• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.313-319
• /
• 2018

Halophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from myeolchi-jeotgal (23% NaCl, w/v) fermented in jangdok (Korean earthenware) located outside a house. They were identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus by 16S rRNA and recA gene sequencing. Four T. halophilus isolates showing high protease activities were selected for further studies. Four strains grew well, reaching $OD_{600}$ values of 0.75-0.92 at 18% NaCl content (w/v) and 0.28-0.44 at 23% salt. They showed rapid growth, attaining $OD_{600}$ values of 1.1-1.2 at $20-30^{\circ}C$, but did not grow at $4^{\circ}C$. At $15^{\circ}C$, the highest $OD_{600}$ values, which exceeded 0.6, were observed at 20 days, and were higher than those of cultures at $37^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$ (approximately 0.5). Four isolates grew best in broth where the initial pH was adjusted to 8 and did not grow at $pH{\leq}4$. T. halophilus BS2-36 showed the highest survival ratio of 18.7% after 2 hours of exposure at pH 3. BS2-36 showed the highest survival ratio (1.29%) in presence of 0.3% bile salts. T. halophilus BS2-36 seems a promising candidate as a starter for jeotgal and other fermented foods with high salinities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.892-901
• /
• 2022

The rising demand for carotenoids can be met by microbial biosynthesis as a promising alternative to chemical synthesis and plant extraction. Several species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) specifically produce C₃₀ carotenoids and offer the added probiotic benefit of improved gut health and protection against chronic conditions. In this study, the recently characterized Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T produced the rare C₃₀ carotenoid, 4,4'-diaponeurosporene, and its yield was optimized for industrial production. The one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method was used to screen carbon and nitrogen sources, while the abiotic stresses of temperature, pH, and salinity, were evaluated for their effects on 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production. Lactose and beef extract were ideal for optimal carotenoid production at 25℃ incubation in pH 7.0 medium with no salt. The main factors influencing 4,4'-diaponeurosporene yields, namely lactose level, beef extract concentration and initial pH, were enhanced using the Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology (RSM). Compared to commercial MRS medium, there was a 3.3-fold increase in carotenoid production in the optimized conditions of 15% lactose, 8.3% beef extract and initial pH of 6.9, producing a 4,4'-diaponeurosporene concentration of 0.033 A₄₇₀/ml. To substantiate upscaling for industrial application, the optimal aeration rate in a 5 L fermentor was 0.3 vvm. This resulted in a further 3.8-fold increase in 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production, with a concentration of 0.042 A₄₇₀/ml, compared to the flask-scale cultivation in commercial MRS medium. The present work confirms the optimization and scale-up feasibility of enhanced 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production by L. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.1648-1656
• /
• 2023

We have previously observed that feeding with single-cell hemoprotein (heme-SCP) in dogs (1 g/day for 6 days) and broiler chickens (1 ppm for 32 days) increased the proportion of lactic acid bacteria in the gut while reducing their body weights by approximately 1~2%. To define the roles of heme-SCP in modulating body weight and gut microbiota, obese C57BL/6N mice were administered varied heme-SCP concentrations (0, 0.05, and 0.5% heme-SCP in high fat diet) for 28 days. The heme-SCP diet seemed to restrain weight gain till day 14, but the mice gained weight again later, showing no significant differences in weight. However, the heme-SCP-fed mice had stiffer and oilier bodies compared with those of the control mice, which had flabby bodies and dull coats. When mice were dissected at day 10, the obese mice fed with heme-SCP exhibited a reduction in subcutaneous fat with an increase in muscle mass. The effect of heme-SCP on the obesity-associated dyslipidemia tended to be corroborated by the blood parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, and C-reactive protein) at day 10, though the correlation was not clear at day 28. Notably, the heme-SCP diet altered gut microbiota, leading to the proliferation of known anti-obesity biomarkers such as Akkermansia, Alistipes, Oscillibacter, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium. This study suggests the potential of heme-SCP as an anti-obesity supplement, which modulates serum biochemistry and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.218-225
• /
• 2017

Saeu (shrimp) jeotgal (SJ) was prepared by mixing with 25% salt with different types: purified salt (PS), solar salt aged for 1 year (SS), and bamboo salt. SJ was fermented for 22 weeks at $15^{\circ}C$. Bacilli and marine bacteria were detected throughout the entire fermentation period, and marine bacteria were present in the largest numbers. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were detected only during the first 8-10 weeks, but yeasts appeared at the sixth week and later. Archaea were detected in low numbers only from SS-SJ during the first 8 weeks. BS- SJ showed higher pH and lower titratable acidity (TA) values than other SJs because of strong alkalinity of bamboo salt. Amino-type nitrogen (ANN) contents of SJs increased during fermentation, especially, after 2 and 6 weeks. SS-SJ showed the highest ANN content from the beginning to the end of fermentation. Ammonia-type nitrogen (AMN) contents also increased like the amino-type nitrogen during fermentation. The highest volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) was also observed in SS-SJ. Salinity was kept constant after 4 weeks. SS was better than other salts for SJ fermentation in terms of protein hydrolysis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.389-398
• /
• 2009

Development of expression vectors is important for the basic and applied researches on kimchi LAB (lactic acid bacteria). An expression vector, pSJE6c was constructed by inserting P6C promoter sequence from Lactococcus lactis into pSJE, a shuttle vector for E. coli and Leuconostoc species. To test the efficiency of pSJE6c, aga ($\alpha$-galactosidase) and lacZ ($\beta$-galactosidase) genes were expressed in Lactobacillus brevis 2.14. Compared to the pSJE, expression levels of both genes were increased, indicating P6C promoter was better than indigenous promoters. Enzyme activities of L. brevis cells harboring pSJE6caga (pSJE6c with aga) or pSJE6Z (pSJE6c with lacZ) were 1.5-2 fold higher than those with pSJEaga (pSJE with aga) or pSJEZ (pSJE with lacZ). More RNA transcripts were detected in cells harboring pSJE6c based recombinant plasmid. The results indicated that heterologous gene expressions in kimchi LAB could be improved significantly by use of efficient expression vectors.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.97-106
• /
• 2022

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is one of gram-positive foodborne pathogens with a very high fatality rate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, L. monocytogenes is capable of growing at low temperatures, such as in refrigerated foods. Thus, various physical and chemical prevention methods are used in the manufacturing, processing and distribution of food. However, there are limitations to the methods such as possible changes to the food quality and the consumer awareness of synthetic preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-listeria activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi and characterize the bacteriocin produced by Lactococcuslactis which is one of isolated strains from kimchi. The analysis on the anti-listeria activity of a total of 36 species (Lactobacillus, Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus) isolated from kimchi by the agar overlay method revealed that L. lactis NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 had the highest anti-listeria activity. For quantitatively analysis on the anti-listeria activity, NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 were co-cultured with L. monocytogenes in Brain Heat Infusion (BHI) broth, respectively. As a result, L. monocytogenes was reduced by 3.0 log CFU/mL in 20 h, lowering the number of bacteria to below the detection limit. Both LAB strains showed anti-listeria activity against 24 serotypes of L. monocytogenes, although the sizes of clear zone was slightly different. No clear zone was observed when the supernatants of both LAB cultures were treated with proteinase-K, indicating that their anti-listerial activities might be due to the production of bacteriocins. Heat stability of the partially purified bacteriocins of NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 was relatively stable at 60℃ and 80℃. Yet, their anti-listeria activities were completely lost by 60 min of treatment at 100℃ and 15 min of treatment at 121℃. The analysis on the pH stability showed that their anti-listeria activities were the most stable at pH 4.01, and decreased with the increasing pH value, yet, was not completely lost. Partially purified bacteriocins showed relatively stable anti-listeria activities in acetone, ethanol, and methanol, but their activities were reduced after chloroform treatment, yet was not completely lost. Conclusively, this study revealed that the bacteriocins produced by NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 effectively reduced L. monocytogenes, and that they were relatively stable against heat, pH, and organic solvents, therefore implying their potential as a natural antibacterial substance for controlling L. monocytogenes in food.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.115-120
• /
• 1999

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of additives on the quality of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) silage at the forage experimental field, National Livestock Research Institute, RDA, Suwon in 1996. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of different additives(control, formic acid, molasses, inoculant A and inoculant B). Crude protein(CP) and Nitrogen free extract(NFE) content of alfalfa silage with additives were higher compared with those obtained control, but Crude ash(CA) and Crude fiber(CF) content of control(11.5 and 39.6%) were higher than those of additive treated plots. ADF and NDF contents of control silage were the highest as 36.2 and 48.6%, respectively, and increased by 4% compared with those obtained before ensiling. The acidity(pH) of control was the highest(5.45), but the lowest in inoculant A(4.32). Inoculant teratment significantly reduced acidity of silage compared with control. DM content of control silage was the lowest but DM loss of control silage was higher than that of additive treated silage. Ammonia-N content was the highest at formic acid treatment and level of Lactobacillus was decreased at control and formic acid treated silage. Total organic acid and lactic acid content of inoculant A and inoculant B were higher than those of other treated plots. The results of this study indicate that the treatment of LAB(Lactic acid bacteria) could be recommended as producing high quality of alfalfa silage.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.326-334
• /
• 2016

Omija (Schizandra chinensis) extract (OE) was fermented by using Lactobacillus plantarum EJ2014 to produce a beverage fortified with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). After 2 days of fermentation in the presence of 2% monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 0.5% yeast extract (YE), the four-fold-diluted OE showed a higher viable cell count ($2.2{\times}10^9CFU/mL$) and lower acidity (1.2%) than that of the unfermented OE. In particular, addition of MSG as a precursor resulted in a small increase in the initial pH. MSG (2%) was completely converted to GABA (0.92%) during lactic acid bacteria fermentation for 3 days. Furthermore, the acidity of the fermented OE decreased from 1.74% to 0.56%. In addition, the original red color of the OE disappeared during LAB fermentation. However, when the fermented OE was mixed with 50% of the original OE, the original red color was recovered, with 19.56 and 13.92 for Hunter L and a values, respectively. The mixture of 50% original OE and 50% fermented OE showed the highest sensory score including the highest overall preference. In conclusion, the OE fortified with GABA and probiotics was produced by fermentation with a static culture, L. plantarum EJ2014.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1208-1217
• /
• 2019

Saposhnikovia has been used as a traditional medicinal herb in Asia because of the reported anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic rhinitis, pro-whitening, anti-atopy, anti-allergy, and anti-dermatopathy effects of the phytochemical compounds it contains. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of a Saposhnikovia extract after fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum BHN-LAB 33. Saposhnikovia powder was inoculated with L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 and fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. After fermentation, the total polyphenol content of the Saposhnikovia extract increased by about 14%, and the total flavonoid content increased by about 9%. The superoxide dismutase-like activities, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power activity, and tyrosinase inhibition activity also increased after fermentation by approximately 70%, 80%, 45%, 39%, and 44%, respectively. The results confirmed that fermentation of a Saposhnikovia extract by L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 is an effective way to increase the antioxidant effects of the extract. The bioconversion process investigated in this study may have the potential to produce phytochemical-enriched natural antioxidant agents with high added value from Saposhnikovia matrices. These results can also be applied to the development of improved foods and cosmetic materials.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.64-69
• /
• 2011

Steamed rice is usually used as an essential ingredient when Takju or Yakju is brewed in Korea. Alternatively, non-steamed rice can be used to keep thermolabile nutrients and fresh tastes richer in Takju or Yakju. In this study, therefore, the physicochemical properties (ethanol and sugar contents, pH, total acidities, and turbidities) and the fermentative microbial profiles (aerobic mesophillic bacteria (AMB), fungi, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and Escherichia coli and coliforms) have been compared among 4 Takju and 1 Yakju samples brewed using steamed or non-steamed rice. Yakju brewed using non-steamed rice has approximately 2-3 times higher ethanol and sugar contents than other 4 Takjus brewed using steamed or non-steamed rice. The pH and total acidity values of all the 5 samples ranged 3.77-4.30 and 0.12-0.35, respectively. As for turbidities, Yakju brewed using nons-teamed rice was transparent, but other 4 Takjus were not. The AMB and fungal counts for Yakju brewed using nons-teamed rice were approximately $10^4$-fold less than those for 4 Takjus. The LAB counts for Takju and Yakju brewed using non-steamed rice were $10^3$-fold less than those for Takjus brewed using steamed rice. The AAB counts ranged $2-6\;log_{10}\;CFU/mL$ for all the 5 samples. E.coli and coliforms were not detected. Overall, there was no significant difference in microbial counts among 4 Takjus brewed using steamed or non-steamed rice, but Takju has higher microbial counts than Yakju. All the 5 samples were conclusively considered to be hygienically brewed and processed containing plenty of beneficial microorganisms.