• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2023

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing interest in anti-obesity strategies. According to the National Statistical Office, the obesity rate in Korea was 38.3% in 2020 and 37.1% in 2021. Obesity is a risk factor for several severe diseases, including stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Pinus rigida × Pinus taeda is a hybrid of Pinus rigida Mill and Pinus taeda Linn, and its cones are considered a by-product. Although previous studies have investigated their pharmacological effects on antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative DNA damage, few researchers have explored their potential as functional natural materials. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of the cone of ethyl acetate fraction of P. rigida × P. taeda (ERT), specifically its ability to inhibit lipid accumulation. Our analysis showed that ERT contains phytochemicals (catechin and caffeic acid) which are known to improve immune function and inhibit cell damage. ERT inhibited lipid droplet accumulation at the cellular levels through Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, ERT suppressed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ and CEBP/α) as well as downstream lipogenic target genes (FAS and SREBP-1) thereby inhibiting adipogenesis. ERT also down-regulated key adipogenic markers, including aP2α, while inducing the phosphorylation of AMPK. It has been reported that PPARγ and CEBP/α are expressed in the early stages of adipose differentiation, while SREBP-1 is expressed in the late stage. Therefore, our findings suggest that ERT activates AMPK signaling pathways, which inhibits adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1) and lipogenic genes (FAS and aP2α), thereby blocking lipid accumulation and preventing obesity and related disorders. ERT showed potential as a new resource for developing a functional material for anti-obesity agents.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.61-61
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• 2023

Zanthoxylum piperitum has been used as a spice or various folk remedies since ancient times, and studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been reported. In this study, a raw material standardization study was conducted for the industrialization of Z. piperitum. First, optimal conditions for drying methods were established for the standardization of raw materials for Z. piperitum, and optimal conditions were established through content analysis using quercitrin, an marker compound, by obtaining samples every month. As for the drying method of Z. piperitum, it was confirmed that cold air drying was the best. It was analyzed that the marker compound content was highest in July. Next, for functional and toxicity evaluation of Z. piperitum, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing efficacy and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Cytotoxicity of Z. piperitum was not observed, and it was confirmed that although it had an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, it had no immuneenhancing effects. In addition, a study was conducted on the change in the efficacy of Z. piperitum using lava seawater, and as a result of the study, it was confirmed that the efficacy was superior when lava seawater was simultaneously treated. In conclusion, this study suggested the standardization of raw materials through the analysis of the marker compounds and the functional evaluation of Z. piperitum, and it can be used as basic data for future industrialization.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2023

Zanthoxylum piperitum ("chopi" in Korean) has been used as traditional medicinal plants with high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifungal activities. The aims of the study were to identify marker compounds and to investigate metabolites variation of chopi according to different parts and harvest times. Every month from June to September, chopi were harvested with three different parts: leaves, leaf-twig mixtures, twigs. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), two main marker compounds (quercitrin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside) were characterized in 70% ethanol extracts of chopi. Quantification of the two marker compounds were subsequently conducted by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), representing that contents of these compounds were higher in leaves and leaf-twig mixtures rather than twigs. For the comprehensive analysis of metabolites associated with production of marker compounds, 35 primary metabolites were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate analysis results represented that plant parts were main contributors to the separation of chopi. However, significant differences were not observed between leaves and leaf-twig mixtures samples. The partial least square (PLS) predictive model revealed that monosaccharides (fructose, galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose) and branched-chain amino acids (isoleucine, valine, leucine) were important determinants for the production of marker compounds together with alanine, inositol, GABA, and theronic acid. This study could be extended to stabilize and utilize chopi as an industrial material, as well as to find good candidates with various nutritional traits.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.56-56
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• 2023

The cone of Pinus rigida × Pinus taeda (PRT), a plant in the Pinaceae family, has long been used in traditional medicine to treat hemostasis, bruises, and burns. Previous research has shown that regulating oxidation-reduction reactions in reactive oxygen species can help inhibit melanogenesis, the process of melanin synthesis, which is a common target for addressing hyperpigmentation. Inhibiting tyrosinase is also known to be effective in this regard. Based on these findings, we conducted an investigation into the inhibitory effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of PRT (ERT) on melanogenesis in B16 F10 cells. We know that the expression levels of melanin biosynthesis-related proteins, including tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2, are regulated by MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) and cAMP, with cAMP affecting the activity of protein kinase A (PKA). PKA can reduce melanogenesis, and CREB reduces the phosphorylation of melanin-producing enzymes. In addition, the MAPK signaling pathway, composed of ERK, JNK, p38, and other factors, is also known to play a role in the inhibition of melanogenesis in melanocytes. Our immunoblotting results showed that ERT inhibited the expression of melanin production-related proteins (tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF) that were significantly increased by a-MSH treatment to promote melanin production. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of factors related to cAMP/PKA/CREB and MAPK signaling pathways were significantly reduced without affecting the total form. In conclusion, we believe that treatment with ERT can inhibit melanin synthesis by modulating the phosphorylation of cAMP/PKA/CREB and MAPK signaling pathways at the cellular level. These findings suggest the potential of ERT as a raw material for functional cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, thanks to its antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit melanogenesis. We thought that these findings of ERT as a natural plant resource will inspire further research and development in this area.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.330-339
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• 2024

Corn cobs were fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of high quality and excellent food safety. In this work, the fermentation process was optimized by single-factor test and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a material-liquid ratio of 1:30, an inoculum concentration of 11%, a temperature of 32℃, a time of 6 days, and a shaking speed of 200 r/min. Under these conditions, the SDF yield of corn cob increased from 2.34% to 11.92%, and the ratio of soluble dietary fiber to total dietary fiber (SDF/TDF) reached 19.08%, meeting the requirements for high-quality dietary fiber (SDF/TDF of more than 10%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the fermentation effectively degraded part of cellulose and hemicellulose, resulting in the formation of a loose and porous structure. After fermentation the water swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the corn cob SDF were significantly improved and the adsorption capacity of glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ions all increased by more than 20%. Moreover, the total phenolic content increased by 20.96%, which correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of SDF. Overall, the fermentation of corn cobs by A. niger increased the yield and enhanced the functional properties of dietary fiber (DF) as well.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2024

In this study, we studied the anti-inflammatory and physiological activities Abelmoschus esculentus extracts by hot water (AEW) and 70% ethanol (AEE) and confirm the possibility to use it as a natural ingredient. For this study measure the antioxidative activity, total polyphenol content was measured, and DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity assays were conducted. Total polyphenol content of AEW and AEE was measured, and the results showed that they were 126.76 mg TAE/100 g and 144.21 mg TAE/100 g, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured to determine the antioxidative activity, and the results indicated that DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased in both extracts concentration-dependently. The moisturizing effect was measured by measuring the amount of hyaluronic acid (HA) produced within HaCaT cell using the ELISA kit. AEW and AEE increased the amount of HA production in a concentration-dependent manner. In order to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of AEW and AEE, the NO assay was conducted, and the inhibitory effects were found to be 11.46% and 25.28%, respectively in 100 ㎍/ml. In order to measure the anti-inflammatory activity, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity was measured, and the inhibition of expression of iNOS, COX-2 proteins was measured and shown. Furthermore, inhibition of expression was found in inflammatory inducing factors iNOS and COX-2 proteins showing concentration-dependent inhibition. This study found the excellent effects of antioxidative, moisturizing effect, anti-inflammatory activity in Abelmoschus esculentus extracts, which indicates that can be used as functional materials for aesthetics, food and functional cosmetics.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.479-484
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• 2017

In this study, antioxidative activities and cellular protective effects of 70% ethanol extracts and fractions from lavender were evaluated. The scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of free radical (1,1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) was 46.6, 45.5 and $477.5{\mu}g/mL$ in the 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction, respectively. The reactive oxygen species scavenging activities (${OSC_{50}$) of 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 8.1, 3.3 and $17.6{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and they showed lower antioxidative activity than that of using L-ascorbic acid ($1.5{\mu}g/mL$). However, the aglycone fraction showed higher photohemolysis protective effect than that of using the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction. At $50{\mu}M$ concentration, the cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$) of 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction from lavender was 70.6, 87.2 and 165.2 min, respectively. In particular, the lavender aglycone fraction showed 3.8 times higher cellular protective effect than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol. The lavender fractional components including luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, vitextin, rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin were identified using TLC and LC-MS. However, the lavender aglycone fraction did not show any significant increase in flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin) compared to that of the ethyl acetate fraction. In conclusion, it is suggested that lavender may be applied as an antioxidant material in cosmetic industries.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.115-127
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the Lycopene cultivar of cherry tomatoes as a functional food and food material by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, anti-oxidative and anticancer activity. The contents of polyphenol and flavonoid were $12.28{\pm}1.78mg$ and $3.89{\pm}0.54mg$ per one g of dried cherry tomatoes respectively. The anti-oxidative activity of the cherry tomato was verified by measuring ${\alpha}$-${\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (DSA), 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity (ASA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). 50% of radical scavenging concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of DSA and ASA were $328.64{\pm}4.190{\mu}g/mL$ and $350.61{\pm}3.300{\mu}g/mL$ respectively. FRAP value was $26.92{\pm}0.68{\mu}mol$ $Fe^{2+}/g$. The effects of the cherry tomato extract on the growth of a normal lung cell (Hel299), lung cancer cell (A549), cervical cancer cell (HeLa) and a liver cancer cell (HepG2) were investigated using MTT assay. The cherry tomato extract showed a significantly strong growth inhibition effects against A549 cell and $IC_{50}$ was $375.46{\pm}33.670{\mu}g/mL$. The extract also inhibited growths of HeLa and HepG2 cells weakly. In this study we found that Lycopene cultivar of cherry tomato had anti-oxidative activity and strong inhibition effect against lung cancer cells. These results indicate that the Lycopene cultivar of cherry tomato would be a functional food and food material.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1344-1350
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of edible coating on hygroscopicity and quality characteristics of a freeze-dried Actinidia arguta snack. Freeze-dried A. arguta snacks were coated with various edible coating materials such as albumin, dextrin, and whole soy flour. There were no significant effects of coating on major quality properties such as moisture content, water activity, yield, water soluble index, water absorption index, and rehydration properties of all samples. Compared with non-coated samples, edible coated samples effectively inhibited hygroscopicity as a function of hygroscopic time. The samples coated with dextrin showed lower hygroscopicity than the other coated samples. In addition, the effects of edible coating treatment on hardness, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity were investigated. Edible coated samples had higher hardness, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity than the non-coated samples as a function of hygroscopic time. Among edible coating materials, dextrin was the most effective coating material. Dextrin as an edible coating material for freeze-dried A. arguta snack may help to prevent hygroscopicity and extend market quality and shelf-life during storage.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.268-275
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• 2023

This study was conducted to confirm the utilization of Pleurospermum camtschaticum root extract as an organic agricultural material. Antioxidant activity of P. camtschaticum root extract, closely related to antibacterial activity, increased in a dose-dependent manner. In mycelial growth inhibitory activity, 100% P. camtschaticum root extract supressed over 70% for Colletotrichum coccodes and over 68% for Colletotrichum dematium. In the pepper fruit anthracnose development test, the size of the lesion decreased in a dose-dependent manner, which showed the same tendency as the previous results in inhibitory activity on mycelial growth. In the pepper seed germination and red pepper growth promotion test of P. camtschaticum root extract, oposite results was confirmed. The lower the concentration, the more the seed germination and growth promotion effects were shown. The phenol content of pepper leaves was also measured after pepper growth promotion test have been completed. The phenol content related to antibacterial activity increased in all treated groups compared to the untreated group. Therefore, the results of this study showed the possibility of development as an organic material.