• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Diospyros malabarica stem extract, a natural materials, in oral health material. With this aim in mind, thin layer chromatography (TLC), TLC-bioautography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and real-time qPCR were performed. The antibacterial activity of D. malabarica stem extract against Streptococcus mutans KCTC3065 was confirmed in an n-hexane fraction with low polarity. The molecular weight of the antibacterial compound was estimated to be 188 by ESI-MS analysis. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and gene expression related to biofilm formation of S. mutans were determined by SEM and real-time PCR analysis. The extract inhibited the formation of S. mutans biofilms at D. malabarica stem extract concentrations of 1 mg/ml, as shown by SEM. The real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of the gtfC gene, which is associated with biofilm formation, was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that D. malabarica stem extracts, a natural materials, can be used in oral health products to suppress the formation of biofilms by inhibiting tooth adhesion of S. mutans, a causative agent of dental caries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2023

In order to use Cudrania tricuspidata extract for the development of health-functional food, biological changes in normal rodents, such as changes in blood constituent cells, blood lipids, and anti-inflammatory activity, were measured after the rodents had been drinking the substance for 2 weeks. A 30 mg daily dose of the extract taken for 2 weeks produced no change in body weight or renal function, and no toxicity was observed. Increased red blood cell levels and white blood cell levels were confirmed, and platelet counts tended to increase; thus, the extract seems to cause an overall increase in blood cells. In the case of blood lipids, it was confirmed that the extract-treated group exhibited an effect of improved blood-lipid levels, demonstrated through an increase in HDL-C of 21%, with a decrease in triglyceride of 27% compared to the control group. In addition, the decreases in both GOT and GPT led to improved liver function through use of the extract. Therefore, this study suggests that drinking Cudrania tricuspidata extract can have various effects, such as promoting blood cell production, improving blood lipids profile, improving liver function, and improving inflammatory action. The extract would be useful in the future in developing high-value industrial products such as functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

Biorenovation is a method for converting materials using the enzyme properties of microorganisms. Natural products converted by that method increase physiological activity or reduce cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of crypsinus hastatus prothallium (CH) and biorenovated CH prothallium (CHB) using RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CHB inhibited the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂ and cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α) compared to CH at a concentration of 50-200 ㎍/mL. In addition, CHB concentration of 200 ㎍/mL inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein by LPS stimulation to the level of the untreated control group. These results indicate that CHB could be a novel anti-inflammatory agent for cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients.It also suggests that the application of biorenovation has potential usefulness in developing anti-inflammatory materials. It also suggests that the application of bio-renovation has potential usefulness in the development of inflammatory material. We applied Biorenovation technology to Distylium racemosum extract (DR) to generate Distylium racemosum biorenovation product (DRB), and investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of DRB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. We are applying technology to Biorenovation Distylium racemosum extract (DR) Distylium racemosum was to create a biorenovation product (DRB), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of DRB in RAW264.7 macrophages treated for.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.334-346
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• 2023

The antioxidant ability of 80% ethanolic extract of nutmeg seed (NM80) was evaluated using in vitro assays and bulk oil and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion matrices. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation radical scavenging, and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) in vitro assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant ability of the extract. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of 25, 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL NM80 were 12.5, 20.9, 35.1, and 62.8%, respectively, while the ABTS cation radical scavenging activities were 2.7, 6.5, 30.5, and 29.8%, respectively, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. The ORAC value was significantly higher at an NM80 concentration of 25 ㎍/mL than the positive control (p<0.05). The conjugated dienoic acid (CDA), ρ-anisidine, and tertiary butyl alcohol values in 90-min-heated corn oil containing 200 ppm of NM80 were significantly reduced by 3.26, 16.94, and 17.34%, respectively, compared to those for the sample without NM80 (p<0.05). However, the headspace oxygen content and CDA value in the O/W emulsion containing 200 ppm of NM80 at 60℃ had 6.29 and 82.85% lower values, respectively, than those for the sample without NM80 (p<0.05). The major volatile compounds of NM80 were allyl phenoxyacetate, eugenol acetate, and eugenol. NM80 could be an effective natural antioxidant in lipid-rich foods in bulk oil or O/W emulsion matrix.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2010

This study is aimed at reviewed and analyzed in order to suggest the improved plans related to natural monuments. The summary of this study is as followings; First, Replacing the current term 'cultural properties', which denotes the meaning of 'goods', we need to devise an new categorization that separates such properties into cultural heritage and natural heritage under the national heritage framework. Second, the designation criteria for natural monuments should be divided into the individual realm for animals and plants respectively, since they are not divided in the current Act. Third, the guidelines for naming of natural monuments should be established with the following new categories in accordance with the clear standards. Fourth, such imbalances require us to give priority to the relatively neglected types and areas. Fifth, as the big and old trees account for more than a half of the designated plants, it is necessary to search out new resources(wet plant communities, seashores, sand dune plant communities, etc.) such as geological resources, mineral springs, hot springs, and fossils that are in danger of completely being exploited and exhausted. While most of the designated animals are protected nationally, the existing designation system is required to protect habitats and breeding places for the systematic and efficient conservation. Sixth, as long as we need to preserve those historical and cultural resources for the future generations from national and global perspectives, we should enhance their values by designating them as natural monuments even though they are protected by other regulations such as the natural environment area. Seventh, as a result of the survey, we found that more budgets and experts in the local governments, more empowered organizations, more active public participation should be provided for the better Natural Monument management in Korea. Eighth, the Lap of Natural Heritage in the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage needs to be developed to the Natural Heritage Institute to conduct the diverse activities such as researches, restoration, exhibition and education programs in a systematic and efficient way. Ninth and the last, major damages to natural monuments can be generally categorized into the artificial one and natural one, respectively. The artificial damages include toxics, soil covering, excessive humidity, fire, construction and management works, unlawful damages, fishing, oil spillage, etc, and the natural ones include lightning, storms(typhoons), heavy snowfalls, damage by insects and diseases, lack of prey, etc. This study will become meaningful in that it proposes specific measures for the improvement of the institutions, designation, and management of natural monuments on the basis of the comprehensive analysis on natural monuments. We wish to leave the other subjects related with this study to the future researches.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.193-203
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• 2023

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC₅₀ values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9g m^-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC₅₀ value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m^-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0g m^-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m^-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 2012

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans Cooke is one of the major diseases in the cultivation of potatoes in Korea. Effect of chitosan preparations (SH-1 and SH-2) was evaluated on the inhibition of mycelial growth of P. infestans, and protective activity using detached potato leaf assay both in vivo and in the field test. SH-1 and SH-2 were showed protective activity of young plant with control values more than 95% potato late blight by inoculation with pathogens under growth chamber conditions. Mycelial growth was inhibited the radial growth over 74% at a concentration of $300{\mu}g/ml$ of both SH-1 and SH-2. Spraying with SH-1 and SH-2 on the leaves for detached leaf assay reduced disease development. The content of total polyphenol in stem was significantly increased by SH-1 and SH-2 application in the field. In field experiments, foliar application with both SH-1 and SH-2 were significantly reduced the development of late blight on potato plants. Control of late blight disease was obtained with control values of 72% and 53% by application of 1% SH-1 and SH-2, respectively, with 4 times at 7 days interval, and reduced with similar disease control values by application with 3 times at 14 days interval compared with untreated control. SH-1 and SH-2 applications increased the fresh weight of potato, and higher grade potatoes were also increased. The results showed that SH-1 and SH-2 applications can be used as eco-friendly natural fungicide for organic farming for the increase of yields and control of late blight.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2018

Desmodium heterocarpon is one of vines belongs to Fabaceae family, mainly distributed in Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. This study was conducted to explore new nutraceutical resources from the plant kingdom possessing biological activities. To fulfill this purpose, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of D. heterocarpon ethanol extract (DHEE) were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, and the analysis of related protein expressions by Western blot hybridization. DHEE exhibited potent anti-oxidative activity as confirmed by DPPH radical scavenging capacity against DPPH similar with ascorbic acid, a well-known anti-oxidative agent, used as a positive control. DHEE also effectively suppressed hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced ROS on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Furthermore, DHEE induced the expression of the anti-oxidative enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as a dose dependent manner. DHEE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) formation as a consequence of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) down regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that DHEE has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and thus appears to be useful sources as potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. The identification of active compounds that confer biological activities of DHEE might be needed.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.243-245
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• 2016

The insecticidal toxicities of seven essential oils against Ricania sp. nymph and adults, newly recorded pest, were evaluated using leaf-dipping and spray methods. At 72 h exposure time, the $LC_{50}$ values of the essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris, Anethum graveolens, Citrus paradisi, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca leucadendron, Neroli bigarade and Tagetes erecta were 251.02, 387.31, 286.21, 353.54, 275.64, 424.55, $165.68mg/cm^2$ when using the leaf dipping method against Ricania sp. nymphs, and 278.31, 402.11, 306.11, 379.64, 298.22, 459.56, $183.21mg/cm^2$ when using the spray method against Ricania sp. adults, respectively. These results indicate that the essential oil of the Tagetes erecta can be potentially used as new natural insecticidal agents against Ricania sp. nymph and adults.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 2004

Botanical antimicrobial agent-grapefruit seed extract mixture(BAAG), which could be applied to the preparation of antimicrobial packaging paper, was investigated in order to prove the preservative function of fruits and vegetables. HAAG showed remarkable antimicrobial effects against Fusarium solani Botrytis cinerea, Pencillium crustosum, Erwinia carotovora, Phoma destructiva and Alternaria radicina causing the postharvest decay of fruits and vegetables. We have examined that HAAG could inhibit the growth of microorganims when treated with more than 500 $\mu$g/mL concentration. The activities of HAAG were stable in the wide spectrum of pH and temperature. Direct visualization of microbial cells by using scanning electron microscope showed the loss of microbial cell membrane function, which was destroyed by treating with the dilute solutions of HAAG. We could confirm that HAAG be an antimicrobial agent for the preparation of antimicrobial packaging paper.