• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1357-1368
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-inflammation effect of the cheonggukjang (a soybean paste fermented for only a few days) in diet induced obesity mice. Weight gain was significantly decreased in the mice fed cheonggukjang compared High Fat Diets (HFD). The HFD plus cheonggukjang (CGJ) were also effective in improving the lipid metabolism. The levels of plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, ALT, AST, leptin, glucose, and insulin were significantly lower in CGJ than HFD group (p<0.05). The adiponectin level of CGJ group was significantly increased compared to the HFD group (p<0.05). In the CGJ group, the mRNA expression of adipogenic genes in the liver and adipose tissues, which are transcription factors crucial for adipogenesis, were significantly suppressed (p<0.05). The number of $CD11b^+F4/80^+$ T cells, $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells, and $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells were significantly higher in HFD group than CGJ group (p<0.05). The size of adipocyte was significantly reduced in CGJ group compared to HFD group. In addition, the contents of liver lipid droplets were significantly downregulated in the CGJ mice than HFD mice (p<0.05). Collectively, these data suggest the novel function of cheonggukjang in modulating adipogenesis through an immune function-alteration involving downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors and macrophage activation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2008

Xylan is a major hemicellulose component of the cell walls of monocots and hardwood, representing up to 30% of the dry weight of these plants. To efficiently hydrolyze xylan, the endoxylanase gene from Bacillus sp. was expressed in B. subtilis DB431 by introducing the plasmid pJHKJ4. The total activity of the recombinant endoxylanase reached about 857 unit/ml by batch fermentation of B. subtilis DB431/pJHKJ4 in LB maltose medium. The majority (>92%) of endoxylanase was efficiently secreted into the culture medium. The recombinant endoxylanase hydrolyzed more the birchwood xylan efficiently than the other xylans. When 4 % concentration of xylan was used, the highest production of xylooligosaccharide was observed, and xylobiose and xylotriose were the major products. Optimal amount of enzyme and reaction time for producing xylooligosaccharide were found to be 10 unit and 1 hr, respectively. In addition, the temperature of $40^{\circ}C{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ gave the highest production of xylooligosaccharide. Consequently, the optimized conditions for the production of xylooligosaccharide through the hydrolysis of xylan were determined as follows: 10 unit endoxylanase, $50^{\circ}C$, 4% birchwood xylan, 1 hr reaction.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2009

Several hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, N,N'-dicoumaroylputrescine (DCP), N-p-coumaroyl-N'-feruloyl-putrescine (CFP), and N,N'-diferuloylputrescine (DFP) were isolated and purified from corn bran. To develop the skin whitening agent, we investigated the effects of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives from corn bran, on melanogenesis. CFP and DFP inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose dependent manner up to 44.7 ${\pm}$ 6.0 %, and 58.5 ${\pm}$ 3.1 % at a concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The intracellular tyrosinase activity decreased about 42.5 ${\pm}$ 14.6 %, and 9.0 ${\pm}$ 4.4 % at a concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ of CFP and DFP, respectively. Our results suggest that inhibitory effects of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives on melanogenesis are due to the inhibition of the intracellular tyrosinase activity. These results indicate that these hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives from corn bran may be potential natural skin whitening agents.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.456-460
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative capacity of Rhododendron brachycarpum 95% ethanol extracts. Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity against ABTS radical reactions. Total antioxidant capacities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 0.33 and 2.26 mM Trolox equivalents, respectively. Superoxide scavenging activities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 45.0 and 77.0%, respectively. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 5 and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ were 40.88 and 131.00 ${\mu}M$ Trolox equivalents, respectively. Total phenolic contents of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 0.37 and 1.25 mM gallic acid equivalents, respectively. R. brachycarpum extract at the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL inhibited 0.2 mM and 0.5 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced cyototoxicity by 52.1 and 30.3%, respectively, in HepG2 cell culture system. Thus, strong antioxidant and cytotoxicity-inhibiting effects of R. brachycarpum extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in total phenolic contents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1507-1514
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• 2017

The purpose of this study aimed at examining the antiproliferative effect of kimchi (kimchi B) adding mistletoe extract known as an anticancer function to improve the functions of kimchi. The study investigated the antiproliferative effect through hemocytometer counts and MTT assay, apoptosis induction through DAPI staining, and mRNA expression through RT-PCR using human lung carcinoma A549 cells. The standardized kimchi (Kimchi A) was used as a control group. As a result of hemocytometer counts and the MTT assay, it was found that kimchi samples inhibited the growth of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Kimchi B induced apoptosis in A549 cells through DAPI staining. The apoptosis induced by kimchi B was associated with the increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and with the decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Also, kimchi B influenced the increase in the expression of p21 mRNA, but did not have the effect on the expression of p53 mRNA. In conclusion, the antiproliferative effect of kimchi B was due to apoptosis induced by increasing Bax and decreasing Bcl-2, and increasing p21. The findings will be utilized to develop kimchi with the improved function for the patients having cancer.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2022

The flowers of Cosmos bipinnatus were extracted with solvent made with methanol:water (4:1) and the concentrates were partitioned into ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water (H₂O) fractions. The octadecyl silica gel (ODS) and silica gel (SiO₂) column chromatographies were repeated for the EtOAc fraction to isolated of two phenolic compounds. The chemical structure of the isolated compounds were identified as benzyl O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside (1), and 2-phenylethyl O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside (2) through spectroscopic datas such as nuclear magnetic resornance, infrarad spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. These two compounds were first isolated from C. bipinnatus flowers through this study. To evaluate the anti-atopic activity of the two isolated compounds using a HaCaT cell line induced by ultraviolet light, several experiments were conducted and neither both compounds showed toxicity in the concentration range of 1 to 1,000 ㎍/mL. In the results of anti-atopic activity through Thymus and activation regualted chemokine (TARC) assay, both compounds showed dose-dependent TARC inhibitory activity. In particular, compound 1 showed significant activity even in a low concentration range of 10 ㎍/mL, and in different concentration ranges. Also compound 1 showed higher inhibitory activity than other compound, confirming that the anti-atopic activity was the most excellent. Based on these results, it is considered that it can be used as a functional cosmetic material.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2020

A new silicate coating technology was developed which reduces the impact of dust and loosening during seeding compared to existing silicate-coatings (Seed/Si/Zeolite), and therefore can lower the production costs of rice cultivation. In this method, 100 g of rice seed is coated with 18 mL of liquid silicic acid and then dressed with a mixture containing 80 g of dolomite and 5 g of iron. To determine the most effective method of application and ensure that seedlings developed healthily, a series of experiments were carried out. Infected seeds scattered in seedling boxes and pots (soil and hydroponic) were coated dry, without disinfection. In comparison to the seed which were not treated with the silicate-coating, the new seed (A) were 1.84 times heavier in weight, and were also improved in terms of coating strength and coating color. Compared to the seedlings grown from the non-coated seed, those grown from the new silicate-coated seed were of significantly higher quality (weight/length) and had erect, dark greenish leaves, which are ideal plant characteristics. This was most likely due to increased silicate uptake. The symptoms of bakanae disease in the non-coated seed peaked after 38 days to 54.2%, whereas the control value was 68.8% in the new silicate-coated seed (A). In the infected seedlings grown from the new silicate-coated rice seed, subnormal macro-conidia, namely, a sickle shape spore without a septum; a straight oblong shape spore without a septum and with a thick cell wall; and inter-septal necrosis of a normal spore were detected. It is believed that the strong alkalinity of silicic acid have acted as unfavorable conditions for pathogenicity. In seedlings grown from the new silicate coated rice seed under hydroponic conditions without nutrients, normal root activity and growth was maintained without leaf senescence. Therefore, it was possible to reduce the rate of fertilization. In the future, a new silicate-coated rice seed was required for the study of minimal nutrition for anti-aging of seedlings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.140-145
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• 2004

This study was performed to compare and investigate major quality characteristics of traditional dried persimmons from various regions (Sangju, Haman, Youngdong and Dongsang) The moisture contents of dried persimmons were highest contained on 38.20％ at Sangju and crude protein contents were range from 1.41％ to 2.40% and crude fat contents were 0.11% to 0.20% and crude ash contents were 0.99% to 1.27%. Water activity (Aw) of dried Persimmons was 0.781 in Sangju and Brix was 55.1% in Sangju. In case of Hunter's value, ‘L’ value of dried persimmons was bright color value in Sangju (34.05) and Youngdong (33.06). ‘a’ value of dried persimmons was more red value in Youngdong (8.15) and Sangju (6.91), atso ‘b’ value of dried persimmons was more yellow value in Youngdong (16.72) and Sangju (15.80). At the texture of dried persimmons, hardness was highest in Dongsang (6818.80) and lowest in Sangju (1221.20), fracturability was highest in Youngdong (5630.10) and lowest in Sangju (3.82), adhesiveness was highest in Youngdong (425.67), springiness and coke-siveness were highest in Haman (2.67) and Sangju (0.46), gumminess and chewiness were highest in Youngdong (4641.29 and 6060.68). In the microfloral states of dried persimmons, cell counts of bacteria was highest number in 3000 cfu/g at Dongsang, lactic acid bacteria was highest number in 2600 cfu/g at Dongsang, yeast was highest number in 1000 cfu/g at Youngdong, mold was highest number in 320 cfu/g at Dongsang. Sensory score of dried persimmons, color and sweetness were highest in Youngdong (3.91 and 4.55), lowest astringency in Sangju (1.91), highest texture in Sangju and Haman (3.36 and ,3.36), highest overall acceptance in Sangju (3.64).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1090-1098
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• 2016

The anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract from Grateloupia crispata (GCEE) were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. Anti-inflammatory effects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. There was no cytotoxic effect on proliferation of macrophages treated with GCEE compared to the control. GCEE significantly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] as well as nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, GCEE suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. GCEE significantly reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. In the in vivo test, evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of GCEE was performed using croton oil-induced ear edema in ICR mice. Oral administration of 10 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg of GCEE significantly reduced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner compared to croton oil-induced mice. Moreover, GCEE reduced ear thickness and the number of mast cells compared to croton oil-induced mice in the histological analysis. These data suggest that GCEE could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1492-1503
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• 2015

This study evaluated the combination effect of various freezing and thawing techniques on the quality and nutritional aspects of onions. Onions were frozen by natural air convection freezing (NCF), air blast freezing (ABF), and liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF). Onions were frozen for 76 min by NCF, 9 min by ABF, and 9 min by LNF. The freezing treatment was stopped when the core temperature reached $-12^{\circ}C$ for NCF and ABF, and $-120^{\circ}C$ for LNF. Frozen samples were thawed through natural air convection thawing, running water thawing, sonication thawing (ST), or microwave thawing. The quality and nutritional aspects of frozen-thawed onions were evaluated by measuring thawing loss, pH, texture, water content, color, and SEM image. ST was found to cause the least loss in onion sample among the tested thawing methods, whereas the freezing methods did not cause any significant loss. In our experiment, thawing is found to be a more critical technique when compared to that of freezing. There were no clear quantifications or trends of pH and water content among different freezing and thawing techniques. The highest total color difference (${\Delta}E$) was observed in the NCF sample. For morphological observation, ABF gave the smallest ice crystal size, as well as minimum cell collapse. Loss of vitamin C, free sugar, and organic acid content was lower in the ABF and ST sample, when compared to other trials. In our study, we found that combination of ABF and ST could preserve the quality and nutritional aspects of frozen-thawed onions better than other methods.