• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2017

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

A cercosporoid fungus associated with angular leaf spots on the leaves of common fig (Ficus carica) in Korea is known to be morphologically similar to Passalora, but phylogenetically similar to Pseudocercospora. To clarify the ambiguity, six fig samples with angular leaf spots were collected and examined using a microscope, and two representative isolates were sequenced for multiple genes. The morphological characteristics were consistent with previous descriptions of Passalora bolleana. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions showed that the Korean isolates, as well as previously published Korean and Romanian isolates, formed a well-supported group in the clade of Pseudocercospora species. Consequently, the current Korean isolates should be correctly described as Pseudocercospora bolleana. Additionally, Pseudocercospora fici-caricae, a cercosporoid fungus previously described as a leaf pathogen on common fig in Taiwan and Korea, was also compared and discussed.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.29-37
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• 2011

Protease activity of fig (Ficus carica L.), cultivated in Korea was estimated. In particular, the proteolytic effect on myofibrilar protein was studied. A crude protease extract of fig was prepared in two ways; fig was homogenized in buffer followed by centrifugation, and the supernatant was precipitated by saturated ammonium sulfate followed by dialysis. The former method resulted in 41.15 mM/g fig protease activity, whereas the latter method resulted in 17.65 mM/g fig protease activity. The crude fig protease extract showed high specificity for casein as a substrate followed by egg white, bovine serum albumin, myofibrilar protein, collagen, and elastin. The extract had stable proteolytic activity in a pH range of 6.5~9.0 (optimal at pH 7-8) but lost activity, at pH 2-3. Proteolytic activity for myofibrilar protein was sensitive to pH. The proteolytic activity of the fig extract was steady up to $60^{\circ}C$ but declined at higher temperature. It also began to lose stability in salt concentrations >0.7 M NaCl. Fig has been used as a meat tenderizer for cooking, and these results support the tenderizing effectiveness of fig, particularly for Korean style meat marinating.

• 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.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.799-806
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• 2012

This experiment was conducted to establish the optimum conditions for high $CO_2$ gas treatment in combination with a proper gas-permeable packaging film to maintain the quality of fig fruit (Ficus carica L). Among the fig fruits with different high $CO_2$ treatments, the quality change was most effectively controlled during storage in the 70%-$CO_2$-treated fig fruit. Harvested fig fruit was packaged using microperforated oriented polypropylene (MP) film to maintain the optimum gas concentrations in the headspace of packaging for the modified-atmosphere system. MP film had an oxygen transmission rate of about $10,295cm^3/m^2$/day/atm at $25^{\circ}C$. The weight loss, firmness, soluble-solid content (SSC), acidity (pH), skin color (Hunter L, a, b), and decay ratio of the fig fruits were monitored during storage at 5 and $25^{\circ}C$. The results of this study showed that the OPP film, OPP film + 70% $CO_2$, and MP film+70% $CO_2$ were highly effective in reducing the loss rate, firmness and decay occurrence rate of fig fruits that were packaged with them during storage. In the case of using treatments with packages of OPP film and OPP film+70% $CO_2$, however, adverse effects like package bursting or physiological injury of the fig may occur due to the gas pressure or long exposure to $CO_2$. Therefore, the results indicated that MP film containing 70% $CO_2$ can be used as an effective treatment to extend the freshness of fig fruits for storage at a proper low temperature.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.417-424
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• 2009

Osteoclasts, derived from multipotent myeloid progenitor cells, play homeostatic roles in skeletal modeling and remodeling, but may also destroy bone in pathological conditions such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoclast development depends critically on a differentiation factor, the receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). In this study, we found that the hexane soluble fraction of the common fig Ficus carica (HF6-FC) is a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). HF6-FC exerts its inhibitory effects by suppression of p38 and NF-${\kappa}B$ but activation of ERK. In addition, HF6-FC significantly decreased the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, the master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. The data indicate that components of HF6-FC may have therapeutic effects on bone-destructive processes such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal bone resorption.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2008

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for monitor the yields of desirable substances from fig (Ficus carica L) under different extraction conditions. The maximum yield was 66.46% at 22.08 mL/g of solvent to sample ratio, $90.59^{\circ}C$ extraction temperature and 148.04 min extraction time. The maximum total phenolics was $121.31{\mu}g/mL$ at 17.87 mL/g, $98.82^{\circ}C$, and 130.80 min. The maximum electron donating ability was 54.09% at $121.31{\mu}g/mL$, 18.13 mL/g, and $98.81^{\circ}C$. The maximum value of protease activity was 54.51 unit/min at 17.45 mL/g, $99.01^{\circ}C$, and 131.43 min. In addition, the maximum value of reducing sugar content was 19.14 mg/mL in 22.66 mL/g, $86.30^{\circ}C$, and 153.59 min. The optimum conditions estimated by RSM for maximal extraction of the effective components were $17{\sim}25$ mL/g of solvent to sample ratio, $80{\sim}100^{\circ}C$ of extraction temperature, and $100{\sim}170$ min of extraction time.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2013

In 2010 and 2011, gray mold was found on common fig (Ficus carica) fruit grown at the research field of Jeollabuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Korea. Gray mold symptoms on common fig fruit mainly occurred after harvest season until December. The typical symptom included brown water-soaked rot and fruit decay. The diseased fruit was covered by gray to brown colored conidiophore and conidia. The conidiophores were tree shape and measured $15-33{\times}2{\mu}m$. Conidia on conidiophore were ellipsoidal or lemon shape, colorless, single cell, and measured $7.3-14.6{\times}6.8-11.1{\mu}m$. The nucleotide sequences of the rDNA ITS region obtained from the pure culture of the gray mold on common fig were 100% similar to the sequences of the GenBank accession number HQ171052, EU519210, HQ171053, FN812726, HM849615, and EU563120 of B. cinerea isolates. In phylogenetic tree, the representative isolate was placed within same clade of B. cinerea. Based on the morphological characteristics and analysis of rDNA ITS sequence data, the fungus was identified as B. cinerea.

• 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.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1998

In order to study the tenderizing effect of the proteolytic enzyme, ficin, from fig fruit (Ficus carica L), the enzyme was purified from fig latex by precipitation and chromatography. The ficin separated from Bongraesi showed single band on SDS-PAGE. However, the ficin from Masui showed tow bands. The specific activity of ficin purified from Bongraesi species was 2.8 unit/mg protein and that from Masui species was 6.5 unit / mg protein. The amounts of ficin purified from 50 mL of crude latex of Bongraesi and Masui were 1,760 mg and 657 mg, respectively. the water holding capacity of beef decreased to the large extent, when sugar Bongraesi latex and Masui latex were added. The hardness of beef showed decreasing tendency with the time, however, after 60 min, it decreased and thereafter increased a little after 120 min. the hardness of beef decreased sharply with addition of the latex of Bongraesi and Masui. The Masui has more tenderizing effect than the Bongraesi. When meat was mixed with tenderizing agent(ficin) and not heated, the change of color showed significant difference (p＜0.01). when meat was mixed with tenderizing agent(ficin) and heated, the toughness showed significant difference (p＜0.01) and the softness showed significant difference (p＜0.001).