This study examined the quality characteristics of 10 different lines of native peppers collected from organic farms in Chungbuk province. The study found a strong correlation between the redness (a*) and ASTA values, which both contribute to the perceived quality of peppers. The highest values were observed in the Iyugsa line. The content of capsaicinoid and beta-carotene also showed a positive correlation, with Chilsungcho having the highest statistically significant value. While the total polyphenol content did not correlate with the other indicators, Chilsungcho again had the highest levels. The Yuwolcho line exhibited the highest ABTS radical scavenging ability, while the Eumseongcho line showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability. Taking into account the overall bioactivity quality, Chilsungcho had the highest values in terms of total polyphenol, beta-carotene, capsaicinoid, and redness. It also had the second highest total flavonoid content, ABTS, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, all statistically significant. Therefore, Chilsungcho can be considered an excellent choice when considering physiological activity. Furthermore, this study provides valuable information about the unique characteristics of these 10 native pepper lines, which can assist in selecting the appropriate pepper for food manufacturing and serve as a helpful resource for future research.

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of Campbell Early grape-added traditional Korean wines (yakju) prepared with different yeasts and pretreatments. The first pretreatment (A) was prepared by crushing the grapes, the second method (B) was prepared by heating the grapes at 60~70℃ for 30 minutes, and the third method (C) was prepared by freeze-concentrating grape juice. The pH of the fermented wines ranged from 3.77 to 4.10, and the total acidity of the samples ranged from 0.32 to 0.62%. The a value (redness) ranged from –0.40 to 17.89, which was higher in Campbell Early-added samples than in the controls (grapes not added). Total polyphenol content was the highest in samples prepared by crushing or heating Campbell Early grapes with ES22, and the total flavonoid contents were the highest in samples prepared by crushing Campbell Early grapes with ES22. The anthocyanin contents were also the highest in the samples fermented by heating Campbell Early grapes. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities were also the highest (84.08 and 77.56%, respectively) in samples fermented by heating Campbell Early grapes.

Seagrasses, sea flowering plants, comprise approximately 60 species globally and are often called ‘ecosystem engineers’ because they create their own habitats by modifying the surrounding environments, which provide coastal zones with a number of crucial ecosystem services. Zostera marina (the common name ‘eelgrass’) is one of the seagrass beds-forming species distributed widely in northern hemisphere including the Korean coast, which plays a pivotal role in ecosystem as a primary producer and a nursery habitat or refuge for other marine organisms. However, due to global climate change and anthropogenic activities such as reclamation and dredging, there has recently been a drastic decline in population sizes of Z. marina in Korea. In order to develop effective conservation and restoration management programs of Z. marina populations, it would be helpful to consider all biological aspects of this species such as genetic characteristics as well as ecological and physiological features. This study first provides information on genetic diversity and genetic structure of Jeju Island and Namhae populations of Z. marina, which will contribute to the establishment of appropriate conservation and restoration management plans for future persistence of this species. Using six microsatellite markers, we investigated the level of genetic diversity and genetic structure among 10 geographic populations of Z. marina inhabiting Jeju Island (Hamdeok, Tokki-seom, Sungsan, Woljeong, Ojo) and Namhae (Gamak bay, Jindong bay, Nampo, Anggang bay, Geoje) on the southern coast of Korea. The level of genetic diversity within Jeju populations (mean allelic richness [AR]: 1.57 ~ 3.09) was found to be significantly lower than Namhae populations (AR: 3.09 ~ 4.29) (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that effective population sizes (Ne) of Jeju populations are generally smaller than those of Namehae populations. Within Jeju Island, Hamdeok population had the smallest population size (coverage: 138 m2) and the lowest genetic diversity (AR: 1.57), while Ojo population had the largest population size (coverage: 275,736 m2) and the greatest level of genetic diversity (AR: 3.09). Hamdeok population showed evidence of genetic bottleneck. These results again suggest that Ne of Jeju populations is generally low (except Ojo population). Among Jeju populations, all pair-wise comparisons of FST values (i.e., degree of genetic differentiation) were highly significant (FST = 0.0612 ~ 0.7168, P < 0.001) despite Jeju populations that were geographically closely located, indicating that these local populations are genetically divergent, probably due to a lack of gene flow among the populations. The observed strong population structure was substantiated by evidence that five genetic clusters are most likely, based on population assignment test (STRUCTURE). The Mantel test showed a positive relationship between genetic distance (FST) and geographic distance (km) across all the populations sampled (R2 = 0.4118, P < 0.05), suggesting that our data follow Isolation By Distance (IBD) model. Woljeong population revealed the highest level of FST values compared to other populations within Jeju Island in IBD. STRUCTURE and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) further showed that some Woljeong individuals included genotypes of Namhae populations. Population size of Woljeong (coverage: 310m2) was approximately 50 % smaller than that of Sungsan (coverage: 841m2); however, extent of its genetic diversity (AR: 2.39) was even higher than that of Sungsan population (AR: 1.77). We speculated that Woljeong population underwent a transplantation from Namhae populations with relatively higher level of genetic diversity. FST values within Namhae populations were relatively lower (compared to within Jeju Island) despite the populations that were geographically more distant. It means that level of gene flow is higher among Namhae populations than among Jeju populations. Z. marina is known to have different life histories by water depth. In subtidal zone (deep water depth) populations predominantly undertake sexual reproduction through seeds such as annual life history, whereas those of intertidal zone (shallow water depth) undertake both sexual and asexual reproductions through horizontal rhizomes i.e., perennial life history. STRUCTURE analysis showed no clear differences between shallow and deep populations at Namhae, but some FST values were statistically significantly different despite their low values. For Geoje population sampled in 2005, intertidal and subtidal populations were not significantly different (FST = 0.0045, P = 0.033), but these populations sampled in 2015 showed a significant difference (FST = 0.0328, P < 0.001). It means that genetic structure of Geoje has been changed over the 10 year period between shallow and deep populations. Overall, the Jeju and Namehae populations analyzed in the current study have relatively low levels of genetic diversity and distinct genetic compositions, which warns the message that this ecologically important species should be conserved separately in the local populations and with high priority. We propose that future conservation and restoration plans for seagrasses should consider genetic characteristics particularly because a close relationship between genetic diversity and ecological performance in marine species has been well documented.

In recent times, NFC technology adaptations for smartphones have been increasing. This study proposes the adaptation of agri-food business models based on NFC technology and presents the basic technological characteristics of NFC. An NFC tag can store more information than prior tagging technology methods, such as QR codes, and provides a better user experience. Based on the unique features of NFC, this study suggests an NFC business model application for the agri-food business.