Black gamju is Korean traditional beverage fermented with molds. The aim of this study was to assess the probiotic properties and antioxidant activities of novel Pediococcus pentosaceus SC28 and Levilactobacillus brevis KU15151 to develop black gamju with bioactive properties for health. Tolerance against artificial gastric juice and bile salts, adhesion ability on HT-29 cells of strains, and antibiotics susceptibility were evaluated as probiotics, and various enzyme productions were detected. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate, and β-carotene bleaching assay were used for antioxidant activity of samples. The tolerance of both strains to artificial gastric juice and bile salts (Oxgall) was more than 90%. Additionally, both strains did not produce β-glucuronidase and were resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin. After fermentation of black gamju with each strain, the number of viable lactic acid bacteria increased to 8.25–8.95 log colony forming unit/mL, but the pH value of fermented samples decreased more (to pH 3.33–3.41) than that of control (pH 4.37). L. brevis KU15151 showed higher adhesion activity to HT-29 cells and antioxidant effects than P. pentosaceus SC28 in three antioxidant assays.

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The Forsythiae Fructus is an oriental medicine containing various lignans. In this study, the Forsythiae Fructus were extracted by hot water (Sample 1), hot water after bio-conversion using Lactobacillus strain (Sample 2-LP2, 2-LA, 2-LC, 2-LL, 2-BL and 2-LM) and 70% ethanol (Sample 3). Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were improved by bio-conversion process using Lactobacillus strain, compared to water extract. Especially, sample 2-LL and 2-LA which had shown the high total polyphenol and flavonoid content in antioxidant activity. Also, sample 2-LL and 2-LA showed higher melanin generation inhibitory activity as of 55%, 53% in maximum extract concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖. In the anti-inflammation test of the Forsythiae Fructus extracts, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was inhibited. Specially, both 70% Forsythiae Fructus ethanol extract and sample 2-BL which have shown the relatively higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD) like activities. In conclusion, the Forsythiae Fructus extracts with bio-conversion process has effect of skin whitening and anti-inflammation activity than other extracts. It could be used as a valuable materials for functional cosmetics.