Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Hosts Special Lecture by EU Ambassador to Korea？ June 10, on the theme “EU Korea Together in Challenging Times”Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) hosted a special lecture by Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Korea, on the morning of June 10 at the Pukyong Convention Hall. Ambassador Castillo Fernandez delivered a lecture to Pukyong National University undergraduate and graduate students under the theme “EU Korea Together in Challenging Times.” A Spanish national, Ambassador Castillo Fernandez served as EU headquarters’ Korea Desk Officer from 2000 to 2005, and as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Korea from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, she was awarded the Spanish Civil Order of Merit for her contributions to strengthening EU？Korea relations. She later served as EU Ambassador to Malaysia and has been serving as EU Ambassador to Korea since September 2020. Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez emphasized during the lecture, “The EU is a trustworthy partner for Korea, sharing common values and mutual confidence.” She stated that “Based on democracy, human rights, and a rules-based international order centered on the United Nations, the EU and Korea are working closely in various fields such as global and regional security, trade and investment, science and technology, climate change, and the environment.” She also discussed the growing importance of bilateral cooperation and explained the role of the EU Delegation in advancing the EU？Korea strategic partnership. Encouraging PKNU students in attendance, Ambassador Castillo Fernandez said, “I strongly recommend studying abroad, as it can become a turning point in your life. In particular, I encourage you to explore the world through studying in the EU, where diversity is respected.” Meanwhile, Pukyong National University’s Office of International Affairs organized the event to provide students with an opportunity to engage directly with the EU Ambassador to Korea, while also supporting student mobility to EU countries and promoting joint programs with European universities. As of 2025, a total of 83 Pukyong National University students have been or are scheduled to be dispatched to EU member states as exchange students―50 currently studying abroad and 33 preparing for departure. Additionally, 36 students from EU member countries have studied or are scheduled to study at PKNU―22 currently enrolled and 14 expected to arrive. 

Pukyong National University Faculty Startup Nutra-it Co., Ltd. Secures MFDS Individual Approval for Sleep-Enhancing Ingredient ‘Lime Peel Extract’？ Developed with the goal of globalizing K-health supplements; now gearing up for full-scale exportsNutra-it Co., Ltd. (CEO Cho Seung-mok, Professor of Food Engineering), a faculty startup from Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon), announced that its proprietary Lime Peel Extract has recently received individual approval (No. 2025-26) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its functionality in improving sleep quality. Nutra-it’s in-house research institute, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ TIPS program, has focused on developing sleep-enhancing functional ingredients with global competitiveness, aiming to lead the globalization of K-health supplements. This MFDS certification lays a solid foundation for expanding the global presence of Lime Peel Extract. Since its founding in 2021, Nutra-it has identified sleep-enhancing functional ingredients as one of the most promising sectors in the global health supplement market and launched the development of a Korean-made sleep-support ingredient. From the outset, the company aimed to create a product that would outperform existing global sleep ingredients across all metrics, with a clear focus on meeting regulatory standards required for entry into advanced markets such as the United States. The sleep-improving effects and mechanism of action of Nutra-it’s Lime Peel Extract have been scientifically verified through cellular, animal, and human clinical studies. Research has shown that the extract enhances deep sleep by activating GABA receptors in the central nervous system. In particular, human clinical trials utilizing polysomnography revealed that Lime Peel Extract significantly improved key sleep indicators. These included increased sleep efficiency, reduced sleep onset latency, longer total sleep duration, reduced wake time after sleep onset, and a notable rise in Stage 2 deep sleep. Most impressively, the extract improved sleep efficiency by 8.5%, a level comparable to that of well-known prescription sleep medications―underscoring its potent efficacy. The preclinical and clinical research findings on Lime Peel Extract were recognized for their scientific excellence, with results published in top-tier journals within the field: (IF: 6.9) and (IF: 6.7), both ranking within the top 5% of related disciplines. With the proven efficacy of Lime Peel Extract, Nutra-it signed a domestic distribution agreement with Greenstore Co., Ltd. (CEO Park Young-chang) even before receiving individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. As a result, a variety of sleep-related health supplements containing Lime Peel Extract are scheduled for release in the second half of this year. Nutra-it CEO Cho Seung-mok plans to focus the company’s full capacity on exporting Lime Peel Extract, aiming to globalize K-functional health foods following success in the domestic market. In January of this year, Nutra-it signed exclusive supply agreements with distributors in North America, including the United States and Canada, and is currently in active discussions with major global health supplement companies. Recently, Lime Peel Extract has also been featured in leading global nutraceutical media outlets such as ‘Nutraceutical Business Review’ and ‘NutraIngredients,’ drawing significant international attention. Kim Seong-hee, Director of the Nutra-it Research Institute, stated, “Recent animal studies have confirmed that Lime Peel Extract is not only effective for improving sleep but also excels in relieving stress and alleviating tension.” She added, “We will continue to enhance the value of Lime Peel Extract as a functional ingredient through further research into its various benefits.” Meanwhile, although Korea’s health functional food market continues to grow steadily and an increasing number of individually approved ingredients are recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety each year thanks to improved R&D capabilities of domestic companies, the market still heavily relies on imported functional ingredients. Exports of domestically developed ingredients remain limited.

Pukyong National University Graduate Student Selected as ‘Young Scientist’ by North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)- Kim Tae-yeon, Master’s Program StudentKim Tae-yeon, a master’s student in the Department of Marine Biology at Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon), under the supervision of Professor Hyun Sang-yoon, has been selected as a Young Scientist to participate in the 2025 Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES-2025). Kim Tae-yeon, a graduate student was chosen through a selection process held during the 2025 Spring Meeting of the Korean Society of Oceanography, which took place from May 8 to 10 at BEXCO in Busan, as part of the PICES Young Scientist Support Program. PICES is an intergovernmental organization established to promote effective management of the North Pacific marine environment and foster scientific collaboration. Its six member countries include Korea, the United States, Canada, Russia, China, and Japan. With this selection, Kim Tae-yeon, a master’s student will receive support for airfare, accommodation, and registration fees to attend the upcoming PICES Annual Meeting, scheduled to be held in Yokohama, Japan, this November. He was selected through a competitive process aimed at choosing approximately five outstanding young marine scientists from across the country. During the evaluation, Kim Tae-yeon gave an oral presentation of his research titled “A stock assessment of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in Korea with environmental conditions being incorporated,” which received high praise from the panel. In his study, Kim conducted a stock assessment of chub mackerel incorporating spatiotemporal factors and presented trends in plankton―its primary food source―and recruitment levels. His findings were recognized for successfully demonstrating the interrelationship among these variables.

Pukyong National University Embarks on KRW 10.27 Billion RISE Project？ RISE Project Launch Ceremony Held on the 23rd; Focus on Blue Food Tech and Energy Tech ？Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) held the launching ceremony and project briefing session for its RISE (Regional Innovation Strategy and Education) Initiative on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Pukyong Convention Hall, officially kicking off the project. The event was attended by over 90 participants, including President Bae Sang-hoon, professors specializing in core fields, corporate partners, and project staff. Kim Chan-jung, Director of the RISE Project Management Office, presented detailed objectives and operational plans for each sub-project, followed by a Q&A session. This year, Pukyong National University secured a total budget of KRW 10.27 billion through Busan’s RISE program under the research-centered university category. The university will implement a variety of initiatives aimed at nurturing research talent and strengthening R&D capabilities to lead the region’s future industries. Pukyong National University has organized the RISE Project Group under the leadership of Vice President Ha Myung-shin, head of the initiative, with five divisions and a team of 31 members. The university is set to implement a total of 21 detailed projects. It has designated Blue Food Tech and Energy Tech as its specialized fields, and plans to focus on initiatives such as restructuring graduate curricula in these areas, promoting joint R&D with local companies, attracting international students, and establishing an open-startup university in partnership with other universities in the Nam-gu district. Through these efforts, the university aims to achieve its core goals of talent innovation, industrial innovation, social innovation, and university innovation over the next five years. Specific targets include cultivating 500 research professionals, generating KRW 2 billion in technology transfer revenue, attracting 3,000 international students, and supporting the launch of 300 tenant companies. In particular, Pukyong National University also presented its “PKNU Moonshot Project” plan at the event, a university-led initiative aligned with the RISE Project. The Moonshot Project is one of President Bae Sang-hoon’s key pledges. It aims to foster joint growth between the university and local small but strong enterprises, with the goal of nurturing unicorn companies. The university will invest KRW 900 million of its own budget in five future industry projects, and KRW 230 million in 15 humanities and social sciences projects that address local issues. President Bae Sang-hoon stated, “Despite the recent shifts in higher education policy under the new government, the RISE Project is expected to expand further,” adding, “Pukyong National University will present its own RISE model through our capabilities and passion, and actively contribute to regional innovation.”  

Pukyong National University Develops ‘Smart Drug Delivery System’ to Enhance Anticancer Drug Delivery to Tumor Cells-Research team led by Ph.D. candidate Kim Byeong-guk, Professor Lim Kwon-taek, and Professor Park Sang-hyeok-Developed redox-responsive maltopheptaose-based micelles; research published in international journal A research team from Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has developed a “smart drug delivery system” that enhances the efficiency of anticancer drug delivery to tumor cells. The system, titled “redox-responsive crosslinked maltopheptaose-based micelles,” was developed by Ph.D. candidate Kim Byeong-guk (Department of Bio-Industrial Convergence Engineering for the 4th Industrial Revolution) as the first author, with Professor Lim Kwon-taek (Professor Emeritus) and Professor Park Sang-hyeok (Department of Biomedical Engineering) as corresponding authors. The system was developed to overcome the limitations of low anticancer efficacy caused by the nonspecific delivery of doxorubicin, a potent anticancer drug widely used in the treatment of various cancers but known to cause several side effects. The system developed by the Pukyong National University research team is composed of an A2B-type miktoarm block copolymer based on maltopentaose, a biocompatible oligosaccharide. It incorporates disulfide or diselenide crosslinking within the micelle core, enabling selective drug release only upon reaching cancer cells, while minimizing effects on healthy tissues. Experimental results showed that the system exhibited high drug-loading efficiency, demonstrating biocompatibility with normal cells and strong anticancer effects against cancer cells. Professor Park Sang-hyuk stated, “This study is significant in that it presents a novel method to overcome the early leakage of drugs into the bloodstream―a major issue in conventional drug delivery systems, which often leads to various side effects. The system holds promise for applications in precision anticancer drug delivery and reduced-side-effect nanomedicine platforms, garnering considerable interest from both academia and industry.” The findings of this study were recently published in the prestigious international journal (JCR Top 0.9%) in the field of chemistry and materials engineering, under the title ‘Redox-responsive core-cross-linked micelles of miktoarm maltoheptaose-b-poly(furfuryl methacrylate) for enhanced anticancer drug delivery.’

PKNU Preliminary Startup Team Selected for National Marine and Fisheries Startup Program- Team ‘Neurim’ selected in nationwide competition with functional feed for ornamental fish- Embarks on marine bio entrepreneurship with Busan University Consortium HoldingsThe preliminary startup team Neurim from the Department of Aquaculture and Applied Life Science at Pukyong National University (advisor: Professor Lee Seung-hyung) has been officially selected as a startup candidate in the 2025 Marine and Fisheries Startup Accelerator Program organized by the Busan University Consortium Holdings, earning recognition as a promising startup team in the marine and fisheries sector. This program is a startup discovery and incubation initiative focused on innovation in both emerging and traditional marine and fisheries industries. It is overseen by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST), and operated by the Busan University Consortium Holdings. The ‘Neurim’ team consists of Jeon Hyun-chul, a Ph.D. candidate in Fisheries Biology; Park Sang-min, Moon Jun-hyeok, and Jeong Jin-woo from the Department of Aquaculture and Applied Life Science; Kim Do-hyeok from the Department of Marine Life Sciences; and alumna Jo Eun-chae. Together, they have developed a customized functional feed called ‘NEURIM’ designed specifically for aquatic turtles and ornamental fish. The Neurim team has steadily built a foundation for commercialization by developing a feed formula based on domestic ingredients, producing the first and second prototypes, and establishing a premium blend ratio. Their goal is to complete ingredient registration for semi-aquatic turtle-specific feed and officially launch sales by the end of this year. After passing both document screening and presentation evaluation, the team was officially selected as part of the 2025 Marine and Fisheries Startup Accelerator Program. They received 6 million KRW in seed funding and are now receiving full-scale business support. On June 12, they participated in the 2025 Marine and Fisheries Startup Briefing Session hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion, marking the start of their official activities. Following the initial funding, the team will receive comprehensive startup support, including entrepreneurship education (from basic to advanced business management), one-on-one mentoring from experts in legal affairs, patents, finance, and labor, as well as intensive IR pitching training, demo days, and connections to TIPS, government funding programs, and potential investors. Up to 15 million KRW in commercialization funds and over 300 million KRW in direct investment opportunities will also be provided. Additionally, Busan University Consortium Technology Holdings Co., Ltd. will support the team’s market entry and performance expansion through marine-specialized programs such as the B-Wave Open Table technical consultation event, B-Next Wave investment networking, and Blue Wave PR, a promotional campaign focused on startups. With this selection, ‘Neurim’ is expected to grow beyond simply commercializing academic research into a startup that contributes to the structural improvement and high-value transformation of the aquaculture feed industry.

Pukyong National University Initiates Public Discussion on Becoming the ‘SNU of Busan’- Special Lecture by Professor Kim Jong-young, “Creating Ten Seoul National Universities,” Held on June 18Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has joined the public discourse on one of the current hot topics in higher education―“Creating Ten Seoul National Universities.” The university hosted a special lecture on June 18 at the PKNU Convention Hall, inviting Professor Kim Jong-young of Kyung Hee University, who proposed the policy initiative adopted as a presidential pledge by President Lee Jae-myung. The event was part of the 2025 PKNU Education Innovation Forum organized by PKNU’s Office of Education Innovation. It aimed to build internal and external consensus for the innovation of local universities in Busan and explore actionable strategies that can be applied at the university level. In his lecture, Professor Kim Jong-young offered an in-depth analysis of the imbalance in higher education, particularly the concentration of universities in the Seoul metropolitan area and the hierarchical structure of universities, which has led to the decline of regional institutions. As a solution, he proposed the idea of ‘Creating Ten Seoul National Universities,’ envisioning the establishment of research-centered universities equivalent to Seoul National University across major regions nationwide to promote balanced regional development and academic diversity. Professor Kim specifically highlighted Pukyong National University as a model for regional university innovation. He noted that PKNU ranks highest among universities in the Busan area in terms of research funding per full-time faculty member (as of August 2024, based on public data from University Information Disclosure), demonstrating its strong research competitiveness. Professor Kim emphasized the potential of Pukyong National University as a research-centered university, noting that establishing a university integration network equivalent to flagship national universities could help prevent the outflow of talent from the Busan region. He also highlighted PKNU’s capacity to lead a globally competitive university network centered in the southeastern region. “Creating ten Seoul National Universities is a national strategy,” Professor Kim said. “A region can only thrive when it has a world-class university. To revitalize a region, a globally competitive university must be located there. Building such a university requires funding, authority, and vision―it’s an issue that demands political will. If Busan is to thrive, its citizens must call on the government to establish a world-class university in the city.” He went on to say, “I propose integrating Pukyong National University and Pusan National University to create a ‘Seoul National University of Busan.’ PKNU is in an excellent location. Its campus, adjacent to Gwangalli Beach, is the perfect place for students to study during the day and enjoy social life at night―much like Hongdae in Seoul.” PKNU plans to continue its efforts to innovate and enhance the competitiveness of local universities through initiatives like this special lecture, as well as by expanding its cooperation network with local industries, academia, and research institutions. President Bae Sang-hoon of PKNU stated, “Through this event, we aim to establish future strategies for PKNU to emerge as the hub of higher education innovation in the southeastern region. We hope it will serve as a starting point to open a new future for regional universities, building on our strengths and potential.”

Pukyong National University and Busan Nambu Fire Station Conduct Large-Scale Joint Fire Drill？ Comprehensive Emergency Response Drill for 2025 Disaster Preparedness Held at PKNU Main Administration Building on the 16thPukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) and the Busan Nambu Fire Station (Chief Kim Jeong-sik) conducted a large-scale joint fire drill on June 16 as part of the “2025 Comprehensive Emergency Response Drill for Disaster Preparedness.” Held at the university’s main administration building, the drill mobilized over 30 emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, ambulances, and ladder trucks. The exercise aimed to strengthen inter-agency coordination and establish an effective response system for swift and systematic action in the event of a fire. In the first stage of the drill, Pukyong National University’s internal firefighting team responded to the incident by reporting the fire, initiating evacuation procedures, and carrying out an initial fire suppression effort. In the second stage, the Busan Nam-gu Fire Department’s first-response team arrived on-site to extinguish the fire, carry out rescues, operate a temporary emergency medical station, and coordinate field response operations. In the third stage, special vehicles were deployed for high-rise rescues and a control center was activated to respond to a simulated unidentified gas leak. The fourth stage involved search-and-rescue operations simulating a firefighter being trapped, along with secondary fire suppression. Finally, in the fifth stage, recovery and clean-up operations were conducted, followed by a comprehensive review to conclude the drill. Notably, students from Pukyong National University’s Department of Fire Protection Engineering―established 20 years ago and the first of its kind among national universities―participated in the exercise by supporting the evacuation drill.

Rowing Powerhouse PKNU Wins 4 Gold, 2 Silver, and 5 Bronze at the 51st Jang Bogo Cup― First Place in Men’s University Coxless PairThe rowing team of Pukyong National University’s Institute for Sports Promotion (Director Shin Jong-dae) delivered a strong performance at the 51st Jang Bogo Cup National Rowing Championships, held from May 31 to June 8 at the West Nakdong River Rowing Center in Busan. The team earned a total of 11 medals: 4 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze. Pukyong National University’s rowing team (coached by Lee Jun-cheol) secured a gold medal in the men’s university coxless pair, with the team of Kim Yeong-jun and Seo Jeong-hwan taking first place in Division 1 of the competition. Additionally, the pair of Choe Geun-ho and Lee Jae-uk won bronze in the men’s university double sculls, while Kim Yeong-jun, Seo Jeong-hwan, Choi Geun-ho, and Lee Jae-uk teamed up to claim another bronze in the men’s university quadruple sculls. In the Division 2 events, the team of Kim Yeong-jun, Choi Geun-ho, Seo Yu-jin, Kang Na-yeong, and Je Hee-jin took first place in the mixed university coxed four (4+), while the women’s coxed four team―Seo Yu-jin, Kang Na-yeong, Oh Hyeon-seong, Noh Yu-ni, and Je Hee-jin―earned a bronze medal by finishing third. At the indoor rowing competition, Kim Sang-won, Choi Geun-ho, and Kim Yeong-jun swept the podium in the men’s university division by winning first, second, and third place, respectively. Kang Na-yeong also earned a bronze medal by placing third in the women’s university division. In the indoor rowing men’s university team event, the team of Kim Sang-won, Jeon Jae-hyeok, Kim Ji-ho, and Son Seong-min secured first place, while the team of Kim Yeong-jun, Choi Geun-ho, Seo Jeong-hwan, and Lee Jae-uk finished second. Pukyong National University’s rowing team is widely recognized as one of the nation’s premier programs. At last year’s Jang Bogo Cup, the team finished as the overall runner-up in Division 1. To date, PKNU has claimed the overall championship title at this prestigious national competition an impressive 16 times.

Pukyong National University Reveals How Next-Generation Regenerative Material ‘Exosomes’ Prevent Skin Aging― Research Led by Ph.D. Candidate Jeong Se-young, M.S. Student Park Ji-young, and Professor Eom Woo-ram― Study on Stem Cell？Derived Anti-Aging Exosomes Published in International Journal A research team led by Professor Eom Woo-ram from the Department of Biotechnology at Pukyong National University has uncovered the mechanism by which exosomes―a next-generation regenerative therapeutic―help prevent skin aging. The team, including Ph.D. candidate Jeong Se-young and M.S. student Park Ji-young, co-authored a paper titled ‘Stem Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Skin Anti-aging Treatments,’ which was recently published in (IF: 15.8), a leading international journal in the field of nanoscience. As the global population continues to age and demand for aesthetic treatments rises, there is growing interest in anti-aging technologies that help maintain a youthful and healthy appearance. Exosomes, derived from stem cells, have emerged as a cutting-edge ingredient and are increasingly used as a key active component in a wide range of anti-aging products. Unlike traditional preventive anti-aging ingredients, exosomes have demonstrated superior effects in improving wrinkles and reducing inflammation, making them increasingly popular in cosmetics and medical devices. However, their precise mechanisms of action had remained unclear―posing limitations to clinical approval and the development of more advanced products. Based on a comprehensive analysis of over 210 previously published studies, Professor Eom Woo-ram’s team presented findings showing that stem cell？derived exosomes promote collagen synthesis in the dermis while effectively suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. These mechanisms contribute significantly to improved skin elasticity and wrinkle reduction. The study also proposed enhanced delivery methods using medical devices such as microneedles and hydrogels to further boost the anti-aging efficacy of exosomes in the skin. Professor Eom Woo-ram stated, “This study presents a comprehensive understanding of how exosomes work to prevent skin aging, and we expect it to serve as a crucial foundation for developing innovative treatments that go beyond aesthetics to fundamentally restore skin health.” Meanwhile, this research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and Pukyong National University.

Pukyong National University Hosts Special Lecture by EU Ambassador to Korea？ June 10, on the theme “EU Korea Together in Challenging Times”Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) hosted a special lecture by Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Korea, on the morning of June 10 at the Pukyong Convention Hall. Ambassador Castillo Fernandez delivered a lecture to Pukyong National University undergraduate and graduate students under the theme “EU Korea Together in Challenging Times.” A Spanish national, Ambassador Castillo Fernandez served as EU headquarters’ Korea Desk Officer from 2000 to 2005, and as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Korea from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, she was awarded the Spanish Civil Order of Merit for her contributions to strengthening EU？Korea relations. She later served as EU Ambassador to Malaysia and has been serving as EU Ambassador to Korea since September 2020. Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez emphasized during the lecture, “The EU is a trustworthy partner for Korea, sharing common values and mutual confidence.” She stated that “Based on democracy, human rights, and a rules-based international order centered on the United Nations, the EU and Korea are working closely in various fields such as global and regional security, trade and investment, science and technology, climate change, and the environment.” She also discussed the growing importance of bilateral cooperation and explained the role of the EU Delegation in advancing the EU？Korea strategic partnership. Encouraging PKNU students in attendance, Ambassador Castillo Fernandez said, “I strongly recommend studying abroad, as it can become a turning point in your life. In particular, I encourage you to explore the world through studying in the EU, where diversity is respected.” Meanwhile, Pukyong National University’s Office of International Affairs organized the event to provide students with an opportunity to engage directly with the EU Ambassador to Korea, while also supporting student mobility to EU countries and promoting joint programs with European universities. As of 2025, a total of 83 Pukyong National University students have been or are scheduled to be dispatched to EU member states as exchange students―50 currently studying abroad and 33 preparing for departure. Additionally, 36 students from EU member countries have studied or are scheduled to study at PKNU―22 currently enrolled and 14 expected to arrive. 

Pukyong National University Faculty Startup Nutra-it Co., Ltd. Secures MFDS Individual Approval for Sleep-Enhancing Ingredient ‘Lime Peel Extract’？ Developed with the goal of globalizing K-health supplements; now gearing up for full-scale exportsNutra-it Co., Ltd. (CEO Cho Seung-mok, Professor of Food Engineering), a faculty startup from Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon), announced that its proprietary Lime Peel Extract has recently received individual approval (No. 2025-26) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its functionality in improving sleep quality. Nutra-it’s in-house research institute, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ TIPS program, has focused on developing sleep-enhancing functional ingredients with global competitiveness, aiming to lead the globalization of K-health supplements. This MFDS certification lays a solid foundation for expanding the global presence of Lime Peel Extract. Since its founding in 2021, Nutra-it has identified sleep-enhancing functional ingredients as one of the most promising sectors in the global health supplement market and launched the development of a Korean-made sleep-support ingredient. From the outset, the company aimed to create a product that would outperform existing global sleep ingredients across all metrics, with a clear focus on meeting regulatory standards required for entry into advanced markets such as the United States. The sleep-improving effects and mechanism of action of Nutra-it’s Lime Peel Extract have been scientifically verified through cellular, animal, and human clinical studies. Research has shown that the extract enhances deep sleep by activating GABA receptors in the central nervous system. In particular, human clinical trials utilizing polysomnography revealed that Lime Peel Extract significantly improved key sleep indicators. These included increased sleep efficiency, reduced sleep onset latency, longer total sleep duration, reduced wake time after sleep onset, and a notable rise in Stage 2 deep sleep. Most impressively, the extract improved sleep efficiency by 8.5%, a level comparable to that of well-known prescription sleep medications―underscoring its potent efficacy. The preclinical and clinical research findings on Lime Peel Extract were recognized for their scientific excellence, with results published in top-tier journals within the field: (IF: 6.9) and (IF: 6.7), both ranking within the top 5% of related disciplines. With the proven efficacy of Lime Peel Extract, Nutra-it signed a domestic distribution agreement with Greenstore Co., Ltd. (CEO Park Young-chang) even before receiving individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. As a result, a variety of sleep-related health supplements containing Lime Peel Extract are scheduled for release in the second half of this year. Nutra-it CEO Cho Seung-mok plans to focus the company’s full capacity on exporting Lime Peel Extract, aiming to globalize K-functional health foods following success in the domestic market. In January of this year, Nutra-it signed exclusive supply agreements with distributors in North America, including the United States and Canada, and is currently in active discussions with major global health supplement companies. Recently, Lime Peel Extract has also been featured in leading global nutraceutical media outlets such as ‘Nutraceutical Business Review’ and ‘NutraIngredients,’ drawing significant international attention. Kim Seong-hee, Director of the Nutra-it Research Institute, stated, “Recent animal studies have confirmed that Lime Peel Extract is not only effective for improving sleep but also excels in relieving stress and alleviating tension.” She added, “We will continue to enhance the value of Lime Peel Extract as a functional ingredient through further research into its various benefits.” Meanwhile, although Korea’s health functional food market continues to grow steadily and an increasing number of individually approved ingredients are recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety each year thanks to improved R&D capabilities of domestic companies, the market still heavily relies on imported functional ingredients. Exports of domestically developed ingredients remain limited.

Pukyong National University Graduate Student Selected as ‘Young Scientist’ by North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)- Kim Tae-yeon, Master’s Program StudentKim Tae-yeon, a master’s student in the Department of Marine Biology at Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon), under the supervision of Professor Hyun Sang-yoon, has been selected as a Young Scientist to participate in the 2025 Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES-2025). Kim Tae-yeon, a graduate student was chosen through a selection process held during the 2025 Spring Meeting of the Korean Society of Oceanography, which took place from May 8 to 10 at BEXCO in Busan, as part of the PICES Young Scientist Support Program. PICES is an intergovernmental organization established to promote effective management of the North Pacific marine environment and foster scientific collaboration. Its six member countries include Korea, the United States, Canada, Russia, China, and Japan. With this selection, Kim Tae-yeon, a master’s student will receive support for airfare, accommodation, and registration fees to attend the upcoming PICES Annual Meeting, scheduled to be held in Yokohama, Japan, this November. He was selected through a competitive process aimed at choosing approximately five outstanding young marine scientists from across the country. During the evaluation, Kim Tae-yeon gave an oral presentation of his research titled “A stock assessment of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in Korea with environmental conditions being incorporated,” which received high praise from the panel. In his study, Kim conducted a stock assessment of chub mackerel incorporating spatiotemporal factors and presented trends in plankton―its primary food source―and recruitment levels. His findings were recognized for successfully demonstrating the interrelationship among these variables.