• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2006

A mechanically pressed juice of Bokbunja (Rubus coreanus Miq.) extract was prepared using 70% ethanol solution. The extract was subjected to gamma-irradiation treatment (20 kGy) and investigated for its change of color and biological activities. Hunter $L^*$ values of the irradiated Bokbunja extract were increased in comparison with the non-irradiated extracts, and the $a^*\;and\;b^*$values decreased by the irradiation treatment. The content of the total phenolic compounds in the non-irradiated and irradiated extracts were 58.4 and 56.5 mg/g, respectively. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activities of non-irradiated and irradiated extracts at a 250 ppm level were 80% and 79%, respectively. Lipid oxidation was retarded by addition of Bokbunja powder. Nitrite scavenging activity was the highest in the Bokbunja powder at pH 1.2 and the effect was not changed by irradiation. The Bokbunja powder showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium and Bacillus cereus. However, irradiation of Bokbunja did not affect any physiological functions (p>0.05). A Salmonella mutagenicity assay indicated that the irradiated Bokbunja extract did not show any mutagenicity. Therefore, Bokbunja extract could be used in various applications as a functional material, such as ingredients of food and cosmetic, compositions with functions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1055-1061
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• 2007

Caesalpinia sappan L. is an indeciduous tree distributed in China, India, Miyanmar and Vietnam. Its heartwood has long been used in oriental folk medicines to treat diseases. In this study, antioxidative activities of Caesalpinia sappan L. and the effect of gamma irradiation on its chemical and biological properties were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc fr.) of Caesalpinia sappan L. was irradiated with 100 kGy of gamma ray. The dark red color of EtOAc fr. was significantly (p<0.05) removed by irradiation (Hunter L and b values increased and a value decreased). The total phenolic content of EtOAc fr. was 865 mg/g and it was increased to 1195 mg/g by gamma irradiation. DPPH radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of EtOAc fr. were very high and its activities were also increased by gamma irradiation. EtOAc fr. also inhibited the irradiation-induced DNA damage of lymphocyte as determined by comet assay. In conclusion, EtOAc fr. of Caesalpinia sappan L. extract showed high antioxidative activities in vitro. Furthermore, gamma irradiation on EtOAc fr. ameliorated the color and antioxidative properties. Therefore, it can be suggested that Caesalpinia sappan L. may be a good material for antioxidant function and gamma irradiation may be applied for the improvement of chemical and biological properties of Caesalpinia sappan L.