• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.955-961
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• 2018

Although much research has focused on various bioactive substances in starfish, research on microorganisms isolated from starfish is lacking as compared with other natural products. In this study, we investigated bacterial communities in the gut of red starfish (Certonardoa semiregularis) in Jeju Island. In total, 103 bacterial strains were isolated using marine agar and R2A medium. The isolated strains were analyzed and identified using the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Based on an analysis of this gene sequence, the 103 isolated bacteria were classified into four major groups: Proteobacteria (93%: Alpha-proteobacteria, 24.8%; Beta-proteobacteria, 4%; Gammaproteobacteria, 65%) Bacteroidetes (4%), Actinobacteria (2%), and Firmicutes (1%). In addition, the isolates were divided into seven classes (Actinobacteria, Flavobacteria, Bacilli, Sphingobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria), 15 orders, 19 families, and 24 genera. A phylogenetic analysis revealed two strains, Lysobacter sp. and Pedobacter sp., with similarity of 97.55% and 97.58%, respectively. As the similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence was 98% or less compared to previously identified bacteria, the two strains may possibly be classified as a new genus or species. We suggest that additional studies, including biochemical and morphological tests, should be performed to identify the new candidate strains.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2008

Pseudomonas sp. PRGB06, a bacterial strain isolated from diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) gut, was examined for its plant growth promotion and biofertilizing traits. The bacteria growth was observed under various conditions of carbon sources, temperature, pH and salt concentrations. In addition, the mechanisms of antagonism and phosphate solubilization were investigated. The bacterial strain PRGB06, grew well using most of the tested carbon sources. The best growth was observed at $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7. The inhibition of the pathogenic fungi was likely due to the volatile antifungal metabolite and ammonia gas produced by the bacteria. A significant positive relationship was found between the phosphate solubilization and acid production. When inoculated with PRGB06 in vitro and in gnotobiotic condition, red pepper and maize showed increase in root length, seedling vigor and dry bio-mass.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2017

The production of enzymes that help digestion, assimilation of essential nutrients, and prevent pathogenic bacteria are important for probiotics used in aquaculture. The objective of this study was to investigate enzyme activities for macromolecular organic matters and antimicrobial properties of the selected potential probiotics isolated from gut of surf clam (Tresus keenae) against well-known shellfish-pathogenic bacteria. Among 65 isolates from guts of 60 surf clams, seven Bacillus strains with outstanding degradation capability of macromolecule organic matter were selected as potential probiotics as follows: TKI01 (B. vietnamensis), TKI02, TKI26 (B. thuringiensis), TKI14, TKI32, TKI42 (B. amyloliquefaciens), and TKI18 (B. stratosphericus). After in vitro antimicrobial activity test was performed against five shellfish-pathogenic bacteria including Listonella anguillarum, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. splendidus, V. harveyi, V. tubiashii, PCR assay was performed to detect bacteriocin-producing strain. PCR results revealed that the five Bacillus strains possessed diverse bacteriocin genes including ericinA, coagulin, surfactin, iturin, bacyllomicin, fengycin, bacylisin, subtilin, and lantibiotics. In the present study, the selected seven Bacillus strains showed different enzyme activities according to types of macromolecule organic matters. And their antimicrobial activities varied based on the species of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, at least five Bacillus strains had genetic potential to produce several natural lipopeptide antibiotics that may help biological control of surf clam aquaculture. Therefore, mixed use of probiotics might show co-operative effect and increase the efficiency of probiotics rather than separate use. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on antimicrobial properties of Bacillus species isolated from surf clam.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1456-1463
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• 2017

Objective: To investigate the effect of host genetics on gut microbial diversity, we performed a structural survey of the fecal microbiota of four purebred boar pig lines: Duroc, Landrace, Hampshire, and Yorkshire. Methods: The V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA genes were amplified and sequenced. Results: A total of 783 operational taxonomic units were shared by all breeds, whereas others were breed-specific. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated the majority of the fecal microbiota; Clostridia, Bacilli, and Bacteroidia were the major classes. Nine predominant genera were observed in all breeds and eight of them can produce short-chain fatty acids. Some bacteria can secrete cellulase to aid fiber digestion by the host. Butyric, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acid levels were highest in Landrace pigs, whereas acetic and propionic acid were highest in the Hampshire breed. Heatmap was used to revealed breed-specific bacteria. Principal coordinate analysis of fecal bacteria revealed that the Landrace and Yorkshire breeds had high similarity and were clearly separated from the Duroc and Hampshire breeds. Conclusion: Overall, this study is the first time to compare the fecal microbiomes of four breeds of boar pig by high-throughput sequencing and to use Spearman's rank correlation to analyze competition and cooperation among the core bacteria.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.107-107
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• 2019

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by chronic inflammatory response and dysregulation of immune function. The severity of US has been influenced by environmental factors and food habit. The immune modulatory, anti-inflammatory and steroidal medicine have been used for the treatment of UC. However, long-term administration of those medicine is accompanied with side-effect. So, it is necessary to develop the non side-effect medicine using natural product. Prebiotics influences intestinal condition and food consumption. The heredity, immunity and environmental condition are related with occurrence of UC. In recent study, UC patients had lower level of prebiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium compared with healthy people. Also, previous study announced that imbalance of enteric flora aggravates the severity of UC. The effectiveness of probiotics might affect colon ability and viable bacteria also could promote the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Prebiotics, such as herbal medicine, could lead to balance of intestinal bacteria or increase beneficial bacteria. So, proper choice of herbal medicine could control the intestinal condition. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mixture of probiotics and prebiotics (synbiotics) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in vivo. The synbiotics consist of Lactobacillus buchneri, Polymnia sonchifolia and Glycine max Merr. in this study. To evaluate the effect of synbiotics, 3% DSS was administered in BALB/c mice and synbiotics was daily administered for experimental days. The administration of synbiotics regulated colon length shortening, body weight change and disease activity index effectively. Also, extract of synbiotics upregulated survival ability of Lactobacillus buchneri in gut condition. These results suggest that mixture of probiotics and prebiotics, called as synbiotics, could influence intestinal condition also regulate the colon disease. Synbiotics might be a therapeutic agent for treatment of UC.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2007

The release of genetically modified organisms ($GMO_{s}$) into the environment has the potential risks regarding the possibility of gene transfer from $GMO_{s}$ to natural organisms and this needs to be evaluated. This study was conducted to monitor the possible horizontal gene transfer from herbicide-resistant zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) to indigenous microorganisms. We have first examined the effect of field-released GM zoysiagrass on the microbial flora in the gut of locust (Locusts mlgratoria). The microbial flora was analyzed through determining the 165 rDHA sequences of microorganisms. The comparison of the microbial flora in the gut of locusts that were captured at the field of GM zoysiagrass and of wild-type revealed that there is no noticeable difference between these two groups. This result indicates that the GM zoysiagrass does not have negative impact on microbial flora in the gut of locust. We then investigated whether the horizontal gene transfer occurred from GM zoysiagrass to microbes in soil, rhizosphere and faecal pellets from locusts by utilizing molecular tools such as Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the total DNAs isolated from microbes in GM zoysiagrass and in wild-type zoysiagrass fields were hybridized with probes for bar or hpt gene, no hybridization signal was detected from both field isolates, while the probes were hybridized with DNA from the positive control. Absence of these genes in the FNAs of soil microorganisms as well as microbes in the gut of locust was further confirmed by PCR. Taken together, our data showed that horizontal gene transfer did not occur in this system. These results further indicate that frequencies of transfer of engineered plant DNA to bacteria are likely to be negligible.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2014

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and related trichothecene mycotoxins are extensively distributed in the cereal-based food and feed stuffs worldwide. Recent climate changes and global grain trade increased chance of exposure to more DON and related toxic metabolites in poorly managed production systems. Monitoring the biological and environmental exposures to the toxins are crucial in protecting human and animals from toxicities of the hazardous contaminants in food or feeds. Exposure biomarkers including urine DON itself are prone to shift to less harmful metabolites by intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic enzymes. De-epoxyfication of DON by gut microbes such as Eubacterium strain BBSH 797 and Eubacterium sp. DSM 11798 leads to more fecal secretion of DOM-1. By contrast, most of plant-derived DON-glucoside is also easily catabolized to free DON by gut microbes, which produces more burden to body. Phase 2 hepatic metabolism also contributes to the glucuronidation of DON, which can be useful urine biomarkers. However, chemical modification could be very typical depending on the anthropologic or genetic background, luminal bacteria, and hepatic metabolic enzyme susceptibility to the toxins in the diet. After toxin exposure, effect biomarkers are also important in estimating the linkage and mechanisms of foodborne diseases in human and animal population. Most prominent adverse effects are demonstrated in the DON-induced immunological and behavioral disorders. For instance, acutely elevated interleukin-8 from insulted gut exposed to dietaty DON is a dominant clinical biomarker in human and animals. Moreover, subchronic exposure to the toxins is associated with high levels of serum IgA, a biological mediator of IgA nephritis. In particular, anorexia monitoring using mouse models are recently developed to monitor the biological activities of DON-induced feed refusal. It is also mechanistically linked to alteration of serotoin and peptide YY, which are promising biomarkers of neurological disorders by the toxins. As animal-alternative biomonitoring, huamn enterocyte-based assay has been developed and more realistic gut mimetic models would be useful in monitoring the effect biomarkers in resposne to toxic contaminants in the future investigations.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.151-160
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• 2024

Objective: The growing consumers' interest on animal welfare has raised the request of products obtained by alternative rearing systems. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of housing system on gut and muscle morphology and on microbial load in rabbits reared under free-range (FR) and cage system (CS). Methods: A total of forty weaned (35 days of age) male Italian White breed rabbits were allotted according to the rearing system, and at 91 days of age were randomly selected and slaughtered for the morphological evaluation of tissue from duodenum and longissimus lumborum. Morphometric analysis of the villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and villus surface was performed. The microbial loads on hind muscle was determined by total mesophilic aerobic count (TMAC), Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae; whereas, total anaerobic bacteria count (TABC) and TMAC, E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae was determined on caecal content. Results: Rearing system did not interfere with the duodenum and muscle histomorphology in both rabbit groups. Similarly, microbial load of caecal content showed no significant differences on the TABC and TMAC. Conversely, significant difference was found for E. coli strains in caecal content, with the lower counts in FR compared to CS rabbits (p<0.01). Microbiological assay of muscle revealed significant lower TMAC in FR vs CS rabbits (p< 0.05). All rabbit meat samples were negative for E. Coli and Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion: Free-range could be considered a possible alternative and sustainable rearing system in rabbits to preserve gut environment and muscle quality.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.523-528
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• 2005

The commercial interests in functional foods containing probiotics are gaining significance in view of increasing studies on their role in digestive tract. Probiotic dairy foods containing health-promoting bacteria are important segment of functional food market. Various health benefits have been attributed to specific strains of lactic acid bacteria or food containing these probiotic cultures. Probiotic-containing foods are considered to improve general gut health and natural defenses of body, and lower blood cholesterol level. Specific probiotic microbes can alleviate or prevent diverse intestinal diarrhea-inducing disorders, cause prophylaxis of intestinal and urogenital infections, inhibit mutagenicity of intestinal contents, and reduce incidence of intestinal tumors. Recent increasing evidences on health effects of probiotics have triggered consumer interest in this category of functional foods. Rational approach needs to be applied in selection of strains for probiotic preparation to achieve required functionality. Present article focuses on some prominent probiotic candidates and criteria for their inclusion in functional food sector. Various health claims of probiotics on gastrointestinal disorders, anticarcinogenic effects, and anti-cholestrimic effects, and possible mechanistic explanations for their functionality are highlighted.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2015

The beneficial effects of probiotics on human health have been extensively studied. Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have gained considerable attention, as they are major groups of probiotic bacteria that improve gastrointestinal health. Recently, probiotics have been found to have positive effects on obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) that go beyond the improvement of gut health. Probiotics can alter the secretion of substances such as leptin and adiponectin from white adipose tissue via certain mechanisms. Additionally, probiotics can modulate the adaptive immune system against low-grade inflammation caused by obesity. The potential role of probiotics in the treatment of T2D has garnered interest because of increasing evidence of the anti-diabetic effect of probiotics. In this review, we discuss the results of in vivo studies that have examined the use of probiotics to prevent obesity and T2D, while primarily focusing on the studies that explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of promising probiotic strains. The conclusions of this review could be of help to researchers who are investigating the effects of probiotics on obesity or T2D, and to patients with these diseases.