• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.4-11
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• 2009

Anatomical features of both leaves and stems of the four mistletoes in Korea (Viscum album var. coloratum, Korthalsella japonica, Loranthus yadoriki, L. tanaka) and of their secondary haustorial structure within several host plants were investigated. Among the four mistletoes, there were diagnostic characters of the anatomy of leaves and stems which enabled us to distinguish the four taxa. Leaves were observed to have three distinct characters including unifacial or bifacial leaves, the number of vascular bundles in the midveins, and the level of development of sclerenchyma cells. There were four diagnostic characters of stems: overall morphology of stems in transverse view, degree of cuticle development, arrangement of vascular bundles, and features of the sclerenchyma and pith. In order to determine secondary haustorial traits, the research focused on the seven host plants of L. yadoriki and on the five host plants of K. japonica. The following features were found to be important: presence or absence of an aerial runner root, the shape of the haustorial strand and flange, the degree of penetration into host tissues, and their development of shaft in transverse view, the development both of secondary haustorial cells and short tracheid in hyphae. Korthalsella japonica and L. yadorki were clearly distinguished by these characters. The secondary haustorial forms in each host were somewhat different, due to varying degrees of development in the strength of the host plants' wood. However, qualitative characters like the final position of the secondary haustorial penetration into host tissues and the development of short tracheid cells were not only affected by the degree of development of the host plants, but also useful for the systematic study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.389-394
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the Rubia akane Nakai extract against food-borne pathogens. First, the Rubia akane Nakai was extracted with methanol at room temperature and the fractionation of the methanol extract was carried out by using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and methanol. The antimicrobial activity of the Rubia akane Nakai extract was determined by using a paper disc method against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The methanol extract of Rubia akane Nakai showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Synergistic antimicrobial effect was observed when Rubia akane Nakai extract was mixed with Viscum album var. coloratum extract as compared to each extract alone. Finally, the growth inhibition curves were determined by using methanol extract of Rubia akane Nakai against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The methanol extract of Rubia akane Nakai had strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the concentration of 4,000 ppm. At this concentration, the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was retarded more than 72 hours and up to 48 hours for Bacillus cereus. From these results, it was concluded that the methanol extract of Rubia akane Nakai inhibited effectively Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.449-457
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• 2010

This study investigated the effects of three kinds of water extract mixtures each with different ratios of A. capillaris, C. sinensis, S. chinensis, and V. coloratum on laying performance, egg quality, blood characteristics, and egg storage stability in laying hens. One hundred and sixty 35-wk-old laying hens (Hy-line brown) were divided into four groups of 10 birds each replicated times four. The treatments involved a basal diet (C, control) or diets containing three kinds of water extract mixtures at 200 ppm (T1, water extract mixture A; T2, water extract mixture B; T3, water extract mixture C). The egg production rate, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in all treatments compared to those of control (p<0.05). Haugh unit and egg yolk color in all treated groups were significantly improved in comparison with control (p<0.05), but no significant differences were observed for egg shell quality. The content of total cholesterol in blood serum was significantly decreased in all treatments compared to that of control (p<0.05). The blood biochemical parameters of liver and kidney damage were significantly decreased in all treatments compared to those of control (p<0.05). Total antioxidant activity in the blood serum of all treated groups was increased as well. The Haugh unit and malondialdehyde content in the egg yolk during storage were significantly decreased in all treated groups compared to control (p<0.05). Consequently, the dietary supplementation of water extract mixtures of A. capillaris, C. sinensis, S. chinensis, and V. coloratum improved laying performance and egg quality but decreased egg quality deterioration with increased storage. These results suggest that medicinal plant extracts could be used as a feed additive in feed for laying hens.