• KSBB Journal
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.367-374
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• 2012

Cigarette smoking (SM) is considered to be well known environmental toxin which contributes to the onset of various diseases. SM cause direct lungs damage, activate lungs inflammatory responses, and in some cases leads to the development of lung cancer. Cytokines in injured starfish (Asterina pectinifera) is the potential changes in its expression during the regeneration process. Especially, expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ has increased in arm cut starfish extract after eight days. Also, starfish including saponin like the ginseng. Saponin is widely used in the world because of some effective pharmacological activities. Therefore, the current study was designed to elucidate the pharmacological activities of starfish extract against cigarette smoking induced damage in cell line and pulmonary tissue. We investigate that the effect of eight days starfish extract after arm cut (8d) and intact starfish extract on cell line and mouse lung injury by SM. In cell proliferation analysis, although cigarette smoking extract (CSE) was co-treated, the higher proliferation ability is shown in 8d treatment than intact starfish extract. 8d and intact starfish extract was directly transported to pulmonary cells through respiratory organ by nebulizer inhalation. In this case of cigarette smoking, the pulmonary structure was damaged and functions become abnormal. However, 8d treated groups showed similar with the control group compared with SM group. Among them, 8d was proved to be more effective than intact starfish extract. These results demonstrate that 8d could more protect pulmonary structure and function than intact starfish extract against cigarette smoking by ginseng like saponin and regulation of inflammatory cytokines.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.135-148
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the bioavailability of calcium derived from starfish as a new calcium source. Four-week old Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided 6 groups. The rats were received experimental diets containing two kinds of Ca sources, CaCO₃ or starfish, and three levels of Ca, low (0.1 %), medium (0.5%) and high (1.0%), respectively, for 6 weeks. The parameters which related to Ca bioavailability were measured : Serum Ca concentration, Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and GOT activities ; tissue Ca contents, bone dimension and Ca, P, Mg contents; Ca retention and apparent absorption. Starfish Ca-fed rats did not show any difference from CaCO₃-fed rats in terms of growth, food intake and FER. Serum Ca, ALP and GOT activities as well as tissue Ca contents were not different between CaCO₃- and starfish Ca-fed groups. Although dimension of femur and lumbar was not different between CaCO₃- and starfish Ca-fed rats, ash content was high in starfish Ca-fed rats. Ca and P contents of femur and lumbar were not different between both groups. Starfish Ca-fed groups showed higher Mg contents than CaCO₃-fed groups in both femur and lumbar. Ca absorption rate and retention rate were significantly higher in starfish Ca-fed rats. These results indicate that Ca derived starfish did not show any negative effect on growth and Ca metabolism of rats compared to calcium carbonate. Starfish Ca can be recommended as a good Ca source on the basis of higher Ca absorption and bioavailability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2015

Starfish, a species of Echinoderm, is widely known as a predator on benthic invertebrate. A series of fishing experiments was carried out in the western coastal waters of Korea from September, 2011 to November, 2012, using the drum-shaped pots of different mesh sizes (17.1, 24.8, 35.3, 39.8, and 48.3 mm) to describe the composition of the catch species and the mesh selectivity of the pot for starfish. Some species including fish, crab, and starfish were caught in the experimental pots. The SELECT (Share Each Length's Catch Total) method was applied to describe the selectivity of the pot for starfish Asterina pectinifera. The master selection curve was estimated to be s(R) = exp(10.358R-4.086) / [1+exp(10.358R-4.086)], where R is the ratio of arm length to mesh size. The relative arm length of 50% retention was 0.395, and the selection range was 0.212. The results should be helpful to understand the relationship between the catch size of starfish and the mesh size of pot.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.727-734
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• 2012

For developing calcium supplement from the harmful marine organism starfish, the physiochemical property of the powdered starfish skeletal plate and the hydrolysis condition of the starfish digestive enzyme were studied. The optimal hydrolysis condition of the starfish digestive enzymes was at $55^{\circ}C$ for 12 h. The bulk densities of the powdered starfish skeletal plates of Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera were $1.1{\pm}0.0$ and $1.2{\pm}0.0g/cm^3$, respectively. As for the median size, the values were 10.738 and $11.799{\mu}m$, respectively. According to the added concentration of sodium polyacrylate, the dispersibility rate of the powdered starfish skeletal plate was shown to be 6h at 0.0%, 3 days at 0.1%, 20 days at 0.2%, and until 30 days at 0.4%. The elementary composition of the powdered starfish skeletal plates from A. amurensis and A. pectinifera mainly consisted of calcium, and it formed 98.95 and 98.52% of the powdered starfish skeletal plates, respectively. The results of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that they were present in the form of $CaCO_3$. Based on these results, it is suggested that starfish skeletal plate can be utilized as a functional material for a calcium supplement.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.681-687
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• 2004

This study was focused on the manufacturing method of a dewatering aid, which would reduce the water content of the sludge cake by enhancing the dewaterability of sewage sludge. The pretreatment technology for sludge by using radiation and among diverse discarded resources were starfish selected as the material to manufacture the dewatering aid. Starfish went through the process of washing, drying, and pulverizing. The starfish powder made in this process was applied to the digested sludge generated at the sewage treatment plant of D City, and its effects were investigated. The starfish powder that was 300 ${\mu}m$ in particle size was added to the irradiated digested sludge. After the application of the condensation process, the sludge with the starfish powder added was dewatered using the belt press and centrifuge, which were the traditional pressure dewatering devices. As the result, it reduced the water content of the sludge 20% higher than the dewatered cake with no dewatering aid added and irradiation. When the powder was added, it contributed to less use of the coagulant added. The more irradiation dose, the lower water content did the dewatered cake have and the more coagulant was needed for condensation, which seems to be a disadvantage that can be compensated for by the starfish dewatering aid. A small-scaled treatment of the study to a radiation technology and dewatering aid using a discarded resource confirmed the potential of dewaterability. Based on the results saying that the dewatering aid and radiation technology can improve dewatering effects using the traditional dewatering devices, this pretreatment technology will be expected to be applied to sewage treatment plants.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2014

The present study was performed to examine the contraction and relaxation responses of the smooth muscles, and search for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in the tissues, of the starfish Asterina pectinifera. Frozen samples were extracted with distilled water containing 1% acetic acid. Extracts from all tissues showed potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli D31. Relatively high levels of antimicrobial activity were also detected in the body extracts. Liver, tube feet, and body extracts caused contraction responses in the dorsal retractor muscles (DRM) of the starfish. In contrast, all tissues examined exhibited contractile activity in the esophagus of squid Todarodes pacificus. In addition, liver and gonad extracts caused contraction responses upon application to the intestine of the puffer fish Takifugu pardalis. Relaxation effects on the DRM of starfish were identified in most of the extracts, while no relaxant activity was detected in body extracts. Extracts from all tissues examined also exhibited antioxidant activities. The results of this study suggest that starfish are a potential source of novel bioactive compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.978-985
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• 2012

Starfish are a critical problem for fishermen since they eat every farming product including shellfish. The number of starfish is increasing dramatically because they have no natural enemy underwater. We consider the concept of capturing starfish using a semi-autonomous robot. A new underwater robot design to capture starfish is proposed using cooperation between humans and the robot. A requirements list for the robot is developed and two conceptual designs are proposed. Each robot is designed as a modular platform. The kinematic and dynamic performance of each robot is analyzed and compared. This study is a starting point for developing a starfish capture robot and designing underwater robots for other applications. In the near future, a prototype will be assembled and tested in a marine environment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.572-578
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• 2022

An organism's physiological processes and behaviors are regulated by neuropeptides and hormone peptides. The first neuropeptide identified from echinoderms is SALMFamide. The two most well-studied SALMFamide neuropeptides are S1 and S2, which possess myoactivity on apical muscle, tube feet, and the cardiac stomach of starfishes. However, neuropeptide candidates identified from SALMFamide's precursor protein sequence have not been investigated. This study aims to compare the bioactivity of SALMFamide neuropeptides from the starfish Asterias rubens using various starfish muscle preparations. In this study, the bioactivity of the L-type SALMFamide neuropeptides from the starfish A. rubens, AYHTGLPFamide (SALMFa-A) and the derivative AYHSALMFamide (SALMFa-B) was investigated. The neuropeptides were applied on Asterias amurensis apical muscle, tube feet, which revealed that the neuropeptides exhibit relaxing activity on apical muscle but no activity on tube feet. The native SALMFa-A peptide had lower relaxing activity on the apical muscle compared to the derivative peptide SALMFa-B. The relaxing activity of two neuropeptides also was compared with those on the apical muscle of Patiria pectinifera, which revealed relaxing activity as well as SALMFamide-S1 and S2 neuropeptides. Moreover, the investigation of SALMFa-A and SALMFa-B peptides' bioactivity on P. pectinifera cardiac stomach muscle also showed slight relaxing activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 1997

In order to exterminate effectively starfish, Asterias amurensis inhabited a village fishing grounds and shellfish farms on coast of Korea, Mop and sledge gear were made and sea trials for capture efficiency of starfish by each gear and towing distance were carried out by commercial dredger on the coast of Keojedo from April to May in 1995. As Starfish mop and sledge were slowly dragged over the bottom at the same time, starfish became entangled in bunches of twine and netting respectively. The gears were hauled up at intervals to remove the starfish and hand-picking operations on vessel were conducted. The results obtained are as follows : Two gears were smoothly slidden over the sea bottom and captured numerous starfish. The optimal towing distance by each gear was 300 to 500 m.The capture efficiency of starfish species by sledge was 57% compared with 43% of that by mop but mixed rate with fish or shellfish of the former was 21 times as high as that of the letter. It was concluded from sea trials that moping was effective in shellfish farms, because the mop outfit causes little damage to useful shellfishes and the mixture of starfish with fish or shellfish was low, whereas sledging can be used to clean uncultivated areas free of shellfish where starfish population is very heavy and common fishing grounds in which bottom material is rock or gravel.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2007

To evaluate the feed value of starfish, antimicrobial effects of its extract, nutrients contents, concentration of amino acids and its bioavailability were tested. Steaming and ether processes were applied to obtain the extract from starfish for antimicrobial effects examination. The starfish was dried at $60^{\circ}C$ for 3 days before grinding for processing and fermentation. Ground starfish(GS), extruded starfish(ES), fermented starfish(EFS) were added with enzyme and without enzyme(Non enzyme fermented starfish : NEFS). Then the nutrient composition and bioavailability of those were analyzed. The extract from starfish showed no inhibition of the growth of lactobacillus and pathogenic bacteria. Protein content showed significantly higher 62.86% and 52.82%, respectively in EFS and NEFS than GS and EGS(p<0.05). The Ca content of GS, EGS, EFS and NEFS was 17.26%, 18.26%, 5.37% and 8.55%, respectively. It was low in EFS and NEFS due to measure the Ca content after fermentation. Total amino acid was 17.17 mg/g, 20.28 mg/g, 36.30 mg/g and 29.96 mg/g in GS, EGS, EFS and NEFS, respectively. The ratio of total amino acid to protein tended to show the similar tendency as total amino acid. Both total amino acid and its ratio to protein were increased by the fermentation. Bioavailability of the protein and Ca showed more 80% in EFS and NEFS. The nutrients availability of EFS were significantly higher in laying hens than other treatments. The results of these experiments indicate that starfish would be applied as a feed ingredients if it was properly treated.