• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.675-688
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• 2022

Produced by steaming mature silkworms, HongJam is a natural functional food with various health-promoting effects. The current standard HongJam production protocol involves freezing and freeze-drying steamed mature silkworms for convenient long-term storage and/or selling it to customers. However, freeze-drying HongJam requires a range of processes and costs, which have contributed to its high resale value. In this study, we found that the cost of manufacturing HongJam powder could be reduced by homogenizing steamed mature silkworms using a high-speed blender and digital homogenizer, followed by spray drying. After the homogenized HongJam solution was digested by directly adding food-graded proteases, food-graded protease-digested homogenized HongJam solution was spray-dried. Food-graded digested protease or non-digested homogenized HongJam solutions could be used to produce food for special medical use for patients with general or specific diseases. This more efficient HongJam processing protocol proposed in this study can facilitate the development of sericulture farms and related industries by reducing the production costs of HongJam and its associated products.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2023

Nepeta sibirica L. or Siberian catmint is a medicinal plant species used in Mongolian traditional medicine for curing human different disorders and veterinary practices. The previous study of the whole plant concentrated on the determination of its essential oil composition and reported that the major ones are sesquiterpenes, including nepetalactone. The aim of this study was to reveal a new biological activity of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. and compare the activity of different extracts correlating with the content of biologically active compounds and evaluate their toxicity. For this purpose, anti-oxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) (40%, 70%) extracts were assayed spectrophotometrically. The aqueous extract showed positive anti-oxidative activity by both tested DPPH and FRAP assays with IC₅₀ 134.24 ± 1.42 mg/mL and FRAP value 1385.15 ± 8.12 µmol/L at 200 ㎍/mL, in contrast to 40% and 70% EtOH extracts. The 70% EtOH extract presented the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 77.29 ± 0.38 mg/mL) followed by 40% EtOH extract (176.72 ± 0.35 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (275.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL). Total phenolics were found to be gallic acid equivalent, % 3.74 ± 0.05 (70% EtOH), 3.94 ± 0.04 (40% EtOH), and 3.79 ± 0.16 (aqueous), whereas the total flavonoids as a rutin equivalent, % as 2.01 ± 0.12, 1.44 ± 0.17 and 1.99 ± 0.02, each. The aqueous extract showed the best anti-oxidative and lowest activity against the acetylcholinesterase; however, the 70% EtOH extract showed the opposite effects than that of the aqueous. No mortality incidence was visible at various doses, indicating that the oral median lethal dose of aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts were considered greater than 5000 mg/kg. N. sibirica L. belongs to the non-toxic category of the OECD 423 classification.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.30-30
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• 2022

Philippines is the second world supplier of coconut by-products. As its first major genomics project, the Philippine Genome Center program for Agriculture (PGC-Agriculture) took the challenge to sequence and assemble the whole coconut genome. The project aims to provide advance genetics tools for our collaborating coconut researchers while taking the opportunity to initiate local capacity. Combination of different NGS platforms was explored and the Philippine 'Catigan Green Dwarf' (CATD) variety was selected with the breeders to be the crop's reference genome. A high quality genome assembly of CATD was generated and used to characterize important genes of coconut towards the development of resilient and outstanding varieties especially for added high-value traits. The talk will present the significant results of the project as published in various papers including the first report of whole genome sequence of a dwarf coconut variety. Updates will include the challenges hurdled and specific applications such as gene mining for host insect resistance and screening for least damaged coconuts (thus potentially insect resistant varieties). Genome-wide DNA markers as published and genes related to coconut oil qualitative/quantitative traits will also be presented, including initial molecular/biochemical studies that support nutritional and medicinal claims. A web-based genome database is currently built for ease access and wider utility of these genomics tools. Indeed, a major milestone accomplished by the coconut genomics research team, which was facilitated with the all-out government support and strong collaboration among multidisciplinary experts and partnership with advance research institutes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.876-886
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• 2023

In some cases of head and neck cancers (HNC), surgical interventions may result in the loss of organs and/or changes to their functions, thereby significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. As a result, the surgical treatment of HNC patients is often limited to specific cases, and alternative treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, are considered. However, serious adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as severe nausea and vomiting, necessitate the need for the development of adjunctive methods to minimize patient suffering. Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong), is a natural herb used in Eastern medicine to treat cerebrovascular disorders and headaches. This study aimed to predict the effect and potential of L. chuanxiong as an auxiliary anticancer drug through network-based pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. The study results showed that 40 out of 41 genes of L. chuanxiong shared common targets of HNC and their proteins could be used to target HNC cells to prevent cancer progression. The results of the functional enrichment analysis confirmed that L. chuanxiong is associated with the neuroactive-ligand metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, indicating its potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in HNC treatment. Lastly, our findings demonstrated that the active ingredient of L. chuanxiong, (Z)-Ligustilide, has the ATP binding site of heat shock protein 90, a protein known to promote the activation of cancer cells. These results suggest that L. chuanxiong is a promising candidate for developing auxiliary anticancer drugs, and further research could potentially lead to the discovery of newer and safer anti-cancer agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2024

Dioscorea alata L, commonly known as "tropical yam" is the most widely consumed yam species among the 650 yam species belonging to the Dioscoreacea family. It is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions and is a major food source in Africa and India. Also, it is used for medicinal purposes, particularly in China and Taiwan, for its anti-inflammatory properties. In comparison to other yam varieties such as D. batatas or D. opposita, the tropical yam has gained popularity in Korea due to its higher yield per unit area. In this study, the nutritional characteristics and anti-thrombosis activity of the aerial bulbils of D. alata L. tropical yam were compared to those of D. opposita. The results showed that the aerial bulbils of tropical yam exhibited nutritional characteristics and potent anticoagulant activity compared to those of domestic yam varieties. The bulbils extract of tropical yam showed superior anticoagulant activities against thrombin, prothrombin and blood coagulation factors. Furthermore, the bulbils extract of tropical yam exhibited strong platelet aggregation inhibition at 0.25 mg/ml and showed no hemolytic activity up to a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. These findings suggest the potential development of high-value anti-thrombosis agents utilizing the aerial bulbils of tropical yam.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.474-480
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• 2024

Background: Recent years have witnessed increasing interest in the high amount of ocotillol-type saponin in Panax vietnamensis, particularly in relation to majonoside R2 (MR2). This unique 3%-5% MR2 content impart Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginsengs with unique pharmacological activities. However, in the commercial domain, unauthentic species have infiltrated and significantly hindered access to the authentic, efficacious variety. Thus, suitable analytical techniques for distinguishing authentic Vietnamese ginseng species from others is becoming increasingly crucial. Therefore, MR2 is attracting considerable attention as a target requiring effective management measures. Methods: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed by producing monoclonal antibodies against MR2 (mAb 16E11). The method was thoroughly validated, and the potential of the immunoassay was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet spectroscopy. Furthermore, ELISA was applied to the assessment of the MR2 concentrations of various Panax spp., including Korean, American, and Japanese ginsengs. Results and conclusions: An icELISA using mAb 16E11 exhibited linearity between 3.91 and 250 ng/mL of MR2, with detection and quantification limits of 1.53 and 2.50 - 46.6 ng/mL, respectively. Based on this study, the developed icELISA using mAb 16E11 could be a valuable tool for analyzing MR2 level to distinguish authentic Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginsengs from unauthentic ones. Furthermore, the analysis of the samples demonstrated that Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginsengs exhibit a notably higher MR2 value than all other Panax spp. Thus, MR2 might be their ideal marker compound, and various bioactivities of this species should be explored.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.6 s.96
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• pp.914-922
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• 2006

Korean traditional rice wines and liquors have been long brewed using nuruk or koji, cooked rice, How, yeast and some medicinal plants or herbs. The rosemary shrub (Rosmarinus officinalis L), belonging to the Labiatae family, is well recognized for its aromatic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumoral properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosemary addition on the quality characteristics of Korean traditional rice wine. Wines containing different rosemary concentrations (0, 10, 20 or 30%) were ripened for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days at 25C. The following quality characteristics were compared: pH, total acid, titratable acidity, amylase activity, color, reducing sugar amount, total sugar and ethanol. Although total acid increased, the pH of rosemary wine rapidly decreased during the rot 5-days of ripening, and these two changes were greatest in the wine containing 10% rosemary. The amount of both reducing sugar and ethanol in the wine rapidly increased during the rot 5-days of ripening, while total sugar content of rosemary wine decreased significantly with increasing ripening periods(p<0.05). According to the Hunter's color results, a significant color change in 'L' value was observed with increasing fermentation period in the wine containing 10% rosemary. Although 'a' value of control (0% rosemary liquor) increased during the ripening period, the addition of rosemary did not significantly affect 'a' or 'b' values. The transmittance of rosemary wines increased with increasing rosemary content but decreased throughout the ripening periods. Amylase activity decreased with increasing rosemary content, especially after a 5-day ripening period.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2008

Anthocyanin contents of black soybean were analyzed for development of superior breeding lines with high anthocyanin contents. Total 292 genotypes of black soybean collected through the whole country were analyzed by HPLC in which C3G (Cyanidin-3-Glucoside), D3G (Delphinidin-3-glucoside), and Pt3G (Petunidin-3-Glucoside) were detected main anthocyanin pigments and each pigment contents were significantly different according to genotypes. C3G content showed the highest value in all materials and its variation was also wide, whereas D3G and Pt3G were not detected in 4 and 24 genotypes. Mean value of C3G, D3G, and Pt3G contents were $8.05{\pm}4.225$, $1.80{\pm}0.854$, and $1.15{\pm}0.781\;mg/g$, respectively. In case collected sites, genotypes collected in Chungnam region were higher the anthocyanin contents than other collections, which was $13.75{\pm}3.861\;mg/g$. It might be concluded that it takes more than 36 days for anthocyanin accumulation since beginning of seed-coat pigments formation, in that case it showed $13.09{\pm}4.190\;mg/g.$. Also total anthocyanin contents were present higher concentration in seed coat as maturation period was longer from flowering stage.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.261-268
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental temperature (ET; $21^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$) and antibiotic substitute conditions on meat quality of chicken breast during cold storage. Seven treatments were as follows; T1, ET $21^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (+); T2, ET $21^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (-); T3, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (+); T4, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (-); T5, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% Lactobacillus; T6, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% medicinal plant extract; T7, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% essential oil. T7 had a higher (p<0.05) pH at 72 h post-slaughter value when compared to the other treatments. The CIE $b^*$ value of treatments at ET $32^{\circ}C$ showed significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared to the treatments at $21^{\circ}C$. T7 also had significantly (p<0.05) lower TBARS values than the other treatments as the storage time increased. T6 contained significantly (p<0.05) higher extractability of salt-soluble protein contents than the other treatments. The results from SDS-PAGE showed that the actin protein decreased for ET treatments at $32^{\circ}C$. The concentration of actin protein was not significantly different among T1, T2 and T7. Therefore, these result suggested that the antibiotic alternative with essential oil was effective under the high environmental temperature ($32^{\circ}C$) for chicken meat production.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-179
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• 2003

Multifunctionality of agriculture which is not traded on the market now has been an important international issue in that it environmental and public benefits. We carried out to modify and to update the function of upland farming on flood prevention and fostering water resources. Economic values of environmental benefits were evaluated by replacement cost methods. Models to evaluate the function of preventing flood were selected as: (1)precipitation(flood-inducing) - runoff(A), (2) soil depth ${\times}$ soil air phase, (3) precipitation (flood-inducing) - runoff(B), (4) soil depth ${\times}$ effective porosity of soil. Models to estimate the function of fostering water resources were (1) saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) ${\times}$ duration of saturation(days) ${\times}$ (1-ratio of water flow directly into river), (2) precipitation ${\times}$ ratio of water fostered by rain resources ${\times}$ (area of upland/total land area), and (3) soil water retention quantity(under standing crop or tree) - SWRQ(in bare soil). Function of preventing flood was $883Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of water per year and 645 million Mg for the whole upland area. Function of fostering water resources was $94.1Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of water per year and 69 million Mg for the whole upland area. The value of flood-preventing function evaluated by replacement cost methods was estimated 1,428 billion won per year as compared to the cost for dam construction. The value of water resource fostering were estimated 8.6 billion won in the price of living water.