• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.137-150
• /
• 2010

Traditionally, like many people in mountain region of the Himalaya, the Lwang communities depend on mix of subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal migrant labor for their livelihoods. These traditional systems are characterized by low productivity, diverse use of available natural resources (largely for home consumption), limited markets, and some aversion for innovation. The potential to generate wealth through commerce has largely been untapped by these mountain residents and thus is undervalued in local and national economies. Introduction of organic tea farming is a part of Lwang community's several initiatives to break the vicious poverty cycle Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) played facilitating roles in all their efforts since beginning. In five years, the tea plantation emerged as a new means for secured a livelihood. This study aims to analyze the current practices in tea farming both in terms of farm management and soil nutrient status(technical) and the prosperity of the tea farmers (social). The technical aspect covers the soil and tea leaf analysis of various nutrients contents in the soil and tea leaf. Originally, the technical aspect of the study was not planned but later during the consultation with the advisor it was taken into consideration which added value to the research study. The sample were collected from different locations and analyzed on the field itself. The other part of the study i.e. the social aspect was done through questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. the tea farming provided them not only a new opportunity but also earned an identity in the region. This initiative was undertaken as a piloting measure. Now that the tea is in production with processing unit established locally, more serious consideration has to be given for better yield and economic prosperity. This research finding will help the community to analyze their efforts and make correction measures in tea garden management and application of fertilizer. It is also expected to fill up the gaps of knowledge and information required to reduce economic stresses and enhance capacity of farmers to make the tea farming a sustainable and beneficial business. The findings are expected to Sustainability of organic tea farming has direct impacts on biodiversity conservation compared to the other traditional farming practices that are more resource intensive. The study will also contribute to identify key action points required for reducing poverty while conserving environment and enhancing livelihoods

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2023

Nepeta sibirica L. or Siberian catmint is a medicinal plant species used in Mongolian traditional medicine for curing human different disorders and veterinary practices. The previous study of the whole plant concentrated on the determination of its essential oil composition and reported that the major ones are sesquiterpenes, including nepetalactone. The aim of this study was to reveal a new biological activity of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. and compare the activity of different extracts correlating with the content of biologically active compounds and evaluate their toxicity. For this purpose, anti-oxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) (40%, 70%) extracts were assayed spectrophotometrically. The aqueous extract showed positive anti-oxidative activity by both tested DPPH and FRAP assays with IC₅₀ 134.24 ± 1.42 mg/mL and FRAP value 1385.15 ± 8.12 µmol/L at 200 ㎍/mL, in contrast to 40% and 70% EtOH extracts. The 70% EtOH extract presented the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 77.29 ± 0.38 mg/mL) followed by 40% EtOH extract (176.72 ± 0.35 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (275.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL). Total phenolics were found to be gallic acid equivalent, % 3.74 ± 0.05 (70% EtOH), 3.94 ± 0.04 (40% EtOH), and 3.79 ± 0.16 (aqueous), whereas the total flavonoids as a rutin equivalent, % as 2.01 ± 0.12, 1.44 ± 0.17 and 1.99 ± 0.02, each. The aqueous extract showed the best anti-oxidative and lowest activity against the acetylcholinesterase; however, the 70% EtOH extract showed the opposite effects than that of the aqueous. No mortality incidence was visible at various doses, indicating that the oral median lethal dose of aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts were considered greater than 5000 mg/kg. N. sibirica L. belongs to the non-toxic category of the OECD 423 classification.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of phenolic compounds after bordeaux mixture treatment on Cheorwon onion. Onion is a perennial plant belonging to the lily family. It is native to Persia of Southwest Asia. It is cultivated much in the temperate regions of the world. Onion is a good name for the 'Okchong' to drop blood cholesterol and cardiovascular blood flow to increase the prevention of adult diseases. Cheorwon area is inland, but it has high continental climate due to its high altitude. After the treatment with bordeaux mixture, the weight, width and plant height of the onion were affected to some extent. In the phenolic compounds, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and kaempferol except benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid and quercetin were similar to or less than the control. Therefore, it was concluded that the treatment with bordeaux mixture had some effect on onion growth and phenolic compound contents.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.105-114
• /
• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of phenolic compounds after phosphite treatment on Cheorwon onion. Onion is a perennial plant belonging to the lily family. It is native to Persia of Southwest Asia. It is widely cultivated in the temperate regions of the world. Onion is a good name for the 'Okchong' to drop blood cholesterol and cardiovascular blood flow to increase the prevention of adult diseases. Cheorwon area is inland, but it has high continental climate due to its high altitude. Therefore it is said that the onion cultivated in this region has higher sugar content and higher taste than onion grown in the southern region. Phosphorus components are particularly important ingredients for promoting muscle development. However, if the phosphoric acid content of the soil part is maintained to a large extent until the harvest, the competition of the nutrients tends to cause decay of the root part. Therefore, it is important to improve the quality and shelf life of onion by inducing nutrient balance by applying foliar fertilization method on the reducing phosphorus at harvest time. In this study, acidity was controlled by diluting phosphorous acid(H₃PO₃) and potassium hydroxide(KOH), followed by leaf surface treatment with phosphite on onion. In this study, the concentration of phosphite was diluted to 500, 1,000, 1,500ppm and sprayed three times over the onion leaves in May 2018 using an atomizer and harvested at the end of June, and the phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC. As a result, the content of quercetin, one of the important substances in onion, was phosphite 500ppm(179.70㎍/g), 1,000(150.27), 1,500(105.95). The contents of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and sugar content were higher in the treatments than in the control. Therefore, the phosphite does not have a great influence on the growth, but it may play a role as a method of achieving balance with nitrogen in the rainy season by supplying the role of the material catalyst and the water soluble phosphoric acid and the potassium in the influence of the material change.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.826-833
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of YK-209 mulberry leaves on HMG-CoA reductase activity and lipid composition of liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 $\pm$ 10 B were randomly assigned as a normal group and four STZ-induced diabetic groups according to the level of dietary mulberry leaves supplement. The experimental diets were fed ad libidum, so that diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous injection of STZ 55 mg/kg of body weight after feeding for 3 weeks. Animals were sacrificed on the 9th day of diabetic states. The levels of serum triglyceride, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in DM group were higher than mulberry leaves supplemented groups and normal group, but those of the mulberry leaves supplemented groups were significantly decreased to normal level. In contrast, the leavels of serum HDL-cholesterol in DM group was significantly reduced than that of normal group, but mulberry leaves supplemented groups were increased to normal level. Atherogenic index in DM group was higher about 3 fold than the normal group but the DM-0.1Y and DM-0.2Y groups were maintained the normal level. Contents of total lipid and triglyceride of liver in DM group were significantly lower than that of normal group, but the mulberry Leaves supplemented groups increased than that of DM group. The contents of hepatic cholesterol in DM group was 160% higher than that of normal group, but the mulberry leaves supplementation groups maintained the normal level. The activity of hepatic 3-hydroxy -3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in DM group was 43% lower than that of normal group, but had no significant difference between DM-0.1Y, DM-0.2Y and normal groups. In conclusion, YK-209 mulberry loaves has improving effect of the lipid metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats through hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity, and the change of lipids contents in serum and liver.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.234-242
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to provide basic data of Cirsium setidens Nakai in different harvest time that will be applied for development of functional foods and ingredients. We investigated pectiolinarin and pectolinarigenin content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging activity and ORAC assay) of C. setidens Nakai. Our results showed that the pectolinarin and total flavonoids contents of C. setidens Nakai in harvesting time ranged from $43.13{\pm}0.22$ to $95.65{\pm}0.34mg/g$ and from $32.81{\pm}1.68$ to $40.43{\pm}0.35mg$ rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. setidens Nakai did not show differences in harvesting time. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was highest in August (2016) extracts ($827.72{\mu}mole\;TE/g$). In addition, C. setidens Nakai exthanolic extract in harvesting time did not show any cytotoxicity up to $200{\mu}g/mL$. During adipocyte differentiation, C. setidens Nakai extract in harvesting time significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production, compared with the controls. These results suggest that C. setidens Nakai extract could be considered as a non-toxic natural resources of functional food ingredients and natural antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.517-527
• /
• 2018

The current study investigated in vitro anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction in Actinidia arguta sprouts (EFAS), on $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma MC-IXC cells. EFAS had high total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. An assessment of 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity of EFAS, as well as its potential for inhibiting malondialdehyde production, indicated that EFAS may possess significant antioxidant properties. EFAS exerted inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ via glycemic regulation which forms advanced glycation end products. In addition, EFAS exhibited significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Moreover, EFAS displayed protective effects against $H_2O_2$ and high glucose-induced cell death, and inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in MC-IXC cells. Finally, the main physiological compound of EFAS was identified via high performance liquid chromatography as a rutin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.263-267
• /
• 2007

Parabens are used in nearly all types of cosmetics and toiletries because they are formulated well and have broad spectrum of activity, interness, low costs and excellent chemical stability in relation to pH. 2-phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin are common preservatives which are usually used in combination with parabens in cosmetics. Toxicity of parabens is generally low but application of parabens to damaged or broken skin has resulted in sensitization. Moreover, the possibility of their estrogenic potential, anesthetic effects and reproductive toxicity has been reported. Consequently there are some regulations in use of parabens. And the maximum permitted concentrations of chlorphenesin and 2-phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products are authorized by the same reasons. So it is important to control and estimate the amount of parabens in products. In this article, we proposed a valid method for the simultaneous determination of 8 preservatives including parabens in a short time using ultra performance liquid $chromatography^{TM}\;(UPLC^{TM})$. Separation of eight components was achieved in less than 10 min and resolutions were reasonable (USP resolution ${\geqq}\;2$). And limit of detection and quantification were evaluated. The method was suitably validated for specificity, linearity, precision (repeatability, intermediate precision) and accuracy for assay (recovery) based on International conference on harmonisation (ICH) guideline. The method was applicable to analysis of preservatives in cosmetic products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.259-268
• /
• 2008

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase and components of Castanea crenata leaf were investigated. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of extract / fractions of Castanea crenata left was in the order: 50% ethanol extract ($13.6{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction (6.2) < aglycone fraction (2.1). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$ of extract / fractions from Castanea crenata leaf extract / fractions on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity was in the order: aglycone fraction (0.8) < 50% ethanol extract (0.5) < ethyl acetate fraction (0.3). The scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ for ${O_2}^{{\cdot}\;-}$ (superoxide anion radical) generated by NBT method was in the order: ethyl acetate fraction (145.5) < aglycone fraction (65.5). The protective effects on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most prominent cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$, $191.9{\pm}12.2\;min$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction ($9.1{\mu}g/mL$) on elastase was higher than oleanolic and ($13.7{\mu}g/mL$). And the inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction ($21.6{\mu}g/mL$) on tyrosinase was higher than arbutin ($226.2{\mu}g/mL$). But 50% ethanol extract rarely exhibited the inhibitory activity on tryosinase and elastase. Flavonoids were contained in Castanea crenata left (96.3 mg / 100 g dried Castanea crenata leaf). And flavonoids contained in ethyl acetate fraction were kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, and so on. Quercitrin is the most abundant component. These results indicate that extract / fractions of Castanea crenata can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging free radical and ROS, Castanea crenata leaf extract/ fractions could be used as new cosmeceutical for whitening and anti-wrinkle products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of methanolic extract from perilla (Perilla frutescens Britt var. japonica) leaves (PLME) on oxidative injury from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in human HaCaT keratinoctyes. Cells were co-incubated with various concentrations (0~200 ${\mu}g/mL$) of PLME for 24 hr, and then exposed to $H_2O_2$ (500 ${\mu}M$) for 4 hr. $H_2O_2$ significantly decreased cell viability (p<0.05). However, PLME provided protection from $H_2O_2$-induced HaCaT cell oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. To further investigate the protective effects of PLME on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells, the cellular levels of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes (including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT)) were measured. PLME decreased cellular levels of lipid peroxidation, and also increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, the antioxidant activities of PLME were also determined by DPPH and hydroxyl (${\cdot}OH$) radical scavenging assay, and major antioxidant compounds of PLME were measured by colorimetric methods. DPPH and ${\cdot}OH$ radical scavenging activities of PLME increased in a dose dependent manner and was similar to the DPPH scavenging activity of ascorbic acid at 50 ${\mu}g/mL$; however PLME activities were stronger than ascorbic acid (50 ${\mu}g/mL$) in the ${\cdot}OH$ scavenging assay. The amounts of antioxidant compounds, including total polyphenolics, total flavonoids, and total ascorbic acid from PLME were $52.2{\pm}1.1$ mg gallic acid (GAE)/g, $33.7{\pm}4.7$ mg rutin (RUE)/g, and $17.0{\pm}0.5$ mg ascorbic acid (AA)/g, respectively. These results suggest that PLME has a strong free radical-scavenging activity and a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in the keratinocytes.