• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1642-1647
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of garlic extracts fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum on alcohol-induced fatty liver damage in C57BL/6J mice. The weight of liver tissue of the lactic acid-fermented garlic extract (LAFGE) diet groups decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to that of the normal diet group. The activities of typical serum enzymes such as ALT, AST, and ALP were low in the LAFGE 200 mg/kg administered group. The LAFGE 200 mg/kg administered group significantly decreased values of TBIL and DBIL, which are an important index of liver damage. LAFGE also ameliorated alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation in histological analysis dose-dependently. In addition, total GSH and reduced GSH levels in LAFGE-treated groups were gradually recovered up to normal levels. The present study revealed that LAFGE improved unique tastes and odors of raw garlic through lactic acid fermentation technology and thus could be a commercially potential material for hepatoprotective functional foods against alcoholic fatty liver.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.762-768
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• 2014

In this study, the ameliorating effects of lactic acid-fermented garlic extract (LAFGE) on non-alcoholic fatty liver were investigated using oleic acid-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. The ameliorating mechanism was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Treatment with 1 mg/mL LAFGE decreased intracellular lipid accumulation approximately 1.5-fold, compared to that achieved with non-fermented garlic extract. LAFGE reduced fatty acid influx into hepatocytes through down-regulation of FAT/CD36 mRNA expression in the steatotic HepG2 cells. $PPAR{\alpha}$ and CPT-1 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated by LAFGE treatment of HepG2 cells as a consequence of activation of beta oxidation. Additionally, the treatment with 1 mg/mL LAFGE highly down-regulated mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and FAS to 51% and 35%, respectively. LAFGE showed concentration-dependent down-regulation patterns in protein expression of SREBP-1c and FAS, as determined by Western blot. These results suggest that LAFGE treatment improves hepatic steatosis triggered by the imbalance of hepatic lipid metabolism owing to oleic acid treatment.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2008

Kimchi is a representative traditional food in Korea and a type of vegetable product that is the unique complex lactic acid fermentation in the world. It can be considered as a unique fermented food generated by various flavors, which are not included in raw materials, that can be generated by mixing and fermenting various spices and seasonings, such as red pepper powder, garlic, ginger, and salted fish, added to Chinese cabbages. Functionalities in Kimchi have been approved through several studies and the probiotic function that is mainly based on lactic acid bacteria including their physical functions in its contents has also verified. Studies on the verification of the safety of Kimchi including its physiological functions have been conducted. In particular, the function of lactic acid bacteria, which is a caused of the fermentation of Kimchi. Although the lactic acid bacteria contributed to the fermentation of Kimchi is generated from raw and sub-materials, the lactic acid bacteria attached on Chinese cabbages has a major role in the process in which the fermentation temperature and dominant bacteria are also related to the process. The salt used in a salt pickling process inhibits the growth of the putrefactive and food poisoning bacteria included in the fermentation process of Kimchi and of other bacteria except for such lactic acid bacteria due to the lactic acid and several antimicrobial substances generated in the fermentation process, such as bacteriocin and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the carbon dioxide gas caused by heterolactic acid bacteria contributes to the inhibition of aerobic bacteria. Furthermore, special ingredients included in sub-materials, such as garlic, ginger, and red pepper powder, contribute to the inhibition of putrefactive and food poisoning bacteria. The induction of the change in the intestinal bacteria as taking Kimchi have already verified. In conclusion, Kimchi has been approved as a safety food due to the fact that the inhibition of food poisoning bacteria occurs in the fermentation process of Kimchi and the extinction of such bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.743-752
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• 1999

The purpose of the paper is to explore the current knowledge on the nutritional evaluation, cholesterol-lowering effect and antitumor activity of kimchi and its ingredients(Korean cabbage, garlic, red pepper powder, ginger and onion). Kimchi contains high contents of nutrients such as vitamins(ascorbic acid, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin B complex), minerals(calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorous), essential amino acids and dietary fiber. Kimch also contains high levels of lactic acid bacteria, allicin, capsaicin, organic acid, phenol compounds, flavonoid and sulfur compounds. The dietary fiber and lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi are effective in improving intestinal microflora of human. Isoluble dietary fiber shows anticancer activity, but soluble dietary fiber shows hypocholesterolemic effect. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi acts as a hypocholesterolemic or anticancer agent. A major ingredient of kimchi is mainly cruciferous and allium family vegetables, which were also reported to prevent cancer and atherosclerosis. It is suggested that kimchi is important not only as one of the traditional fermented Korean food but also as therapeutic agent for carcinogenesis and hypercholesterolemic state.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2009

The effect of kimchi, traditional Korean fermented vegetables, on inactivating food-borne pathogens and the kimchi factors affecting the antimicrobial activity were investigated. More cells of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella typhimurium were inactivated in the kimchi that had low pH and high titratable acidity. Of the raw ingredients in kimchi, raw garlic showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against the pathogens. When kimchi was fermented at 0, 4, 10, or $20^{\circ}C$ to pH 4.4, higher kimchi fermentation temperature resulted in higher titratable acidity. The greatest inactivation of S. typhimurium occurred in kimchi fermented at $20^{\circ}C$, while L. monocytogenes were inactivated in kimchi fermented at $0^{\circ}C$ in situ. This study showed that appropriately fermented kimchi can inactivate various food-borne pathogens and that the fermentation temperature of the kimchi is an important factor in determining the ability of the kimchi to inactivate specific pathogens. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) multiplication and organic acids produced according to LAB metabolism play a role in inactivating food-borne pathogens in kimchi.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in antioxidant activity, and the isoflavone and free amino acid content in fermented tofu of the ingredients of kimchi (red pepper, garlic, ginger, and anchovies) and lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus acidilactici KL-6) during 24 weeks of fermentation at $20^{\circ}C$. The total polyphenol content of various types of fermented tofu such as the control (tofu with kimchi ingredients mixture), tofu and kimchi ingredients with lactic acid bacteria (TL), and tofu in pre-fermented kimchi ingredients with lactic acid bacteria (TPL) ranged from 156.34 to 165.17 mg/g, showing that TPL was significantly higher in terms of fermentation time (6 weeks) compared to others. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of TPL (84.11%) was higher than that of the control (76.68%) and TL (78.95%) after 12 weeks fermentation at $20^{\circ}C$. The changes of nitrite scavenging activity and SOD-like activity in the tested tofu showed the same tendency as the DPPH free radical scavenging activity during 14 weeks fermentation TPL showed statistically significant levels of increased antioxidant activity, so we compared the isoflavone and free amino acid content. The isoflavone and free amino acid content of TPL was 2.34 mg/g and 20.81 mg/g after 14 weeks fermentation, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2008

The Chinese cabbage kimchi, baechoo-kimchi, is the most popular type of kimchi in Korea. This study was performed to investigate the changes of index microorganisms (aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophilic bacteria, coliforms, and Escherichia coli), lactic acid bacteria, pH, and acidity of kimchi during the long-term fermentation and ripening. A homemade-style traditional Korean baechoo-kimchi, was prepared from Chinese cabbage, red pepper, green onion, garlic, ginger, and salt-fermented anchovy sauce, and then incubated at $10^{\circ}C$ for 28 days. In the baechoo-kimchi, the number of aerobic bacteria increased with time. The number of psychrotrophilic bacteria maintained their numbers $(10^4CFU/g)$ in the kimchi during the fermentation. Coliforms and E. coli were not detected in the kimchi. The pH of kimchi decreased and the acidity of kimchi increased over time. Lactic acid bacteria, which are representative of fermentative microorganisms in the kimchi process showed rapid growth in the earlier stage of fermentation and increased steadily after 7 days. The counts of lactic acid bacteria were at a level of $10^4CFU/g$ early in the fermentation stage, reaching a level of $10^8CFU/g$ after 14 days, and at this point pH was 4.18 and acidity reached 0.63, indicating that the optimal state of kimchi fermentation. This study suggests that the lactic acid bacteria which were proliferated in kimchi during the ripening and fermentation could contribute to improving the taste and flavor of kimchi and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms that might exist in kimchi.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2016

The quality characteristics of black garlic vinegar produced by acetic acid fermentation were analyzed over a 25 day period. Black garlic vinegar was produced using black garlic 3, 6, 9 and 12 folds with water, and initial alcohol concentrations of 6~12%. The pH values of the vinegar samples were in range of 3.85~4.46 after 25 days fermentation, and the sugar contents were highest after 9 days of fermentation ($12.00{\sim}13.50^{\circ}Brix$). The total polyphenol concents of vinegars were in the range of 20.65~52.04 mg/100 mL 25 days fermentation. Pyrogallol and vanillic acid were detected in the completely fermented vinegars, and their contents increased with black garlic content. Five organic acids (lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, succinic acid and propionic acid) were detected after 25 days of fermentation, with the total amount of organic acids being 5,327.34~6,307.64 mg/100 mL, and the total abetic acid contents beging the highest of the organic acids at 4208.90~5,570.29 mg/100 mL. After 25 days of fermentation, the total minerals contents were higher, and depending on the quantity of black garlic added. Of the minerals, the of potassium content was the highest (366.23~1,619.67 mg/L).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.660-664
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• 2011

We investigated the improvement of the antioxidative activity of black garlic with enzymatic treatment and lactic acid bacteria cultivation conditions. Celluclast, a commercially-available polysaccharide hydrolyase, was selected to obtain high total polyphenol content in a black garlic suspension. A lactic acid bacterial strain showing fast growth and high acid production in a black garlic suspension was isolated from Kimchi. This strain was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus 310-7. Enzymatically hydrolyzed black garlic was fermented using the L. pentosus 310-7 strain at $30^{\circ}C$ for 15 hr. The pH and titratable acidity achieved were 4.24 and 0.35%, respectively, after 15 hr fermentation. The viable cell population of L. pentosus 310-7 slowly increased to 7.54 log CFU/g. The polyphenolic compound content, known antioxidants, in black garlic was enhanced with Celluclast treatment and L. pentosus 310-7 cultivation. Total polyphenolic compounds were increased to approximately 60% of the initial concentration, and electron donating ability was also improved, from 39.8 to 65.9%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

The natural preservative "complex Scutellaria baicalensis extract (BHC)" contains Scutellaria baicalensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (liquorice), Zizyphus jujube (jujube), and Astragalus propinquus (milk vetch root). BHC has been used as a natural preservative for more than 10 years to increase storage duration and quality of food with strong antibacterial activity. BHC has been added into functional foods as a subsidiary ingredient. However, no studies have been performed to test whether or not BHC affects the activity of main functional ingredients. In this study, we tested whether or not BHC has any effect on the hepatoprotective activity of lactic acid-fermented garlic extract (LAFGE) when formulated in a clinical test supplement. $H_2O_2-induced$ oxidative damage in HepG2 cells was not attenuated by BHC, indicating that BHC had no influence on the protective effect of LAFGE against oxidative damage. Furthermore, BHC had no effect on the hepatoprotective effect of LAFGE against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in rats, as indicated by no changes in alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels. In conclusion, BHC, formulated in the clinical test supplement with LAFGE, had no effect on hepatoprotective activity, indicating BHC could be considered as a suitable natural preservative for liquefied functional food materials.