• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-148
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• 2024

The production of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was optimized by serial fermentation of Dendropanax morbiferus extract (DME) using Bacillus subtilis HA and Lactobacillus plantarum KS2020. The 1st alkaline fermentation was performed on 60% DME including 2% glucose and 10% monosodium ʟ-glutamate (MSG) as a precursor. The 1^st fermented DME had 57 mg% tyrosine. Consequently, the 2^nd lactic acid fermentation for 5 days increased the tyrosine content of 106 mg%. The mucilage containing γ-PGA showed a high content of 3.50% on the first day of alkaline fermentation and then increased to 4.10% after 2 days. The precursor (MSG) remaining in the 1^st fermented DME was efficiently converted to GABA by the 2^nd lactic acid fermentation in the presence of 5% skim milk, 1.5% glucose and 0.5% yeast extract, resulting in the production of 18.29 mg/mL GABA. The viable cells of lactic acid bacteria increased and indicated 9.49 log CFU/mL on the fermentation for 5 days, and the acidity of co-fermented DME indicated the highest value of 1.55%. Conclusively, the serial fermented DME has multi-functional ingredients containing γ-PGA, GABA, peptides and probiotics.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.595-602
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• 2013

As a major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system in animals, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has several physiological functions, such as anti-hypertensive, diuretic, tranquilizer and anti-stress effects in human. In order to determine strains with high GABA producing ability and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, 273 bacteria were isolated from various types of Kimchi. Strain K255 contained $386.37{\mu}g/mL$ of GABA in MRS broth containing 1% MSG, $600.63{\mu}g/mL$ of GABA in MRS broth containing 2% MSG and $821.24{\mu}g/mL$ of GABA in MRS broth containing 3% MSG. It showed that K255 had the highest GABA production ability compared to other commercial lactic acid bacteria. K255 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum based on its API carbohydrate fermentation pattern and 16S rDNA sequence. K255 was investigated for its physiological characteristics. The optimum growth temperature of K255 was $37^{\circ}C$and cultures took 13 h to reach the pH 4.4. K255 showed more sensitive to bacitracin in a comparison of fifteen different antibiotics, and showed most resistance to kanamycin and vancomycin. Moreover, it was comparatively tolerant to bile juice and acid and displayed resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, with rates of 30.8%, 29.7%, and 23.4% respectively. These results demonstrate that K255 could be an excellent strain for the production of functional products.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2000

The effect of seventy kinds of medicinal plants on the activities of GABA-metabolizing enzymes as glutamate dehydrogenase I (GDH I), glutamate dehydrogenase II (GDH II), GABA transaminase (GABA-T), succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) and succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSAR) were estimated. The following plants extracts from Acori graminei Rhizoma, Longnae Arillus, Gastrodiae Herba, Lycii Fructus, Ligusticum officinale, Ferula assafoetida, Corydalis Tuber, Eucommiae Cortex, Zizyphi spinosi Semen activated the activity of GDH I to more than 35%, and the following ones from Visci Ramulus, Ligusticum officinale, Myristicae Semen, Ferulae Resina, Scolopendrae Corpus, Corydalis Tuber, Eucommiae Cortex, Zizyphi spinosi Semen did that of GDH II. The plant extracts from Cynanchi Radix, Astragali Semen, Angelicae dahuricae Radix, Biotae orientalis Folium, Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, Polygalae Radix, Cynomorii Herba inhibited that of GABA-T to 35% and over, and the following ones from Hyoscyamus niger, Cynanchi Radix, Acori graminei, Caesalpiniae Lignum, Cannabis Semen, Sedum aizoon, Sedum kamtschaticum, Schisandrae Fructus, Lilii Bulbus, Biotae orientalis Folium, Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, Myristicae Semen, Akebiae Fructus, Cynomorii Herba, Buddleiae Flos, Mucunae Caulis, Zizyphi Fructus, Paeoniae Radix rubra did that of SSADH to 70% and over; the following ones from, Caesalpiniae Lignum, Sedum kamtschaticum, Schisandrae Fructus, Astragali Semen, Angelicae dahuricae Radix, Dioscorea nipponica, Myristicae Semen, Akebiae Fructus, Cynomorii Herba, Scutellariae Radix did that of SSAR.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2005

In this study, we examined the morphine-induced modulation of the nociceptive spinal dorsal horn neuronal activities before and after formalin-induced inflammatory pain. Intradermal injection of formalin induced time-dependent changes in the spontaneous activity of nociceptive dorsal horn neurons. In naive cats before the injection of formalin, iontophoretically applied morphine attenuated the naturally and electrically evoked neuronal responses of dorsal horn neurons. However, neuronal responses after the formalin-induced inflammation were significantly increased by morphine. Bicuculline, $GABA_A$ antagonist, increased the naturally and electrically evoked neuronal responses of dorsal horn neurons. This increase in neuronal responses due to bicuculline after the formalin-induced inflammation was larger than that in the naive state, suggesting that basal $GABA_A$ tone increased after the formalin injection. Muscimol, $GABA_A$ agonist, reduced the neuronal responses before the treatment with formalin, but not after formalin treatment, again indicating an increase in the GABAergic basal tone after the formalin injection which saturated the neuronal responses to GABA agonist. Morphine-induced increase in the spinal nociceptive responses after formalin treatment was inhibited by co-application of muscimol. These data suggest that formalin-induced inflammation increases $GABA_A$ basal tone and the inhibition of this augmented $GABA_A$ basal tone by morphine results in a paradoxical morphineinduced increase in the spinal nociceptive neuronal responses after the formalin-induced inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.534-541
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• 2018

Kimchi (a traditional Korean fermented vegetable) was prepared with a starter, Lactobacillus zymae GU240 producing ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and one precursor of GABA (glutamic acid, glutamic acid monosodium salt (MSG), or kelp extract). L. zymae GU240, an isolate from kimchi, can grow at 7% NaCl and low temperature. Five different kimchi samples were fermented for 20 weeks at $-1^{\circ}C$. Kimchi with starter alone could not produce GABA. The GABA content was highest in kimchi with co-inoculation of the starter and MSG (1% (w/w)). Kimchi co-inoculated with the starter and kelp extract powder (3% (w/w)) had the second highest GABA content. Addition of glutamic acid powder (1% (w/w)) caused a reduction in the pH level of kimchi and growth inhibition of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Kimchi samples with MSG or kelp extract showed improvement of sensory evaluation scores. The results demonstrate the possibility to produce kimchi with improved functionality and taste by using L. zymae GU240 as a starter along with a suitable precursor such as MSG or kelp extract.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Poly-gamma-glutamic acid ($\gamma$-PGA) is a mucilaginous and biodegradable compound produced by Bacillus subtilis from fermented soybeans, and is found in the traditional Korean soy product, cheongkukjang. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of $\gamma$-PGA from a food source on the concentration of the neurotransmitter GABA and its metabolic precursor glutamate in diet-induced obese rats. Eight-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=60) were used. The rats were divided into two groups and obesity was induced by providing either a 10% control fat or 45% high fat diet for 5 weeks. The rats were then blocked into 6 groups and supplemented with a 0.1% $\gamma$-PGA diet for 4 weeks. After sacrifice, brain and serum GABA and glutamate concentrations were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. The rats fed the high fat diet had significantly increased body weights. $\gamma$-PGA supplementation significantly increased serum concentrations of glutamate and GABA in the control fat diet groups while this effect was not found in the high fat groups. In the brain, glutamate concentrations were significantly higher in the $\gamma$-PGA supplemented groups both in rats fed the normal and high fat diets than in the no $\gamma$-PGA controls. GABA concentrations showed the same tendency. The results indicated that $\gamma$-PGA intake increased GABA concentrations in the serum and brain. However, the effects were not shown in obese rats.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2017

Background: Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Its root has been utilized as a traditional medicine but the aerial parts (flower, flower stalk, leaf) are not used. We aimed to determine the content of three compounds [aucubin, catalpol, and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA)] in the different organs of R. glutinosa cultivars (Dakang, Tokang, and Suwon 9) Methods and Results: The flower, flower stalk, leaf, and root of R. glutinosa were harvested at the end of August. The aucubin and catalpol contents were analyzed by LC/MS, whereas the GABA content was analyzed by GC/MS. The aucubin content was the highest in the leaf, while catalpol and GABA were the highest in the flower. The aucubin contents of leaf in Dakang, Tokang, and Suwon 9 were 1.43, 0.81, and 1.07 mg/g, respectively. The catalpol contents of flower in Dakang, Tokang, and Suwon 9 were 41.06, 28.78, and 37.48 mg/g, respectively, the GABA contents were 0.79, 0.76, and 0.65 mg/g, respectively. Conclusions: The aucubin, catalpol, and GABA contents were higher in the leaf and flower than that in the root. This study show that R. glutinosa leaf and flower can be used as a potential supplement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.235-235
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• 2017

Chromium (Cr) toxicity is hazardous to the seed germination, growth, and development of plants. ${\gamma}$-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid and is involved in stress tolerance in plants. To investigate the effects of GABA in alleviating Cr toxicity, we treated eight-d-old mustard (Brassica juncea L.) seedlings with Cr (0.15 mM and 0.3 mM $K_2CrO_4$, 5 days) alone and in combination with GABA ($125{\mu}M$) in a semi-hydroponic medium. The roots and shoots of the seedlings accumulated Cr in a dose-dependent manner, which led to an increase in oxidative damage [lipid peroxidation; hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) content; superoxide ($O{_2}^{{\cdot}-}$) generation; lipoxygenase (LOX) activity], MG content, and disrupted antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems. Chromium stress also reduced growth, leaf relative water content (RWC), and chlorophyll (chl) content but increased phytochelatin (PC) and proline (Pro) content. Furthermore, supplementing the Cr-treated seedlings with GABA reduced Cr uptake and upregulated the non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate, AsA; glutathione, GSH) and the activities of the enzymatic antioxidants including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glyoxalase I (Gly I), and glyoxalase II (Gly II), and finally reduced oxidative damage. Adding GABA also increased leaf RWC and chl content, decreased Pro and PC content, and restored plant growth. These findings shed light on the effect of GABA in improving the physiological mechanisms of mustard seedlings in response to Cr stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1497-1506
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• 2020

Objective: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and piperine (PIP) are both nutritional supplements with potential use in animal diets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of GABA and/or PIP treatment on the gene expression pattern of a pig kidney epithelial cell line. Methods: LLCPK1 cells were treated with GABA, PIP, or both, and then the gene expression pattern was analyzed using microarray. Gene ontology analysis was done using GeneOntology (Geneontology.org), and validation was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Gene ontology enrichment analysis was used to identify key pathway(s) of genes whose expression levels were regulated by these treatments. Microarray results showed that GABA had a positive effect on the transcription of genes related to regulation of erythrocyte differentiation and that GABA and PIP in combination had a synergistic effect on genes related to immune systems and processes. Furthermore, we found that effects of GABA and/or PIP on these selected genes were controlled by JNK/p38 MAPK pathway. Conclusion: These results can improve our understanding of mechanisms involved in the effect of GABA and/or PIP treatment on pig kidney epithelial cells. They can also help us evaluate their potential as a clinical diagnosis and treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.479-485
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the sedative-hypnotic activity of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-enriched fermented marine organisms (FMO), including sea tangle (FST) and oyster (FO) by Lactobacillus brevis BJ20 (L. brevis BJ20). FST and FO were tested for their binding activity of the $GABA_A$-benzodiazepine and 5-$HT_{2C}$ receptors, which are well-known molecular targets for sleep aids. We also measured the sleep latency and sleep duration during pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice after oral administration of FST and FO. In $GABA_A$ and 5-$HT_{2C}$ receptor binding assays, FST displayed an effective concentration-dependent binding affinity to $GABA_A$ receptor, similar to the binding affinity to 5-$HT_{2C}$ receptor. FO exhibited higher affinity to 5-$HT_{2C}$ receptor, compared with the $GABA_A$ receptor. The oral administration of FST and FO produced a dose-dependent decrease in sleep latency and increase in sleep duration in pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. The data demonstrate that FST and FO possess sedativehypnotic activity possibly by modulating $GABA_A$ and 5-$HT_{2C}$ receptors. We propose that FST and FO might be effective agents for treatment of insomnia.