Earticle

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in the induction of innate immune responses that are essential for host defense against invading microbial pathogens. In general, TLRs have two major downstream signaling pathways, namely MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathways, leading to the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the expression of inflammatory mediators. TLR4 dimerization is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways and may be one of the first lines of regulation in activating TLR-mediated signaling pathways. In this paper, the molecular targets of curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde in TLR signaling pathways will be discussed. Curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl groups inhibit the dimerization of TLR4 induced by lipopolysaccharide, resulting in the downregulation of NF-κB and IRF3. These results suggest that phytochemicals with the structural motif conferring Michael addition inhibit TLR4 dimerization, suggesting a novel mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of phytochemicals.

Herein, we present the results of our investigation of 61 pesticide residues in 100 samples of green teas obtained from Korean markets. Bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, dicofol, EPN, chlorfenapyr, tebuconazole, cyhalothrin, difenoconazole, and tebufenpyrad were detected in 22 of the 100 green tea samples. The quantity of pesticide residues for bifenthrin was 0.12 ppm (maximum residue limits (MRLs): 0.3 ppm) in one sample, chlorpyrifos was 0.24-0.78 ppm (MRLs: 2.0 ppm) in three samples, dicofol was 1.64-4.19 ppm (MRLs: 50.0 ppm) in two samples, EPN was 0.13 ppm (MRLs: 0.05 ppm) in one sample, chlorfenapyr was 0.01-1.23 ppm (MRLs: 3.0 ppm) in 16 samples, tebuconazole was 0.71 ppm (MRLs: 5.0 ppm) in one sample, cyhalothrin was 0.05-0.3 ppm (MRLs: 2.0 ppm) in five samples, difenoconazole was 0.23 ppm (MRLs: 2.0 ppm) in one sample, and tebufenpyrad was 0.06-0.07 ppm (MRLs: 2.0 ppm) in two samples. More than two pesticide residues were detected in seven samples. All detected pesticide residues (with the exception of EPN) were within the MRLs.

The present study was performed to validate an analytical method for veterinary drugs, including amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxolinic acid and flumequin, in meat, fish, and their products as established in the 2007 Korea Food Code, and to monitor the respective drugs in 6 kinds of foods, namely beef, pork, flatfish, rockfish, freshwater eel and shrimp. Additionally, an HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for the qualification of these veterinary drugs. As a result of monitoring, these drugs were detected in 14 (3.6%) out of 393 samples. In particular, amoxicillin was detected in 9 flatfish samples, and oxolinic acid and flumequin were detected in 4 samples and 1 sample of freshwater eel, respectively. The detection levels of amoxicillin ranged from 0.009 to 0.078 mg/kg, in which 1 sample of flatfish contained more than the MRL (0.05 mg/kg). Flumequin detected in 1 sample of freshwater eel, was less than the MRL (0.5 mg/kg). Therefore, the majority of detected levels were less than the MRLs, with the exception of 2 samples showing amounts that were 1-2 times higher than the MRLs. The detected veterinary drugs were identified and confirmed by the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method created in this study.

Cornus fructus has been used as a tonic, astringent, and haemostatic agent in Korea, China, and Japan. In this study, the fruit of Cornus officinalis was treated with different osmotic pressures, pH values, heat, and ethanol percentages in order to establish optimum extraction conditions for gallic acid, an example of a hydrolyzable tannin. The extract was analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS to identify the gallic acid. As a result, the highest extraction rate of gallic acid (1.57 mg/g) occurred when the Cornus fructus was extracted with 100% ethanol for 1 hr at 80oC. Also, when it was treated with 70% ethanol for 24 and 48 hr, contents of gallic acid were 1.35 and 1.50 mg/g, respectively.

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and volatile compound contents of Moju acquired from 12 restaurants in Jeonju. The alcohol contents were lower than 2.1%, and the pH values ranged from 3.85 to 4.38. Total acidity, oBx, and UV absorbance values differed among the samples according to the type of side materials added. Reducing sugar contents were found to be substantially superior to other commercial takju variants. Malic and lactic acid contents were higher than the contents of other organic acids, and the free sugar contents were as follows: maltose>glucose>fructose. Overall, the high b (yellowness) and cP values were attributable to the turbid yellow and heavy condition of the samples. The volatile compound contents of Moju were analyzed via GC and GC/MSD. 30 components were identified, including 3 alcohols, 12 esters, 7 hydrocarbons, and 4 aldehydes. Among the alcohol compounds, benzeneethanol levels were higher than the levels of isoamyl alcohol. Ethyl caprate, ethyl palmitate, and ethyl linoleate, which were fundamentally attributable to origin liquor, were highest among the 12 esters. (E)-cinnamaldehyde, which was the most abundant among 7 hydrocarbons, and (E)-cinnamyl acetate contents were attributed to the presence of cinnamon, a common supplement in the processing of Moju.

The effectiveness of a technique for binding rice-washed solution with trimethylamine (TMA) was investigated in this study. The mixtures of TMA and rice-washed solution were quantified using an electronic nose based on the mass spectrometer. After 7 min of reaction in a model system, the binding of TMA to the rice-washed solution was detected. As the concentration of rice-washed solution increased, the levels of TMA detected in the headspace decreased, thereby indicating an increase in the binding of TMA to the rice-washed solution. The binding effect of the rice-washed solution was comparable to those of starch, α-cyclodextrin, or amylose, and superior to that of flour. The results of this study demonstrate the potential for reduction of off-flavors using the rice-washed solution.

The DEFT (direct epifluorescent filter technique)/APC (aerobic plate count) test was utilized to screen powdered Ramen soup samples (RS-1, RS-2) whether or not they have been microbial-decontaminated. The initial microbial loads of commercially-packaged samples were log DEFT 6.46 (RS-1) and 7.05 (RS-2), but the viable bacterial counts were log APC 2.74 (RS-1) and 1.95 (RS-2), respectively; this finding showed that they have been already decontaminated by methods other than irradiation. The same samples were then subjected to gamma irradiation at 0, 5 and 10 kGy in order to evaluate the microbial and physicochemical changes during post-irradiation storage for 6 months under room conditions (10±3oC). The DEFT count was constant in irradiated samples even at different doses, but APC decreased with dose increases; this implies that the log DEFT/APC increased in a linear fashion with dose. No coliforms, yeasts and molds were detected in any of the samples, whereas the initially detected aerobic bacteria (5.49×102 CFU/g) were inactivated by 5 kGy or more and no growth was observed during the subsequent storage period. The pH of RS-1 was reduced by irradiation (p<0.01), but increased (p<0.01) with increasing storage time. Irradiation induced a reduction in volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), whereas an increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values was observed. The storage time proved more influential than irradiation up to 10 kGy in terms of changes in the VBN and Hunter’s color values of powdered Ramen soups.

The principal objective of this study was to assess the effects of various manufacturing conditions of soy sauce containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) (HVP-soy sauce) on 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) contents. Various HVP soy sauces were prepared under different conditions of alkaline treatment and retention process. Derivatives of heptafluorobutylimidazole (HFBI) 3-MCPD were determined via GC/MS below 0.010 μg/g, which was sensitive with a good recovery rate. The quantity of 3-MCPD decreased with the pH and temperature of alkaline treatment, and the time and temperature of the retention process increased. Alkaline treatment at pH 10.0-10.5 and a 72 hr retention process were shown to reduce effectively the 3-MCPD contents of HVP-soy sauces. This result indicates that the manufacturing process, particularly alkaline treatment, and retention process would be critical steps in managing 3-MCPD contents in HVP-soy sauce.

Three domestic varieties of red grapes were utilized for the fermentation of wines, including Campbell, Muscat Bailey A (MBA), and Sheridan. The grapes were treated by four different methods before fermentation, which included conventional fermentation for red wine, fermentation with skin-removed grapes, fermentation with grapes and addition of removed skins, and fermentation with grape juice. Three different grape varieties with four different treatments did not show any differences in terms of oBx and alcohol changes during fermentation. However, the L value of the MBA wine was lower and darker than the L values of wines prepared from Campbell and Sheridan grapes. The wines prepared from grapes with the addition of removed skins were darker and had 30% higher polyphenol concentrations than those of wines made from grapes by the conventional method, regardless of the grape varieties. Sensory evaluations of dry-type wines demonstrated that quality was higher for those made from Campbell and MBA grapes with the addition of removed skins than for wines made by the conventional method. Whereas for sweet-type wines, the wine that was made from the skinremoved grapes (Sheridan) was more favorable than that made by the conventional method.

The principal objective of this study was to develop a method to prolong the freshness and maintain the quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The rate of weight loss increased with storage time for all samples, but the rates were lower in the 1-MCP treated samples than in the control samples. The hardness of muskmelons treated with 1-MCP differed significantly from that of the controls. The soluble solid contents in the control were highest on day 4 at 15.1%, and evidenced a decreasing trend as the storage period elapsed. Conversely, the soluble solid contents of the 1-MCP-treated samples remained steady at 14% until day 16. The acidity of 1-MCP-treated samples was higher than that of the control over 10 days of storage. The respiration rate of the 1-MCP-treated samples increased less and was lower than that of the controls. Based on the results of our sensory evaluation, muskmelon treated with 1-MCP gas remained fresh for more than 25 days, whereas the control samples remained fresh for only 13 days.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of a Korean traditional alcoholic beverage (yakju) prepared using different nuruk (Korean-style koji) concentrations and yeasts such as the fusant FA776 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae KOY-1, respectively. The fusant FA776, which has alcohol-fermenting and starch-utilizing properties, was formed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae KOY-1 and Saccharomyces diastaticus KCTC1804. The fermentation trial was conducted in a 5 L lab-scale jar at 25oC. The maximum alcohol production of the K-100 and F-50 reached levels of 135.0 mg/mL and 119.4 mg/mL, respectively. The pH values were in a range of 4.3-4.5. Total acidity was in a range of 0.47-0.60%. Organic acids and amino acids were analyzed in order to evaluate variations in its composition and content via HPLC analysis. Organic acids including lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and pyruvic acid, and 16 kinds of amino acids, including aspartic acid, were detected in all treatments. K-100 showed the highest amino acid contents, whereas F-50 exhibited the lowest amino acid contents. Volatile flavor components such as phenylethyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, 2-methylthiophane, isobutyl alcohol, and ethyl succinate were detected as a major component in all treatments, as determined via gas chromatography. The results of our sensory evaluation demonstrated that Yakju fermented by the FA776 fusant yielded more favorable results than S. cerevisiae KOY-1.

Gromwell (LE, Lithospermum erythrorhizon), a perennial herbal plant, has been used for the treatment of various problems associated with atopic dermatitis of the skin, such as water loss, epidermal hyperproliferation, and severe inflammation. Previously, it was shown that oral supplementation with a 70% ethanol extract of gromwell prevented the development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. In this study, in order to identify the fraction that mediates gromwell’s efficacy, the dietary effects of water and ethyl acetate fractions from the ethanol extract of gromwell were assessed in the development of dermatitis using NC/Nga mice. Dietary supplementation of the hot water fraction significantly reduced scores for epidermal hyperproliferation in parallel with a marked increase of ceramides. Supplementation of the gromwell hot water fraction also decreased scratching behavior, which was accompanied by a decrease in plasma levels of IgE. These results showed that the hot water fraction of the gromwell ethanolic extract prevented the development of atopic dermatitis by increasing ceramides in NC/Nga mice.

In this study, the anticancer activity of the water extract at 100oC was compared to that of the callus extracts via a ultrasonification extraction process. All the extracts were utilized to evaluate cytotoxicity, antioxidant and immune activities. The callus extracted via ultrasonification extraction showed relatively low cytotoxicity on normal human cell lines, HEK293 and HEL299, showing 13.17% and 21.78%, respectively. The callus extract has 59.82% which was similar to 61.70% for water extracts. It was also found that callus extract yielded higher nitric oxide secretion form macrophage than other extracts. The growths of both human stomach adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell and human lung carcinoma (A549) were inhibited up to 70% by adding 1.0 mg/mL of the callus extracts with ultrasonification extraction. This inhibition ratio (70%) was almost close to that of water extract. Human hepatoma carcinoma (HEP3B) cell growth was most significantly inhibited up to 75% by adding 1.0 mg/mL of callus extracts, and its selectivity was highest compared to other extracts. It indicates that the callus extracts could selectively inhibit growth of digestive system-related cancer cells. It can be also concluded from the results of this study that the callus extracts associated with ultrasonification extraction process have the potential for anticancer activity.

In this study, Korean mistletoe extract (KM-110) was fermented with two strains of Lactobacillus (FKM-110) and then toxicity, lectin content, and immune activities were investigated. The lectin content of FKM-110 was about 53- 71% lower than that of KM-110. When mice were subcutaneously administered with KM-110 and FKM-110, the LD50 obtained for KM-110 treatment was 50-100 mg/kg as compared to 150-200 mg/mL for FKM-110. Each preparation stimulated macrophages directly and enhanced productivity of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. FKM- 110 treatment resulted in lower cytokine production compared to KM-110. When mice were immunized with Keyhol limpet hemocyanin (KLH) antigen along with KM-110 or FKM-110 administration, higher antibody titers to KLH were observed in the KM-110 or FKM-110 groups compared to mice immunized with KLH alone, thereby showing no difference between KM-110 and FKM-110. Therefore, fermentation of Korean mistletoe extract with these Lactobacillus strains decreased toxicity in vivo while the enhancement of immune activity by KM-110 and FKM-110 was similar. These data suggest that KM-110 fermentation tended to decrease lectin content and in vivo toxicity. In addition, other components in the fermented mistletoe extract appear to stimulate immuno-adjuvant activity instead of lectin.

The principal objective of this study was to use a fermentation and extrusion process in order to improve the antioxidant properties of original Sangmaksan (ES), containing maekmoondong, omija, and white ginseng. The antioxidant activities of fermented Sangmaksan prepared with different types of ginseng [white (FSW), red (FSR), and extruded white (FSE)], were investigated. The white ginseng powder was extruded at 20% moisture content and 120oC of the maximum process temperature at the barrel. The antioxidant properties of Sangmaksan were increased after fermentation. Interestingly, the fermented Sangmaksan containing the extruded white ginseng evidenced more potent antioxidant properties than the fermented Sangmaksan containing white ginseng. The content of total phenolic compounds, DPPHradical scavenging activity, acidic polysaccharide, reducing power, and total anthocyanin were highest with FSR, followed by FSE, FSW and ES, respectively. Additionally, superoxide dismutase-like activity and total flavonoid contents were highest in the fermented Sangmaksan containing extruded white ginseng. In conclusion, it can be asserted that the fermentation and extrusion process utilized in this study may prove to be an effective new process for the production of high-quality Sangmaksan.

The effects of cereal (rice, brown rice, barley, glutinous rice) ethanol extracts on the proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) production, and level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in B and T lymphocytes, isolated from human blood cells of sasang constitution, were examined in vitro. The rice, brown rice, and glutinous rice ethanol extract, which are known as suitable for eumin (taeumin and soeumin) constitutions, showed the highest activities for proliferation, NO production, and TNF-α concentration, respectively. However, the barley ethanol extract, which is known tobe suitable for yangin (taeyangin and soyangin) constitutions, showed the highest overall activities for proliferation, NO production, and TNF-α concentration. The different immunological activities of the cereal extracts in sasang constitution lymphocytes might be due to their individual components. Thus, determination of components from the cereal extracts suitable for sasang constitution could be useful in new food developments.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of alkaline electrolyzed water (AIEW), acidic electrolyzed water (AcEW), 1% citric acid, and 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite, either alone or in combination with citric acid, in reducing the populations of spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7) on lettuce at various exposure times (3, 5, and 10 min) with different dipping temperatures (1, 20, 40, and 50oC). In addition, the inhibitory effect of alkaline electrolyzed water combined with citric acid on the browning reaction during storage at 4oC for 15 days was investigated. Compared to the untreated control, electrolyzed water more effectively reduced the number of total bacteria, mold, and yeast than 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite under the same treatment conditions. All treatments exposed for 5 min significantly reduced the numbers of total bacteria, yeast, and mold on head lettuce. The inactivation effect of each treatment on head lettuce was enhanced as the dipping temperature increased from 1 to 50oC, but there was no significantly difference at temperatures greater than 40oC (p<0.05). The total counts of yeast and mold in head lettuce were completely eliminated when a combination of 1% citric acid and AlEW treatment was used at temperatures greater than 40oC. However, decreased reduction in L. monocytogenes (2.81 log CFU/g), and E. coli O157:H7 (2.93 log CFU/g) on head lettuce was observed under these treatment conditions. In addition, enhanced antibrowning effect was observed when the samples were subjected to both 1% citric acid and AlEW treatment at temperatures greater than 40oC compared to when single treatments alone were used. Thus, this combined treatment might be considered a potentially beneficial sanitizing method for improving the quality and safety of head lettuce.

Volatiles in Artemisia princeps Pampan. cv. sajabal (sajabalssuk) and A. princeps Pampan. (ssuk) treated with different processing were analyzed using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)/gas chromatography- a mass selective detector (GC-MS). Sajabalssuk and ssuk were treated with steam distillation (SD) and freeze-dried/steam distillation (FD/SD) while controls were raw sajabalssuk and raw ssuk. Sajabalssuk had significantly more total volatiles than ssuk in control and FD/SD treated samples (p<0.05). Major volatiles in raw sajabalssuk were 2-hexenal, 1,8-cineol, trans-caryophyllene, and hexanal while those in raw ssuk were 1-hexanol, β-myrcene, limonene, and 2-hexenal, which implies that substantial lipid oxidation occurred in raw samples. Sajabalssuk with SD and FD/SD treatment had higher peak areas of 1,8-cineole, 4-terpineol, 1-octen-3-ol, and α-terpineol while ssuk with SD and FD/SD treatment possessed 1,8-cineol, camphor, borneol, artemisia ketone, α-thujone, and 1-octen-3-ol, which showed that steam distillation produced more volatiles from terpenoids than raw samples. Based on the results of HS-SPME/GC-MS, relative amounts of volatiles from lipid oxidation including 2-hexenal, hexanal, and 1-hexanol were reduced in sajabalssuk and ssuk with freeze-drying and/or steam distillation treatment.

In this study, we investigated the levels of glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form (GSSG) in more than 40 kinds of plant materials including seedling plants, grains, vegetables, and processed foods. The glutathione contents in the seedling plants were ranged from 0 to 120 μmol/100 g. In addition, the different levels of glutathione were observed within the same family and between species. In the case of marketed grains and vegetables, azuki and kidney beans of leguminosae contained the high levels of glutathione, whereas glutathione was scarcely detected in the processed bean foods (bean paste, soybean sauce, etc.). Overall, a higher GSH content in food may contribute to a higher added value.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is known to be responsible for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. When round-shape quiescent HSCs go to activation by liver injury, production of extracellular matrix is increased, and its shape becomes myofibroblast-like shape. The activated HSCs are characterized by the high rate of proliferation and the increased production of extracellular matrix. One way of the regeneration of activated HSCs is an apoptosis induction followed by removing the activated myofibroblast-like cells. The effect of extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. (TCE) on cytotoxicity was evaluated using the rat primary hepatocyte, HepG2 and T-HSC/Cl-6 by incubating these cells with TCE up to the dose of 1,000 μg/mL. At the maximum dose of TCE, no cytotoxicity was found on primary hepatocyte and HepG2, but cytotoxic effect of TCE was found on activated HSCs, and T-HSC/Cl-6 in a U-shaped dose-response manner with the highest effect at 500 μg/mL of TCE. Finally, we confirmed the occurrence of apoptotic cell death by annexin-V/PI double staining. The population of annexin-V positive cells was increased in a dose dependent manner.