This study developed 3D-printable surimi inks enriched with sea cucumber extract (SCE) from subcritical water hydrolysate of Stichopus japonicus and supercritical CO₂-extracted salmon oil to create nutrient-rich functional food constructs. Nine formulations, varying in ice, SCE, and oil content, were characterized for physicochemical, rheological, structural, and biological properties. FT-IR spectroscopy and secondary structure analysis showed SCE reduced α-helix content and promoted β-sheet/β-turn structures, modifying protein-protein interactions. Rheological tests indicated shear-thinning behavior and viscoelasticity suitable for extrusion-based printing, while microscopy confirmed uniform phase dispersion. Among the formulations, Sample 5 maintained high print fidelity and structural integrity post-printing. In-vitro digestion followed by antioxidant and anti-diabetic assays revealed that these formulations retained or enhanced bioactivity after processing. The results demonstrate a sustainable strategy for engineering bio-functional surimi inks using green-extracted marine bioactives, enabling customized 3D-printed foods with potential applications in personalized nutrition and soft food design.

The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum confusum (SCEE) on acute atopic dermatitis (AD) using a murine model. AD-like symptoms were induced in BALB/c mice by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), followed by topical administration of SCEE. Clinical evaluation revealed that SCEE treatment significantly reduced dermatitis severity scores and white blood cell counts. Moreover, the levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha, total IgE, and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) were markedly suppressed, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and interferon-gamma were significantly elevated in both serum and splenocytes. These results suggest that SCEE may have therapeutic potential as a natural functional material for the prevention or treatment of atopic dermatitis through modulation of immune responses.

Colanic acid (CA), an exopolysaccharide synthesized by bacteria, is known for its potential to extend the lifespan of nematodes. However, its high viscosity poses practical application challenges, which can be mitigated by employing colanic acid-degrading enzymes (CAEs). This study presents the expression and characterization of a novel CAE from Escherichia phage phi92, used for the production of CA oligosaccharides (CAOSs). Optimal CAE expression conditions were identified as induction at 20 °C for 24 h with 0.1 mM IPTG. The enzyme showed maximal activity at 55 °C and pH 6.0, with stability in the range of 4-50 °C and pH 4.0-7.0. Structural characterization of CAOSs was performed using GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, revealing the composition of hexasaccharide and dodecasaccharide units, with CAE cleaving the β-1,4 glycosidic linkage between glucose and fucose. CAOSs were found to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation induced by H2O2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages, inhibiting NO and MDA production while enhancing CAT activity. Additionally, CAOSs modulated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, COX-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, HO-1) factors. This study deepens the understanding of CAE and facilitates the preparation of CA oligomers for applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease, and it is a chronically relapsing and inflammatory skin disease accompanied by itching. Many red algae are being actively conducted, studies on the physiological activity of C. ocellatus Holmes are rarely conducted. To investigate whether Chondrus ocellatus Holmes ethanol extract (COHEE) inhibits AD progression in animal models. COHEE significantly decreased Th cytokines in ConA-stimulated splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. AD-like skin lesions were induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in BALB/c mice, and COHEE was applied to DNCB-induced mice to study the effect of COHEE on AD. COHEE lowered the number of WBCs in the blood and the spleen weight of mice. COHEE significantly decreased the secretion of IL-4 and IL-5, whereas the level of IFN-gamma was increased in splenocytes. In addition, the secretion of IgE and TNF-alpha was significantly suppressed in the serum, and the IL-10 was increased. In conclusion, the present study indicates that COHEE has an inhibitory effect on AD and is useful for drug development and treating AD.

Dong-Hyeon Kim, Hyun-Sik Na, Ha-Young Lee, Hyeon-Ji Yu, Sang-Min Lee, Go-Wun Seo, Chang-Hyeon Ko, Seon-Woo Park, Ye-Jin Choi, Mi Jeong Jo, Dong-Woo Kim, and Dong-Hyun Ahn. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2024;53:755-61. https://doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2024.53.7.755

This study was carried out to determine the effect of moderate gamma (gamma)-irradiation (3-20 kGy) on the characteristics and anti-inflammatory activity of Sargassum fulvellum water extracts (SFWEs). The SFWEs were gamma-irradiated with 3, 7, 10, and 20 kGy absorbed doses, and their pH, color value, reducing sugar content, and viscosity were measured. The reducing sugar content showed a 1.89-fold increase at 20 kGy compared to that in the non-irradiated SFWE, whereas the viscosity decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. gamma-irradiated SFWEs decreased nitric oxide production more significantly than non-irradiated SFWEs. Moreover, gamma-irradiated SFWEs had a substantial inhibitory effect on the pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) secretion. Therefore, gamma-irradiation not only degrades S. fulvellum polysaccharides but also enhances S. fulvellum anti-inflammatory activity.

Inflammation is a biological response to infection, tissue damage, or external stimuli, and its understanding is crucial for disease prevention and treatment. αAL14, the model peptide, has been reported to have anti-angiogenic and anti-obesity effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. To figure out the anti-inflammatory effect of αAL14, LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were treated with αAL14, and cell viability assay, western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence staining were performed. αAL14 was confirmed to have no cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages, and a decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators NO and PEG2 was observed in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, αAL14 regulated the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which were increased in LPS-treated cells at the transcriptional level. In LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was inhibited in the presence of αAL14, while p38 and JNK/SAPK were not. Furthermore, αAL14 treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB and the translocation of p-ERK1/2 and NF-κB to the nucleus. Additionally, phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα were inhibited in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells treated with αAL14. As a result, αAL14-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells was attenuated by suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, PGE2, and cytokines. Our study suggests that αAL14 possesses the efficacy of suppressing inflammatory responses in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages.

This study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Sargassum confusum (SCEE). LPS is recognized by TLR4 on the macrophage surface, which activates the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, increasing the expression of inflammatory cytokine like interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The anti-inflammatory effect of SCEE (0, 1, 10, 50 μg/mL) was identified using LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. As a result, it was confirmed that inflammatory factors were suppressed by inhibiting expression of COX-2 and iNOS without any cytotoxicity. In addition, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and NF-κB p65, transcription factors, were inhibited by SCEE does-dependent manner. These results suggest that SCEE has an anti-inflammatory effect and can be used as a material for health functional foods to prevent inflammatory diseases.

Min-Ji Kim, Woo-Sin Kang, So-Mi Jeong, Ga-Eun Woo, A-Yeong Park, Hae-Ji Hwang, and Dong-Hyun Ahn. Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal 2023;38:121-6. https://doi.org/10.7841/ksbbj.2023.38.2.121

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation associated with skin hypersensitivity caused by environmental factors. The objent of this study was to assess the hot water extracts of Sargassum horneri (SHHWE) on AD. AD was induced by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the BALB/c mice. The efficacy of SHHWE was tested by observing the immunoglobulin E (IgE), cytokine, skin clinical severity score and cytokine secretions in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes. The levels of interleukine (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE, the pro-inflammatory cytokines that are closely related, were notably suppressed in a does-dependent manner by SHHWE, whereas the level of interferon γ (IFN-γ), the atopy-related Th1 cytokine inhibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, was increased. Therefore, these results show that SHHWE has a potent anti-inhibitory effect on AD and is highly valuable for cosmetic development.

This study investigated the effects and the anti-inflammatory activity of Sargassum muticum ethanol extract in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells and in a croton oil-induced mouse ear edema model. Pretreatment of lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells with Sargassum muticum ethanol extract (0.1-100 μg/ml) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in the Sargassum muticum ethanol extract-treated group was also suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that Sargassum muticum ethanol extract induced anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting Mitogenactivated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38) and nuclear factor kappa B, p65 phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The antiinflammatory activity of Sargassum muticum ethanol extract in vivo was evaluated in the ear edema model of a croton oil-treated mouse. Compared to the untreated control, croton oil-induced ear edema was found to be reduced by about 33 % upon treatment with 250 mg/kg Sargassum muticum ethanol extract.

This study was conducted to investigate the general properties of an enzymatic extract of Sargassum muticum (SM) produced using a crude enzyme from Shewanella oneidensis PKA 1008 and their anti-inflammatory activities. The SM was mixed with crude enzymes from S. oneidensis PKA 1008 (1:1 (v/v)) and incubated at 30 °C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 60 h. S. oneidensis PKA 1008 crude enzyme showed the highest SM enzymatic extracts degradation ability when reacted with SM for 48 h. These evaluations demonstrated a 134.25% increase in reducing sugar content and a 14.90% reduction in viscosity at 48 h. The pH, lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of the SM enzymatic extracts decreased significantly with increasing reaction time. Moreover, the SM enzymatic extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicate that the crude enzyme from S. oneidensis PKA 1008 can be used to enhance the polysaccharide degradation of SM, and the resultant oligosaccharides may have an anti-inflammatory effect.

In this study, gamma-irradiated mackerel (Scomber japonicus) meat was stored in a refrigerator for 20 days to examine the physicochemical changes related to fishy smell. The effect of gamma irradiation on the inhibition of the activity of crude urease extracted from Vibrio parahaemolyticus was also evaluated. Increased levels of trimethylamine (TMA) and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content, which are the main components causing fishy smell, were significantly reduced by day 20 of storage after gamma irradiation, indicating that freshness was maintained during storage. The ammonia nitrogen contents of 3, 7, 10, and 20 kGy gamma-irradiated groups were significantly decreased by 6.5, 15.2, 17.4, and 23.9%, respectively, compared to non-irradiated groups on day 20 of storage. In addition, urease activity decreased in a gamma irradiation intensity-dependent manner. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured during the storage of gamma-irradiated mackerel meat. The contents of ethanol, 2-butanone, 3-methylbutanal, and trans-2-pentenal, which are known to cause off-flavors due to spoilage of fish, were significantly reduced by day 20 of storage. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be considered useful for inhibiting urease activity and reducing fishy smell during fish storage.

This study investigated the effect of Chondria crassicaulis ethanol extract on degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Bagg Albino/c mice. General properties of Chondria crassicaulis (proximate analysis, total phenol and total flavonoid) were measured; moreover, beta-hexosaminidase release and cytotoxicity in rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells, severity of skin dermatitis, production of cytokines, and total immunoglobulin E content in an atopic dermatitis-like mouse model were estimated. Chondria crassicaulis ethanol extract decreased the secretion of beta-hexosaminidase without cytotoxicity in rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells and decreased the total immunoglobulin E content in serum. In addition, Chondria crassicaulis ethanol extract decreased the production of interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 in mouse splenocytes, whereas significantly increased the level of interferon gamma. Furthermore, Chondria crassicaulis ethanol extract alleviated skin lesions induced by atopic dermatitis without causing toxicity to mouse splenocytes. Therefore, the present study findings suggest that Chondria crassicaulis ethanol extract can relieve atopic dermatitis by regulating the activity of type 1 T helper and type 2 T helper cells that mediate cellular immune response and it can be used as an effective alternative therapy for atopic dermatitis.

Alginic acid is a polysaccharide obtained from brown algae, and its oligosaccharide has various functions such as antiviral, antitumor, immunoregulation, and antioxidant. However, because of its high viscosity, numerous studies have degraded the alginic acid by enzymes to improve its utilisation. In the present work, we characterised Sargassum fulvellum enzymatic extract (SFEE) using polysaccharide-degrading enzyme obtained from Shewanella oneidensis PKA 1008, and investigated its anti-inflammatory potential. S. fulvellum powder and crude enzyme were mixed at a ratio of 1:1 (v/v), and reacted at 30°C for 0 - 48 h to obtain the optimum degrading time. The changes in pH, colour, reducing sugar, and viscosity of SFEE were determined. The anti-inflammatory activity of SFEE was confirmed by measuring the expression level of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and L-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The reducing sugar content was found to increase 2.75-fold at 24 h as compared to that at the initial reaction point, but pH and viscosity decreased significantly with increasing reaction time. SFEE showed a high inhibitory effect on the levels of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines. SFEE thus has great potential for development as a functional food and therapeutic material owing to its anti-inflammatory effect.

This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties and anti-inflammatory effects of the enzymatic extracts of Sargassum patens C. Agardh (SP) using crude enzyme from Shewanella oneidensis PKA 1008. SP is a brown alga containing 30–67% carbohydrates and polysaccharides, such as alginate, laminaran, and fucoidan. The contents of moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, carbohydrate, and alginate in SP were 8.29, 18.10, 0.60, 21.64, 51.37, and 32.37%, respectively. The S. oneidensis PKA 1008 strain was isolated from Ulva pertusa and used to degrade alginate. To obtain the optimum degradation conditions, SP and crude enzyme from S. oneidensis PKA 1008 were prepared in a ratio of 1:1(v/v). The mixture was incubated at 30°C for 0–48 h. The changes in pH, color value, reducing sugar, viscosity, and TLC of SP-degrading extract were confirmed. The pH and viscosity significantly decreased at 24 h compared to those at 0 h. The highest reducing sugar concentration of the enzymatic extract was 571.91 µg/mL at 24 h. The enzymatic extracts were visualized by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using a solvent system of 1-butanol: methanol: water, 4:1:2 (v/v) and degraded into monomers at 24 h. The anti-inflammatory effects of the enzymatic extracts at 0 and 48 h were measured using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that crude enzyme from S. oneidensis PKA 1008 can be used to enhance the polysaccharide degradation of SP and its anti-inflammatory effect.

The purpose of this study was to identify fungi that degrade product value during the storage and distribution of confectionery products, and to investigate the antifungal effect of organic acid and UV-C treatments on high carbohydrate products. Fungi isolated from spoiled high carbohydrate confectionery were identified as Wallemia sp., Aspergillus sp-1 and Aspergillus sp-2 depending on homologies with ITS1 and ITS4 sequences. The isolated fungi were assayed for antifungal activity by treatment with acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid or maleic acid. As a result, it was confirmed that the growth of Wallemia sp. and Aspergillus sp-2 was suppressed by treatment with 0.2 M and 0.35 M acetic acid, respectively. In addition, as a result of confirming the antifungal effect according to the UV-C irradiation time, the growth inhibitory effects of Wallemia sp. and Aspergillus sp-2 were shown in irradiation for 30 min and the growth inhibitory effect of Aspergillus sp-1 was shown in irradiation for 40 min. The result of the sensory evaluation of the untreated and 0.35 M acetic acid-treated high carbohydrate confectionery, there were not significant changes in taste, color, abnormal taste, hardness and texture, but there were significant differences in sour taste and smell. As a result of the above study, the effect of inhibiting fungi growth on the product by treatment with organic acid and UV-C irradiation was confirmed, and it is expected to be used in confectionery that were concerned about the occurrence of fungi in the distribution process.

Xiaotong Xu, Ji-Eun Lee, So-Mi Jeong, Woo-Sin Kang, Si-Hyeong Ryu, Han-Ho Kim, Su-Ryong Kim, Ga-Hye Lee, and Dong-Hyun Ahn. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2021;50:301-6. https://doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2021.50.3.301