• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.76-83
• /
• 2006

Epidemiological studies have indicated that the ubiquitous consumption of seaweeds is a protective factor against some types of cancer. Previous results showed that the administration of seaweed powder or extract reduced the incidence rate of chemically induced tumorigenesis using in vivo animal model. Recently, we reported that the extracts of Gloiopeltis furcata, a kind of Korean edible seaweed, caused he cell growth inhibition of various human cancer cell lines, among them methanol extract exhibited a relatively strong antiproliferative activity. However, the molecular mechanisms of this seaweed in malignant cells have been poorly studied until now. To elucidate this problem, we investigated the effects of methanol extract of G. furcata (MEGF) on the growth inhibition in several human cancer cell lines, and further we analyzed the effects of this extract were tested on the activity of apoptosis induction in human leukemic cells. The results demonstrated that MEGF treatment resulted in the morphological changes and the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MEGF potently suppresses the growth of human leukemic U937 cells by induction of apoptosis, which was associated with induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) in a tumor suppressor p53-independent fashion and up-regulation of Fas/FasL system. Further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anticancer activity of MEGF. Once such compounds are identified, the mechanisms by which they exert their effects can begin to be characterized.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.19-31
• /
• 2021

Seaweeds are a potential source of minerals, essential amino acids, fatty acids, proteins, and various bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. The higher water content of seaweeds reduces the shelf life and this requires the appropriate drying method. The drying conditions play a major role in the conservation of nutrient composition in dried seaweeds. In recent years, the seaweed industry has used many different drying methods with advantages and limitations. Hybrid hot-water Goodle dryer (HHGD) which is a special dryer mixed with hot-water and a Korean traditional heating system (Goodlejang) might be a solution to avoid these limitations. The present study evaluated the effect of drying conditions in HHGD on nutrient composition and bioactivities of brown seaweeds. Moreover, freeze-dryer (FD) and HHGD were employed in this study to compare the dried outputs obtained from four brown seaweed species. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the hybrid hot-water Goodle drying method (HHGDM) on the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of dried seaweeds. AOAC standard methods were used to analyze the proximate composition of dried samples and their 70% ethanol extract. The intracellular and extracellular antioxidant activities were evaluated using Vero cells and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer respectively. High performance liquid chromatography, apoptotic body formation, and in-vivo experiments were used for further confirmation of the quality of dried output. The proximate composition results obtained from drying in HHGD and FD did not exhibit any significant difference. Moreover, the seaweed extracts from the dried seaweeds by HHGD and FD dryings were also not different and both significantly down-regulated in-vivo and in-vitro oxidative stress. Furthermore, the high performance liquid chromatography results revealed that the two dryers did not make the major peaks different in the chromatograms. Freeze-drying method (FDM) provides elevated quality for dried output, but there are limitations such as high cost and low capacity. The results from a novel HHGD did not provide any significant difference with the results in FD and expressed a potential to avoid the limitations in FD. Overall, these findings solidified the applicability of HHGD over FD.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.990-998
• /
• 2015

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and potential inhibitory effects from four types of edible domestic brown seaweeds, Undaria pinnatifida (UP), Laminaria japonica (LJ), Sargassum fulvellum (SF), and Hizikia fusiforme (HF), on preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cell line. Water and ethanol extracts from the four types of seaweeds were prepared and tested for cell viability in the 3T3-L1 cell line by using MTT assay. In addition, various doses of the water extract of seaweeds (WES) and ethanol extract of seaweeds (EES) were treated at the beginning of 3T3-L1 differentiation and continued until the cells were fully differentiated to adipocytes. Oil Red-O staining was performed to determine the potential cell differentiation inhibitory effects of the WES and EES by measuring the levels of lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced by WESs of UP, LJ, and HF as well as EESs of LJ and HF. As a result, we observed the superior cell differentiation inhibitory effects of WES compared to that of EES in a dose-dependent manner without any significant cytotoxicity in mouse adipocytes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.21 no.8
• /
• pp.791-795
• /
• 2011

Sea tangle, a kind of brown seaweed, was fermented with Lactobacillus brevis BJ-20. The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in fermented sea tangle (FST) was 5.56% (w/w) and GABA in total free amino acid of FST was 49.5%. The effect of FST on the enzyme activities and mRNA protein expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) involved in alcohol metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Yeast was cultured in YPD medium supplemented with different concentrations of FST powder [0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.0% (w/v)] for 18 h. FST had no cytotoxic effect on the yeast growth. The highest activities and protein expressions of ADH and ALDH from the cell-free extracts of S. cerevisiae were evident with the 0.4% and 0.8% (w/v) FST-supplemented concentrations, respectively. The highest concentrations of GABA as well as minerals (Zn, Ca, and Mg) were found in the cell-free extracts of S. cerevisiae cultured in medium supplemented with 0.4% (w/v) FST. The levels of GABA, Zn, Ca, and Mg in S. cerevisiae were strongly correlated with the enzyme activities of ADH and ALDH in yeast. These results indicate that FST can enhance the enzyme activities and protein expression of ADH and ALDH in S. cerevisiae.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.341-349
• /
• 2018

Sargassum horneri is edible brown seaweed abundant along the coasts of Jeju Island, South Korea. In addition to the native S. horneri population, a large amount of S. horneri has been found to invade Jeju Island from the east coast of China. Thus, S. horneri of both Korea (SK) and China (SC) strains now inhabits along with the shore of Jeju Island and have become a threat to the coastal biodiversity. However, they could be used in obtaining functional ingredients for industrial level applications provided an optimized cost effective strategy. In the present study, we compared SK and SC strains for the extraction efficiency, components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of 80% methanolic extracts and their partially purified fractions. According to the results, two strains indicated similar bioactive properties such as DPPH and alkyl radical scavenging activity as well as anti-inflammatory activities on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The yield of 80% methanol extract from SC was higher than SK. However, the yields of the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions from SK were higher than those of SC strain. The major peaks in the high-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms, which was identified as Apo-9 fucoxanthinone, indicated that both methanolic extracts of SK and SC contains major target peaks but with different amounts. This study might be useful for developing functional materials from SC and SK in future.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.384-393
• /
• 2021

Recently, due to environmental and toxicity issues, there has been increasing attention on research regarding natural products that can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Wood extracts derived from the biorefining process contain various fertilizer ingredients. HPLC analysis revealed that wood extract contains approximately 5.2% hemicellulosic sugar. The growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) upon treatment with wood extract (extract obtained from steam-exploded pine) or water-soluble fertilizers containing different nutrients was analyzed in this study. After two weeks, the growth characteristics of lettuce as affected by wood extract or water-soluble fertilizers were significantly different. The effect of water-soluble fertilizers containing ascorbic acid, magnesium sulfate, citric acid, potassium nitrate, amino acids, or seaweed extract was less desirable than that of wood extracts regarding plant height (18.6 cm), number of leaves (10), leaf length (14.1 cm), shoot fresh wight (9.8 g/plant), root fresh weight (0.8 g/plant) and shoot dry weight (0.6 g/plant). The plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, shoot fresh wight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight of water-soluble fertilizers containing wood extract were significantly different compared to the control (plant height :13.5 cm, number of leaves : 7, leaf length : 9.4 cm, shoot fresh wight : 5.3 g/plant, root fresh weight : 0.7 g/plant, shoot dry weight : 0.4 g/plant, root dry weight : 0.07 g/plant). From these results, it was concluded that wood extract can be used as a potential water-soluble fertilizer to increase the yield of leafy vegetables.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Laver (Porphyra tenera), a red algae species, is one of the most widely consumed edible seaweed in Korea. Laver contains various substances such as essential amino acid, fiber, minerals and polyphenols that benefit human health. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from commercially processed product of Porphyra tenera, and evaluated the growth inhibitory effect against human oral squamous carcinoma YD-10B cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry with the green fluorescent dye FITC annexin V entering apoptotic cells and the red fluorescent dye PI not entering. The expression of the relevant proteins was detected using Western blot. Results : Ethanol extracts of Porphyra tenera (PTE, $50-200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) caused a significant decrease of cell viability in a dose dependant manner. The cell death occurred as a result of apoptotic process as determined by TUNEL assay and flow cytometric analysis. In line with this observation, decrease in procaspase proteins and increase in cytosolic cytochrome c were observed in cells treated with PTE. In addition, exposure to PTE decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2, and induced PARP cleavage and AIF translocation from mitochondria to nucleus. Conclusions : In conclusion, PTE exerts anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis via caspase activation and AIF nuclear translocation in YD-10B cells. These results provide evidence for the possible therapeutic effect of Porphyra tenera in oral cancer cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.12
• /
• pp.1924-1929
• /
• 2013

Hizikia fusiforme (seaweed fusiforme) has long been used as a food source mainly in Korea and Japan. This study was performed to evaluate the immunomodulative effects of Hizikia fusiforme in mice. Hizikia fusiforme water extracts (0, 50, and 500 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administrated into the mice every other day, for four weeks. The proliferation of splenocytes, as well as the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$) secreted by activated macrophages were measured. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in the experimental groups compared to that of the control group. Also, the mice with Hizikia fusiforme water extracts supplementation in both concentrations showed increased levels of cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages compared to those in the control group. The highest levels of cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) production were observed in the 50 mg/kg b.w. supplementation group stimulated by LPS for all three cytokines. The results of this study showed that the supplementation of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and the cytokine production by activated macrophages. Further studies are needed to identify the stimulative and immunomodulating components of Hizikia fusiforme.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 1997

To confirm the possibility of seaweed extracts for functional food, water or ethyl alcohol solubles were extracted from laver, Porphyra yezoensis and evaluated those food components such as proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, taurine, pigments and browning extent. The amount of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids extracted decreased with increasing ethyl alcohol concentration, which was maximal when water was used as extraction solvent. The extractability of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids was different between the dried and the roasted laver. Taurine was extracted about 1% from the dried and the roasted laver in the range of o~7o% ethyl alcohol concentration. The amount of carotenoids extracted by 95% ethyl alcohol from the dried and the roasted laver were 146.6 and 138.4mg%, respectively, which was 66 ~ 80% of yield extracted by methanol/acetone(1/1) solvent. The browning value of 50 ~6o% ethyl alcohol extraction group from roasted laver was highest among water/ethyl alcohol extraction group. The extraction yield was maximum when laver was extracted with water, and the value was 26.3% for the dried laver and 27.5% for the roasted layer. Organoleptic characteristics from four kinds of extraction groups containing hot water extraction showed that extracts from the roasted laver were evaluated most eminent and thought to be applicable to various preparation of food.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1420-1427
• /
• 2012

We investigated the physiological activity and solvent-partitioned fractions of methanol extracts from the green seaweed Sargassum fulvellum. The methanol extract from S. fulvellum was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane (SFMH), methanol (SFMM), buthanol (SFMB), and water (SFMA). We investigated the antioxidant activities of solvent fractions from S. fulvellum by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and an SOD activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging capacity of SFMM was 79.5% at 10 mg/ml. SOD activity of SFMM was 79.9% at 10 mg/ml. Nitrite scavenging activities of solvent fractions from S. fulvellum were investigated under different pH conditions and showed the most remarkable effect at pH 1.2. In particular, the activity of SFMB was higher than the other fractions. ADH activity and ALDH activity of SFMM were 177.0% and 167.4% at 10 mg/ml, respectively. ${\alpha}$-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of SFMH increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 94.1% at 2 mg/ml. Elastase inhibitory activity was 93.2% at 2 mg/ml. These results revealed that S. fulvellum extracts have strong antioxidant and alcohol dehydrogenase activities and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity, suggesting that S. fulvellum extracts have potential as a source of natural products for health and beauty.