• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.385-390
• /
• 2010

Transesterifications of vegetable oils (soybean oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil, canola oil) by ultrasonic energy were examined on various catalysts for biodiesel production. Reaction activities of the transesterifications were evaluated to the ultrasonic energy and thermal energy. The physicochemical properties and product distribution were also investigated to the biodiesels produced from the oils in the reaction using ultrasonic energy. The yields of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) on the alkali catalysts were higher than those on the acid catalysts. The highest FAME yield was obtained as 83% on potassium hydroxide catalyst in the transesterification. The effective reaction conditions by ultrasonic energy were 1 wt% catalyst loading and 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to vegetable oils. The reaction rate of the transesterification by ultrasonic energy was faster than that by thermal energy. The acid values of the biodiesel products were improved above 30% compared to those of the feedstocks.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.606-620
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although some juices affect subjective sleep quality, there is a lack of information on the effect of a specific juice on objective sleep quality and heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep; thus the present study investigated whether a blended juice made from natural extracts influenced sleep quality and HRV during sleep in adults with disturbed sleep. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, crossover study was conducted on twenty-five adults (15/10, female/male) complaining of difficulty initiating or maintaining nighttime sleep (Pittsburgh sleep quality index [PSQI] ≥ 5). During feeding sessions (FS), subjects received sleep-inducing juice made of natural ingredients (250 mL/trial) twice a day for 8 weeks or non-FS (N-FS) for 8 weeks while maintaining normal activities. Sleep quality and parameters were recorded via wearable actigraph for 7 consecutive days, and PSQI scores were assessed before and after the intervention. HRV was also monitored at rest and during sleep. RESULTS: After receiving the sleep-inducing juice intervention (FS), PSQI scores were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) and correlated with a significant decline in fatigue severity scale and visual analogue scale levels (P < 0.05; both). HRV indices of vagal activity were significantly improved during FS (P < 0.05), and no significant differences in N-FS were observed. Sleep efficiency and total sleep time increased significantly (P < 0.05) and sleep latency, total counts, sleep fragmentation index, and movement index, decreased significantly (P < 0.05, all 4) during FS, with no significant differences-observed during N-FS. CONCLUSIONS: This study results demonstrated that an 8-week course of sleep-inducing juice has led to improve sleep quality, suggesting an enhanced cardiac vagal tone during sleep. Thus, it could be a well-tolerated option for adults with disturbed sleep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.9
• /
• pp.1298-1304
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study was to provide basic haematological information to allow improved nutritional management for velvet production in spotted deer (Cervus nippon) by investigating biochemical changes in blood values during the antler growth period. Blood samples, obtained from the jugular vein of twenty-five deer, were taken every 10 days from casting (day 0) to harvesting (day 50) of velvet antler. Negligible changes were found in the concentrations of total protein, albumin, and creatinine during the antler growth period, but there were significant changes in the concentrations of urea (p<0.05) and uric acid (p<0.01). The concentration of triglyceride was significantly higher (p<0.05) during the antler growth period compared to casting time, while serum high-density lipoprotein concentrations were low and remained unchanged during the antler growth period. Serum glucose concentration increased (p<0.05) significantly and was slightly changeable during antler growth. The serum concentrations of Ca and P did not fluctuate during antler growth, while those of Na, K and Cl showed slight differences between the time of casting and the rest of the antler growth period. No significant changes in concentrations of AST, ALT, amylase, CK, GGT and LDH were detected during the antler growth period. However, the concentration of ALK-P increased during antler growth reaching its peak on day 50 after casting. We found a significant difference in the concentration of ALK-P between the time of casting and the rest of the antler growth period (p<0.01). Consequently, antler growth was associated with mild changes in measured serum biochemical values with the exception of ALK-P activity in spotted deer.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.387-395
• /
• 2015

This study analyzed the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) of purchase behaviors and attributes for Hangwa. The data for this study were collected over 10 days from April 10 through April 19, 2013. For empirical research, married women over the age of 20 in Gwangju with buying experience of Hangwa were surveyed. A total of 172 questionnaires were completed and statistically analyzed by SPSS 18.0 package. Analysis rate was 96.6%. To review Hangwa purchase behaviors, most respondents bought Hangwa four or five times per year for memorial services or ancestral rites. Respondents bought Hangwa at big supermarkets and the types of Hangwa bought were Yukwa and Yakgwa. Their average expenses were 20,000 to 30,000 won per purchase. Among purchase attributes of Hangwa, respondents considered the importance of 'sanitation' (4.76 points) a top priority, followed by 'origin' (4.75 points), 'quality' (4.74 points), 'taste' (4.57 points) and 'appearance' (3.82 points). However in the case of satisfaction, 'sanitation' (3.85 points) was the most satisfying aspect, followed by 'package' (3.82 points), 'amount' (3.80 points), 'appearance' (3.51 points) and 'taste' (3.41 points). According to the IPA results, 'quality' and 'origin' purchase attributes, should be quickly improved. 'Sanitation' and 'taste' should be maintained. This survey found that satisfaction levels for Hangwa purchase attributes had a significant influence on overall satisfaction (F=29.11, p<.001), and especially 'taste' ($\beta$=.42, t=6.69, p<.001) had a meaningful effect on overall satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction levels for Hangwa purchase attributes affected repurchase intention (F=20.05, p<.001). From these results, Hangwa manufacturers should make efforts in product development to induce customers satisfaction and repurchase intention.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.156-162
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to analyze the current management status of green tea processors in two regions (Hadong-gun and Boseong-gun) in Korea and to suggest directions for the development of the green tea industry based on an understanding their difficulties in management. This study showed that the number of green tea farms and the cultivation area had decreased, while the average unit sales price of green tea in Boseong-gun was approximately three times higher than that in Hadong-gun. Also, this study found that Hadong-gun mainly provided green tea products to wholesalers, whereas Boseong-gun sold it directly to the local retail stores targeting tourists, and this results in generating relatively higher unit prices. Meanwhile, we discovered that both regions had difficulties in management which were caused by the demand for low delivery unit costs from large corporations and small food companies. Therefore, in order to develop the green tea industry in both regions, the size of green tea fields and the scenery satisfaction should be improved to draw more tourists and boost tourists' intention to revisit. In addition, it is necessary to enhance guidance and accessibility of related tourist sites, to expand green tea experience activities, and to improve product satisfaction by developing various goods. By inducing more tourists in these ways, it could change the sales type of green tea from wholesale to retail and help activate the management of green tea processors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.27-37
• /
• 2020

Neuroinflammation is an important process underlying a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Carvacrol (CAR) is a phenolic monoterpene commonly used as a food additive due to its antibacterial properties, but it has also been shown to exhibit strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of CAR on inflammation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. In our study, lipopolysaccharide was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats to induce memory impairment and neuroinflammation. Daily administration of CAR (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days improved recognition, discrimination, and memory impairments relative to untreated controls. CAR administration significantly attenuated expression of several inflammatory factors in the brain, including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, CAR significantly increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, and decreased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA. Taken together, these results show that CAR can improve memory impairment caused by neuroinflammation. This cognitive enhancement is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of CAR medicated by its regulation of BDNF and TLR4. Thus, CAR has significant potential as an inhibitor of memory degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.39 no.11
• /
• pp.807-813
• /
• 2016

Escherichia coli are important indicator organisms, used routinely for the monitoring of water and food safety. For quick, sensitive and real-time detection of E. coli we developed a 2'F modified RNA aptamer Ec3, by Cell-SELEX. The 31 nucleotide truncated Ec3 demonstrated improved binding and low nano-molar affinity to E. coli. The aptamer developed by us out-performs the commercial antibody and aptamer used for E. coli detection. Ec3(31) aptamer based E. coli detection was done using three different detection formats and the assay sensitivities were determined. Conventional Ec3(31)-biotin-streptavidin magnetic separation could detect E. coli with a limit of detection of $1.3{\times}10^6CFU/ml$. Although, optical analytic technique, biolayer interferometry, did not improve the sensitivity of detection for whole cells, a very significant improvement in the detection was seen with the E. coli cell lysate ($5{\times}10^4CFU/ml$). Finally we developed Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) gap capacitance biosensor that has detection limits of $2{\times}10^4CFU/mL$ of E. coli cells, without any labeling and signal amplification techniques. We believe that our developed method can step towards more complex and real sample application.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1753-1762
• /
• 2017

Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is a popular seafood source in Asia, including South Korea, and its consumption has recently increased with recognition of its medicinal properties. However, because raw sea cucumber contains various microbes, its ingestion can cause foodborne illness. Therefore, analysis of the microbiota in the whole body of sea cucumber can extend our understanding of foodborne illness caused by microorganisms and help to better manage products. We collected 40 sea cucumbers from four different sites in August and November, which are known as the maximum production areas in Korea. The microbiota was analyzed by an Illumina MiSeq system, and bacterial amounts were quantified by real-time PCR. The diversity and bacterial amounts in sea cucumber were higher in August than in November. Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria were common dominant classes in all samples. However, the microbiota composition differed according to sampling time and site. Staphylococcus warneri and Propionibacterium acnes were commonly detected potential pathogens in August and November samples, respectively. The effect of experimental Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection on the indigenous microbiota of sea cucumber was analyzed at different temperatures, revealing clear alterations of Psychrobacter and Moraxella; thus, these shifts can be used as indicators for monitoring infection of sea cucumber. Although further studies are needed to clarify and understand the virulence and mechanisms of the identified pathogens of sea cucumber, our study provides a valuable reference for determining the potential of foodborne illness caused by sea cucumber ingestion and to develop monitoring strategies of products using microbiota information.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.94-105
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of the nutritional intervention program including DASH diet education and calcium/vitamin D supplements in Korean elderly women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study employing non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group (n=26) was given DASH diet education and supplements (calcium 1200mg and vitamin 800 IU) while the control group (n=16) was given only general health consults. After the interventions, differences were analyzed in nutrient intake, bone turnover markers and bone mineral density between the two groups. Results: After one year, bone mineral density was found reduced in both groups, but showed higher levels (p=.003) in the experimental group than the control group. After research, nutrient intakes of participants improved generally, yet there was no significant difference between the two groups. The experimental group was divided into subgroups after interventions according to the level of calcium intake, and bone density and bone markers were compared between the subgroups. In a subgroup whose calcium intake was in the normal range, bone mineral density was significantly high (p=.002) while CTx and osteocalcin were significantly low (p=.003, p=.006, respectively). Conclusion: This study is significant in that it provided a nutritional intervention program for one year to elderly women who are susceptible to osteoporosis and severely low in dietary calcium intake and it proved to be effective.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2020

Iron has a crucial role in growth as part of metalo-proteins like haemoglobin or myoglobin, enzymes; they are also involved in energetic reactions. Iron plays a vital role in fertility. At high doses, Iron has a harmful consequence on the reproductive system, which can be strongly reflected the final stage of spermatogenesis. Nutritional products are claiming to use nanotechnology and it is important to recognize the potential toxicity of nano-sized nutrients. Recently iron nanoparticles were proposed as a food additive for poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in male quails. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer and Scaning Electron Microscopy showed that iron oxide nanoparticles was produced and have been coated with L-cycstein (Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs). A total of 100 one-week-old quail chicks were randomly placed to five groups of five replicates. Four quails (two male and two females) were raised in an individual cage for each replicate. The five experimental treatment diets consisted; negative control diet, with no Iron supplementation; positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄; treatment diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The hemoglobin, Red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, gonadal somatic index, daily sperm production, total testicular sperm and sperm viability of the male quails that were fed with diet supplemented by 0.6 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs were improved as compare with negative control. This study showed that not only the use of the Fe₃O₄-Cys nanoparticles had no side effects but also it can be used as a feed additive to improve the reproductive performance in male quails.