Jeong-Sook Choe

Comparison of salty taste acuity and salty taste preference with sodium intake and blood pressure based on zinc nutritional status in two rural populations in Korea

This study examined salty taste acuity and salty taste preference and sodium intake in relation to zinc nutritional status in 2 rural populations in Korea. And we also examined the main food contributors of their sodium intakes. We enrolled 218 adults (66 men and 152 women) from the Kangneung and Samcheok regions in Koreas Kangwon province in our study conducted from December 2011 to February 2012. Participants from each region were divided into 3 groups based on their serum zinc level (T1: lowest, T2: intermediate, T3: highest). We compared the salty taste acuity and preference, Na index (Dish Frequency Questionnaire for estimation of habitual sodium intake), blood pressure, and intakes of nutrients including sodium by 3 groups of serum zinc level. The results were as follows: a higher serum zinc level indicated a lower sodium intake and Na index (P < 0.05). The salty taste acuity was considerably higher for participants from the Kangneung region than those from the Samcheok region (P < 0.05). And the serum zinc level was significantly higher in participants from the Kangneung region than those from the Samcheok region (P < 0.05). We further divided the participants into 2 groups: those who consumed more zinc than the recommended intake (RI) and the others. We compared salty taste acuity and salty taste preference in the 2 groups. The salty taste threshold and palatable salty taste concentrations were lower for the group with a zinc intake above RI than for the group with zinc intake below the RI. However, the difference was not significant. This study confirms that taste function differs depending on zinc nutritional status. In future, it is required to a large-scale, long-term, prospective study on the correlation between zinc intake, serum zinc levels, and taste perception function and blood pressure.

An Exploratory Study on Kwa-Jung-ryu of Head Families

This study was to examine Kwa-Jung-ryu, a traditional Korean confectionery, made by head families. We examined the materials and recipes of Kwa-Jung-ryu, which were classified into Yumilgwa, Yugwa, Jeonggwa, Dasikgwa, Yeot-Gangjeong, Dang (Yeot), and others. There were 13 head families that introduced Kwa-Jung-ryu, two each from Gyeonggi-do, Jeolla-do, and Chuncheong-do, and seven from Gyeongsang-do. There are 33 types of Kwa-Jung-ryu, which averages to about 2.5 types per family. But the Pungsan Ryu, Yeoju Lee, and Andong Kwon families introduced the most Kwa-Jung-ryu with 5 types each. The most popular types of Kwa-Jung-ryu were Yumilgwa, introduced by 7 families (Yakgwa by 6 and Maejakgwa by 1), then Jeonggwa by 6 families (Jeonggwa by 3, Pyeon-gang by 1, and Jeonggwa and Pyeon-gang by 2), and Dasikgwa and other Kwa-Jung-ryu by 5 families (Gotgam-mari by 4 and Seopsansam by 1). Classifying Kwa-Jung-ryu by recipe, the most frequently introduced were 8 types of Jeonggwa-ryu, 7 types of Yumilgwa, 5 types of Dasikgwa, 3 types of Yeot-Gangjeong and Dang (Yeot), and 2 types of Yugwa.

In Vitro Analysis of the Immunomodulating Effects of Allium Hookeri on Lymphocytes, Macrophages, and Tumour Cells

The present study investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of Allium hookeri (leaf, root, and fermented root) on parameters of innate immunity, tumour cell viability and antioxidant effect in vitro. Innate immunity was measured by spleen lymphocyte proliferation, nitric oxide production by chicken macrophage HD11 cells and suppressive effect on tumour cell viability was assessed using chicken RP9 cells. Free radical scavenging capacity as a measure of antioxidant capacity was determined by 0.15 mM of DPPH solution. In vitro culture of chicken spleen lymphocytes with ethanol extract of Allium hookeri (62.5–500 µg/mL) significantly induced higher proliferation compared with media control. Stimulation of macrophages with ethanol extract of Allium hookeri (62.5–500 µg/mL) showed increased Nitric oxide production. Tumor cells growth was significantly inhibited by extracts of Allium hookeri at 15.6–125 µg/mL compared with medium control and all extracts exhibited greater than 80% scavenging activity at 1000 µg/mL compared with ethanol vehicle control. Above all, fermented root extracts showed strongest effects on antioxidant activity compared to leaf and root extracts.

Development of Evaluation Indicators for Industrialization of Local Cuisine

The purpose of this study was to develop an evaluation indicator for the industrialization of local cuisine. We conducted a literature study, interviews with experts, and a Delphi survey. The resulting evaluation indicator was divided into four groups and nine sub-groups. The four groups were locality, taste and functionality, industrial base, and business value. The nine sub-groups were traditionality, regionality, eating quality, nutrition and functionality, condition of development, technological level, rights and policy, marketability, and ripple effects. Also 22 items were created as indicators for evaluating classes ; historicity, sustainability, rarity, awareness of local resident, the number of similar restaurant, appearance, taste, nutritional balance, health functionality, availability of raw materials, suitability of environmental exchange of market, standardization of recipe, simplification of recipe, storability, intellectual property rights, government`s policy, appropriacy of price, popularization, possibility of franchise, globalization, improvement of local image, vitalization of local economy. The four most important classes corresponded to one of the four groups. These classes were sustainability, taste, state (local autonomy) policy, vitalization of local economy. The implications of this study are that the possibility of industrializing the local cuisine of each region can be evaluated and applied. Moreover, these indicators could promote the discovery of local cuisines, support planning for the commercialization of local cuisine.

Household food insufficiency is associated with dietary intake in Korean adults

OBJECTIVE To examine the association of food insufficiency with dietary intake and eating and health behaviours. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Data were obtained from a secondary source, the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). SUBJECTS The sample size consisted of 15 603 adults over 19 years of age (8898 households). RESULTS Significant differences in socio-economic factors were observed according to food insufficiency level (P<0·05), but BMI was similar among groups. Regarding macronutrients, lower protein intake and higher carbohydrate intake were found in the severely food-insufficient group, but we found no association with fat intake. Regarding micronutrients, Ca, Fe, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin niacin and vitamin C intakes were negatively associated with food insufficiency level (P trend<0·05). Consumption of different food groups, such as meat, fish, eggs and beans, vegetables and fruits, was significantly lower as food insufficiency level decreased after controlling for all possible variables; food group consumption also differed by sex. Overall eating and health behaviours were poorer in the mildly and severely food-insufficient groups, who received more food assistance but less nutritional education. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that dietary intake as well as eating and health behaviours are adversely associated with food insufficiency. These findings suggest that specific strategies to help food-insufficient individuals should be developed in order to improve their dietary quality and health status.

Compositions and Contents Anthocyanins in Blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Varieties

Compositions and

Comparison of total energy expenditure between the farming season and off farming season and accuracy assessment of estimated energy requirement prediction equation of Korean farmers.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to compare total energy expenditure (including PAL and RMR) of Korean farmers between the farming season and off farming season and to assess the accuracy of estimated energy requirement (EER) prediction equation reported in KDRIs. SUBJECTS/METHODS Subjects were 72 Korean farmers (males 23, females 49) aged 30-64 years. Total energy expenditure was calculated by multiplying measured RMR by PAL. EER was calculated by using the prediction equation suggested in KDRIs 2010. RESULTS The physical activity level (PAL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the farming season (male 1.77 ± 0.22, female 1.69 ± 0.24) than the off farming season (male 1.53 ± 0.32, female 1.52 ± 0.19). But resting metabolic rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the off farming season (male 1,890 ± 233 kcal/day, female 1,446 ± 140 kcal/day) compared to the farming season (male 1,727 ± 163 kcal/day, female 1,356 ± 164 kcal/day). TEE (2,304 ± 497 kcal/day) of females was significantly higher in the farming season than that (2,183 ± 389 kcal/day) of the off farming season, but in males, there was no significant difference between two seasons in TEE. On the other hand, EER of male and female (2,825 ± 354 kcal/day and 2,115 ± 293 kcal/day) of the farming season was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those (2,562 ± 339 kcal/day and 1,994 ± 224 kcal/day) of the off farming season. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that there is a significant difference in PAL and TEE of farmers between farming and off farming seasons. And EER prediction equation proposed by KDRI 2010 underestimated TEE, thus EER prediction equation for farmers should be reviewed.

A Study on the Food Purchasing Behavior Characteristics of Rural Housewives in Bibong-myeon, Hwaseong

Abstract This study examined the food purchasing behavior of rural housewives in Bibong-myeon, Hwaseong. The surveytargeted grocery shopping for the home, in particular by housewives. The type of grocery store frequented, age, socio-economic factors, and ease of purchase were compared with interests in health foods. One super supermarket (SSM), threesupermarkets (SM), and four convenience stores were examined in the research area, whereas a large-scale discount storeand grocery stores were also examined outside the research area. The grocery store visiting rate was 61.5% in the researcharea and 38.5% in the other area. The SSM (62.7%) and SM (29.9%) in the research area and LDS (57.1%) and SSM(16.7%) in the other area were most frequently visited. Major purchasing products greatly differed according to the grocerystore type. Major foods purchased in the SSM were grain, meat, and fish. Major foods purchased in the LDS and SM wereprocessed products and vegetables, respectively. The LDS visiting frequency was 41.7% for 2-3 times per month and 41.7%for <1 time per month. The means of transport were mostly by private car (87.5%), whereas the SSM was visited 1-2 timesper week 53.1% of the time by foot. In addition, various grocery stores are absent in rural areas and it is therefore importantto find other methods to assess the food environment of rural areas. In future research, it will be necessary to design variousways to perform food environment research.Key Words: Food Purchasing Behavior, Food environment, Rural area, Supermarket

Platycodi radix beverage ameliorates postprandial lipemia response through lipid clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein: A randomized controlled study in healthy subjects with a high-fat load

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Elevation of postprandial lipemia characterized by a rise in triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins can increase the risk of atherogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate postprandial lipemia response to a single dietary fat/sugar load test and monitor beneficial changes induced by the consumption of Platycodi radix (AP) beverage in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or AP beverage group with a high-fat shake in a randomized controlled crossover trial. Postprandial blood was collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h and analyzed for TG and lipoprotein lipase mass. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase was determined in vitro. RESULTS AP inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro (IC50 = 5 mg/mL). Compared to placebo beverage, AP beverage consumption with a high-fat shake induced significant increase of plasma lipoprotein lipase mass (P = 0.0111, β estimate = 4.2948) with significant reduction in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) TG concentration (P = 0.038, β estimate = −52.69) at 6 h. Based on significant correlation between high-fat dietary scores MEDFICTS and postprandial TG responses in VLDL (P = 0.0395, r = 0.2127), subgroup analysis revealed that 6 h-postprandial VLDL TG response was significantly decreased by AP consumption in subjects with MEDFICTS ≥ 40 (P = 0.0291, β estimate = −7214). CONCLUSIONS AP beverage might have potential to alleviate postprandial lipemia through inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity and elevating lipoprotein lipase mass. Subgroup analysis revealed that subjects with high-fat dietary pattern could be classified as responders to AP beverage among all subjects.

γ-Oryzanol suppresses COX-2 expression by inhibiting reactive oxygen species-mediated Erk1/2 and Egr-1 signaling in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 produces prostanoids, which contribute to inflammatory responses. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB is a key transcription factor mediating COX-2 expression. γ-Oryzanol is an active component in rice bran oil, which inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated COX-2 expression by inhibiting NF-κB. However, the inhibition of COX-2 expression by γ-oryzanol independently of NF-κB is poorly understood. We found that LPS upregulated Egr-1 expression at the transcriptional level. Forced expression of Egr-1 trans-activated the Cox-2 promoter independently of NF-κB. In contrast, silencing of Egr-1 abrogated LPS-mediated COX-2 expression. LPS produced reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in turn, induced Egr-1 expression via the Erk1/2 MAPK pathway. ROS scavenging activity of γ-oryzanol suppressed Egr-1 expression by inhibiting the Erk1/2 MAPK pathway. Our results suggest that γ-oryzanol inhibits LPS-mediated COX-2 expression by suppressing Erk1/2-mediated Egr-1 expression. This study supports that γ-oryzanol may be useful for ameliorating LPS-mediated inflammatory responses.