Kyung-Sik Ham

The comparative characteristics of snake and kiwi fruits.

In the time of globalization many of the tropical fruits can be find at the markets of Europe and North America. Most customers are not familiar with the nutritional and proliferative values of these fruits. Therefore, a less known snake fruit was compared with better known kiwi fruit, using fluorometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, several radical scavenging and proliferative assays and statistical evaluation. It was found similarity between snake fruit (cultivar Sumalee) and kiwi fruit (cultivar Hayward) in the contents of polyphenols (8.15-7.91, mg GAE g(-1) DW), antioxidant values by DPPH (11.28-10.24, microMTE g(-1) DW), and antiproliferative activities on both human cancer cell lines (Calu-6 for human pulmonary carcinoma, and SMU-601 for human gastric carcinoma, 90.5-87.6 and 89.3-87.1%, cell survival, respectively). In conclusion, snake fruit cultivar Sumalee is comparable with kiwi fruit cultivar Hayward. Two fruits can be used as supplements to the normal diet. Consumption of a combination of both fruits could be recommended in order to receive the best results.

Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Properties of Bioactive Compounds in Organic and Conventional Growing Kiwifruit

The bioactivity of two kiwifruit’s cultivars growing under organic and conventional conditions were studied and compared. The bioactive compounds were extracted with water and ethanol using similar conditions which are applied in pharmaceutical applications and for daily fruit consumption such as tea drink. Antioxidant radical scavenging assays [ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC); 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)], fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet spectroscopy, two (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorometry were used for the detection of biologically active metabolites derived from kiwifruits (total phenols, flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and ascorbic acid). The correlation between the total phenol content (TPC) and other bioactive compounds, and their total antioxidant capacities (TAC) was calculated for studied kiwifruit’s extracts. The interaction between drugs and human serum albumin (HSA) plays an important role in the distribution and metabolism of drugs. The properties of kiwifruit’s phenol extracts showed their ability to quench HSA, forming the complexes similar to the ones between the proteins and pure flavonoids such as quercetin. The cultivar ‘Bidan’ exhibited significantly higher TAC than the classic ‘Hayward’. In conclusion, for the first time ‘Bidan’ organic kiwifruit was analyzed and compared with widely consumed ‘Hayward’, using its bioactive and fluorescence properties. The influence of physiologically active kiwifruit’s compounds on human health, through our investigations in vitro and scientifically proven information, was explained. Relatively high content of bioactive compounds, high antioxidant and fluorescence properties of kiwifruit justify its use as a source of valuable antioxidants.

Feasibility of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Classification of Sea Salts

We have investigated the feasibility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a fast, reliable classification tool for sea salts. For 11 kinds of sea salts, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and aluminum (Al), concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and the LIBS spectra were recorded in the narrow wavelength region between 760 and 800 nm where K (I), Mg (I), Ca (II), Al (I), and cyanide (CN) band emissions are observed. The ICP-AES measurements revealed that the K, Mg, Ca, and Al concentrations varied significantly with the provenance of each salt. The relative intensities of the K (I), Mg (I), Ca (II), and Al (I) peaks observed in the LIBS spectra are consistent with the results using ICP-AES. The principal component analysis of the LIBS spectra provided the score plot with quite a high degree of clustering. This indicates that classification of sea salts by chemometric analysis of LIBS spectra is very promising. Classification models were developed by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and evaluated. In addition, the Al (I) peaks enabled us to discriminate between different production methods of the salts.

Salinity and Heavy Metal Contents of Solar Salts Produced in Jeollanamdo Province of Korea

To assess the safety of solar salts of Jeollanamdo province where most of Korean solar salts are produced, 433 samples of solar salts in total were collected and analyzed for their contents of sodium chloride and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury). Sodium chloride contents ranged from 80 to 85% in 63% of solar salts analyzed. Lead was not detected in 77% of solar salt samples and showed a value of below the maximum permissible limit (2 ppm) in other samples. Cadmium was not detected in most samples (78%), and the other samples where cadmium was detected showed a value far below the maximum permissible limit (0.5 ppm) except for three ones. Arsenic was detected in only four samples, but their concentrations were far below the permissible limit (0.1 ppm). Mercury was not detected in all samples. There were some differences between producing areas in the levels of sodium chloride and lead of solar salts, but the contents of cadmium, arsenic and mercury did not show significant regional differences. These results clearly indicate that solar salts produced from Jeollanamdo province are safe in the aspects of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury contents.

Comparison of the Nutrient and Chemical Contents of Traditional Korean Chungtaejeon and Green Teas

This study was conducted in order to compare the nutrient and chemical contents of two Korean teas: traditional Chungtaejeon tea (CTJ) with that of green tea (GT). Main bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activities using four radical scavenging assays (ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP and DPPH) in methanol and acetone extracts of both teas were determined. It was found that the contents of vitamin C, amino acids and total nitrogen in CTJ were lower than that of GT (p < 0.05). Caffeine, reducing sugar and chlorophyll contents in CTJ were similar to GT. Catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), and epigallocatechin (EGC) contents were lower in CTJ than in green tea (p < 0.05), but gallocatechin (GC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and catechin gallate (CG) showed no significant differences between CTJ and GT (p ≥ 0.05). The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols and tannins in CTJ methanol were 229.30 ± 11.3 mg GAE/g dry weight (DW), 15.24 ± 0.8 mg CE/g DW, 109.10 ± 5.1 mg CE/g DW and 25.68 ± 1.2 mg CE/g DW, respectively, and significantly higher than in acetone extracts (p < 0.05). Flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol) were higher in GT than in CTJ and myricetin was higher in CTJ (p < 0.05). Threonine and aspartic acid was lower, and glutamic acid was higher in CTJ compared with GT (p < 0.05). Free amino acid content in CTJ and GT showed no significant difference. Potassium and magnesium in CTJ were lower compared to GT, but no significant difference was found for iron, manganese and calcium. Also, the level of the antioxidant activity by all four used assays was significantly higher in CTJ and in methanol was higher than in acetone extracts (p < 0.05). In conclusion, traditional fermented Korean tea Chungtaejeon contains high quantities of bioactive compounds and possesses high antioxidant activity. The contents of the bioactive compounds and the levels of antioxidant activities are significantly higher in methanol than in acetone extracts. 3-D fluorescence and FTIR- spectroscopy showed slight differences between the two investigated tea samples and can be used as additional tools for identification of polyphenols. Both studied teas can be recommended as a source of bioactive compounds.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Korean White Lotus Cultivars

In traditional Korean medicine, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) roots have been used as an antidiabetic and an antiproliferative remedy. However, scientific publications on lotus properties are very limited. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the Korean white lotus cultivars in order to find out their bioactivity. It was found that all lotus cultivars (Inchisa, Muan, Garam, and Chungyang) possess high amounts of bioactive compounds: total phenols, between 7.95 +/- 0.8 and 4.21 +/- 0.3 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW); ascorbic acid, between 15.8 +/- 1.1 and 22.3 +/- 1.7 mg of ascorbic acid/g DW; and amino acids, between 15.05 +/- 0.82% and 16.62 +/- 0.90% DW. The highest contents of polyphenols (7.95 +/- 0.8 mg of GAE/g DW) and the highest levels of antioxidant [by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays, 54.27 +/- 6.1 and 21.98 +/- 2.5 microM Trolox equivalents/g DW, respectively] and antiproliferative activities on both human cancer cell lines (Calu-6 for human pulmonary carcinoma and SMU-601 for human gastric carcinoma, 59.75 +/- 3.99% and 71.21 +/- 2.79% cell viability, respectively) were found in the Chungyang cultivar. Fluorometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can be applied as rapid methods for determination of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. The correlation between the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity was high. In conclusion, all Korean white lotus cultivars are valuable medicinal foods, and in order to receive the best results a combination of lotus cultivars has to be consumed.

Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Salt-Fermented Shrimp Prepared with Various Salts

Salt is a major component in salt-fermented shrimp with 25% content. There are various types of salts that have different compositions, which may affect the quality of salt-fermented shrimp. We have investigated effects of various salts such as Korean solar salt (KSS), purified salt (PS), sea-concentrated salt (SCS), glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) spray solar salt (GSS), glasswort-sea-concentrated salt (GSCS) and spray-dried salt (SDS) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of fermented shrimps. Ammonia nitrogen content of the salted shrimp prepared with SDS was lower than others until 60 day fermentation. At 90 day fermentation, amino nitrogen contents of salted shrimps prepared with GSCS and GSS (980 mg%) were higher than those of the others while sample prepared with SDS showed the lowest amino nitrogen content (680 mg%). Volatile basic nitrogen content of salted shrimp prepared with SDS was also lower than those of the others between 14 and 60 day fermentation and there were differences among samples in the contents of trimethylamine at 180 day fermentation. Sensory evaluation results indicated significant differences in salty, overall taste and overall acceptance among samples. Overall acceptance was significantly higher in salt-fermented shrimp prepared with KSS, SCS, GSS, GSCS and SDS than in fermented shrimp with PS.

In vitro Antioxidant Potential and Inhibitory Effect of Seaweed on Enzymes Relevant for Hyperglycemia

Hizikia fusiforme, Capsosiphon fulvescens, Undaria pinnatifida sporophyll, and Undaria pinnatifida blade extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities. Seaweed extracts contained high levels of phenolic compounds (12.44 to 39.01 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of extract) and exhibited multiple antioxidant activities. Extracts showed weak inhibition of α-amylase. However, all extracts showed pronounced inhibition of α-glucosidase with EC50 values from 2.56 to 18.81 mg/mL. U. pinnatifida sporophyll and U. pinnatifida blade extracts both contained protocatechuic and syringic acids. p-Coumaric and ferulic acids were detected only in the H. fusiforme extract. Caffeic acid and epicatechin were the dominant phenoilc acids found in C. fulvescens extracts. A basis for further research is provided to establish the capability of seaweed extracts as hypoglycemic agents or functional food ingredients.

Effect of long-term cold storage on physicochemical attributes and bioactive components of kiwi fruit cultivars

Various kiwi fruit cultivars, bred in Korea, were kept in cold storage for 8–24 weeks for possible increase of their quality. Firmness significantly decreased at initial time in all cultivars. The rate of softening was the slowest in “Hayward”, followed by “Hort 16A”, “Haenam”, “Daheung”, “Bidan”, “Hwamei”, and “SKK 12”. Sensory value increased with decreasing of firmness. Soluble solids content increased with storage time while acidity gradually decreased. Reducing sugar content significantly increased at early stage of storage with decreasing of starch content. There was no difference of these indices among cultivars. Respiration rate increased with time and then decreased during cold storage. Peaks time was different between cultivars, therefore we represented trend of respiration changes in all cultivars. All kiwi fruit cultivars showed climacteric patterns in respiration. The rate of softening was closely related to the degree and peak time of ethylene production. The highest shelf life was in “Hayward” and “Hort 16 A” (24 weeks) and the lowest in “SKK-12” (8 weeks). All investigated cultivars bred in Korea showed much lower shelf life than “Hayward” and “Hort 16 A”. Radical scavenging assays and chemometrical processing were used for the determination of bioactive kiwi fruits’ compounds. Polyphenols in water extracts were the highest in “SKK-12” and the lowest in “Hayward” [16.34 ± 1.11 and 5.30 ± 0.45 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW)]. The values of β-carotene activities (27.61 ± 2.44% and 8.33 ± 0.74%) and Ferric-reducing/antioxidant power [(FRAP, Trolox equivalent (TE)/g DW) 24.55 ± 2.01 and 7.12 ± 0.41] were the highest in “SKK-12”. The lowest results were estimated in “Hayward”. All kiwi fruit cultivars showed a high level of correlation between the contents of phenolic compounds (polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids) and their antioxidant values. We presented for the first time the results of shelf life of new cultivars bred in Korea and their comparison with the widely studied ones, such as “Hayward” and “Hort 16A”. Cold storage extended shelf life in kiwi fruit without any chilling injury or color change. According to the antioxidant properties of different cultivars, the highest was in “SKK-12” with the lowest shelf life and the lowest was in “Hayward” with the highest shelf life.

Isolation and identification of antioxidative compounds and their activities from Suaeda japonica

The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and chloroform (CHCl3) layers obtained after solvent fractionation of a H2O suspension of powdered Suaeda japonica juice showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging activity than other layers. Eighteen compounds were purified and isolated from the EtOAc and CHCl3 layers using chromatography following DPPH radicalscavenging assay. These compounds were identified as dihydroferulic acid methyl ester (1), pyrocatechol (2), syringic acid (3), apigenin (4), isorhamnetin (5), kaempferol (6), dihydroferulic acid (7), vanillic acid (8), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (9), acetophlorglucine (10), homoeriodictyol (11), naringenin (12), quercetin (13), luteolin (14), 9-epiblumenol C (15), scopoletin (16), dihydroisorhamnetin (17), and chrysoeriol (18). The structures of these compounds were determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The isolated compounds were newly identified from this plant. Compounds 13 and 14 exhibited higher DPPH radical-scavenging activity and an inhibition effect against ferric ion-induced lipid oxidation of rat liver when compared to α-tocopherol and other compounds.