• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.3 s.54
• /
• pp.283-289
• /
• 2006

In recent years, there has been an increase in consumer demand for bottled waters. There is a perception that consumption of natural mineral water represents a healthy life style and that these products are relatively safe. In this study, the microbiological quality of 39 samples of bottled water, purchased from retail store in Korea, was investigated during the 2005. Applying pour plate method, the 1 mL of water samples were analyzed for the presence and enumeration of total general bacteria and Pseudomonas spp.. Nineteen samples representing 9 brands of bottled water contained general bacteria ($1.54{\times}10^2$ CFU/mL). In addition four samples contained Pseudomonas spp. and Camamonas acidovorans. The susceptibility of the strains tested against 25 antimicrobial agents, Pseudomonas fluorescens were resistant to Lincomycin, Amoxacilin/Clavulanic acid and Cefazolin (> $100{\mu}g/mL$). Also Comamonas acidovorans were intermediate to Cephalothin and resistant to Cefoperazone.

• 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 and Preservation
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.179-189
• /
• 2023

Consumers and industry experts frequently have negative perceptions of most chemical preservatives. Although most people concede that they cannot resolve global food waste issues without preservatives, they prefer products without chemical preservatives. Numerous emerging technologies is now surpassing conventional methods for mitigating microbial food deterioration in response to consumer demand and fundamental health and safety considerations, including biological antimicrobial systems such as using food-grade microorganisms and their metabolites primarily originating from microorganisms, plants, and animals. Microbial compounds, including bacteriocins, bacteriophages, and anti-fungal agents, plant extracts such as flavonoids and essential oils; and animal-originated compounds, such as lysozyme, chitosan, and lactoferrin, are considered some of the major bio-preservatives. These natural compounds can be used alone or with other preservatives to improve food safety. Hence, the use of microbes or their metabolic byproducts to extend the shelf life of foods while maintaining safety standards is known as bio-preservation. To manufacture and consume foods in a safe condition, this review primarily aims to broaden knowledge amongst industry professionals and consumers regarding bio-preservation techniques, bio-preservatives, their classifications, and distinctive mechanisms to enhance food safety.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.538-546
• /
• 2024

Cinnamaldehyde is a natural compound extracted from cinnamon bark essential oil, acclaimed for its versatile properties in both pharmaceutical and agricultural fields, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Although potential of cinnamaldehyde against plant pathogenic bacteria like Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causative agents of crown gall and bacterial canker diseases, respectively has been documented, in-depth studies into cinnamaldehyde's broader influence on plant pathogenic bacteria are relatively unexplored. Particularly, Pectobacterium spp., gram-negative soil-borne pathogens, notoriously cause soft rot damage across a spectrum of plant families, emphasizing the urgency for effective treatments. Our investigation established that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of cinnamaldehyde against strains P. odoriferum JK2, P. carotovorum BP201601, and P. versatile MYP201603 were 250 ㎍/ml, 125 ㎍/ml, and 125 ㎍/ml, respectively. Concurrently, their Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) were found to be 500 ㎍/ml, 250 ㎍/ml, and 500 ㎍/ml, respectively. Using RNA-sequencing analysis, we identified 1,907 differentially expressed genes in P. carotovorum BP201601 treated with 500 ㎍/ml cinnamaldehyde. Notably, our results indicate that cinnamaldehyde upregulated nitrate reductase pathways while downregulating the citrate cycle, suggesting a potential disruption in the aerobic respiration system of P. carotovorum during cinnamaldehyde exposure. This study serves as a pioneering exploration of the transcriptional response of P. carotovorum to cinnamaldehyde, providing insights into the bactericidal mechanisms employed by cinnamaldehyde against this bacterium.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.5 s.72
• /
• pp.715-725
• /
• 2005

Oral streptococci are major constituents of dental plaques, and their prevalence is closely linked with various pathologic symptoms, such as dental caries. To develop natural anticaries agent, we prepared 309 kinds of plant extracts from 215 species of edible or medical plants, and antibacterial activity of the extracts against Streptococcus mutans JC-2 were evaluated based on 96 well microtiter plate assay and disk paper method, subsequently. Among the tested plant extracts, Ailanthus altissima, Paeonia lactiflora, Rubus phoenicolasius, Aralia continentalis, Quercus acutissima, Persicaria hydropiper and Agrimonia pilosa extracts showed strong antimicrobial activity. Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the selected seven plant extracts showed that Ailanthus altissima, Persicaria hydropiper and Quercus acutissima extracts ($MIC=25\∼30[\mu}g/ml$) has potential as a source of natural anticaries agents.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.60 no.5
• /
• pp.8.1-8.9
• /
• 2018

Background: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farming has caused emergence of new pathogenic strains. The situation has warrented the development of safe and alternative growth promoters and immunity enhancers in livestock. Herbal additives in animal and bird feed is a centuries-old practice. Thus, the present study investigated the efficacy of a standardized formulation of lipophilic turmeric extract containing curcumin and turmerones, (TF-36), as a natural growth promoter poultry feed additive. Methods: The study was designed on 180 one-day old chicks, assigned into three groups. Control group ($T_0$) kept on basal diet and supplemented groups $T_{0.5}$ and $T_1$ fed with 0.5% and 1% TF-36 fortified basal diet for 42 days. Each dietary group consisted of six replicates of ten birds. Body weight, food intake, food conversion ratio, skin colour, blood biochemical analysis and antioxidant status of serum were investigated. Results: Body weight improved significantly in $T_1$ with a 10% decrease in FCR as compared to the control. TF-36 supplementation in $T_1$ enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly (p < 0.05) with a decrease (p < 0.05) in lipid peroxidation. It also caused a slight yellow skin pigmentation without any change in meat color, indicating the bioavailability of curcumin from TF-36. However, no significant change in the concentration of serum creatinine, total protein and liver enzyme activities were observed, indicating the safety. Conclusion: In summary, we concluded that TF-36 can be a natural feed additive to improve growth performance in poultry, probably due to the better antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects contributed by the better bioavailability of curcuminoids and turmerones. Besides, curcuminoids and turmerones were also known to be gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.382-393
• /
• 2019

Wound care is a health industry concern affecting millions worldwide. Recent increase in metabolic disorders such as diabetes comes with elevated risk of wound-based complications. Treatment and management of wounds are difficult practices due to complexity of the wound healing process. Conventional wound dressings and treatment applications only provide limited benefits which are mainly aimed to keep wound protected from external factors. To improve wound care, recent developments make biopolymers to be of high interest and importance to researchers and medical practitioners. Biopolymers are polymers or natural origin produced by living organisms. They are credited to be highly biocompatible and biodegradable. Currently, studies reported biopolymers to exhibit various health beneficial properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, cell proliferative and angiogenic activities which are crucial for effective wound management. Several biopolymers, namely chitosan, cellulose, collagen, hyaluronic acid and alginic acid have been already investigated and applied as wound dressing agents. Different derivatives of biopolymers have also been developed by cross-linking with other molecules, grafting with other polymers, and loading with bioactive agents or drugs which showed promising results towards wound healing without any undesired outcome such as scarring and physiological abnormalities. In this review, current applications of common biopolymers in wound treatment industry are highlighted to be a guide for further applications and studies.

• 보존과학연구
• /
• s.32
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 2011

Wood vinegar and Asarum sieboldii Miquel were selected as candidate materials showed antimicrobial activity and insect repellent activity. These natural pesticides have its own color and these could cause color difference on fabric materials. In the present study, we investigated the color difference of undyed and dyed fabrics to evaluate negative effect of wood vinegar and A. sieboldii Miquel. Undyed and dyed fabrics were exposed to natural pesticides of various concentrations for six months in relative humidity 70% and temperature $28^{\circ}C$. After exposure of pesticides, color difference (${\Delta}E*$) were investigated at two weeks intervals for six months. As a results, dyed cotton, silk and undyed silk fabrics exposed wood vinegar were not nearly changed in their colors, but color of only undyed cotton fabric was clearly changed by wood vinegar. Especially color difference by wood vinegar on undyed cotton fabric was most distinct as the concentration increased. On the other hand, all of fabrics exposed A. sieboldii Miquel were not nearly changed in their colors for six months. Therefore, this study first suggests that wood vinegar and A. sieboldii Miquel as natural insecticides could be used to conserve for textile cultural properties from insects and microorganism, but wood vinegar couldn't use the high concentration on undyed cotton fabric.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.382-390
• /
• 2020

This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) against several foodborne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial effect was determined by agar diffusion method using red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions. Red ginseng extract showed antimicrobial effect against S. aureus, but not C. albicans or A. niger. The extract showed anti-bacterial activity at concentration above 30% against S. aureus, which cause both food poisoning and atophic dermatitis. Crude saponin showed antibacterial activity above 7.5% against the bacterium. However, the ginsenosides purified from crude saponin showed no antimicrobial activities at 100-200 ㎍/mL. To investigate the mode of growth inhibition, red ginseng extract and crude saponin were added to 0.85% NaCl solution containing S. aureus and then incubated at 35℃ for 12 h. The results showed that viable cells were rapidly reduced in above 10% concentration of red ginseng extract and above 2% of crude saponin, respectively. However, the crude saponin and red ginseng extract did not inhibit the bacterial cells completely at those same concentrations. On the other hand, whereas all non-water-soluble fractions showed inhibition zones above 10 mm against S. aureus, they showed no inhibition effects against E. coli, C. albicans or A. niger. The methanol fraction-1 (MF-1) showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) was 0.625 mg/mL. These results suggest that red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions show selective antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and non-water-soluble fractions might be used as natural antibacterial agents.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.433-440
• /
• 2015

Several studies suggest that regular consumption of walnuts may have beneficial effects against oxidative stress-mediated disease such as cancer. The present study reports the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, together with the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of several solvent extracts (methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) obtained from walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk. MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values of the walnut extracts for 8 human pathogenic bacteria strain were determined using agar dilution method. Antioxidant activity of extracts were assessed using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) assays, EC₅₀ of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, and determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content and its correlation with DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities. Among the six extracts, ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc Ex) showed the highest antimicrobial activity at 3.2 mg/ml of MICs against Staphylococcus aureus SG511. Total flavonoids and polyphenol contents of EtOAc Ex were 42.48 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g and 223.25 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g respectively. The highest antioxidative potential was shown by the sample extracted with EtOAc Ex (EC₅₀=13.43 μg/ml for DPPH and EC₅₀=41.83 μg/ml for ABTS radical scavenging activity assay). These results showed that J. regia green husk extracts can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antibacterial agents and natural antioxidants.