The main objective of the study was to investigate the phytic acid contents of various cereals and legumes produced in Korea. The results showed that the phytic acid contents of buckwheat, foxtail millets, sorghum, millet, barley, jobs' tears, yellow corn and wheat flour (Urimil) were in a range of 0.13 to 2.27%. The contents of the phytic acid ranged from 1.03 to 1.16% for legumes including red Indian bean, black Indian bean, mung bean, and black soybean. The phytic acid content of brown rice was five times higher than those of 100% polished rice. The polishing process of the rice decreased significantly the content of the phytic acid. We estimate that the daily phytic acid intake from rice was changed from 653 mg/day in 1995 to 430 mg/day in 2005 based on the results of a national nutrition survey.
It is very crucial to evaluate the genetic diversity of peanut genetic resources for identification of peanut germplasm accessions and variety improvement. Cultivated peanut generally has two subspecies, hypogaea and fastigiata. In this study, we identified peanut into three plant types, virginia (var. hypogaea), spanish (var. vulgaris), and valencia (var. fastigiata). Former one belongs to ssp. hypogaea and latter two are involved in ssp. fastigiata. Twenty SSR markers were used to assess the genetic variation of three sets, hypogaea, vulgaris, and fastigiata, respectively. Out of variety-specific SSR primers tried in this study, ten pairs of SSR primers showed polymorphisms. Each accession could be identified by a specific set of polymorphic SSR primers, and allele number was evaluated among accessions, with an average of 6.7 in var. hypogaea and 5.4 in var. vulgaris and fastigiata. For evaluation of genetic diversity, gene diversity ranged from 0.336 to 0.844 and PIC (polymorphism information contents) ranged from 0.324 to 0.827 were investigated. Dendrograms based on genetic distances were constructed, which showed the existence of three different clusters. And these three different clusters might be associated with the genes involved in three plant types. The results also suggested that there were plentiful SSR polymorphisms among peanut germplasm accessions in RDA (Rural Development Administration, Korea) Genebank and SSRs might play an important role in evaluating peanut accessions and cultivar improvement.
In this study, we established a novel somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration system through cell suspension culture of white dandelion (Taraxacum coreanum NAKAI.). Embryogenic calli could be initiated from leaf and root explants of sterile seedlings on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after 3-week cultures. To proliferate embryogenic calli rapidly, cell suspension culture was performed with transferred to liquid MS medium with various combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) including 2,4-D, α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), N6-benzylamino purine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ), and kinetin. During suspension cultures, embryogenic calli not only greatly proliferated, but shoot organogenesis also simultaneously occurred from the surface of somatic embryos. Among them, TDZ at lower concentration, 0.1 mg/L produced the highest efficiency of somatic embryo formation and shoot organogenesis. Rooting of embryogenic calli with adventitious shoots was done on solid MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L NAA and 0.3% activated carbon. Nearly 80% of embryogenic calli with shoot organogenesis could be rooted normal. Well-rooted plantlets were transferred into pots under a greenhouse condition, and plants derived from this system appeared phenotypically normal.
In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis on innate immune cells to evaluate the possibilities as an immunomoulator in exercise stress. Twenty male SD rats were divided into four groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) (200 mg/kg) intake and maintained at rest ; B, no EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; C, EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; D, EBE intake and maintained at rest. After 5 weeks of oral supplementation, rats were undergoing intensive swimming exercises for 2 h and sacrificed to assess the effects on peritoneal macrophages, spleen cells and natural killer (NK) cells. We showed increasing effects on nitric oxide-inducible nitric oxide synthase (NO-iNOS) production by macrophages and no effects of NK tumoricidal activity and suppressive effects on spleen cell proliferation in exercise group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production by macrophages and increased NK tumoricidal activity and spleen cell proliferative response to mitogen in exercise group. Overall, these results that EBE supplementation has differential effects on innate immune response and could be useful as sports nutrition.
This experiment was carried out to investigate the appropriate chilling requirements for breaking dormancy by treating the dormant plant of Hanabusaya asiatica with low temperature (4℃) for different time periods. The rates of sprouting and flowering were higher with longer treatment periods at low temperature. In addition, the growth and flowering of the plant were better when it was potted after treatment at a low temperature for 90 days. The abscisic acid levels and polyphenoloxidase activity of the dormant plant increased during the low temperature treatment, reached a climax 90 days and decreased thereafter. The catalase activity was the lowest after the low temperature treatment for 90 days and increased subsequently. The peroxidase activity increased and showed a sharp rise after the low temperature treatment for more than 90 days. Considering the physiological activities of the enzymes, the changes in the abscisic acid levels, and the characteristics of growth and flowering after sprouting of the plant, the appropriate cold periods required for breaking dormancy could be 90 days.
A large number of edible seaweeds are consumed by the coastal peoples of Asia. Some of them are used in traditional remedies in many parts of the world. In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis (EBE) on rat macrophage to evaluate the possibilities as immune-modulators. Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) intake and distilled water ; B, oral supplemented with EBE 200 mg/kg. After 5 weeks of supplementation, rats were sacrificed to assess the effect on peritoneal macrophage functions. We showed no increasing effects on tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity and NO production in macrophages in EBE supplementation group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production and p65 translocation into the nucleus in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Overall, these results suggest that the supplementation of EBE might have an anti-inflammatory effects on NO-iNOS production in macrophages throughout the inhibition of NF-kB activation.
The survival rate and thermal, crystal, and physicochemical properties of starches in chinese yam tubers irradiated to proton beam were determined. Survival rate was decreased with increased proton beam irradiation. Amylose content of D. opposita starches from different proton beam ranged from 13.2% to 17.8%. D. opposita starch at 5 Gy showed the highest δHgel values (12.0 J/g) while D. opposita starch at 25 Gy showed the lowest values (10.1 J/g). Several parameters such as PKV (peak viscosity), HPV (Hot peak viscosity) and CPV (Cooling peak viscosity) decreased with the increase in irradiation dose. The degrees of crystallinity of the D. opposita starches at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Gy were 37.2, 38.3, 38.9, 39.2 and 39.9%, respectively. It might be deduced that proton beam irradiation causes changes of starch, especially at high dose irradiation.
Houttuynia cordata is used as a raw material of oriental medicine to acquire antioxidant and anti cancer effect and to cure a heart disease. Mechanochemical technology not only reduces the size of the object but also changes the chemical properties of the object. Extraction of functional materials from the Houttuynia cordata after grinding as a pretreatment using the mechanochemical technology was conducted in this study to investigate the effect of grinding on the yields and antioxidant activities of the extract. Houttuynia cordata was ground by the planetary ball mill and the morphology was analyzed by SEM. Yields of functional materials were increased from 6.2 g in the sample without grinding to 7.0, 7.8, 8.8 g after grinding of 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours, respectively. Nitrite scavenging abilities were increased from 57-77% to 69-86% as a result of mechanochemical pretreatment. Also, DPPH scavenging abilities for the methanol extraction were increased from 10.01-40.29% to 11.01-49.29% as a result of mechanochemical grinding.
Saururus chinensis is used as a raw material of an anti-rheumatic, poultice, sedative and stomachic. The tea of dried Saururus chinensis leaves has a function of relaxing pains in back and breast and of treating stomach ailments. The plant has the functions of anti-inflammatory, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and refrigerant. The extraction of functional material is carried out by methanol and ethanol solvents. Mechanochemical grinding is applied as a pretreatment process before extraction to enhance the extraction efficiency by increasing the surface area of the materials while changing the chemical properties of the materials. Extraction of functional materials from the Saururus chinensis after grinding as a pretreatment using the mechanochemical technology was accomplished in this study to investigate the effect of grinding on the antioxidant activities of the extract. Saururus chinensis was ground by the planetary ball mill and the morphology was analyzed by SEM. Mechanochemical pretreatment increased the yields of functional materials from 5.9 g to 6.4, 7.0, and 8.1 g after grinding of 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours, respectively. Nitrite scavenging ability increased from 53.0-71.0% to 61.0-79.0% for the methanol extraction in the solution of pH 1.2. Also, Electron donating abilities were increased from 7.90-33.51% to 11.97-38.51% for the methanol extraction. The extract concentration for the half inhibition of DPPH radicals was reduced from 278μg/mL in the original sample to 263μg/mL in the sample after grinding for the methanol extraction.
The purpose of this study is to analyze antioxidant activity and multidrug resistance reversing activity in several Korean colored soybean (Glycine max Merr.) cultivars. Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from colored soybean cultivars was evaluated by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) methods. By means of TBARS, cultivar "Jeonnam #1" showed the highest activity until 7 days, and followed by "Black #1", "Jinyul" and "Black #3", showing lower activity than that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). Methanol extracts of all cultivars proved that DPPH radical scavenging activity is dose-dependent. Methanol extract from cultivar "Jeonnam #1" showed highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, and followed by cultivars "Black #1". MDR (multi-drug resistance reversing) activity, however, showed the highest effect in "Black #3" and the lowest "Black #1" cultivar. These results suggest that seed colors of soybean may play an important role in antioxidant activity and MDR activity.
Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. has been successfully used as an oriental medicine for various diseases including allergic disorders. Histamine is a major factor on various allergic responses and it is reported that histamine was released from mast cells by sensitization of allergens. In this study, ethanol extracts from E. senticosus Maxim. were prepared and the composition was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The eleutheroside B as a primary effective component of E. senticosus was contained approximately 225 mg/kg in root bark extracts. The extracts were found to significantly inhibit compound 48/80-induced histamine release form mast cells in dose dependent manner. However the extracts had low cytotoxicity on the mast cells with MTT assay. These results showed that E. senticosus Maxim. extracts may be the effective materials on inflammatory disorders.
The recent disaster of earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 severely attacked East Japanese cities and people, and in addition, the accident of nuclear power station will inevitably damage the agricultural activities there. The economical depression influences on the horticulture and floriculture industry as well, through the reluctant consumption all over the country. Such a situation reflects a conventional perception that the garden plants or ornamental plants have been regarded as a symbol of capitalism, representing the success, luxury, beauty or other metaphors indicating the winners of business war. But as the word "culture" means "cultivation" originally, horti "culture" or flori "culture" should have played some roles in cultivating lands as well as cultivation of human minds, leading to develop a modern "culture" which may lay emphases on personality, originality, partnership, cooperation, diversity and so forth. In this article, a brief history of garden plants in Japan, as well as some current movements in Japanese horticulture and floriculture, is reviewed with some commodities which possess messages on creating a new humane culture.