• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.348-353
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• 2003

Generally, two different types of fructose polymer are found in nature. One is inulin, whose fructosyl residues are linked mainly by a ${\beta}-(2,1)-linkage$, while the other is high-molecular-weight levan, whose fructosyl residues are linked mainly by a ${\beta}-(2,6)-linkage$. In contrast to the extensive studies on the prebiotic properties of inulin, there has been no report on the effect of levan on the large bowel microflora in viva. Therefore, to examine whether dietary levan can be used as a prebiotic, Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed one of two diets for 3 weeks: 1) basal diet plus sucrose; 2) basal diet plus 10% (wt/wt) levan. The cecal bowel mass, cecal and colon short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), pH, and microflora were then compared. The intake of the levan-containing diet significantly increased the total cecal weight and wall weight. The analyses of the SCFAs in the cecal and colonic contents revealed that levan was converted into acetate, butyrate, and lactate, which resulted in acidic conditions. The intake of levan also significantly increased the total number of microorganisms by 5-fold and lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) 30-fold in the feces. Accordingly, the current work shows that levan can be used as a prebiotic for stimulating the growth of LAB in an animal model.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the potential prebiotic activity of an extract from yacon tuberous root on the growth of probiotic strains Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Results showed that the amount of fructooligosaccharides per 100 g fresh root was the highest (7.60 g), followed by sucrose (0.72 g), fructose (0.34 g), and glucose (0.26 g). The in vitro culture test of intestinal beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacterium longum BORI, B. bifidum BGN4, and B. lactis AD011 showed effective growth on the MRS-Yacon medium containing yacon extract, whereas the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus AD031, L. plantarum BH02, and L. fermentum BH03 did not differ from that of the control groups. In particular, B. longum BORI showed better growth than the control group after 10 h of incubation. These results indicate that yacon can be a natural prebiotic source of fructooligosaccharides, which can exert a prebiotic effect on intestinal microflora by selectively enriching Bifidobacterium.

• Bulletin of Food Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2002

장내 균총 개선을 위하여 조합시킨 prebiotics와 probiotics는 최고의 건강 증진을 제공할 잠재성을 갖지만, 알맞은 균주선발이 필수적이다. 기능성 식품시장은 연간 15∼20% 성장하고 있고, 그 산업은 33백만 달러의 값어치가 있다(Hilliam, 2000). 기능성 식품은 nutraceuticals, designer foods, medicinal foods, therapeutic foods,superfoods, foodiceuticals와 medifoods로 알려져 있고 그 정의는 전통적인 영양소개념을 넘어선 건강증진 성분을 함유한 식품이라고 할 수 있다(Berner와 O'Donnell,1998). 식품은 phytochemicals, bioactive peptides, $\omega$-3 불포화 지방산, 그리고probiotics 또는 기능성을 갖게 되는 prebiotics의 부가에 의하여 변형될 수 있다(Berner와 O'Donnell, 1998)(표 1). 장관에서 살수 없는 균을 함유한 요구르트의 경우와 같은 다양한 발효 낙농식품 제조에 젖산균을 사용한 이래, 오늘날에는 발효식품에Lactobacillus acidophilus와 bifidobacteria 같은 probiotic 균을 사용하는 경향이다. Probiotic 식품은 살아 있는 미생물을 함유한 식품이고, 그 미생물은 충분한 양이살아 있는 상태로 장 속에 공급되었을 때에 미생물 균총을 개선하여 소비자 건강을 증진시키는 것이라고 할 수 있다(Fuller, 1992). 전통적으로, probiotics는 요구르트와 기타 발효식품에 사용되어 왔지만, 최근에는 드링크, 알약형, 캡슐형, 동결건조물과 같은 형태로도 공급되고 있다. 오늘날, 전세계에 sour cream, buttermilk, 요구르트, 분유와 frozen desserts 같은 식품에 bifidus acidophilus를 함유한 제품이 70개를 넘고 있으며, 일본에서만도 probiotic 미생물을 함유한 형태의 우유제품이 53종류 이상 개발되어 있다. Probiotics는 유럽에서도 매우 인기가 있지만, 주로 요구르트에 한정되어 사용되고 있다(Hilliam, 2000).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1141-1145
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• 2008

Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) is a promising dietary component with prebiotic effect, and the long-chain IMOs are preferred to short chain ones owing to the longer persistence in the colon. To establish the optimal process for synthesis of long-chain IMOs, we systematically examined the reaction condition of dextransucrase of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512F by changing the ratio of sucrose to maltose (varying as 1:4, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) and amount of each sugar (from 2% to 20%). As a result, a ratio of 2:1 (sucrose to maltose, 10:5% or 20:10%, w/v) was determined as an optimal condition for long-chain IMO synthesis (DP3-DP9) with relatively higher yields (70-90%, respectively).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.22-26
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• 2004

A self-replicating RNA ligase ribozyme was converted to a cross-catalytic format whereby two ribozymes direct each other's synthesis from a total of four component substrates. Each ribozyme binds two RNA substrates and catalyzes their ligation to form the opposing ribozyme. The two ribozymes are not perfectly complementary, as is the case for replicating nucleic acid genomes in biology. Rather, the ribozymes contain both template elements, which are complementary, and catalytic elements, which are identical. The specificity of the template interactions allows the cross-catalytic pathway to dominate over all other reaction pathways. In the presence of $2{\mu}M$ each of the corresponding substrates, one ribozyme catalyzes the synthesis of the second ribozyme with an initial rate of $6.8{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-1}$, while the second ribozyme catalyzes the synthesis of the first with an initial rate of $2.9{\times}10^{-3}min{-1}$. As the concentration of the two ribozymes increases, the rate of formation of additional ribozyme molecules increases, consistent with the overall autocatalytic behavior of the reaction system. Here, I present results that possibly demonstrate a clue for a self-replicating molecule by showing an RNA ligase ribozyme, which is reminiscent of 'Prebiotic Era'.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.522-530
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• 2013

The ability of probiotics to adhere to the intestinal epithelium likely plays an important role in their colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we performed high-throughput screening (HTS) for suitable characteristics of potential probiotic bacteria using attachment and colonization ability through a C. elegans surrogate in vivo model. A total of 100 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from infant feces were subjected to the colonization assay using C. elegans intestine. Based on colonization ability, we showed that nine isolates have a high attachment ability during whole experimental periods (up to 168 h), compared to Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG as a control. Also, through the use of an in vitro cell attachment model, nine isolates revealed highly binding activity to the mucus layer. Next, the selected 9 isolates were assayed for their survival ability when exposed to acidic and bile conditions as well as cholesterol reduction and the utilization of prebiotic substrates. As a result, the isolated nine strains were determined to be highly resistant to acid and bile conditions. In addition, they have significant activity for the reduction of cholesterol and utilization of several prebiotic substrates as a carbon source. Finally, the selected nine strains were identified by either L. rhamnosus or L. plantarum (4 strains for L. rhamnosus and 5 strains for L. plantarum, respectively). Taken together, we propose that the direct colonization of probiotics using C. elegans may be applicable to the rapid screening of valuable probiotic strains in vivo.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1343-1354
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• 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disorder that causes chronic itch. We investigated the inhibitory effects of a mixture of prebiotic short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS), inulin, or β-glucan on AD development in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. Mice were randomly assigned to six groups: untreated mice, AD control, positive control (DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of Zyrtec), and DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of prebiotics such as scGOS/lcFOS (T1), inulin (T2), or β-glucan (T3). The prebiotic treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) showed suppression of AD symptoms, Th2 cell differentiation, and AD-like skin lesions induced by DNCB. In addition, prebiotic treatment also reduced the number of microorganisms such as Firmicutes, which is associated with AD symptoms, and increased the levels of Bacteroidetes and Ruminococcaceae, which are associated with alleviation of AD symptoms. Our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effects of prebiotics on AD development by improving the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and beneficial symbiotic microorganisms in in vitro and in vivo models.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.470-476
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• 2010

The resistant dextrin NUTRIOSE$^{(R)}$, developed from starch, is expected to act as a prebiotic. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of NUTRIOSE$^{(R)}$ on cecal parameters, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and fecal excretion in rats. In an initial experiment, twenty-four male Fischer F344 rats were randomly assigned to one of the following four treatments for 14 days: G0 (control diet), G2.5 (control diet+2.5% of dextrin), G5 (control diet + 5% of dextrin), and G10 (control diet + 10% of dextrin). After 14 days, total cecal weight, cecal content, and cecal wall weight were significantly increased in G5 and G10 compared to G0. At the same time, cecal pH was significantly lower in G10 compared to G0. Total SCFA concentration was significantly higher in G10 than in G5, G2.5, and G0, and significantly higher in G5 than in G0. Acetate, butyrate, and propionate concentrations were significantly increased in G5 and G10 compared to the controls. In a second trial based on a similar design, eighteen male Fischer F344 rats were treated with a control diet supplemented with 5% of dextrin or 5% of fructo-oligosaccharide. The results obtained with NUTRIOSE$^{(R)}$ were similar to those obtained with the fructo-oligosaccharide. In a third experiment, two groups of 5 Fischer F344 rats were orally treated with 100 and 1,000 mg/kg NUTRIOSE$^{(R)}$, respectively, and from 18% to 25% of the dextrin was excreted in the feces. The results of these three studies show that the consumption of NUTRIOSE$^{(R)}$, by its effects on total cecal weight, cecal content, cecal wall weight, pH, and SCFA production, could induce healthy benefits since these effects are reported to be prebiotic effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1904-1915
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• 2019

Resistant starch (RS) is metabolized by gut microbiota and involved in the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are related to a variety of physiological and health effects. Therefore, the availability of RS as a prebiotic is a topic of interest, and research on gut bacteria that can decompose RS is also important. The objectives in this study were 1) to isolate a human gut bacterium having strong degradation activity on non-gelatinized RS, 2) to characterize its RS-degrading characteristics, and 3) to investigate its probiotic effects, including a growth stimulation effect on other gut bacteria and an immunomodulatory effect. Bifidobacterium adolescentis P2P3 showing very strong RS granule utilization activity was isolated. It can attach to RS granules and form them into clusters. It also utilizes high-amylose corn starch granules up to 63.3%, and efficiently decomposes other various types of commercial RS without gelatinization. In a coculture experiment, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29148, isolated from human feces, was able to grow using carbon sources generated from RS granules by B. adolescentis P2P3. In addition, B. adolescentis P2P3 demonstrated the ability to stimulate secretion of Th1 type cytokines from mouse macrophages in vitro that was not shown in other B. adolescentis. These results suggested that B. adolescentis P2P3 is a useful probiotic candidate, having immunomodulatory activity as well as the ability to feed other gut bacteria using RS as a prebiotic.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2007

In order to extend the viability of aerotolerant Bifidobacterium animalis DY-64, fructooligosaccharide was added to kimchi containing the bifidobacteria. Baechu-kimchi made with Chinese cabbage was prepared with B. animalis DY-64 and fructooligosaccharide. Physicochemical and microbial changes of the kimchi were evaluated during fermentation at $4^{\circ}C$. Bifidobacteria survived longer in kimchi containing fructooligosaccharide than in kimchi not containing the oligosaccharide. The viable cell counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. and the organic acid content of fructooligosaccharide-added kimchi were higher than those of bifidobacteria or conventional kimchi. The sour taste and sourness of fructooligosaccharide-added kimchi were as high as that of conventional kimchi. These results show that the addition of prebiotic fructooligosaccharide in kimchi enhanced the viability of bifidobacteria during functional kimchi fermentation.