Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable food known to contain various bioactive compounds produced during fermentation. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effects of a fermented cabbage Kimchi extract (FCK extract) against avian influenza virus (AIV, H9N2) using chicken embryonic eggs and a murine model. The FCK extract markedly inhibited AIV replication in chicken embryos and significantly reduced viral hemagglutinin titers. In addition, FCK extract suppressed viral neuraminidase activity, an essential enzyme involved in the release of newly formed virus particles. To evaluate its protective efficacy in vivo, the FCK extract was orally administered to 6-week-old BALB/c mice once daily for 15 days, and mice were intranasally challenged with AIV two days after the initiation of administration. Mice treated with the FCK extract exhibited significantly improved survival rates and attenuated clinical symptoms compared with the virus control group and the non-fermented cabbage Kimchi (N-FCK) extract group. Histopathological analysis revealed that lung tissue damage was markedly reduced in the FCK extract -treated mice relative to the control group. These findings suggest that oral administration of fermented cabbage Kimchi extract confers protective effects against AIV infection and that fermentation-derived antiviral components in FCK extract may contribute to this activity.

A total of 128 halophilic and marine-associated bacterial strains were isolated from environmental marine samples and fermented seafood products collected in the Sacheon region of South Korea. The aim was to secure region-specific microbial resources and evaluate their potential for industrial use. The isolates belonged to 4 phyla, 15 families, 30 genera, and 61 species. The phylum Bacillota, particularly the family Bacillaceae, was the major taxonomic group (62.5%), comprising 14 genera and 36 species, such as Alkalihalobacillus, Bacillus, Caldibacillus, Cytobacillus, Fictibacillus, Halobacillus, Lysinibacillus, Metabacillus, Neobacillus, Oceanobacillus, Priestia, Rossellomorea, Rummeliibacillus, and Ureibacillus. Members of the phylum Pseudomonadota, primarily the family Alteromonadaceae, accounted for 4.7% of the isolates and included the genera Marinobacter and Microbulbifer. All isolates identified as members of the phylum Pseudomonadota were strong auxin producers or showed high extracellular enzyme activities. Functional characterization showed that 86 strains (67.2%) exhibited hydrolytic activity for at least one enzyme (protease, amylase, or lipase), and 32 strains (25%) produced auxin. The functions of the microbial resources in the Sacheon region are highly diverse. Collectively, the isolated strains show potential for application in managing marine environments, bioprocessing, and the fermented seafood industry, underscoring their value as genetic resources for future biotechnological use in South Korea.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and qualified presumption of safety (QPS)-designated Bacillus strains are widely applied to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of natural products. Green garlic (Allium sativum L.), a common Korean vegetable and recognized functional food, is valued for its antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities. In this study, we investigated the functional properties of green garlic fermented with LAB and QPS-designated Bacillus strains. A total of 450 strains were isolated from marine environments, livestock sources, and diverse agricultural and fishery products, including fermented derivatives, of which 191 originated from agricultural products. Enzyme assays identified 89 strains with strong protease and amylase activities. After excluding taxonomic duplicates, we obtained seven QPS-designated Bacillus strains and four LAB strains characterized by robust growth in media containing green garlic. Fermentation using Sacheon green garlic powder was conducted for 4 days, and compared with the control, we found that the antioxidant activity of green garlic fermented with Latilactobacillus curvatus GH-11-11 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JY-48-5 increased by 144.0% and 145.8%, respectively. In addition, relative to a non-fermented extract, a 2-day fermentation with JY-48-5 enhanced α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by over 189.4%. These findings indicate that cultures of selected LAB and QPS-designated Bacillus strains could serve as promising starters for enhancing the bioactive properties of foods, and also emphasize the importance of regional microbial resources.

The aim of this study was to produce a fermented rice bran extract with enhanced ferulic acid γ-oryzanol contents and high antioxidant activities. The ferulic acid content in the freeze-dried extract of rice bran treated with plantase PT enzyme, increased by 4.1-fold compared to that of untreated sample, the DPPH radical scavenging activity also increased by 1.5-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. The γ-oryzanol content of the dried powder prepared by inoculating Apergillus oryzae BOT1869 onto steamed rice bran for solid-state fermentation followed by extraction with 80% ethanol, increased 2.3-fold compared to that in an 80% ethanol extract powder of raw materials. The ABTS scavenging activity also increased 1.5-fold. When the ferulic acid content-enhanced extract and the γ-oryzanol content-enhanced extract of rice bran were mixed and subjected to liquid fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus BOT406 and then freeze-dried, the ferulic acid content of the extract powder increased about 3.0 times compared to that of original extract powder. In addition, its γ-oryzanol content increased about 1.5 times, the DPPH radical scavenging activity increased 1.4 times, and the ABTS radical scavenging activity increased 1.6 times.

To investigate the diversity of industrially useful microorganisms from fermented agricultural products in the Sacheon region, 128 strains were isolated and analyzed phylogenetically. The analysis indicated that the isolates were categorized into three phyla, eight families, 13 genera, and 33 species. The Bacillaceae family, which was the main taxon, comprised 88.3% of the isolates and included four genera and 22 species: Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Fictibacillus, and Metabacillus. The Caryophanaceae family, which was the second most abundant taxon, comprised 3.9% of the isolates, including two genera and two species: Rummeliibacillus and Sporosarcina. The isolates were examined for hydrolytic enzyme activity (protease, amylase, and lipase), and 118 strains (92.2%) exhibited at least one of these enzyme activities. Furthermore, auxin production was observed in all seven strains. This study demonstrates that the isolated strains have potential applications in the food and agricultural industries in South Korea, highlighting the importance of genetic resources.

본 연구에서는 동아시아의 지리적, 문화적 환경과 기후의 유사성을 공유하는 한국, 중국, 일본 세 나라의 발효 전통주 제조 과정에 관하여 살펴보고, 이 과정에서 발생하는 부산물의 활용 가능성을 비교 분석하였다. 쌀을 주원료로 하는 전통 발효주는 곰팡이 균류를 배양, 첨가하여 당을 분해하고 알코올과 이 산화탄소로 전환되는 발효과정을 거쳐 액상과 고체상을 분리하는 과정을 통해 술을 얻는다. 이때, 사용하 는 곰팡이 균류의 종류는 각국의 전통주의 성분을 차별화하는 주요 요인이 된다. 쌀의 성분과 미생물의 대 사산물로 인해 전통주뿐만 아니라 주박에도 3대 필수 영양소인 탄수화물, 지방, 단백질과 생체 활성에 도움 을 주거나 술의 향과 맛에 풍미를 더해주는 다양한 유기 분자들이 포함되어 있음을 확인하였다. 세 나라의 발효 전통주 주박에 들어있는 성분을 비교하고, 이들 성분의 복합적 영향으로 나타나는 생체 활성에 관한 연구들을 조사하였다. 공통 적으로 항산화 효과, 항균 및 항알러지 효과, 항고혈압 작용, 지방 축적 저해 활 성 등 현대 사회에서 대두되고 있는 대사성 질환 문제를 해결할 수 있는 연구 결과들이 보고 되었다. 이러 한 결과는 폐기물로 간주 되던 주박이 식품이나 스킨케어 제품, 바이오에너지의 고부가가치 원료로 재 탄 생할 가능성을 보여주었다. 술이 인류에게 지속적으로 유익을 제공하는 한 술은 지속적으로 생산될 것이며, 이와 동시에 발생하는 폐기물의 재자원화에 대한 노력 역시 지속적으로 이루어져야 한다. 이러한 결과들로 부터, 주박은 생체 활성 원료 및 산업 자원으로 중요한 소재가 될 것이라 기대한다.

본 연구는 일반홍삼(70 °Brix)과 발효홍삼(45 °Brix)에 대한 항산화 성분 분석 및 항산화 효능 측정을 위한 적정 분석시료 함량을 설정하고, 홍삼의 발효에 따른 항산화성의 변화를 조사하였다. 홍삼의 flavonoid 및 phenolics 함량 측정은 일반홍삼과 발효홍삼 각각 농축액 시료 3 g을 증류수로 100배 희석하여 측정용 시료 1 mL 당 홍삼농축액 20-30 mg을 사용하는 것이 시료 채취와 낮은 흡광도에 의한 오차도 줄일 수 있었다. 홍삼의 항산화성 측정으로 홍삼 시료 mg 당 DPPH에 대한 전자공여능 및 ABTS radical 소거능은 일반홍삼과 발효홍삼 모두 농축액 분석시료 20-30 mg/mL에서 가장 안정적이었다. 세포에서의 항산화 효능으 로 ROS의 소거능은 일반홍삼과 발효홍삼 모두 농축액 분석시료 20 mg/mL 전후에서 ROS radical 소거능의 차이가 가장 컸으며 분석에 적합한 농도였다. Flavonoid 함량과 ROS radical 소거능은 발효홍삼 농축액이 일반홍삼 농축액보다 더 높았으나, radical 소거능은 유사하였다. 같은 농도의 일반홍삼과 발효홍삼을 비교할 경우 발효홍삼이 일반홍삼보다 항산화 효과가 더 높았다. 일반홍삼 및 발효홍삼의 항산화성 물질의 정량 및 그 항산화 효능을 측정하기 위해서는 농축액의 농도 차이에도 불구하고 일반홍삼과 발효홍삼 각각 농축액 2-3 g을 채취하여 100배 희석하여 분석 시료로 사용하는 것이 적합하였다.

Lactic acid bacterial (LAB) fermentation is frequently used to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of natural products. Oysters (Crassostrea gigas), a marine bivalve mollusc, have long been used in food applications. In the present study, we explored the effects of LAB fermentation on the physiological activity of C. gigas. To identify new starter strains, we isolated and screened LAB from local specialties in Sacheon, South Korea. Eighteen LAB strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, four of which exhibited protease activity. All the four isolates were identified as Latilactobacillus curvatus. Fermentation was carried out in a medium containing C. gigas powder for three days. After incubation, the antioxidant activity in the culture supernatant of fermented C. gigas with L. curvatus GH-118-24 increased by approximately 139.2% compared with that of the non-fermented control. Additionally, the extract of fermented C. gigas for three days showed significant improvements in anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects, with increases of over 71.2% and 253.8%, respectively, compared to the non-fermented extract. These results suggested that the selected LAB strains have potential as starters capable of enhancing the bioactive properties of food, thus highlighting the importance of genetic resources in South Korea.

발효 느타리버섯재배부산물을 급이한 흰점박이꽃무지 유충의 영양성과 안전성을 검증하고자 참나무 발효톱밥으로 사육한 유충의 영양성분 과 유해물질을 비교분석하였다. 조단백질 함량은 발효 느타리버섯재배부산물을 급이한 유충(OMCB)에서 54.0%로 참나무 발효톱밥을 급이한 유 충(FOS) 47.2%보다 1.1배 많았다. 필수아미노산 중 류신은 OMCB에서 2.8%로 가장 높았고, FOS에서는 2.7%로 비슷한 수치였다. 비필수아미 노산은 OMCB에서 프롤린의 함량이 7.2%로 가장 높았고 FOS (5.6%)보다 1.3배 더 높았다. 무기질 중 칼륨은 OMCB (2771.2 mg/100 g)와 FOS (2765.0 mg/100 g)에서 비슷한 수치였고, 불포화지방산 중 올레산은 OMCB (58.2%)와 FOS (59.6%)에서 가장 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 유 해물질 분석 결과, OMCB와 FOS에서 납, 카드뮴, 비소 모두 식용곤충 중금속 기준에 적합하였고, 식중독균에 속하는 대장균과 살모넬라균은 모두 불검출되었다. 위 연구 결과에 따르면, 발효 느타리버섯재배부산물 급이 흰점박이꽃무지 유충은 단백질과 불포화지방산뿐만 아니라 다양한 영양성 분을 포함하고 있으며, 안전성 또한 검증되었으므로 식용으로 활용하기에 적합할 것으로 판단된다.

An appropriate strain of Bacillus spp. derived from traditional Korean fermented foods was selected for fermentation of black rice bran, and the fermented bran’s nutritional components were analyzed. Among 18 isolated Bacillus spp. strains, the five (KU3, KU24, KU28, KU611, and KU612) that exhibited both amylolytic and proteolytic activities were selected for fermentation. Among these, Bacillus sp. KU3 showed notable dual enzymatic activity. During fermentation in black rice bran medium, Bacillus sp. KU3 increased from 5.83 to 7.83 Log CFU/mL after 24 h. The KU3 strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis using an API 50 CHB kit and 16S rRNA sequencing. Black rice bran (4% w/v) was fermented with B. subtilis KU3 at 37°C, 150 rpm for 24 h. Following fermentation, the main component of the fermented black rice bran was carbohydrate (77.13%). An increase in ash content was observed, while other nutritional components showed no significant changes. These results suggest that B. subtilis KU3 is a viable strain for black rice bran fermentation.

The present study, black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) fermented using lactic acid bacteria were powdered without defatting and added to 3% or 5% to make pig feed. Weaning piglets were fed 3% (T3) or 5% (T5) feed powdered with Hermetia illucens for 5 months and the efficacy of the feed was investigated. The results of measuring body weight gain over 5 months after adding 3% (T3) or 5% (T5) of Hermetia illucens powder to the feed of weaned piglets showed significant weight gain in the T5 group compared to the control group. The added feed to Hermetia illucens powder did not show toxicity, and analysis of its effect on blood properties showed that white blood cell levels tended to increase in the T3 or T5 group compared to the control group.The only increase in white blood cell count was a change within the normal range. As a result of analyzing the effect of the level of addition of Hermetia illucens powder on feces, the effect of liquid reduction showed excellent results in the T3 treatment group and maintained the best form of feces. In this study, the thawing loss in the control group was 6.66%, and the T3 group with added powder to Hermetia illucens showed a significant decrease of 5.03%, and the T5 group also showed a decrease of 5.61%. Therefore, it was demonstrated that additive feed for Hermetia illucens reduced thawing loss, affected the water holding capacity of meat, and played an important role in maintaining the taste of meat. Moreover, the results of carcass grade showed a tendency for one grade to increase in the T3 and T5 groups fed additive feed to Hermetia illucens compared to the control group. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that feed supplemented with Hermetia illucens is effective in influencing the weight gain of pigs, reducing the liquid content of feces, and increasing carcass grade.

본 시험은 마늘 절임에서 분리 동정된 Leuconostoc citreum SK2556 균주에 의한 마늘 발효 배양액 급여가 산란계의 계란 생산성, 계란 품질, 혈액 성상에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 실시하였다. 시험 동물은 33주령 산란계(Hy-Line Brown) 180수를 공시하였고, 5주간 사양시험을 실시하였 다. 전체 사양기간동안 산란율은 대조구, FG (발효마늘) 0.3 및 FG 0.5 처리구는 78.02~78.53의 범위로 유의적인 차이가 없었으나, FG 0.1 처리구(75.37±3.22)는 다른 처리구들에 비교하여 감소하였다(P<0.05). 사료섭취량과 사료요구율에서는 유의한 차이가 관찰되지 않았다. 시험 전기간 Haugh unit에서는 마늘 발효액 FG 0.1이 대조구와 FG 0.5에 비해 유의하게 증가하였다(P<0.05). 혈액 내 Glucose는 모든 마늘 발효액 처리구가 대조구보다 유의하게 낮았다(P<0.01). 간 기능의 이상 여부를 나타내는 알칼리인산분해효소(alkaline phosphatase; ALP)는 FG 0.3 처리구가 대조구보다 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 본 연구 결과, 산란계 사료 내 마늘 발효 배양액 급여는 계란의 Haugh unit의 향상으로 계란의 신선도를 개선시켰을 뿐만 아니라, 건강 유지에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳐 사료첨가제로서의 이용가능성을 제시하고자 한다.