• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1568-1577
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate lactic acid bacteria with antioxidative and probiotic activities isolated from Korean healthy infant feces and kimchi. Isolates A1, A2, S1, S2, and S3 were assigned to Lactobacillus sp. and isolates A3, A4, E1, E2, E3, and E4 were assigned to Leuconostoc sp. on the basis of their physiological properties and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. Most strains were confirmed as safe bioresources through nonhemolytic activities and non-production of harmful enzymes such as β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase and tryptophanase. The 11 isolates showed different resistance to acid and bile acids. In addition, they exhibited antibacterial activity against foodborne bacteria, especially Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, all strains showed significantly high levels of hydrophobicity. The antioxidant effects of culture filtrates of the 11 strains included 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, 2.2'-azino-bis (2-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity, and superoxide dismutase activity. The results revealed that most of the culture filtrates have effective scavenging activity for DPPH and ABTS radicals. All strains appeared to have effective superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, the isolated strains A1, A3, S1, and S3 have significant probiotic activities applicable to the development of functional foods and health-related products. These strains might also contribute to preventing and controlling several diseases associated with oxidative stress, when used as probiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.469-476
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• 2016

This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of dead nano-sized Lactobacillus plantarum (nLp) in RAW 264.7 cells and murine primary splenocytes. nLp is a dead, shrunken, processed form of L. plantarum nF1 isolated from kimchi (a traditional Korean fermented cabbage) and is less than 1 μm in size. It was found that nLp treatment stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production more in RAW 264.7 macrophages than pure live L. plantarum (pLp), and that the stimulatory properties were probably largely derived from its cell wall. In addition, nLp induced murine splenocyte proliferation more so than pLp; in particular, a high dose of nLp (1.0 × 10¹¹ CFU/ml) stimulated proliferation as much as lipopolysaccharide at 2 μg/ml. Moreover, according to our cytokine profile results in splenocytes, nLp treatment promoted Th1 (TNF-α, IL-12 p70) responses rather than Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) responses and also increased Th17 (IL-6, IL-17A) responses. Thus, nLp stimulated NO release in RAW 264.7 cells and induced splenocyte proliferation more so than pLp and stimulated Th1 and Th17 cytokine production. These findings suggested that dead nLp has potential use as a functional food ingredient to improve the immune response, and especially as a means of inducing Th1/Th17 immune responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1510-1517
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• 2012

To evaluate the probiotic potential of Bacillus polyfermenticus CJ6 isolated from meju, a Korean traditional soybean fermentation starter, its functionality and safety were investigated. B. polyfermenticus CJ6 was sensitive to all antibiotics listed by the European Food Safety Authority. The strain was also non-hemolytic, carried no emetic toxin or enterotoxin genes, and produced no enterotoxins. The resistance of B. polyfermenticus CJ6 vegetative cells and spores to simulated gastrointestinal conditions was high (60-100% survival rate). B. polyfermenticus CJ6 produced high amounts (0.36 g as a purified lyophilized form) of ${\gamma}$-polyglutamic acid (PGA). We speculate that the improved cell viability and the production of ${\gamma}$-PGA have a significant correlation. Adhesion of the strain to Caco-2 and HT-29 cells was weaker than that of the reference strain (Lb. rhamnosus GG), but it was comparable to or stronger than those of reported Bacillus spp. When B. polyfermenticus CJ6 spores were given orally to mice, the number of cells excreted in the feces was 4-fold higher than the original inocula. This suggests the inoculated spores propagated within the intestinal tract of the mice. This idea was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, which revealed directly that B. polyfermenticus CJ6 cells germinated and adhered within the gastrointestinal tract of mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that B. polyfermenticus CJ6 has probiotic potential for both human consumption and use in animal feeds.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.286-296
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• 2018

Maintenance of a beneficial microbial community, especially in the rhizosphere, is indispensable for plant growth and agricultural sustainability. In this sense, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been extensively studied for their role in plant growth promotion and disease resistance. However, the impact of introducing PGPR strains into rhizosphere microbial communities is still underexplored. We previously found that the Proteus vulgaris JBLS202 strain (JBLS202) promoted growth of Kimchi cabbage and altered the relative abundance of total bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. in the treated rhizosphere. To extend these findings, we used pyrosequencing to analyze the changes in bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of Kimchi cabbage after introduction of JBLS202. The alterations were also evaluated by taxon-specific realtime PCR (qPCR). The pyrosequencing data revealed an increase in total bacteria abundance, including specific groups such as Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria, in the treated rhizosphere. Time-course qPCR analysis confirmed the increase in the abundance of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria. Furthermore, genes involved in nitrogen cycling were upregulated by JBLS202 treatment indicating changes in ecological function of the rhizosphere soil. Overall, these results indicate that introduction of JBLS202 alters both the composition and function of the rhizosphere bacterial community, which can have direct and indirect effects on plant growth. Therefore, we propose that long-term changes in bacterial composition and community-level function need to be considered for practical use of PGPRs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to determine the quality characteristics of cabbage juice fermented by lactic acid bacteria from Kimchi (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus sakei SL1103, Lactobacillus plantarum LS5, and mixed starter). Cabbage juice was inoculated with lactic acid bacteria and fermented at 30 for 72 hrs. Changes in lactic acid bacteria number, pH, titratable acidity, Brix, and color during fermentation were analyzed. After fermentation for 24 hrs, cabbage juice fermented by mixed starter showed the highest number of lactic acid bacteria (9.45 log CFU/mL). The pH of all cabbage juice also decreased to 3.88~4.19 sharply, while cabbage juice fermented by Lac. sakei SL1103 showed the highest Brix ($8.38^{\circ}Bx$). Cabbage juice fermented by mixed starter showed the highest L value (56.83). In the sensory evaluation, cabbage juice fermented by a mixed starter (Leu. mesenteroides, Lac. sakei SL1103, and Lac. plantarum LS5) showed the highest preferences in taste, flavor, and overall acceptability. Therefore, cabbage juice fermented by mixed starter (Leu. mesenteroides, Lac. sakei SL1103 and Lac. plantarum LS5) has the highest potential for the development of fermented cabbage juice as an excellent bioactive functional food.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2022

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a multi-functional compound with broad applications for food industry. GABA producing bacteria were isolated from cabbage kimchi. Among them, B737 was the best GABA producer when culture supernatants were analyzed by TLC. B737 was identified as Levilactobacillus brevis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Its glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene was cloned by PCR and the nucleotide sequence determined. B737 GAD consisting of 485 amino acids is the largest in size among GADs reported from LAB so far. gadB from L. brevis B737 was overexpressed in Escherichia. coli BL21(DE3) using pET26b(+).pET26b(+). The recombinant GAD was purified and its size was 55 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Maximum GAD activity was observed at pH 5 and 40℃ and the activity was dependent on pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. K_m and V_max of recombinant GAD were 6.2 ± 0.06 mM and 0.34 ± 0.002 mM/min, respectively. L. brevis B737 can be used as a starter for fermented foods with high GABA contents.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.150-157
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• 2004

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in organosulfur compounds such as isothiocyanates and sulfides. While the isothiocyanates, corresponding to pungent principle, are generated from myrosinase-catalyzed hydrolysis of glucosinolates, the sulfides can be generated non-enzymatically. Recent studies provide evidences that some sulfur compounds in these vegetables show a chemopreventive action against carcinogenesis; while isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane induce phase 2 enzymes (glutathione S-transferase/quinone reductase), disulfides tends to elevate the level of phase 1 and 2 enzymes. Especially, sulforaphane rich in Cruciferae vegetables has been reported to express anticarcinogenic effect in some organs such as liver, kidney or intestine. When the level of sulfur compounds in Cruciferous and Alliaceous vegetables was determined by GC/MS (SIM), the richest in sulforaphane is broccoli followed by turnip, cabbage, radish, kale, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage. Meanwhile, the sulfides are predominant in Alliaceous vegetables such as onion. In related study, the administration of vegetable extract elevated the GST level by 1.5 fold for broccoli, 1.4 fold for radish, and 1.3 for onion. Thus, the vegetables frequently used in Korean dish contain relatively high amount of anticarcinogenic sulfur compounds. Moreover, the combination of broccoli and radish extracts elevated the GST induction up to 1.84 folds of control. In addition, the Kakdugi, fermented radish Kimchi was observed to show a comparable GST induction despite the decomposition of methylthio-3-butenylisothiocyanate (MTBI). Therefore, the combination of vegetables including broccoli, and fermented radish Kimchi would be useful as a functional food for chemoprevention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1648-1657
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• 2014

In this study, the hepatic lipid-lowering effects and related mechanism of action of sujeonggwa were examined in hypercholesterolemia-induced apoprotein E knockout (apo E ko) mice. Sujeonggwa drink was prepared with cinnamon, ginger, and sugar by modifying the traditional recipe of sujeonggwa. Sugar was partially substituted with either stevia or short chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS) in order to reduce the calorie content of sujeonggwa, which was measured by descriptive analysis. Apo E ko mice (n=42) were induced to have hypercholesterolemia (plasma total cholesterol concentration >1,000 mg/dL) by administration of a high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, followed by division into six groups. Experimental groups were orally administered water as a vehicle (normal group), sugar solution (control group), commercially available 'V' sujeonggwa drink (positive control group), or three different types of sujeonggwa drinks (S-sugar, S-stevia, and S-scFOS group) for 6 weeks while high cholesterol diet was provided to all animals. Compared to the control group, concentrations of hepatic triglycerides, total cholesterol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species in S-sugar, S-stevia, S-scFOS were significantly reduced (P<0.05), indicating that sujeonggwa had inhibitory effects on hepatic lipid accumulation. Protein expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and its transcription factor, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 responsible for triglyceride synthesis, as well as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and its transcription factor, SREBP-2 responsible for cholesterol synthesis, were also reduced in S-sugar, S-stevia, and S-scFOS groups (P<0.05). These benefits of sujeonggwa were even greater in S-stevia and S-scFOS compared to S-sugar. The beneficial effects of S-stevia on regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism were slightly greater than those of S-scFOS although the differences were not significant. In conclusion, sujeonggwa drinks, especially functional sujeonggwa drinks in which sugar was partially substituted with stevia or scFOS, inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation via suppressing FAS and HMGCR protein expression through down-regulation of SREBP-1 and 2.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.776-783
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• 2005

To develop functional kimchi which had anti-obesity effect, garcinia cambogia extract containing $51.46\%$ hydroxy citric acid (HCA) was used as a sub-ingredient of American preferred kimchi (APK). The APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts of 0.5$\%,\;1.0\%,\;1.5\%\;and\;2.0\%$ were prepared, and fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity effect of those kimchi were investigated. The pH of APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts (APKH) was low as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased at initial stage of fermentation but the pH of those kimchi showed similar values after optimum ripened stage. The number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. were small as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased while the period was delayed that the number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. attained to maximum. In Hunter's color values of APKH, lightness and redness decreased as the amount of garcinia cambogia extracts increased while yellowness increased. Sensory scores in overall acceptance, taste and texture of APKH evaluated by Americans as sensory panels were similar until the addition amount of garcinia cambogia extract was $1.5\%$, therefore the garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$ was determined as tile amount adding to APK. The secretions of glycerol and leptin as a key signalling factor for anti-obesity effect were examined in APK and APKH added to garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$. There were no significant differences in the glycerol secretion when adipocytes were treated with APK and APKH extracts. However, leptin secretion in the adipocytes treated with APKH extract was significantly decreased compared to that of control (p<0.05).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.915-925
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is defined as loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging. Recent studies show that sarcopenia may improve via the gut-muscle axis, suggesting that gut health may affect muscle phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus JY02 as a probiotic strain isolated from kimchi to alleviate sarcopenia. L. rhamnosus JY02-conditioned medium (CM) reduced dexamethasone (DEX)-induced myotube diameter atrophy and expression of muscle degradation markers (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) in C2C12 cells. The amelioration of sarcopenia was investigated by measuring body composition (lean mass), hand grip strength, myofibril size (using histological analysis), and mRNA and protein expression of muscle-related factors in a DEX-induced mouse model. The results of these analyses showed that L. rhamnosus JY02 supplementation promoted the production of muscle-enhancement markers (MHC Iβ, MHC IIα, and Myo-D) and reduced both the production of muscle degradation markers and the symptoms of muscle atrophy (loss of lean mass and muscle strength). We also found decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN- γ) and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in the serum of DEX+JY02-administered mice compared to those in DEX-treated mice. Overall, these results suggest that L. rhamnosus JY02 is a potent probiotic supplement that prevents sarcopenia by suppressing muscle atrophy.