• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.1288-1294
• /
• 2021

There are a growing number of reports of hospital-acquired infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Many plant products are now being used as a natural means of exploring antimicrobial agents against different types of human pathogenic bacteria. In this research, we sought to isolate and identify an active molecule from Sedum takesimense that has possible antibacterial activity against various clinical isolates of MRSA. NMR analysis revealed that the structure of the HPLC-purified compound was 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-glucose. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different extract fractions against numerous pathogenic bacteria was determined, and the actively purified compound has potent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria, i.e., MRSA and its clinical isolates. In addition, the combination of the active compound and β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., oxacillin) demonstrated synergistic action against MRSA, with a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of 0.281. The current research revealed an alternative approach to combating pathogenesis caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria using plant materials. Furthermore, using a combination approach in which the active plant-derived compound is combined with antibiotics has proved to be a successful way of destroying pathogens synergistically.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.844-861
• /
• 2019

Over the last few years, marine environment was found to be a source of surplus natural products and microorganisms with new bioactive secondary metabolites of interest which can divulge nutritional and biological impact on the host. This study aims to assess the possible, inherent and functional probiotic properties of a novel probiotic strain Enterococcus durans F3 (E. durans F3) isolated from the gut of fresh water fish Catla catla. Parameters for evaluating and describing the probiotics described in FAD/WHO guidelines were followed. E. durans F3 demonstrated affirmative results including simulated bile, acid and gastric juice tolerance with exhibited significant bactericidal effect against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This can be due to the enterocin produced by E. durans F3 strain, which was resolute by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gel with amplification of the anticipated fragment of a structural gene; enterocin A, followed by antibiotic susceptibility assessment. Effective antioxidant potentiality against ${\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\alpha}$-picrylhydrazyl free radicals including lipase, bile salt hydrolase activity with auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity was similarly observed. Results are proving the potentiality of E. durans F3, which can also be used as probiotic starter culture in dairy industries for manufacturing new products that imparts health benefits to the host. Finding the potent and novel probiotic strains will also satisfy the current developing market demand for probiotics.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.496-502
• /
• 2016

This review describes the diversity of Korean fermented foods and their significance as potential sources of probiotic bacteria. Fermented foods consumed in Korea are categorized according to their base material. Fermented foods such as kimchi, meju, doenjang, kangjang, jeotgal, and makgeolli are reported to have significant medicinal properties. These fermented products, which are consumed regularly by local people, are rich sources of beneficial microbes represented by several genera, including Weissella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Mucor, Penicillium, Scopulariopsis, Aspergillus, Rhodotorula, Candida, Saccharomyces, and Bacillus, as well as lactic acid bacteria. Fermented foods are now taken beyond the boundaries of their use as mere side dishes and are used significantly as a functional as well as medicinal foods. Fermented foods are a rich source of potential natural substances with antioxidant, anticancer, anticholesteric, antiobesitic, and antiaging properties, so that traditional fermented foods used as food supplements can impart health benefits. Publication of scientific studies on the dietary benefits of various fermented foods and growing consciousness about the potential health benefits of traditional fermented food are reflected in the scores of reports currently available in this field. Food microbiologists now have abundant opportunities to explore Korean traditional fermented foods for the isolation of new bacterial strains and to evaluate the potential applications of these strains through microbiological research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.7
• /
• pp.1036-1040
• /
• 2005

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations were developed for accurate and fast prediction of whole broiler chicken carcass composition. The Feed and Forage Foss systems Model 5000 Reflectance Transport Model 5000 with near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)-WinISI II windows software was used for this purpose. One equation was developed for the prediction of each carcass component. One hundred and fifty freeze dried broiler whole carcass samples were ground in a Cyclotech 1,093 sample mill and analyzed for dry matter, protein, fat, calcium and phosphate. Samples were divided into two sets: a calibration set from which equations were derived and a prediction set used to validate these equations. The chemical analysis values (mean${\pm}$SD) were calculated based on dry matter basis as follows: dry matter: 33.41${\pm}$2.78 (range: 26.41-43.47), protein: 54.04${\pm}$6.63 (range: 36.20-76.09), fat 35.44${\pm}$8.34 (range: 7.50-55.03), calcium 2.55${\pm}$0.65 (range: 0.99-4.41), phosphorus 1.38${\pm}$0.26 (range: 0.60-2.28). One hundred and three samples were used to calibrate the equations and prediction values. The software used was modified to obtain partial least square regression statistics, as it is the most suitable for natural products analysis. The coefficients of determination ($R^2$) and the standard errors of prediction were 0.82 and 1.83 for the dry matter, 0.96 and 1.98 for protein, 0.99 and 1.07 for fat, 0.90 and 0.30 for calcium and 0.91 and 0.11 for phosphorus, respectively. The present study indicated that NIRS can be calibrated to predict the whole broiler carcass chemical composition, including minerals in a rapid, accurate, and cost effective manner. It neither requires skilled operators nor generates hazardous waste. These findings may have practical importance to improve instrumental procedures for quick evaluation of broiler carcass composition.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.999-1006
• /
• 2018

Obesity is epidemic worldwide and has reportedly been linked to the progression of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The natural products are decreasing the side effects of medicines used for obesity and also have health benefits dut to their numerous bioactive compounds. In this context, Artemisia scoparia is a widespread plant that has been suggested as possessing various types of bioactivity. In this study, the crude extract from A. scoparia (ASE) was tested for its ability to suppress adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The molecular pathway by which ASE affects differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was also investigated. The introduction of ASE to differentiating 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes resulted in suppressed adipogenesis, as confirmed by decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The differentiating cells treated with 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of ASE showed 21.9 and 29.0% less lipid accumulation, respectively, than untreated adipocytes. In addition, the results indicated that ASE treatment lowered the expression of the adipogenesis-related factors $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP-1c. Furthermore, treating with ASE notably decreased levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that ASE exhibits significant anti-adipogenesis activity by downregulating the MAPK and $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathways during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Therefore, A. scoparia may be a potential source of natural products against obesity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.294-298
• /
• 2016

Natural products are attractive as the source of new drug development. Especially, numerous unknown marine bioresources are an object of attention because the ocean occupies three fourth of the earth. Survival of marine bioresources in extreme environment may induce the production of biological active compounds. As previous study, we examined over 40 specimens of marine sponges collected from Micronesia and screened their anti-proliferative activities in various cancer cell lines. Among them, we investigated Coscinoderma sp.'s activity and mechanism in human colon carcinoma HCT116 and RKO cells. Furthermore, we also used the p53-knockout of HCT116 cells and the p53 loss of RKO cells for elucidating the role of p53. Coscinoderma sp. inhibited cellular viability independently of the p53 status. Therefore, we compared the expression level of cell death-related proteins by Coscinoderma sp. in HCT16 and in HCT116 p53KO cells. Coscinoderma sp. increased p53 level and NOXA levels and induced apoptosis under the condition of p53 existence. On the other hand, Coscinoderma sp. increased p21 and mTOR levels in HCT116 p53KO cells. These results suggest that Coscinoderma sp. induced anti-proliferation effect through different pathway depending on p53 status.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.365-384
• /
• 2012

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that are highly productive in the presence of basic renewable natural sources (light, $CO_2$, water and nutrients). They can synthesize lipids, carbohydrates and proteins in a small number of days. Subsequently, these carbon-captured products can be processed into both biofuels and valuable co-products. Additionally, microalgae would be an ideal feedstock for replacing land-based food crops with cellular products as high energy density transportation fuels. These microscopic organisms could contribute a significant amount of renewable energy on a global scale. In Korea, microalgae biofuel research was common in the early 1990s. The research activities were unfortunately stopped due to limited governmental funds and low petroleum prices. Interest in algal biofuels in Korea has been growing recently due to an increased concern over oil prices, energy security, greenhouse gas emissions, and the potential for other biofuel feedstock to compete for limited agricultural resources. The high productivity of microalgae suggests that much of the Korean transportation fuel requirements can be met by biofuels at a production cost competitive with the increasing cost of petroleum seen in early 2008. At this time, the development of microlalgal biomass production technology remains in its infancy. This study reviewed microalgae culture systems and biomass production, harvesting, oil extraction, conversion, and technoeconomical bottlenecks. Many technical and economic barriers to using microalgal biofuels need to be overcome before mass production of microalgal-derived fuel substitutes is possible. However, serious efforts to overcome these barriers could become a large-scale commercial reality. Overall, this study provides a brief overview of the past few decades of global microalgal research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.282-293
• /
• 2008

In order to develop the substitutive materials for natural baits of swimming crab pots, the attracting effects of swimming crab such as the preference of baits which were made of the by-products of marine and stock raising through the water tank experiments and fishing experiments. On the investigation of mean entrapped catch number to the pot by the baits after putting the 4 kinds of baits, mackerel(M), mackerel with grinded mackerel s internals($MM_I$), mackerel with tuna s internals$MM_I$) and makerel with grinded krill(MK) each in one pot by turns, $MM_I$ and MK were entrapped mean 3.9(13.0%) and they were a little more comparing to M, and $MT_I$ is least with mean 2.1(7.0%)(F=12.913, P < 0.05). Otherwise, on the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the baits after putting the 4 kinds of baits in the 4 pots each, M was entrapped mean 3.0(10%), but $MM_I$, $MT_I$ and MK were mean 1.2(4.0%), 1.0(3.3%) and 1.5(5.0%) each and they were only 30-50% of M(F=13.398, P < 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the 5 kinds of baits, mackerel(M), and krill(K), manila clam($M_C$), pig s fat($P_F$) and chicken s head($C_H$) which were used in substitutive baits, M was entrapped mean 3.2(10.7%), but K was about 50% of catch of M with mean 1.6(5.3%), and $M_C$, $P_F$ and $C_H$ were very few with mean 0.1-0.2(0.3-0.7%)(F=89.186, P < 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the pots which were put each the 3 kinds of baits, original krill(K), grinded krill with gluten and soybean oil cake($K_GGS$) and grinded krill with gluten, soybean oil cake and glycine($K_GGSG_L$) in the blue fluorescent hexahedral plastic bait cages(BF), and which were put the mackerel(M) in the non-fluorescent hexahedral red plastic bait cage($RF_N$), it was entrapped mean 3.0(10.0%) in the pot which was put the mackerel in the $RF_N$, and the same level in the pots which were put the K and $K_GGSG_L$ in the BF, but it was mean 2.0(6.7%) in the pots which was put the $K_GGS$ in BF and it was decreased by 30% of catch comparing to $RF_N$(F=3.750, P < 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crab by the pots which was put grinded tuna with gluten, soybean oil cake and glycine($T_IGSG_L$) in the blue fluorescent hexahedral plastic bait cage(BF), and which was put mackerel(M) in the nonfluorescent hexahedral red plastic bait cage($RF_N$), it was entrapped mean 3.3(11.0%) in the pot which was put mackerel in $RF_N$, and mean 2.7(9.0%) in the pot which was put $T_IGSG_L$ in BF and it was about 15% less comparing to use bait M(t=1.387, P < 0.05). As a results of fishing experiments, a plan for enhancing catching efficiency of $T_IGSG_L$ will be required because catching efficiency of $T_IGSG_L$, alternative bait, was half of fish catching efficiency of natural bait using mackerel. Fishing experiments were conducted 3 times using reinforced substitutive artificial bait that is reinforced attractive effect of $T_IGSG_L$ and composed of tuna intestine, grinded mackerel, gluten, soybean cake, glycine and alanine($T_IM_GGSG_LA$). Catching efficiency of $T_IM_GGSG_LA$ was about 80% of that of natural bait made of mackerel.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.977-983
• /
• 2002

This study was performed to establish the precise and rapid method to distinguish croakers through the pigment analysis of colored imported white croakers for adultration. We surveyed the coloring behaviors, extraction test by water and organic solvent and using pigments such as targeting, curcumine, and azo dye products. The pigment of yellow croaker is not stained on wet cloth or tissue which is rubbed on epidermis of yellow croaker and was not eluted in water extraction test, while adulterated pigments were easily extracted by water and acetone, but edible diluted yellow, Yellow No. 4 and Yellow No. 5 were not extracted. Reactive pigment was detected easily by extraction with water and dispersed pigment was also detected by extraction test. As a result of discoloring characteristics of carotene having similar structure to yellow croaker and azo dye by oxidation and reduction, azo dyes were not discolored by oxidation with sodium percarbonate or peracetic acid but that were discolored by oxidation with Fenton reagent after 1hr and by hypochlorite promptly. On the other hand, carotenes were not discolored by sodium precarbonate and Fenton reagent but discolored by sodium hypochlorite after 2 hr and by peracetic acid promptly. Azo dyes were discolored by reduction with sodium hydrosulfite and sodium carbonate but carotenes were not discolored by these reagents. This discoloring test was applicable to detect adulterated pigments and other marine product.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.594-597
• /
• 2008

Natural products have been used to treat many neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, the effects of the water extract of smoke-dried skipjack tuna (WSST), which is used as a traditional seasoning in Japan, as well as its fractions on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in vitro and on memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia mice in vivo were evaluated. Bio-Rad P-2 gel permeation chromatography revealed the presence of 7 peaks and AChE significantly inhibited peak 3 and 5. When in vivo behavioral studies were conducted, a passive avoidance test revealed that treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg WSST as well as with fraction 3 and 5 improved the loss in memory retention induced by scopolamine. These results suggest that skipjack tuna extract and its fractions improve memory deficits and that these substances are suitable for use in healthy foods designed to improve memory deficits induced by aging and Alzheimer's disease.