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The biological qualities of green, black, and oolong teas were monitored by observing their microbial decontamination and insect disinfestation following gamma irradiation (0-10 kGy) and fumigation (MeBr or PH3) during 6-month storage at room temperature. Plodia interpunctella Hubner was found as an important quarantine pest in teas used. In a comparative study, both treatments were found to be effective in disinfecting the stored samples. An irradiation dose of 5 kGy was sufficient to control all microorganisms related to the quality of teas, while fumigation with methyl bromide and phosphine showed no appreciable decontamination effect on the microorganisms. As a result, irradiation was found an effective alternative to fumigants for the improvement of biological tea qualities during storage.

Degradation performance of environmentally friendly plastics that can be disintegrated by combination of sunlight, microbes in soil, and heat produced in landfills was evaluated for use in industries. Two multi-degradable master batches (MCC-101 and MCC-102 were manufactured, separately mixed with polyethylene using film molding machine to produce 0.025 mm thick films, and exposed to sunlight, microbes, and heat. Low- and high-density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) films containing MCC-101 and MCC-102 became unfunctional by increasing severe cleavage at the surface and showed high reduction in elongation after 40 days of exposure to ultraviolet light. LDPE and HDPE films showed significant physical degradation after 100 and 120 days, respectively, of incubation at 68±2℃. SEM images of films cultured in mixed mold spore suspension at and 85% humidity for 30 days revealed accelerated biodegradation on film surfaces by the action of microbes. LDPE films containing MCC-l01 showed absorption of carbonyls, photo-sensitive sites, at 1710 cm$-1 when exposed to light for 40 days, whereas those not exposed to ultraviolet light showed no absorption at the same frequency. MCC-101-based LDPE films showed much lower Mw distribution after exposure to UV than its counterpart, due to agents accelerating photo-degradation contained in MCC-101.

Mandarin juice was processed using a continuous high pressure CO2 system. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of the processing parameters such as temperature, pressure, residence time, and %(w/w) ratio of CO2 to juice on total aerobic count (TAC), pectinesterase (PE) activity, cloud level, Brix, pH, and titratable acidity (TA) of the juices. Maximum log reduction (3.47) of TAC was observed at ,35℃ 41.1 MPa, 9 min residence time, and 7% CO2. PE was inactivated by 7-51%. The cloud was not only retained but was also enhanced by 38%. Lightness and yellowness increased, and redness decreased. The processing temperature and % CO2/juice ratio significantly affected high pressure processing of the juice in terms of pasteurization, PE inactivation, cloud increase, and color change. The Brix, pH, and TA before and after treatment remained unchanged.

Effects of cheonggukjang on immunohistochemical reactions in gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rats were investigated. CD4+/CD8+ immunoreactive cells of cheonggukjang-fed diet groups were more strongly stained in lamina propria of mucosa and submucosa than those of basal diet group. Universal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive density in colon was mildly stained in surface epithelium and mucous secretory gland, and strongly stained in submucosa and myenteric plexus in muscle layers of all cheonggukjang-fed diet groups. Protein kinase C-a immunoreactive cells in colons of 15 and 25% cheonggukjang-fed diet groups were more strongly stained in mucosa, submucosa, and muscle layers than those of basal diet group. These results indicate mucosal immune activity, gastrointestinal motility, blood circulation, and physiological activities of enteroendocrine cells in GI tract could be increased with cheonggukjang intake.

A simple HPLC quantification method was developed for genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin in soybeans and soybean products. The procedure used a 4.6x100 mm Chromolith(R) RP-18e column with a mobile phase of 1% HOAc in 20% MeOH to 1% HOAc in 80% MeOH for 10 min. The injection volume was 2 uL at a flow rate of 2 mL/min. Detection was carried out under UV at 254 nm. Under these conditions, the major isoflavones daidzein, daidzin, genistein, and genistin in soybean and soybean pastes were eluted within 7 min with baseline separation. Optimal extraction of the above four major isoflavones was achieved when 40 g of soybean or soybean paste was refluxed in 100 mL of 95% ethanol for 2 hr. Ten different soybean cultivars and nine commercial soybean pastes were analyzed by this method. The total isoflavone content was highest in the cultivar Somyung ( 2,497 ug/g dry weight). The isoflavone content in soybean pastes varied widely from manufacturer to manufacturer (an almost five-fold difference between the highest and lowest values). Such variations were presumably due to differences in fermentation conditions, type of soybeans used, and levels of such additives as starch and salt.

Protease inhibitor of 72.6 kDa was successively purified from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) eggs by ion exchange, gel permeation, and affinity chromatographies. Protease inhibitor was purified with yield and purification fold of 1.50% and 58.11, respectively. SDS-PAGE results showed purified protease inhibitor consisted of two protein subunits of 54.0 and 18.6 kDa. Chum salmon inhibitor exhibited stability between 20 and 40℃ in weak acid environment (PH 6), and inhibited papain and cathepsin, members of cysteine protease, but not chymotrypsin. The protein inhibited cathepsin more effectively than did egg white protease inhibitor, whereas the reverse was true for papain. These results indicate chum salmon egg inhibitor is heterodimer, thus the inhibitor was classified as cysteine protease inhibitor.

This study was performed to provide basic rheological data of dandelion root concentrates in order to predict their processing aptitude and usefulness as functional foods material. The hot water and 70% ethanol extracts of dandelion root were concentrated at 5, 20, and 50 Brix, and their static viscosity, dynamic viscosity, and Arrhenius plots were investigated. Almost all hot water concentrates showed the typical flow properties of a pseudoplastic fluid, but evaluation using the power law model indicated that the 70% ethanol concentrates showed a flow behavior close to a Newtonian fluid. The apparent viscosity of hot water and 70% ethanol concentrates decreased with increasing temperature. Yield stresses of hot water and 70% ethanol concentrates by Herschel-Bulkley model application were in the range of 0.026 - 1.368 Pa and 0.022 - 0.238 Pa, respectively. The effect of temperature and concentration on the apparent viscosity was examined by Arrhenius equation. The activation energies of hot water and 70% ethanol concentrates were in the range of 8.762-23.778x103 J/molㆍkg and 3.217-20.384x03 J/molㆍkg with increasing concentration, respectively. Storage (G') and loss (G") moduli were generally increased with increasing frequency. For the 70% ethanol concentrates, G" predominated over G' at all applied frequencies and so they showed the typical flow behavior of a low molecular solution. However, for the hot water concentrates, G' predominated over G" at more than 1.9 rad/sec (cross-over point) and so they showed the typical flow behavior of a macromolecular solution.

Levels of quercetin in different parts of onion were investigated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) suitable for use with functional food material. Two main peaks were observed on HPLC chromatograms from the extracts of the skin, and the outer, middle, and core parts of onion. Using LC/MS, peak 1 was tentatively identified as quercetin monoglucoside at m/z 466.4, and peak 2 as quercetin with [M]+ at m/z 303.3. The levels of quercetin in the skin, and the outer, middle and core parts of the plant were 16.83,2.67,0.95, and 0.35 mg/g, respectively. In the study of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, skin, the nonedible part, contained the highest amount of quercetin, compared to the other edible parts, and showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Levels of quercetin and DPPH radical scavenging activity increased from core to skin. All parts of onion exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity only against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibro parahaemolyticus. Antibacterial activities of onion exhibited that S. aureus was more sensitive than V. parahaemolyticus. Among the four onion extracts, the middle part showed the strongest inhibitory activity against S. aureus but all onion extracts showed similar antibacterial activities against V. parahaemolyticus.

Contents of phenolic compounds in peel, flesh, and core of three Asian pear cultivars, Hosui, Niitaka, and Chuwhangbae, were determined at different stages of maturity. Antioxidant properties of methanol extracts of peels at various fruit maturity stages were also evaluated. Total phenolic content decreased with maturity. Arbutin, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin were major phenolic compounds in young fruits. Catechin, 4-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid, and caffeic acid were detected in peel and core of immature and mature pears. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities of methanol extracts were 16.30 and 15.73 ug in peel of immature Hosui and Chuwhangbae pears, respectively, and 11.59 ug in mature Niitaka pears, which was significantly higher than those of other maturity stage in the same cultivar. Inhibitory activities on lipid oxidation of methanol extracts of three cultivars at all maturity stages were similar to that of a-tocopherol.

We investigated the effects of fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin on the profiles of cecal and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and fecal bile acids in rats. Thirty-six Sprague Dawley male rats weighing about 190 g were randomly divided among four treatments; control diet, control diet +6%(w/w) fructooligosaccharide (POS), control diet +6% chicory inulin oligosaccharide(CIOS), and control diet +6% chicory inulin(CI). The rats were pair-fed and experimental diets were maintained for 5 weeks. Cecal and fecal pH was significantly decreased in rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin. Cecal propionate was significantly elevated in rats fed CIOS diets, and butyrate was lower in rats fed FOS and CI than control values. Cecal lactate was significantly higher in the FOS group than in the control group. The fecal excretions of acetate and total SCFA were 200-300% higher in rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin than in the control group. Lactate excretion was highest in rats that were fed FOS, followed by those fed CIOS and CI. The cholic acid and total bile acid concentrations in feces were significantly lower in the rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin. The deoxycholic acid concentrations in wet feces were significantly lower in the groups of rats that ate CIOS (0.186 mM), FOS (0.274 mM), and CI (0.362 mM) than in the control group (0.595 mM). Among the fructans, short-chain fructooligosaccharide was more effective at decreasing colonic pH and lactate production, but medium-chain chicory inulin oligosaccharide was more effective at increasing fecal butyrate and lowering the fecal secondary bile acid concentration.

Six organophosphorus, one organochlorine, and three synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were analyzed for their residues during washing and hot-air drying of red peppers conducted in the production of powder. The residue ratio in organophosphorus pesticides was 33% in chlorpyrifos, 31 % in diazinon, 50% in methidathion, 80% in EPN, 28% in fenitrothion, and 60% in profenofos. The ratio in pyrethroids was 109% in cypermethrin, 102% in deltamethrin, and 106% in fenvalerate. That in organochlorine was 56% in B-endosulfan and 90% in -endosulfan. The results were greatly different between organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides. UV irradiation along with hot-air drying brought about a remarkable reduction of the residues, up to 70% as compared with hot-air drying only. The removal effect was most remarkable in pyrethroids, which are hardly removed by hot-air drying. The color of the pepper was not changed during UV irradiation. The use of oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide during washing did not show a remarkable removal of residues. The residue ratio was not affected whether the pesticide is contaminated artificially or naturally.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether a diet supplemented with brown rice koji (BRK) results in a reduced stress response in rats and mice. BRK, which has been suggested as a candidate for use as a stress- and fatigue-fighting supplement, was compared with red ginseng extract (RG) for its stress-reducing potential. The animals in this study were divided into no-stress, stress, RG, and BRK groups of 8 to 10 animals each. Stress was induced by means of immobilization (being restrained in plastic tubes for 30 min and electroshock (0.5 mA in mice or 2 mA in rats for 5 min). The no-stress group was not exposed to stress. Rats in the RG group received oral doses of 200 mg RG extract/kg body weight daily. The BRK group was fed a 30% BRK diet and exposed to stress. Animals were given supplements for 7 days before being exposed to stress, and then were given supplements for 5 days with exposure to stress. When the stress exposure ended, the animals were observed for stress-related changes in behavior and their plasma corticosterone levels were measured. BRK supplementation was associated with a partial blockade of the effects of stress on locomotion and elevated plus-maze test results in rats and mice. It was also associated with a partial reduction in stress-induced behaviors such as freezing, burrowing, smelling, face-washing, and rearing. BRK supplementation did not have a significant effect on plasma corticosterone levels, which were increased in the animals exposed to stress (p<0.01). The mice in the RG group received RG in water (2 mg RG/ mL H2O), and the BRK group received a 30% BRK diet (weight) for 7 days. Both groups were evaluated for signs of fatigue. BRK supplementation increased endurance, as indicated by time on the rota-rod, in cold water, and on the horizontal wire. These results suggest that BRK supplementation partially protects the animal from the effects of stress and may also contribute to resistance to fatigue on physical exertion.

Anti-obesity effect of biocellulose and diet formulation containing it was evaluated using obese rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawlely (SD) rats were randomly assigned to high-fat diet group (CON), high-fat diet group containing 5% biocellulose (BIO), and high-fat diet group containing 5% dietary formulation (DF). After 10 weeks, body weight gains of BIO and DF groups were reduced by 15.1 and 6%, respectively, as compared with CON group. Epididymus, parirenal, and visceral fat pads of BIO and DF groups were lower than those of CON group. Weight of interscapular brown adipose tissues increased slightly in BIO group and significantly in DF group. Size of adipocyte in rats decreased in BIO and DF groups. Results indicate biocellulose-containing diet has anti-obesity effect by reducing body weight gain and white adipocytes depots in rats fed high-fat diet.

The dextransucrase activity of microorganisms which were identified as contributing to the fermentation of jeungpyeon made with yeast was measured. The dextran generated during fermentation was quantified and the viscosity changes were measured. The mechanism of network structure formation was clarified by observing the inside of the network structure over the fermentation periods ranging from 1 to 7 hr using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pH of jeungpyeon batter decreased significantly as the fermentation proceeded, whereas the viscosity increased. The identified lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Tetragenococcus halophilus, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum. The yeast was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae A/Tor. Pretorien. The dextransucrase extracted from those microorganisms showed high activity. On the other hand, the amount of dextran generated from the batter increased significantly beyond 2 hr of fermentation, and the viscosity increment showed a similar trend. The SEM photos showed that the most homogeneous fine network structure was observed in the batter fermented for 2 hr. Therefore, we assumed that the dextran that was generated by microorganisms during fermentation interacted with the components of the batter to increase the stability of the network structure.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial was performed to assess effects of fermented milk intake on antioxidant activities and blood alcohol levels of 26 healthy volunteers. All subjects received fermented milk ($Kupffer, n=13) or placebo (n=13) twice daily for 2 weeks. After 3 weeks resting period, subjects under same test but in reverse role. In both tests, fermented milk intake significantly increased total antioxidant status (p<0.05) and decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (p<0.05) levels compared to before fermented milk intake. Blood alcohol levels of fermented milk intake group were significantly lower than those of placebo group (p<0.05).

Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high r-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing capacity were isolated from naturally aged cheese. Examination of the biochemical features using an API kit indicated that the two strains belonged to Lactobacillus. They were gram positive, rod-type bacteria, and fermented arabinose, melezitose, melibiose and xylose, but did not utilize cellobiose or trehalose. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis confirmed that they were Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus sp. They were accordingly named as Lactobacillus buchneri OPM-1 and Lactobacillus sp. OPM-2, and could produce GABA from MRS broth supplemented with 10 g/L of monosodium glutamate (MSG) at a productivity of 91.7 and 116.7 mg/L/hr, respectively. Cell extracts of L. buchneri OPM-1 and Lactobacillus sp. OPM-2 showed glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, for which the optimum pH and temperature were 5.5 and 30℃, respectively.

Effects of cultivars, cooking, and processing on hemagglutinin activity were evaluated by observing macroscopic hemagglutination using serial twofold dilution of trypsinized human blood type-O or rabbit blood. Hemagglutinin activity was expressed as maximal geometric dilution fold. Agglutination of rabbit blood was more sensitive compared to human blood. Hemagglutinin activities of glyphosate-tolerant soybean, HS2906, and imported conventional soybeans were not statistically different, although significant differences were observed among conventional soybean cultivars cultivated in Korea (286 to 1535 HU/mg protein). Time required to reach fifty percent inhibition of hemagglutinin activity (IT50) value decreased with increasing cooking temperature and pressure. Most effective conventional cooking method to inhibit hemagglutinin activity was pressure-cooking (IT50 : 1.36 min). Calculated activation energy based on reaction rate constant was 4.88 kcal. No hemagglutinin activities were detected in processed soybean products such as tofu, soybean paste, and soysauce.

Isoflavone distribution and B-glucosidase activity in cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean whole soybean-fermented food prepared with or without addition of Bacillus subtilis, were analyzed every 6 hr for 36 hr. Thermal cooking of raw-soaked soybeans significantly increased B-glucoside isoflavone level by 57.1 % and decreased malonyl--glucosides by 57.6% (p<0.05). Consistent changes of isoflavone profiles in cheonggukjang without B. subtilis addition (COB) and samples with addition of B. subtilis (CWB) were not observed during 36 hr fermentation. -Glucosides of isoflavones are major forms in both COB and CWB. -Glucosidase activity in cheonggukjang decreased significantly compared to that of soaked soybeans due to thermal denaturation, while recovery of enzyme activity in COB was observed. Two new unidentified peaks were detected, and their relative peak areas in CWB were significantly larger than those in COB with increasing fermentation period (p<0.05), which indicates both peaks could be associated with fermentation metabolites.

The phytoestrogens including isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, formononetin, and glycitein), coumestrol, and lignans (secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, and anhydrosecoisolariciresinol) were quantified in edible sea vegetables from Korea. Sea vegetable samples were collected based on domestic consumption data. After hydrolysis of phytoestrogen glycosides in prepared samples, aglycones of phytoestrogens were extracted with diethyl ether and analyzed with isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode (ID-GC-MS-SIM). Total samples included 19 samples representing eight species. Most of the samples showed rather low concentrations, ranging from not determinated to 79.2 ug/kg for isoflavones and from 106.4 to 694.8 ug/kg for lignans. The daily intake of phytoestrogen from sea vegetables, estimated from the present data and domestic consumption data, was about 0.13 ug/day for isoflavones and for lignans. When we compared these results with those from legumes, sea vegetables would not be considered the major source of phytoestrogens in the Korean diet.

Kernel oils of Lindera erythrocarpa seeds had high level of unusual fatty acid. Picolinyl ester of this unknown fatty acid showed molecular ion at m/z = 317 with other diagnostic ions such as m/z = 151, 191 (40 amu between two peaks), 204, and 218 on GC-MS. Characteristic peak at 720 cm-1 appeared in IR spectrum. In 1H-NMR spectrum both methylene protons at C-3 and C-6 resonated ?2.309 at and ?2.012, and methine protons of double bond resonated in lower magnetic field centered at ?5.296 (C-4) and ?5.387 (C-5) as multiplet (J = 9.7Hz). In 13C-NMR, signals at ?22.669 and ?27.048 were due to C-3 and C-6 of ?4-monoenoic acid. Results obtained from spectroscopic measurements confirmed unknown fatty acid as cis-4-tetradecenoic acid (cis-4-C14:1). Main fatty acid components of oils were cis-4-C14:1 (44.5-45.1%), oleic acid (C18:1), 20.4-21.3%), and lauric acid (C12:0, 11.6-12.4%), along with trace amounts of cis-4-C12:1 and cis-4-C16:1.

Levels of ethyl carbamate, by-product produced naturally during fermentation, in Korean alcoholic beverages were determined by Gas Chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion mode (GC/MS/SIM), and their daily intake by Korean adult group was estimated. In GC/MS/SIM analysis 0.8-10.1, 0.5-0.8, 0.4-0.9, 3.5-689.9, 8.4-30.3, 13.9-30.0, and 1.7-11.7 ppb of ethyl carbamate were detected in soju, beer, takju, fruit wine, cheongju, whiskey, and grape wine, respectively. Maximum daily exposure of ethyl carbamate through alcoholic beverage consumption was 7.41 ng/kg body weight/day for average Korean male, with one soju brand and two fruit wine brands showing high ethyl carbamate level.

Ability of pectic polysaccharides isolated from Eleutherococcus senticosus EN-3 to inhibit tumor metastasis and induce antigen-specific immune response after oral administration in mice was assessed. Consecutive oral administration of EN-3 before tumor inoculation dramatically inhibited tumor metastasis produced by colon26-M3.1 and B16-BL6 cells. When Peyer's patch cells isolated from mouse intestine were co-cultured with EN-3, proliferation of Peyer's patch cells was induced. Mice co-administered with EN-3 and ovalbumin (OVA) showed significantly higher production of OVA-specific IgA in intestinal washing as well as IgG in serum than those administered with OVA alone. Payer's patch cells of mice immunized with OVA plus EN-3 showed much higher proliferating activity than those of mice immunized with OVA alone. Proliferating activity increased dose-dependently, indicating EN-3 specifically enhanced mucosal immune response to OVA. These results suggested EN-3 could significantly stimulate Peyer's patch cells either non-specifically or antigen-specifically, possibly playing important role in enhancement of mucosal and systemic immune systems.

The effects of fermented chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) powder on the lipid concentrations and the activities of liver marker enzymes of serum in genetically diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats were investigated. Rats were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 50 g/kg chaga mushroom powder (CM) or 50 g/kg fermented chaga mushroom powder (FCM) for 8 weeks (26 to 34 weeks of age). Nondiabetic Long-Evans Toknshima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as age-matched nondiabetic control animals. Water consumption was significantly higher in the OLETF control than the LETO rats. Water consumption in the FCM-fed OLETF rats tended to be less than in both the OLETF control and CM-fed OLETF rats. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF control rats than in the LETO rats while within the OLETF rat groups, the consumption of FCM resulted in a significantly lower serum triglyceride concentration and slightly lowered serum total cholesterol concentration when compared to the OLETF control and CM-fed rats. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly higher in the OLETF control than in the LETO rats, but this difference was significantly reduced compared to the CM-fed rats and essentially no difference in the ALT levels was observed between the LETO and OLETF-FCM rats. This observation suggests an adaptive effect of the fermented chaga mushroom in liver function. Livers of the LETO rats showed no histopathological changes, whereas those of the OLETF control rats were characterized by many fat depositions in the central zone of the hepatocytes. The livers of the OLETF CM-fed rats showed less fatty changes compared to the OLETF control rats and fat deposition in the hepatocytes was nearly absent. These results suggest that orally ingested fermented chaga mushroom has a potential beneficial effect on the complications known to occur in the obesity-related non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NlDDM) OLETF rat.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of peptic and chymotryptic hydrolyses of 7S globulin, the major allergen of soybean protein, on its allergenicity, as measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to identify the allergenic hydrolyzed fragments of 7S globulin using SDS-PAGE. When 7S globulin was hydrolyzed by pepsin, the allergenicity was reduced by over 50%. However, the allergenicity of 7S globulin reduced by peptic hydrolysis was recovered in the sera from 5 out of 10 patients following sequential chymotryptic hydrolysis. Two fragments, with molecular weights 20-25 and 13-16 kDa, among the hydrolysate of 7S globulin by sequential pepsin and chymotrypsin showed reactivity with sera from 10 soybean-allergenic patients. As a result of the theoretical hydrolyses of B-conglycinin, which is a major protein of 7S globulin, it is suggested that the 20-25 kDa fragments were the fragments of the a-subunit of 'B-conglycinin and that the 10-16 kDa fragments were from the 'a-subunit.

Wheat gluten-chitosan composite film (WGCCF) can prevent moisture migration and enhance the antimicrobial properties of gluten in intermediate-moisture foods like sandwiches. To mimic the structure of actual sandwich-type products we developed multi-layer food models, where moisture content and water activity differ. Water activity gradients direct moisture migration and therefore determine product characteristics and product stability. A 10% wheat gluten film-forming solution was mixed with chitosan film-forming solution (0-3%, w/w) and evaporated to generate WGCCF. Addition of 3% chitosan enhanced the mechanical properties of the film composite, lowered its water vapor permeability, and improved its ability to protect against both, Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli, in a 24 hr sandwich test (reduction of 1.3 and 2.7 log cycles, respectively, compared to controls). Best barrier and antimicrobial performance was found for 3% chitosan WGCCF at pH 5.1. Film of this type may find application as barrier film for intermediate-moisture foods.

Various levels of antibacterial activity have been identified for water and ethanol extracts of corn silk, particularly against Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2515. In general, the water extract was more effective than the ethanol extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the water extract was 7.5 mg/disc for S. typhimurium KCTC 2515 and B. cereus KCTC 1092, as well as for the ethanol extract against S. typhimurium KCTC 2515 and S. typhimurium KCTC 1925. However, the MICs for the water extract were lower than those for the ethanol extract against all bacteria tested, except S. typhimurium KCTC 1925 and B. cereus KCTC 1014. The growth of the tested organisms in the synthesized broth medium was inhibited with the addition of 5-fold levels of MIC. Using sterilized milk as the model food system, we found that the lag phase for these microorganisms was extended up to 3 days at 20℃, but was not affected at 4℃. These results indicate that bacterial growth was strongly inhibited by corn silk extract at 20℃.

Physiological activities of Korean-grown ginger (KG) and Chinese-grown ginger (CG) extracts were examined. Ginger was extracted with water, and 50 and 100% ethanol, and then nitrite-scavenging activity (NSA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and electron-donating ability (EDA) of extracts were investigated. NSA at pH 1.2 was the most effective in 50% ethanol extracts of both origins. SOD-like activities of water and 50% ethanol extracts of both samples were 8.66-35.95% lower than those of 1 and 0.1% L-ascorbate solutions. SOD-like activity of KG extracts was higher than that of CG extracts, and water extracts of samples were the highest. EDA of KG extract was higher (22.23-86.95%) than that of CG extract, while both sample extracts showed lower EDA than those of 1 and 0.1% L-ascorbate solutions.

Multiplex PCR was performed to simultaneously detect eight different events of genetically modified (GM) maize. Specific primers were constructed from GA21, T25, TC1507, Mon810, Mon863, Event176, Bt11, and NK603 events of GM maize. Using this PCR method, specific GM maize was monitored in commercialized foods and feed.

Enterobacter sakazakii, designated as an unique microbial species in 1980, may cause bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis and infant meningitis. The distribution and the thermostability of E. sakazakii in unprocessed ready-to-eat (RTE) agricultural products of 252 and in 25 powdered infant formulas (PIF) were analyzed. Eighty one, 50, 43, and 47% of brown rice, pumpkin, potato, and carrot samples, respectively, had aerobic plate counts (ARC) in the range of 5 log CFU/g or more. Almost all the other products sampled had APC of approximately 2 log CFU/g. Fifty three, 75, 67, and 68% of banana, pumpkin, soybean, and carrot had Enterobacteriaceae counts approximating 3 log CFU/g. Sixty six percent of the brown rice tested had Enterobacteriaceae counts approximating 5-6 log CFU/g. E. sakazakii was isolated from 3/25(12%), 4/23(17%), 1/24(4%), and 1/27(4%) of PIF, brown rice, laver, and tomato samples, respectively. D-values were 3.52-4.79 min at 60 and d60-values were similar as the isolates reported. Thermal inactivation of four thermovariant E. sakazakii strains during the rehydration of PIF with hot water were investigated. At 50℃, the levels of E. sakazakii decreased one log CFU/g for 4-6 min and thereafter the levels remained stable for 20 min. At 60℃, inactivation by about 2 log CFU/g occurred for 20 min. Therefore, the unprocessed agricultural products might be a source of contamination for PIF when used as an ingredient after drying and pulverization. Rehydration of PIF for infant feeding with a water temperature of 60℃ rather than 50℃, as recommended by the manufacturers, may be helpful in the reduction of potential E. sakazakii risk.

This study was designed to determine possible weight loss effects of Hangbisan, an oriental medicine, on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. SD rats that were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity and subsequently fed with a basic diet containing 10%(w/w) Hangbisan or 10%(w/w) cellulose for 8 weeks. The Hangbisan fed rats demonstrated a significantly (p<0.05) reduced weight gain compared to the cellulose fed rats as well as a reduced level of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and an increased level of (HDL)-cholesterol. These results suggest that dietary Hangbisan has an anti-obesity effect in the high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIG) rat and therefore a potential use as an anti-obesity agent in the application of oriental medicine compounds