• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 2018

Beta glucan was purified from Phellinus baumii and tested for its effect on the group performance of ants, a principal model of eusociality and of superorganisms. Japanese carpenter ants (Camponotus japonicus) were reared on diets containing beta glucans to characterize their effects on eusociality. Culturing structures for ants were assembled by implanting autoclaved soil into polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Three different eusocial strength indices were used to study the effect of beta glucan extract (BGE) on eusocial activities - the number of residence chambers, cooperative defense index (CDI), and group size and composition. Control, low- BGE, and high-BGE diets were prepared with the following three levels of BGE supplements in sucrose powder: 0, 20, and 50% (g/g). More residence chambers were observed in the BGE-fed groups than in the control. The CDI against a foreign queen ant was calculated according to the time taken to subdue the foreign queen. The high-BGE group took less time to complete their defense formation than the other groups. Differences were evident between control and BGE-fed groups in the total numbers of ants and eggs. The BGE-fed groups showed a significant increase in both the number of workers and the number of eggs. When fed with BGE, ants responded positively for all three eusocial strength indices. These results show that BGE exerts beneficial effects on the eusociality of ants as a superorganism.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.497-502
• /
• 2019

Metal oxide nanostructures are promising materials for advanced applications, such as high sensitive gas sensors, and high capacitance lithium-ion batteries. In this study, tin oxide (SnO) nanostructures were grown on a Si wafer substrate using a two-zone horizontal furnace system for a various substrate temperatures. The raw material of tin dioxide ($SnO_2$) powder was vaporized at $1070^{\circ}C$ in an alumina crucible. High purity Ar gas, as a carrier gas, was flown with a flow rate of 1000 standard cubic centimeters per minute. The SnO nanostructures were grown on a Si substrate at $350{\sim}450^{\circ}C$ under 545 Pa for 30 minutes. The surface morphology of the as-grown SnO nanostructures on Si substrate was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the phase of the as-grown SnO nanostructures. As the results, the as-grown tin oxide nanostructures exhibited a pure tin monoxide phase. As the substrate temperature was increased from $350^{\circ}C$ to $424^{\circ}C$, the thickness and grain size of the SnO nanostructures were increased. The SnO nanostructures grown at $450^{\circ}C$ exhibited complex polycrystalline structures, whereas the SnO nanostructures grown at $350^{\circ}C$ to $424^{\circ}C$ exhibited simple grain structures parallel to the substrate.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2009

A officinal mushroom, Phellinus linteus (PL) has been known to exhibit potent biological activities including antioxidative and anticancer effect. PL is consumed as a type of powder or extract for the purpose of health promotion and disease treatment. Recently superfine PL products was commercialized according to the development of pulverizing technology such as nanomill, so the evaluation of food safety is suggested. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety of superfine PL (SPL) through hematological, biochemical and histological examination in mice as compared with fine PL (FPL). In the particle size distribution in volume after nanomill processing, the mean diameter of SPL and FPL particles was 11.78 ${\mu}m$ and 216.1 ${\mu}m$, and d (0.5), the particle diameter measured at 50% of distribution was 5.5 ${\mu}m$ and 147.9 ${\mu}m$, respectively. As the result of body weight, food intake and the weight of organs, SPL group didn't show any statistical difference compared with FPL group and normal group (N). Hematological and biochemical values were also involved in the normal range, although ALT (N vs. FPL, P<0.001) and BUN (N vs. FPL, P<0.01; N vs. SPL, P<0.01) showed significance compared with N group but there are no significance between FPL and SPL group. In the result of histological examination with liver, kidney, spleen, and small and large intestine, abnormal findings such as inflammatory reaction and histological changes were not observed. Our results suggest that the oral intake of SPL diet is not harmful to the animal in the hematological, biochemical and histological aspects although particle size was reduced to the level of superfine. However, further study will be necessary to confirm the histological safety in relation to the gastrointestinal contact of superfine particles in the case of large amount and long-term intake.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.149-157
• /
• 1988

This study was carried out to prepare the flavoring substance using sardine for instant soup, and to examine the taste compounds and storage stability of the product. In preparation of product, raw sardine are gutted, boiled for 10 minutes and smoked 3 times to $9{\sim}10%$ moisture content at $80^{\circ}C$ for 8 hours. The smoked-dried sardine meat were followed to be 50 mesh of particle size. The powdered-dried sardine were mixed 4.0% sugar, 20.0% table salt, 3.0% monosodium glutamate, 0.2% black pepper, 0.2% garlic powder and 0.2% onion powder, Finally the powdered instant soup product were vacuum packed in a laminated film(PET/A1 foil/CPP) bag, and then stored at room temperature for 120 days. The effect of smoking on enhancing flavor and on preventing lipid oxidation of product during storage were observed. From the chemical analysis and omission test, the principal taste compounds of product were IMP, 478.2mg/l00g; free amino acids such as glutamic acid, histidine, arginine, phenylalaine 3292.5mg/l00g; non-volatile organic acids such as lactic acid, ${\alpha}-ketoglutaric$ acid, 712.2mg/l00g; total creatinine 409.0mg/100g, and small amount of betaine, TMAO. Fatty acid composition of product were mainly consisted of polyenoic acids such as 20:5, 22:6, followed by saturated acids, monoenoic acid. The major fatty acid were 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, 20:5 and 22:6. From the results of sensory evaluation and chemical experiments during storage, the vacuum packed product were good condition for preserving the quality during storage for 120 days. We may conclude that the quality of present product was not inferior to that of seasoning powder of anchovy on the market, and it can be commercialized as a flavoring substance in preparing soup and broth.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.339-343
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to examine the effect of the clay mineral illite on the improvement of soil and plant growth. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was used as a test vegetable crop. The experiment was performed during six weeks in the plantation of the Chungbuk National University. Its seedlings were cultivated in the soil normally used for horticultural purpose. Among the seedlings germinated the healthy and regular size of seed were selected and cultivated in the plantation. They were treated with two forms of illite, particulate (PA) and powder (PW), at the following application rates: standard application[P1 (PA1, PW1), soil: illite = 1:20 (w/w)] and two times [P2 (PA2, PW2), 1:10 (w/w)] of standard application. Untreatment (P0) was used as a control soil. At six weeks of cultivation, their growth lengths were correspondingly increased as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2. Their growth length was a little greater with the application of powder illite (PW) than with the particulate illite (PA). Based on the plant analysis of root, leaf, and stem of red pepper, the uptake amounts of K, Ca, and Mg, were correspondingly increased, as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2 respectively. At the same application rate, their amounts taken up in the respective parts were higher with the application of PW illite than on the PA one. Especially the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the stem and leaf than root. Consequently, it appears that the illite treatment, especially, PW form of illite, enhance the growth of red pepper in the plantation during the six weeks of experiment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.7
• /
• pp.786-794
• /
• 2018

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae have been widely worked in wound dressing, hepatoprotective activity, antigenotoxicity, control of glucose level and anti-cancer activity. To investigate the anti-obesity activity of ethanol extract of silkworm pupae powder fermented with Cordyceps militaris (ESfC), the free glycerol release and cAMP concentration as well as fat accumulation were measured in the primary adipocytes of SD (Sprague Dawley) rats and high fat diet (HFD)-treated C57BL/6 mice treated with 12 weeks. Firstly, the presence of the cordycepin with lipid lowering effect was confirmed in ESfC using HPLC analysis. The level of free glycerol and cAMP concentration was significantly increased in the primary adipocytes treated with high dose of ESfC ($400{\mu}g/ml$) although these levels were consistently maintained in other dose ESfC treated groups. In HFD-induced obesity model, the increased fat weight and size of adipocytes in HFD+Vehicle treated group was recovered in HFD+ESfC treated group. Also, the liver weight and the number of lipid droplets were higher in HFD+Vehicle treated group than No treated group. But, this level was significantly decreased in HFD+ESfC treated group compared with HFD+Vehicle treated group. Furthermore, a similar recovery was detected on the phosphorylation of periliphin and HSL, and ATGL expression. Overall, the results of the present study provide some scientific evidences that ESfC can stimulate lipolysis in primary adipocytes and prevent fat accumulation in HFD-treated obesity model, and therefore have the potential for use as anti-obesity agents to treat obese patient.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.852-857
• /
• 2010

This study was performed to explore the effect of the clay mineral illite on the improvement of bed soil and plant growth. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was used as a model vegetable crop. The experiment was performed during the whole six weeks in the glass house of the Chungbuk National University. Its seedlings were cultivated in the bed soil normally used for horticultural purpose. Of the seedlings cultured, the healthy and regular size of seed were selected and cultivated in the pots. They were treated with two forms of illite, particulate (PA) and powder (PW), at the following application rates: standard application[P1 (PA1, PW1), 1:20 (w/w)], two times[P2 (PA2, PW2), 1:10 (w/w)], and four times[P4 (PA4, PW4), 1:5 (w/w)] of standard application. Untreatment (P0) was used as a control pot. At six weeks of cultivation, their growth lengths were correspondingly increased as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, P2, and to P4. Their growth length was a little greater on the application of powder illite (PW) than on the particulate illite (PA). Based on the plant analysis for the root, leaf, stem of red pepper, the uptake amounts of K, Ca, and Mg, were correspondingly increased, as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, P2, and to P4, respectively. At the same application rate, their amounts taken up in the respective parts were higher on the application of PW illite than on the PA one. Especially the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the stem, leaf than root. Consequently, it appears that the illite treatment, especially, PW form of illite, enhance the growth of red pepper in the glass house during the whole six weeks of experiment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.200-205
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the herbal Chokong pill (hereafter HCKP) on the liver cell and enzyme activities of serum in rat. HCKP were mixed with pickled black soybeans and five different kinds of medicinal herbs (Rhynchosia nulubilis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zizyphus vulgaris, Atractylodes macrocephala K., Astragalus membranaceus and Cornus officinalis). Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed by different diets for 9 weeks: normal diet (Nor), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet supplemented with 1% (T1) and 5% (T5) HCKP powder, respectively. Depending on the presence of HCKP in high fat diet, the activities of the blood serum GOT and GPT were decreased. GOT and GPT activities of T1 and T5 were decreased 6.1%, 17.8% and 25.4%, 32.4% compared with HF. On microstructure observing through the transmission electron microscope (TEM) of liver cell, in normal group, a normal large and clear nucleus, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and mitochondria possessing well-defined double outer-limiting membranes were found. However, in HF, it was hard to observe the microstructures in cytoplasm, because of too many fat granules. It showed severely damaged cell, pyknotic nucleus, swollen disintegrating RER and mitochontria loosing the cristae. In T1, there were more repaired liver cells and less fat granules than HF. In T5, there were much less numbers and smaller size of the fat granules than T1, and the morphology was similar to normal cell.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2008

We synthesized and investigated $(La_{0.75}Sr_{0.25})_{1-x}FeO_{3-\delta}$ perovskite oxides having different stoichiomety (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) as cathode materials. SEM images and XRD patterns reveal that the synthesized powder has uniform size distribution and high degree of crystallinity. The electrochemical performances of the synthesized powders were investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy. Both the electric conductivity and the electrochemical performance showed the highest properties at the stoichiometry x = 0.02. Finally, we concluded that the variation of A-site deficiency results in the variation of the amount of oxygen vacancy and micro structure, which leads to the variation of electric conductivity and polarization resistance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 1971

On the assumption that the supplementation of certain nutrients or foods to the rice diet (low protein, low fat, and low vitamins) may decrease, to some extent, the degree of suffering from abnormal environments, such as vibration, noises, gases, dusts, smog etc. a series of experiments were started. As the first report the nutrition under vibration was studied in this experiment. Sixty (60) young growing male rats weighing about 65 grams were used, grouping to five (5) groups, twelve (12) rats each group. They were fed on the following five (5) experimental diets: rice diet (basal diet), rice diet+casein, rice diet+vitamins, rice $diet+{\alpha}-tocopherol$, and rice diet+ginseng powder (see the tables 1 and 2) for the period of 14 weeks experiment. During the experiment period the half number of the rats of each group were exposed to the three (3) hours vibration every day. The protective effect of each diet against the vibration may be summarized as follows. 1. The growth of rice diet group was impaired significantly under vibration, However, those of other groups (protein-supplemented, vitamin-supplemented, ${\alpha}-tocopherol-supplemented$ and ginseng-supplemented groups) were impaired much less compared with rice diet group. 2. The feed efficiency of the rice diet group was decreased significantly under vibration. It is estimated that the biological availability of nutrients was impaired under this environment. On the other hand, the feed efficiencies of protein supplemented, of vitamin supplemented, and of ginseng supplemented groups were not decreased under vibration, statistically. 3. There is tendency that the food spillages of vibration groups are higher than those of non-vibration groups. Especially it seems true in the case of rice diet group. The food spillage may be, to some extent, related with mental nervousness of animals. From the point that the food spillage of ginseng supplemented group is significantly lower than those of other groups it is thought ginseng acts some good role in protecting nervous system from suffering from vibration. 4. In all groups except protein supplemented group, liver fat of vibration group tends to be higher than that of non-vibration group. 5. It shows that, in general, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity of the vibration group is significantly higher than that of the non-vibration group. It seems that there may be, to some extent, corelation between the amount of liver fat and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. 6. There is tendency that, in rice diet group, the organs of vibration group are smaller than those of non-vibration group, especially lung is so. It is thought that this may be due to the poor growth of whole body size in vibration group.