• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

This review describes the risk factors of the nutrition crisis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections and suggests precision nutrition against long-term psychological and physiological stress. The mandatory quarantine and the social distancing are associated with an interruption of the lifestyle routine, resulting in psychological (i.e., boredom) and physiological stress. The stress with multiple causes and forms induces over-compensation of energy-dense food, such as sugary comfort food, and is defined as "food craving" because carbohydrates positively affect the psychological stability with serotonin secretion. The consumption of foods that promote an immune response against viral infections (vitamins & minerals; Cu, folate, Fe, Se, Zn, and Vit A, B6, B12, C, and D), reduce inflammatory cytokines (w-3 fatty acids, Vit D, fibers, and Mg), contain antioxidants (beta-carotene, Vit E, C, Se, and phenolics), and sleep-inducing proteins (serotonin, melatonin, and milk products) is essential. In addition, a reduced Vit D deficiency in winter due to less time spent outdoors under quarantine has been reported to be associated with viral infections. The case fatality rate of COVID-19 was significantly dependent on age, sex, race, and underlying health condition. To prevent malnutrition and cachexia in elderly people, weight loss and muscle wasting should be monitored and controlled. Inadequate protein intake, sedentary lifestyle, and inflammation are significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Moreover, relatively high intakes of fat or carbohydrate compared to low protein intake result in abdominal obesity, which is defined as "sarcopenic obesity." Keeping the food-safety guidelines of COVID-19, this study recommends the consumption of fresh and healthy foods and avoiding sugar, fat, salt, alcohol, and commercially frozen foods.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.491-505
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• 2020

A newly isolated strain, Proteus vulgaris OR34, from olive mill waste was found to secrete an alkaline extracellular lipase at 11 U·ml-1 when cultivated on an optimized liquid medium. This lipase was purified 94.64-fold with a total yield of 9.11% and its maximal specific activity was shown to be 3232.58 and 1777.92 U·mg-1 when evaluated using the pH-stat technique at 55℃ and pH 9 and Tributyrin TC4 or olive oil as the substrate. The molecular mass of the pure OR34 lipase was estimated to be around 31 kDa, as revealed by SDS-PAGE and its substrate specificity was investigated using a variety of triglycerides. This assay revealed that OR34 lipase preferred short and medium chain fatty acids. In addition, this lipase was stable in the presence of high concentrations of bile salt (NaDC) and calcium ions appear not to be necessary for its activity. This lipase was inhibited by THL (Orlistat) which confirmed its identity as a serine enzyme. In addition, the immobilization of OR34 lipase by adsorption onto calcium carbonate increased its stability at higher temperatures and within a larger pH range. The immobilized lipase exhibited a high tolerance to organic solvents and retained 60% of its activity after 10 months of storage at 4℃. Finally, the OR34 lipase was applied in biodiesel synthesis via oleic acid mediated esterification of methanol when using hexane as solvent. The best conversion yield (67%) was obtained at 12 h and 40℃ using the immobilized enzyme and this enzyme could be reused for six cycles with the same efficiency.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.96-106
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the quality of dietary and life across age groups of Korean adults. According to life cycle, four age groups (20~29, 30~49, 50~64, ≥65) were created. Anthropometric indices showed significant differences according to age group (p<0.001). Energy intake significantly decreased according to age group as a result of decreased protein and fat intake (p<0.001). The intake levels of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber per 1,000 kcal were the lowest in the 20~29 age group (p<0.001). Whereas saturated fatty acids, MUFA, and PUFA intake levels were the highest for those in the 20~29 age group (p<0.001). The quality of dietary (DQI-I) increased with age group, but the quality of life (EQ-5D index) decreased (p<0.001). The quality of dietary showed 5.8% explanation power on the quality of life (p<0.001). Additionally, diet moderation was shown as having a negative effect, but the diversity and balance of diets had a positive effect on the quality of life. By age group, the relationship between quality of dietary and quality of life was the highest in ≥65 age group. These results suggest that practical dietary education is needed from the 20's to ensure the quality of healthy life for the elderly.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.358-374
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• 2019

Indigestible carbohydrates as dietary fiber have attracted interest of consumers due to their several physiological benefits. Recent definitions of dietary fiber have included other indigestible carbohydrates such as resistant starch and resistant maltodextrins, which are natural, colorless, odorless and tasteless low-calorie food ingredients. Unlike some carbohydrates and digestible starches, indigestible starch and maltodextrin resist enzymatic hydrolysis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, resulting in little or no direct glucose absorption. In addition, there is increased microbial fermentation production of short-chain fatty acids in the large intestine. As an emerging functional low-calorie food ingredient, resistant starch and maltodextrin have been shown to have equivalent or superior impacts on human health compared to conventional fiber-enriched food ingredients. In this paper, the definition, strategies to enhance dietary fiber content in foods, some potential health benefits, and applications in food industry for indigestible starch and maltodextrin are summarized and discussed.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.353-357
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• 2018

Previous studies have suggested that rice bran oil (RBO), an edible oil from the byproducts of rice milling, has anti-inflammatory effects in inflammation inducing macrophages, known as M1 subsets. Yet the effects of RBO on the counterpart M2 subsets, the "healing" macrophages, were poorly investigated to date. In this regard, recent studies on the molecular/cellular anti-inflammatory mechanisms of dietary components have demonstrated that mitochondrial respiration contributes to macrophage functioning. Therefore, the current study examined whether RBO regulates cytokine secretion by modulating mitochondrial metabolism in wound healing M2 subsets. Palm oil (PO), enriched with medium-chain fatty acids, served as a positive control. C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing either corn oil (CO), PO or RBO for 4 weeks, followed by purification of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from their tibias and femurs. Cells were further polarized to M2-BMDM, and the expression of M2 marker (CD206) on cellular surfaces were not affected by dietary intervention. In addition, the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the culture supernatant was not affected by dietary lipids. Oxygen consumption rate, the indicator of mitochondrial respiration in M2-BMDM was not regulated by RBO intervention and PO treatment. Taken together, this study imply that RBO did not intervene both the regulation of inflammatory responses and mitochondrial respiration in M2 macrophages.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1146-1156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two plant additives, rich in polyphenolic compounds, supplemented to sheep diets on microorganisms and carbohydrate fermentation in rumen. Methods: In the experiment, 6 ewes of the Polish Mountain breed were fitted with ruminal cannulas. Sheep were divided into three feeding groups. The study was performed in a cross-over design of two animals in each group, with three experimental periods (n = 6 per each group). The animals were fed a control diet (CON) or additionally received 3 g of dry and milled lingonberry leaves (VVI) or oak bark (QUE). Additionally, plant material was analyzed for tannins concentration. Results: Regardless of sampling time, QUE diet increased the number of total protozoa, as well as Entodinium spp., Diplodinium spp. and Isotrichidae family, while decreased bacterial mass. In turn, a reduced number of Diplodinium spp. and increased Ophryoscolex spp. population were noted in VVI fed sheep. During whole sampling time (0, 2, 4, and 8 h), the number of protozoa in ruminal fluid of QUE sheep was gradually reduced as opposed to animals receiving CON and VVI diet, where rapid shifts in the protozoa number were observed. Moreover, supplementing sheep with QUE diet increased molar proportions of butyrate and isoacids in ruminal fluid. Unfortunately, none of the tested additives affected gas production. Conclusion: The addition of VVI or QUE in a small dose to sheep diets differently affected rumen microorganisms and fermentation parameters, probably because of various contribution of catechins in tested plant materials. However, it is stated that QUE diet seems to create more favorable conditions for growth and development of ciliates. Nonetheless, the results of the present study showed that VVI and QUE additives could serve as potential natural modulators of microorganism populations and, consequently, carbohydrate digestion in ruminants.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

Objective: Endometritis is a major disease, that causes infertility in cattle, and is usually categorized as clinical or subclinical endometritis (SCE). The nutritional condition during the dry period is important for recovery after the last stage of the lactation period, and for postpartum production and reproduction. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between nutritional and metabolic characteristics in the dry period, and the risk of postpartum SCE. Methods: Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 25, raised in a tied stall) were used. Endometrial cytological analysis was performed around 30 days post-partum, with 5% to 14% polymorphonuclear (PMN) as a cut-off point to define SCE. Serum levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were measured in the cows at the dry period to evaluate energy status, protein metabolism, and mineral metabolism. Results: The incidence of SCE in the cows was 60.0% (n = 15/25) and the mean PMN% in postpartum cows diagnosed as SCE was 8.05%±2.6%. Overall, 17 and 8 samples were collected from the cows in the far-off and close-up periods, respectively. The serum concentration of BHBA in the far-off period and serum glucose concentration in the closeup period were correlated with postpartum PMN% (r = 0.62, p<0.01; r = -0.74, p<0.05, respectively). Serum levels of calcium and magnesium in the dry period were associated with the incidence of postpartum SCE (healthy vs SCE cows, p<0.05). Conclusion: Blood levels of glucose, BHBA, calcium, and magnesium in dry periods could be useful parameters for predicting the risk of postpartum SCE. The present study also suggests that management in the close-up period is essential for promoting recovery from calving fatigue.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.224-236
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of quality grade (QG) on the physicochemical composition and eating quality attributes of pork belly and shoulder butt. Seventy-two growing-finishing crossbred pigs were slaughtered and their carcasses were graded according to the Korean pork carcass grading system. Based on the grading criteria, the carcasses were classified into: QG 1+ (n=23), QG 1 (n=23) and QG 2 (n=26) groups. At 24 h postmortem, belly and shoulder butt cuts were collected from the QG groups and used for analysis of meat quality, flavor compounds and eating quality attributes. Results showed that the variation in fat content among QG was approximately 2% in the both cut types. The QG showed no effects on all the quality traits: cooking loss, pH and color of the belly or shoulder butt (p>0.05). Thirty-five flavor compounds comprising mainly fatty acids oxidation/degradation-derived products (e.g., aldehydes) and only few Maillard reaction-derived products (e.g., sulfur-and nitrogen-containing compounds) were identified. However, the QG showed a minor effect on the flavor profiles in both the belly and shoulder butt. Regarding the sensory quality, no effects of the QG were found on all the eating quality attributes (color, flavor, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability) for both the belly and shoulder butt cuts (p>0.05). Thus, it may be concluded that the current pork carcass grading standards do not reflect the real quality and value of the belly and shoulder butt cuts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.575-581
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• 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, white-coloured, and rod-shaped bacterium, strain DR4-4^T, was isolated from Daechung Reservoir, Republic of Korea, during Microcystis bloom. Strain DR4-4^T was most closely related to Caenimonas terrae SGM1-15^T and Caenimonas koreensis EMB320^T with 98.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain DR4-4^T and closely related type strains were below 79.46% and 22.30%, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.5%. The major cellular fatty acids (≥10% of the total) were identified as C_16:0, cyclo C_17:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c). Strain DR4-4^T possessed phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol as the main polar lipids and Q-8 as the respiratory quinone. The polyamine profile was composed of putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine. The results of polyphasic characterization indicated that the isolated strain DR4-4^T represents a novel species within the genus Caenimonas, for which the name Caenimonas aquaedulcis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DR4-4^T (=KCTC 82470^T =JCM 34453^T).

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2022

In 1971, Dr. Akira Endo succeeded in isolating a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, compactin. Later, compactin was renamed mevastatin, meaning that it stops the synthesis of mevalonate, which is considered the first statin. However, mevastatin is not commercially released, whereas lovastatin, developed by Alfred Albert of Merk in 1979, was the first commercially developed statin. After the 4S study, the first largescale clinical trial with statins conducted in Scandinavia showed a dramatic secondary preventive effect against cardiovascular disease, and the effectiveness of statins in patients with dyslipidemia was repeatedly demonstrated. Subsequently, many oral drugs that affect blood lipid concentration; statins and ezetimibe aimed at reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) cholesterol; fibrates and omega 3 formulations aimed at reducing triglycerides were widely developed and used in Korea. In this article, we review the results of clinical studies on representative cardiovascular diseases for four types of oral drugs for dyslipidemia, which are currently the most commonly used in Korea.