• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the plant growth of various ferns affected by the shading and fertilizer application and to recommend the appropriate levels of light intensity. Evergreen ferns like Dryopteris nipponensis Koidz., Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) Presl, Onychium japonicum (Thunb.) Kunze and deciduous ferns like Athyrium niponicum (Mett.) Hence, Thelypteris decursive-pinnata Ching, Athyrium brevifrons Kodama ex Nakai were used in this experiment. Evergreen ferns showed the best growth in the shading level of 30~60%. The plant growth and ornamental value (leaf color) of these plants were improved according to the fertilizer application in appropriate shading levels. The survival rate remained constantly in all treatments. Deciduous ferns showed the best growth in different shading levels from 0 to 60%. Some treatments showed improved growth according to fertilizer application, whereas survival rate was in the other treatments. There were differences in plant growth of evergreen and deciduous ferns according to fertilizer application, and additional researches must be executed to explain these reponses.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2012

This study's purpose is to research the antioxidant power of Calaguala (Polypodium leucotomos, PL) as an oral supplement: Calaguala, a native of Central America, is a fern which belongs to the family polypodiaceae protecting the skin from the ultraviolet and active oxygen free radicals. The total 14 volunteers, each female 7 & male 7, were divided into 2 groups, then exposed to UV for 30 min after taking Calaguala and placebo. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was analyzed by taking the blood samples from anticubital vein 3 hours after UV exposure. First, Calaguala siginifcantly decreased the concentration of active oxygen free radicals 4 weeks later. The concentration of active oxygen free radical in PL group declined more than placebo group, when measured 30 min and 3 hours after UV exposure. Second, Calaguala did not significantly increase TAC 4 weeks later, but significantly decreased TAC 3 hours after exposure, when compared with placebo group. Now days, the photo allergy and photo aging caused by air pollution and ozone destruction have drastically increased, and thus the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface increased. The increase of active free oxygen radicals resulted in accelerating the diseases and aging. The first superficial protecting protection by reflection & dispersion and the second body internal protection by taking oral photo antioxidant such as Calaguala should be continuously researched.