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The study evaluated the efficacy of ID-JPL934, a probiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus johnsonii IDCC 9203, Lactobacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301, in relieving lower gastrointestinal symptoms. A total of 112 subjects with lower gastrointestinal symptoms were consecutively enrolled. They were randomized into either ID-JPL934 administration group or placebo group. Bristol stool form, stool frequency, and abnormal bowel movement symptoms were recorded at baseline and week 2, 6, and 8. Primary endpoint was improvement in overall symptoms at week 8. Fecal samples were collected to measure the probiotic levels in feces using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and to perform metagenomic analysis of microbiome originating from bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles and bacterial cells via 16S rDNA sequencing. Of the 112 subjects, 104 (54 in ID-JPL934 group and 50 in placebo group) completed the entire study protocol. A higher relief of overall symptoms was found in ID-JPL934 group than in placebo group (p = 0.016). Among lower gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain and bloating scores were more decreased in ID-JPL934 group than in placebo group (p Lactobacillus johnsonii and Bifidobacterium lactis in feces post-treatment in ID-JPL934 group than in placebo group (p Lactobacillus johnsonii and Bifidobacterium lactis in the gut.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03395626.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides is used as a starter to produce high-quality kimchi products. In this study, an efficient and economical cabbage juice medium (CJM) was developed by process optimization of cabbage extraction and pasteurization and by compositional supplementation of various lacking nutrients. The pasteurized cabbage juice was determined to be a good medium candidate to cultivate L. mesenteroides, showing maximal cell numbers (9.85 × 10⁸CFU/ml) after 24 h. Addition of sucrose and yeast extract with soy peptone resulted in increment of bacterial cell counts in CJM, showing the supplementing effect of the lacking nutrients. Furthermore, addition of shell powder gave a protective effect on bacterial cells by preventing pH decline and organic acid accumulation in CJM, resulting in a 2-fold increase of bacterial counts. The optimized composition of CJM was 70% cabbage juice diluted with water, 0.5% (w/v) sucrose, 1% (w/v) yeast extract, 1% (w/v) soy peptone, and 1.5% (w/v) ark shell powder. The CJM developed in this study was able to yield a comparable level of bacterial counts with MRS medium and reduced the cost by almost 10-fold.

A pre-bloom application of gibberellin (GA) on grapevines (Vitis spp.) induces fruit set without fertilization (parthenocarpy) by inhibiting pollen tube growth. In the present study, we analyzed transcriptional changes in the Vitis γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolic genes and the levels of GABA in grapevines with or without GA treatment to understand how GA induces parthenocarpy in grapevines. Four Vitis glutamate decarboxylases (VvGAD), two GABA transaminases (VvGABA-T), and three succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenases (VvSSADH) were identified in grapevines, and their expression patterns were analyzed during inflorescence development from 14 days before full bloom (DBF) to 5 days after full bloom (DAF). Without GA treatment, we observed simultaneously high expression levels of VvGAD1 and VvGABA-T2, with low levels of GABA from 10 to 5 DBF. With GA application, the levels of GABA were mostly unaltered, and the expression levels of VvGAD1 and VvGABA-T2 were around 30% lower compared to the plants without GA treatment at 12 DBF. However, at near full bloom in the plants treated with GA, GABA levels increased more than two-fold and VvGAD1 was upregulated. These results indicate that GABA levels are tightly regulated by VvGAD1 and VvGABA-T2 before pollination and that application of GA alters the pattern of GABA accumulation at near full bloom. This is the first report to describe how treatment with GA disrupts the crosstalk between the pistil and pollen via changes in GABA metabolism during GA-mediated parthenocarpic fruit initiation.

Vitis flexuosa, a native Korean wild grapevine species, is more tolerant to abiotic stress than cultivated grapevines, but little is known about the mechanism underlying this tolerance. To better characterize the responses of V. flexuosa to drought stress and subsequent rehydration, we treated V. flexuosathe plants with four stress conditions: short- and long-term dehydration, rehydration immediately after long-term drought, and long-term rehydration after long-term drought. We examined gene expression profiles in response to these treatments using whole-genome microarray analysis at 12X coverage (using the NimbleGen protocol). We identified a 5,964 genes that were differentially expressed between the stress treatments and the well-watered control. Gene ontology analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), regardless of treatment, participate in the metabolism of proteins or phosphatecontaining compounds and function in the binding of metal ions, as kinases, or as phosphotransferases. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis were downregulated during dehydration but upregulated during rehydration. Among the DEGs encoding transcription factors, genes in the MYB family were the most common differentially genes in all treatment groups. The NAC family was the second most common group during dehydration, while the AP2/ERF family was the second most common during rehydration. These results will help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the response of V. flexuosa to drought stress and will be valuable for breeding drought-tolerant grapevines.

The D-form of lactate, which causes metabolic stress upon excessive dietary intake, is mainly produced by Leuconostoc sp., the predominant species in sauerkraut. To shift the metabolic flux of d-lactate from pyruvate to l-lactate, we expressed the l-lactate dehydrogenase (ldhL) gene in Leuconostoc mesenteroides ATCC 8293. The ldhL gene from Lactobacillus plantarum was introduced into L. mesenteroides using the shuttle vectors pLeuCM and pLeuCM42. To elevate the expression level of ldhL in L. mesenteroides, the nucleotides for pyruvate kinase promoter were fused to ldhL and cloned into above vectors to construct pLC18pkL and pLC42pkL. As results, introduction of pLC42pkL in L. mesenteroides significantly improved both l-LDH activity and l-lactate productivity during fermentation, decreasing the d-/l-lactate ratio. When used as a starter culture for sauerkraut fermentation, recombinant L. mesenteroides harboring pLC42pkL increased l-lactate concentration and decreased d-lactate concentration compared to the wild type strain. We newly developed a recombinant L. mesenteroides which has high l-lactate dehydrogenase activity and applied this strain to minimize the harmful effect of d-lactate during the sauerkraut fermentation. To the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time the effective use of recombinant Leuconostoc sp. for quality improvement of fermented foods.

Sialyllactoses (SLs) are acidic components of human milk oligosaccharides. To investigate their prebiotic effects in infants, their digestibility in the gastrointestinal tract and fermentability in the colon were analysed in vitro . When 2,3-SL (3'-SL) and 2,6-SL (6'-SL) were incubated under stomach and small intestinal conditions, they were slightly hydrolysed (8.21% of 3'-SL and 15.09% of 6'-SL) at pH 2.0. Meanwhile, when they were individually incubated with beneficial and harmful intestinal bacteria (24 strains), Bifidobacterium infantis , B. bifidum , and Bacteroides vulgatus utilised SLs for their growth. Furthermore, when SLs were incubated in the pH-controlled batch fermenter with an infant faecal sample, the population of the bifidobacteria significantly increased and short-chain fatty acids with lactate were synthesised. The present study demonstrates that, when infants take in mother's milk, a small fraction of SLs is hydrolysed in the stomach, whereas the majority travel to the colon to mediate beneficial prebiotic effects.

We isolated several novel Leuconostoc citreum (LC) strains from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food, and screened for potential probiotics that have immunomodulatory activity toward the hyperactive Th2 response. After screening, we chose the LC EFEL2061 strain for its ability to induce strong interleukin (IL)-12 expression in mouse macrophages. This strain enhanced interferon (IFN)-γ production by mouse splenocytes cultured under Th2 polarisation conditions. Oral administration of LC EFEL2061 to ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitised mice significantly reduced the serum level of total IgE, but not that of OVA-specific IgE. Spleens from the LC EFEL2061 group had fewer CD19(+)CD80(+) cells than the OVA group and more CD40(+)CD86(+) cells than the sham group. Thus, LC EFEL2061 strongly induced Th1 type cytokines in vitro and, when consumed, decreased the elevated total IgE in serum in OVA-sensitised mice, possibly by downregulating bystander B cell activation or by upregulating the activity of innate immune cells.

Despite the increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), classified as immune-mediated disorders, the exact biological mechanisms leading to its development are undetermined, and treatment strategies remain elusive. Probiotics have been proposed as potential alternatives for treating IBD. The purpose of this research was to find therapeutic candidates of probiotics for colitis. We adopted dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of ID-JPL934, a mixture of three live bacterial strains at a 1:1:1 ratio: Lactobacillus johnsonii IDCC9203, Lactobacillus plantarum IDCC3501, and Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis IDCC4301, on IBD. The severity was scored according to the disease activity index (DAI) for colitis by observing body weight (BW) and stool status of each mouse once a day. BALB/c mice given 3.5% DSS in drinking water suffered from symptoms of colitis such as weight loss, diarrhea, and bloody excrement. In our study, administration of ID-JPL934 reduced the DAI scores in a dose-dependent manner, and treatments with ID-JPL934 10

Leuconostoc citreum is an important lactic acid bacterium used as a starter culture for producing kimchi, the traditional Korean fermented vegetables. An efficient host strain for plasmid transformation, L. citreum EFEL2700, was isolated from kimchi, and it has been frequently used for genetic engineering of L. citreum. In this study, we report the whole genome sequence of the strain and its genetic characteristics. Genome assembly yielded 5 contigs (1 chromosome and 4 plasmids), and the complete genome contained 1,923,830 base pairs (bp) with a G + C content of 39.0%. Average nucleotide identity analysis showed high homology (≥ 99%) to the reference strain L. citreum KM 20. The smallest plasmid (4.3 kbp) was used as an Escherichia coli shuttle vector (pCB) for heterologous gene expression, and L. citreum EFEL2700 showed the highest transformation efficiency, 6.7 × 10⁴ CFU μg−1 DNA. Genetic analysis of the genome enabled the construction of primary metabolic pathway showing a typical hetero-type lactic acid fermentation. Notably, no core genes for primary metabolism were observed in plasmid 4 and it could be eliminated to create an efficient host for gene transformation. This report will facilitate the understanding and application of L. citreum EFEL2700 as a food-grade microbial cell factory.

This article corrects: Application of in vitro gut fermentation models on food components: a review (Food Sci. Biotechnol. 25: 1–7(2016)).

This study was conducted to investigate the prebiotic effects of linear arabino-oligosaccharides (LAOS) and debranched (linear) sugar beet arabinan (LAR) for the development of new prebiotics. LAOS were prepared from LAR by enzymatic hydrolysis with endo-arabinanase from Bacillus licheniformis, followed by removal of the arabinose fraction by incubation with resting cells of Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The resulting LAOS contained DP2 (28.7%), DP3 (49.9%), DP4 (20.1%), and DP5 (1.16%). A standardized digestibility test showed that LAOS and LAR were not digestible. Individual cultures of 24 strains of gastrointestinal bacteria showed that LAOS and LAR stimulated growth of Lactobacillus brevis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bacteroides fragilis. In vitro batch fermentation using human fecal samples showed that LAOS had higher bifidogenic properties than LAR; LAOS increased the population of bifidobacteria which produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). LAOS was fermented slowly compared to fructo-oligosaccharides and this may permit SCFA production in the distal colon. This study demonstrates that LAOS prepared from LAR are promising dietary substrates for improvement of human intestinal health.

This present work was aimed to analyse characteristics of fermentation and aging of Korean traditional cheongju prepared by adding of different brewing water. The three different mashes were used for fermentation and maturation. The cheongju(A) was prepared without adding of brewing water in two stage mashing. Cheongju(B) and cheongju(C) were made with adding of 1 liter and 2 liter brewing water in two stage mashing respectively whereas the cheongju(B) and cheongju(C) showed higher fermentation ability than that of cheongju(A) regarding to pH, ethanol, specific gravity and sugar concentration(brix). In terms of volatile compounds content after six months aging, cheongju(A and B) prepared by adding brewing water showed the higher content of ethyl acetate than that of cheong(C) and the concentrations were maintained during the aging period. In addition, the content of fusel oil(n-propanol, i-butanol, n-butanol, i-bmyl alcohol, n-bmyl alcohol)indicated similar pattern as ethyl acetate. The organic acid of cheongju B(4873.46 mg/l) and C(4963.12 mg/l) also indicated the higher content than that of cheongju A(4661.47 mg/l). In conclusion, cheongju B and C prepared by adding brewing water in two stage mashing showed better quality and taste than that of cheongju A.

Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs), prebiotic compounds stimulating the growth of intestinal bacteria, were synthesized in sauerkraut by inoculating psychrotrophic Leuconostoc citreum KACC 91035 strain with high dextransucrase activity. For the glucose transferring reaction of dextransucrase, sucrose and maltose were added in sauerkraut (29 and 28 mM, respectively, w/v) as glucosyl donor and acceptor molecule, respectively. For 12 days of fermentation at 10℃, IMOs were gradually produced by consuming sucrose and maltose, and the synthesis rate and maximal concentration of IMOs were 2.04 and 20.2 mM, respectively. This result demonstrates a simple method to manufacture a synbiotic sauerkraut product by adding probiotic lactic acid bacterium and sugars as ingredients.

The major lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains in cabbage-kimchi and their origins were investigated by single component omission analysis. Cabbage-kimchi samples were prepared by omitting each of the ingredients (garlic, ginger, chive, red pepper, and fish sauce), and microbial dynamics were monitored during fermentation. Fingerprinting analysis, using polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), and sequencing of the PCR products, revealed that Leuconostoc citreum, Weissella cibaria, W. confusa, and Lactococcus lactis were the predominant species present in kimchi after 3 days of fermentation. Of these, Leuconostoc sp. and Weissella sp. were mainly derived from garlic. Similar analyses confirmed the presence of Leuconostoc spp., Weissella sp., and Lactobacillus sp. in various garlic products (mainly peeled garlic). These results demonstrate that garlic is an important constituent among raw ingredients since it provides LAB for the early stages of cabbage-kimchi fermentation.

Recently, BIM has been widely applying in civil engineering projects centering on the private construction industry in order to establish self guidelines for spreading in practice. However, most BIM technologies and software are based on the architectural projects. In these environments, it is not easy to apply the BIM to a infrastructure field. Even BIM standards with IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) are also focusing on architectural projects. Especially, both private and public sectors do not know about how BIM delivery system should be performed, and how such deliverable should be submitted to the government yet. Thus, we need to analyze an application level of BIM S/W (Software) in real projects and verify their interoperability. Besides, since there are not any common standards that can exchange IFC models for civil engineering projects, we have many issues in converting as-built infrastructure models into IFC and delivering their design documents to the government. Accordingly, this study aims to perform a BIM process with commercial software for real road project after a detailed design process is finished and verify interoperability between diverse BIM software for securing BIM data reliability.

The aim of this study was to isolate dextran-hydrolyzing bacteria from the human intestines and to identify their dextranolytic enzymes. For this, dextranase-producing microorganisms were screened from fecal samples by using blue dextran-containing media. Colonies producing a decolorized zone were isolated and they were grouped using RAPD-PCR. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed the isolates were Bacteroides (B.) thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus, B. vulgatus, B. dorei, B. xylanisolvens, B. uniformis, and Veillonella (V.) rogosae. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed that the dextranases exhibit mainly endo-type activity and produce various oligosaccharides including isomaltose and isomaltotriose. Zymogram analysis demonstrated that enzymes localized mainly in the cell membrane fraction and the molecular weight was 50-70 kDa. When cultured in a dextran-containing medium, all strains isolated in this study produced short-chain fatty acids, with butyric acid as the major compound. This is the first study to report that human intestinal B. xylanisolvens, B. dorei, and V. rogosae metabolize dextran utilizing dextranolytic enzymes.

The aim of this study was to develop a competitive quantitative-PCR (CQ-PCR) method for rapid analysis of the population dynamics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in kimchi. For this, whole chromosome sequences of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lb. brevis were compared and species-specific PCR primers targeting dextransucrase, 16S rRNA, and surface layer protein D (SlpD) genes, respectively, were constructed. The tested strains were quantified both in medium and kimchi by CQ-PCR and the results were compared with the data obtained using a conventional plate-counting method. As a result, the three species were successfully detected and quantified by the indicated primer sets. Our results show that the CQ-PCR method targeting species-specific genes is suitable for rapid estimation of LAB population to be used in the food fermentation industry.

Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) are α-(1 → 6)-linked oligodextrans that show a prebiotic effect on Bifidobacterium spp. This study sought to improve IMO synthesis during lactate fermentation in kimchi by inoculating the kimchi fermentation mix with a starter and sugars; the psychrotrophic Leuconostoc citreum KACC 91035 strain with high dextransucrase activity was used as a starter and sucrose (58 mM) and maltose (56 mM) were added as the donor and acceptor for the glucose-transferring reaction of the dextransucrase, respectively. With the addition of both the starter and the sugars and incubation at 10 °C, IMOs were produced in kimchi after 3 d. Without the starter, the IMO production rate and maximal concentration in kimchi were 15.05 mM/d and 75.27 mM, respectively, whereas with the starter, the rate and concentration increased to 22.04 mM/d and 110.19 mM, respectively. In addition, the sucrose–maltose mix gave an appropriate level of sweetness by releasing fructose and prevented unfavorable polymer synthesis by IMO production. This result suggests that lactic acid bacteria expressing a highly active glycosyltransferase can be used for the synthesis of beneficial oligosaccharides in various fermented foods.

Recently, BIM has attracted attention as a technology to improve the construction productivity. The BIM standards to be applied to the BIM project are necessary for using or connecting the current 2D-based drawing standards. To develop the standard for BIM-based QTO and cost, this paper focused on using QDBEx, which was applied to road project cost management and connecting QDBEx with IFC, which is the BIM data delivery format. The IFC schema was evaluated to determine if it is possible to use the converts to the QDBEx XML file. As a result, 66% of the whole was available to connect directly, and 17% was available to connect through the processing of instance. The remaining 17% was evaluated to determine if it was available to connect. In the future, improvements in the schema will be suggested based on these results.

The antimicrobial properties of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) are an area of increasing interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effects of blue (peak at 456 nm), green (peak at 518 nm), red (peak at 654 nm) and blue-green combined (blue 456 nm : green 558 nm = 69:31) LED irradiation to pathogenic bacteria. For this, LED equipment providing power density of 10 mW/cm2 was installed and plates were exposed to 0.9 or 3.0 mW/cm² to irradiate bacteria with 3.2 to 259.2 J/cm² of energy density. As a result, blue and combined LED have shown bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli KCTC 1467 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 after irradiation of 3.0 mW/cm² for 2 and 4 hr, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1916 was inhibited at 518 nm green LED irradiation. However, red LED irradiation showed no inhibitory effect to the other tested strains. Light technology that utilizes the bactericidal properties of blue (at 456 nm) and blue-green(blue 456 nm : green 558 nm = 69:31) combined LED may have potential applications in the food industry sector.

Histamine is mainly produced by microorganisms that are found in fermented foods, and is frequently involved in food poisoning. Two histamine-producing bacteria were isolated from fermented fish products, anchovy sauce, and sand lance sauce by using a histidine decarboxylating medium. The species were identified as Bacillus licheniformis A7 and B. coagulans SL5. Multiplex PCR analysis showed the presence of the conserved histidine decarboxylase (hdc) gene in the chromosome of these bacteria. B. licheniformis A7 and B. coagulans SL5 produced the maximum amount of histamine (22.3±3.5 and 15.1±1.5 mg/L, respectively). As such, they were determined to be potential histamine-producing bacteria among the tested cultures.

While a vast number of cad drawings are produced in the life cycle of construction projects from the planning, design, and construction phases to the maintenance and control phases, the creation and distribution of non-standard drawings make it difficult for the construction parties to communicate with one another and to recycle, maintain, and control drawings by project phase. The Korea standard of CAD drawing in construction CALS/EC, which stipulates the standard for construction CAD drawings, is based on roads, rivers, and railways in line- and unit-based structures, allowing the creation of standardized CAD drawings. Such standard, however, cannot be easily applied to construction projects with multiple facilities like harbors, housing sites, or lands consisting of surface forms. In particular, port field consist of complex docks and amenities located in a certain coastal area based on multiple objectives. They also contain the concept of housing sites, like background land, and are composed of various civil engineering facilities, construction facilities, and port field, so that the existing CAD drawing standard cannot be easily implemented. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to maximize the efficiency of the information related to drawing information and to ultimately support smooth information exchanges in construction design by conducting a development research on the expansion of the CAD drawing standard that meets the needs of port field.

The automated quantity take off technique using BIM authoring tools has been recently issued, and the studies of this method for the accuracy, efficiency, and the unit computing for the simple volume, area and number have been developed. Meanwhile the main concerns such as the details for the level of modelling, and the costs and time for the calculating BOQ item are still required to study. In this paper, the earth works, drainage works, pavement works, and facility works using BIM authoring tools are designed in 3D, and the applicability of automated quantity take off technique using BIM authoring tools is discussed, respectively. As a result, automated quantity take off are limited in the earth works, drainage works, pavement works, and facility works. But Most items of BOQ can be supported in Re-bar model.

Information technical dependence degree is coming to be high from constructive information-oriented field. The size and complexity of constructive information are increasing and consequently, the standard for a construction information resource management becomes important. Currently the certification about construction information standard is being enforced part system and information-oriented level etc. from domestic. So we have a plan which will propel the diffusion strategy for the practical application of constructive information standard with introduction of the certification system about construction information standard. For a certification system preparation, we studied a feature and definition about construction information standard and analyzed domestic and foreign case. From that, we accomplished a classification and an analysis about construction information standard becomes the object of certification. And then, we selected the object of the certification through deriving necessities of certification about each construction information standard and considering the priority at the time of introduction. Finally we suggested an certification institutional operation plan about the object which is selected. Held a consultation meeting about the fact where the professional knowledge or technique is demanded and established secured directivity about authentication institutional operation plan and professionalism.

Aims: To establish an efficient genetic transformation protocol for Leuconostoc species, methods for competent-cell preparation and electroporation conditions were optimized. Methods and Results: Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides ATCC8293 cells were sequentially treated with penicillin G and lysozyme, and the plasmid pLeuCM was subsequently transformed into the cells. Our results demonstrated that transformation efficiencies were significantly increased (100-fold), and increased electric field strength also contributed to enhance transformation efficiency. Maximum transformation efficiency (1 × 104 or more transformants per μg DNA) was achieved when cells were grown in De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe (MRS) media containing 0·25 mol l−1 sucrose and 0·8 μg ml−1 penicillin G, followed by treatment with 600 U ml−1 lysozyme and electroporation at a field strength of 10 kV cm−1. When this protocol was used to transform pLeuCM into Leuc. mesenteroides, Leuconostoc gelidum, Leuconostoc fallax and Leuconostoc argentinun, successful transformations were obtained in all cases. Furthermore, this procedure was applicable to species belonging to other genera, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the transformation efficiency for Leuconostoc spp. could be increased via optimization of the entire electroporation procedures. Significance and Impact of the Study: These optimized conditions can be used for the extensive genetic study and the metabolic engineering of not only Leuconostoc spp. but also different species of lactic acid bacteria.

Jinmi Company LimitedAbstract The goal of this study was to investigate the chemical and microbiological characteristics of kimchi productsdistributed in Japan (5 brands, J-products) and Korea (2 brands, K-products). When their average analyses were compared,J-products showed higher values in pH, total sugar and acetic acid contents, while K-products showed higher values innumber of lactic acid bacteria, sugar alcohol and lactic acid contents including textural hardness or chewiness. In addition,the analysis showed great variation in composition levels regarding pH, total sugar and acetic acid contents of J-products,and this fact revealed that different manufacturing processes are being attempted in Japan. Interestingly, some J-productshad high concentrations of acetic acid with little mannitol, as this result implies that some manufacturers in Japan producekimchi by adding acetic acid or lactic acid to control the rate of lactic acid fermentation. The result of this study elucidatesthe Japanese consumer’s taste preference as well as the manufacturing processes in Japanese companies.Keywords: kimchi, chemical characteristic, microbiological characteristic, Japan, Korea

WNT10B has been implicated as a potential regulator of adipogenesis in cellular and animal models of obesity. In this study, we attempted to characterize the associations between common genetic polymorphisms of WNT10B and fat accumulation in a sample of 1029 Korean female subjects. Direct sequencing of genomic DNAs of 45 subjects identified six common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of WNT10B, which were in almost complete linkage disequilibrium. Among the six SNPs, -607G>C (rs833840) showed differential nuclear factor binding in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and differential promoter activity in a reporter assay, implicating it as a functional regulatory SNP. When body compositions of the subjects determined using bio-impedance analysis were compared according to their -607G>C genotype, only body fat mass showed a significant association. Body masses of protein, mineral and water showed no association. For more accurate evaluation of the effects of -607G>C genotype on body fat, cross-sectional fat areas of the subjects measured by abdominal computed tomography were compared. Genotype of -607G>C was significantly associated with abdominal total fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat areas (P=.009 and P=.007 in recessive model, respectively). Of the 1029 subjects, 576 were treated with a 1 month very low calorie diet and changes of body weight and composition were compared with -607G>C genotype. No significant associations were evident. This study is the first report of the association of common genetic polymorphism of WNT10B with human fat accumulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biogenic amine (BA) contents of fermented fish foods in Korea. A total of 47 samples of anchovy and sand lance sauces and squid, clam, and shrimp pastes were used for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The histamine and tyramine contents of the anchovy and sand lance sauces were significantly high. The average histamine contents of all tested samples were >300 mg/kg and the histamine contents were higher in the sauce (aekjeot) samples than in the paste (jeotgal) samples. This result strongly suggests careful monitoring of BA contents in these products is necessary to ensure consumer health.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are produced primarily by microorganisms found in fermented foods and are often implicated in food poisoning. BA-producing bacteria found in fermented soybean pastes were isolated and characterized using a decarboxylating medium and multiplex PCR analysis. Two BA-producing bacteria were isolated from traditional soybean pastes: one was a histamine-producing Clostridium strain, and the other was a tyramine-producing Pseudomonas strain. The Clostridium strain was determined to be a potent histamine producer among the cultures tested. Synthesis of tyramine by Pseudomonas sp. T1 was observed for the first time in this study.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the Korean consumers’ aroma preference on wines. For this, a sensory test on 6 commercial red wines (5 imported and 1 domestic) was conducted by 250 panels and the volatile compounds of those wines were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sample 1 obtained the highest mean aroma acceptability score and analysis of volatile compounds revealed that it retained many kinds of esters and alcohols compared to other wines (including 2 acetate esters, 6 ethyl esters, 3 other esters, and 5 alcohols, mostly giving fruity aroma). Sample 1 was made by blending 2 varieties of grapes and this brewing technology might give a preferred aroma balance. The domestic wine, sample 2, made of ‘Campbell Early’ grape earned relatively higher acceptability score (2nd ranked), being considered its strong grape aroma. In the lower score group, higher concentrations of isoamyl alcohol, 1-isothiocyanto-propane, and volatile phenol were detected and their strong grassy or fatty odor might affect the lower sensory result. Strategies for production of consumer-preferred wines were suggested.

To develop a gene expression system for Leuconostoc genus, construction of expression vector and expression of a heterologus protein in Leuconostoc was performed. Alpha-amylase gene from Lactobacillus amylovorus was cloned into a Leuconostoc cloning vector, pLeuCM, with its own signal peptide. pLeuCMamy was introduced into Leuconostoc citreum CB2567 and a successful expression of alpha-amy gene was confirmed by enzyme activity assays. About 90% of alpha-amylase activity was detected in the culture broth, revealing most of expressed alpha-amylase was secreted out cells. The signal sequence of alpha-amy gene is a good candidate for the secretion of heterologous protein by using Leuconostoc host-vector system.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme associated with HDL in blood and it is considered as an anti-oxidant factor due to its capability to prevent lipid oxidation. In vivo mouse studies also have shown that PON1 is one of the genetic risk factors contributing to atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the serum PON1 activities of sex-age matched Korean healthy control and ischemic stroke patients, and investigated the association of PON1 activity with other metabolic parameters. Statistical analyses revealed that PON1 activity and HDL_cholesterol (HDL_C) in stroke patients were significantly decreased when compared with those of healthy control. Additionally, PON1 activity was negatively correlated with age, whereas it was positively correlated with HDL_C in a stroke group. Overall, the results of this study indicated that decreased serum PON1 activity should be considered as a risk factor for ischemic stroke in Koreans.

In vitro fermentation models have been developed for study of relationships between gut microbiota and food components. In vitro fermentation gut models involve use of pure cultures, mixed cultures, and human feces, and range from simple batch style fermentations performed in serum bottles to sophisticated pH-controlled multistage continuous culture systems. These models are increasingly used as an alternative to in vivo assays not only for disclosure of physiological activities of food components in the human intestine, but also for development of novel health functional foods. The purpose of this review is to introduce the present status and challenges of use of in vitro gut fermentation models in food studies.

This study aimed to produce a pharmacologically active minor ginsenoside F2 from the major ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd by using a recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain expressing a heterologous β-glucosidase gene. The nucleotide sequence of the gene (BglPm) was derived from Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and synthesized after codon optimization, and the two genes (unoptimized and optimized) were expressed in L. lactis NZ9000. Codon optimization resulted in reduction of unfavorable codons by 50% and a considerable increase in the expression levels (total activities) of β-glucosidases (0.002 unit/mL, unoptimized; 0.022 unit/mL, optimized). The molecular weight of the enzyme was 52 kDa, and the purified forms of the enzymes could successfully convert Rb1 and Rd into F2. The permeabilized L. lactis expressing BglPm resulted in a high conversion yield (74%) of F2 from the ginseng extract. Utilization of this microbial cell to produce F2 may provide an alternative method to increase the health benefits of Panax ginseng.

Probiotic bacteria must have not only tolerance against bile salt but also no genes for antibiotic resistance. Leuconostoc citreum is a dominant lactic acid bacterium in various fermented foods, but it is not regarded as a probiotic because it lacks bile salt resistance. Therefore, we aimed to construct a bile salt-resistant L. citreum strain by transforming it with a bile salt hydrolase gene (bsh). We obtained the 1,001 bp bsh gene from the chromosomal DNA of Lactobacillus plantarum and subcloned it into the pCB4170 vector under a constitutive P710 promoter. The resulting vector, pCB4170BSH was transformed into L. citreum CB2567 by electroporation, and bile saltresistant transformants were selected. Upon incubation with glycodeoxycholic acid sodium salt (GDCA), the L. citreum transformants grew and formed colonies, successfully transcribed the bsh gene, and expressed the BSH enzyme. The recombinant strain grew in up to 0.3% (w/v) GDCA, conditions unsuitable for the host strain. In in vitro digestion conditions of 10 mM bile salt, the transformant was over 67.6% viable, whereas only 0.8% of the host strain survived.

UNLABELLED Quercetin is a flavonol believed to have beneficial effects on human health. Rutin, found in many plants, fruits and vegetables, is metabolized by human intestinal bacteria and converted to quercetin, where it is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. This study aimed to isolate and characterize human intestinal bacteria capable of converting rutin to quercetin. A bacterium that can metabolize rutin was isolated from human faecal samples and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The whole-cell enzymatic activities on flavonoid glycoside and the conversion profiles of the isolate were also analysed. The bacterium was identified as Enterococcus avium EFEL009 and was shown to convert rutin to isoquercetin and then to quercetin under anaerobic conditions. Microscopic analysis revealed short chains of cocci with diameters of approx. 1 μm. β-Glucosidase was shown to be constitutively expressed in Ent. avium, while α-rhamnosidase was expressed following induction by rutin. Both enzymes were mainly localized to the cell surface. This study is the first report on the isolation of a quercetin-producing Ent. avium FEEL009, which could be a potential industrial starter bacterium. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Quercetin is a member of the flavonoids family reported to have better cytoprotective abilities, stronger inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production, and better chemoprevention than rutin. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of Enterococcus avium EFEL009 from the human intestine which is capable of converting rutin to quercetin.

Leuconostoc lactis EFEL005 (KACC 91922) isolated from kimchi showed promising probiotic attributes; resistance against acid and bile salts, absence of transferable genes for antibiotic resistance, broad utilization of prebiotics, and no hemolytic activity. To expand our understanding of the species, we generated a draft genome sequence of the strain and analyzed its genomic features related to the aforementioned probiotic properties. Genome assembly resulted in 35 contigs, and the draft genome has 1,688,202 base pairs (bp) with a G+C content of 43.43%, containing 1,644 protein-coding genes and 50 RNA genes. The average nucleotide identity analysis showed high homology (≥ 96%) to the type strain L. lactis KCTC3528, but low homology (≤ 95%) to L. lactis KCTC3773 (formerly L. argentinum). Genomic analysis revealed the presence of various genes for sucrose metabolism (glucansucrases, invertases, sucrose phosphorylases, and mannitol dehydrogenase), acid tolerance (F1F0 ATPases, cation transport ATPase, branched-chain amino acid permease, and lysine decarboxylase), vancomycin response regulator, and antibacterial peptide (Lactacin F). No gene for production of biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine) was found. This report will facilitate the understanding of probiotic properties of this strain as a starter for fermented foods.

Various bismuth-based pyrochlore films were deposited on copper clad laminate substrates at temperatures below 150 °C by pulsed laser deposition for embedded capacitor applications. The films showed smooth and dense morphologies during deposition at room temperature. Bi2Mg2/3Nb4/3O7 (BMN) pyrochlore films showed the most stable dielectric properties and leakage current behaviors as a function of film thickness and deposition temperature. The capacitance density and breakdown field of 150-nm-thick-BMN films deposited at 150 °C were approximately 325 nF/cm2 and 410 kV/cm, respectively. The BMN films showed a dielectric constant of 55, a dielectric loss of 1.6% at 100 kHz, and a leakage current density of 1×10-8 A/cm2 at an applied field of 250 kV/cm. Metal/insulator/metal (MIM) capacitors including various bismuth-based pyrochlore films are expected to be promising candidates for printed circuit board (PCB)-embedded capacitors.