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Chronic skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, are characterized by a weakened skin barrier and persistent inflammation. Traditional treatments can frequently cause substantial side effects, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of goat meat extract and its effects on improving skin function. We conducted wound healing assays using HaCaT cells and analyzed the expression of key skin barrier-related genes. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effects of goat meat extract were assessed in HaCaT cells stimulated with TNFα and IFNγ, as well as in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistic studies focused on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The results showed that goat meat extract significantly promoted wound closure in HaCaT cells and upregulated the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin. The extract also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in both HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, it inhibited the activation of the JNK, p38, and ERK pathways in TNFα/IFNγ-stimulated HaCaT cells. These findings suggest that goat meat extract improves skin barrier function and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for chronic skin. Further research is required to investigate the in vivo effects of goat meat extract and validate its therapeutic potential.

This study highlights the differences in the metabolomes of cow milk yoghurt (CY) and goat milk yoghurt (GY) using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic approach. The 1H HRMAS-NMR spectrum displayed 21 metabolites comprising organic acids, sugars, amino acids, amino acid derivatives and phospholipids. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model clearly separated CY and GY groups, implying differences in metabolite composition. The corresponding Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) plot revealed that choline, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, O-phosphocholine, fucose, citrate, sucrose, glucose and lactose mainly contributed to the group separation (VIP > 1). Hierarchical cluster analysis further confirmed the metabolome similarities and differences between CY and GY. Additionally, 12 significantly differential metabolites (with a fold change > 1.5 and p-value < 0.05) were identified, with 1 downregulated and 11 upregulated. Pathway impact analysis revealed the correlation of significant metabolites with starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, and the citrate cycle. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified eight metabolites (choline, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, fucose, O-phosphocholine, glucose, citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, lactose and sucrose) as candidate biomarkers. This study represents the first utilization of HRMAS-NMR to analyze the metabolomic profiles of yoghurt made from cow and goat milk. In conclusion, these findings provide preliminary information on how NMR-based metabolomics can discriminate the metabolomes of yoghurt prepared from the milk of two different animals, which may be valuable for authenticity and adulteration assessments.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease (or immune-mediated disease), causing disruption to our psychological condition and life quality. In this study, the therapeutic properties of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) was investigated by using an ACD-induced animal model. For ACD induction, BALB/c mice ear and dorsal skin were sensitized with 240 µL of 1% (w/v) 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) twice (3-day intervals). After a week of the first induction, the mice were re-sensitized by painting on their dorsal skin and ear with 0.4% (w/v) DNCB for a further three times (once per week). Before the ACD induction of 2 weeks and throughout the trial period, the BALB/c mice were supplemented daily with 1 mL of 1.0 × 109 CFU or 5.0 × 109 CFU B. longum using an intragastric gavage method. The ACD-induced mice without B. longum supplementation were used as a control. Results show that B. longum supplementation significantly alleviated ACD symptoms (e.g., ear swelling, epidermal damage) and immune response (e.g., reduced immune cell recruitment, serum IgE level, and cytokine production). The therapeutic efficiency of B. longum increased as the supplementation dose increased. Thus, daily supplementation with 5.0 × 109 CFU probiotic B. longum could be an effective method for the prevention and treatment of ACD.

We investigated the immune-stimulating and anti-diabetic effects of Allium hookeri leaves grown in a plant factory with artificial lights. The immunomodulatory effects of A. hookeri leaves’ ethanol extracts were evaluated with immune-related hematological factors in blood, the proliferation of splenocytes, NK cell activity, IgG and cytokine levels, and their mechanisms in immunosuppressed obese mice. Anti-diabetic effects were determined by the inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro and fasting blood glucose levels and biochemical factors in the serum of immunosuppressed obese mice. A. hookeri leaf extracts increased WBC and LYM counts, the proliferation of splenocytes, and serum IgG and IL-1β concentrations compared to those of the NC group, which was used as a negative control. A. hookeri leaf extracts also improved serum HDL levels while they decreased the activities of digestive enzymes, fasting blood glucose, and biochemical factors (ALT, AST, T-Chol, TG, LDL, and GLU). The expressions of IL-1β, JNK, c-Jun, p65, and iNOS in the thymus of immunosuppressed mice were activated by the treatment of A. hookeri leaf extracts. The results suggest that A. hookeri leaves grown in a plant factory with artificial lights also have immune-stimulatory and anti-diabetic effects and can be used as novel functional supplements to control related diseases and to improve public health.

Bacteriocins may be used as natural preservatives and antibiotic substitutes in various foods. However, the multistep purification process of bacteriocins results in high production costs, which is an obstacle to their commercial use and consumer accessibility. In this study, a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Bacillus spp. isolated from Korean fermented foods was partially purified using the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The maximum activity of the BLIS was achieved for ATPS composed of PEG 1000 (15% [w/w])/ammonium sulfate (20% [w/w])/sodium chloride (2% [w/w]), which caused BLIS activity to increase by 3 times with a 99% recovery rate. In particular, B. amyloliquefaciens Y138-6 BLIS exhibited broad antibacterial activity, high resistance to acid-base stress, and excellent thermal stability. This antibacterial substance inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria and fungi on the walls of cheese and ripening rooms. These antibacterial properties have been shown to increase food safety and have the potential for use as biopreservatives. Moreover, considering that the execution of the ATPS requires only salts and PEG, it is a simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process and may have industrial applications in the recovery of BLIS from fermentation broth.

Lactic acid bacteria biofilms can be used to reduce foodborne pathogen contamination in the food industry. However, studies on growth inhibition of foodborne pathogens by inducing biofilm formation of antagonistic microorganisms on abiotic surfaces are rare. We developed a desiccation-tolerant antimicrobial probiotic biofilm. Lactobacillus sakei M129-1 and Pediococcus pentosaceus M132-2 isolated from fermented Korean foods were found to exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. Their biofilm levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher on stainless steel than on polyethylene or ceramic. Biofilms of both isolates showed significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced resistance against desiccation (exposure to 43% atmospheric relative humidity) as compared with the isolates not in the biofilm form. The antimicrobial activity of the isolates was sustained in dried biofilms on stainless steel surface; the initial number of foodborne pathogens (average 7.0 log CFU/mL), inoculated on stainless steel chips containing L. sakei M129-1 or P. pentosaceus M132-2 biofilm decreased to less than 1.0 log CFU within 48 h. The lactic acid bacteria antibacterial biofilms developed in this study may be applied to desiccated environmental surfaces in food-related environments to improve microbiological food safety.

Geographical origin and authenticity are the two crucial factors that propel overall cheese perception in terms of quality and price; therefore, they are of great importance to consumers and commercial cheese producers. Herein, we demonstrate a rapid, accurate method for discrimination of domestic and import mozzarella cheeses in the Republic of Korea by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The protein profiles’ data aided by multivariate statistical analysis successfully differentiated farmstead and import mozzarella cheeses according to their geographical location of origin. A similar investigation within domestic samples (farmsteads/companies) also showed clear discrimination regarding the producer. Using the biomarker discovery tool, we identified seven distinct proteins, of which two (m/z 7407.8 and 11,416.6) were specific in farmstead cheeses, acting as potential markers to ensure authentication and traceability. The outcome of this study can be a good resource in building a database for Korean domestic cheeses. This study also emphasizes the combined utility of MALDI-TOF MS and multivariate analysis in preventing fraudulent practices, thereby ensuring market protection for Korean farmstead cheeses.

To evaluate the safety and risk assessment of cheese consumption in the Republic of Korea, sixty cheese samples purchased from the farmstead and retails markets (imported) were analyzed for their biogenic amine (BA) contents. The BA profiles and quantities of eight amines (tryptamine, 2-phenylethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Spermine was the only amine detectable in all the samples. The BAs of fresh cheeses from both farmstead and retail markets were mostly undetectable, and comparatively at lower levels (1000 mg/kg, of which histamine accounts nearly 86 and 77% of the total levels, respectively. The tolerable limits of the potential toxic amines, histamine and tyramine surpassed in four and three imported ripened samples, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of potentiators (putrescine and cadaverine) together in samples even with a lower level of toxic amines alarms the risk in consumption. Therefore, adoption of strict hygienic practices during the entire chain of cheese production, along with obligatory monitoring and regulation of BA in cheeses seems to be mandatory to ensure the safety of the consumers.

Intake of probiotic cheese improves the intestinal health of humans and animals. However, metabolic changes in the intestines of dogs in response to the ingestion of probiotic cheese have not been evaluated. Thus, we aimed to determine the metabolic changes in healthy beagle dogs fed queso blanco cheese with added Lactobacillus reuteri KACC 92293 and Bifidobacterium longum KACC 91563 (QCLB) and to identify potential fecal biomarkers to distinguish the metabolic changes based on intake of probiotic cheese through metabolomics approaches. The dogs were randomly divided into three groups and fed a regular diet without any cheese (control), a diet with queso blanco cheese (QC), or one with QCLB for eight weeks. The concentrations of acetic, propionic, and 4-aminobutyric acids were increased in the QCLB group compared to those in the control group. Additionally, higher levels of propionic acid and lower levels of xylose were found in the QCLB group compared to those in the QC group. This is the first report on the identification of metabolic changes in beagle dogs fed queso blanco cheese with added L. reuteri KACC 92293 and B. longum KACC 91563. We also found that metabolomics approaches can be useful for identifying potential fecal markers in dogs fed probiotic cheese.