• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.735-746
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with lifestyle factors, including diet and nutritional intake. Modern trends show a shift in food consumption from healthy home-cooked meals to processed and instant foods. Therefore, this study analyzed the association between ultra-processed food intake and the development of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013-2018. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects of this study were 17,414 adults aged 19-80 years who participated in the 6th-7th KNHANES. Processed food was classified into four categories, NOVA1 to NOVA4, using 24-h recall data. The higher the NOVA category, the more processed the food. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. RESULTS: Among the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.85; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) and high triglycerides (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.94; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) showed a correlation with the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods. The OR for metabolic syndrome, according to the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods, is shown only for men. The OR showed that the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods were associated with increased metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods raises the risk of metabolic syndrome especially among men. To prevent metabolic syndrome, it is necessary to prepare appropriate dietary guidelines for Korean adults.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.14-26
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• 2024

Ultra-processed foods, falling under group 4 of the Nova classification system, are manufactured from processed food ingredients such as oils, fats, sugars, starch, and protein isolates, containing minimal to no whole food. They commonly incorporate flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and various cosmetic additives to enhance their palatability. Ultra-processed foods have become increasingly prevalent in contemporary society owing to their convenience, affordability, extended shelf life, and enhanced taste and aroma through additives. This surge in the consumption of ultra-processed foods has sparked discussions regarding its adverse health effects. Numerous studies have highlighted that an increased intake of ultra-processed foods elevates the risk of metabolic disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes, along with an increased risk of various cancers. Moreover, its association with an increased mortality risk underscores the importance of recognizing that opting for these foods based solely on taste and convenience is risky. Thus, by recognizing dietary habits as modifiable factors that can prevent health issues, maintaining a balanced diet with diverse nutrient intakes is crucial for overall health. Therefore, raising awareness and understanding of ultra-processed food consumption can significantly contribute to promoting healthy lifestyles.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.455-467
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• 2022

Objectives: In this study, we suggest a Korean NOVA food classification that can be applied to food consumption among Korean. Based on this suggestion, the nutritional intake of Korean adults from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was estimated. Methods: Korean commercial food was categorized based on the NOVA food classification criteria through the Korea Food Code and expert meetings. Then, the nutrient intake status of 6,991 participants in the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed according to the food processing level. Then, 4,152 adult participants (age 19-65) were divided into quartiles on the basis of their intake of UPFs, and the nutrient intakes from UPFs were compared. Results: Korean NOVA Food Classification defines with priority Group I (Unprocessed/ Minimally processed foods) and Group II (Processed culinary ingredients) foods based on the food cooking or consumption. Then, Group III (Processed foods) and Group IV (UPFs) are classified according to whether the characteristics of the raw materials used are maintained or whether the food was consumed before the 1970s. Our analysis results showed that most of the calories in the diet were consumed by Group I (52.7%), followed by Group IV (29.3%). After categorization of the adult participants into four groups according to their energy consumption from UPFs, we found that the highest consumption group (Q4) was younger and had higher percentage of men than women. The comparative analysis of the consumption of ultra-processed foods by Korean adults revealed that participants of a younger age and men consumed higher energy from UPFs than older participants and women, respectively (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the larger intake of UPFs was associated with an increasing trend for a higher intake of energy, sugar, saturated fat (P for trend < 0.001), total fat (P for trend = 0.021), and sodium (P for trend = 0.005), whereas the intake of carbohydrate, protein, and dietary fiber had a decreasing trend (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: With the current increase in the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods, it is important to carefully consider not only nutrient intake but also the level of food processing.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2024

Objectives: This study examined the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and chronic diseases in elderly Koreans. Methods: Data from the 2019-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Dietary intake and UPF consumption were assessed using the NOVA food classification based on 24-hour recall data from 3,790 participants (aged 65+ years). Participants were divided into 4 groups based on the quartile of energy intake from UPFs. Regions were classified as urban or rural. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after controlling for potential confounders. Results: Among the participants, 71.3% resided in urban and 28.7% in rural areas. Compared to the urban elderly, rural participants tended to be older, have lower education and income levels, be more likely to live in single-person households, and have a higher smoking rate (P < 0.05). Urban elderly consumed more UPFs daily (146.1 g) compared to rural residents (126.6 g; P < 0.05). "Sugar-sweetened beverages" were the most consumed category in both regions. "Sweetened milk and its products" and "traditional sauces" were prominent in urban areas, while rural elderly consumed more "traditional sauces" and "distilled alcoholic beverages." Rural areas also had a higher carbohydrate-to-calorie ratio than urban areas. Compared to the lowest quartile of UPF intake, the highest quartile was significantly associated with impaired fasting glucose only in rural areas (AOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.00-2.19; P for trend = 0.0014). No significant associations were observed for diabetes in either urban or rural areas. Conclusions: This study suggests that high intake of UPFs is associated with increased odds of impaired fasting glucose in rural elderly. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific negative health effects of UPFs in different populations, and targeted efforts should promote healthy diets in both urban and rural areas.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.476-488
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary sugars intake worldwide is stable or decreasing, but overall sugars intake remains above the recommended level. Some studies suggest that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) drive excessive sugars intake. However, UPF consumption in Korea and its association with sugars intake have not yet been studied. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of UPF consumption to total sugars intake and to investigate the association between UPF consumption and total sugars intake in Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018 were used, and included data on 21,075 participants aged 1+ years completed a 24-h recall. Food items reported in the 24-h recall were classified according to the NOVA system as UPFs, processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, or unprocessed or minimally processed foods. RESULTS: The average daily energy intake was 1,996 kcal, and UPFs accounted for 26.2% of the total energy intake (% TE). The average total sugars intake was 63.1 g (13.0% TE), and 44.9% of total sugars intake came from UPFs. Among the entire population, 15.8% exceeded the recommended limit for total sugars within 20% TE, and excessive total sugars intake was more prevalent among females (19.5%) and children (21.1%). The prevalence of excessive total sugars intake showed a significantly increasing tendency across the quartiles of UPF energy contribution, ranging from 11.9% in the lowest quartile to 23.2% in the highest quartile. Even after adjustment for sociodemographic variables, UPF consumption was positively associated with the prevalence of excessive total sugars intake (P for trend < 0.001). This association was similar in subgroup analyses by sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that UPF consumption may drive excessive intake of total sugars in the Korean diet. Our findings conclusively establish that restricting UPF consumption may be an efficient way to reduce sugars intake in Korean population.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2023

Non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus oryzae and aflatoxigenic A. flavus cannot be clearly identified by partial sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (18S rRNA) regions. This study aimed to compare the accuracy among three aflatoxin detection methods using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and to select the non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus sp. isolated from soybean paste. All analytical methods were suitable according to the international standards of Codex Alimentarius FAO-WHO (CODEX) or the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). UPLC exhibited the best of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Based on UPLC, HPLC, and the ELISA kit assay, the P5 and P7 strains isolated from soybean paste had 1,663.49, 1,468.12, and >20 ㎍/kg and 1,470.08, 1,056.73, and >20 ㎍/kg, respectively, detected and re-identified as A. flavus. In contrast, the P3 and P4 strains (A. oryzae), which were detected below the MFDS standards in all assays, were confirmed as non-aflatoxigenic fungi. Among the methods evaluated for quantitative analysis of aflatoxin, UPLC and HPLC are superior in terms of accuracy, and the ELISA kit rapidly detects low concentrations of aflatoxin. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that any Aspergillus sp. isolated for use as a fermentation starter should be analyzed for potential aflatoxin production using UPLC and HPLC for accurate quantitative analysis or ELISA for the rapid detection of low-level concentrations of aflatoxin.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.234-238
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• 2007

The effects of ultra-fine pulverization on the physicochemical properties of rice starch (RS) were investigated using a high impact planetary mill. After pulverization, RVA characteristics, peak viscosity, break down, and set back values of RS decreased from 274.75 to 9.42 RVU, 214.46 to 6.17 RVU, and 87.80 to 17.00 RVU, respectively. The pasting properties also changed significantly. X-Ray diffractogram revealed RS had four A-type peaks, which disappeared after pulverization. The peak temperature and gelatinization enthalpy of RS using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were 13.99 J/g at $75.14^{\circ}C$, whereas the pulverized RS (PRS) had two peaks, 0.13 J/g at $63.88^{\circ}C$ and 1.23 J/g at $101.24^{\circ}C$. DSC measurement showed the retrogradation degree of PRS was lower than that of RS after storage at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$. The enzymatic (${\alpha}$-amylase) digestibilities of RS and PRS were 72.7 and 77.3%, respectively.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1082-1084
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• 2007

Ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed full fat milk inoculated with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus stearothermophilus was exposed to 30-60 kV/cm square wave pulsed electric field (PEF) with $1\;{\mu}sec$ pulse width, and $26-210\;{\mu}sec$ treatment time in a continuous PEF treatment system. Eight log reduction was obtained for E. coli and P. fluorescens and 3 logs reduced for B. stearothermophilus under PEF treatment conditions of $210\;{\mu}sec$ treatment time, 60 kV/cm pulse intensity at $50^{\circ}$. There was no significant change in pH and titration acidity of milk after PEF treatment. The electrical energy required to achieve 8 log reduction for E. coli and P. fluorescens was estimated to be about 0.74 kJ/L.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.132-148
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the current mean daily intake of 10 food groups, analyze the sociodemographic factors associated with food consumption, and determine the associations between food consumption/dietary intake and the prevalence rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension (HTN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 600 participants aged 20-85 yrs were included in this cross-sectional study. Food consumption and dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. To determine the association between food consumption/dietary habits and the abovementioned diseases, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The average vegetable and fruit intake was lower, while sugar and salt consumption were higher than that recommended by Indonesia's national dietary guidelines. A high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was associated with young age, men, "single" status, a high education level, and employment with a high monthly income. Obesity and T2D were positively correlated with high intakes of cereals and tubers, UPFs, sugars, fats, and oils. Conversely, an inverse association was found between legume, vegetable, and fruit consumption and obesity risk. An inverse correlation was also observed between vegetable consumption and T2D risk. Moreover, a high salt intake was inversely correlated with fruit consumption in terms of HTN risk. Non-indulgence in habitual late-night snacking and refrainment from consuming more than one dish at each meal were also negatively related to the prevalence of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Inverse correlations were also observed between the prevalence rates of T2D and HTN and abstaining from adding sugar to beverages. CONCLUSION: Foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium were strongly associated with the risks of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Additionally, poor eating habits were also associated with disease development.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.459-465
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• 2015

Bovine milk provides essential nutrients, including immunologically important molecules, as the primary source of nutrition to newborns. Recent studies showed that RNAs from bovine milk contain immune-related microRNAs (miRNA) that regulate various immune systems. To evaluate the biological and immunological activity of miRNAs from milk products, isolation methods need to be established. Six methods for extracting total RNAs from bovine colostrums were adopted to evaluate the isolating efficiency and expression of miRNAs. Total RNA from milk was presented in formulation of small RNAs, rather than ribosomal RNAs. Column-combined phenol isolating methods showed high recovery of total RNAs, especially the commercial columns for biofluid samples, which demonstrated outstanding efficiency for recovering miRNAs. We also evaluated the quantity of five immune-related miRNAs (miR-93, miR-106a, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-451) in milk processed by temperature treatments including low temperature for long time (LTLT, 63℃ for 30 min)-, high temperature for short time (HTST, 75℃ for 15 s)-, and ultra heat treatment (UHT, 120-130℃ for 0.5-4 s). All targeted miRNAs had significantly reduced levels in processed milks compared to colostrum and raw mature milk. Interestingly, the amount of immune-related miRNAs from HTST milk was more resistant than those of LTLT and UHT milks. Our present study examined defined methods of RNA isolation and quantification of immune-specific miRNAs from small volumes of milk for use in further analysis.