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This study aimed to investigate the quality of fresh noodles prepared using insoluble dietary fiber-enriched fractions (IEF) recovered from kimchi by-products (KBP) and common wheat flour, instead of semolina. Four samples (NIC0, NIC2, NIC4, and NIC6) were prepared using common wheat flour mixed with different ratios of IEF (0 g/100 g; 2 g/100 g; 4 g/100 g; 6 g/100 g, respectively); Semolina pasta (SMP) was prepared as control. With increasing IEF ratios, cooking loss and swelling indexes increased significantly ( p < 0.05). SEM images showed continuous and clear air pockets that were observed in NIC2 and SMP, whereas a loose protein network and big air pockets were observed in NIC4 and NIC6. After addition of IEF, L* , a* , and b* of samples decreased in all samples. Hardness of all samples in TPA was not statistically different regardless of the addition of IEF to common wheat flour. NIC2 showed the highest overall acceptability in sensory evaluation, while hardness, texture, color, taste, and flavor decreased in higher than 2 g/100 g ( p < 0.05) IEF. Based on these results, fresh noodle using 2 g/100 g IEF from KBP and common wheat flour showed a great possibility to replace semolina pasta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cultured wild ginseng root extracts (cWGRE) on the sperm of boars and the reproductive system of guinea pigs. Firstly, semen collected from boars ( n = 10) were incubated in 38 °C for 1 h with xanthine and xanthine oxidase to generate ROS. The cWGRE was added to the sperm culture system to test its antioxidant effect on the boar sperm. The amount of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was measured by a chemiluminescence assay using luminol. The results indicated that the addition of cWGRE to boar sperm culture inhibited xanthine and xanthine oxidase-induced ROS concentrations. Treatment with cWGRE also had a positive effect on maintaining sperm motility. Effects of cWGRE administration on vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs were further investigated. Hartley guinea pigs ( n = 25) at 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into five groups. With the exception of the positive control group, each group was fed vitamin C-deficient feed for 21 days (d). Respective groups were also orally administered cWGRE, ginseng extract, or mixed ginsenosides for 21 days. In comparison to the control group, oral administration of cWGRE reduced ( P < 0.05) amount of lipid peroxidation and increased ( P < 0.05) both glutathione peroxidase concentrations and the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. In addition, administration of cWGRE induced increases ( P < 0.05) in body weight, testosterone concentrations, and spermatid populations. The results of the present study support our hypothesis that cWGRE has positive effects on male reproductive functions via suppression of ROS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Molecular diversity of methanogens in the rumen of Korean black goats was investigated with 16S rRNA gene clone libraries using methanogen-specific primers. The libraries were composed of rumen fluid-associated methanogens (FAM) and rumen particle-associated methanogens (PAM) from rumen-fistulated Korean black goats. Among the 141 clones of the FAM library, the sequences were mostly related to two phyla, the Methanobacteriaceae family (77.3%) and the Thermoplasmatales family (22.7%); and among the 68 clones of the PAM library, sequences were also mainly clustered in the two phyla, the Thermoplasmatales family (63.24%) and the Methanobacteriaceae family (35.29%). Most of the sequenced clones in the two libraries were closely related to uncultured methanogenic archaeon. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that PAM (8.97 log 10) had significantly higher ( P < 0.01) density of methanogens by the methanogenic 16S rRNA gene copies than FAM (7.57 log 10). The two clone libraries also showed difference in Shannon index (FAM library 1.70 and PAM library 1.59) and Chao 1 estimator (FAM library 18 and PAM library 17 operational taxonomic units). Apparent differences found in the microbial community from the two 16S rRNA gene libraries could be a result of such factors as the chemical and physical nature of the target material surface, types or component of diets, the interaction between the methanogens and other microbes, and age of the experimental goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]