• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2006

Prunus mume is extensively cultivated as a fruit and medicinal plant in Korea. Recently, prunus mume has a pressing problem with an increase of prunus mume cultivation area in southern part in Korea. Chemical properties of prunus mume flower to determine the optimum processing varieties for tea were investigated. Three kinds of samples treated with fresh, freeze dry and shade dry were used. The content of moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and nitrogen free extract of prunus mume flower varieties were to $82{\sim}85%,\;0.2{\sim}0.6%,\;2.5{\sim}3.1%,\;2.5{\sim}3.1%,\;0.6{\sim}0.8%\;and\;10{\sim}11%$ respectively. The main component of free sugars in prunus mume flower was glucose and those of organic acids were citric and malic acids. 17 kinds of amino acids were determined from prunus mume flower. The total amino acid contents of Cheongchuk, Baeagaha and Goseong were 760.47 mg%, 624.01 mg% and 807.41 mg%, respectively. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine were the major component in 3 cultivars. The content of K was much higher than Ca, Mg, Na, fe and Zn. The major fatty acids of prunus mume flower were myristic acid, palmitoleic acid me oleic acid. As a result of analysis, there were no significant differences among the three cultivars of prunus mume flower and drying method.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.806-813
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• 2013

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. is a medicinal plant with anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic activities. However, few studies of the anti-diabetic effect of A. pilosa on insulin resistance status have been performed. In the present study, the anti-diabetic effect of A. pilosa water extract (AP) was determined by investigating its ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory property, glucose utilization, and uptake, as well as insulin resistance mechanism of action in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Compared to positive control (acarbose), AP ($10mg/m{\ell}$) showed a similar ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory capacity. Glucose uptake was significantly increased by $1{\mu}m$ insulin treatment (p<0.05). However, palmitic acid (FFA, 1 mM) induced muscle insulin resistance and glucose uptake dysfunction. On the other hand, AP ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was capable of reversing the FFA-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes. Compared to control, AP ($100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ without insulin) significantly increased the utilization of glucose (p<0.05) in C2Cl2 myotubes cultured in normal glucose (7 mM). AP treatment significantly increased the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of Akt. In particular, the effect of A. pilosa on the insulin signaling system is associated with the up-regulation of Akt genes and glucose uptake in C2Cl2 myotubes. These results suggest that A. pilosa is useful in the prevention of diabetes and the treatment of hyperglycemic disorders.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2004

This study was carried out to obtain basic data on physiological characteristics for an artificial cultivation of fruiting body of Cordyceps. Specimens such as Cordyceps longissima, C. militaris and C. pruinosa were collected at Mt. Halla of Cheju island in July, 2003. Among four different culture media which have been used for culture of mushrooms, MCM medium was selected for the favorable culture medium of the Cordyceps tested. The initial pH of solid medium for mycelial growth of Cordyceps was good in the range of pH 5.0~7.0 lower than 8.0. The mycelial growth of C. longissima was most favorable on culture media supplemented with glucose, one of monosaccharides. In C. militaris, nine carbon sources were favorable to the mycelial growth as compared with control among 11 carbon sources. Six nitrogen sources were favorable to the mycelial growth of C. longissima as compared with control among 9 carbon sources; namely, the mycelial growth of C. longissima was most favorable on culture media contained potassium nitrate, and followed in order by ammonium citrate and sodium nitrate in 4 weeks incubation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2014

Curcuma longa L. (CL) is a well known traditional medicinal plant that is also used in curries and mustards as a coloring and flavoring agent. However, CL is not usually used as a food source due to its bitter taste. We investigated the immunomodulatory effect of CL fermented by Aspergillus oryzae (FCL) on RAW 264.7 cells. FCL was extracted with cold water (CW), hot water (HW), 20% ethanol (20% EtOH) and 80% ethanol (80% EtOH), after which its effects on phagocytic activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), nitric oxide (NO) production, natural killer (NK) cell activity and mRNA expression of LP-BM5 eco were investigated. Phagocytic activity was increased in HW and 20% EtOH when compared to the control. The secretion of nitric oxide (NO) from RAW 264.7 cells did not change significantly relative to the control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly increased by the addition of FCL extracts. Moreover, FCL 20% ethanol extract showed a four fold increase in NK cell cytotoxity relative to the control group. Finally, we observed suppressed mRNA expression of LP-BM5 eco in FCL extracts, especially in the 20% ethanol extracts group. These results indicate that the FCL extracts can be used as a functional material due to their effective immunomodulating activities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2008

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the applications of plant-based extracts to both cosmetic and medicinal industries. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect of P. rigida extracts by water and ethyl acetate. Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effect of P. rigida extracts by water and EtOAc were investigated by using nitrite scavenging ability, nitric oxide production and anti-microbial ability. In the test of nitrite scavenging ability, P. rigida extracts by water and EtOAc showed 88.7% and 99% at 100 ppm concentration, respectively. The cell viability was measured using the MTT assay at 24 hours after P. rigida extracts as shown in over 80%. Anti-inflammatory effect was examined in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NO productions in LPS and P. rigida extracts stimulated group were decreased in a concentration and were dependent on time as compared with LPS stimulated. The water extracts showed the highest inhibition at the 100 ppm concentration. In anti-microbial activity test, the water extract with 3.0 mg/disc resulted in the clear zone of 14 mm, and ethyl acetate with that of 15 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. However, P. rigida extracts didn't show any growth inhibitory effect on Esherichia coli. These results indicate that the extracts of P. rigida have anti-inflammatory activities as a cosmeceuticals.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2013

In an effort to characterize the physicochemical properties and microbial risks associated with the soy sauce jangachi (Korean traditional pickle), 15 different home-made products, which were prepared from medicinal plants and wild edible vegetables, from head-families of Andong, Kyungsangbuk-do Province in Korea, and 6 different commercial products sold at supermarket, were investigated. The average pH of the mature soaking solutions and plants soaked in the 21 jangachi were $3.99{\pm}0.38$ and $3.51{\pm}0.41$, and the average acidity of the mature soaking solutions and soaked plants were $1.59{\pm}0.54$ and $1.65{\pm}0.76$, respectively. The average brix of the mature soaking solutions and plants soaked were $27.67{\pm}8.38$ and $25.61{\pm}6.60$, respectively. In salinity, which is a major factor in jangachi industry production, the average salinity of the mature soaking solutions and soaked plants were $7.55{\pm}3.26$ and $5.75{\pm}2.23$, respectively. In particular, the hot-peppers, eusuri, du-rup, kaet-ip, kuji-ppong, myeng-i and sancho jangachi were amongst the home-made products, and the salinity was above 8.8%, which was 2 folds-higher than that of the commercial sterilized products, and 1/3-lower than commercial non-sterilized products. The color difference and turbidity of jangachi were dependent on the plant parts used. In microbial risk assessment, the microorganisms related with food-borne disease, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, and Shigella sp., were not detected. After some time, total cell count analysis revealed that the commercial products sold at supermarkets were more vulnerable than the home-made products.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.179-190
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• 1976

1. The Korean Acanthopanax genus includes 12 kinds consisting of 9 species and 3 forma. 2. The Korean Oga-pi which is on market sale has been used as bark for the medicinal purpose, and Oga-pi shall use Radicis Cortex. That is why it is basic rule that herbalogy shall use Radicis Cortex. 3. The origin of Oga-pi on sale is Acanthopanax sessiliflorum forma chungbunensis C.S. Yook. 4. $C_{HUNG}\;and\;N_AKAI'S}$ report on A. koreanum told us that there are brown hair on the mid-leaf junction, but in addition to it, our investigation was resulted in the fact that there are thorn along mid-rib sometimes. 5. 2 kinds of new forma are similar to A. sessiliflorum, but are different in the view-point of chemotaxonomy, compared with A. sessiliflorum. In its morphology, we can find some difference between 2 kinds of new forma and A. sessiliflorum. Our effort of examination on documents tell us that the all plants growing in the central part of our country is A. sessiliflorum forma chungbunensis C.S. Yook. The one which has thorn on both side among the plants collected in Mt. Dukyu, is called A. sessiliflorum forma nambunensis C.S. Yook. 6. A. sessiliflorum is growing in the southern part in Korea, and most Chungbu Oga-pi A. sessiliflorum forma chungbunensis in the central part of our country. For the convenience of our study, the key of Korean Acanthopanax plant is classified into, I-IV, as shown on the following items: I. No hair on both side of leaf A. Flower stalk is longer than petiole, and there are thorn under the petiole (5-7 stigma).${\cdots}A.\;sieboldianum$. B. Flower stalk is longer than petiole, or same length. The serration lie down, and the stem has short thorn (stigma is divided into 3 part).${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;seoulense$ II. There are a lot of thorn or hair on back of leaf. A. A lot of thorn and hair on the vein of leaf back, and a number of small thorn on petiole.${\cdots}A.\;chiisanensis$. B. There are thorn on the vein of leaf back.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;sessiliflorum\;forma\;chungbunensis.$ III. There are hairs on both side of leaf. A. There are small hairs on the back of leaf.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;sessiliflorum.$ B. There are small hairs on both side of leaf.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;sessiliflorum\;f.\;nambunensis.$ C. There are thick hairs on junction of main vein on back of leaf.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;koreanum.$ D. There are brown hairs on vein of leaf back, and brown hairs on small petiole.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;rufinerve.$ E. There are shrunk hairs in grey-brown on back of leaf, and tense hairs on new branch (one stigma).${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;divaricatum.$ IV. There are long thorn, just like needles, on the stem and petiole. A. Long needle grows on whole stem tensely, and long needles on petiole.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;senticosus.$ B. There are no needles, just like needles aid hairs on petiole, and needles grow on the stem thinly.${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;asperatus.$ C. There are no needle on small brarch, leaf and inflorescence are larger than A. senticosus. ${\cdots\;\cdots}A.\;senticosus\;forma\;inermis.$.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2017

Hypericum ascyron has long been used as medicinal plant and recent studies reported that H. ascyron has anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial effects. In this study, inhibitory effect from H. ascyron on pro-inflammatory responses has been investigated. H. ascyron was extracted at optimal extraction condition. Total phenolic contents in water and 90% ethanol were 29.75 and 31.82 mg/g, respectively. Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity of H. ascyron extracts ($50-200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolics) was 0.00-14.81% and 15.33-47.49%, respectively. In cell viability, cell toxicity was shown at concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ and $30{\mu}g/mL$ of water and 90% ethanol extract. Therefore, $10-50{\mu}g/mL$ in water extracts and $5-20{\mu}g/mL$ in ethanol extracts was selected each for further study. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) derived nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) protein expression inhibitory effect of extracts were inhibited in a dose dependent manner, significantly. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokines inhibitory effect such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, nterleukin (IL)-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ were decreased in the dose dependent manner. The results indicate that H. ascyron extracts reduced inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-induced 264.7 cells via the regulation of the iNOS, COX-2, NO, $PGE_2$, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, H. ascyron extracts have significant anti-inflammatory effect and a source as therapeutic materials.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.380-386
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• 2007

This study was conducted to clarify the effective application method, uptake, and translocation of germanium(Ge) in mungbean plants. The foliar application of liquid Ge at 7 mg/l during the flowering period, seeds containing 38.7, $14.1{\mu}g/kg$ of Ge, from the first and second harvesting. It had 2.5 and 2.3 times more Ge than the seeds raised by using granule Ge at 7 mg/kg with basal fertilization. The foliar application of Ge at 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 mg/l during the flowering period, yielded a relatively high record of seeds containing $14.9{\sim}77.8{\mu}g/kg$ and $6.9{\sim}26.7{\mu}g/kg$ of Ge, from the first and second harvesting. However, seeds from the first harvesting contained $2.2{\sim}4.1$ times more Ge than the seeds of from the second harvesting. On the other hand, seeds from first and second harvesting of the non-treatment group Ge contained 1.9 and $3.2{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. When the foliar application of Ge at 7 mg/l was conducted two or three times, the Ge content of the seeds in the first to third harvesting were all over $20{\mu}g/kg$. This indicates that a certain level of Ge can be accumulated. In seeds of mungbean containing $96{\mu}g/kg$ of Ge, cotyledon had $138{\mu}g/kg$ of Ge, which was 79% more than seed coat per unit weight. The growth and quantity of mungbean was not significantly different according to the formulation of Ge, the concentration and the frequency of foliar application of Ge used for in study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.374-379
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• 2005

The intake of health foods with physiological effects may cause adverse effects due to their intrinsic compounds, external contamination or consumers' eating patterns. To keep pace with the increasing interest on the safety assurance, Health Functional Food Act has been enacted and standards and specifications for 32 products have been proclaimed by Korea Food and Drug Administration in 2004. To reduce the safety problems related with the intake of non regulated health intended food, we classified the health intended foods materials into two groups, as proclaimed health functional food materials and others, and examined the difference of intake patterns on both categories. Among 16,474 health intended foods responded by 5,175 respondents and their household members, 49.2% were categorized as health functional food materials. The average number of total health intended foods intake and health functional foods intake per person were 3.19 and 1.58 respectively. The proportion of health functional foods in total health intended foods per person was higher in the group with less than 20 years old, therefore this age group needs relatively low concern. On the other hand, 40-59 years old females who have taken the highest number of health food items, 30-59 years old males who had the lowest proportion of health functional foods to total health intended food, and their consumed foods such as medicinal plant and animal protein based restoratives need relatively high concern about intake safety of health foods.