Korea Food Research Articles

Identification and Characterization of a surfactin from Pseudomonas gessardii: A Symbiotic Bacterium with Potent Anticancer Activity

Prasiola japonica, traditionally used as food and folk medicine in South Korea, exerts pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. In this study, we explored symbiotic microbes associated with P. japonica and identified Pseudomonas gessardii as a nonpathogenic symbiotic bacterium through 16S rDNA sequencing. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of P. gessardii ethanol extracts, utilizing a series of non-polar to polar solvents, led to the isolation of a single bioactive compound (SF10) from the ethyl acetate fraction. Structural analysis using LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy identified SF10 as surfactin C15, a lipopeptide consisting of 7 amino acids and a β-hydroxy fatty acid chain containing 15 carbon atoms. This represents the first discovery of surfactin production in P. gessardii, expanding known surfactin-producing genera beyond Bacillus. In HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, surfactin C15 demonstrated significant anticancer activity through multiple mechanisms: inhibition of cancer stem cell marker CD133 expression, upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors (CHOP, PUMA, DR5), and modulation of cell cycle regulators (p21, cyclin E1, CDK5). Furthermore, surfactin C15 induced necrotic cell death, confirmed by increased lactate dehydrogenase release and flow cytometry analysis showing dose-dependent increases in necrotic cell populations. This study reveals a novel source of surfactin with unique cancer cell-targeting properties, particularly through its ability to induce necrosis in colorectal cancer cells, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.

A comparative study of blood viscometers of 3 different types.

The greater the viscosity of the blood, the more difficult its flow becomes, leading to an increased incidence of diseases caused by blood circulation disorders. These diseases are commonly associated with the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. High blood viscosity is a primary cause of circulatory system diseases. Studies have shown that accurately measuring blood viscosity and applying this data in clinical trials can help prevent circulatory system diseases. Viscosity data can vary depending on the measurement methods used, even when these methods are based on hydrodynamic principles. Despite using approved blood viscometers, the results often differ depending on the type of viscometer used, potentially causing confusion within the medical field. Informing the medical community about these differences and the level of error associated with each measurement method can help reduce this confusion. To our knowledge, the degree of difference in viscosity measurement results due to different measurement methods and the reasons for these differences have not yet been thoroughly explored. In this study, we selected three blood viscosity measurement methods registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea to analyze the same canine blood. The viscosity measurements were carried out using each device and compared. The parallel plate and scanning capillary methods yielded similar viscosity values, while the cone plate method showed lower viscosity values. The viscosity of blood, as measured by the three viscometers, differed, indicating that more experimental data must be accumulated to evaluate the cause of these differences. In this paper, we identified several causes of inconsistency and suggested measures to avoid this confusion. However, confirming that the test results show systematic differences is expected to assist clinicians who diagnose and prescribe treatments based on blood viscosity results. The findings of this comparative study are anticipated to serve as a starting point for establishing guidelines or standards for blood viscosity measurement methods.

Revitalization and Awareness of Domestic and International Food Upcycling Industries†

Food upcycling refers to the process of reprocessing food by-products generated in the food production process into new products with higher added value. This study aims to achieve a sustainable food system by promoting consumer awareness of food upcycling and revitalizing the domestic food upcycling industry in alignment with UN-SDGs 17 and 2.We utilized the 5 Forces Model and SWOT Analysis to evaluate the domestic market and analyzed financial statements from CRETOP for food upcycling companies. Additionally, we conducted interviews with industry CEOs to understand trends and consumer perceptions.The market analysis indicates that while the industry faces initial profitability challenges, its growth potential is strong, driven by increasing sales and positive market conditions. The analysis highlights the need for consumer awareness and producer sustainability. Through consumer surveys and corporate interviews, we identified a rejection and prejudice towards "food upcycling" and "upcycling jam," as well as effective marketing strategies.South Korea's food upcycling industry shows promise despite its smaller scale compared to North America and Europe. Positive market conditions and consumer responses suggest significant growth potential through in-ternational benchmarking and private investments. Government support and corporate involvement are crucial for sustaining operations and achieving long-term economic, nutritional, and environmental benefits. The government can facilitate a long-term sustainable food system through policies that boost private investments and enhance funding to ensure product safety and reliability. Establishing food upcycling certification systems and legal proposals will be essential in this process.

Influences of appearance characteristics on consumer perception of ‘gu‐soo’ in fermented soybean paste (doenjang)

SummaryDoenjang, one of the representative soybean‐fermented foods in Korea, is a widely consumed food ingredient of stew, soup, and sauce/dip. In Korea, the term ‘gu‐soo’ is widely used to describe sensory characteristics of doenjang. Previous studies have reported that appearance characteristics such as colour, moisture content, and bean‐to‐paste ratio may affect consumer perception of gu‐soo in doenjang. The purpose of this study was to determine effects of appearance characteristics such as colour and bean‐to‐paste ratio on consumers' perception of gu‐soo in doenjang. A total of nine doenjang samples with three different colours and three different bean‐and‐paste ratios (0%, 25%, and 50%) were prepared. Consumer (N = 101) tests were conducted to measure consumer perception and acceptance of nine samples. Check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) test on sensory characteristics perceived by each doenjang was also conducted. As a result of the CATA test, doenjang samples made of the same type of doenjang were perceived to have similar sensory characteristics. Having high levels of beans in the paste did not affect the liking attribute or consumer perception of ‘gu‐soo’ in doenjang (P > 0.05). Overall, consumers' perception of gu‐soo were influenced by the colour of doenjang (P < 0.05). This study found out that the colour of doenjang was more important in consumer perception of ‘gu‐soo’ in doenjang than bean content in the paste.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors, Dulaglutide, and Risk for Dementia : A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Both sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may have neuroprotective effects in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, their comparative effectiveness in preventing dementia remains uncertain. To compare the risk for dementia between SGLT2 inhibitors and dulaglutide (a GLP-1 RA). Target trial emulation study. Nationwide health care data of South Korea obtained from the National Health Insurance Service between 2010 and 2022. Patients aged 60 years or older who have T2D and are initiating treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors or dulaglutide. The primary outcome was the presumed clinical onset of dementia. The date of onset was defined as the year before the date of dementia diagnosis, assuming that the time between the onset of dementia and diagnosis was 1 year. The 5-year risk ratios and risk differences comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with dulaglutide were estimated in a 1:2 propensity score-matched cohort adjusted for confounders. Overall, 12 489 patients initiating SGLT2 inhibitor treatment (51.9% dapagliflozin and 48.1% empagliflozin) and 1075 patients initiating dulaglutide treatment were included. In the matched cohort, over a median follow-up of 4.4 years, the primary outcome event occurred in 69 participants in the SGLT2 inhibitor group and 43 in the dulaglutide group. The estimated risk difference was -0.91 percentage point (95% CI, -2.45 to 0.63 percentage point), and the estimated risk ratio was 0.81 (CI, 0.56 to 1.16). Residual confounding is possible; there was no adjustment for hemoglobin A1c levels or duration of diabetes; the study is not representative of newer drugs, including more effective GLP-1 RAs; and the onset of dementia was not measured directly. Under conventional statistical criteria, a risk for dementia between 2.5 percentage points lower and 0.6 percentage point greater for SGLT2 inhibitors than for dulaglutide was estimated to be highly compatible with the data from this study. However, whether these findings generalize to newer GLP-1 RAs is uncertain. Thus, further studies incorporating newer drugs within these drug classes and better addressing residual confounding are required. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea.

Antiviral activity of Morus alba L. extract against pseudorabies virus

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMorus alba L. are widely used as ethnomedicine and functional food in China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. Morus alba L. have a variety of pharmacological activity such as antiviral, antioxidation, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, hypoglycemia, and neuroprotection. Morus alba L. has demonstrated antiviral efficacy against influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 and so on, but its potential activity against pseudorabies virus (PRV) remains uncertain. Aim of the studyThis study endeavors to delve into the anti-pseudorabies virus (PRV) potential of the ethanol extract of Morus alba L. leaves (MLE), while simultaneously elucidating its underlying mechanism of action. Materials and methodsThe anti-PRV activities of Morus alba L. extracts at different concentrations were evaluated by qPCR and immunoblotting. The inhibitory effects of MLE on PRV replication in three distinct treatment modes (pretreatment, co-treatment, and post-treatment) were detected by qPCR and indirect immunofluorescence assays. qPCR was used to investigate the effects of MLE on PRV attachment, entrance, and cytokine expression in PRV-infected cells. The chemical components in MLE were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. ResultsMLE significantly inhibits PRV replication and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. MLE displays inhibitory effects against PRV at three different modes of treatment. The most significant inhibitory effect of MLE was observed when used in co-treatment mode, resulting in an inhibition rate of 99.42%. MLE inhibits PRV infection in the early stage. MLE inhibits PRV infection by affecting viral attachment and viral entry. Furthermore, MLE exerts its inhibition on PRV replication by mitigating the heightened expression of cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-α) triggered by PRV. Analysis of its chemical composition highlights phenolic acids and flavonoids as the principal constituents of MLE. ConclusionThe results illustrate that MLE effectively impedes PRV infection by suppressing viral adsorption and entry, while also curbing the expression of antiviral cytokines. Therefore, MLE may be a potential resource for creating new medications to treat human and animal PRV infections.

Coixol mitigates Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced liver injury by inhibiting the Toxoplasma gondii HSP70/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in hepatic macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCoix seed, the dry mature seed kernel of the gramineous plant coix (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf), is widely consumed as a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food in China and South Korea. We have previously demonstrated the protective effect of coixol, a polyphenolic compound extracted from coix, against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection-induced lung injury. However, the protective effect of coixol on hepatic injury induced by T. gondii infection have not yet been elucidated. Aim of the studyThis study explores the impact of coixol on T. gondii infection-induced liver injury and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and methodsFemale BALB/c mice and Kupffer cells (KCs) were employed to establish an acute T. gondii infection model in vivo and an inflammation model in vitro. The study examined coixol's influence on the T. gondii-derived heat shock protein 70 (T.g.HSP70)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway in T. gondii-infected liver macrophages. Furthermore, a co-culture system of KCs and NCTC-1469 hepatocytes was developed to observe the impact of liver macrophages infected with T. gondii on hepatocyte injury. ResultsCoixol notably inhibited the proliferation of tachyzoites and the expression of T.g.HSP70 in mouse liver and KCs, and attenuated pathological liver injury. Moreover, coixol decreased the production of high mobility group box 1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase by suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Coixol also mitigated KCs-mediated hepatocyte injury. ConclusionsCoixol protects against liver injury caused by T. gondii infection, potentially by diminishing hepatocyte injury through the suppression of the inflammatory cascade mediated by the T.g.HSP70/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in KCs. These findings offer new perspectives for developing coixol as a lead compound for anti-T. gondii drugs.

Biological and Molecular Characterization of a Korean Isolate of Clover Yellow Vein Virus Infecting Canavalia ensiformis

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is one of healthy products for fermented or functional food in Korea and is widely distributed and cultivated worldwide. During August 2022, Jack bean plants showing symptoms of yellow flecks, chlorosis, necrotic spots and mosaic were observed in Jangheung-gun, South Korea. By transmission electron microscopy, flexuous filamentous virus particles of approximately 750×13 nm in size were observed in the symptomatic leaf samples. The infection of a Korean isolate of clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV-Ce-JH) was confirmed using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked sorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing. The complete genome sequence of ClYVV-Ce-JH consists of 9,549 nucleotides (nt) excluding the poly (A) tail and encodes 3,072 amino acids (aa), with an AUG start and UAG stop codon, containing one open reading frame that is typical of a potyvirus polyprotein. The polyprotein of ClYVV-Ce-JH was divided into ten proteins and each protein’s cleavage sites were determined. The coat protein (CP) and polyprotein of ClYVV-Ce-JH were compared at the nt and aa levels with those of the previously reported 14 ClYVV isolates. ClYVV-Ce-JH shared 92.62% to 99.63% and 93.39% to 98.05% at the CP and polyprotein homology. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Korean isolate of ClYVV from Jack bean plants and the complete genome sequence of a ClYVV Jack bean isolate in the world.

Analysis of the region-specific characteristics of traditional Korean doenjang produced in Gyeonggi-do.

Doenjang is traditional soybean fermented food in Korea, and traditional doenjang on the market has different qualities like aroma, taste. This study is a preliminary study to investigate the quality characteristics of doenjang produced in each region of Korea. The objective of this study was to analyze the region-specific characteristics of traditional Korean doenjang produced in Gyeonggi-do. Physiochemical characteristics including pH, moisture content, soluble solid content, salinity, color, acid value, titratable acidity, NH2-N, total/reducing sugar, and alcohol contents, and enzymatic activities such as acidic/neutral protease and α/β-amylase activities, were analyzed. Doenjang produced in Gyeonggi-do was classified into two groups (GDG-A and GDG-B), and the distinction between two groups were the aging period: doenjang samples in GDG-A groups were aged over 3 yrs, while samples in GDG-B groups were aged less than 3 yrs. The results of this study provided the physicochemical characteristics and enzymatic activities of traditional doenjang produced in Gyeonggi-do.

List prices and clinical value of anticancer drugs in China, Japan, and South Korea: a retrospective comparative study

High prices of anticancer drugs have raised concerns due to their financial impact on patients and healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the initial and latest list prices and clinical value of reimbursed anticancer drugs in China, Japan, and South Korea. We identified anticancer drugs newly approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China from January 2012 to June 2022, and by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea up until June 2022. We compared initial and latest treatment prices between countries and assessed clinical value using patients' survival, quality of life (QoL), and European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS). We calculated Spearman rank correlation coefficients of treatment prices with clinical value for individual countries and employed regression analyses to investigate whether the relationship between prices and clinical value was modified by the country setting. Our cohort included 91 anticancer drug indications, with 60 listed for reimbursement in China, 91 in Japan, and 87 in South Korea. Median treatment prices were highest in Japan, followed by South Korea, and lowest in China, both for initial prices (US$64082 vs. US$45529 vs. US$19144, p<0.0001) and latest prices (US$50859 vs. US$31611 vs. US$18666, p<0.0001). Over time, China (β=-0.047, p<0.0001) and South Korea (β=-0.049, p<0.0001) witnessed more significant price reductions compared to Japan (β=-0.013, p=0.011). The correlations between both initial and latest treatment prices and clinical value (QoL and ESMO-MCBS) were more significant and stronger in China and South Korea than in Japan, although Japan exhibited slightly stronger correlations in terms of survival compared to China and South Korea. The relationship between clinical value and treatment prices may not be modified by the country setting. In comparison, South Korea's list prices and their correlations with clinical value appear reasonable. Policymakers in Japan could enhance efficiency by controlling prices and aligning them with clinical value, while China would need to take substantial steps to expand anticancer drug coverage. National Natural Science Foundation of China (72374149 and 72074163), and China Center for South Asian Studies, Sichuan University.

Regulatory Framework for Drug-Device Combination Products in the United States, Europe, and Korea.

Combination products (CPs) combine two or more product types such as drugs, devices, and/or biological products for increased safety and clinical effectiveness. The emergence of innovative CPs poses new challenges for regulatory agencies in assigning jurisdiction for premarket review and oversight. In US, the 1990 Safe Medical Devices Act defines and provides classification criteria for CPs, and the US government has developed a regulatory process through multiple acts, including the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016. Meanwhile, regulators in the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Korea have recently recognized the importance of premarket pathways for CPs. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued guidelines and explanations on compliance issues related to drug-device CPs under MDR. EMA doesn't have the definitions of CPs, but uses the term drug-device combination products (drug-device CPs). CPs are categorized as drugs or medical devices, which follow their relevant regulatory framework. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea has legal definitions of CPs under the Notice of the MFDS. CPs are designated as drugs or medical devices according to their primary mode of actions (PMOA) and follow regulatory processes through the framework of drugs or medical devices. This study aims to comprehensively summarize the regulatory oversight of CPs by analyzing the regulatory policies and legal frameworks in the US, the EU, and Korea. The regulatory challenges encountered when developing CPs are also discussed. With specific emphasis on the combination of drugs and devices, this study provides in-depth insights into the regulatory landscape, shedding light on the unique challenges associated with the development of CPs for this particular intersection of drugs and devices.

Cost-effectiveness of the adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine for older adults in South Korea

ABSTRACT South Korea’s National Immunization Program administers the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) to manage seasonal influenza, with a particular focus on the elderly. After reviewing the safety and immune response triggered by the adjuvanted QIV (aQIV) in individuals aged 65 and older, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea approved its use. However, the extensive impact of aQIV on public health is yet to be fully understood. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of replacing QIV with aQIV in South Korean adults aged 65 years and older. A dynamic transmission model, calibrated with national influenza data, was applied to compare the influence of aQIV and QIV on older adults and the broader population throughout a single influenza season. This study considered both the direct and indirect effects of vaccination on the elderly. We derived the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) from quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs incurred, validated through a probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 5,000 simulations. Findings suggest that transitioning to aQIV from QIV in the elderly would be cost-effective, particularly if aQIV’s efficacy reaches or exceeds 56.1%. With an ICER of $29,267/QALY, considerably lower than the $34,998/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold, aQIV presents as a cost-effective option. Thus, implementing aQIV with at least 56.1% efficacy is beneficial from both financial and public health perspectives in mitigating seasonal influenza in South Korea.

First Report of Root and Collar Rot caused by Phytophthora nicotianae on ⨯Graptoveria 'Silver Star' in Korea.

⨯Graptoveria 'Silver Star' (a cross between Graptopetalum filiferum and Echeveria agavoides) from the Crassulaceae family, are an evergreen succulent with lotus constellation-shaped flowers, making it consumer favorite ornamental plant in Korea. In 2019, Korea's ornamental production was estimated at KRW 517.4 billion (EUR 382 million), from 4,244 ha of farming area according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea. In July 2023, ⨯Graptoveria 'Silver Star' plants with chlorotic leaves, root and collar rot were observed in a greenhouse in Yongin (37°14'27.9"N, 127°10'39.19"E), Korea. To isolate the causal agent, small pieces (1 mm2) of symptomatic tissues were surface-sterilized using 1% NaOCl for 1 min, then put onto a water agar (WA) plate and incubated in the dark at 25℃ for five days. Two isolates (FD00202, FD00203) were obtained from diseased leaves, stem and roots by isolating single sporangium. To investigate the morphological characteristics of the isolates, the mycelium from potato dextrose agar (PDA) were transferred to V8 agar (V8A) followed by incubation at 25°C in the dark for 7 days. The isolates produced dense cottony mycelium, with slightly petaloid and light rossette pattern, with coralloid edges measuring 70 to 83 mm diameter. Sporangium were spheroid (30.0-48.0 µm long, 25.0-35.0 µm wide) with globose chlamydospores (17.0-50.0 µm long, 18.0-38.0 µm wide). Oogonia were not observed. Morphological and cultural characteristics of these isolates were phenotypically similar to that of Phytophthora nicotianae (Faedda et al. 2013; Abad et al. 2023). For molecular identification, genomic DNA was extracted from 5 days old cultures using the Maxwell® RSC PureFood GMO and Authentication Kit (Promega). Two gene regions, the rDNA-ITS, COX I were amplified and sequenced using primers ITS1/ITS4 and FM83/FM84, respectively (White et al. 1990; Martin and Tooley 2003). The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession no. LC783858 to LC783861. A BLASTn search of the DNA sequences from ITS, COX I showed 99.81 and 98.94% identity to P. nicotianae isolate IMI 398853, respectively. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses were performed for the combined data set with ITS, COX I using MEGA7 under the Tamura-Nei model (Kumar et al. 2016). The isolates formed a monophyletic group with P. nicotianae isolate IMI 398853, CPHST BL162, and CPHST BL 44. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, the isolates were identified as P. nicotianae. T confirm their pathogenicity, inoculum was prepared in accordance with Ann (2000). Artificially wounded healthy plant roots were dipped in zoospore suspension (3.0 × 106 zoospore/ml) for 24 hours, with mock-treated plants (control) dipped in sterile distilled water (Ann. 2000). Thereafter, the plants were transplanted into new medium and kept under high humidity. Symptoms were observed after 10 days of incubation. The plants inoculated with P. nicotianae showed similar symptoms of chlorotic leaves with root and collar rot, while control remained symptomless. The pathogen was re-isolated from all inoculated plants and confirmed as P. nicotianae by morphological and molecular analysis. but not from controls, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Phytophthora nicotianae was previously report on Echeveria derenbergii and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana causing brown spot on stems and roots in California and Korea, respectively (French 1989; Oh and Son 2008). To best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. nicotianae causing root and collar rot on ⨯Graptoveria 'Silver Star' plants in the Korea.

Effectiveness and safety of hominis placental pharmacopuncture for chronic temporomandibular disorder: A multi-center randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHominis placental (HPP) extract has been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea for treating chronic liver diseases and postmenopausal syndrome. However, its efficacy and safety for treating chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of HPP for treating chronic TMD compared with physical therapy (PT). MethodsThis study is a 2-arm parallel, multi-center, randomized controlled trial. We enrolled 82 chronic TMD patients from 2 Korean medicine hospitals between December 2019 and January 2021. We included patients with chronic TMD and randomly assigned them to undergo HPP or PT. The primary outcome was the difference in the scores for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain at baseline and week 6. The secondary outcomes were the scores for TMJ pain and bothersomeness, TMJ range of motion, the Korean version of Beck's depression index-Ⅱ, jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) score, patient global impression of change (PGIC) scores, EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level score, and short form-12 health survey (SF-12) scores. ResultsCompared with PT, HPP showed significantly superior effects on TMJ pain and bothersomeness, protrusive movement pain, JFLS (verbal, emotional, and global), SF-12, and PGIC scores at week 6 (P < 0.05). Compared with the PT group, the HPP group showed a significantly higher recovery rate (≥50 % reduction in the scores for TMJ pain at the 24-week follow-up). ConclusionHPP was more effective than PT managing pain and improving function and quality of life. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of HPP for TMD treatment. Trial registrationThis study has been registered at clinicalTrials.gov (NCT04087005), Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (KCT0004437), and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (No. 31886).

Nutritional Composition and Safety Aspects of Deep-Sea Whelks (Buccinum tenuissimum Kuroda).

The deep-sea whelk Buccinum tenuissimum Kuroda is highly sought-after as food in East Asian countries, notably, Korea and Japan. However, it lacks official recognition as a food product in Korea. This study aimed to assess its nutritional composition and safety for the potential development of seafood products. The nutritional analysis revealed high protein (13.54-20.47 g/100 g whelk), fat (0.85-8.59 g/100 g whelk), carbohydrate (1.55-12.81 g/100 g whelk), and dietary fiber (1.25-1.95 g/100 g whelk) contents in both muscle and gut samples, with energy contents ranging from 339.11 ± 1.64 to 692.00 ± 3.21 kJ/100 g. Key minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and sodium, and essential fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, were abundant, making it a potential supplementary food. Notably, heavy metal levels met the Korean standards for seafood safety. No trans fats, radioactivity concerning the radioactive isotopes 134Cs/137Cs and 131I, or pathogenic bacteria were detected. This confirms the safety and nutritional value of deep-sea whelks, suggesting their potential for developing seafood products rich in beneficial components, which could enhance nutrition and food security while contributing to economic growth.

Discrimination of geographical origin of Korean and Chinese red pepper paste via inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry

BackgroundRed pepper paste is a common ingredient used in food in Korea. The discrimination of the geographical origin of agricultural products is important to protect the agricultural industry and customers from the misinformation regarding the product origin. Several studies have attempted to identify the geographical origin of red pepper based on its characteristic features using diverse methods, such as inorganic elemental analysis. However, similar studies on red pepper pastes have not been conducted thus far.ResultsIn, this study, we established methods based on inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determining inorganic elements in red pepper pastes. The limit of detection (LOD) of ICP-AES was in the range of 0.006–0.531 mg∙kg−1 and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.017–1.593 mg∙kg−1. In addition, LOD and LOQ ranges for ICP-MS were 0.001–1.553, and 0.002–5.176 μg∙kg−1, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, As, Sr, Zr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ce, Pt, Pb, and U were high in the Korean red pepper paste. All the employed discrimination models could clearly distinguish between Korean and Chinese red pepper pastes. In particular, among the four different models, CDA showed the most accurate ability to discriminate the geological origin of Korean and Chinese red pepper paste compared to that achieved using the other models with 100% accuracy.ConclusionsBased on, the findings of this study, the use of ICP-AES and ICP-MS analyses for discriminating the inorganic elements in food products in combination with the aforementioned statistical analysis models could help the mitigation of issues associated with the misinformation of the geographical origin of agricultural products, aiding customer protection.Graphical

The addition of jogi, Micropogonias undulates, affects amino acid content in kimchi fermentation.

The effects of jogi (the fish Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus) on the production of physicochemical components, such as color, organic acids, and amino acids, in kimchi, a traditional fermented vegetable food of Korea, were determined. As fermentation progressed, the color change of jogi-added kimchi increased, but in comparison with that of the control group without jogi-added kimchi, was difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. Reducing sugar decreased in all experimental groups, and as fermentation progressed, kimchi with jogi showed a lower value. Acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and ethanol, were highly produced in both types of kimchi, and above all, the jogi-baechu-kimchi group showed higher acetic acid and lactic acid contents than the control group. The increase and decrease of amino acids were similar in both types of kimchi. However, significantly, immediately after manufacture, the savory components aspartic acid and glutamic acid were detected higher than the control group. Subsequently, the fermentation tended to decrease as it progressed, but the content was higher than that of the control group. The above results show that jogi addition has a greater effect on the contents of amino acid, especially the savory component, than on the physicochemical components.

Empirical Comparison of the Effects of Online and Offline Recommendation Duration on Purchasing Decisions: Case of Korea Food E-commerce Company

Empirical Comparison of the Effects of Online and Offline Recommendation Duration on Purchasing Decisions: Case of Korea Food E-commerce Company

생강을 첨가한 다식의 항산화성 연구

This study evaluated the antioxidant and high-quality characteristics of Dasik. Dasik, a unique food in Korea, involves drying and powdering various ingredients, followed by kneading and consuming with tea. In this study, ginger, which has various pharmacologically active components, such as gingerol, was used as the main ingredient in Dasik, and five sub-ingredients (strawberries, blueberries, coconut powder, soy flour, and dark chocolate) that contain high amounts of polyphenols were added to enhance the absorption rate of catechins, including EGCG found in tea. The quality characteristics and antioxidant properties of Dasik were examined for each sub-ingredient. The quality assessment of ginger Dasiks with five different sub-ingredients revealed hardness values ranging from 3.73 to 6.02 g/cm2Dark chocolate had the highest ash and protein contents, while coconut powder exhibited the highest fat and sugar contents. In terms of antioxidant evaluation, dark chocolate, known for its high polyphenol content, exhibited the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity in this study. Therefore, considering that dark chocolate ginger Dasiks had the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, further research on neutralizing the bitterness associated with a high polyphenol content in dark chocolate ginger Dasik would contribute to the development of Dasiks that can enhance the rate of EGCG absorption in tea.

A S tudy o n Non-Muslim Consumer s' P urchase Intention of H alal Food in Korea

Purpose: The demand for halal foods among non-Muslim customers is increasing in non-Muslim countries. This study investigates South Korean non-Muslim customers' halal food purchase intentions using an extended model of goal-directed behavior (EMGB). Design/methodology/approach: The study model combines halal awareness with the existing model of goal-directed behavior (MGB) variables and examines the moderating effect of word of mouth (WOM). Findings: The results indicated that attitudes, positive anticipated emotions, perceived behavioral control, and halal awareness influenced non-Muslim consumers' desire to purchase halal foods. Desire and halal awareness also predicted purchase intentions. Moreover, word of mouth (WOM) had a significant moderating effect on the desire to purchase intentions of halal foods. Research limitations/implications: The results of this study can be utilized in managing the halal food business by providing information on non-Muslim consumer characteristics. Originality/value: This study aims to provide implications for the globalization of halal food by identifying specific variables that affect the halal food consumption behavior of non-Muslim consumers.