Background : This study was conducted to determine out the effect of storage temperature on the quality of fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) during distribution.
Methods and Results : Fresh ginseng was washed, packed in 30㎛ low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, then stored at 0, −2 and −4℃. After 4 weeks of storage, ginseng was then stored at 5℃, as a simulation of the distribution process. Ginseng stored at −4℃ showed higher respiration rate, ethylene production and electrolyte conductivity during the distribution phase than those stored at 0 and −2℃. Decay and browning rate rapidly increased following 3 weeks of distribution in samples stored −4℃. However ginseng stored −2℃, which is below freezing point, for 4 weeks did not show the physiological change or quality deterioration. Ginsenoside contents decreased during storage for all plant, but did not differ significantly between storage temperatures.
Conclusions : Storage at temperatures below −2℃ can negatively affect respiratory characteristics and electrolyte leakage and increase quality deterioration and decay rates during distribution.
Background : Correct identification of Panax species is important to ensure food quality, safety, authenticity and health for consumers. This paper describes a high resolution melting (HRM) analysis based method using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA barcoding regions as target (Bar-HRM) to obtain barcoding information for the major Panax species and to identify the origin of ginseng plant.
Methods and Results : A PCR-based approach, Bar-HRM was developed to discriminate among Panax species. In this study, the ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S rDNA genes were targeted for testing, since these have been identified as suitable genes for use in the identification of Panax species. The HRM analysis generated cluster patterns that were specific and sensitive enough to detect small sequence differences among the tested Panax species.
Conclusion : The results of this study show that the HRM curve analysis of the ITS regions and 5.8S rDNA sequences is a simple, quick, and reproducible method. It can simultaneously identify three Panax species and screen for variants. Thus, ITS1HRM and 5.8SHRM primer sets can be used to distinguish among Panax species.
Background : Excessively high concentration of sodium ion causednutrient deficiency and significantly decrease growth. This study was carried out to determine the limiting concentration range of sodium ion in the soil of ginseng field.
Methods and Results : The growth of the ginseng cultivar Chunpoong reduced with increase in salinity, and the rate of growth reduction was higher in shoots than that of roots. Particularly, ginseng plants cultivated at high level of nitrate nitrogen or sodium may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. Chlorophyll damage occurred on the leaves of ginseng planted in relatively high levels (> 0.2 c㏖+/㎏) of sodium ion, as determined by the fluorescence reaction. The incidence of physiological disorder in ginseng cultivated at 249 sites was correlated with the concentration of sodium ion in the soils. About 74% of ginseng fields in which physiological disorders occurred had concentrations of sodium ion in soil greater than 0.2 c㏖+/㎏. In contrast, the concentration of sodium ions at 51 of 85 sites where no damage occurred was relatively (0.05 c㏖+/㎏- 0.15 c +/㎏).
Conclusions : The concentration of sodium ion in soil of ginseng fields can be classified into three levels optimum (≤ 0.15), permissible allowance (0.15 - 0.2) and excessive (> 0.2).
Background : The major compounds of Angelica species are decursin, decursinol angelate, nodakenin, umbelliferone and β-sitosterol, which act anti-inflammatories, reduce pains, protect the liver and enhance the immune system. This study investigated the chemical compositions, minerals, metals, sugars and overall amino acid composition in Angelica gigas Nakai.
Methods and Results : Powder of Angelica roots smaller than 30 mesh were used. Physico chemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates (62.0%), crude proteins (13.9%), moisture (11.4%), crude fats (7.3%) and ash (5.4%). Results showed that potassium was present in the highest amount (1,859 ppm), followed by magnesium (214.5 ppm), calcium (147.3 ppm) and sodium (6.0 ppm). Free sugar profiles showed the presence of sucrose (29.3 g/100 g). The total amino acids concentrations was 9,752 ㎎/ 100 g, the most common and dominant amino acids were arginine (2,181 ㎎/100 g), glutamic acid (1,212 ㎎/100 g) and aspartic acid (834 ㎎/100 g). The total free amino acids contents was 1,476 ㎎/100 g, in which the most common amino acid were arginine (932 ㎎/100 g), glutamic acid (127 ㎎/100 g), and γ-aminobutyric acid (80.4 ㎎/100 g). The fatty acid composition of A. gigas showed a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid (443.9 ㎎/100 g) and palmitic acid (181.3 ㎎/100 g) according to gas chromatography.
Conclusions : These results showed that Angelica roots can be used in various fields of foods and medicines, and in the preparation of cosmetics.
Background : The aim of the present study was to identify an effective physicochemical control method to reduce Fusarium species infestation in adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) before and after harvesting.
Methods and Results : We observed that prochloraz emusifiable concentrate and hexaconazol prochloraz emusifiable concentrate strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of 10 Fusarium species. Strong growth inhibitions and cell lysis were observed following treatment with 4% NaOCl solution. The total number of fungi detected were lower follwing treatment with thiophanatemethyl triflumizole wettable powder (1.1 × 104 CFU/g), hexaconazol prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate (1.2 × 104 CFU/g), carboxin thiram dustable powder (1.6 × 104 CFU/g) and prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate (1.7 × 104 CFU/g) than in the non-treated control (7.7 × 104 CFU/g). The reduction of Fusarium fungi varies with the concentration and soaking time of NaOCl solution. Fungal detection was not observed after soaking in NaOCl solution for 24 h and harmful effects were not observed for plant growth by NaOCl after soacking for 6 - 12 h.
Conclusion : Soaking seed for 6 - 12 h in 4% NaOCl could be an effective method of disinfectant treatment for the control of Fusarium fungi in adlay seeds.
Background : Chinese matrimony vine (Lycium chinense Mill.) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Solanaceae. The leaves are used as an alternative raw material replacing dried fruits associated with high production costs in many industires. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of drying temperature on the leaves used in the manufacture of functional products.
Methods and Results : The leaves of Chinese matrimony vine were harvested when the plant height reached 60 - 70 ㎝ in the spring and treated at four different temperatures (40℃, 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃). The time to reach the desiccation state of 20% was 63 h at 40℃, 37 h at 50℃, 17 h at 60℃ and 11 h at 70℃. The drying rate per hour was 1.28% at 40℃, 2.25% at 50℃, 4.94% at 60℃ and 7.60% at 70℃. No significant difference were observed in ash, crude fat, polyphenol or rutin content of treated samples. Crude protein and betaine content decreased with higher dry temperatures. Nitrogen free extract of the treated samples increased with higher drying temperatures.
Conclusions : Taking into consideration drying time, drying rate, color value, energy consumption and functional ingredients is advantageous to dry the leaves of the Chinese matrimony vine at 60℃ using a hot air agricultural dryer.
Background : To control ginseng gray mold, farmers have mainly used inorganic chemical based fungicides. The recent emergence of fungicide resistance has reduced the effectiveness of such control methods. Such pesticides also carry additional problems, such as diffuse pollution.
Methods and Results : Six treatments of organic agricultural materials were tested for control of ginseng gray mold, CAPW (Chrysophanic acid + Phytoncide +Wood vinegar), EmEWV (Emodin + Ethanol +Wood vinegar), CEWV (Curcumin + Eugenol +Wood vinegar), Bacillus subtilis, soybean oil and sulfur. The control effect for gray mold by a single application of the agrochemical fungicide industrial Fenhexamid wettable powder (WP) was 84.4%. The control effect by CAPW, EmEWV and CEWV varied between 52.7 - 64.9%. The control effect by B. subtilis, soybean oil, and sulfur were 32.9 - 59.2%.
Conclusions : In the field tests, CAPW showed the highest control effects when used before, and at first stage of disease incidence, against ginseng gray mold.
Background : In order to determine the effects of planting methods on root growth of ginseng varieties, two different methods, direct seed sowing and transplanting were compared in terms of their effects on different root growth characteristics.
Methods and Results : Higher fresh root weight was observed in ginseng grown by direct seed sowing. Direct seed sowing of three cultivars (Sunhyang, Chungsun and K-1) resulted in higher yield, whereas no difference was observed in the yield of one cultivar (Chungsun). Gumpoong was highly tolerant to physiological stress, as it showed fewer symptoms of rusty and rough skin root diseases in both direct seed sowing and transplanting. The average main root length per total root length of ginseng grown by direct seed sowing was 33.6%, whereas that of ginseng grown by the average of those by transplanting was 22.4%. Other root growth characteristics, including root length, main root diameter, and number of side roots, improved when the direct seed sowing method was used.
Conclusions : To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the differences in root growth parameters of ginseng varieties grown by direct seed sowing or transplanting at the same planting density. Because of the advantages of direct sowing during ginseng planting, developing new varieties and improving cultivation methods are imperative.
Background : Plants belonging to 5 species of the genus Eleutherococcus are currently distributed in the Korean peninsula. The traditional medicine ‘Ogapi’, derived from Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus and other related species, and ‘Gasiogapi’, derived from Eleutherococcus senticosus, are frequently mixed up and marketed. Therefore, accurated identification of their origins in urgently required.
Methods and Results : Candidate genes from nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) of Eleutherococcus plants were analyzed. Whereas the nrDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were useful in elucidating the phylogenetic relationships among the plants, the cpDNA regions were not as effective. Therefore, a combined analysis with nrDNA-ITS was performed. Various combinations of nrDNA and matK were effective for discriminating among the plants. However, the matK and rpoC1 combination was ineffective for discriminating among some species. Based on these results, it was found that OG1, OG4, OG5, OG7, GS1, GS2, and GS3 were derived from E. sessiliflorus. In particular, it was confirmed that GS1, GS2, and GS3 were not derived from E. senticosus. However, more samples need to be analyzed because identification of the origins of OG2, OG3, OG6 and GS4 was not possible.
Conclusion : The ITS2, ITS5a, and matK combination was the most effective in identifying the phylogenetic relationship among Eleutherococcus plants and traditional medicines based on Eleutherococcus.