This study analyzed the association between night snack intake, nutrient intake, and obesity-related indicators in 5,466 adults based on data from the 9th (2023) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Among the subjects, 46.3% consumed night snacks. Night snack intake significantly varied by gender, age, household income, educational background, and drinking habits, with a higher proportion found in young adults. Total daily energy intake was higher among night snack consumers, as were protein, carbohydrate, and sugar intakes. However, fat-related nutrients did not show any significant differences after adjustment. There were no significant differences between night snack consumers and non-consumers in BMI, body fat percentage, or waist circumference after adjustment. Logistic regression (Model 3), which adjusted for age, sex, and total energy intake, also indicated no significant differences in the risk of obesity or abdominal obesity between night snack consumers and non-consumers. Among night snack consumers, analysis of night snack energy intake and its contribution to total energy intake, comparing obesity group and non-obesity group, showed no significant differences. The results of this study suggest that night snack intake is associated with energy, carbohydrate and sugar intake, but no clear association with obesity or abdominal obesity was confirmed.
In this study, 'Tadanishiki', a yuzu variety, was stored at 25℃ for 7 weeks using various packaging materials (unpackaged, plastic containers, functional films). Appearance, quality characteristics (hardness, weight loss rate, etc.), antioxidant activity, total number of bacteria, and mold generation were compared under each condition. In the case of unpackaged yuzu, the weight loss rate increased from 24% at week 1 of storage to 70% at week 7. The weight loss rate of yuzu in plastic packaging increased from 18% (1 week) to 68% (7 weeks). However, functional films were found to be effective in maintaining marketability because they had fewer changes in the weight loss rate compared to unpackaged and plastic packaging. As a result of the total bacterial count survey, bacteria began to be observed from the 3rd week in the case of yuzu stored in unpackaged and plastic containers, whereas yuzu stored in functional films developed bacteria by the 7th week. Fungi did not occur in any treatments on day 0, and mold measuring 47.7 mm2 size occurred in unpackaged yuzu at week 1. It was confirmed that mold measuring 483.5 mm2 occurred at week 3 for plastic containers and 189.2 mm2 for functional films at week 5.
This study aimed to optimize the enzymatic process for extracting narirutin from yuzu pomace while maximizing yield, and to assess its functional properties related to prebiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-allergic activities. Given the high pectin content in yuzu pomace, which increases extract viscosity and impedes the release of bioactive compounds, a sequential enzyme treatment was implemented. Pectinase (P4) was first used to degrade pectin, followed by cellulase (C1) to facilitate the release of narirutin. The P4–C1 extract achieved a 2.17-fold increase in narirutin content compared to the crude extract without enzyme treatment. In prebiotic activity, the P4–C1 extract enhanced the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium infantis by 34.62% and 28.03%, respectively, compared to the crude extract. Additionally, the P4–C1 extract demonstrated improved antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus, with increases of 22.69%, 27.09%, and 25.04%, respectively. Furthermore, in anti-DNP-IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, the P4–C1 extract showed enhanced anti-allergic activity by reducing β-hexosaminidase release by 16.22% compared to the crude extract. These findings indicate that the optimized enzymatic process significantly improves narirutin extraction efficiency and that the extract has considerable potential as a functional ingredient for prebiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-allergic applications.
This animal experiment aimed to examine the anti-obesity effects of dried Platycodon grandiflorum extract (PG) and Beopje Platycodon grandiflorum extract (PGB) in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model. The study analyzed fat tissue weight, blood lipid levels, and tissue histology. After orally administering PG (250 mg/kg BW) and Beopje PG (250 and 500 mg/kg BW) for 28 days, significant reductions in body weight, which increased due to the high-fat diet (HF), were observed. Additionally, the food efficiency ratio improved, and the weight of regional fat tissues decreased. Blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly reduced. HDL cholesterol levels in the PG, PGB-L, and PGB-H groups significantly increased compared to the HF group, confirming that Beopje PG extract positively affects blood lipid levels. The elevated levels of blood TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β induced by the high-fat diet were significantly reduced in the PG, PGB-L, and PGB-H groups. Histological analysis of the liver confirmed that the administered Platycodon grandiflorum extract reduced lipid deposition and decreased adipocyte size. Therefore, Beopje processing enhanced the functionality of Platycodon grandiflorum extract, indicating its potential as a functional material for obesity management.