The fruit of the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is round-shaped, dark purple, bittersweet, and seed-containing edible berries. The blackcurrant has been used as a traditional medicine in both Asia and European countries. It is known as a rich source of antioxidants, largely due to its high content of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. Studies on anthocyanins from blackcurrants have adopted different extraction methods and a panel of anthocyanins has been identified in them. Research on the health benefits of blackcurrant anthocyanins has also grown. To present a general overview of research in blackcurrant anthocyanins, this review focuses on the extraction methods of anthocyanins from blackcurrants and the molecular mechanisms underlying their health benefits.

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological activities and nutrition contents of Gonji No.10 and Solhyang, the strains of Neolentinus lepideus. In nutritional contents of two strains of N. lepideus, the content of free sugars and sugar alcohols and total polyphenol were more in Gonji No.10 than Solhyang. The total contents of amino acids and glucan in Solhyang are more than those in Gonji No.10. Solhyang also showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than Gonji No.10. In particular, hot water extract of Solhyang has higher inhibitory activity of -amylase and -amyloglucosidase while Gonji No.10 has higher anti-inflammatiory effect than Solhyang. But, they have similar effects on nitrite scavenging activity.

Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) is used to prevent microbial degradation and deterioration of manufacturing starting materials such as plastics, polymers, and latexes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial properties of ZPT. Currently, there is insufficient data on the effect of ZPT on viability of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens. We tested the efficacy of ZPT manufactured in the form of film rolls as an anti-bacterial protective layer by using the ASTM–recommended protocol on growth of <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em> and <em>Escherichia coli. </em>The bacterial cultures were added to three materials provided by Cao Inc. containing either the base with no active ingredient, ZPT-A, or different amounts of active ingredient, ZPT-B (2.5%) and ZPT-C (5%). Following overnight incubation, bacterial growth was assessed by counting their colony forming units (CFUs). Growth of both <em>E. faecalis</em> and <em>E. coli</em> were strongly inhibited by ZPT-B and ZPT-C relative to growth on the control ZPT-A. Inhibition of <em>E. faecalis</em> was close to complete by ZPT-B and ZPT-C while <em>E. coli</em> growth was inhibited by greater than 95% in a dose dependent manner. This is the first report of zinc pyrithione, here in the form of thin film, inhibiting growth of common bacterial pathogens. ZPT rolls therefore show promise as an effective antibacterial layer for use as a protective barrier, for example on door handles and counters, from clinical to global public health settings.

Objectives Brown and beige adipocytes are known to combat obesity and hyperlipidemia by increasing energy expenditure through non-shivering thermogenesis. Since sargassum serratifolium, a marine brown alga, exhibited anti-obesity effect through white adipose tissue browning in diet induced obese mice, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sargaquinoic acid (SQA), a major component of S. serratifolium, on the induction of preadipocytes to beige adipocyte phenotype. Methods 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with SQA which was isolated from S. serratifolium. Triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells was determined by lipid staining (Oil Red O) and colorimetric TG quantification assay. Change of free glycerol level in cell culture medium and gene expression related to fatty acid oxidation by SQA treatment in the 3T3-L1 cells were also measured. In addition, the expression of mitochondrial DNA was examined using real-time PCR to determine the mitochondrial biogenesis during adipocyte browning. Brown adipocyte related gene expressions were analyzed using real-time PCR. Western blot assay was utilized to examine the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity during white adipocyte browning. Results SQA induced the differentiation of white adipocytes to beige adipocytes suggested by an increase in multilocular lipid droplets, mitochondrial density, and the brown adipocyte-specific gene expressions including uncoupling protein 1 and PR domain containing 16. Also, SQA increased the lipolysis and fatty oxidation related gene expressions. SQA increased AMPK activity to induce the expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes, since AMPK inhibitor (dorsomorphin) decreased the brown adipocyte-specific gene expressions. Conclusions These findings indicate that SQA induces white adipocyte browning by activating AMPK pathway, suggesting SQA has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases. Funding Sources This study was a part of the projects, “Development of functional food products with natural materials derived from marine resources” funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea.

Objectives It has been a long time since seaweeds have been used for food ingredients in Asian countries. Recently, a body of research has revealed the health benefits of bioactive compounds in seaweeds, especially their antioxidant capacities. Although numerous seaweeds inhabit in the ocean, only a small percentage has been explored for functional food. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the antioxidant capacities of various seaweeds grown off the Korean coast to screen for the potential functional food sources. Methods Ten ethanol extracts of Korean seaweeds were provided by the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, which included Scytosiphon gracilis, Scytosiphon lomentaria, Sargassum muticum, Sargassum confusum, Petrospongium rugosum, Sargassum fusiforme, Petalonia fascia, Sargassum nigrifolium, Ishige foliacea, and Myelophycus simplex. Hundred mg/L of samples in 80% methanol was used to measure their ABTS, DPPH, and superoxide radical scavenging activities. Mg vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC)/100 mg was used to express the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging capacities. For the superoxide radical scavenging capacity, inhibition rate of superoxide radical generation (%) was calculated. Results Among the ten seaweeds, S. nigrifolium and I. foliacea exhibited the most significant radical scavenging capacities. DPPH radical scavenging capacities of I. foliacea and S. nigrifolium were 122.4 mg VCEAC/100 mg and 95.8 mg VCEAC/100 mg, respectively. For ABTS radical scavenging capacity, I. foliacea exhibited 178.5 mg VCEAC/100 mg, followed by S. nigrifolium as 80.9 mg VCEAC/100 mg. I. foliacea inhibited about 68% of superoxide radical generation followed by S. nigrifolium (40.6%) while vitamin C as positive control inhibited about 28.9% of superoxide radical generation. The antioxidant capacities measured by the three assays were positively correlated with each other. Conclusions The current study explored total antioxidant capacities of various Korean seaweeds and found I. foliacea and S. nigrifolium as the most potential antioxidant-rich food resources. Further research would be warranted to investigate bioactive compounds from S. nigrifolium and I. foliacea. Funding Sources This work was supported by the Pukyong National University Research Fund in 2018.