• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-274
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• 2023

To evaluate functional biomaterials of 5 invasive alien plants, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antibacterial effect were measured. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were in the order of Rumex acetosella L. > Hypochaeris radicata L. ≥ Lactuca scariola L. > Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ≥ Solanum viarum Dunal. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the extract were the highest in R. acetosella and correlated well with the total polyphenol contents. In RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production inhibitory effect of the extracts (100 ㎍ SE/mL) were 20~60% and 10~70%, respectively, showing the highest inhibitory effect in R. acetocella. The extracts of R. acetosella, H. japonicus and S. viarum showed antibacterial activity against food poisoning-causing microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. Furthermore, the H. japonicus extract was found to have effective antibacterial activity against oral microorganisms such as Enterococcus faecalis, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Rothia dentocariosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans, and its major active ingredients were predicted to be pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid and clionasterol. These results suggest that alien plants have potential as biomaterials with antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antibacterial effects.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2023

Objectives: Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoleaceae) is cultivated to produce "yerba mate". Due to its nutritional, energizing, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects, it is used in the elaboration of food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The oxidative stress related to protein glycation and production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to the development of several diseases. The objective of this work was to compare the antioxidant and anti-AGEs activity of a decoction of fruits (F) and leaves (L). Methods: The antioxidant activity was assayed by the DPPH assay and the inhibition of egg yolk lipid peroxidation (ILP), and anti-AGEs activity, through the inhibition of the formation of fructosamine (IF), β-amyloid (Iβ), protein carbonylation (IC) and AGEs (IA). Polyphenols were quantified by HPLC. Results: Maximum response ± SEM: For F 0.01 ㎍/mL: IF = 42 ± 4%, IC = 17 ± 2% and for 10 ㎍/mL: IA = 38 ± 4%, Iβ = 67 ± 7%. For L 0.1 ㎍/mL: IF = 35 ± 2%, IC = 19 ± 2% and for 100 ㎍/mL: IA = 26 ± 3%, Iβ = 63.04 ± 2%. The DPPH IC₅₀ = 134.8 ± 14 ㎍/mL for F and 34.67 ± 3 ㎍/mL for L. The ILP IC₅₀ = 512.86 ± 50 ㎍/mL for F and 154.8 ± 15 ㎍/mL for L. By HPLC L presented the highest amounts of flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids. F and L showed strong anti-AGEs activity, affecting the early stages of glycation at low concentrations and the late stages of glycation at high concentrations. The highest activity for both F and L was seen in the IF and Iβ. F presented the highest anti-AGEs potency. L presented the highest antioxidant potency, which was related to the highest content of polyphenols. Conclusion: The fruits of I. paraguariensis could be a source of antioxidant and anti-AGEs compounds to be used with medicinal purposes or as functional food.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Crosslinking was introduced into vinylized-mesoporous silica and recycled polyethylene. By introducing a vinyl group into the mesoporous silica, it becomes a material capable of inducing cross-linking with non-polar polyethylene. By synthesizing vinylized-mesoporous silica and inducing crosslinking with recycled polyethylene, a recycled polyethylene composite with improved physical properties than existing recycled polyethylene was synthesized. In addition, even when a small amount is added according to the grade of recycled polyethylene using vinylized-mesoporous silica, the crosslinking reaction proceeds and all physical properties are improved. Four types of vinylized-mesoporous silica were synthesized, and the shape, microstructure, and functional groups were analyzed by TEM, BET, FT-IR, and XRD. Using vinylized-mesoporous silica, three types of compounds were blended by crosslinking reaction with recycled polyethylene. In order to confirm the presence or absence of crosslinking, analysis was performed using XPS and FT-IR, and physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were confirmed using a universal testing machine. As a result, by applying vinylized-mesoporous silica to recycled polyethylene in various grades, the weak physical properties of existing recycled polyethylene were overcome. By applying the vinylized-mesoporous silica, recycled polyethylene composite material that overcomes the weak physical properties to the normal polyethylene, it shows the optimal physical property index that can be used commercially. Therefore, it is expected that it can potentially increase the use of recycled polyethylene and recycle resources.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.358-368
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• 2023

Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb., also known as the arrow tree in Korea, is a plant in East Asia used in traditional medicine and food. In particular, the wings of E. alatus are rich in phenolic compounds. This study evaluated the antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibition, and anti-cancer activities of E. alatus wing extracts. The radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging acitvities and reducing the power of 1,000 ㎍/mL E. alatus wing extracts, were similar to those of the positive control (0.1% BHT, 0.1% α-tocopherol). In addition, ethanol and methanol extract at 250 ㎍/mL showed 95.70 and 94.99% of α-glucosidase inhibition activity, respectively. The ethanol extract of E. alatus wings had the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (867.8 mg% and 521.7 mg%, respectively). The E. alatus wing extracts significantly decreased the cell viability of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells (p<0.001), MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells (p<0.001), and HT-29 human colon cancer cells (p<0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. However, there was no significant effect on B16 mouse melanoma cells. Notably, the ethanol extracts showed higher cancer cell growth inhibitory activity in LNCaP and HT-29 cells than the other extracts. These results suggest that E. alatus wing extracts could have significant clinical applications, and our results can be used as basic data for future functional food material development.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.300-310
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• 2023

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the extraction conditions for persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) leaf tea (PLT) on its color quality and antioxidant properties. The amount of persimmon leaf (PL) powder and pH influenced the PLT's color and antioxidant capacity. As the amount of PL powder in tea increased, lightness decreased while yellowness increased. The PLT with the highest amount of PL (10 mg/mL) exhibited the highest 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, the PLT with the highest PL showed the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Subsequently, PLT was prepared using 10 mg/mL PL powder under varying pH conditions. As pH increased from 4 to 7, lightness decreased while redness and yellowness increased. Antioxidant capacity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay showed that lower pH exhibited higher antioxidant capacity. The PLT extracted under the lowest pH of 4 showed higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents than that extracted under higher pH conditions. Overall, PLT extraction using a solvent with pH 4.0 showed better antioxidant activities and higher amounts of polyphenolic compounds. Simultaneously, lesser lightness, redness, and yellowness were detected in PLT extracted under pH 4 conditions. In conclusion, to acquire a better functional health benefit in terms of antioxidant capacity, preparing PLT under pH 4 conditions is suggested.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects and active ingredients of Gynura Procumbens extracts obtained through various extraction methods for the development of natural-based cosmetics and pharmaceutical materials. The contents of compounds, total flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were compared at different concentrations, revealing the highest content of active ingredients in the 100% ethanol extract. Antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays showed a concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity with the ethanol concentration. Additionally, we validated the DNA damage inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura Procumbens extracts through UVB irradiation on Hs68 cell models. The 100% ethanol extract demonstrated significant inhibition of the expression of p-p53, γ-H2AX, iNOS, and COX-2 induced by UVB, indicating its potential in alleviating photodamage effects. Consequently, the efficient extraction of Gynura Procumbens for skin functional material development was confirmed, suggesting the suitability of ethanol or alcohol-based solvents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.296-303
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• 2024

Vinegar is a fermented food product created by fermenting various sugar- and starch-containing ingredients with microorganisms. It contains a variety of organic acids, sugars, amino acids, esters, and other compounds that contribute to its unique sensory properties. Vinegar is known for its potential benefits, including aiding digestion, lowering blood sugar levels, anti-obesity effects, and antioxidant properties. It is also believed to contribute to improving alkaline body conditions. This study was conducted to develop functional dried vinegar powder from naturally fermented vinegars. Unripe apple, brown rice, and black chokeberry (aronia) were fermented using Gluconacetobacter xylinus for 90-180 days. The filtrate vinegar was spray dried with 37.46% maltodextrin, 5% glucose, 1% citric acid, and 0.04% vitamin C. Analysis of the acidity, color difference, water and soluble solid content, and heat stability of dried vinegar (DV) confirmed that spray drying is a suitable method for powder production. Moreover, the DVs exhibited excellent sensory attributes and solubility. Among the DVs, aronia-DV showed the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and 2,2-azobis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical scavenging activity (36.7% and 75.3%) and reducing power (0.334) at 0.5 mg/ml concentration, respectively. The nitrite scavenging activity was highest in brown unripe apple-DV, followed by aronia-DV and brown rice-DV. In the anti-thrombosis activity assay, aronia-DV showed the highest prothrombin inhibition. The brown rice-DV exhibited lipid accumulation inhibitory activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without cell cytotoxicity. Our results suggest the potential for commercialization of dried vinegar, highlighting its diverse benefits and applications.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.39-45
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• 2023

Biorenovation is a biotransformation method that converts the structure of chemical compounds and natural product through biocatalytic metabolism of microorganism and could enhance biological effectiveness and mitigate cytotoxicity compared to its substrates. Althaea rosea L. has been used as oriental medicine and is known for physiological efficacies such as antiurolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. A. rosea L. callus, the plant tissue grown to protect its wound, has been reported to have antioxidant and whitening effects. However, mechanisms of its other activity such as inflammation have not yet been investigated. In this study, we extracted A. rosea L. callus (AR) and produced biorenovated AR (ARBR), and then analyzed anti-inflammatory effect in Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage at 50, 100, 200 ㎍/mL of ARBR. As a result of inhibition test of nitric oxide production, it was found that ARBR was superior to AR without apparent toxicity. Furthermore, ARBR significantly inhibited production of prostaglandin E₂, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines including Tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1β in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, we suggest that ARBR could regulate the excessive inflammatory response to an appropriate level and be a promising material for functional cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Chinese cabbage biosynthesizes various phytochemicals including carotenoids and glucosinolates. Environmental stress has a major effect on the growth and yields of vegetables, and can significantly affect nutritionally important phytochemicals. Phytochemicals of plants are influenced by light, temperature, carbon dioxide, and growing conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various light sources on carotenoid and glucosinolate contents in Chinese cabbage. METHODS AND RESULTS: [Experiment I] Set the control (field control, FC) on the ground. Using acrylic sunlight, experiments were set up transparency box (field transparency, FT), red box (field red, FR) and blue box (field blue, FB). [Experiment II] Set the control (chamber control, CC) in the greenhouse. Using plant growth chamber with artificial light, experiments were set up LED red (chamber red, CR), LED blue (chamber blue, CB), LED mixed red+blue (chamber red+blue, CRB) and fluorescent (chamber fluorescent, CF). After plant growth, Chinese cabbage was harvested at 110 days after sowing (DAS). The status of plants growth (leaf length, width, fresh weight etc.) was immediately investigated. Carotenoid and GSL contents were analyzed by HPLC. [Experiment I] Results documented that the ranges of total carotenoid contents were 25.39 ~ 58.80 mg/kg dry wt for lutein, 0.84~ 4.22 mg/kg dry wt for zeaxanthin, and 3.85~18.71 mg/kg dry wt for ${\beta}$-carotene. Lutein was the highest for the content and the largest for the variation as well. [Experiment II] Results documented that the ranges of total carotenoid contents were 24.66~137.96 for lutein, 2.51~20.65 for zeaxanthin, and 8.40~49.80 mg/kg dry wt for ${\beta}$-carotene. The total carotenoid contents of CR (156.62) and CB (115.90) were 1.6~2.3 times larger than the other treatments, and ${\beta}$-carotene content was about twice as high as that of the other treatments on the CR (38.74 mg/kg dry wt.). [Experiment I] Total GSL content was the highest in FT (19.76) that was higher 1.7 times than the lowest treatment ($11.39{\mu}mol/g\;dry\;wt$.). [Experiment II] The total content of GSL was highest in CRB (4.19) and lowest in CF ($2.88{\mu}mol/g\;dry\;wt$.). In the CRB, total GSL contents ($4.19{\mu}mol/g\;dry\;wt$.) was the highest. CONCLUSION: Total and individual carotenoid and GSL contents in Chinese cabbage show significant differences under different light sources. Red and blue lights contribute to significant carotenoids expression and antioxidant activity for nutrition and health benefits. These results concluded that the introduction of varying lights affected the synthesis of important nutrient compounds in Chinese cabbage. It is predicted that the application of good light source enhances the accumulation of functional compounds.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2014

The nutritional compositions and antioxidative activities of the Kimcheon lowbush and Pyungtaek highbush blueberries cultivated in South Korea were investigated. The approximate compositions, pH, and soluble-solid and mineral contents of P, Ca, Mg, Na, and Zn were determined. Both blueberry cultivars had mainly fructose and glucose as free sugars while disaccharides such as sucrose, maltose, and lactose were not detected in both. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic fatty acids were the major fatty acids in both types of blueberries. The total of 16 free amino acids, including seven essential and nine non-essential amino acids, were higher in the Pyungtaek highbush blueberry. Among the amino acids, arginine was especially much higher in the Pyungtaek highbush blueberry. The anthocyanin, resveratrol, and polyphenol compounds, which are the important biologically active compounds in blueberries, were found. The anthocyanin contents of the Kimcheon lowbush and Pyungtaek highbush blueberries were 22.0 and 18.1 mg/100 g, respectively; the resveratrol contents by HPLC, 0.12 and 0.11 mg/100 g; and the total polyphenol contents, 141.3 and 138.4 mg/100 g. The electron-donating ability determined based on the DPPH radical scavenging activity was increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and it was higher than that of the Pyungtaek highbush blueberries, which implies that it is highly correlated with the higher amounts of total polyphenol, anthocyanin, and resveratrol in it. In conclusion, the two varieties of Korean blueberries can be suggested as potential sources of high-value-added functional foods.