Background : This study was carried out to select the medicinal crop having the superior antimicrobial activity against 5 microorganisms among 20 medicinal crops. Methods and Results : Dried plants were extracted by methanol. The extracts of each plant were evaporated under vacuum. The extracts were absorbed into 50㎕ of each extracts on paper disk and diameter of clear zone was confirmed around the colony. The results showed that diameter of the clear zone against Escherichia coli was the widest in Rhus javanica(R. javanica, 16mm), followed by Evening primrose(14.5mm), Chinaberry(13mm) and Giant knotweed(11mm). Also, diameter of the clear zone against Vibrio parahaemolyticu was the widest in R. javanica(26mm), followed by Evening primrose(21mm), chrysanthemum flower(19mm), Chinese pepper(16.5mm), Chidii rhizoma(11.5mm), Curly dock(11.5mm), Comfrey(11mm), Black nightshade(11mm) and Mustard(10mm). Likewise, diameter of the clear zone aginast Proteus mirabilis was the widest in R. javanica(11.5mm), followed by Chinaberry(11mm). Specially, diameter of the clear zone against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus was identified only in R. javanica(12mm and 11mm, respectively). Therefore, R. javanica showed the best excellent antimicrobial activity among 20 medicinal crops. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of R. javanica were 2,725mg/100g and 30.2mg/100g respectively. DPPH and ABTS activity of R. javanica were 92.6% and 98.4%, respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that R. javanica can be utilized as natural food additives and antioxidant materials because of its powerful antimicrobial action and the high antioxidant activity.

Background : Prenyltransferases catalyze the sequential addition of IPP units to allylic prenyl diphosphate acceptors and are classified as either trans-prenyltransferases (TPTs) or cis-prenyltransferases (CPTs). Although CPTs and TPTs share similar substrate preferences and reaction products, they can be easily distinguished by their primary amino acid sequences. The characterization of cis-prenyltransferases has been less studied than that of trans-prenyltransferases. Methods and Results : Gene expression patterns of PgCPT1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR. In planta transformation was generated by floral dipping using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Yeast transformation was performed by lithium acetate and heat-shock for rer2Δ complementation and yeast-two-hybrid assay. Ginseng genome contains at least one family of three putative CPT genes. PgCPT1 is expressed in all organs, but more predominantly in the leaves. Overexpression of PgCPT1 did not show any plant growth defect, and can complement yeast mutant rer2Δ via possible protein-protein interaction with PgCPTL2. Conclusion : Partial complementation of the yeast dolichol biosynthesis mutant rer2Δ suggested that PgCPT1 is involved in some of dolichol biosynthesis. Direct protein interaction between PgCPT1 and a human Nogo-B receptor homolog suggests that PgCPT1 requires an accessory component for proper function.

Background : Glycosylation of natural compounds results in great diversity of secondary metabolites. Glycosylation steps are implicated not only in plants growth and development but also in plant defense responses to various environmental stresses. This process is mediated by members of a multigene superfamily glycosyltransferase (GT), which catalyze the transfer of single or multiple activated sugars to a wide range of substrates, thus influences their chemical property and bioactivity. Although its activity has been recognized for a long time and genes coding UGTs in several higher plants have been identified, specific function of GTs in detail still remains elusive. Methods and Results : Spatial and temporal expression patterns of a ginseng UDP-dependent glycosyltransferase, was analyzed by qRT-PCR. It was expressed highly in rhizome, upper root and youngest leaf compared that of other organs. Spacial expression was observed by GUS histochemical assay after generating promoter::GUS fusion. Noticeably, it expressed axillary branch as well as other organs tested by qRT-PCR. Overexpression of PgUGT in Arabidopsis resulted in fused organ in axillary branch. Stress responsiveness against various abiotic stresses and subcellular localization in Arabidopsis are also addressed. Conclusion : PgUGT phylogenetically closed to PgUGT71A27 involved in ginsenoside compound K (C-K) production. Considering that the C-K is not reported in raw ginseng material, further characterization of this gene may shed light on the biological function of C-K in ginseng growth and development. Organ fusion phenotype could be caused by defective growth of cells in boundary region, commonly regulated by phytohormones such as auxins or brassinosteroids, which in needs to be analyzed further.

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) promotes an effective system of plant variety protection and encourages the development of new varieties of plants. This international convention was initiated to standardize the system efforts and strengthen policy. The establishment of cultivar discrimination system is very important to distinguish varieties between domestic and foreign agricultural products. It is necessary for the protection of breeders’rights. In addition, it will help for more efficient and quality management of plant breeding. This study was conducted to identify and group rice varieties based on agro-morphological characteristics such as plant height, panicle length, number of tillers, culm length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf pigments and flag leaf angles. Using these parameters, statistical analysis classified a total of 243 rice varieties bred in Korea into four groups. Most rice varieties did not exhibit anthocyanin pigments on the leaves particularly on the first leaf, leaf blade, leaf sheath and auricle, except for varieties classified as black rice. Results of phylogenetic and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that these varieties formed three largely distinct clusters according to their ecotype and morphological differentiation. This result would be useful in rice varietal identification for the protection of breeders’variety rights.

Background : This study was conducted to determine the effects of mulching, an environmentally friendly organic cultivation method, on antioxidant compounds and growth in Codonopsis lanceolata. Methods and Results : C. lanceolata was treated by mulching with a non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, or rice husks, as well as hand weeding, and non-treatment. The growth and levels of weed control in C. lanceolata were better in plants cultivated under mulching treatments (non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, and rice husks) than under non-mulching treatments (hand weeding, non-treatment). The contents of antioxidant compounds, such as total flavonoids, phenolics, and anthocyanin, were highest under biodegradable film treatment, followed by non-woven fabric treatment, rice husks treatment, hand weeding, and non-treatment. DPPH and ABTS activity were able to identify to have differences their activity in comparison to antioxidant compounds content by solvent fractions. Mulching treatments produced a higher activity in water and ethyl ether fractions for DPPH scavenging activity and in n-butanol fractions for ABTS scavenging activity compared to other fractions, although total activity of DPPH and ABTS were not increased with mulching treatments. Conclusion : Mulching C. lanceolata with biodegradable film and non-woven fabric is an effective method for improving plant growth and inhibiting the occurrence of weeds as well as increasing antioxidant compound content and changing of antioxidant activity.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities and the contents of antioxidant compounds in extracts derived from 24 medicinal crops. Methods and Results : Dried plant materials were extracted by methanol. The extracts of each plant were evaporated under vacuum and stored in deep freeze at -20℃ until use. The levels of total phenolic compounds were much higher in Evening primrose, Houttuynia cordata, Chinaberry, Sumac, Gaeddongssuk, Giant knotweed and Dendropanax morbifera compared with other crops. On the other hand, the total phenolic compound levels in Safflower, Fleeceflower root, Gingko, Black nightshade, Saposhinikovia root, and Maize woody pith were relatively low. The total flavonoid contents were highest in Houttuynia cordata, followed byDendropanax morbifera, Gaeddongssuk, Aralia cordata and Evening primrose. DPPH activity was significantly higher in Gaeddongssuk, Sumac, Chinaberry, Dendropanax morbifera and Evening primrose, and ABTS activity was significantly higer in Sumac, Chinaberry, Evening primrose, Giant knotweed, Gaeddongssuk and Dendropanax morbifera than other plants. The antioxidant activities dertermined in all assays positively correlated with the total phenolic compoubds (0.619≤ r ≤0.895) and flavonoid contents (0.488≤ r ≤0.619) as well as among themselves (r=0.900). Conclusion : These results suggest that Evening primrose, Gaedongssuk, Sumac, Dendropanax morbifera, and Giant knotweed can be utilized as food additives and natural antioxidants due to their strong antioxidant activity.

Purpose - The purpose of the study was to develop a reliable measurement tool for the evaluation of TQM application in Greek education settings and to examine the factors that determine quality of education. Research design, data, and methodology - A questionnaire commencing from the questions included in the Application Guide of Common Assessment Framework was used for research purposes. Each item was scored on a 5point Likert scale - to a sample of 112 educators (55 men, 57 women), all teachers working in public primary education schools. Factor analysis resulted in a questionnaire of 43 items consisting of five factors, teacher satisfaction, school management and operation, motivation, effectiveness of public school leadership and finance management. Results - Results revealed a positive correlation among all factors. Reliability results using Cronbach’s α was high (a=.961) for all factors of the questionnaire ranging from α=.930 (for motivation) to α=.797 (for financial management). Additionally, ICC procedure revealed high values for the above mentioned factors. Conclusions – The study resulted in the construction of a reliable questionnaire focused exclusively on TQM that can be used in future studies using larger samples in different areas so as to draw useful conclusions regarding TQM application in Greek education settings and further identify the factors determining quality in education.

Freesia is one of the most popular flowers over the world including Korea, due to the fragrance and beauty of the plant flower. The first domestic freesia cultivar ‘Shiny Gold’ was developed by NIHHS, RDA, in 2003, which has yellow double and large petals and strong fragrance. Ten years have passed since ‘Shiny Gold’ was cultivated at floral farms, and the deterioration of cut flower quality and yield are reported from the farms. Virus infection causes a reduction in the quantity and quality of the cut freesia flowers and is one of the most serious problems in Korea. Virus detection was carried by reverse transcription polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) for FreMV, FreSV, BYMV, CMV, and TRV, as known to infect freesia. FreMV, FreSV, BYMV, and TRV were detected single or multiply, and CMV was not found in the freesia leaves collected from the farms. To produce virus-free freesia, meristem culture of ‘Shiny Gold’ was conducted in MS medium added ribavirin at different concentration. As the increased of ribavirin concentration, the growth of ‘Shiny Gold’ plantlets was inhibited in freesia’Shiny Gold’. The plantlets produced by meristem culture in ‘Shiny Gold’ were virus free at the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) level.

Radish is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops in Korea. Root is the major part of radish supplied to the market, thus the size, shape, and quality of radish roots are main targets of breeding programs. Despite of the importance of this crop, the molecular breeding of radish is still in the rudimentary stage. In Golden Seed Project, we aim to establish the molecular breeding program of radish using genome-wide approaches. To this end, we selected inbred lines that have distinctive root traits such as yield, shape, disease resistance, and texture. Single nucleotide variation (SNV) among these lines will be identified based on the low coverage genome sequencing data. These SNVs can be used for finding genomic regions associated with root traits from segregating mapping populations which are also in the middle of development. Korean radish roots are harvested after being grown for only nine weeks. During that period, root biomass reaches to more than two kilograms. While investigating the root growth of radish inbred lines, we found that cytokinin contributes as a key growth regulator that promotes radial growth of radish roots. A difference in growth rates of two distinctive inbred lines was explained by the difference in response to cytokinin. Genes responsive to cytokinin are highly enriched in the cambium, the meristematic cell population that drives radial growth. For comprehensive understanding of genes that affect yields of radish roots, we turned to developing a tissue specific transcriptome data using laser capture microdissection. We expect that the compendium of genomics-based data will help establishing molecular breeding of radish at a fast track.

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) promotes an effective system of plant variety protection and encourages the development of new varieties of plants. International convention was initiated to standardized the system efforts and strengthen the policy. This study was conducted to establish a database for rice identification using morphological characters which include number of tillers and panicle per plant, spikelets per panicle, yield, plant maturity, height, leaf pigments, flag leaf angles, and rice bran. The whole rice population was grouped into three based on leaf angles, majority members of which retained the flag leaf angle-character until maturity stage. Most rice accessions did not exhibit anthocyanin pigments on the leaves particularly on the first leaf, leaf blade, leaf sheath and auricle, except for varieties classified as black rice. In the case of grain, many accessions produced secondary branching, and showed no awn. For agronomic traits, productive tiller and panicle per plant were higher in early flowering varieties, while spikelets per panicle and ripened grain were higher in late flowering varieties, and yield was higher in medium flowering varieties. All data were then pooled for cluster analysis which revealed three major independent clusters and four minor clusters.

The energy absorption capacity of ultra high performance fiber reinforced concretes (UHPFRCs) was investigated at high strain rates (45 – 92 s-1) using a strain energy frame impact machine. The UHPFRCs investigated in this study showed much higher energy absorption capacity, fracture energy, ranging 42 and 71 kJ/m2 at high strain rates than that (31 and 43 kJ/m2) at static rate. The energy absorption capacity of UHPFRC at high strain rates was strongly dependent on fiber type and fiber volume content.

Flavonoids are divided into several structural classes, including anthocyanins, which provide flower and leaf colors and other derivatives with diverse roles in plant development and interactions with the environment. This study characterized four Anthocyanidin Synthase (ANS) genes of Brassica rapa, a structural gene of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, and investigated their association with cold and freezing tolerance in B. rapa. Sequences of these genes were analyzed and compared with similar types of gene sequences of other species and found a high degree of homology with their respective functions. In the organ specific expression analysis, these genes showed expression only in the colored portion of leaves of different lines of B. rapa. On the other hand, BrANS genes also showed differential expression with certain time course of cold stress treatment in B. rapa. Thus, the above results suggest probable association of these genes with anthocyanin biosynthesis and cold and freezing tolerance and might be useful resources for developing cold resistant Brassica crops with desirable colors as well. The present work may help explore the molecular mechanism that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and its response to abiotic stress at the transcriptional level in plants.