• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2019

Symptoms of fig mosaic disease have been noticed on leaves of fig (Ficus carica) for several decades, in Montenegro. In 2014, leaf samples were collected from trees of six fig cultivars in a plantation located in the main fig-producing area of Montenegro, to study the disease. After RNA isolation, samples were tested by RT-PCR for detection of nine fig viruses and three viroids. Four viruses were detected: fig leaf mottle-associated virus 1 (FLMaV-1), fig mosaic virus (FMV), fig mild mottle-associated-virus (FMMaV) and fig badnavirus 1 (FBV-1). Most of the viruses were present in mixed infections. The amplicons of the viruses were directly sequenced from both directions. A BLAST search of these sequences revealed sequence identities with their closest counterparts at GenBank of 92, 97, 92 and 100%, for FLMaV-1, FMV, FMMaV and FBV-1, respectively. Different responses in symptom expression due to the various virus combinations detected have been demonstrated. Variety $Su{\check{s}}ilica$ had the least symptom expression, with only one virus (FBV-1) found. Considering that the production of figs in Montenegro is increasing and has a substantial relevance in this geographic location, the results indicate that more attention should be given to improving the phytosanitary condition of fig trees in the country.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2018

In this study, a preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the Ficus erecta var. sieboldii (Miq.) King (FES) leaf extract has been performed to assess its potential as a natural resource for food and medicinal materials. FES was extracted using 70% EtOH and then fractionated sequentially using n-hexane, $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. To screen for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents effectively, the inhibitory effect of the FES extracts on the production of oxidant stresses (DPPH, xanthine oxidase, and superoxide) and pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, $PGE_2$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined. Among the sequential solvent fractions of FES, the $CH_2Cl_2$ and EtOAc fractions showed decreased production of oxidant stresses (DPPH, xanthine oxidase and superoxide), and the hexane and $CH_2Cl_2$ fractions of FES inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_2$). The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$). These results suggest that FES has a significant effects on the production of oxidant stresses and pro-inflammatory factors and may be used a natural resource for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1499-1508
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• 2013

In the results of investigating the role of LED light quality in enhancing the ornamental value of indoor foliage plants, amber and red light increased plant height, leaf width, and leaf stalk, and the consequent tree shape decreased the ornamental value. The chlorophyll content increased significantly under white light and compound light. With regard to the effect of plant leaf color on ornamental value, the value of lightness was markedly enhanced by red light. As to the functionality of plants according to photosynthetic activity, plants such as Dieffenbachia, Clusia, and Dracaena were found favorable to those staying indoors for a longtime from morning to evening. Spathiphyllum, and Ficus were found to be recommendable for indoor spaces used actively during afternoon because their photosynthesis was activated in the afternoon. With regard to power consumption according to light quality, white light consumed 119 W/hour, around 45% lower than that of fluorescent lamps, so it is considered the optimal artificial light quality that can enhance energy efficiency. Red light consumed 72 W/hour, only 33% of that of fluorescent lamps, but it was not considered the optimal light quality because plant growth was poor under the light quality. White light and compound light were found to be the ideal light sources for improving the functionality and ornamental value of indoor plants and reducing the cost of maintenance, but because compound light hinders people from recognizing the original color of plants and makes their eyes easily tired, white light was considered the optimal light satisfying all of the ornamental value, economic efficiency and functionality resulting from plant growth.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2012

The antioxidant potential and enzyme activities in Salicornia herbacea, Corylopsis coreana, Erythronium japonicum, Phragmites communis, Momordica Charantia, Nelumbo nucifera, Salvia plebeia, Portulaca oleracea, Ficus carica, Citrus junos and Cornus officinalis were determined. Their antioxidant activities were measured using DPPH radical scavenging and nitrite scavenging activity. Enzyme activities in investigated plants were evaluated as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The DPPH scavenging rate from 100 to 2500 $mgL^{-1}$ was the highest in the flower of Corylopsis coreana. However, it was not detected in most of the samples at concentration below 100 $mgL^{-1}$. The nitrite scavenging activity according to each kind of resource plants was significantly higher in the stem of Corylopsis coreana and leaf of Nelumbo nucifera. The root extract of Erythronium japonicum had the highest SOD enzyme activity of 94.0% while leaf of Salvia plebeia showed the lowest SOD enzyme activity of 30.4%. The activity of CAT and APX showed higher values in the stem of Corylopsis coreana, root of Erythronium japonicum and root of Phragmites communis in comparison with other plants. The activity of POD showed significantly high values in stem of Corylopsis coreana, Momordica Charantia and pericarp of Citrus junos extracts. The antioxidant enzyme activities differ significantly in different plants. In conclusion, we showed that Corylopsis coreana, Erythronium japonicum Cornus officinalis, and Momordica Charantia had the potent biological activities. Therefore, these plant resources showing antioxidant activity could be good materials for development of source of functional healthy food.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.267-279
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• 2020

Fig mosaic is a viral disease (FMD) that spreads in Palestinian common fig (Ficus carica L.) orchards. Recognizing the economic value of fig plants and the harmful nature of FMD, the disease poses a significant threat to the economy of the fig production in Palestine. We applied the reverse transcription and amplification (RT-PCR) and PCR technique to leaf samples of 77 trees and 14 seedlings of 17 fig cultivars. The samples were collected from orchards in the main fig-growing provinces of the Palestinian West Bank, to assess the prevalence of viruses associated with FMD, and confirm a possible link of symptoms with viruses detected. Four viruses were detected: Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig badnavirus-1 (FBV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2), and Fig fleck-associated virus (FFkaV). FMV and FBV-1 were found in all tested fig plants (100%), while FLMaV-2 and FFkaV were detected in 61.5% and 33% of the fig samples, respectively. The high incidence of FBV-1 in the newly propagated symptomatic and symptomless seedlings from different cultivars may be an indication that FBV-1 is integrated into the genome of the fig in a cultivar nondiscriminatory manner. Very weak or no association was detected between FMD symptoms severity in the 17 Palestinian fig cultivars with the various viruses' combinations observed (i.e., number of the viruses infecting the plant). These results support the notion that FMD symptom severity expression is likely to be controlled by a combination of FMV infection, cultivars, and environmental factors, rather than the number of viruses infecting the plant.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.204-212
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• 2023

Whitening is inhibitory activity of the melanin synthesis of melanocytes. Recently, whitening materials have been developed on natural materials because of its side effects on skin. Figs (Ficus Carica L.) is a fruit belonging to the Moraceae family and whitening activity was reported in focusing on the fig's stem and leaf components, but whitening activity of the figs fruit was not known. Thus, in this study, we tried to observe its anti-melanogenesis as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. The radical scavenging activity of figs fruits extract (FFE) was observed as the level of 34.52±1.98%/60.71±1.26% compared to the control in the its maximum concentration in the DPPH/ABTS assay. Cytotoxicity of FFE was observed at 10% concentration by CCK8 assay, so the maximum concentration was set at 5% and applied to all experiments. FFE concentration dependently decreased NO production associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression, these strongly suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In melanin contents assay, FFE significantly down-regulated melanin production in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cell as well as tyrosinase inhibition in vitro. In addition, FFE decreased the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expression about 94.34% compared to the α-MSH treatment group in RT-PCR. Finally, FFE significantly reduced the MITF, cAMP response element-binding protein and tyrosinase protein expression in the α-MSH stimulated B16F10 cell. Through these results, we found that FFE can not only directly inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity but also suppress melanogenesis through regulation of MITF gene expression in α-MSH signal transduction.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

To explore on the defense strategies against hervivory of 67 broadleaved tree species, morphological characteristics of the leaf, leaf domatia structure and the number, herbivores insects and mites on the leaves, collected from the trees growing in Taean-gun, Chuncheongnam-do were investigated. 46 broadleaved tree species(68.7%) had the domatia structures, and 21 species including Quercus salicina and Magnolia grandiflora did not. 31 species including Juglans mandshurica and Carpinus laxiflora reveals tuft type, 12 species including Quercus dentata and Corylus heterophylla reveals pocket+tuft type, and 2 species, Sorbus alnifolia and Prunus yedoensis does pocket type, and Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki does pouch type. Domatia number per leaf proves the highest figures, 23.4/leaf for Quercus dentata. Plant defense strategies using leaf lower-surface trichomes of Magnolia grandiflora reveals dense villous, those of Populus alba and Vitis vinifera reveals dense pilose, that of Elaeagnus umbellata does dense scaly hairs, that of Pueraria lobata does dense strigose. Plant defense strategies using extrafloral nectaries were adapted 23 tree species(34.3%). Observed examples are Prunus tomentosa, Ficus carica, Viburnum dilatatum and Carpinus laxiflora. Predatory mites were observed on the leaves of 40 tree species(59.7%), and mean values of predatory mites was highest values 23.4/leaf in Quercus dentata. Minute arthropods destroying the leaf of broadleaved trees. are such as Periphyllus californiensis, P. viridis, Diaspididae sp., gall mites, thrips, and total numbers observed were odered gall mites, Diaspididae sp., aphids and thrips. Natural enemies of these hervivores arthropods are such as predatory mites, Chilocorus rubidus, Coccinella septempunctata and the nymph, Aphidius ervi. These results indicate that defense strategies including protective mutualisms may be frequent in the temperate broadleave trees.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.631-639
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of macaroons prepared using natural color materials (Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten (Re-N), mulberry leaf (Gr-N), pumpkin (Ye-N), and cocoa powder (Br-N)) and corresponding artificial food colorants (red (Re-A), yellow (Ye-A), green (Gr-A) and brown (Br-A)). The moisture content of macaroons prepared using natural color material was higher compared to the macaroons prepared using artificial food colorant. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity was similar in both types of macaroons. Lightness and redness of Re-N, Gr-N, Ye-N, and Br-N macaroons were lower than Re-A, Gr-A, Ye-A and Br-A macaroons. Yellowness of Re-N was higher because of the browning reaction. The texture profile analysis revealed lower hardness when natural color powder was employed. In the sensory evaluation, overall acceptability was not significantly different between natural colored and artificial colored macaroons. As a result, macaroons with the natural color material were softer and showed higher antioxidative activity, however, organoleptic properties were not much different when compared with macaroons with artificial colors. Apparently, it is stated that more studies on the development of macaroons with more enhanced physical functionality and good taste using natural materials should be performed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

This study was performed in the Tropical Plant Resources Research Center of Korea National Arboretum to assess the effects of natural enemy attack on aphid population feeding on tropical plants. We measured the density of leaf-feeding aphids, Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii, cohabiting with 5 types of tropical plants at intervals of approximately 2 weeks after introducing their natural enemy, Aphidius colemani. The density of aphids cohabiting with 4 types of tropical plants-Sanchezia parvibracteata, Hibiscus rosa-chinensis, Ficus kurzii, and Aloysia triphylla-started decreasing after 2 weeks of observation and was completely in control after 4 weeks of observation; however, the density of aphids cohabiting with the tropical plant, Hamelia patens, increased during 22 weeks of observation but decreased after the $23^{rd}$ week of observation. We suggest that a banker plant is necessary for the maintenance of A. colemani in tropical greenhouses, and monitoring studies on H. patens, which was weakest against the aphids, should be performed. Our results indicate that biological pest management strategies using their natural enemies were formulated for the construction of new tropical greenhouses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.427-432
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of natural plant extracts on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the free radical scavenging activity. The methanolic extracts of plants were tested for AChE inhibitory activity using Ellman's colorimetric method in 96-welled microplates and antioxidant activity as the scavenging effect of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH). The results showed that AChE activities were inhibited (about 20-30%) in whole plant extract of Daucus carota var. sativa, Hypericum erectum and Fragaria yezoensis. AChE activities were inhibited (about 32-34%) in stems extract of Gingko biloba and leaves extract of Rhododendrondron yedoensa var. poukhanense. Fruit extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium inhibited (about 18%) AChE activity. And the DPPH scavenging effects as antioxidant activity were similar to L-ascorbic acid in whole plant extract of Fragaria yezoensis and fruits extract of Comus officinalis.