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.     

Prevalence and toxin type of Clostridium perfringens in beef from four different types of meat markets in Seoul,Korea

Food Science and Biotechnology - Beef is the primary source of foodborne poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens. We investigated the prevalence of C. perfringens in retail beef from four...     

Inhibitory effect of cinnamon essential oils on selected cheese-contaminating fungi (Penicillium spp.) during the cheese-ripening process

The antifungal effects of essential oils (EOs) on cultures of the known cheese fungal contaminants Penicillium spp. were evaluated. Cinnamon leaf and bark EOs were the most effective among 8 EOs tested. The main components of both cinnamon EOs were eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and linalool. Both inhibited growth of Penicillium spp. at a concentration of 10% v/v (2,000 ppm/mm²) on a lawn cell plate. When tested using 3 commercially available cheese starters, cinnamon EOs showed no effect against the FD-DVS ABT-5 cheese starter. However, growth of lactobacilli was inhibited in the presence of ≥10% (v/v) of leaf and bark EOs for the KAZU 1 starter, and ≥5% (v/v) for the FD-DVS FLORA-DANICA starter. A concentration of 4,000 ppm/mm² of cinnamon EOs completely inhibited growth of the Penicillium spp. that naturally contaminates the surface of Appenzeller cheese.     

Cyanidin-3-glucoside ameliorates CCl4-induced liver injury in mice

The protective effect of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice was investigated. Administration of C3G attenuated the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and liver lipid peroxidation in CCl₄-treated mice. Histopathological examination of mouse livers showed that C3G reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl₄. Moreover, C3G prevented DNA damage and decreased the protein levels of γ-H2AX in CCl₄-treated mouse livers. C3G also increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, which were decreased due to CCl₄ administration in CCl₄-treated mouse livers. C3G inhibited the expression levels of IL-6 and iNOS in CCl₄-treated mice. C3G apparently protects the liver from CCl₄-induced hepatic damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.     

Carpesium abrotanoides extract inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression induced by toll-like receptor agonists

Inflammation is a pathological and physiological process which is known to be involved in numerous diseases, while it is notable that a considerable proportion of chronic inflammatory diseases overlap with the development of cancer. One of the most important proteins for inflammatory responses is inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The present study investigated the effect of the extract of Carpesium abrotanoides L. (ECA) on inflammation by modulating iNOS expression induced by toll-like receptors (TLRs) agonists in murine macrophages. ECA suppressed iNOS expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (TLR4 agonist), macrophage-activating lipopeptide 2-kDa (TLR2 and TLR6 agonist), and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (TLR3 agonist). All the results suggest that ECA can modulate TLR signaling pathways and subsequent chronic inflammatory responses.     

Ethylacetate extracts of the muscles of Anguilla japonica suppress glucose levels in db/db mice via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase

Hypoglycemic effects of ethylacetate extracts of Anguilla japonica (EMA) muscles in db/db mice were investigated. To understand the mechanism responsible for the hypoglycemic effects of EMA, the effects of EMA on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in L6 myotubes and in vivo using type II diabetic db/db mice were analyzed. In L6 myotubes, the phosphorylation degrees of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were markedly increased and glucose uptake was significantly (p<0.001) increased by EMA, compared with untretaed L6 myotubes. However, in L6 myotubes, these effects were abolished by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Moreover, EMA significantly reduced non-fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels, and strongly induced AMPK phosphorylation in skeletal muscle tissues of db/db mice. EMA regulates glucose levels in L6 myotubes and in diabetic mice by activation of AMPK. Beneficial effects for diabetes treatment are indicated.