• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.143-157
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• 2019

Medicinal plants are high-value natural resources that have been used as precautionary drugs by many people globally. The increasing global demand for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants has led to the overexploitation of many valuable species. One widely used approach to overcome this problem is the use of adventitious root cultures as a propagation strategy. This review examines the scientific research published globally on the application of adventitious root cultures for many medicinal plants. Adventitious roots generated under aseptic environments in suitable phytohormone-augmented medium exhibit high growth rates and production of important secondary metabolites. Parameters such as medium properties and composition, growth hormone type, and elicitation strategies for in vitro grown adventitious roots of medicinal plants, are the main topics discussed in this review. We also examine current developments in bioreactor system cultivation for plant bioactive compounds using adventitious root cultures, a technology with possible commercial applications, via several studies on adventitious root culture of medicinal plants in which bioreactor systems play a role. In conclusion, the development of adventitious root cultures for medicinal plants is highly useful because of their capability for vegetative propagation and germplasm preservation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2019

The growth and maturation pattern of a commercial and endemic red algae Meristotheca papulosa were investigated in Jeju Island. Ecological researches were performed in a natural population of 10 m water depth in Sinheung from march 2014 to November 2015. Maximal blade length and weight of M. papulosa were 8.7 cm and 5.49 g in July 2014 and 10.7 cm and 10.17 g in September 2015, respectively. Growth in blade area of the species reached a maximum of $43.84cm^2$ and $67.41cm^2$ in July 2014 and 2015, respectively. Thalli in the field population were rarely observed from October to December but new recruits were found from January, following year. Carposporophytes were observed from June to September when bottom seawater temperatures were around $20^{\circ}C$. At the study site, seawater temperature was in the range of $14.9-25.7^{\circ}C$. Growth parameters of M. papulosa and relative abundance of carposporophytes showed significant correlation with environmental factors (temperature, salinity, DIN). In this result, we clarified the growth and maturation period of M. palpulosa, and provided effective data on the protection and management of natural populations and basic data for mass culture of the alga.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.670-680
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• 2022

Owing to the lack of a cold-chain distribution system, most seafood is generally distributed under room temperature conditions. However the degradation of freshness during the distribution process can lead to disputes between sellers and consumers. The most widely used method for low-temperature distribution for seafood includes packaging it with styrofoam boxes and cold packs. In this study, vacuum-packed frozen fillets of four fish species of [white meat (Paralichthys olivaceus and Sebastes schlegelii) and red meat (Scomber japonicus and Scomberomorus niphonius)] were placed in styrofoam boxes with cold packs. Thereafter, changes in chemical (including pH, volatile basic nitrogen, and trimethylamine), physical (odor intensity, hardness, and chewiness), and microbial (viable cell count) characteristics of the fillets were measured during storage at 25℃. To identify the suitable method of determining freshness during the room-temperature distribution, several factors were considered, which included significant difference verification, correlation coefficients, and economic efficiency (experimental cost and time). Volatile basic nitrogen, pH, odor intensity, and viable cell count are the most rapid and accurate freshness indicators for determining freshness of frozen fish fillets during.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.499-507
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was carried out to develop an effective technique for raising seedlings of Veronica pyrethrina Nakai, a native plant species in the Korean Peninsula, in plug trays. Methods: To investigate the optimum plug cell size and sowing media, we sowed seed in to plug trays with 34, 21, and 10 mL cells and filled with a commercial horticultural substrate and mixtures of peatmoss and perlite in 1:1, 3:1, and 4:1 ratios. Fertilization levels were set at 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg·L^-1. Results: Plug cell size did not significantly influence the seedling growth of V. pyrethrina. By substrate type, the growth rate was highest in the horticultural substrate, followed by 4:1, 3:1, and 1:1. Growth by fertilization level was higher in all fertilized treatment groups than in the control group, and there was no difference among 500, 1000, and 2000 mg·L^-1. Conclusion: The results of this study proved that it is most suitable for raising seedlings of V. pyrethrina to sow the seeds in a 10 mL cell plug tray filled with horticultural substrates, and apply fertilizers with less than 500 mg·L^-1 concentration.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2022

L-asparaginase (ASNase) is a therapeutic enzyme used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Currently, the most widely used ASNases are originated from bacteria. However, owing to the adverse effects of bacterial ASNases, new resources for ASNase production should be explored. Fungal enzymes are considered efficient and compatible resources of natural products for diverse applications. In particular, fungal species belonging to the genus Trichoderma are well-known producers of several commercial enzymes including cellulase, chitinase, and xylanase. However, enzyme production by marine-derived Trichoderma spp. remains to be elucidated. While screening for extracellular ASNase-producing fungi from marine environments, we found four strains showing extracellular ASNase activity. Based on the morphological and phylogenetic analyses using sequences of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1α), the Trichoderma isolates were identified as T. afroharzianum, T. asperellem, T. citrinoviride, and Trichoderma sp. 1. All four strains showed different ASNase activities depending on the carbon sources. T. asperellem MABIK FU00000795 showed the highest ASNase value with lactose as a carbon source. Based on our findings, we propose that marine-derived Trichoderma spp. are potential candidates for novel ASNase production.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2022

Despite the beneficial aspect of fish consumption, bioaccumulation of toxic metals such as arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) can enhance the health risk for the consumers. Arsenic and Hg concentrations were measured in edible tissue and two targeted organs, namely gill and liver of longtail tuna species (Thunnus tonggol) from Terengganu waters, including Kuala Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman. The concentration of As and Hg were analysed by using inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry. The mean concentrations of both elements were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the locations and targeted organs. The hierarchy of As and Hg mean concentrations in muscle samples were Dungun > Kuala Besut > Kemaman > Kuala Terengganu. The mean concentration of As in all samples, including muscle, exceeded the permitted level set by Malaysia Food Act. Estimate Weekly Intake (EWI) was conducted to assess the health risk effect, and 63 kg was used as the average body weight of Malaysian adults. However, the EWI values show that the weekly intake of As and Hg does not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake limit suggested by Food and Agricultural Organization for the United Nations and is considered safe to be consumed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.282-293
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• 2023

Nile perch and Nile tilapia are major commercial species in Uganda, and thus require continuous production. However, their production is impacted by anthropogenic activities such as fishing in breeding habitats. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Nile perch and Nile tilapia fish breeding habitats on Lake Kyoga. Water quality, lake bottom, fish and vegetation type samples were collected from 20 sites in April of 2021 and 2022. Key informant interviews were conducted with experienced fishermen at five fish landing sites. The water quality parameters indicated significant difference within the sites using analysis of variance. Sandy and muddy bottom types were equally spread at 40% each by use of a pie chart. Fish gonads showed no significant difference among the 20 sites. Bivariate correlation analysis of the vegetation types indicated a strong negative correlation with Nile perch while Nile tilapia had a positive correlation. Principal component analysis of the water quality, fish gonads and habitat vegetation components cumulatively contributed 82.5% in characterizing a fish breeding habitat. Four sites for Nile perch and four sites for Nile tilapia were characterized as breeding sites on Lake Kyoga and are recommended for mapping and gazettement as breeding habitats for sustainable fisheries management.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2023

Objective : UVB damages skin health by causing skin redness and intense inflammation, sunburn, and skin cancer. Paeoniae Radix Alba has been used to relieve gynecological symptoms, muscle spasms, and skin ailments. This study was conducted to confirm whether it has a protective effect against UVB photodamage. Methods : Ethanol extract of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA) was prepared by extracting 100 g Paeoniae Radix Alba in 1 L of ethanol for 48 h. Apoptosis was monitored by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and expression levels of apoptosis indicator proteins, and tyrosinase activity was measured with a colorimetric commercial kit. Results : In human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, PRA reduced UVB-induced cell death through apoptosis by inhibiting PARP cleavage and caspase-3 and -9. UVB-induced increase in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was suppressed by PRA pretreatment. PRA also showed dose-dependent ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of tyrosinase activity by PRA was confirmed. Conclusion : These results demonstrated the protective role of PRA in UVB photodamage of human keratinocytes, mainly due to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. We also suggest that PRA can be considered as an effective natural agent to prevent skin photodamage.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.1051-1065
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• 2021

Recent times have seen sustained increases in genetically modified (GM) crops not only for cultivation but also for the utility of food and feed worldwide. Domestically, commercial planting and the accidental or unintentional release of living modified (LM) crops into the environment are not approved. Many detection methods had been devised in an effort to realize effective management of the safety of agricultural genetic resources. In order to develop event-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers for LM crops, we analyzed the genetic information of LM crops. Genetic components introduced into crops are of key importance to provide a basis for the development of detection methods for LM crops. To this end, a total of 18 varieties from four major LM crop species (maize, canola, cotton, and soybeans) were subjected to an analysis. The genetic components included introduced genes, promoters, terminators and selection markers. Thus, if proper monitoring techniques and single or multiplex PCR strategies that rely on selection markers can be established, such an accomplishment can be regarded as a feasible solution for the safe management of staple crop resources.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 1996

A survey for entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted throughout the nine provinvrd and within three city limits during the summer of 1990 and 1991. Six of the nine provinces and one of the three cities were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes. Out of the total 499 soil samples, 23(4.6%) were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes with 19(3.8%) containing Steinernema and 4(0.8%) containing Heterorhabditis. Heterorhabditis bacteriopora and three distinct groups of Steinernema species were idintified. One groups was indentified as S. carpocapsae, another S. glaseri and the other S. monticola based on cross breeding studies. Positive sample sites in each habitat includes 15 of the 415(3.6%) from forests including regrowth areas with shrubs, 1 of the 27(3.7%) from turfgrass including golf courses and parks, 3 of the 24(12.5%) from agricultural fields, 2 of the 16(12.5%) along riparian areas, and of the 17(11.8%) near the seashore. We advocate that more surveys be conducted for entomopathogenic nematodes before commercial sources of nematodes are widely applied which may obscure the naturally-occurring nematodes. A key to Steinernema is provided for the identification.