Sam Pin Lee

Comparative immunomodulating activities of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus spp. on cell-mediated immunity.

The comparison of potent immunomodulating activities of hot‐aqueous polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus spp., P. linteus (PL), P. baumii (PB) and P. gilvus (PG), on cellular immunity were investigated. The results showed that all three kinds of Phellinus spp. could stimulate the proliferation of murine splenocytes, and PG has more powerful stimulating activity than other Phellinus spp. Furthermore, PL and PB significantly increased the proliferation of the mixed splenocytes in a concentration‐response manner, and the stimulating effect of PL was significantly higher than that of PB at all concentrations used in the present study, but no stimulating effect was found with the addition of PG. The phagocytosis of both peritoneal macrophage and RAW264.7 cells was also increased in the presence of PG, PB or PL, and the stimulating activity of PG was higher than that of PB or PL at all concentrations tested. Copyright

Enhancement of anti-complementary and radical scavenging activities in the submerged culture of Cordyceps sinensis by addition of citrus peel

To investigate the optimal conditions for the production of Cordyceps sinensis by the submerged culture method, glucosamine and exopolysaccharide (EPS) productivities were determined in culture broth containing different carbon sources, principally rice bran and citrus peel. An optimal medium composition (1.5% rice bran, 0.5% molasses, 3% CSL, 0.1% KH(2)PO(4), and 0.05% MgSO(4)) and the optimal condition (25 degrees C and 5-6 d culture time) for high EPS productivity with potent immune-stimulating activities were obtained. The addition of citrus peel to the culture of C. sinensis under the optimized conditions improved EPS productivity and glucosamine content. Furthermore, anti-complementary activity was higher (58.0-80.8%) using citrus peel as compared to no addition of citrus peel (48.2-68.7%). Antioxidant activity (AEAC value) of the citrus peel culture was high (284.3-384.6 mg/100g) compared to that of the culture without citrus peel (142.8-219.5mg/100g), indicating that the citrus peel helped enhance the anti-complementary and antioxidant activities of C. sinensis.

Method validation of 16 types of structural amino acids using an automated amino acid analyzer

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 16 types of structural amino acids in infant formula using an automated amino acid analyzer was validated through tests of precision, accuracy and linearity. The automated analysis of the amino acids was performed on an ion-exchange packed column with a visible detector. The certificated reference material (CRM) 1546 from NIST was used as the test sample to determine the precision and accuracy of the analytical method. The regression analyses revealed good correlations [correlation coefficient (r2)] that were greater than 0.99. The recovery values of the amino acids were ranged from 87.18 to 118.08%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were less than 0.059 mg/100 g and less than 0.198 mg/100 g, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 14.62% in the CRM sample.

Comparison of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Supercritical Fluid Extracts and Marc Extracts from Cinnamomum verum

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobiological effects of supercritical fluid extracts (SFEs) and Marc methanol extracts (SFMs) from Cinnamomum verum. Reducing effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and ABTS radical scavenging were investigated. SFM exhibited higher antioxidant activities in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Measurements of the antimicrobial activity were used for Gram-positive bacteria (four strains) and Gram-negative bacteria (four strains). The antimicrobial activities of the SFE and SFM against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria revealed that SFE had a higher inhibition zone than SFM. Cinnamaldehyde, the active compound of C. verum, had a higher content in SFM (35% at 300 bar, 30℃) than methanol extracts from C. verum (0.5%). These results indicate that not only SFE oil, but also SFM, could be a good source for the food industry.

Novel bioconversion of sodium glutamate to γ-poly-glutamic acid and γ-amino butyric acid in a mixed fermentation using Bacillus subtilis HA and Lactobacillus plantarum K154

Both γ-poly-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) were produced from sodium glutamate in a mixed fermentation. A culture broth was obtained using a defined medium including 3% glutamate and Bacillus subtilis HA for 3 days at 42°C, with 1.20×108 CFU/mL viable cells, a 0.46 Pa·sn consistency index, and a 1.94% mucilage content. In a second fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum K154 at 37°C for 3 days, 1.29% of the remaining glutamic acid in the viscous culture broth was converted to 0.86% GABA. Glutamic acid in the first culture broth fortified with 5% skim milk was completely converted to GABA. The final co-cultured broth had 0.48% GABA, a 0.294% tyrosine content, and viable cells of 1.06×109 CFU/mL (L. plantarum K154) and 5.42×105 CFU/mL (B. subtilis HA). Serial co-culturing of these two bacteria can provide novel ingredients fortified with γ-PGA, GABA, peptides, and probiotics.

Evaluation of Natural Oils in Antimicrobial Activity and Rodent Repellent Effectiveness

This study was performed to evaluate the rodent repellency and antimicrobial activity of natural oils. Thirteen natural essential oils were evaluated for repellent efficacy against rodent feed intake suppression activity. Salvia sclarea (sage), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass), and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed the best repellent efficacy among tested natural oils. Antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative (four strains) and Gram-positive (four strains) bacteria were evaluated using four natural oils, which showed high efficacy on the rodent repellent test. Syzygium aromaticum showed antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and Cymbopogon citratus, Cinnamonum zeylanicum, and Salvia sclarea showed antimicrobial activity against some tested bacteria.This study was performed to evaluate the rodent repellency and antimicrobial activity of natural oils. Thirteen natural essential oils were evaluated for repellent efficacy against rodent feed intake suppression activity. Salvia sclarea (sage), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass), and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed the best repellent efficacy among tested natural oils. Antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative (four strains) and Gram-positive (four strains) bacteria were evaluated using four natural oils, which showed high efficacy on the rodent repellent test. Syzygium aromaticum showed antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and Cymbopogon citratus, Cinnamonum zeylanicum, and Salvia sclarea showed antimicrobial activity against some tested bacteria.

Repellent efficacy and safety evaluation of IR3535 derivative against Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes togoi

The IR3535 derivative (LJH158), in which the ethyl ester of IR3535 was converted to methyl ester, was synthesized and studied as a new mosquito repellent. The repellent efficacy of LJH158 was compared with that of DEET against Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes togoi. Also, the aromatic repellent tests were conducted with mixtures of repellents and the essential oils of cinnamon, which were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction. In addition, the safety issues of LJH158 were monitored using single oral dose safety methods and eye irritation, and skin irritation tests. The results of repellent efficacy in both biting and aromatic tests and safety tests demonstrate that LJH158 has high potential to be used as a new repellent or in combination with other repellents.