• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2021

Kunun-zaki, produced by submerged fermentation of a combination of millet and sorghum, is a popular beverage in Northern Nigeria. Owing to the nature of the process involved in its production, kunun-zaki is highly susceptible to contamination by food spoilage microorganisms, leading to inconsistent quality and short shelf-life. In this study, we investigated various food spices, including cinnamon, garlic, and nutmeg, as potential preservatives that could be used to extend kunun-zaki shelf-life. Kunun-zaki varieties were fermented with each of these spices mentioned above and subjected to bacterial, nutritional, sensory, and quality maintenance assessments (using a twelve-member sensory panel to evaluate the organoleptic properties of kunun-zaki). Bacterial counts in the final products ranged between 10^5-7 CFU/ml. We identified two bacterial genera, Weissella and Enterococcus, based on partial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Three amino acids, namely leucine, aspartate, and glutamate, were abundant in all kunun-zaki varieties, while the total essential amino acid content was above 39%, suggesting that kunun-zaki could potentially be considered as a protein-rich food source both for infants and adults. The kunun-zaki products were also rich in carbohydrates, crude proteins, ash, crude fiber, and fat, with contents estimated as 81-84, 8-11, 0.8-4.0, 2.9-3.58, and 5.1-6.3%, respectively. However, this nutritional content depreciated rapidly after 24 h of storage, except for kunun-zaki fermented with garlic, which its crude protein and fat content was maintained for up to 48 h. Our results revealed that organic spices increased the nutritional content of the kunun-zaki varieties and could be potentially be used as natural preservatives for enhancing the kunun-zaki shelf-life. However, garlic might be considered a better alternative based on our preliminary investigation. The presence of the isolated microorganisms in the analyzed kunun-zaki samples should be highlighted to raise awareness on the possible health hazards that could arise from poor handling and processing techniques.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

All the parts of lotus, including the seed, rhizome, leaf, stalk, petal, anther, pericarp, and fruit receptacle, have been used in traditional medicine system as a health beneficial supplement. However the most usually used from lotus plant is only the root. Therefore in this study, it will be discussed more the utilization of other parts of the lotus, namely the flower of lotus. The petals and stamens of lotus actually are also rich in bioactive components such as flavonoids and alkaloids, are used in the treatment of tissue inflammation, cancer, skin disease, and also for us as antidotes. One of the biotechnological process that can be used to improve the nutritional content, sensory, and also antioxidant activities is fermentation process. The final product desired from the fermentation process in this study is vinegar. The microbial strain powder used is Uinkin fermented powder with three variations of fermentation. The variations given in this study were initial sugar 32%, 24%, and 14% with the same fermentation temperature, $35^{\circ}C$ for 3 months. The results obtained showed that the pH value and sugar content of products during the fermentation process were decreasing during the fermentation process, with total polyphenol content of $283.7{\pm}97.6mg/100g\;QAE$, and total flavonoid content of $3.3{\pm}0.0mg/100g\;QAE$. For the DPPH radical scavenging ability of the fermentation product also increased in a concentration dependent manner, with ORAC activity of the product showed a high activity of $20.7{\pm}0.41{\mu}M$ TE. Therefore, fermentation process can be the one of method for improving the product. The efficiency of lotus flower vinegar fermentation can be reached with an initial sugar condition of 25% (sample B).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1095-1101
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• 1997

The present paper resents information on the dietary intake and biochemical status of elderly who are living in different types of residence. On hundred and sixty five women(age 65-80 years old) were divided into three groups ; those who are living alone (LA) , living with family (LF) , and living in institutions (LI) within the same general community. Nutrient intake, body fat content, and biochemical measurements in blood and urine were examined statistically and potential environment-related influence are discussed. Elderly women living alone had significantly lower intake of nutrients than elderly women were not living alone LF group showed significantly higher fat consumption than LA and LI groups. Body fat content, plasma albumin and calcium levels in elderly women who lived with other people were significantly higher than those in elderly women living alone, but fat weights and lean body mass between groups were not different. None of the plasma lipid fractions were significantly different among the three groups except LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration. In the LI group, LDL-C was lower than that of LF and LA groups. From the above results, serious nutritional deficiency has been shown in elderly women that live alone. Therefore, nutritional education and social help should be carried out to improve these situations for elderly people.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.541-549
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• 2015

This study compares the major nutritional components of the leaf, flesh, and seed of dry loquat (Eriobotrya japonicaLindl.). Among proximate compositions, the crude fat, crude ash, and dietary fiber of the leaf exceeded those of the seed and flesh, whereas the carbohydrate content of the leaf was lower than that of the seed and flesh. The main component of free sugars in the leaf, flesh, and seed was fructose. Total amino acids of the leaf, flesh, and seed were 552.43, 63.00, and 260.29 mg%, respectively. Although the amino acid composition of the leaf, flesh, and seed varied, glutamic acid and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid were the major amino acids in the leaf, flesh, and seed. Major fatty acids of total lipid were oleic acid and stearic acid in the leaf and seed, and the major acid was linoleic acid in the flesh. Major organic acids were oxalic acid in the leaf, maleic acid in the flesh, and citric acid in the seed. Vitamin C content was higher in the seed than in the leaf and flesh.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2018

Improper disposal of herb residues in China has caused severe problems to the surrounding environment and human safety. Three herb residues, i.e., compound Kushen injection residues (CKI) and part one and part two of Qizhitongluo Capsule residues (QC1 and QC2, respectively), were used for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. The effect of the supplementation of corncobs (CC) with different herb residues on yield, nutritional composition, and antioxidant activity of P. ostreatus was investigated. Compared to the control, the higher mycelial growth rate was observed on substrates CC +30% CKI and CC +30% QC1, while the higher yield was obtained from substrates CC +30% QC2 and CC +30% CKI. Moreover, chemical analysis of fruit bodies revealed that the addition of herb residues to CC significantly increased proteins, amino acids, ashes, minerals (Na and Ca), and total phenolic contents but significantly reduced carbohydrates and $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH radicals. In addition, no heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) were detected in the fruiting bodies harvested from different substrate combinations. These results demonstrated that mixtures of CC with herb residues might be utilized as a novel, practical, and easily available substrate for the cultivation of P. ostreatus, which is beneficial for the effective management of herb residues.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

In this study, the nutritional compounds present in various parts of Hovenia dulcis Thunbergii (H. dulcis) were compared. Regarding the free sugar content, fruits exhibited the highest fructose concentration (9.42 g/100 g), whereas branches (2.46 g/100 g) and leaves (5.82 g/100 g) contained the highest glucose levels. The most common types of organic acids were citric and tartaric acids in the fruits, citric and malic acids in the branches, and malic and succinic acids in the leaves. The leaves exhibited the highest total amino acid content of 12,102.91 mg/100 g, whereas vitamin C is predominantly found in branches and leaves at 367.85 mg/100 g and 336.21 mg/100 g, respectively. In H. dulcis, β-carotene was present in high concentration in leaves (2.41 mg/100 g), whereas the branches (0.15 mg/100 g) and fruits (0.09 mg/100 g) contain smaller amounts of it. Vitamin E, α-tocopherol, was present in high concentrations in the fruit (11.01 mg/100 g), branches (6.61 mg/100 g), and leaves (11.01 mg/100 g).

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.313-317
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• 2018

This study investigated the nutritional composition of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo). Specifically vitamin C, minerals and amino acids content in green peppe were measured. The crude ash, crude protein, and crude fat contents of green pepper were found to be 0.64, 2.10 and 1.20 g/100 g, respectively. The ascorbic acid content in green pepper was 99.34 mg/100 g. The K content was found to be the highest with regard to mineral. This was followed by P, Mg, Na, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn which means green pepper is an alkali material. The K, P, Mg, Na, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn contents of green pepper found to be 980, 68.33, 60, 34.14, 30.88, 5.87, 5.25 and 3.07 mg/100 g respectively. The total amino acid content ranged from 7.0 to 1,625.3 mg/100 g, respectively. With regard to amino acid contents, arginine and citrulline were found to be abundant. From the results, green pepper could be suggested as beneficial for food processing.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.398-406
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• 2021

This study investigated on the nutritional components and physiological activity of four wild vegetables namely Salvia plebeia R. Br., Angelica acutiloba, Gynura procumbens and Saururus chinensis Baill for the development of representative wild vegetables in Chungbuk. Salvia plebeia possessed the highest radical scavenging activity and beta-carotene, but exhibited the lowest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to the other three vegetables. Angelica acutiloba showed high crude protein content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, but contained low total polyphenol content, radical scavenging ability and beta-carotene compared to the other three vegetables. Gynura procumbens showed high mineral content, beta-carotene, vitamin K1 content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, but showed the lowest total polyphenol content and radical scavenging ability compared to the other three vegetables. Saururus chinensis showed high crude fiber content and total polyphenol content, but contained the lowest mineral and vitamin K1 content. To conclude, it is suggested to use Salvia plebeia or Saururus chinensis as antioxidant food materials and Angelica acutiloba and Gynura procumbens as food materials and sources of α-glucosidase inhibitors. In particular, it is believed that Saururus chinensis, which possessed high content of crude fiber, is suitable for low-calorie food materials such as diet products.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find out the level of knowledge on sugar-related nutrition among mothers with preschool children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study conducted a survey on 350 mothers whose children attended daycare. The dietary lives of the children and the nutritional knowledge of the mothers on sugar were checked. In order to analyze results, SPSS 18.0 was used. ANOVA and t-test were also performed to analyze recognition and educational needs. RESULTS: When the degree of nutritional knowledge was measured and analyzed, the results showed about 11 average points out of 15. The higher a group's nutritional knowledge, the better the dietary habits and activities were and the activities were more ccommon. The group with a low level of nutritional knowledge consumed more foods with high sugar content, but this difference was not statistically significant. Also the children from the group of mothers that provided nutritional education to their children were more likely to engage in better dietary habits and activities. CONCLUSIONS: 66.5% respondents did not know about policies to reduce sugar consumption, but most indicated that education on reducing sugar consumption is needed. Therefore, a government-driven search for efficient methods to campaign and publicize sugar reduction is needed in order to continuously provide appropriate education.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.153-160
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• 2006

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an attractive reverse-genetics tool for studying gene function in plants. We showed that silencing of a phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene is maintained throughout TRV-PDS-inoculated tomato plants as well as in their flowers and fruit and is enhanced by low temperature ($15^{\circ}C$) and low humidity (30%). RT-PCR analysis of the PDS gene revealed a dramatic reduction in the level of PDS mRNA in leaves, flowers and fruits. Silencing of PDS results in the accumulation of phytoene, the desaturase substrate. In addition, the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll in the leaves of PDS-silenced plants was reduced by more than 90%. We also silenced the LeEIN2 gene by infecting seedlings, and this suppressed fruit ripenning. We conclude that this VIGS approach should facilitate large-scale functional analysis of genes involved in the development and ripening of tomato.