverages (takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors) are less than 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.01%, 0.01% (mean) in provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) respectively, indicated by FAO/WHO.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.375-387
• /
• 2017

Amphibolite-hosted Fe-Ti mineralization at the Soyeonpyeong Island, located in central western part of the Korean Peninsula is a typical orthomagmatic Fe-Ti oxide deposit in South Korea. The amphibolite intruded into NW-SE trending Precambrian metasedimentary rocks. Lower amphibolite is characterized by igneous layering, consisting of feldspar-dominant and amphibole-Fe-Ti oxide-dominant layers. The igneous layering shows complicated and/or sharp contact. In contrast, upper amphibolite has a more complicated lithofacies (garnet-bearing, coarser, and schistose), and massive Fe-Ti oxide ore alternates with schistose amphibolite. NS- and EW-trending fault systems lead to redistribute upper amphibolite-hosted Fe-Ti orebody and igneous layering of lower amphibolite, respectively. The whole-rock compositions of amphibolite and Fe-Ti oxide ore reflect their constituent minerals. Amphibolite shows significantly positive Eu anomalies whereas Fe-Ti oxide ore has weak negative Eu anomalies. Plagioclase (Andesine to oligoclase) and Fe-Ti oxide minerals have constant composition regardless of their distribution. Amphibole has a compositionally variable but it doesn't reflect the chemical evolution. Mineral compositions within individual layers and successive layers are relatively constant not showing any stratigraphic evolution. This suggests that there are no successive injections of Fe-rich magma or assimilation with Fe-rich country rocks. Contrasting Eu anomalies between amphibolite and Fe-Ti oxide ore also suggest that extensive plagioclase fractionation during early crystallization stage cause increase in $Fe_2O_3/FeO$ ratio and overall Fe contents in the residual magma. Thus, Fe-rich residual liquids may migrate at the upper amphibolite by filter pressing mechanism and then produce sheeted massive Fe-Ti mineralization during late fractional crystallization.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.524-531
• /
• 2017

The study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extract (EFOJ) and its main constituent compounds. Among all fractions, the highest content of total phenolics was found in EFOJ. The antioxidant activity of EFOJ was confirmed through the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 1-1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and the inhibitory effect of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, we ascertained that EFOJ not only decreased the intracellular ROS level, but also protected the neuronal cells against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. In liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the following were found to be the main compounds of EFOJ: quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. Consequently, these results suggested that the protective effect on neuronal cells was based on the antioxidant activities of the physiologically active compounds of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extract, which could therefore help to mitigate neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1256-1261
• /
• 2017

${\beta}$-glucan is a constituent of the cell wall of fungi, yeast and plants. It plays an important role in the immune system such as activation of immunocyte, release of pro-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect. The immune system maintains a healthy immune homeostasis. However, when pathogenic substances enter the body, immune homeostasis can break down and disease can be triggered. Therefore, we studied a substance that regulates immune homeostasis. The purpose of the study we demonstrated whether the ${\beta}$-glucan can be applied to the immune-modulation effects in human monocytic THP-1 cells. ${\beta}$-glucan was incubated in THP-1 cells at various concentrations. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels were analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR. Additionally, the expression of MAPKs (p38 and JNK), $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 were analyzed by western blot. ${\beta}$-glucan enhanced the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 induced by ${\beta}$-glucan were increased. The study suggests that ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to immune-stimulation effect by production $TNF-{\alpha}$ in human monocytic THP-1 cells, and that MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 are involved in the process. Synthetically, we have suggested ${\beta}$-glucan may be improved to immune system effect in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.577-586
• /
• 2018

We recently reported the potential probiotic properties of Lactobacillus brevis SBB07 isolated from blueberries. The present study investigates the effect of culture conditions such as temperature, initial pH, culture time, and medium constituent for industrial application. The ingredients of the medium to improve cell growth were selected by Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD) within a desirable range. The PBD was applied with 19 factors: seven carbon sources, six nitrogen sources, and six microelements. Protease peptone, corn steep powder (CSP), and yeast extract were found to be significant factors for the growth of SBB07. The CCD was then applied with three variables found from the PBD at five levels, and the optimum values were decided for the three variables: protease peptone, CSP, and yeast extract. In the case of the growth of SBB07, the proposed optimal media contained 2.0% protease peptone, 2.5% CSP, and 2.0% yeast extract, and the maximum dried-cell weight was predicted to be 2.93963 g/l. By the model verification, it was confirmed that the predicted and actual results are similar. Finally, the study investigated the effects of incubation temperature and initial pH at the optimized medium. It was confirmed that the dried-cell weight increased from $2.2933{\pm}0.0601g/l$ to $3.85{\pm}0.0265g/l$ when compared to the basal medium at $37^{\circ}C$ and initial pH 8.0. Establishing the optimal culture condition for SBB07 provides good potential for applications in probiotics and can serve as the foundation for the industrialization of materials.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2007

For establishing a basal diet for the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (PBT), feeding stimulants were initially identified by omission test using the synthetic extract of horse mackerel, Trachurus japonicus. Four feeding trials were conducted using juvenile PBT weighing $9.0{\pm}0.91\;g$ (trial 1, 2 and 3) and $1.6{\pm}0.23\;g$ (trial 4), which were originated from an artificial seedling production. The fish fed the casein diet with each test solution were added at the ratio of 100 g casein diet to 100 g jack mackerel muscle. A complete synthetic extract of jack mackerel containing all 3 fractions, amino acid, nucleotide and organic nitrogenous base, exhibited a comparable feeding stimulant activity compared to that of natural extract. The omission of nucleotide or amino acid fraction showed lower feeding activity, but the omission of other nitrogenous fraction maintained a similar feeding stimulant activity compared to that of the synthetic extract (trial 1). Inosine-5' monophosphate $Na_2$ (IMP) was identified as a major constituent for maintaining feeding activity. The mixture of L-alanine, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-lysine, taurine and IMP induced a similar feeding activity compared to that of the synthetic extract (trial 2 and 3). In trial 4, the highest feeding activity was finally obtained in the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamine and IMP, followed by the synthetic extract, the mixture of L-lysine, L-alanine and IMP, IMP and the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamic acid, L-lysine and L-alanine. These results revealed that the mixture of L-histidine, L-glutamic acid and IMP for the proper feeding stimulant of PBT in this study.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2006

Objective: In the previous study, we complied the differentially expressed genes during early folliculogenesis. Objective of the present study was to identify downstream target genes of transcription factors (TFs) using bioinformatics for selecting the target TFs among the gene lists for further functional analysis. Materials & Methods: By using bioinformatics tools, constituent domains were identified from database searches using Gene Ontology, MGI, and Entrez Gene. Downstream target proteins/genes of each TF were identified from database searches using TF database ($TRANSFAC^{(R)}$ 6.0) and eukaryotic promoter database (EPD). Results: DNA binding and trans-activation domains of all TFs listed previously were identified, and the list of downstream target proteins/genes was obtained from searches of TF database and promoter database. Based on the known function of identified downstream genes and the domains, 3 (HNF4, PPARg, and TBX2) out of 26 TFs were selected for further functional analysis. The genes of wee1-like protein kinase and p21WAF1 (cdk inhibitor) were identified as potential downstream target genes of HNF4 and TBX2, respectively. PPARg, through protein-protein interaction with other protein partners, acts as a transcription regulator of genes of EGFR, p21WAF1, cycD1, p53, and VEGF. Among the selected 3 TFs, further study is in progress for HNF4 and TBX2, since wee1-like protein kinase and cdk inhibitor may involved in regulating maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity during early folliculogenesis. Conclusions: Approach used in the present study, in silico analysis of downstream target genes, was useful for analyzing list of TFs obtained from high-throughput cDNA microarray study. To verify its binding and functions of the selected TFs in early folliculogenesis, EMSA and further relevant characterizations are under investigation.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.31-49
• /
• 2010

Nearly NS-trending Fe-Ti ore bodies intermittently occur in the Hadong anorthosites, south Korea, irrespective of the rock types of the anorthosites. In order to determine their occurrence mode and deformation history, we collected the features of occurrence and geological structures in the field, petrographic features using thin sections of the principal constituent rocks, and geochemical data of ilmenites in the ore body using electron probe microanalysis. Fe-Ti ore bodies examined in this study are divided into two types: dike- and lamina-types. It is steadily supported that the dike-type has intruded into the anorthositic rocks after their emplacement and solidification. And the laminar-type is probably a result of the mylonitization and transposition of the dike-type ore bodies parallel to the shear planes, due to later strong dextral ductile shearing. In the meantime, the Fe-Ti ore bodies have experienced the stronger dextral shearing in the more northern part of the study area, i.e. Cheongryong-ri, Wolhoeng-ri, Jonghwa-ri, and Jayangri and Baekun-ri in ascending order of its strength, together with the less content of $TiO_2$. All ilmenites of the ore bodies have very similar chemical composition, as pure ilmenite of 52~55 wt.% in $TiO_2$ content, irrespective of the occurrence mode and degree of later ductile shearing of the ore bodies. And they didn't experience to exsolve into magnetite. The structural data indicate that the Hadong anorthosites have deformed by NNE-trending folding, intrusion of the Fe-Ti ore bodies, NNW~NNE-trending dextral ductile shearing, NW~NNW-trending sinistral semi-brittle shearing, and intrusion of NNE~NE-trending mafic dykes in descending order of chronology after the formation of foliation of the anorthositic rocks. The foliation is interpreted as a result of the accumulation of crystals that settle out from the magma by the action of gravity.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2010

On the ArcGIS 9.2 program in Gyeongsangbug-Do and Daegu areas, distribution ratios of rock types and geologic ages were obtained from the 1 : 250,000 scaled digital geologic and geomorphic maps. The obtained distribution ratios here will be used the geologic information data for industrialization and development planning of rock resources. The Gyeongsangbug-Do area consists of 86 rock types that can be divided into 10 large groups in geologic age. Their geologic distribution ratios show the decreasing in the order of Cretaceous, Precambrian, Jurassic, Quaternary, Age-unknown and Tertiary, all of which occupy the prevailing ratio of 96.30% in the area. Of which, sixteen rock types are somewhat dominant ones (64.04%). They are of Precambrian Yulri group and granite gneiss of the Yeongnam metamorphic complex and biotite gneiss of the Sobaegsan metamorphic complex, Age-unknown granite, Jurassic granite, Cretaceous Gasongdong and Dogyedong formations of the Yeongyang sub-basin, Nagdong and Chunsan formations and intermediate-basic volcanics of Euiseong sub-basin, Jinju and Jindong formations and andesite-andesitic tuff of Milyang sub-basin, and hornblende granite, and Quaternary alluvium. They show relatively narrow ranges of 2.07-6.53% in geologic distribution in exception of Jurassic granite showing 13.14%. And the rest 70 rock types appear to very narrow range between 0.01 and 1.94 %. On the other hand, twelve rock types are developed in the Daegu area. Their geologic ages appear to be classified into Cretaceous and Quaternary occupying 86.05% and 11.39%, respectively. Seven rock types take possession of 94.04% among the all rocks. The major rock types are Jinju formation of the Sindong group, Chilgog, Haman and Jindong formations of the Hayang group, andesite and andesitic tuff, hornblende granite and Quaternary alluvium. With exception of andesite and andesitic tuff of 37.40%, the types show slightly wide range of 3.25-17.39%, which apparently differ trends from that of Gyeongsangbug-Do area. And the rest of rock types have narrow ranges of 0.22-1.81% in the Daegu area.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2015

The use of calcite-forming bacteria (CFB) in crack remediation and durability improvements in construction materials creates a permanent and environmentally-friendly material. Therefore, research into this type of application is stimulating interdisciplinary studies between microbiology and architectural engineering. However, the mechanisms giving rise to these materials are dependent on calcite precipitation by the metabolism of the CFB, which raises concerns about possible hazards to cement-based construction due to microbial metabolic acid production. The aim of this study was to determine target microorganisms that possibly can have bio-corrosive effects on cement mortar and to assess multi-functional CFBs for their safe application to cement structures. The chalky test was first used to evaluate the $CaCO_3$ solubilization feature of construction sites by fungi, yeast, bacterial strains. Not all bacterial strains are able to solubilize $CaCO_3$, but C. sphaerospermum KNUC253 or P. prolifica KNUC263 showed $CaCO_3$ solubilization activity. Therefore, these two strains were identified as target microorganisms that require control in cement structures. The registered patented strains Bacillus aryabhatti KNUC205, Arthrobacter nicotianae KNUC2100, B. thuringiensis KNUC2103 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KNUC2106, reported as multifunctional CFB (fungal growth inhibition, crack remediation, and water permeability reduction of cement surfaces) and isolated from Dokdo or construction site were unable to solubilize $CaCO_3$. Notably, B. aryabhatti KNUC205 and A. nicotianae KNUC2100 could not hydrolyze cellulose or protein, which can be the major constituent macromolecules of internal materials for buildings. These results show that several reported multi-functional CFB can be applied to cement structures or diverse building environments without corrosive or bio-deteriorative risks.