About This Journal
About This Journal
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Research Article
- Honey-supplemented whey postbiotics: viability and stability after freeze-drying
- Natsag Lkhagvasuren, Woan-Sub Kim, Narangerel Mijid
- This study evaluated whey fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, focusing on the impact of honey supplementation and the stability of freeze-dried products. …
- This study evaluated whey fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, focusing on the impact of honey supplementation and the stability of freeze-dried products. During fermentation, L. plantarum reduced pH and increased titratable acidity within 24 h, with viable counts reaching approximately 11–12 log CFU/mL. The honey-supplemented group showed greater microbial growth and metabolic activity, indicating honey as an effective prebiotic substrate. Following freeze-drying and storage at room temperature for six months, viable counts gradually declined to about 6 log CFU/mL but remained above the minimum standard (≥6 log CFU/mL) for probiotic products. Although the honey group exhibited higher initial viability after fermentation, its long-term stability was slightly lower than the control. The loss of viability was mainly attributed to cell membrane damage, protein denaturation, and oxidative stress, while protective compounds in honey, such as trehalose, sugars, and polyphenols, contributed to partial survival. These findings demonstrate that honey supplementation enhances the probiotic activity of L. plantarum during whey fermentation and that freeze-drying can preserve viable cells and postbiotic compounds for extended periods. However, additional protective strategies, including cryoprotectants or encapsulation, are required to improve long-term stability. Overall, honey-supplemented fermented whey represents a promising source for the development of functional probiotic and postbiotic ingredients. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Analysis of expectations and effectiveness of implementing the HACCP system in meat packaging, meat processing and meat sales stores
- Yong-Ki Park, Min-Jeong Kim, Su-Hyeon Yang, Mi-Seong Lee, Seung-Hee Baek, In-Sik Nam
- This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of implementing HACCP system to meat packaging, meat processing and meat sales store. A …
- This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of implementing HACCP system to meat packaging, meat processing and meat sales store. A survey was conducted on a total 174 livestock product companies. The main survey items were the advantages and disadvantages, and the changes of expectation before and after HACCP system were analyzed. The results of the survey are as follows. There was no change in income due to the implementation of the HACCP system. The meat processing company was surveyed to have the first priority as an advantage of implementing HACCP, which is the ability to respond quickly to revisions to lows or regulation. While the meat packaging and meat sales store were surveyed to have the first priority as a new business opportunity. The number one disadvantage found in the meat processing, meat packaging and meat sales store was the increase in equipment maintenance costs. The results of changes in expectations before and after HACCP implementation are as follows: before implementing HACCP, expectations were high for all survey items, but after implementing HACCP, most of the results showed a decrease. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that HACCP will continue to be used and developed as an essential hygiene and safety management tool in food industry. However, it is believed that further development is needed to minimize disadvantage of HACCP and enhance its effectiveness. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Effects of animal-assisted therapy on social functioning and emotional stability in children living in welfare facilities
- So-Jeong Shin, Sang-Hwan Kim
- Childhood is a critically important developmental period. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, the school-age stage (6–12 years) corresponds to the …
- Childhood is a critically important developmental period. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, the school-age stage (6–12 years) corresponds to the “industry versus inferiority” phase, in which successful experiences play a decisive role in the formation of self-esteem. Recent reports, however, indicate increasing emotional difficulties among children, including depression and suicidal ideation, with those living in child welfare facilities being particularly vulnerable. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been reported to reduce anxiety and stress in children and to enhance their social and emotional functioning. This study therefore aimed to examine the effects of an AAT program on children’s emotional and social development, while maintaining strict adherence to established safety and ethical standards. The program was implemented over 13 weeks, once per week for 60 minutes, targeting children attending a community child center in Anseong. Each group comprised 6–8 children, and assessments were conducted three times—pre-, mid-, and post-intervention—using a repeated-measures design. The program was specifically structured to improve self-esteem and sociality, taking into account the developmental characteristics and living environments of children residing in child welfare facilities. The intervention team consisted of two lead facilitators, one animal handler, three assistant facilitators, and two therapy dogs. The primary outcome variables, self-esteem and sociality, were evaluated using self-report questionnaires administered before and after the intervention. Secondary indicators were assessed using a multifaceted approach that combined third-party observer ratings with art-based analyses. Participation in the AAT program resulted in a statistically significant improvement in children’s self-esteem and a general upward trend in sociality over time. In addition, consistent behavioral improvements were observed in domains such as confidence, emotional stability, concentration, engagement, and interpersonal interaction. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Oral administration of Cordyceps militaris powder via drinking water alleviates intestinal inflammation in DSS-induced colitis mouse models
- Hyun-Seo Lee, Jun-Su Kim, Gyu-Seong Kim, Won-Vin Choi, Hae-Cheol Lee, Young-Chan Kim, Min-Ju Kim
- This study investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris powder (CMP) on disease symptoms and physiological responses in a 5% dextran sulfate sodium …
- This study investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris powder (CMP) on disease symptoms and physiological responses in a 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Forty male ICR mice (6 weeks old) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design based on presence or absence of DSS administration and CMP supplementation (100 mg/kg) for seven days. Body weight, feed and water intake, and disease activity index (DAI) were monitored. At the end of the experiment, gastrointestinal tract length, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and jejunal tight junction gene expression (ZO-1, OCLN, CLDN4) were analyzed. High-dose DSS induced severe colitis symptoms, including body weight loss, reduced colon length, increased DAI, and decreased SCFAs concentrations. CMP supplementation did not restore intake reduction or tight junction gene expression; however, it significantly lowered DAI (p < 0.05), partially mitigated colon shortening, and notably recovered fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate levels during the later phase. These findings suggest that CMP may alleviate clinical symptoms and improve gut metabolic function in acute colitis, indicating potential as a functional material for IBD symptom management. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Effects of carcass weight and age on meat quality, fatty acid composition, and volatile flavor compounds in Hanwoo steer loin
- Ju Yi Shin, Hyeong Sang Kim
- This study investigated sirloin from Hanwoo steers to examine how carcass weight and age influence proximate composition, physicochemical traits, fatty acid profiles, …
- This study investigated sirloin from Hanwoo steers to examine how carcass weight and age influence proximate composition, physicochemical traits, fatty acid profiles, and volatile flavor compounds. Moisture and fat contents showed a clear inverse relationship, and increases in intramuscular fat led to a slight decrease in protein content, reflecting moisture displacement associated with lipid accumulation. All samples exhibited stable postmortem pH values (5.4–5.6). Color measurements indicated that intramuscular fat content caused slight differences in lightness and redness. In addition, cuts with higher fat levels showed improved water-holding capacity and lower cooking loss, along with reduced shear force values, confirming enhanced tenderness characteristic of highly marbled meat. Fatty acid profiling identified palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and oleic acid (C18:1n9c) as the major fatty acids, with high oleic acid content suggesting a meaningful contribution to the distinctive flavor of Hanwoo beef. Total unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 53% to 58%, supporting both desirable flavor attributes and nutritional value. Volatile compound analysis detected saturated alkanes from C7 to C30, with the C14–C18 range most abundant. The total amount of volatile compounds ranged from 4.06 to 6.83 mg/100 g, and higher intramuscular fat was associated with greater production of lipid-derived volatiles. Overall, the results indicate that intramuscular fat and fatty acid composition play a central role in determining meat quality and flavor formation in Hanwoo sirloin, offering scientific evidence that supports its premium sensory characteristics. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Polymorphism of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in some Mongolian sheep using PCR-RFLP
- Enkhmaa Shiikhar, Ariunbold Toos Turto, Ulambayar Temuujin, Goomaral Altansukh, Enkhchimeg Vanjildorj, Badamsuren Batsukh
- Mongolian sheep are valuable genetic resources adapted to harsh environments, with economically important traits such as coat color and meat quality influenced …
- Mongolian sheep are valuable genetic resources adapted to harsh environments, with economically important traits such as coat color and meat quality influenced by genetic variation. This study analyzed polymorphisms of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in Mongolian sheep using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. In total, 220 blood samples were collected from nine Mongolian sheep breeds; however, due to breed availability and DNA quality, 173 samples were analyzed for ASIP polymorphism and 120 samples for CAST polymorphism. The Mongol, Uzemchin, and Tsagaan-Uul breeds were included in both analyses. The CAST gene exhibited two alleles (A and B) and two observed genotypes (AA and AB), with the A allele (96.05%) and AA genotype (94.83%) being predominant; the BB genotype was not detected. No significant association was found between CAST genotypes and body weight (p > 0.05). The ASIP gene revealed two alleles (T and A) and three genotypes (TT, TA, and AA), with the T allele (66.2%) being dominant and a high frequency of heterozygotes (TA, 42.9%), indicating moderate genetic diversity. These findings provide baseline genetic information to support marker-assisted selection and conservation-oriented breeding programs for Mongolian sheep. - COLLAPSE
Journal of Humanimal Sciences
