• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Licorice has been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive effects. However, glycyrrhizin, a major component in licorice, was found to interfere with steroid metabolism and cause edema and hypertension. The roasting process of licorice modifies the chemical composition and converts glycyrrhizin to glycyrrhetinic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-carcinogenic effects of the ethanol extract of roasted licorice (EERL) and to identify the active compound in EERL. MATERIALS/METHODS: Ethanol and aqueous extracts of roasted and un-roasted licorice were prepared. The active fraction was separated from the methylene chloride (MC)-soluble fraction of EERL and the structure of the purified compound was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The anti-carcinogenic effects of licorice extracts and licochalcone A was evaluated using a MTT assay, Western blot, flow cytometry, and two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. RESULTS: EERL was determined to be more potent and efficacious than the ethanol extract of un-roasted licorice in inhibiting the growth of DU145 and MLL prostate cancer cells, as well as HT-29 colon cancer cells. The aqueous extracts of un-roasted and roasted licorice showed minimal effects on cell growth. EERL potently inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast, B16-F10 melanoma, and A375 and A2058 skin cancer cells, whereas EERL slightly stimulated the growth of normal IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells and CCD118SK fibroblasts. The MC-soluble fraction was more efficacious than EERL in inhibiting DU145 cell growth. Licochalcone A was isolated from the MC fraction and identified as the active compound of EERL. Both EERL and licochalcone A induced apoptosis of DU145 cells. EERL potently inhibited chemically-induced skin papilloma formation in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Non-polar compounds in EERL exert potent anti-carcinogenic effects, and that roasted rather than un-roasted licorice should be favored as a cancer preventive agent, whether being used as an additive to food or medicine preparations.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.124-139
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• 2007

In order to obtain the maximum flame retardancy with the minimal deterioration of physical properties of PU flame-retardant coatings, chlorine and phosphorous functional groups were introduced into the pre-polymer of modified polyesters. In the first step, the tetramethylene bis(orthophosphate) (TBOP) and neohexanediol dichloroacetate (DCA-adduct) intermediates were synthesized. In the second step, 1,4-butanediol and adipic acid monomers were polymerized with the two kind of intermediates to obtain copolymer. The modified polyesters containing chlorine and phosphorous (ATBA-10C, -20C, and -30C) were synthesized by adjusting the contents of chlorine compound (dichloroacetic acid, 10, 20, 30 wt%) with fixed the content of phosphorous compound (2 wt%). The PU flame-retardant coatings (TTBAH -10C, -20C, and -30C) were prepared using the synthesized ATBAs and HDI-trimer as curing agent at room temperature. The physical properties of PU flame-retardant coatings with chlorine and phosphorous were inferior to those with phosphorous only and the properties were getting worse with increasing chlorine content. Flame retardancy was tested with three methods. With the vertical method, Complete combustion time of ATBAHs were $259^{\sim}347$ seconds, which means that the prepared coatings are good flame-retardant. With the $45^{\circ}$ Meckel burner method, char lengths of the three prepared coatings were less than 2.9 cm, which indicates that the prepared coatings are 1st grade flame retardancy. With the limiting oxygen index (LOI) method, the LOI values of the three prepared coatings were in the range of $30^{\sim}35%$, which proves good flame retardancy of the prepared coatings. From the results of flame retardancy tests of the specimens that contain the same amounts of flame retarding compounds, it was found that the coatings containing both phosphorous and chlorine show higher flame retardancy than the coatings containing phosphorous alone. This indicates that some synergy effect of flame retardancy exists between phosphorous and chlorine.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2013

This study was conducted to improve the yield of extracts from Alaska pollock Theragra chalcogramma head and sea tangle Laminaria japonica byproducts using various commercial enzymes, such as Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase (NH), and Protamex. Among the enzymatic hydrolysates, the yield was highest in hydrolysate incubated with NH for 4 h. NH-treated hydrolysates (NHH) also improved functional properties, such as angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryldrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, as compared to extracts from Alaska pollock head and sea tangle byproducts. Total free amino acid and taste values of NHH were 379.7 mg/100 mL and 24.03, respectively, after digestion for 4 h. These values are 2.2-fold and 1.9-fold higher compared with those of water soluble fractions extracted from Alaska pollock head and non-forming sea tangle, respectively. According to the taste value results, the major taste-active compounds among free amino acids of NHH were glutamic acid and aspartic acid. These results suggest that NHH can be used as an ingredient for natural seasoning preparation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2012

Medicinal herbs have been shown to have protective functions for skin and hair. We investigated the effects of complex of soluble ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin and phytochemicals on the functions of skin and hair. In previous report, we evaluated the safety of supramolecules and found their anti-microbial effects and anti-fungal effect against Gram (+) and Malassezia furfur which is known to cause dandruff. Here we present that functional supramolecules-containing cream promotes the biological skin activity by inducing the collagen formation. And treatment of supramolecules-containing hair tonic increased the rate of hair growth of mouse. Taken together, supramolecular cosmetic compounds containing water insoluble phytochemicals and water soluble ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin exhibit the potential ability for hair growth promotion and delaying the aging of skin.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.598-606
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• 2015

To develop a functional drink using abalone, two abalone composites (APM-1, APM-2) were prepared by mixing the abalone and natural plants (Lycii fructus and Rubus coreanus Miq.). Their antioxidant and anti-fatigue effects were evaluated using rats running on a treadmill after 4 weeks supplementation of the abalone composites. Experimental groups were divided into four groups including normal (non-exercised group), control (exercised group), one dose per day (EAPM-1), and three doses per day (EAPM-2) with exercise by running. Antioxidant activities, and total phenols and flavonoids contents of APM-2 were significantly higher than those of APM-1 (p<0.05). Total lipid content in serum of EAPM-2 was significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase activity and blood urea nitrogen content of EAPM-1 and EAPM-2 groups were significantly lower than that of control group. There were no significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase activity among control, EAPM-1 and EAPM-2 groups. In the meanwhile, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly lower than that of control group. In serum and liver tissues of EAPM-1 and EAPM-2 groups, lipid peroxide contents significantly decreased compared to control group. DPPH radical scavenging activities in liver tissues of EAPM-1 and EAPM-2 groups were significantly higher than those of control group. Therefore, abalone composites were effective for the alleviation of oxidative stress caused by treadmill running, which was dependent on antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.535-544
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the changes of isoflavone composition (glycoside and bio-active aglycone) in Cheonggukjang and to evaluate its quality characteristics depending on different soybean cultivars (Daewon, Daepoong, Wooram, Hwangkeumol and Saedanback). The bioactivity of Cheonggukjang was enhanced during fermentation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 h. Activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase, protease, and cellulase increased significantly after 48 h fermentation (p<0.05). In addition, amino-type nitrogen and reducing sugar contents in Cheonggukjang fermented with B. subtilis increased significantly after 48 h fermentation (p<0.05). Among the isoflavones, the content of $\beta$-glucosides and acetyl-glucosides decreased, while aglycone content increased during fermentation. Especially, Cheonggukjang fermented with Daepoong cultivars showed the greatest increase in daidzein, genistein and glycitein contents. After 48 h fermentation, the contents of daidzein, genistein and glycitein in the Cheonggukjang fermented with Daepoong cultivars increased significantly up to $503.65{\pm}2.76$, $111.40{\pm}0.42$, and $633.95{\pm}6.01{\mu}g/g$ (p<0.05), respectively. Total aerobic and anaerobic cell counts increased with increase in fermentation time. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the food industry if components of Cheonggukjang could be separated and used to develop functional products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2010

We compared physiological activities in reflux extracts from Liriope platyphylla leaves and roots. The water extract of roots had the highest solid extraction yield of 53.96%. The greatest level of total polyphenols was 186.88 mg/g in methanol extracts from leaves, whereas water extract from leaves showed the highest concentration of flavonoid compounds, at 159.29 mg/g. The leaf extract had 97.42% of the electron-donating ability (EDA) of the positive control, at 0.5 mg/mL. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of water extract of leaves was 9.75% of the positive control value, at 1.0 mg/mL. The nitrite scavenging ability of methanolic extract from leaves was highest, at 40.56% of the positive control level at pH 1.2 and a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL, whereas root extracts were ineffective in this regard. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by leaf extracts was more than 99% of the positive control value at 1.0 mg/mL, whereas water and methanolic root extracts had activities of 93.75% and 68.47%, respectively. When tyrosinase inhibition was examined, the water extract of leaves had 22.80% of positive control activity but methanolic extracts were inactive. These results indicate that leaves of L. platyphylla will be more useful for development of functional products than the roots, which are used to make medicinal preparations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.1357-1362
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the extract yield, total polyphenolic compounds content, electron donating activity (EDA) and nitrite scavenging activity (NSA) of various red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. The water and ethanol extracts showed yields in the ranges of $11.30{\sim}18.93%$ and $3.00{\sim}5.25%$, respectively. Ethanol extract yield was higher than water. In the total polyphenol content, water and ethanol extracts were in the range of $10.22{\pm}1.29{\sim}25.98{\pm}0.55mg/$ and $8.00{\pm}0.57{\sim}33.99{\pm}0.09mg/g$, respectively. Also, nitrite scavenging activities were $70.11{\pm}0.71{\sim}94.07{\pm}0.86%$ and $81.93{\pm}1.77{\sim}99.90{\pm}0.70%$ for water and ethanol extracts, respectively. In the electron donating activity, water extracts showed lower activity than ethanol extracts. The electron donating activity of water extracts was in the range of $0.04{\pm}0.07{\sim}14.31{\pm}0.06%$ while that of NSA of ethanol extracts was $35.48{\pm}0.23{\sim}73.83{\pm}0.04%$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1491-1496
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• 2007

As an oriental medicinal plant, wild grape (WG, Vitis coignetiae) has been known to contain abundant nutrients compared to grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and as a source of stilbenes, a kind of polyphenol. This study was performed to investigate the antioxidative activity of WG extracts by measuring electron donating ability (EDA), nitrite scavenging ability (NSA), super oxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and total polyphenol content (TPC). The extracts were obtained using microwave-assisted extraction (microwave power: 90 W, extraction time: 5 min, extractant: water, 50 and 100% ethanol). EDAs, SOD-like activities and TPCs were the highest at 50% ethanol extracts while conversely lowest at 100% ethanol extracts. EDAs of 50% and 100% ethanol extracts at 1.6 g/dL concentration, $97.70{\pm}0.55\;and\;98.05{\pm}0.36%$, were higher than those of 0.1 and 1% L-ascorbic acids, $101.44{\pm}0.98%\;and\;99.43{\pm}0.78%$, respectively. At the concentration of 1.6 g/dL, 50% ethanol extract showed lower NSA (pH 1.2) than water extract unlike EDA, TPC and SOD-like activity. Regarding TPCs of WG extracts, the activities were the highest at 50% ethanol extracts (1.6 g/dL: $38.76{\pm}0.23$ mM gallic acid equiv.) followed by water and 100% ethanol extracts. The results suggest the usefulness of developing functional foods using antioxidative active compounds of WG with high polyphenol contents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.343-348
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• 2009

Magnaporthe oryzae, a major cause of rice blast, is one of the most destructive plant fungal pathogens. Secretion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the infection phase of plant pathogenic fungus plays a key role in the defense mechanism of a plant. ROS causes oxidative damage and functional modification to the proteins in a pathogenic fungus. Methionine, especially, is a major target of ROS, which oxidizes it to methionine sulfoxide. To survive from the attack of ROS, plant pathogenic fungus has antioxidative systems - one example would be methionine sulfoxide reductase B (MSRB), which reverses the oxidative alteration of methionine to methionine sulfoxide. In the present study, identification and molecular characterization of the MSRB gene in M. oryzae KJ201 were investigated. The MSRB gene was amplified by PCR from the M. oryzae KJ201 genomic DNA. The copy number of MSRB in the genome of M. oryzae KJ201 was identified by Southern blot analysis, which revealed that the gene exists as a single copy. To study the molecular function of an MSRB gene, the expression level of the MSRB gene was assayed with hydrogen peroxide treatment by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR. The expression of the MSRB gene was increased by treatment of hydrogen peroxide, without significant correlation to hydrogen peroxide concentrations. These results indicate that the MSRB gene in M. oryzae KJ201 could contribute to protection against plant defense compounds such as ROS and offer a novel strategy for the control of rice blast.