Biological activities of cheonggukjang prepared with several soybean cultivars

To select proper soybean cultivars for producing functional cheonggukjang, a comparison was made of the physiological activities of different cheonggukjang prepared with 30 different soybean cultivars. The isoflavone content was highest in the cheonggukjang made from ‘Daepung’ soybeans at 208.75 mg%. In general, the contents of glycone types (and derivatives) of isoflavone, specifically daidzin, glycitin, genistin, and malonylgenistin, were higher than that of aglycone types. The polyphenol contents ranged from 30.62 to 80.32 mg%. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of the cheonggukjang made from yellow soybeans had a higher activity than those of black soybeans. Although there are no consistent tendencies in the functional activity of cheonggukjang according to soybean color and size, the antioxidative activity is highest in the cheonggukjang made of yellow soybeans. Additionally, the fibrinolytic and inhibitory activities against angiotensin I-converting enzyme are highest in the cheonggukjang made of black soybeans. From these results, it can be concluded that the DPPH free radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity in cheonggukjang depends on the phenolic compound content in soybean.     

Bioactive compounds extracted from Gamtae (Ecklonia cava) by using enzymatic hydrolysis, a potent α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor, alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice

This study was designed to investigate whether the brown alga gamtae (Ecklonia cava) may inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. For that purpose, we prepared an enzymatic hydrolysate from gamtae (EHG) by using the carbohydrase, Celluclast. EHG evidenced prominent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC₅₀ values of EHG against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.62 and 0.59 mg/mL, respectively, which evidenced the higher activities than that of acarbose. EHG did not exert any cytotoxic effect in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at various concentrations (from 0.25 to 2 mg/mL). The increase of postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly suppressed in the EHG administered group than those in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic or normal mice. Moreover, the area under curve (AUC) was significantly reduced via EHG administration (6,102 vs. 10,425 mg·min/dL) in the diabetic mice as well as it delays absorption of dietary carbohydrates. These result indicated that EHG might be a potent inhibitor for α-glucosidase and α-amylase.     

Neuronal cell protective and antioxidant effects of phenolics obtained from Zanthoxylum piperitum leaf using in vitro model system

In order to obtain basic data for the utilisation of Zanthoxylum piperitum leaf as a functional substance in the food industry, the antioxidative and neuronal cell protective effects of silica-gel open column chromatographic fractions, obtained from Z. piperitum leaf, were examined. ABTS and FRAP assays indicated that the ZP4 fraction (eluted with methanol/chloroform, 1:4, v/v) of Z. piperitum leaf was a more potent radical-scavenger and reducing agent than the other five fractions. The ZP4 fraction also presented protective effects against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, our study verified that the ZP4 fraction has strong antioxidative and neuronal protective effects which are correlated with its high level of phenolics, particularly quercitrin, afzelin, and hyperoside. These phenolics of Z. piperitum leaf can be utilised as effective and safe functional food substances, i.e., natural antioxidants, and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.     

Inhibitory effect of sowthistle (Ixeris dentata) on development and expression of behavioral locomotor sensitization to nicotine in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sowthistle (Ixeris dentata, IXD) on development and expression of nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization and underlying neuronal activation reflected by c-Fos expression in rats. Rats were pretreated with IXD 30 min before a daily injection of nicotine during an 8-day development phase and then challenged with nicotine after a 6-day withdrawal period. In another set of experiments, same IXD doses were administered once 30 min before nicotine challenge. Daily IXD treatment during development phase was not effective in blocking nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization in rats. However, a single IXD treatment after the development and withdrawal periods of nicotine sensitization significantly alleviated sensitized locomotor behavior on day 15. These behavioral results were coincident with significant inhibition of nicotineinduced c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens. These results indicated that IXD pretreatment significantly blocked the expression, but not the development of nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization in rats.     

Effect of defatted pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seed extracts on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study investigated the effect of defatted pepper seed ethanolic extract (DPSE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed a normal...     

Properties of recombinant 4-α-glucanotransferase from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum JCM 1217 and its application

Food Science and Biotechnology - To determine the physiochemical properties of the 4-α-glucanotransferase from Bifidobacterium sp., the bllj_0114 gene encoding 4-α-glucanotransferase was...     

Improvement of the quality of gluten-free rice pound cake using extruded rice flour

To improve the quality of gluten-free rice pound cake (GRPC), the ‘Hanarum’ extruded rice flours (HERFs) prepared with 250 rpm screw speed, 160°C barrel temperature, and 24 and 30% feed moisture of ‘Hanarum’ rice flour (HRF) were used. HERF addition reduced crude lipid and ash contents of HRF. HERF addition showed a decrease in lightness and apparent amylose content, but an increase in yellowness, water-binding capacity, and damaged starch content. Increment of solubility was higher than that of swelling power. Pasting viscosities decreased with increasing HERF content and feed moisture of HRF. The specific volume of GRPCs ranged 1.87–1.98. The hardness, springiness, and chewiness were much lower in HERF24 (24% feed moisture) and in 10% added HERF. The sensory texture and the overall eating quality were significantly different with HERF addition (p<0.05). The 10% HERF added GRPCs showed higher scores compared to control and 5% HERF added GRPCs.     

Flavonoid glycosides from cowpea seeds (Vigna sinensis K.) inhibit LDL oxidation

Six flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of cowpea seeds (Vigna sinensis K.) through silica gel (SiO₂) and octadecyl silica gel (ODS) column chromatographies. Based on their chemical structures determined via interpretation of spectroscopic data including NMR, MS, and IR, the compounds were identified as kaempferol 3-O-β-d-sophoroside (1), quercetin 3-O-β-d-sophoroside (2), isoquercitrin (3), hyperin (4), catechin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and quercetin 3-O-β-Dglucopyranosyl( 1→6)-O-β-d-galactopyranoside (6). This is the first report of the isolation of these flavonoids from this plant. Among these flavonoids, compound 2, 5, and 6 significantly inhibited LDL oxidation exhibiting 96.0±0.1 (IC₅₀: 3.9 μM), 96.8±1.7 (IC₅₀: 2.9 μM), and 97.4±0.1% (IC₅₀: 3.5 μM) inhibition, respectively, at a concentration of 40 μM.