The purpose of this study is to find out a food material having anti-obesity effect and suggest the effect of the material to people who are interested in anti-obesity. For this study, Auricularia (wood ear) has been used. It is world widely spread mushroom, especially in east north Asia countries. It is also called as wood ear in western countries because of its shape. The most considerable fact is that Auricularia is being used for popular food materials for cooking because of its good taste. Totally 11 strains of Auricularia were offered by Doctor Kim, Kil-ja in Jeollanam do Agricultural Research & Extension Services. There were 8 strains of Auricula-polytricha, and 3 strains of Auricula-judae. Each Auricularia strains were extracted with 50% Ethanol for 12 hours in 40°C and then 11 strains were prepared for in vitro study. In vitro study focused on the inhibition effect on adipocyte differentiation of Auricularia spp. 3T3-L1 (preadipocyte cell) was used for identifying the inhibition effect on adipocyte differentiation. Before that, MTT assay was used for measurement of cell viability. The result is essential for fixing the treat concentration of the extracts. After adipocyte differentiation, cells were stained with Oil Red O solution to dye differentiated adipocyte cells. Spectrophotometer was used to quantify the adipocyte cells. There are few adipocyte differentiation markers. From the markers, this study selected four markers (PPAR γ, FABP4(ap2), CD36, C/EBPα) and used them to measure mRNA expression using real-time PCR and Western blot experiment. As a result, this study found out that all the extract of strains has inhibition effects on adipocyte differentiation, especially the adipocyte differentiation control probability of Auricula-polytricha strain 21001 was 24.6%. Auricula-judae strain 21002 (19.3%), Auricula-polytricha strain 249 (14.0%) followed. The result concerning the inhibition effect was identified through Western blot experiment as well. As a further study, in vivo study is on progressing. 56 ICR mice (6w, male) are being used for the animal study. It consists of 8 groups. One is control, another is positive control, the other groups are Auricula-polytricha strain 21001 treatment group. Different concentration of powder or extract of Auricularia is treated in each treatment group. We are anticipating that the result of this further study will be correspond to that of in vitro study.

• Kun Hee Park(Department of Food science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University)
• Kil-ja Kim(Crop Research Division, Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research & Extension Services)
• Kab Yeul Jang(Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration)
• Kimoon Park(Department of Food science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University)