• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.37-49
• /
• 2014

In order to elucidate the usefulness of Lycopene, a cherry tomato variety, as a food material, the compositions of free amino acids, amino acid metabolites and polyphenol compounds were analyzed using HPLC and LC-MS/MS method. Lycopene contained eighteen free amino acids except for L-Cys and L-Try. L-Glu was the most abundant free amino acid, followed by L-Gln and L-Asp. The percentages of L-Glu, L-Gln and L-Asp of total free amino acid were 55.5%, 15.9% and 9.9% respectively. Lycopene contained essential amino acids with the exception of tryptophan. The following amino acid metabolites were found : ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid(GABA), carnitine(L-Car), o-phosphoethanolamine(o-Pea), hydroxylysine(Hyl) phosphoserine (p-Ser), N-methyl-histidine(Me-His), ethanolamine($EtNH_2$). Especially, GABA known as a neurotransmitter was present at a high level(305.99 mg/100 g dry weight). We identified the following polyphenol compounds in the cherry tomatoes : caffeic acid-hexose isomer I (CH I), caffeic acid-hexose isomer II (CH II), 3-caffeoylquinic acid(3-CQA), 5-caffeoylquinic acid(5-CQA), caffeoylquinic acid isomer(CQAI), quercetin-hexose-deoxyhexose-pentose(QTS), quercetin-3-rutinoside(Q-3-R), di-caffeoylquinic acid(di-CQA), tri-caffeoylquinic acid(tri-CQA), naringenin chalcone(NGC). Large quantities of Q-3-R and NGC known as bioactive compounds were found. These results revealed that Lycopene variety contained various nutritional and bioactive compounds and would be a potent functional food material.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.347-352
• /
• 2005

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors and some types of inhibitory receptors in dissociated rod bipolar cell (RBC) were investigated. In the whole cell voltage-clamping mode, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activated current showed both sustained and transient components. GABA activated transient current was fully blocked by bicuculine, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist. The cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA), a $GABA_C$ receptor agonist, evoked the sustained current that was not blocked by bicuculline (BIC). Glycine activated the transient current. These results indicate that the RBCs possess $GABA_A$, $GABA_C$, and glycine inhibitory receptors. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO analogue, reduced the currents activated by $GABA_A$ receptor only, however, did not reduce the currents activated by either $GABA_C$ or glycine receptors. This study signifies further that only NO depresses the fast inhibitory response activated by $GABA_A$ receptor in RBC. We, therefore, postulate that NO might depress the light-on/off transient inhibitory responses in RBCs in the rat retina.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.707-713
• /
• 2017

Saccharina japonica is a type of seaweed rich in dietary fiber, iodine, calcium, and selenium. We investigated the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of gruel made with S. japonica powder, and identified the best ratio of powder to gruel to maximize its health effects. The gruel was prepared with rice, glutinous rice, GABA (${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid)-enriched sea tangle fermented in lactic acid (0.3%), and various amounts (0-10% gruel volume) of S. japonica powder. The pH, color, viscosity, spreadability, antioxidant activities, and sensory evaluation of the gruel were investigated. Spreadability and pH decreased, whereas viscosity and antioxidant activities increased, with increasing powder content. In addition, color lightness decreased significantly, whereas redness and yellowness increased. In sensory tests, color, aroma, and texture were rated highest for gruel with 5% powder. On the other hand, flavor and overall acceptability were considered optimal in gruel with 7% powder.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.208-214
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological and sleep-promoting effects of combined ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) using caffeine-induced sleepless fruit flies, ICR mice, and Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Video-tracking analysis was applied to investigate behavioral changes of Drosophila melanogaster. Pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns were used for analysis of sleep latency, duration, and quantity and quality of sleep in vertebrate models. RESULTS: Administration of combined GABA/5-HTP could significantly reverse the caffeine induced total distance of flies (P < 0.001). Also, individually administered and combined GABA/5-HTP significantly increased the total sleeping time in the caffeine-induced sleepless ICR mice (P < 0.001). In the caffeine-induced sleepless SD-rats, combined GABA/5-HTP showed significant differences in sleep quality between individual amino acid administrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we identified inhibitory effects of combined GABA/5-HTP in locomotor activity, sleep quantity and quality in caffeine-induced sleepless models, indicating that combined GABA/5-HTP may be effective in patients with insomnia by providing sufficient sleep.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.415-420
• /
• 2017

Soybean sprouts are the third-most consumed vegetable in Korea. Several studies on cultivation techniques, including use of medicinal plants extracts, have been performed to enhance the quality and yield of soybean sprouts. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of lacquer, a medicinal plant extract, on the yield and nutritional value of soybean sprouts. Linolenic acid content was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the sprouts produced by soaking seeds in lacquer extract diluted with equal volume of water. Lacquer extract significantly increased the flavonoid and phenolic contents (p<0.05). The content of total free amino acids, including ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid, was higher in lacquer extract-treated sprouts than in the untreated control. Results of this study suggest that lacquer extract could be used for enhancing the yield and nutritional values of soybean sprouts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.456-464
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutritional and functional ingredients and antioxidant activity after fermenting rice bran using Lactobacillus brevis for 24, 36, and 48 hours. The results of the analysis of the nutritional ingredients revealed that there was no significant difference in the carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat and ash content regardless of the fermentation process and fermentation time. The amount of dietary fiber was significantly different between the unfermented and fermented rice bran and was observed to be the highest after a 48-hour fermentation. The γ-oryzanol, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and total phenolic contents were significantly higher in the fermented rice bran compared to the unfermented rice bran (p<0.05) and the GABA and total phenolic contents increased significantly as the fermentation time increased (p<0.05). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities used to measure antioxidant effects significantly increased as the fermentation time increased (p<0.05). From these results, it was confirmed that the antioxidant effect and functional components, namely γ-oryzanol, GABA, and the total phenolic content of rice bran improved with fermentation. Based on these results, fermented rice bran could be presented as a functional material for use in high value-added industries.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2020

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is usually managed using currently available antiepileptic drugs, which result in adverse effects and are ineffective in approximately 20-25% of patients. Thus, there is growing interest in the development of new antiepileptic drugs with fewer side effects. In a previous study, we showed that a Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) water extract has protective effects against electroshock- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, with fewer side effects. In this study, the objective was to identify the RG components that are responsible for its anticonvulsant effects. Initially, a number of RG components (aucubin, acteoside, catalpol, and mannitol) were screened, and the anticonvulsant effects of different doses of catalpol, mannitol, and their combination on electroshock- and chemically (PTZ or strychnine)-induced seizures in mice, were further assessed. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor binding assay and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis were conducted to identify the potential underlying drug mechanism. Additionally, treated mice were tested using open-field and rotarod tests. Catalpol, mannitol, and their combination increased threshold against electroshock-induced seizures, and decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by PTZ, a GABA antagonist. GABA receptor binding assay results revealed that catalpol and mannitol are associated with GABA receptor activity, and EEG analysis provided evidence that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures. In summary, our results indicate that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant properties, and may mediate the protective effects of RG against seizures.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.73-84
• /
• 2016

Marine organisms are frequently used to be harmful and have lower side effects than synthetic drugs. The cognitive improving efficacy of gamma aminobutyric acid-enriched fermented Saccharina japonica (FSJ) on the memory deficient rats, which were induced by trimethyltin chloride (TMT), was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunohistochemistry. The neurite outgrowth of Neuro2a cells was assessed in order to examine the underlying mechanisms of the memory enhancing effects of FSJ. Treatment with FSJ tended to shorten the latency to find the platform in the acquisition test of the Morris water maze at the second and fourth day compared to the control group. In the probe trial, the FSJ treated group increased time spent in the target quadrant, compared to that of the control group. Consistent with the behavioral data, these treatments recovered the loss of ChAT, CREB, and BDNF immunepositive neurons in the hippocampus produced by TMT. Treatment with FSJ markedly stimulated neurite outgrowth of the Neuro2a cells as compared to that of the controls. These findings demonstrate that FSJ may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of neurotrophic marker enzyme activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.277-284
• /
• 2018

Collagen peptide plays a protective role in skin by increasing the activity of antioxidant, acts like an activator of skin regeneration by positive feedback and is used as a potent candidate for cosmetics or functional food. GABA acts at inhibitory synapses in the brain by binding to specific transmembrane receptors of both pre- and postsynaptic neuronal processes in vertebrates, is also involved in the synthesis of melatonin and might exert regulatory effects on sleep and reproductive functions. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effect of a mixture of collagen peptide and GABA (J85091900) on skin and sleep condition in woman experiencing sleep disorder. We found that oral supplement with J85091900 significantly decreased the value of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), increased sleeping time by 7%, and also improved skin roughness (Ra, Rz, Rt), periorbital wrinkle (Ra, Rt), and skin capacitance in human. These findings indicate that dual strategy with which skin improvement is accomplished using collagen peptide and sleeping well is acquired using GABA could be the novel solution for sleeping beauty by edible cosmetics to improve skin status.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.506-512
• /
• 2006

Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) is a traditional herbal plant that has been used in Asian countries for centuries as an anticonvulsant analgesic, and a sedative for treating general paralysis, epilepsy, vertigo, and tetanus. This study was designed to optimize conditions for ethanol extracts or GEB by analyzing and monitoring the extraction characteristics with response surface methodology. The extract was used for analysis of the effective components of GEB. The estimated optimal conditions were 63.62% in ethanol of 5.06 mL/g in solvent per sample, and 6.25 hr in extract time. The optimal extraction conditions for $ \gamma-aminobutyric$ acid, were 45.52%, 5.67 mL/g, and 6.04 hr, while those for $\rho-hydroxybenzyl$ alcohol were 62.73%, 5.02 mL/g, and 5.95 hr. Regression equation was generated for each variables and then superimposed them, such as soluble solid, $ \gamma-aminobutyric$ acid and $\rho-hydroxybenzyl$ alcohol content thereby resulting in superimposed values of extinction conditions like $45\sim65%,\;5\sim7mL/g$ and $5\sim7$ hr, respectively.