Sun-Mee Park

Mineral Contents and Physiological Activities of Dried Sea Tangle (Laminaria japonica) Collected from Gijang and Wando in Korea.

This research was performed to determine the proximate compositions, mineral contents, alginic acid, antioxidative activities and amino acids of sea tangles collected from Gijang and Wando area. Crude protein and ash contents were higher in Gijang sea tangle, whereas carbohydrate and moisture were higher in Wando in general. Mineral contents of Gijang sea tangle were higher than Wando. Especially, Na and K was the most abundant in both Gijang and Wando sea tangles. Alginic acid content was almost similar in both sea tangles. The major free amino acids were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, proline and hydroxyproline in both Gijang and Wando sea tangles. Antioxidative activity of methanol extract of sea tangle was measured by using DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity. DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity were about 17% (40 ㎍/㎖) and 7% (5 ㎍/㎖) higher, respectively, in Wando sea tangle. When stimulate the macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), inhibition of NO synthesis of the methanol extract was 11% higher in Wando sea tangle comparing with Gijang samples.

Oral Administration of a Hot Water Extract of the Softshell Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) Improves Exercise Performance

Freshwater softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) extract has been used traditionally as a tonic soup, and to recover from physical fatigue. To support these claims, the forelimb grip strength of mice was measured after feeding a soft-shell turtle extract for 7 days. The T. sinensis extract significantly increased the grip strength to 1.25±0.07 N (P<0.01), which is 16.8% higher than the force on day 0. After exercising, the blood glucose levels in extract-fed mice were 202% higher and urea levels were 73% lower, which were both significantly different than the levels observed after control treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher by 314%, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 165%. In addition, the obesity markers, serum triglyceride and cholesterol, decreased to 62% and 49%, respectively, after mice were fed the extract. These data show that the T. sinensis extract provided more energy for forelimb exercise, prevented protein catabolism and muscle fatigue, and decreased the oxidative stress caused by an exhaustive workout.

Characteristics and in vitro Anti-diabetic Properties of the Korean Rice Wine, Makgeolli Fermented with Laminaria japonica.

New in vitro anti-diabetes makgeolli was produced from rice by adding various quantities of Laminaria japonica, and the fermentation characteristics of the L. japonica makgeolli during the fermentation process were investigated. The contents of alcohol and reducing sugar, and viable count of yeast, of L. japonica makgeolli were not significantly changed when the proportion of L. japonica was increased. The total acid content decreased with an increase in L. japonica concentration; the pH and total bacterial cell count increased in proportion with the increase in L. japonica concentration. The L. japonica makgeolli contents of free sugars, such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose, and of organic acids, such as acetic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, and lactic acid, were altered during fermentation and showed various patterns. The effects of the quantity of L. japonica added on the acceptability and anti-diabetes activities of L. japonica makgeolli were also investigated. In a sensory evaluation, L. japonica makgeolli brewed by adding 2.5 or 5% L. japonica to the mash showed the best overall acceptability; the 12.5% L. japonica sample was least favored due to its seaweed flavor. L. japonica addition did not increase the peroxynitrite-scavenging activity of makgeolli. L. japonica makgeolli showed potent anti-diabetes activity, particularly that containing >7.5% L. japonica. Therefore, L. japonica makgeolli may represent a new functional makgeolli with anti-diabetes properties.

Nutritional Composition and Biological Activities of the Methanol Extracts of Sea Mustard (Undaria pinnatifida) in Market.

This research was performed to determine the proximate compositions, mineral contents, alginic acid, antioxidative activities and amino acids of sea mustards (Miyeok: Undaria pinnatifida) collected from Gijang and Wando area. Ash content was higher in Gijang samples, whereas carbohydrate and moisture were higher in Wando Sil Miyeok. General compositions of dried sea mustard showed different contents as manufactures company and places. The major free amino acids were hydroxyproline, alanine, glutamic acid and asparagine in Gijang samples. Both Gijang and Wando Sil Miyeok showed lower contents comparing with Gijang Gadak Miyeok. Major mineral content was Na, K, Ca, Mg and P, and especially, Na and K were the most abundant in both Gijang and Wando sea mustards. Alginic acid content was almost similar in both sea mustards. Antioxidative activity of methanol extract of sea mustards was measured by using DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity. DPPH radical scavenging activity was 45.5% (40 ㎍/ml) in Gijang Gadak Miyeok and 37.0% and 26.0% (40 ㎍/ml) in Gijang and Wando Sil Miyok, respectively. SOD-like activity of Gijang and Wando Sil Miyok was 63% and 71% (10 ㎍/ml), respectively. These results show that biological activities depend on Miyeok manufactures process. When stimulated macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), inhibition of NO production in Gijang Sil Miyeok (44.2%) was 9% high comparing with that of Wando Sil Miyeok (35.7%).

Antibacterial effect of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) on Makgeolli-brewing microorganisms and its application in the preservation of fresh Makgeolli.

UNLABELLED To develop a new preservation method, the antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) against Makgeolli-brewing microorganisms and food-borne pathogens was assessed, and a general analysis and sensory evaluation of fresh Makgeolli with added GSE was made. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of GSE against 10 strains of Makgeolli-brewing microorganism were 0.0122 to 1.5625 μL/mL. The MIC values against 6 strains of food-borne pathogens were 0.0061 to 0.7813 μL/mL. On addition of 0.1% (v/v) and 0.2% GSE in bottled fresh Makgeolli, no significant difference in the pH, or the contents of total acids, ethanol, or methanol in the Makgeolli, were observed compared with control Makgeolli (with no GSE), during the preservation period (8 weeks) at 10 °C. In the Makgeolli with 0.1% and 0.2% GSE, the total bacterial counts decreased significantly by 4.9% (P < 0.01) and 11.2% (P < 0.001), respectively, versus the control. The decreases in yeast count were significantly lessened by 15.33% and 15.24% (both P < 0.001), respectively, after 8 weeks of storage, compared with the control. In the sensory evaluation of Makgeolli with 0.1% and 0.2% GSE, the refreshment and overall acceptability received significantly better scores than the control (P < 0.01), with no change in sweetness, bitterness, sourness, turbidity, color, or odor. These results suggest that GSE controls the growth of Makgeolli-brewing microorganisms and extends the shelf life (ca. 2 wk), without decreasing overall acceptance. PRACTICAL APPLICATION A new preservation method for fresh Makgeolli by adding grapefruit seed extract (GSE) was developed. As fresh Makgeolli contains live microorganisms, the preservation period is 1 wk, which is relatively short. GSE controls the growth of Makgeolli-brewing and Makgeolli-spoiling microorganisms. 0.1% to 0.2% GSE is optimum for prolonging the shelf life (2 wk) of bottled fresh Makgeolli, and has no adverse effect on overall acceptability. We demonstrated that GSE is an effective natural additive that prolongs the shelf life of fresh Makgeolli with no significant loss in quality.

Viability assay of coralline algae using triphenyltetrazolium chloride

Seaweed flora has been disappearing on rockyareas of the ocean. Meanwhile, crustose corallinealgae, which are non-articulated calcareous algae,are growing and covering these rock surfaces withpink- or white-colored crusts. This phenomenon isgenerally called algal whitening. It is now recog-nized as a natural hazard adversely affectingmarine ecosystems and damaging commercialfishing areas.

Preparation of nickel powders from nickel salt by ultrasonic chemical reduction method

Submicron nickel powders have been synthesized successfully from aqueous NiCl 2 at various temperatures and times with ethanol-water solvent by using the conventional and ultrasonic chemical reduction method. The reductive condition was prepared by the dissolution of hydrazine hydrate into basic solution. The samples synthesized in various conditions were characterized by the means of an X-ray diffractometry (XRD), a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a thermo-gravimetry (TG) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the samples obtained by the ultrasonic method were more smoothly spherical in shape, smaller in size and narrower in particle size distribution, compared to the conventional one.

Pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals, and antibiotic residues in seven Korean freshwater aquaculture species

This survey was performed to estimate the levels of pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic residues, and heavy metals in seven Korean freshwater aquaculture species including Anguilla japonica, Cyprinus carpio nudus, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, Semisulcospira coreana, Silurus asotus, and Trionyxs sinensis. None of the ten foodborne pathogens tested in this study were found in any of the species collected from any of the aquaculture farms. Furthermore, no banned chemicals or antibiotic residues were found in any of the species collected from any of the aquaculture farms, except enrofloxacin, which was below guideline limits (0.1 mg/kg). Finally, no species had lead, cadmium, total arsenic, or total mercury concentrations above the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MSDF) guidelines (0.5, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively). These results ensure the safety of freshwater aquaculture species and will be useful for developing consumption advisories of freshwater fishes.

Hot Water Extract of Leather Carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

The hot water extract of leather carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) has been used as a nourishing tonic soup and as an aid for recovery from physical fatigue. In this study, we investigated the effect of leather carp extract on exercise performance in mice. Swimming endurance and forelimb grip strength were assessed following oral administration of the extract (once per day for 7 days) at a dose of 0.5 mg/10 μL/g body weight. After 7 days, mice given the leather carp extract had significantly greater swimming endurance [105±18 s (P<0.05); 52% longer than day 0] and forelimb grip strength [1.18±0.05 Newton (P<0.01); 17% greater than day 0]. The extract increased muscle mass, but had little effect on body weight. Following the swimming exercise, blood glucose, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase levels in extract-fed mice were significantly higher (145%, 131%, and 106%, respectively) than in the saline control group. Blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also significantly increased (128%) in mice given the extract compared to the controls. These results suggest that leather carp extract can improve physical exercise performance and prevent oxidative stress caused by exhaustive workouts.

Development of an Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Application Model for a Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) Aquaculture Farm

We attempted to apply the HACCP system adopted in the food industry to a olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) aquaculture farm to ensure the hygiene safety of farmed fish. In this study, HACCP system procedures, including HACCP team organization, critical point determination, establishment of standard limits etc., were established using Codex 12 procedures. To determine whether hazards were critical elements, we evaluated the likelihood and seriousness of each hazard element. The likelihood of residual medicine exceeding the acceptable limit in shipped fish products was demonstrated to be a critical hazard element. Management of the shipment stage was determined to be a critical control point (CCP). Checking the records for stock and release and maintaining a history of medicine use before shipping the fish were suggested as monitoring methods. The standards for acceptable residual medicine were set based on relevant laws and regulations, and then the limits were adapted and established for the CCP. An HACCP plan applicable to olive flounder farms was established.