Microbial and Sensory Characteristics of Traditional Watery Kimchi (Dongchimi) Fortified with Probiotics.

Dongchimi, a traditional Korean watery kimchi, relies on complex interactions among diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to maintain its freshness and quality. Recently, dongchimi has gained attention as a health-promoting food due to its content of probiotics and prebiotics. In this study, six probiotic strains were employed into dongchimi fermentation, and its sensory and microbial characteristics were evaluated.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of (Actinopterygii, Tetraodontidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of was reported in the present study. It was 16,448 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region. The nucleotide content of this genome was 29.

Identification and Authentication of Commercial Mi-iuy Croaker (Miichthys miiuy) Products by Two PCR-Based Methods.

Abstract: Mi-iuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy) is one of the most important ingredients of Korean cuisine and, thus, has a high economic value. However, the similar morphological traits among croaker fish belonging to family Sciaenidae are often exploited for seafood fraud. In this study, an M.

The complete chloroplast genome of (Ranunculaceae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of , a species of the family, was characterized from the assembly of HiSeq (Illumina Co.) paired-end sequencing data. The chloroplast genome of was 155,292 bp in length, with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,120 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,342 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 26,415 bp.

Development of four PCR-based methods to differentiate tilefish species (Branchiostegus japonicus and B. albus).

The red tilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus) is an important ingredient and fishery resource in South Korea. Branchiostegus japonicus-specific and tilefish primer sets were designed, and four PCR-based methods were developed to differentiate B. japonicus and B.

The complete chloroplast genome of (Campanulaceae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of was determined by next generation sequencing. The total length of chloroplast genome of was 169,447 bp long, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 85,253 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 8060 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 38,067 bp. A total of 110 genes was annotated, resulting in 79 protein-coding genes, 27 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.

Comparison of quantitative methods based on SYBR Green real-time qPCR to estimate pork meat adulteration in processed beef products.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a modern technique that has been widely used for the detection of species used in meat products. For obtaining accurate and reliable qPCR results, we assessed two common DNA quantification methods for isolated DNA and five quantification approaches for qPCR products. DNA dilution based on spectrofluorometric results showed better qPCR results than those based on spectrophotometry in terms of linear correlation, amplification efficiency, and linear dynamic range.

A rapid real-time PCR method to differentiate between mottled skate (Beringraja pulchra) and other skate and ray species.

Skates and rays are commercially important fish in South Korea, and among them, Beringraja pulchra has the highest economic value. However, the similar morphological traits among skates and rays are often exploited for seafood fraud. Here, we designed both Beringraja pulchra-specific and skate-universal primer sets, capable of detecting short sequences in the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, and developed highly sensitive and reliable quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays to differentiate between Beringraja pulchra and other skate and ray species.

Expression efficiency of NAT2 haplotypes in a Korean population.

Since NAT2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are responsible for the efficacy of arylamines and hydrazine drugs, defining the effects of these SNPs in various ethnicities is an important factor in the development of personalized medicine. In the present study, we examined the expression efficiency of NAT2 using promoter haplotypes identified in a Korean population. To construct NAT2 promoter haplotypes, seven NAT2 promoter SNPs (rs4646241, rs4646242, rs4646243, rs4646267, rs4345600, rs4271002 and rs4646246) were genotyped in a total of 192 Korean subjects.

Specific PCR assays to determine bovine, porcine, fish and plant origin of gelatin capsules of dietary supplements.

Gelatin, a purified protein derived mostly from pig skin and bovine tissue, is used widely in both food and pharmaceutical industries. Here, to determine the species of origin of capsule gelatin, we developed a sensitive and reliable test using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, which included 1) species-specific or universal primer sets, designed to detect short 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences from cow, pig, and fish (tilapia) as well as genes encoding the large subunit of plant ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase and 2) species-specific PCR coupled with whole-genome amplification. This method was used to verify manufacturing label claims of 28 gelatin capsule samples sold as dietary supplements.

Hearing among male firefighters: a comparison with hearing data from screened and unscreened male population.

We investigated whether hearing loss is associated with firefighting. We conducted cross-sectional study comparing hearing threshold levels (HTLs) of 912 male firefighters with two hearing databases obtained from an otologically normal male Korean population (KONP) and a non-industrial noise-exposed male Korean population (KNINEP), considering age and the main roles of firefighters. Firefighters' age-adjusted HTLs were significantly worse than those of KONP (prevalence ratio (PR)=5.

Metabolic engineering of a glycerol-oxidative pathway in Lactobacillus panis PM1 for utilization of bioethanol thin stillage: potential to produce platform chemicals from glycerol.

Lactobacillus panis PM1 has the ability to produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from thin stillage (TS), which is the major waste material after bioethanol production, and is therefore of significance. However, the fact that L. panis PM1 cannot use glycerol as a sole carbon source presents a considerable problem in terms of utilization of this strain in a wide range of industrial applications.

Transcriptional repressor role of PocR on the 1,3-propanediol biosynthetic pathway by Lactobacillus panis PM1.

The regulatory role of a transcriptional regulator (PocR) in the 1,3-propanediol biosynthetic pathway of Lactobacillus panis PM1 contributes to the optimization of 1,3-propanediol production by this strain, which potentially will lead to 1,3-propanediol manufacturing efficiencies. Lactobacillus panis PM1 can utilize a 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) biosynthetic pathway, consisting of diol dehydratase (PduCDE) and 1,3-PDO dehydrogenase, as a NADH recycling system, to survive under various environmental conditions. In this study, we identified a key transcriptional repressor (PocR) which was annotated as a transcriptional factor of AraC family as part of the 1,3-PDO biosynthetic pathway of L.

Bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol in thin stillage-based media by engineered Lactobacillus panis PM1.

Thin stillage (TS) is a waste residue that remains after bioethanol production, and its disposal reflects the high costs of bioethanol production. Thus, the development of cost-effective ways to process TS is a pending issue in bioethanol plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of TS for the production of the valuable chemical, 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), by Lactobacillus panis PM1.

Regulation of dual glycolytic pathways for fructose metabolism in heterofermentative Lactobacillus panis PM1.

Lactobacillus panis PM1 belongs to the group III heterofermentative lactobacilli that use the 6-phosphogluconate/phosphoketolase (6-PG/PK) pathway as their central metabolic pathway and are reportedly unable to grow on fructose as a sole carbon source. We isolated a variant PM1 strain capable of sporadic growth on fructose medium and observed its distinctive characteristics of fructose metabolism. The end product pattern was different from what is expected in typical group III lactobacilli using the 6-PG/PK pathway (i.

Contributions of citrate in redox potential maintenance and ATP production: metabolic pathways and their regulation in Lactobacillus panis PM1.

Lactobacillus panis PM1 belongs to the group III heterofermentative lactobacilli and can utilize various NADH-reoxidizing routes (e.g., citrate, glycerol, and oxygen) according to environmental conditions.

Assessment of noise measurements made with a continuous monitoring in time.

The World Health Organization has stated that hearing loss is one of the top 10 health problems worldwide and that noise-induced hearing loss is the leading occupational disease. This work evaluated the noise exposure levels of several job categories for 24-h periods over 7 days to determine the contribution of each microenvironment to total noise exposure. The noise exposure levels of 47 individuals were continuously measured using personal noise dosimeters in metropolitan Seoul, Korea.

Alkaline conditions stimulate the production of 1,3-propanediol in Lactobacillus panis PM1 through shifting metabolic pathways.

A novel Lactobacillus panis PM1 isolate was found to be capable of converting glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), an increasingly valuable commodity chemical. In this study the effects of various process parameters, including glucose and glycerol concentrations, inoculum size, temperature, aeration, pH, and carbon source were examined to determine the optimal conditions for the production of 1,3-PDO using a culture method simulating late log to early stationary phases. Inoculum size did not influence the production of 1,3-PDO, and temperature variance showed similar 1,3-PDO production between 25 and 37 °C under the examined conditions.

Influence of oxygen on NADH recycling and oxidative stress resistance systems in Lactobacillus panis PM1.

Lactobacillus panis strain PM1 is an obligatory heterofermentative and aerotolerant microorganism that also produces 1,3-propanediol from glycerol. This study investigated the metabolic responses of L. panis PM1 to oxidative stress under aerobic conditions.

Isolation and characterization of novel 1,3-propanediol-producing Lactobacillus panis PM1 from bioethanol thin stillage.

Conversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is an attractive option to increase the economic efficiency of the biofuel industry. A bacterial strain that produced 1,3-PDO in the presence of glycerol was isolated from thin stillage, the fermentation residue of bioethanol production. This 1,3-PDO-producing organism was identified as Lactobacillus panis through biochemical characteristics and by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Proposal of pharmacogenetics-based warfarin dosing algorithm in Korean patients.

Warfarin is a commonly prescribed anticoagulant drug for the prevention of thromboembolic disorders. We investigated the contribution of genetic variations of four genes and clinical factors to warfarin dose requirement and provided a warfarin-dosing algorithm based on genetic and clinical variables in Korean patients. We recruited 564 Korean patients on stable anticoagulation.

Regulation of penicillin G acylase gene expression in Escherichia coli by repressor PaaX and the cAMP-cAMP receptor protein complex.

The pga gene of Escherichia coli W ATCC11105 encodes a penicillin G acylase whose expression is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. In this work we have shown that PaaX is the repressor of pga expression, and we have identified its binding consensus as TGATTC(N27)GAATCA. We conclude that the process of "PAA induction" actually involves relief of pga from repression by PaaX.