Background: Atractylodes radix is a well-known medicinal crop having many physiological effects. This study was conducted to select useful Atractylodes japonica × Atractylodes macrocephala (AJM) cultivars by comparing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Methods and Results: Seven extracts from AJM cultivars were used to treat lipopolysacchride (LPS)-treated BV2 cells, and the effects on cell viability and inhibition on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed. In vitro scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxynitrite (NOO−) radicals were also investigated. Contents of total phenol, atractylenolide I, and atractylenolide III in the AJM extracts were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or spectrophotometry. The experiments show that none of the seven extracts was cytotoxic above 89.2% at 20 - 250㎍/㎖. Extracts of Gowon, Dawon, Sangchul, and Huchul inhibited ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner, and Sangchul extract showed the highest inhibition on ROS production. All the AJM extracts showed effective inhibitory activity after on NO release in the LPS-treated BV2 cells, and Sangchul extract showed the highest activity. Sangchul extract had the most potent scavenging activities for NOO− and had some DPPH radical scavenging effect. Sangchul extract also had the highest content at total phenol and atractylenolide I content. Atractylenolide III was not detected in the AJM extracts. Conclusions: The results suggested that Sangchul was the most useful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory resource among the AJM cultivars.

Background : Ixeris strigosa is a herb which has used leaves and roots in Korea. Recently, the cultivation area and food imports have been increased because it has been used as an functional crops for anti-obesity. However its cultivation method has not been developed and it is difficult to produce with good quality. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to determine the optimum seedroot size, plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials for improving the cultivation method suitable for domestic environment. Methods and Results : In order to identify the proper cultivation method, I. strigosa was collected in Dangjin, Chungnam in 2016 and the yield and crop characteristics were investigated at the end of October. The seedroots were cultivated by size such as large (length 30 ㎜, thickness more than 1 ㎜), medium (30 ㎜, 1 ㎜ - 1.5 ㎜) and small (30 ㎜, less than 1 ㎜). As a result, the production of the medium-sized seedroot was highest at 950 ㎏/10a. Based on these results, medium-sized seedroots passed winter in previous year were used when plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials were investigated. At plant number per hill, 3 seeds/hill was the highest at 836 ㎏/10a among 1, 3 and 5 seeds/hill. When the seedroots were planted at intervals of one month from mid April to mid August, the yield was the highest at 1,647 ㎏/10a at the middle of May. When the planting densities were 10 × 10, 20 × 10, 20 × 15 and 20 × 20 ㎝, 10 × 10 and 20 × 10 ㎝ had highest production. And two methods for planting have been used, one was to plant at right angles and the other to lay down. As a result, the latter yield was 612 ㎏/10a. Finally, when comparing non woven fabrics, color combination polyethylene film, black polyethylene film and no treatment among the mulching materials, black polyethylene film made the highest yield at 1,044 ㎏/10a. Conclusion : For improving the cultivation of I. strigosa, this study determined the optimum seed size, plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials. In conclusion, the production was the best when the plant was laid down on a black polyethylene film at intervals of 20 × 10 ㎝ at the middle of May, using 3 medium-sized seeds per hill. These results are expected to contribute to the productivity and income farmers of I. strigosa.

Background : Cnidium officinale M. is a medicinal plant used a lot of herbal and functional food ingredients. Recently, the area of cultivation has been increased due to the increase in domestic demand. By the way, this plant is very vulnerable to high temperature, and recently it is difficult to cultivate due to abnormal high temperature and so on. Therefore, in this study, in order to effectively reduce the high temperature of the field, we investigated the degree of temperature reduction and the growth condition of the plant after installed mulching, irrigation and the fog facilities. Methods and Results : In order to reduce the temperature of C. officinale M. cultivation field, the black and white double vinyl mulching, drip irrigation and fog spray treatment were applied and the results were as follows. The survey was conducted at about 2:00 pm on a clear day in August, and the temperature was about 33℃ at the time of measurement. In the case of only black vinyl mulching without watering, the soil temperature was 43.5℃, the surface temperature was 61.4℃, and the mortality rate of the C. officinale M. was 98.0%. The temperature of soil and surface were lowered to 33.1℃ and 38.6℃, respectively, when treated with black vinyl mulching and drip irrigation and fog spraying. In the case of black and white double vinyl mulching, the effect of temperature reduction was better. The soil surface temperature of the non-irrigation treatment was 37.9℃, the surface temperature was 48.5℃ and the mortality rate was decreased to 6.7%. In case of combined drip irrigation and fog spraying, soil temperature was reduced to 31.5℃, surface temperature was 35.8℃, and mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion : As a result of this study, the temperature of soil and surface dropped by up to 12. 0℃ and 25.6℃, respectively, when combined with black and white double vinyl mulching and drip irrigation and fog spray treatment. The mortality rate declined from 89.0% to 0%. Therefore, Therefore, if the results of this study are applied to the cultivation of C. officinale M., it is expected that the production stability will be improved.

Background: Atractylodes japonica Koidz. and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. belong to the family (Asteraceae). Their rhizomes, called white Atractylodes rhizomes, are used in traditional medicine. To address some issues with their cultivation, we recently developed eight hybrid cultivars by interspecific hybridization of A. japonica and A. macrocephala. This study was conducted to screen the hybrid cultivars that have high amounts of active ingredients and yield ability. Methods and Results: Experiments were conducted using the eight hybrid cultivars and A. macrocephala (control cultivar) in the experimental field of the department of Herbal Crop Research located in Eumseong, South Korea. We investigated the growth characteristics of the aerial and underground parts. Among the cultivars, ‘Sanwon’ had the highest rhizome dry weight (53.8 g/plant), followed by ‘Dachul’ (50.0 g/plant). In addition, the content of atractylenolide I, II, III and total active ingredients were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared with A. macrocephala, most of the inter-specific hybrid cultivars had a higher content of active ingredients and yield ability. Conclusions: Through study, we established the superior quality of Atractylodes inter-specific hybrid cultivars. In particularly, it was found that ‘Dachul’ may be grown as a superior cultivar, with high amount of active ingredients as well as yield ability.

Background : During 2016 to 2017, Bacterial Rot symptom has been observed on Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. in Yeongju-si, Mungyeong-si, Jecheon-si and Eumseong-gun. This experiment was carried out to identify pathogenic bacteria that has not been reported up to now from A. macrocephala and to test pathogenicity of isolated bacteria against A. macrocephala. Methods and Results : Nine types of representative bacteria strains depending on colony size and color were isolated from surface disinfested symptomatic tissue that was macerated and streaked onto lysogeny broth (LB) medium with agar. Fungi were not recovered from any tissue that was surface disinfested and placed into acidified potato dextrose agar. Only one strain cause dark brown leaf rot symptom on A. macrocephala leaves soaked in bacterial suspensions. Potted A. macrocephala plants were used to test for pathogenicity. Inoculum was prepared by suspending the bacteria in sterile distilled water (SDW) for a final concentration of approximately 105 CFU/㎖. Suspensions were sprayed until runoff onto three replicate plants. Control plants were sprayed with SDW until runoff. Plants maintained in a dew chamber with 100% relative humidity at 30℃. After 3 days, leaf rot lesions developed on all inoculated plants; lesions later turned dark brown and appeared similar to symptoms observed in the field. Plants treated with water developed no symptoms. Same bacteria re-isolated onto LB from symptomatic tissues. Conclusion : On the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the strain isolated from A. macrocephala was identified as Pseudomonas viridiflava. Biological assay method using Potted plants confirmed the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas viridiflava. This is the first report of bacterial rot caused by Pseudomonas viridiflava on A. macrocephala.

Backgoound : Sprout vegetables are rich source of nutrients for human health. The safflower seeds contained various functional compounds and nutritions, and can be used as food material without restriction. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the antioxidant properties of sprouts from safflower seeds according to germination periods. Methods and Results : The safflower seeds were sterilized and steeped with distilled water, then incubated at 25℃ for 1 - 7 days. These sprouts and seeds were extracted with methanol, and used as samples for antioxidant properties (total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activities). Total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities were higher in safflower seed than sprouts. Among sprouts with various germination periods, the sprouts incubated 4 - 7 days were higher in total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities than other sprouts. The levels of antioxidant activities were similar in sprouts incubated for 4 - 7 days. Conclusion : These results indicated that the antioxidant properties of sprouts differed according to germination periods, and the optimal germination period of safflower seed as sprout vegetables are 4 days.

Background : To evaluate the quality of Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice), a popular herbal medicine in Korea, it is necessary to investigate the component profiles of the Glycyrrhiza species distributed in Korean market. Specifically, to control the quality of Korean Glycyrrhizae radix preparations including raw materials, glycyrrhizin (> 2.5%) and liquiritigenin (> 0.7%) has been used as a standard marker compound in Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). To the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few studies regarding the fingerprinting techniques and metabolomics approach of the phytochemicals in Glycyrrhizae radix in Korean market. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a validated method for botanical raw material (BRM) standardization. Methods and Results : Twenty-one Glycyrrhizae radix (G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis) were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS and were estimated to statistical and multivariate analysis. Large scale multi-targeted metabolic profiling and fingerprinting techniques were utilized to access a broader insight into the chemical composition of Glycyrrhiza species. The UV/VIS spectra, and MS data (accurate mass and fragmentation pattern in negative mode) of the components in the BRM of G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis (incorporation and hybridization) were analyzed with multivariate analyses. Interestingly, UPLC-QTof-MS derived PCA analysis and fingerprinting techniques was found to be effective techniques in the classification of species based on genetic and/or geographical origins. In addition, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix. Conclusion : From the above results, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix.

Background : Atractylodes japonica koidz (AJ) is a perennial herb that belongs to Atractylodes genus. The dried rhizome of AJ is known as ‘Baek-chul’. The ‘Baek-chul’ is used as important traditional medicine in north-east Asia. It is considered to be effective for the treatment of stomach disorder, virus, diuresis, inflammation, arthritis. AJ is heavily depend on import from china and only few studies have been carried out. In this study, we develop SSR marker to build a foundation of breeding, to analyze genetic diversity and to construct core collection. Methods and Results : AJ resources was collected from each different place. To find simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker, we sequenced genomic DNA of AJ resources using Illumina HiSeq 2000 System. As a result of next generation sequencing (NGS), we obtained putative SSR loci. From these SSR primers, 553 SSR primer sets were designed successfully and confirmed polymorphism by in silico analysis. Nucleotide motifs ranged from tri- to penta-. Among these, 48 primer were tested in 4 individuals by capillary electrophoresis. Finally, selected 28 SSR marker were showed clear band and polymorphism by Electrophoresis. Conclusion : In this study, we developed 28 polymorphic SSR marker using NGS, and it could be used for analyzing genetic diversity of A. japonica. These marker would be useful for breeding of new cultivar in the future.

Background : Atractylodes japonica koidz. (AJ) and Atractylodes macrocephala koidz. (AM) belong to Atractylodes genus (Asteraceae) and their rhizomes are used as traditional medicine ‘Baek-chul’. The ‘Baek-chul’ is considered to be effective for the treatment of stomach disorder, virus, diuresis, inflammation, arthritis and Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide II and Atractylenolide III are the major active ingredients of these. Previously, we developed 8 hybrid cultivars with disease resistance, high yielding ability and high active ingredients by interspecific hybridization between AJ and AM. In this study, growth characteristics of 8 hybrid cultivars were investigated in RDA experimental field. Methods and Results : Growth characteristics of 8 hybrid cultivars were investigated in RDA experimental field. Among these cultivars, ‘Sanwon’ had the highest fresh weight of rhizome (149.5 g/plant), followed by ‘Dachul’ (145.8 g/plant). Most of hybrid cultivars showed higher fresh weight than and AM (108.7 g/plant). In addition, active ingredients (Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide Ⅱ and Atractylenolide Ⅲ) were investigated using HPLC. As a result, The sum of active ingredients were the highest in ‘Dachul’ (0.40 ㎎/g) that was 2 times higher than AM (0.22 ㎎/g). Conclusion : In this study, hybrid cultivars showed higher agronomic performance than AM. Particularly, ‘Dachul’ could be the superior cultivar with high atractylenolides as well as high yield ability.

Backgoound : This study was conducted to evaluate the quality variation of Ixeris dentata on the antioxidant contents and antioxidant activities according to the different producing area. Methods and Results : The samples were extracted with 70 % EtOH and then analyzed for total flavonoid contents, polypenol contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Luteinol 7-O-β-D-glucoside, an index component of the Ixeris dentata, was analyzed by HPLC. The leafs of Ixeris dentata in Jinan had the highest concentration of polyphenols (23.91 ㎎/g), followed by Jinbu (22.63 ㎎/g) and Eumseong (21.36 ㎎/g). Flavonoid content was highest in Jinan (15.27 ㎎/g), but there was no significant difference between Jinbu (14.05 ㎎/g) and Eumseong (13.99 ㎎/g). The contents of luteinol 7-O-β-D-glucoside were confirmed in Jinan (0.68%), Jinbu (0.49%) and Eumseong (0.36%), respectively. Conclusion : The comparison of antioxidant contents and antioxidant activities of Ixeris dentata according to the different producing area, Jinan was had the highest concentration, followed by Jinbu and Eumseong. Our results showed that the content of luteoline-7-D-glucoside varied among the different producing area.

Background : Licorice has been used as a source of medicine and a food material in East-Asia. Recently, demand for licorice increased in market due to a growing interest in health. Thus we conducted breeding research to solve the problems associated with domestically cultivated licorice such as low productivity and low glycyrrhizin content. Methods and Results : We crossed European licorice (G. glabra L.; female parent) and Chinese licorice (G. uralensis Fisch; male parent) in the greenhouse in May 2007. In September 2007, crossed and germinated seeds were retrieved and sown in the greenhouse. In June 2008, stolons were separated from the F1 licorice seedlings and cultivated, resulting in 32 clonal lines of interspecific hybrids. Among them we selected good lines and then conducted the replicated yield trials (RYT) in 2012-2013 and local adaptability test (LAT) in 2014-2015. The results, GLYES9 showed that was elect of stem, oblong of leaf shape, red-brown of root color. Glycyrrhizin conten of GLYES9 (3.0%) was higher than G. uralensis (1.9%) at four regions from 2014 to 2015. GLYES9 was less than 10% in the desease of brown spot (G. uralensis was more than 30%). The root yield of GLYES9 was 4.31 ton per hectare, which was increased 193% compared with a check variety of G. uralensis. Therfore, we named GLYES9 as new cultivar ‘Dagam’. Conclusion : Depending on the above results, we have developed a new licorice cultivar ‘Dagam’ by the medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science, RDA, in 2015. It showed brown spot disease resistant, high-glycyrrhizn content and high-yielding than colleted Glycyrrhiza spp.