Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits onto the host when administered at adequate doses. Most widely used probiotics, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, are known to be elements of healthy gut microflora and hence are not considered a threat to the host. However, probiotics may pose a risk in certain populations with compromised immune systems or defects in gut barrier functions. Herein, we evaluated the safety of Bifidobacterium breve BB077, according to the safety evaluation guidelines for probiotics produced by the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS). The results show that B. breve BB077 is both non-hemolytic and non-cytolytic. In contrast, B. breve BB077 exhibited higher streptomycin and tetracycline resistance than the suggested NIFDS standard cut-off values. Hence, a genetic analysis of the streptomycin and tetracycline resistance genes was performed to determine the origin of antimicrobial resistance. Streptomycin and tetracycline resistance was shown have arisen from chromosomal mutations and considered intrinsic to the taxonomic group. In conclusion, the B. breve BB077 strain might be safe for human consumption.

Tofu has been playing an important role in people's daily diet in most of Asia and recently in North America due to several health-promoting functions, preventing and treating a number of chronic diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of yakong incorporation (0, 5, 10, and 15%, w/w) in preparation of firm tofu. Quality parameters such as pH, titratable, moisture content, color, and consumer preference were determined, and their correlations were analysed. There were no significant differences in pH, titratable acidity, and moisture content due to different levels of yakong incorporation studied (p>0.05). A significant decrease in L* and b*-values whereas significant increase in a*-value was observed (p<0.05). Five percent yakong tofu received the most favorable mean scores with respect to color, texture, and overall acceptability. Correlation analysis revealed that yakong incorporation was well correlated with some of physicochemical properties as well as consumer preference.

In order to determine the short-term impact induced by chloride ionic, CaCl2 was used to study the chloride ionic effects of salinity on substrate and growth of Dracacena braunii grown in ornamental hydro-culture. A distilled water (control) was enriched with 10, 20, 50, 100, and 150 g･L -1 of CaCl2, respectively. Before planting, acidity and electronic conductivity values remarkably increased with increasing concentration of CaCl2. However, 4 weeks after planting, acidity values decreased to a slightly acidic pH, while there were not significant differences among electronic conductivity values obtained. Number of root, fresh weight, and total chlorophyll content were significantly decreased in response to CaCl2 concentration in comparison with control, whereas dry weight, water content, and color of stem were no significant effect of CaCl2 concentration less than 20 g･L -1 . These results showed that initial CaCl2 concentrations above 20 g･L -1 is considered to be the threshold value that will sustain the Dracacena braunii in the growth condition and above which plant growth will be retarded.