Comparative Study of Biological Activities at Different Cultivation Condition of Ligularia fischeri
Background : The cultivation of wild greens in a forest farming system is an attractive alternative to wild harvesting, due to its much lower production cost compared with conventional cultivation, and its provision of a second income to the landowner. Yet little is known about the conditions that would maximize the growth and antioxidant activities of wild greens in a forest farming system. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the optimal conditions that would maximize antioxidant activities of Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb.) Turcz., being cultivated in three different cultivation systems in Korea. Methods and Results : After the fibrous roots of L. fischeri were planted in three different cultivation systems, this study was conducted to assess the effect on health-related properties such as total phenolic contents, flavonoids, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrasyl) free radical scavenging activities and reducing power. From these harvests in different sites, extracts were prepared using methanol. Total phenolic content in forest farming system (1.061 ㎎·GAE/㎖) was higher than that in other products harvested in conventional and greenhouse system (0.666㎎·GAE/㎖). Also, flavonoid content was higher in forest farming system (0.124 ㎎·QE/ ㎖), compared to conventional and greenhouse system (0.084 ㎎·QE/㎖). Conclusions : Antioxidant activity and cultivation system seem to correlate with total polyphenol and flavonoid contents.