In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Ulva lactuca methanol extracts against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced DNA damage in HaCaT cells. First, the contents of general and antioxidative nutrient contents of Ulva lactuca were measured. The moisture, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat and ash were 14.01%, 44.80%, 23.19%, 3.10% and 14.90%, respectively. Magnesium that acts as DNA repair enzyme cofactor was the most abundant mineral followed by Ca, P and Fe. The total phenolic and anthocyanoside contents of Ulva lactuca were 2.69 mg/g and 0.13 mg/g, respectively. Cells treated with Ulva lactuca methanol extracts for 24 hours post UVB exposure increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the non-treated control. Also, Ulva lactuca methanol extracts decreased the levels of UVB-induced DNA damage such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer and DNA damage response (DDR) proteins such as p-p53 and p21. These results suggest that Ulva lactuca methanol extracts comprising physiological active substances such as Mg, polyphenols and anthocyanosides promote DNA repair by regulating genes related with DDR.

This study analyzes the chemical composition of green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea and black tea with respect to extraction temperature and time. The optimum extraction conditions for these teas were determined by assessing the chemical composition of tea brewed at different temperature (50, 60, 70, 80℃) and extraction times (1, 3, 5, 10 minute). Catechins contents were the largest at 5 minutes and generally declined by 10 minutes. Green tea catechins contents were highest when brewed at 70℃ and besides other teas a change of the trend variation at 70 and 80℃. These temperatures did not extract theaflavins in green tea. Extract temperature and time did not significantly affect theaflavins content of white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea. Black tea, however, was noticeably dependent on extract conditions, which were most effective at 70℃, brewed for 5 minutes. Caffeine content of green tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea was highest at 5 minutes, but temperature did not appear to affect the content. White tea and black tea caffeine content was highest when brewed at 70℃ for 5 minutes. Theobromine content of green tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, and black tea did not show major differences between the study times or temperature, though the content in white tea increased with higher temperatures when brewed for 5 minutes. The extraction of phenolic compounds increased until 5 minutes, and showed not further increase at 10 minutes. Antioxidant capacity of green tea, white tea, and yellow tea were maximized at 70℃ for 5 minutes or 80℃ for 3 minutes, while oolong and black tea were reached maximum antioxidants at 70℃ for 5 minutes. In general, to optimize the beneficial chemical content of brewed tea, a water temperature of 70℃ for 5 minutes is recommended.