• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

To develop a new variety of orchardgrass with improved digestibility, caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (Dgcomt), which is a methylation enzyme involved in the early stages of lignin biosynthesis, was isolated and characterized. Dgcomt was expressed not only in leaves but also in stems and roots. The expression levels of transcripts were high in stems and roots which are the most lignified tissues, and only moderate levels of transcripts were expressed in leaves. To develop transgenic orchardgrass plants by down-regulating the Dgcomt gene, an RNAi suppression vector with partial Dgcomt DNA fragment was constructed and transferred into the genome of orchardgrass via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer method. PCR and Southern blot analyses with genomic DNAs from putative transgenic plants revealed that the T-DNA region containing RNAi construct was successfully integrated into the genome of orchardgrass. Northern blot analysis revealed that the majority of the down-regulated transgenic lines showed significant reduction in Dgcomt gene expression. These RNAi transgenic orchardgrass will be useful for molecular breeding of new variety with improved digestibility by down-regulating lignin biosynthetic enzyme.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.921-926
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of blanched and non-blanched yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) soaked in Doenjang sauce. The yacon was treated by blanching ($100^{\circ}C$, 4 min), then soaked in Doenjang sauce at $20^{\circ}C$. The pH and total acidity of blanched yacon were not changed significantly after 42 days of soaking. But, the pH and total acidity of non-blanched yacon were rapidly increased and decreased, respectively. The salinity of blanched yacon was higher than that of non-blanched yacon until 35 days. Also, the $Brix^{\circ}$ of blanched yacon was higher than that of non-blanched yacon from 7 days to 35 days. Textural properties of both non-blanched and blanched yacon showed that hardness increased until 21 days but decreased afterwards. The total polyphenol contents of non-blanched yacon decreased after 14 days, but blanched yacon remained constant. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of both blanched and non-blanched yacon decreased gradually as aging continued in the Doenjang sauce. There were no significant differences in sensory characteristics between blanched and non-blanched yacon soaked in Doenjang sauce.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 1991

Colonial morphology of the various yeasts grown on the yeast morphology agar me­dium containing orange-yellow pigments extracted from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides (GJPM) was investigated in hopes of the differential identification of yeasts on primary cultures. Colonies of Candida lusitaniae and Ca. guilliermondii on GJPM turned to prussian blue within three days of incubation and Ca. tropicalis and Ca. viswanathii turned to bluish gray but the latter species turned to deep blue after 7 days. Ca. krusei, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Torulopsis glabrata showed neutral gray, grayish green, and baby blue respectively after one or two weeks. However, the colonies of Ca. albicans and parapsilosis remained unchanged even after 20 days. Colonial color of Cryptococ­cus neoformans showing brown to purple brown was distinguishable not only from buff color of Cr. laurentii after one or two weeks incubation but also from those of Candida spp. Growth of certain species was promoted on GJPM. The findings clearly showed that Ga. jasminoides pigments medium was useful to the morphological differentiation of medically important yeasts which were often encountered in sputum or other clinical specimens.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2012

Chaff-vinegar is known for having a variety of useful purposes in the fields of health and lifestyles. In a previous study we isolated and identified the active fractions of the polyphenol compound 7 species as a potential biomaterial for cosmeceuticals. To further test for its potential use as a functional material, we carried out an MTT assay, collagenase inhibition assay, elastase inhibition assay, tyrosinase inhibition assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, SOD-like activity assay and a xanthine oxidase inhibition assay. Chaff-vinegar exhibited potent collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities in a concentration dependent manner, indicating that the agent has the potential to alleviate the skin wrinkling process. Chaff-vinegar also showed 80% tyrosinase inhibition at a concentration of $100{\mu}L/mL$. DPPH radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibition, and SOD-like activity results for each activity were 80%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. Taken together, the present study suggests that chaff-vinegar is a good candidate for use as an anti-wrinkling and/or whitening agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.686-697
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• 2021

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by honeybees, which they use to protect their hives. Honeybees produce propolis by mixing exudates from the various trees and plants with saliva and beeswax. It has been used since around 300 B.C. as a folk medicine to cure wounds. Propolis contains many physiologically active components, such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and beeswax. Because of its functional components, propolis has a wide spectrum of biological applications. The compounds in propolis and its biological activity can vary according to the location of nectar source and extraction method. Propolis is most commonly known for its anti-microorganism activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Artepillin C and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) have been identified as regulatory compounds that reduce inflammation and exert immunosuppressive reactions on T lymphocytes. Through its anti-inflammatory activity, propolis exhibits anti-tumor activity, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, the blocking of tumor signaling cascades, and antiangiogenesis. However, for the more apply of propolis its analysis of nectar source, identifying of propolis compound, the molecular mechanism of propolis and the investigation of compounds synergistic effects are essential. In this study, we described the physiological activity of propolis isolated from honeybees.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.244-253
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity and antioxidant activity of peel from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fructus (GJE). We were separated into GJE peel. After that, we determined anthocyanin. GJE peel were extracted by 70% methanol, distilled water (DW) and ethyl acetate (EA) three solvents. To investigate by the solvent extract of total phenol content and value as a functional food ingredient of GJE peel through nitrogen oxide scavenging activity, antioxidant activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition were performed. Solvent extract bioactivity of increasing concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg/mL) were significantly increased (p<0.05). GJE peel extracts showed lower activity than positive control (ascorbic acid, BHA, trolox). The total phenol contents of GJE peel extracts were highest in EA extract. However, the order of total phenol content of the solvent in the GJE peel and the results of analysis of various physiological activities were inconsistent. Considering the extraction yield and various physiological activities, it is expected to be effective when extracted from 70% methanol and DW extract. The results suggest that GJE peel is highly expected to be useful as a functional foods and natural antioxidant.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2013

Perilla frutescens usually dieted in East Asian country such as Korea and Japan. Antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anticancer activities of perilla leaves have been founded. In previous study, we confirmed that caffeic acid, major compound of perilla, was accumulation by sucrose aqueous solution and thus antioxidant effect of perilla was enhanced. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of functional perilla leaves extract (PLE) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP) induced-oxidative hepatotoxicity. The pretreatment with PLE (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w.) for 5 days before a single dose of t-BHP (i.p.; 0.5 mmol/kg) significantly lowered the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase dose-dependently. And we confirmed that the indicators of oxidative stress were remarkably reduced in the liver, such as the glutathione contents and malondialdehyde, marker of lipid peroxidation. Pathological histology of the rat livers tissues showed that PLE reduced the hepatocyte degeneration and neutrophilic infiltration of liver induced by t-BHP. These results suggest that functional perilla frutescens has the protective effect of liver against t-BHP-induced oxidative hepatic stress in rats.