• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2010

Activated carbons (ACs) have been prepared from pitch by the combination of a chemical oxidation with different $H_2O_2$ concentrations i.e., 5, 15, and 25 wt% and a chemical activation with KOH at a constant KOH/pitch ratio of 3/1. The influence of $H_2O_2$ solution on the microporous properties of the pitch and the final activated carbons were invested using XRD, FT-IR, XPS, $N_2$-adsorption, and SEM. XRD indicated that the value of interplanar distance $d_{002}$ increased by chemical oxidation. FT-IR and XPS results showed that the chemical oxidation promoted the formation of surface oxygen functionalities. Also, the specific surface area of the resulting ACs was increased with increasing the concentration of $H_2O_2$ chemical oxidation and showed a maximum value of $2111m^2/g$ at 25 wt% $H_2O_2$ concentration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.552-559
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• 2008

Ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate is an intermediate for the synthesis of Atorvastatin, a chiral drug used for hypercholesterolemia. A Rhodococcus erythropolisstrain (No.7) able to convert 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyronitrile into 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyric acid has recently been isolated from soil. This activity has been regarded as having been caused by the successive actions of the nitrile hydratase and amidase. In this instance, the corresponding amidase gene was cloned from the R. erythropolis strain and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. A soluble active form of amidase enzyme was obtained at $18^{\circ}C$. The Ni column-purified recombinant amidase was found to have a specific activity of 3.89 U/mg toward the substrate isobutyramide. The amidase was found to exhibit a higher degree of activity when used with mid-chain substrates than with short-chain ones. Put differently, amongst the various amides tested, isobutyramide and butyramide were found to be hydrolyzed the most rapidly. In addition to amidase activity, the enzyme was found to exhibit acyltransferase activity when hydroxyl amine was present. This dual activity has also been observed in other enzymes belonging to the same amidase group (E.C. 3.5.1.4). Moreover, the purified enzyme was proven to be able to enantioselectively hydrolyze 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyramide into the corresponding acid. The e.e. value was measured to be 52% when the conversion yield was 57%. Although this e.e. value is low for direct commercial use, molecular evolution could eventually result in this amidase being used as a biocatalyst for the production of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.236-242
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• 2010

This study was conducted to develop a functional syrup by using maca extract. Five different levels (0%, 7%, 14%, 21%, 28%) of maca extract was added and the physicochemical properties were investigated. The pH of control syrup was lower than that of syrup added with maca extract. Viscosity increased with increasing amount of maca extract. Hunter L value decreased while b value increased as maca extract level increased. Results of consumer acceptance test revealed that no significant differences in flavor, sweet taste and overall acceptability were observed among samples. Therefore, it is suggested that maca extract can be incorporated into syrup up to 28% without depressing the quality. Total polyphenol content and DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging tests were conducted in view of estimating the functionality of maca syrup. Results showed that incorporation of maca extract into syrup exhibited higher polyphenol content and DPPH radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity than control syrup (p<0.05).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3695-3702
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• 2013

A nickel(II) complex $[Ni(H_2biim)_2(H_2O)_2](ClO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$ (1) of biimidazole ligand has been synthesized and characterized (Where $H_2biim$ = 2,2'-biimidazole). The single crystal X-ray diffraction of the complex shows a dimeric structure with six coordinated psudo-octahedral geometry. The cyclic voltammograms of complex exhibited one quasireversible reduction wave ($E_{pc}=-0.61V$) and an irreversible oxidation wave ($E_{pa}=1.28V$) in DMF solution. The interaction of the complex with Calf-Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complex is an avid DNA binder with a binding constant value of $1.03{\times}10^5M^{-1}$. The results suggest that the nickel(II) complex bind to CT-DNA via intercalative mode and can quench the fluorescence intensity of EB bind to CT-DNA with $K_{app}$ value of $3.2{\times}10^5M^{-1}$. The complex also shown efficient oxidative cleavage of supercoiled pBR322 DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent. The DNA cleavage by complex in presence of quenchers; viz. DMSO, KI, $NaN_3$ and EDTA reveals that hydroxyl radical or singlet oxygen mechanism is involved. The complex showed invitro antimicrobial activity against four bacteria and two fungi. The antimicrobial activity was nearer to that of standard drugs and greater than that of the free ligand.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5371-5376
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• 2015

Berberine (B1), isolated from stems of Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr, was used as a principle structure to synthesize three phenolic derivatives: berberrubine (B2) with a single phenolic group, berberrubine chloride (B3) as a chloride counter ion derivative, and 2,3,9,10-tetra-hydroxyberberine chloride (B4) with four phenolic groups, to investigate their direct and indirect antioxidant activities. For DPPH assay, compounds B4, B3, and B2 showed good direct antioxidant activity ($IC_{50}$ values=$10.7{\pm}1.76$, $55.2{\pm}2.24$, and $87.4{\pm}6.65{\mu}M$, respectively) whereas the $IC_{50}$ value of berberine was higher than $500{\mu}M$. Moreover, compound B4 exhibited a better DPPH scavenging activity than BHT as a standard antioxidant ($IC_{50}=72.7{\pm}7.22{\mu}M$) due to the ortho position of hydroxyl groups and its capacity to undergo intramolecular hydrogen bonding. For cytotoxicity assay against human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080) using MTT reagent, the sequence of $IC_{50}$ value at 7-day treatment stated that B1 < B4 < B2 ($0.44{\pm}0.03$, $2.88{\pm}0.23$, and $6.05{\pm}0.64{\mu}M$, respectively). Berberine derivatives, B2 and B4, showed approximately the same level of CAT expression and significant up-regulation of SOD expression in a dose-dependent manner compared to berberine treatment for 7-day exposure using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Our findings show a better direct-antioxidant activity of the derivatives containing phenolic groups than berberine in a cell-free system. For cell-based system, berberine was able to exert better cytotoxic activity than its derivatives. Berberine derivatives containing a single and four phenolic groups showed improved up-regulation of SOD gene expression. Cytotoxic action might not be the main effect of berberine derivatives. Other pharmacological targets of these derivatives should be further investigated to confirm the medical benefit of phenolic groups introduced into the berberine molecule.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.605-614
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of Baeksulgi (BS) and Sulgidduk added with Makgeolli (MS, BS+ Makgeolli) during storage at $20{\pm}2$ for 3 days. Moisture contents of MS were significantly higher than those of BS during storage. Reducing sugar contents (%) were higher in MS. The pH values were 6.23 and 5.93, for BS and MS, respectively. The pH of MS was lower and thus indicated higher in acidity. The Hunter color L (lightness) and a (redness) values were higher for BS, whereas b (yellowness) value of MS was lower. In the texture analysis, hardness and chewiness of MS were found to be lower, whereas springiness, gumminess, and resilience were higher than those of MS. According to DSC (Differential scanning calorimeter) analysis, enthalpy of MS appeared to be lower than that of BS during storage, which suggests retrogradation of MS was delayed. The total phenol content was higher in MS. The $IC_{50}$ value of DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was lower in MS, which means antioxidant activity increased in MS. Results of the preference test showed that appearance, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability of MS scored higher than those of BS. From these results, high quality of MS was derived from Makgeolli addition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1428-1438
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• 2016

In the present work, Arthrobacter sp. 25, a lead-tolerant bacterium, was assayed to remove lead(II) from aqueous solution. The biosorption process was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken design. The relationships between dependent and independent variables were quantitatively determined by second-order polynomial equation and 3D response surface plots. The biosorption mechanism was explored by characterization of the biosorbent before and after biosorption using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of 9.6 mg/g was obtained at the initial lead ion concentration of 108.79 mg/l, pH value of 5.75, and biosorbent dosage of 9.9 g/l (fresh weight), which was close to the theoretically expected value of 9.88 mg/g. Arthrobacter sp. 25 is an ellipsoidal-shaped bacterium covered with extracellular polymeric substances. The biosorption mechanism involved physical adsorption and microprecipitation as well as ion exchange, and functional groups such as phosphoryl, hydroxyl, amino, amide, carbonyl, and phosphate groups played vital roles in adsorption. The results indicate that Arthrobacter sp. 25 may be potentially used as a biosorbent for low-concentration lead(II) removal from wastewater.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2016

Due to the high price volatility and environmental concern of petroleum, biofuels such as bioethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass have attracted much attention. It is also expected that the amount of lignin residue generated from pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass will increase as the volume of cellulosic bioethanol increases. Lignin is a natural aromatic polymer and has very complex chemical structures with chemical functional groups. Chemical modification of lignin such as oxypropylation and epoxidation has also been applied to the production of value-added bioplastics such as polyurethane and polyester with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. In addition, lignin can be used for carbon fiber production in automobile industries. This review highlights recent progresses in utilizations and chemical modifications of lignin for the production of bioplastics, resins, and carbon fiber.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.524-529
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• 2008

The principal objective of this study was to conduct a physiological evaluation of Korean Ginseng pickles with added Chija and Omija pigment. Prior to the processing of 3 different colors of pickles, SOD-liked activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, total phenolic acid contents, and lecithin oxidation inhibitory effects of Korean Ginseng, Chija and Omija water extracts were assessed. After processing the 3 colors of pickles, sensory evaluation and color values were conducted. SOD-liked activity of Korean Ginseng(42.58%) and Chija(41.88%) water extracts were similar to those of tocopherol(54.62%), but were significantly higher than those of Omija(29.01%). The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of Ginseng water extract(87.85%) was similar to that of BHT(83.13%) and tocopherol(71.57%), but were significantly higher than those of Chija(68.01%) and Omija(37.15%). The total phenolic acid contents of Korean Ginseng, Chija, and Omija water extracts were measured at $1.01{\sim}1.66\;mg/m{\ell}$, levels similar to those of tocopherol($1.26\;mg/m{\ell}$) but significantly lower than that of BHT($3.89\;mg/m{\ell}$)(p<0.05). The lecithin oxidation inhibitory effects of Ginseng water extract(98.86%) was similar to that of BHT(92.82%) and tocopherol(89.13%), but was significantly higher than that of Chija(64.28%) and Omija (53.34%). With regard to the results of sensory evaluation for the 3 colors of Ginseng pickles, the color and overall quality of P2 were significantly higher than those of P1 and P3(p<0.05). With regard to luminance, P1 scored significantly higher than P2 and P3(p<0.05). The a value of P3 was significantly higher than that of P1 and P2, and the b values of P2 were significantly higher than those of P1 and P3.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.915-923
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• 2009

For preparation of high-quality salted mackerel using enzymatic extracts from Ecklonia cava (EEC) to process fresh mackerel caught off Jeju Island, the optimal concentration of EEC was investigated. There were no differences in proximate composition, salinity, Escherichia coli level, pH, volatile basic nitrogen content, histamine level, or peroxide value between salted mackerel samples prepared with different concentrations of EEC. However, the antiradical properties of salted mackerel, assayed by scavenging of DPPH free radicals, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and alkyl radicals, increased with increasing concentrations of EEC. The optimal concentration of EEC for preparation of high-quality salted mackerel was 2% (w/w). Salted mackerel soaked in 2% (w/w) EEC was superior to commercial salted mackerel in antiradical properties, biogenic amine content, and other relevant chemical properties.