• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.361-377
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to examine whether the guideline by the Ministry of Environment (ME) successfully and appropriately applied the IUCN Red List criteria at regional level and the rare and endangered national list considered eligible. A certain number of vascular plants, which are widely distributed in the world or in east Asia, deemed to be ineligible for assessment at a regional level as Not Applicable category (NA), because it occurs at very low numbers in South Korea. Among 377 vascular plant taxa evaluated by the ME, NA included 238 species, which represented 63.1%. The number of synonymized species or illegitimate name species were 13 species, which accounted for 3.4%. 21 species (9.3%) were threatened at global level and 103 species were possibly candidates species list for Red List assessments at regional level in the near future. The proportion of NA or waiting list was 66.6% among the list assessed by the ME. The most common errors involved incorrectly application of species extinction in case of population extinction in South Korea to the assessment and provided incorrect interpretation of the Red List criteria at regional level. The most assessments proposed by ME were not backed up without quantitative data quality, justifications, and sources. It is suggested that the risk of extinction should be reassessed at least in the Korean peninsula within the light of their overall distribution including far eastern Russia and North eastern China in north and for Japan and Taiwan in south for regional assessment. The results obtained here using the IUCN criteria at regional level showed that the list proposed by the ME produced an overestimation of the number of threatened vascular plants. Also, the misapplication of the term 'species extinction' for regional assessment was open to some degree of subjectivity and misinterpretation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2019

Purpose: Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is an important traditional medicinal herb. Pharmacological research has indicated that AM has various physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities. The bioactive substances responsible for the physiological activities in AM, including many antioxidant substances, change during the roasting process. This study investigated and compared the changes in the antioxidant constituents of AM caused by roasting. Methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and $ABTS^+$ (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging activities and their total phenolic content (TPC) were measured. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to confirm any changes in the isoflavonoids of roasted AM (R-AM),. The cell viability of UVB-induced HDF (Human dermal fibroblast) cells treated with AM and R-AM extracts was investigated. The comet assay was used to examine the inhibitory effects of R-AM extracts on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. Results: The DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activities were $564.6{\pm}20.9$ and $108.2{\pm}3.1$ ($IC_{50}$ value) respectively, from the 2R-AM. The total phenol content was $47.80{\pm}1.40mg$ GAE/g from the 1R-AM. The values of calycosin and formononetin, which are the known isoflavonoid constituents of AM, were $778.58{\pm}2.72$ and $726.80{\pm}3.45{\mu}g/g$ respectively, from the 2R-AM. Treatment of the HDF cells with R-AM ($50{\sim}200{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the cell viability. Furthermore, the R-AM extracts effectively protected against UVB-induced DNA damage. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that R-AM increases its isoflavonoid constituents and protects against UVB-induced DNA damage in HDF cells.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.486-498
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the leaf growth and flowering characteristics of 85 Hosta cultivars. The 85 cultivars were grown in a pot in Useful Plant Resources Center in Yangpyeong, Korea. H. 'Abiqua Blue Crinkles', H. 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd', H. 'Dancing in the Rain', H. 'Elegance', H. 'Inniswood', and H. 'Venus' were classified as a large size group (> 50 cm), while 27 cultivars including H. 'Abby', H. 'Birchwood Parky's Gold', H. 'Blue Cadet', and H. 'Blue Edge' were classified as a small size group (< 20 cm). The others were classified as a medium size groups. 79% of Hosta cultivars had leaf variegation. Leaf variegation type was divided into 5 types (standard, marginata, mediovarigata, albomaculata, striata). Among them 31 cultivars including H. 'Abby', H. 'Abiqua Moonbeam', and H. 'Atlantis' has a variegation type of marginata in the leaf. 36 cultivars including H. 'Abby', H. 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd', and H.'Abiqua Moonbeam' bloomed in late May and 9 cultivars including H. 'Black Hills', H. 'Boeun', and H. 'Fragrant Bouquet' started to flower on late August. Most flowers were below 3.0 cm in length, while H. 'Avocado' was longest on 10.0 cm. Most flowers have a lavender color group (63.5%), and 14 cultivars of Hosta showed white color group (16.5%). 12 cultivars including H. 'Blue Mouse Ears', H. 'Captain Kirk', and H. 'Fragrant Bouquet' had the fragrance in their flowers. H. 'Cherry Berry' and H. 'Revolution' had a colorful stalk, red and yellow, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 2019

This study was conducted with the purpose of examining the suitability of Euphorbia jolkinii Boiss. as cut flower, so that it may be introduced as a new ornamental crop. For this purpose, effect of various holding solutions on vase solution uptake rate, vase life, and relative fresh weight of cut flowering branches of E. jolkinii was examined. After harvest, cut branches were treated with 10, 50, and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS), 0.1 and 0.2 mM of silver thiosulfate (STS), Chrysal, and Floralife. The cut branches of E. jolkinii were placed under the environmental conditions maintained at air temperature of $22.6^{\circ}C$, relative humidity of 45%, and 9/15h photoperiod that was controlled using fluorescent lamps (light intensity of $9.89{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). A holding solution containing $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS was found to be significantly effective for vase solution uptake rate compared to control, $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS, and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS treatments. However, no significant difference was found in vase life between the branches treated with $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS holding solution and branches of the control group. Increasing holding solution concentrations of STS was found to have negative effect on the vase life of cut E. jolkinii branches. Relative fresh weight of cut E. jolkinii branches were significantly decreased by two commercial holding solutions, Chrysal and Floralife. It is expected that these results would aid further studies on utilization of E. jolkinii as cut flower crop.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth and functional differences between C. rotundus and G. littoralis according to different electrical conductivity (EC) conditions in reclaimed soil conditions. C. rotundus and G. littoralis seeds were sown in a tray and managed for seedlings stage for eight weeks. They were transplanted in the pots containing reclaimed soils sampled in the Saemangum region. The plants were grown in the reclaimed land soil for 12 weeks under the control, 1, 2, 4, and $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ conditions and in horticultural soils with EC $1.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Plant height, leaf length and width of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Leaf, flower and tuber numbers of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, and SPAD was the highest in EC 2 and $4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The fresh weights of shoot and root of C. rotundus grown under EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ increased and then decreased as the concentration increased. When compared plant growth between reclaimed soil and horticulture soil with EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, the fresh weights of shoot and root, SPAD, leaf number, flower number, and tuber number were higher in horticultural soils. Although G. littoralis grown under EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ was the lowest in all growth parameters, there were no significant differences among other EC treatments. C. rotundus had the highest p-coumaric acid content in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. And the catechin content in shoot of G. littoralis was the highest in the control, and root of Glehnia littoralis had the highest benzoic acid contents in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. If the soil EC is well managed within $4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, two plants would be cultivated in reclaimed land.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2021

Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc. is traditionally used as an edible and medicinal plant in many countries in East Asia. Previous studies have shown the pharmacological potential of extracts and components of C. officinalis, but comparative analysis of the composition of the leaf, stem, and fruit extracts has been insufficient to date. In the present study, the content of active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients was verified in different C. officinalis parts (under-ripe sansuyu, ripe sansuyu, seed, leaf, stem, and dried sansuyu). One active component, morroniside, was high in fruit (under-ripe and ripe sansuyu), while loganin was high in fruit (under-ripe sansuyu) and cornin was high in seeds. Total polyphenol contents were highest in fruit (ripe sansuyu) and flavonoids were highest in leaves. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in leaves, followed by seeds and then ripe sansuyu extract. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of leaf extracts of C. officinalis (LCO) was further investigated by measuring their effects on levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of LCO effectively decreased the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible NO synthase, resulting in decreased NO production. LCO also significantly suppressed LPS-induced production and expression of IL-1β and IL-6. Taken together, the present findings suggest that C. officinalis leaves have potential as natural materials for the development of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.4
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• pp.371-381
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• 2020

The Ministry of Environment (ME) is planning to adopt in 2020 the IUCN regional Red List for "Guidelines for listing and delisting rare & endangered species and management of endangered Species System". The ME designated 377 species of vascular plants on the regional Red List. In a previous study it had been suggested that 103 species from this list are candidates for the regional Red List. With respect to a possible Red List, we assessed 59 species (after excluding 34 additional NA species and ten endemic species). These assessments indicated that 16 species are at the "threatened" level. Of those, one species is Critically Endangered, ten are Endangered, and five are Vulnerable. A further four species are classified as Near Threatened, 30 as Of Least Concern, and nine as Data Deficient. We found that most of the assessments proposed by the Ministry of Environment were not supported by scientific data, including quantitative geographic data (over 70%) in Criteria B. In order to determine the endangered species belonging to the orchid family, it is necessary to obtain records of illegal activities or data on overcollection. The current problem with the Ministry of Environment Red List has been the lack of management of scientific data on species showing a trend in decreasing population in the mid- to long-term; thus, there is a lack of critical resources for policy-makers. The ME legally designated categories and assessment, and the lack of expertise in failing to comply with the legal law by itself. The key to presenting an accurate overview of the state of Korean flora is to fill the information gaps with respect to significant geographical and taxonomical biases in the quality and quantity of data. By regularly updating the qualified data, we will be able to track the changes in the conservation status of the flora and inform the necessary conservation policies.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2021

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a perennial plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. Its root has been utilized as a traditional medicine especially in Korea. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential use of extracts from AGN root parts as a cosmetic material. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root(MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. B, TkR and MR of AGN are combined and used as medicinal herbs (MH). The extracts from AGN each root part (B, TkR, MR, TnR, MH) were used to test the effect on cell viability using MTS assay and to examine inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation in B16F10 melanoma cells. All extracts (50 - 200 ㎍/mL) from the each root part did not affect the cell viability. And inhibitory effect of all root extracts (200 ㎍/mL) on melanin accumulation was 12-19%. Especially, TnR showed similar inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation to MH. In addition, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity were higher in the TnR extract compared to MH. This study showed that the TnR extract exhibit high inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation and antioxidant activity compared to MH, suggesting that TnR extract has potential as a cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.543-549
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• 2021

Approximately 10% of all angiosperms belong to the Asteraceae family. Plant species belonging to this family have traditionally been used as medicinal plants in the Korean Peninsula. We investigated the antioxidant activity of seed extracts from 14 species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Seeds with ≥ 90% percentage of filled seed and ≥ 50% final germination were used. The total phenolic content was the highest in Dendranthema zawadskii var. tenuisectum (13.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/g seeds), followed by Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (11.8 mg of GAEs/g seeds), and Callistephus chinensis (11.0 mg of GAEs/g seeds). The total flavonoid content was highest in C. chinensis (9.8 mg of quercetin equivalents (QEs)/g seeds), followed by D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (7.2 mg of QEs/g seeds) and Taraxacum officinale (6.3 mg of QEs/g seeds). Our results showed that 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity was highest in D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (57.4 ㎍/ml), followed by T. officinale (59.1 ㎍/ml) and D. zawadskii var. latilobum (65.0 ㎍/ml), with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of DPPH scavenging activity. Furthermore, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was highest in C. chinensis (26.2 ㎍/ml), followed by D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (38.4 ㎍/ml), T. officinale (40.2 ㎍/ml), with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of ABTS scavenging activity. Based on a cluster analysis according to the antioxidant activity, the 14 species were classified into five groups, with group 4 having the highest antioxidant activity and group 0 having the lowest antioxidant activity. D. zawadskii var. latilobum, D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum, T. officinale, and C. chinensis belonging to groups 3 and 4, exhibited high phenolic content and antioxidant activity and can be considered potent plant-derived natural antioxidants.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.188-202
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• 2022

In the insect industry, as the scope of application of insects is expanded from pet insects and natural enemies to feed, edible and medicinal insects, the demand for quality control of insect raw materials is increasing, and interest in securing the safety of insect products is increasing. In the process of expanding the industrial scale, controlling the temperature and humidity and air quality in the insect breeding room and preventing the spread of pathogens and other pollutants are important success factors. It requires a controlled environment under the operating system. European commercial insect breeding facilities have attracted considerable investor interest, and insect companies are building large-scale production facilities, which became possible after the EU approved the use of insect protein as feedstock for fish farming in July 2017. Other fields, such as food and medicine, have also accelerated the application of cutting-edge technology. In the future, the global insect industry will purchase eggs or small larvae from suppliers and a system that focuses on the larval fattening, i.e., production raw material, until the insects mature, and a system that handles the entire production process from egg laying, harvesting, and initial pre-treatment of larvae., increasingly subdivided into large-scale production systems that cover all stages of insect larvae production and further processing steps such as milling, fat removal and protein or fat fractionation. In Korea, research and development of insect smart factory farms using artificial intelligence and ICT is accelerating, so insects can be used as carbon-free materials in secondary industries such as natural plastics or natural molding materials as well as existing feed and food. A Korean-style customized breeding system for shortening the breeding period or enhancing functionality is expected to be developed soon.