Edible insects have received global attention as an alternative protein-rich food. However, their structural characteristics make them difficult to digest. To overcome this obstacle, we assessed the techno-functional properties of three protein concentrates from the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Freeze-dried G. bimaculatus powder was defatted using ethanol, hexene, or acetone as solvents, and the techno-functional properties (protein solubility, water and oil holding capacity, foaming properties, emulsion capacity, and gel formation) of the protein concentrates were determined. Freeze-dried G. bimaculatus powder comprised approximately 17.3% crude fat and 51.3% crude protein based on dry weight. Ethanol was the most effective solvent for reducing the fat content (from 17.30% to 0.73%) and increasing the protein content (from 51.3% to 62.5%) of the concentrate. Techno-functionality properties drastically differed according to the defatting solvent used and foaming properties were most affected. Thus, the techno-functional and whole properties must be considered for proper application of edible insects to achieve global food sustainability.

Rice bran is rich in proteins with high nutritional values. However, current protein extraction methods from rice bran are greatly limited by their low yield. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a feasible method to extract rice bran protein (RBP) of high purity and quality. We prepared RBP using low-heat-treated defatted rice bran (LDRB) and analyzed its functional properties. The protein solubility of LDRB increased from 25.4% to 56% upon increasing the pH level and was more than double that of heat-stabilized defatted rice bran. RBP prepared from LDRB had good functional properties, comparable to those of soy proteins. The emulsifying capacities of RBP were 424 ± 14 mL/g at pH 4 and 530 ± 21 mL/g at pH 7.0. Under acidic conditions, RBP showed a better emulsifying capacity than soy proteins (262 ± 1 mL/g at pH 4). RPB showed water-binding and oil-absorption capacities of 270 ± 35 g/100 g and 268 ± 30 g/100 g, respectively. Moreover, RBP showed better foaming capacity (610% vs. 590%) and foam stability (83% vs. 4%) than soy proteins; however, it lacked gelling properties. This study demonstrated that RBP is a potential new protein source in the food industry.

The excessive synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) is related to cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, blocking IL-6 has been suggested as a treatment strategy for inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. Sepsis is a severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome with high mortality. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-septic effects and the underlying mechanisms of Dracocephalum moldavica ethanol extract (DMEE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory stimulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages along with septic mouse models. We found that DMEE suppressed the release of inflammatory mediators NO and PGE₂ and inhibited both the mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, respectively. In addition, DMEE reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-6 and IL-1β, in RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p65. Furthermore, treatment with DMEE increased the survival rate and decreased the level of IL-6 in plasma in LPS-induced septic shock mice. Our findings suggest that DMEE elicits an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and an anti-septic effect on septic mouse model through the inhibition of the ERK/JNK/NF-κB signaling cascades and production of IL-6.

PM_2.5, a critical air pollutant, requires health-conscious management, with concentrations varying across regions due to diverse sources. This study, conducted in South Korea in 2021, employed the geographically weighted regression model to analyze the spatiotemporal correlations of PM_2.5 with O₃ and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Regional differences in the correlation between PM_2.5 and O₃ were observed, influenced by common precursors (SOx, NOx, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)), seasonal temperature variations, and solar radiation differences. Notably, PM_2.5 and O₃ exhibited a heightened regression coefficient in summer, emphasizing the need for specific management targeting VOCs and NO₂. The interplay between PM_2.5 and NDVI revealed a negative overall impact but a positive effect in the central region of Korea, suggesting vegetation’s role in the PM_2.5 concentration increase due to atmospheric stagnation caused by mountain ranges. These findings enhance our understanding of PM_2.5 distribution mechanisms, highlighting the need for tailored policies in each region for effective concentration reductions.

High particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations have been considered a serious environmental issue in South Korea. Recent studies have focused mostly on metropolitan and industrial cities; however, high PM_2.5 episodes have also been frequently observed even in small– and middle-sized cities. Thus, in this study, PM_2.5 and its major chemical components were measured in a small residential city with low anthropogenic emissions for 2 years to identify the factors affecting the PM_2.5 concentrations. Overall, the average PM_2.5 concentration was 29.4 μg m⁻³: about two times higher than the annual ambient air quality standard value. In winter, when the PM_2.5 concentrations were generally higher, relative humidity (RH) was significantly correlated with both PM_2.5 mass and the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio, suggesting that high RH promoted the formation of secondary PM_2.5. In addition, SO₄²⁻and NO₃⁻ were found to be correlated with both NH₄⁺ and K⁺ in winter, indicating that biomass burning was an important source in this city. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was also highly correlated with elemental carbon (EC) and K⁺ in fall and winter, when the burning of agricultural residues actively occurred. During high concentration episodes, NO₃⁻ exhibited the highest increase; nevertheless, other components (e.g., K⁺ and organic carbon) also significantly increased.

The impact of crop residue burning in northeastern China on South Korean PM_2.5 concentrations was assessed via weather conditions, air quality modeling (AQM), and PM_2.5 composition data during two cases exceeding 35 µg·m⁻³ in November 2015. PM_2.5 concentration simulations of Case 1 differed from observations by 3.7–17.6 µg·m⁻³, overestimating the levels by 6–36%; however, Case 2 varied by 20.0–59.8 µg·m⁻³ from observations, with a 53–91% underestimation. Case 1 was generally well simulated, whereas the Case 2 simulation failed because the emissions of crop residue burning in northeastern China, as confirmed through satellite analysis (MODIS fires and thermal anomalies) and previous research, were not considered. The portion of organic/elemental carbon ratio during Case 2 was 1.6–2.3 times higher than that of Case 1. These results suggest that it is necessary to consider the effects of crop residue burning in northeast China to establish countermeasures to improve air quality and air quality forecasting in South Korea.