• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 2022

This study assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of leaf extracts from grain amaranths (Amaranthus spp.). Among all the extracts, the ethanol extract of Amaranthus cruentus leaves (Ar) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, including the DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ORAC. In addition, Ar strongly inhibited nitric oxide production by suppressing the MEK/ERK signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264 murine macrophages. HPLC analysis revealed 13 polyphenolic compounds in the leaf extracts of grain amaranth and indicated that Ar contained more rutin than the other extracts. Taken together, these results show the impact of species diversity on the phytochemical contents and bioactivities of plant extracts and suggest that the nonedible parts, such as leaves, of A. cruentus should be considered for use as crude drugs and dietary health supplements.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.336-346
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• 2013

Amaranth (Amaranthus sp. L.) is an important group of plants that includes grain, vegetable, and ornamental types. Centers of diversity for Amaranths are Central and South America, India, and South East Asia, with secondary centers of diversity in West and East Africa. The present study was performed to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of 75 amaranth accessions: 65 from South America and 10 from South Asia as controls using 14 SSR markers. Ninety-nine alleles were detected at an average of seven alleles per SSR locus. Model-based structure analysis revealed the presence of two subpopulations and 3 admixtures, which was consistent with clustering based on the genetic distance. The average major allele frequency and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 0.42 and 0.39, respectively. According to the model-based structure analysis based on genetic distance, 75 accessions (96%) were classified into two clusters, and only three accessions (4%) were admixtures. Cluster 1 had a higher allele number and PIC values than Cluster 2. Model-based structure analysis revealed the presence of two subpopulations and three admixtures in the 75 accessions. The results of this study provide effective information for future germplasm conservation and improvement programs in Amaranthus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2018

Amaranth (Amaranth caudatus) is attracting attention as a preference crop in Gyeongsangbuk-do province. To determine its growth potential and cultivation requirements, we investigated its growth characteristics, dry matter productivity, and grain yield according to the growing period. Growth and dry matter productivity were significantly higher for plants that were sown on May $10^{th}$ when the temperature was the highest, whereas the yield was significantly higher for plants that were sown on April $10^{th}$. Amaranth grain yield ranged from 96 to 243 kg according to the sowing date and cultivation year. The optimum harvest time for plants that were sown on April $10^{th}$, May $10^{th}$, and June $10^{th}$ were 120, 110, and 110 days after seeding, respectively. The mean temperature and growing period had a significant quadratic function with yield. Based on these equations, the optimum growing temperature was estimated as $20.6^{\circ}C$ and the optimum growing period as 104-119 days after seeding.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2015

This study examined the cultural characteristics and biological activities of fermented rice and amaranth with Bacillus subtilis KMKW4. These samples were made with various amounts of rice and amaranth [100:0 (R100), 90:10 (R90), 80:20 (R80), and 70:30 (R70)]. B. subtilis KMKW4 was used as starter for the fermentation, and its cultures at the lated logarithmic growth were inoculated for final concentration of 2% (v/v). Number of viable cells of fermented R80 (7.67 log CFU/mL) was greater than those of R100, R90, and R70 (7.48 log CFU/mL, 7.38 log CFU/mL, and 7.09 CFU/mL, respectively) during the fermentation period (120 h). Amylase activities of fermented R80 and R100 were 57.77 U/mL and 19.91 U/mL, respectively. Furthermore, amylase activities of fermented freeze-dried powders of R100 and R80 were 24.31 U/g and 9.12 U/g, respectively. Free sugar contents of R100 and R80 increased after fermentation, and that of R80 (5,454.15 mg/100 g) significantly increased compared to that of R100 (4,274.85 mg/100 g). The free amino acid content of R80 was higher than that of R100. DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activities of 5 mg/mL of fermented freeze-dried powder (R80) were 44.21% and 89.76%, respectively. ACE inhibition rates and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities were significantly higher in R80 than R100. This study suggested that fermentation of R80 might be a new potential source of antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive agents applicable to grain enzyme-containing foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1478-1483
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• 2009

A solid-state culture based on grain materials was attempted to produce a fibrinolytic enzyme for blood circulation improvement using Bacillus subtilis BK-17. The spore, rather than vegetative cell inoculation, of B. subtilis BK-17 on the solid-state culture was effective in the production of a fibrinolytic enzyme. Maximum spore production was obtained with a SFM medium (0.8% nutrient broth, 0.05% yeast extract, $10^{-1}$ M $MgCl_2$, $10^{-3}$ M $FeCl_3$, $10^{-4}$ $MnCl_2$, $10^{-5}$ M dipicolic acid, pH 6.5). Optimal pH and temperature were pH 6 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The spore production reached a maximum at 60 hours of incubation. Bacillus subtilis BK-17 on the mung bean solid-state culture produced greater fibrinolytic activity, and less activity was seen in other grains such as kidney bean, soybean and corn. Protein and lipid contents of fermented soybeans were about 10 - 30% more than those of unfermented soybeans. Amino acid content was also 5 - 20% more than that of unfermented soybeans. These results indicated that fermented solid-state culture medium, fermented soybean in this case, can be utilized as a food supplement.