• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.389-395
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• 2011

In the present study, a suitable drying method was developed for citrus press cakes (CPCs), which are produced as a by-product in citrus juice plants, and the protective effect of methanol extract of CPCs prepared by far-infrared radiation (FIR) drying against $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage was evaluated versus that of freeze-dried CPCs. Methanol extract of FIR-dried CPCs exhibited comparatively good ROS scavenging activity versus the freeze-dried CPCs at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. The extract strongly enhanced the cell viability against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage in Vero cells. Lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of the extract from FIR-dried CPCs was comparable to that of the extract from freeze-dried CPCs. This sample also exhibited good protective effects against $H_2O_2$-mediated cell apoptosis as demonstrated by decreased apoptotic body formation in the nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342. In the comet assay, the CPC extracts exhibited strong inhibitory effects against $H_2O_2$-mediated DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, this study demonstrated that FIR drying effectively preserves CPC as a functionally important natural antioxidant source and the FIR drying can be adapted for drying CPCs and is more economical for massive production than freeze drying.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2020

Background: In Korea, Symplocos prunifolia Siebold. & Zucc. is only found on Jeju Island. Conservation of the species is difficult because little is known about its distribution and natural habitat. The lack of research and survey data on the characteristics of native vegetation and distribution of this species means that there is insufficient information to guide the management and conservation of this species and related vegetation. Therefore, this study aims to identify the distribution and vegetation associated with S. prunifolia. Results: As a result of field investigations, it was confirmed that the native S. prunifolia communities were distributed in 4 areas located on the southern side of Mt. Halla and within the evergreen broad-leaved forest zones. Furthermore, these evergreen broad-leaved forest zones are themselves located in the warm temperate zone which are distributed along the valley sides at elevations between 318 and 461 m. S. prunifolia was only found on the south side of Mt. Halla, and mainly on south-facing slopes; however, small communities were found to be growing on northwest-facing slopes. It has been confirmed that S. prunifolia trees are rare but an important constituent species in the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Jeju. The mean importance percentage of S. prunifolia community was 48.84 for Castanopsis sieboldii, 17.79 for Quercus acuta, and 12.12 for Pinus thunbergii; S. prunifolia was the ninth most important species (2.6). Conclusions: S. prunifolia can be found growing along the natural streams of Jeju, where there is little anthropogenic influence and where the streams have caused soil disturbance through natural processes of erosion and deposition of sediments. Currently, the native area of S. prunifolia is about 3300 ㎡, which contains a confirmed population of 180 individual plants. As a result of these low population sizes, it places it in the category of an extremely endangered plant in Korea. In some native sites, the canopy of evergreen broad-leaved forest formed, but the frequency and coverage of species were not high. Negative factors that contributed to the low distribution of this species were factors such as lacking in shade tolerance, low fruiting rates, small native areas, and special habitats as well as requiring adequate stream disturbance. Presently, due to changes in climate, it is unclear whether this species will see an increase in its population and habitat area or whether it will remain as an endangered species within Korea. What is clear, however, is that the preservation of the present native habitats and population is extremely important if the population is to be maintained and expanded. It is also meaningful in terms of the stable conservation of biodiversity in Korea. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is judged that a systematic evaluation for the preservation and conservation of the habitat and vegetation management method of S. prunifolia should be conducted.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

We have screened the cytoprotective effect on ${\gamma}-ray$ radiation induced oxidative stress from forty one Korean plant extracts. Carpinus laxiflora (caulis), Quercus salicina (caulis), and Castanopsis cuspidata (caulis) were found to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a result, extracts of three plants reduced cell death of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment. In addition, these extracts protected cell death of V79-4 cells damaged by ${\gamma}-ray$ radiation. In addition, these extracts scavenged ROS generated by radiation. Taken together, the results suggest that Carpinus laxiflora, Quercus salicina, and Castanopsis cuspidata protect V79-4 cells against oxidative damage by radiation through scavenging ROS.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.145-148
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• 1978

For the development of natural ornamental plants, an investigation was carried out about the vegetation of Soheuksan-do and Hong-do, islands located far in the southwestesn part of the Korean peninsular. The vegetation of Soheuksan-do was abundant. The dominant species were Machilus thunbergii, Buxus microphylla var. koreana, and Camellia japonica. Regarding the development of natural ornamental plants, 27 families and 54 species were reported in this investigation. Among these species there were 8 species including Calanthe discolor, Epipachs falcata, Dendrobium monniforme, Goodyera maximowiczii, and Lipari's krameri in Orchidaceae. The vegetation of Hong-do was similar to that of Soheuksan-do, but less abundant. Supplementary 10 species were reported in this investigation. Epipactis falcata and Dendrobium moniliforme were almost exterminated in these islands because of indiscriminating gathering. Therefore these species must be protected immediately.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2005

We have screened the cytoprotective effect against $H_2O_2$ and $\gamma-ray$ radiation induced oxidative stress from 32 Korean plants. Betula ermani var.saitoana (caulis, leaves), Rosa wichuraiana (caulis), Sorbus commixta (caulis), Weigela florida (leaves), Cirsium rhinoceros (whole plant), and Viburnum erosum (caulis) were found to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a result, extracts of six plants reduced cell death of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment. In addition, these extracts protected cell death of V79-4 cells damaged by $\gamma-ray$ radiation. In addition, these extracts scavenged ROS generated by radiation. Taken together, the results suggest that Betula ermani var. saitoana, Rosa wichuraiana, Sorbus commixta, Weigela florida, Cirsium rhinoceros, and Vibumum erosum protect V79-4 cells against oxidative damage by radiation through scavenging ROS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.321-338
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• 2014

In the Natural Monument (No. 432) Jeju Sanghyo-dong Cymbidium kanran Habitat (39 ha), flora, vegetation diversity, stand structure, mirco-climate, canopy openness, light environment and soil temperature and moisture were quantified from Oct. 2013 to Feb. 2014. Compare to Seogwipo-si, daily mean temperature ($5.7^{\circ}C$) and moisture (75.8%) in study area were lower at $3.3^{\circ}C$ and 15%, respectively. Mean soil temperature and moisture were $16.5^{\circ}C$ and 37.3%, respectively, and mean litter layer depth (n = 81) was 4.3 cm. Mean canopy openness and light availability at forest floor were 15.5% and $8.5mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}$, respectively. Total of 22 species including vascular and bryophyte plants and 6 vegetation group were observed. Castanopsis siebildii was dominant species in study area, and density and basal area were 1,777 stem/ha and $90.3m^2/ha$.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2006

This study was conducted to screen herbicidal activity of Korean native plants which could be used for the development of new natural herbicides. Fifty-five plants were collected from Wan and Jeju islands in Korea and their methanol extracts were obtained. Herbicidal activity of methanol extracts were determined by seed bioassay using rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings. Among fifty-five species, five plants were highly herbicidal ($GR_{50}$ < 1,000 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$): Clematis apiifolia A. P. DC.; (811 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$), Euscaphis japonica (THUNB.) KANITZ (867 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$), Hibiscus mutabilis L. (988 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$), Phyllostachys pubescens MAZEL (778 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$), Yucca recurvifolia (857 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$). Twenty-seven plants were shown moderately herbicidal (1,000 < $GR_{50}$ < 2,000 ${\mu}g\;g^{-1}$), however, twenty-three plants were not shown any herbicidal activity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Environmental characteristics and vegetation of the natural habitats of Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y. Sun were investigated in order to provide the basic data for conservation, restoration, and utilization of this Korean endemic plant. This study was conducted in Anyang, Byeonsan, Geoje, Gyeongju, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. E. byunsanensis was distributed around the altitudes of 84~585 m with a slope degree of $10{\sim}20^{\circ}$, and mostly formed discontinuous populations in north-east part of valleys. Soil analysis showed the mean organic matter of 9.6% and a slightly acidic pH (mean pH of 4.9). The mean gravimetric water content was 16.5%. Correlation coefficients between environmental factors and community characteristics suggested that there was a positive correlation between slope degree and soil water content, between slope degree and soil pH, between soil organic matter and importance value, and between species richness or evenness and species diversity. The vascular plants from 59 quadrats of 7 habitats were identified into 144 taxa. A few species were dominants and similarly distributed in Byeonsan, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. The highest species diversity was found in Geoje (1.43), while Anyang showed the lowest (0.87). Species evenness of Gyeongju and Jeju was bigger than 0.8, but that of Geoje was the lowest (0.59). Dominant species of woody plants in and around the 59 plots were represented by high frequency of Acer pictum subsp. mono, Carpinus cordata, Lindera obtusiloba, and Carpinus laxiflora. The results of this study can provide useful data for conservation and restoration of natural habitats of Korean endemic Eranthis byunsanensis and for the development and growth of this species for ornamental purposes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.537-542
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• 2021

Schisandra nigra Max., a dioecious plant native to Jeju Island in Korea, is cultivated on a small scale for fruit production. As fruit-producing female individuals are generally considered to be more valuable than male, early identification of plant sex at the seedling stage is important. In this study, a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker associated with a female-specific region in the genome of S. nigra was investigated. Of 120 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, one primer (OPB-03) consistently amplified a 749 bp band in female plants. The female-specific PCR product was isolated and cloned, and the nucleotide sequences were then determined. Southern hybridization performed using the female-specific fragment as a probe produced positive signals only in genomic DNA from the female plants. This result revealed that the 749 bp segment of DNA was present in the genome of female plants but absent in the genome of male plants. A SCAR primer pair was designed based on the RAPD marker to amplify a 436 bp fragment in the genomic DNA of female plants. This primer pair amplified the expected size of DNA fragment in female plants and four monoecious individuals collected from a natural population. The SCAR marker identified in this study can be used to distinguish female-flowering individuals at the seedling stage.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.167-170
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• 2012

During the course of the execution of the project entitled Distribution Research of Rare Plants, we found the habitats of two rare ferns with obscure and/or extremely restricted distribution ranges, as previously unreported habitats. A subantarctic fern reported on Hamgyeong-do and Gangwon-do, Dryopteris coreano-montana Nakai, was found on Mt. Ibam in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. A subtropical fern reported south of Jeju-do, Dryopteris decipiens (Hook.) Kuntze, was newly found on Mt. Cheongwan of Jangheung-gun in Jeollanam-do.