Pyracantha is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family of Rosaceae, with common names Firethorn or Pyracantha. It's extract has also been used in cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent and functioning through tyrosinase inhibition. Recent studies have shown that pyracantha extract possesses antioxidant activities and may significantly improve lipoprotein metabolism in rats. Although the mode of action of Pyracantha extract is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between antioxidant and apoptosis in some types of cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of pyracantha extract on blastocysts formation and their quality of the porcine parthenogenetic embryos. After parthenogenetic activation by chemicals, presumptive porcine parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with extracts of pyracantha leaf, stalk and root for 6 day (1, 5 and 10 μg/ml, respectively). In our results, the frequency of blastocyst formation in pyracantha root extract (5 μg/ml) treated group had increased that of other groups. Furthermore, blastocysts derived from pyracantha root extract (5 μg/ml) treated group had increased the total cell numbers and reduced apoptotic index. Blastocyst development was significantly improved in the pyracantha root extract (5 μg/ml) treated group when compared with the H2O2 treated group (p<0.05). Subsequent evaluation of the intracellular levels of ROS in pyracantha root extract (5 μg/ml) treated groups under H2O2 induced oxidative stress were decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that treatment of pyracantha root extract may improve in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos through its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects.

Background : Oxidative stress condition refers as disturbed homeostasis between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system that results in severe pathological conditions. To balance such an oxidative stress condition external antioxidant sources are required. Methods and Results : In view of the above, present study was carried out to investigate the cytoprotective role of the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Seolhyang) root extract (SRE) against oxidative stress condition stimulated by H2O2 in murine macrophages Raw 264.7 cells and further evaluation of intracellular ROS level, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as oxidative stress markers. Cytoprotective effect of SRE was evaluated by quantifying survival of macrophages challenged by H2O2 in presence and absence of SRE. Finding suggest a 60.1 ± 7.5% cell survival in H2O2 treated cells as compare to 100% survival in control cells. However, a significant increase in cell survival with 62.7 ± 2.9, 74.2 ± 5.2 and 81.3 ± 3.3% were observed in the cells treated with 2.5, 5, 10 μg/ml of SRE respectively. A reduced ROS level together with inhibition of the lipid peroxidation and MPO activity was observed in the cells treated with SRE as compare to only H2O2 treated cells. Conclusion : Our results signify the potency of SRE to protect the cells from oxidative stress implied by H2O2 and can be used as a source of antioxidant for health benefits.

Background : Obvious applications of aloe (Aloe vera) and their rapid intake make it crucial to evaluate their biological impacts to aquatic organisms. Methods and Results : In this study, we investigated the possible effects of aloe extract on zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) by assessing teratogenic properties including survival rate, hatching success, heart rate and morphological changes for 96hpf (hours post fertilization). We noticed that exposure to aloe extracts (0.1, 10, 50, 100 and 150 μl/ml in embryo medium) to zebrafish embryos showed no alterations in survival and morphological changes when compared to control embryos. In contrast, embryos exposed to 150 μl/ml of aloe extract shows delayed hatching rate at 72hpf when compared to lower concentrations. Similarly, aloe extract at 150 μl/ml exposed embryos elicited significantly reduced heart rate (132 ± 1 beats/min) at 48hpf when compare to control embryos. Conclusion : Based on the above findings, we speculate the teratogenic effect of aloe extract on zebrafish embryos.

Background : barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), is a member of the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae) consider the fourth most important cereal crop and primarily used to feed the animals. The second most common use of barely is for malt, which is used mostly in beer, but also in hard liquor, malted milk and flavoring in a variety of foods. As immense economic importance a fast and high germination is required in order to achieve its desired production. In regard to this the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of beneficial microbes (BM), on barely seed germination when mixed with in the synthetic germination medium. Methods and Results : Barely seeds were surface sterilized using 0.01% HgCl2 solution and transfer for germination in the medium supplemented with 200 and 500 X diluted BM separately. Effectiveness of the BM were determined by calculating the germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), germination time 50% (T50) and compared with control seeds germinating in absence of BM. Results obtained from the study suggest that BM at 200 X dilution is much efficient to speed up the germination process (66.7 ± 2.3 %) in contrast to 500X diluted BM (61.4 ± 3.6 %). Results of the other germination parameters (GI, MGT and T50) supported the 200X BM effective for seed germination as compare to 500X and control. Conclusion : Our results signify that BM has potential to enhance the germination efficacy of barley seeds and thus could be used to improve the germination.

자체 제조한 초고추장에 무첨가, 주정 3% 첨가, 녹차추출물 1, 3, 5% 첨가, 주정 1%와 녹차추출물 1% 그리고 주정 1%와 녹차추출물 2% 첨가한 시료를 각각 준비한 후 3주 동안 25, 에 저장하면서 총균수, pH, 산도, 당도, 관능검사를 수행함으로써 초고추장의 품질변화를 조사하였다. 먼저 초고추장의 우점균주를 동점하기 위하여 분리된 균주를 16S rDNA 염기서열 분석을 수행한 결과 분리균주는 Bacillus amyloliquefa

수박꼭지의 시듦 현상을 지연시키기 위해 수박꼭지에 바셀린, 왁스, 대두유, 접착라벨지 등을 처리한 후 저온에서 저장한 결과, 수박꼭지에 바셀린을 발랐을 때 시듦이 가장 지연되었고, 접착라벨지를 처리한 경우 외관상 상품성이 가장 우수하였다. 왁스와 대두유의 경우 개선효과가 없었다. 수박꼭지의 시듦에 미치는 요인을 조사하였는데, 수박꼭지의 수분함량은 수박꼭지의 시듦과 밀접한 관계가 있었으며, 수박꼭지의 수분함량이 높을수록 수박꼭지의 시듦은 지연되었