Black chestnut (BC) was obtained through aging of fresh chestnut (FC) at 80℃ for 15 days. Proximate and mineral compositions along with colors of FC and BC were evaluated. With aging, moisture contents decreased by 50%, whereas sugar contents, carbohydrate contents, and calories increased. Contents of minerals (Fe, P, Ca, Na, Mg, K) were significantly higher in FC than in BC, showing an order of Mg < Ca < P < K in both FC and BC. Using a Hunter color system, it was found that lightness (L), redness (a), and yellowness (b) values of FC were higher than those of BC. Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of hot water and ethanol (50, 80, 100%) extracts prepared from FC and BC were evaluated. Extraction yields were lower with FC than with BC. Among water and ethanol extracts, water extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity for both FC and BC. IC50 values for ABTS+ radical scavenging activities increased after aging. Cytotoxicities of FC and BC extracts were similar to each other. They were different against various cell lines (3T3, HeLa, and Sarcoma-180). These results suggest that BC could be used as a new processed food using chestnut.

The foraging behavior of honey bees can be attributed to the nutritional incentives they gain from their activities. Nevertheless, a persistent question has revolved around how the nutritional composition undergoes alterations during the process of converting pollen into bee bread. We embarked on a comprehensive investigation of nutritional shifts, spanning from fresh pollen to bee-pollen, pollen patties, and bee bread. Our research findings unveiled that pollen exhibited notably higher levels of individual amino acids, resulting in significantly elevated overall amino acid content compared to bee-collected pollen. While we provided pollen patty to the honey bee colony, initially, during the first 3 to 7 days, there were no substantial discrepancies in the total amino acid content between bee bread and the pollen patty. Intriguingly, unlike most amino acids, we detected a distinct pattern of higher proline content in bee bread compared to bee-pollen or the pollen patty. This shift in amino acid composition likely stems from the incorporation of nectar and other secretions during the bee bread-making process. Moreover, over a span of approximately 14 days within hive conditions, the amino acid content in bee bread increased. Conversely, in terms of fatty acid contents, they were found to be lower in bee bread than those in the pollen patty, with no significant temporal differences observed. Regarding mineral content, bee bread, in general, contained fewer minerals than bee pollen and pollen patties. In conclusion, the transformation of pollen into bee bread involves dynamic alterations in nutrient contents, influenced by both intrinsic bee-related factors and external factors within the hive environment.

This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and physiological activity of five kinds of fresh vegetables produced in trees in early spring and tried to use them as basic data for wild vegetable producers and processed food manufacturers using wild vegetables. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activity were determined. Five spring wild vegetables contain high protein and phosphorus, indicating that they are useful food ingredients as sources of protein and phosphorus. Vitamin C content was high in R. venicifera and C. sinensis shoots, and in particular, R. venicifera and A. cortex shoots have high folic acid (folate) contents of 1,903.91 ug% and 1,525.35 ug%, respectively, which is considered a good food for folic acid intake in spring. The total phenol content was between 0.52% and 1.27%, and it was the highest in C. sinensis of 1.27%, followed by the order of R. venicifera, A.cortex, K.pictus, and A. elata, which tended to be consistent with the total flavonoid content. As for DPPH radical scavenging ability, C. sinensis (55.93%) showed the highest activity, and ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest activity in A. cortex (88.04%).

The labor environment in Korea has changed and problems related to employment types are treated as important issues. Especially, the ratio of irregular workers has not only increased relatively, but the labor conditions in Korea also have worsened in the current years. Studies have reported an association between temporary workers and the prevalence of diseases. However, there is insufficient research on chronic disease and employment types. Methods: The current study examines the prevalence rate of diseases and health behavior by categorizing employment types among Korean adults. Data were obtained from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Totally, the data of 2,366 workers (1,239 regular and 1,127 irregular) were analyzed in the study. The types of employment were classified by a questionnaire querying about working conditions. The results showed that irregular workers earned less than regular workers and had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We propose that if discrimination related to working conditions were relieved, irregular workers would be able to invest more time to exercise and doing check-ups regularly. In addition, individual nutrition consultations considering the knowledge and personal environmental factors of each individual are necessary for the improved health of all workers.

Flammulina velutipes, known as winter mushroom in the family of Physalacriaceae, is the main edible and export mushroom with the third highest production after oyster and king oyster mushroom in Korea. However, as normal consumers regard F. velutipes as a simple subsidiary material, there is a limitation to increasing mushroom demand. In order to overcome the consumption limit and increase the differentiation of new varieties, it is necessary to breed varieties with enhanced functionality in consideration of consumer preferences. Therefore, the study was performed to analyze nutrient components and several useful functional substances with 26 genetic resources of F. velutipes. Analyses of inorganic compound(Ca, K, Mg) and 15 amino acids revealed that Strain 4148 had the highest content among the 26 strains. Beta-glucan, which increases immune activity and polyphenol, which exert antioxidant effects were higher in non-white strains than in white strains with a small number of exceptions. Among the five fatty acids, linoleic acid(an omega-6 fatty acid) and α-linolenic acid(an omega-3 fatty acid), were detected in six mushroom strains. α-linolenic acid, which was not found in five major mushrooms including oyster mushrooms, was identified in F. velutipes. The results of HPLC analysis showed that ‘Auram’ (Strain 4232) and ‘Baekseung’(Strain 4230) had the highest content of the stabilizing neurotransmitter GABA(15.38 μg/ml and 20.56 μg/ml, respectively) among non-white and white strains, respectively. Our findings provide useful information for breeding F. velutipes to obtain strains with enhanced functionality.

This study was conducted to determine the proximate compositions, nutritional components, and antioxidant effects of white and brown enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes). The crude protein and carbohydrate contents were higher in the brown than white mushrooms, whereas the moisture, crude ash, crude lipid, and dietary fiber levels were lower. The mineral contents of the white mushroom was higher than levels obtained in the brown mushroom for the detected components (Ca, Cu, K, Mn, Na, and P). The amount of vitamin B3 in the brown mushroom was 1.51 mg/100 g, which was 4.5 times higher than that in the white mushroom. The major fatty acids detected were palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest in 70% ethanol extracts of the white and brown mushrooms, respectively. For the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, a 70% methanol extract of the white enoki mushrooms showed an activity of 76.4% (p<0.05). For the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity, a 70% methanol extract of the brown enoki mushrooms showed the highest value. Further, the total flavonoid contents were significantly correlated with the DPPH and FRAP activities.

As the importance of public health increases with the spread of infectious diseases, functionality has become a factor affecting consumers’ purchase of mushrooms. Therefore, the bioactive components of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), which are generally known to promote button mushroom consumption, were analyzed. White and brown button mushrooms were compared and white beech mushroom (Hypsizygus marmoreus) were used as a control. White button mushrooms had higher sugar and inorganic potassium concentrations than brown button mushrooms, whereas sodium, magnesium, and vitamin C concentrations were not significantly different between the different button mushrooms. Moreover, there was approximately twice as much ergosterol in white button mushrooms than brown button mushrooms. Brown button mushrooms had higher concentrations of β-glucan and oxalic acid than white button mushrooms, but there was no significant difference in total organic acid content between the two mushroom types. High concentrations of the essential amino acids, ergothioneine, isoleucine, and leucine and the non-essential amino acids, glycine and alanine, were observed. Concentrations of the vitamin B group and total polyphenols were also high.

Galactosemia is a rare, hereditary metabolic disorder caused by the accumulation of galactose and its metabolites in the body due to a lack of enzymes that convert galactose to glucose. This study aimed to investigate the dietary behaviors and nutritional statuses of patients with galactosemia and to provide basic information on the development of nutrition education programs to improve quality of dietary life. A survey was conducted on 13 parents of (<11 years of age) children with galactosemia and 26 parents of (<11 years of age) children without galactosemia. Mean body mass index was greater for school-age children with galactosemia (18.77 kg/m2) than for corresponding normal children (16.55 kg/m2). Underweight and obesity rates of children with galactosemia were greater than those of children without galactosemia. In addition, children with galactosemia had a higher food neophobia rate and thus consumed less food. Normal children exhibited a greater range of food preferences than those with galactosemia, especially for milk and dairy products (p= .001) and fats and sweets (p= .04). Reliable food databases and appropriate dietary recommendations are required to ensure the proper growth of children with galactosemia.

This study evaluated the nutritional composition and quality traits of rabbit meat as compared to chicken meat. Samples of loin (M. longissimus dorsi) and breast meats were collected from rabbit and chicken carcasses, respectively. The meats were then analyzed for the proximate composition, collagen and energy contents, fatty acid composition, myoglobin and heme iron contents, pH value, water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, meat color, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) value, and texture profile. Compared to chicken breast meat, lower (p<0.05) protein content and higher (p<0.05) ash and collagen contents were obtained in rabbit loin meat. Rabbit meat remarkably had higher (p<0.05) total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and linolenic acid contents and lower (p<0.05) n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio as compared to chicken meat. The pH value and WHC were lower (p<0.05) in rabbit meat than in chicken meat (p<0.05). Rabbit meat exhibited lower (p<0.05) L* value and higher (p<0.05) a* and b* values compared to chicken meat (p<0.05). The WBSF value, hardness, and gumminess were higher (p<0.05) in rabbit meat than in chicken meat (p<0.05). These findings suggest that rabbit meat has higher essential n-3 PUFA, darker color, and firmer texture as compared to chicken meat.

영양은 모든 생명활동의 근본이며, 생물의 진화적 적응도를 결정하는 가장 중요한 요인이다. 곤충영양학은 곤충생리학의 전통적인 연구영 역이며, 최근 산업곤충의 대량사육 필요성이 증가함에 따라 그 중요성이 부각되고 있다. 이러한 중요성에도 불구하고, 곤충의 영양현상을 정확히 이해하기란 어려운데, 이는 영양의 다변량적 특성, 영양소 간의 교호작용 등으로 설명되는 영양적 복잡성에 기인한다. 영양기하학(Nutritional Geometry)은 이러한 난점을 극복하기 위해 고안된 통합적이고 다차원적인 분석모형으로서, 최근 곤충영양학이 급격하게 발전할 수 있는 이론적 및 실험적 기반을 제공하였다. 본 종설은 영양기하학의 기본개념을 소개하고, 이러한 방법론이 어떻게 최근 곤충영양학의 급속한 학문적 진보를 가능케 하였는지, 그리고 영양이 어떻게 생리학, 생태학, 진화생물학을 통합하는 구심점이 될 수 있었는지를, 최신 연구사례를 중심으로 살펴볼 것이다. 또한 본 종설은 향후 영양기하학을 적용함으로써 발전할 가능성이 높은 연구분야를 고찰할 것이다.