Background: The light emitting plasma (LEP) has recently attracted attention as a novel artificial light source for plant growth and functional component enhancement. We investigated the effects of LEP on whitening and antioxidant activities of the plant parts of perilla. Methods and Results: Previously germianted seeds of perilla were cultivated under different light conditions (fluoresce lamp, LED red, blue, white, green, and LEP) in a culture room for 2 months. Parts of perilla were harvested and extracted in 70% EtOH. The extracts were used to detect total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis- 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power and tyrosinase inhibition activity as indicators of biological activity. Biological activity was highest in seedlings grown under LEP. The total phenolic content was highest in the stems and the total flavonoid content was highest in the roots of perilla exposed to LEP. The DPPH and ABTS radical activity in all the parts of perilla exposed to LEP were higher by approximately three-fold compared to that in the control (fluoresce lamp). The reducing power values of perilla significantly increased after treatment with LEP. In addition, all the extract of perilla plants exposed to LEP promoted the tyrosinase inhibitory activity. These results suggest that LEP can be an important artificial light source for enhancement of biological activity. Conclusions: LEP could promote whitening and antioxidant activity of perilla.

Background: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of storage conditions on the growth of Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill. rootstock.Methods and Results:Rootstocks of S. chinensis were stored in either soil or vermiculite that had been treated with a control treatment, diluted wood vinegar (50 or 100-fold), DF-100 (50-fold), or 1-naphthylacetamide and at 5°C or 15°C. After 8 weeks, the stored roots were planted in the field, and both plant height and leaf number were observed after transplantation. The greatest number of leaves (5.60 ± 0.80) was produced by roots that had been stored in soil treated with 100 fold dilution of wood vinegar and at 5°C. Meanwhile the maximum plant height (6.92 ± 0.78 ㎝) at 30 d after transplanting was observed for rootstocks that had been stored in soil treated with the 100 fold dilution of wood vinegar and at 15°C, whereas the maximum plant height at 60 d after transplanting (26.46 ± 0.71㎝) was observed for rootstocks that had been stored in soil treated with the 100-fold dilution of wood vinegar and at 5°C. Therefore, the storage of rootstocks in soil treated with the 100-fold dilution of wood vinegar and at temperatures at or below 5°C was most effective, and it can be used to prevent the decay of roots during the postharvest management of S. chinensis rootstocks.Conclusions:The results of the present study indicate that, among the parameters examined, the storage of roots in soil that had been treated with the 100-foil dilution of wood vinegar is the most effective method for improving the growth of S. chinensis.

Background: Sorghum is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It has been grown on a subsistence level by farmers, under various conditions of environmental stresses in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. This plant has received significant attention because of its ability to reduce cholesterol in the blood, and its anti-dementia, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is possible to develop a functional and commercially viable sorghum variety by using superior cultivars of sorghum. The objective of this study was to build a database of superior sorghum accession.Methods and Results: We used 250 sorghum accessions collected from different geographical bioregions in Korea. We determined various agronomic characters including germination rate and ear length of these accessions. To determine the antioxidant capacity, we measured the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents. Accession 189 showed higher germination (> 80%) than the other accessions. Higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was observed in 11-SB-078 (RC50; 1.89 ± 2.88 μg/ml), and higher 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity was recorded in 11-SB-116 (RC50; 35.48 ± 2.42 μg/ml) than in the other accessions. The ear length ranged from 15 ㎝ to 48 ㎝, the total phenolic contents ranged from 3 ㎎• GAE/g to 77 ㎎• GAE/g, and total flavonoid contents ranged from 0.09 ㎎• QE/g to 1.07 ㎎• QE/g.Conclusions: Among 250 sorghum accessions, we selected 10 with both superior agronomic characters and highly functional food quality.

Background : Temperature is major factor for growth plant. Recently, because of global warming, abnormal temperature included drought, deluge, sudden temperature change and heavy snow damaged crops in the world. In Korea, crops have been sensitive to low temperature on early growth stage, e.g. fruit tree and ginseng, were damaged owing to sudden heavy snow and cold on Spring. Therefore, recently interest in cold resistance crops were increased in demand rapidly. This study was performed to establish transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana by transforming cold resistant gene related to cold tolerance S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) isolated from Miscanthus sinensis. Methods and Results : Total RNA was extracted from leaves of M. sinensis using Trizol assay and isolated MsSAMS. Isolated MsSAMS was insert into SacⅠ- XbaⅠ sites of pMBP1 vector. The vector was transformed to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 by DH5α. A. tumefaciens with binary plasmid were selected at YEP medium supplemented with kanamycin. Cut leaves of tobacco were co-cultured with selected A. tumefaciens. Co-cultured leaves was grown on regeneration medium for a month at dark condition, and transferred to at light condition. Regeneration shoot from callus were excised and transferred to root-induction medium. Approximately, 58% of leaves explant produced callus. Nearly, 30% of callus had shoot and approximately, 94% of shoots were rooted in root-induction medium. Conclusion : We established an efficient transformation system of N. benthamiana transformed by using MsSAMS gene related to cold tolerance isolated from M. sinensis. We may use the produced transgenic plants to prevent damages carried by cold.

Background : Perilla frutescens L. is a bisexual, annual plant belonging to the Labiatae. Dormancy period of Perilla seed usually ranged from 85-200 days. The germination enhancing effects in a reduced seed vigor during the GA3 treatment has been reported. Objectives of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GA3 on germination rate and the expression of germination-related genes expression by using perilla seeds. Methods and Results : Three different cultivars (Saeyeopsil, Okdong) and accession (line 141) of perilla were used in the experiment and treated with GA3 at different concentration (50, 100, 300, 500 μM) for one day at dark condition. Germination test for perilla seed was carried out by using 100 perilla seeds treated with GA3 at 25℃. Rate of germination were evaluated after 10 days and the experiments were repeated three times in similar condition. Samples were collected from each cultivar and accessions for RNA extraction. After cDNA synthesis quantification, templates were subjected to RT-PCR using actin primers. EST blast performed for sequencing the RT-PCR products. Conclusion : Result showed that 100μM GA3 treated seeds of three perilla cultivars and accessions showed the highest germination rate. However, concentration of GA3 over 100 μM and lower than 100 μM resulted into reduced germination rate. Furthermore, expression of germination-related genes from 100 μM treated GA3 was higher compared to untreated sample by using 100 μM GA3 treated sample by using pC12, pJ14 primers.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of germanium treatment on the growth and organic germanium production in the roots of Oplopanax elatus plantlets. Methods and Results: O. elatus plantlets were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of germanium dioxide (GeO2) to analyze optimum growth conditions. Exogenous treatment of 10 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 promoted growth and an increase in the contents of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid in O. elatus. The germanium accumulation and production in roots of O. elatus plantlets treated with organic germanium reached the highest levels. The growth of the aerial and underground portion of O. elatus with organic germanium was greater than that of the control. The accumulation and production of organic germanium reached the highest level (40.89 ㎍/plantlet) with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2. Antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and ABTS assays also increased with the germanium treatment and improved the DPPH and ABTS radical activity by 200% compared with that in the control. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the plantlets with a treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 were higher than in the control. Conclusions: Taken together, the growth of O. elatus was increased with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 germanium and the biological references improved, with increased antioxidant activity and organic germanium production.

Background: This study examined the use of new bio-materials with enhanced value and functionality, which were derived from fermented wild ginseng cultures. Methods and Results: To examine the antioxidant activity associated with biological functions, radical scavenging analyses (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ABTS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity analyses were conducted. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of wild ginseng fermented with microorganisms (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum) were evaluated to determine the antioxidant activity increment. Regarding ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis, values of 70.6 ± 1.4%, 44.3 ± 1.7%, and 88.4 ± 1.3% were measured using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD-like antioxdiant activity analyses, respectively. The total phenolic content in ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis was 184.5 ± 0.9 ㎍• GAE/㎖, and the total flavonoid contents was 108.5 ± 1.8 ㎍• QE/㎖ in ginseng fermented with L. mesenteroides. Conclusions: Of the four types of lactic acid bacteria examined, the use of B. licheniformis to ferment ginseng resulted in greatest increase in antioxidant activity. Therefore, ginseng fermented by microorganisms might be used to produce functional bio-materials.

Background : Miscanthus is a diploid hybrid and a temperate, perennial, cross-pollinating grass used as bioenergy plant, biomass production and high quality cellulose and ethanol production. This study was to determine an efficient transformation system for Miscanthus sinensis, and to optimize factors and conditions required for expression of MsCOMT–AS gene. Methods and Results : An efficient transformation of callus from M. sinensis was established using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring a binary vector pMBP1. In order to establish stable transformation system, we obtained high transformation rate from callus by various transformation factor explant type, strain, co-culture periods, acetosyringone concentration, and selective marker. Finally, in this study, seven putative transgenic plants were obtained. Through various tests including PCR analysis and southern blot were to detect antisense of COMT digested Xba I and Sac I restriction enzymes. The biomass of the control plant was superior than transgenic plants. Conclusion : This study was to develop transgenic Miscanthus sinensis by Agrobacterium tumerfeciens mediated transformation to produce high bioethanols and to reduce the lignin content of transgenic plants. Detailed characterization of the transgenic plants revealed interesting finding about COMT gene expression in the segregates

Background : Ginsenosides, the main ingredient of ginseng roots can be confirmed various physiological activity such as anticancer, antioxidant, a natural ginsenosides is there a structure to be absorbed into the body does not work well absorbed through this process biologically active thus a high conversion ginsenosides. β-glucosidase enzyme is observed in several of the microorganism with an enzyme that serves to convert a ginsenoside prosper that is absorbed into the body. Methods and Results : To view a primary β-glucosidase activity, the bacteria were innoculated in esculin agar medium and the color change of the media were measured by the time and degree of changing color. In the other method, 5 mM of p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) containing 25 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) was added to 50 ul enzyme solution. Then the solution was added to 50 ul reaction for 5 min at 30°C. The amount of p-nitrophenol liberated measured at 405 nm absorbance. The experimental results showed higher β-glucosidase activity in Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroide, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris, and Paenibacillus polymyxa by using esculin agar medium method. Similarly in second method, β-glucosidase activity was higher in P. pentosaceus 402.32±11.43 unit/l, L. mesenteroide 353.73±14.64 unit/l, Lactobacillus sakei 198.4±15.47 unit/l Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum 164.1±8.12 unit/l. Conclusion : The result that the β-glucosidase activity was higher in P. pentosaceus, L. mesenteroide, and L. plantarum subsp. plantarum as compared to tested microbes. Therefore selected bacteria can be used in the industry of functioned foods and beverage to improve human healths.

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.

The objective of this study was to establish the optical storage condition in cutting slips of Lycium chinense Mill. We investigated the different influential growth factor of this plant including two soil types (soil and vermiculite) and storage methods (gauze, parafilm, vinyl, and paper). Our result revealed that the formation of axillary bud was highest (4.8 ± 0.75 ea) from the cutting slips stored in vinyl and vermiculite treatment. Root length was long (2.8 ± 0.13 ea) in parafilm storage using soil. Maximum plant height was 135.33 ± 12.81㎝ with gauze storage using vermiculite. The number of leaves was maximum (130 ± 2.5 ea) at 90 days from the cutting slips of gauze storage using vermiculite. Highest number of fruit was harvested (149 ± 16.05 ea) from the cutting slips stored in parafilm and grown in vermiculite. It can be concluded that the storage treatment and soil type influence the affecting to general growth of Lycium chinense Mill.

This study was conducted to find out the variation in agronomic trait and chemical composition in the collected Perilla frutescens from China and Japan. From the results of growth investigation, the maximum number if branches was 26.7ea in Japan 134 line, followed by 25 nodes number in China 119 line. Among the different lines investigated, maximum number of panicle number (108.8) were observed in China 114 line. 1000 seed weight was maximum (4.12 g) in China 118 line. Flowering time of different collected lines varied significantly with average value of 175.5 days and the average line required for maturation of seedlings was 205.1 days. Plant height was the highest (248.9 ㎝) in China 107 line. Highest number of total picking leaves was 965ea, and the average picked period was 54 days. The major phenol compounds contained in Perilla frutescens showed wide variation for Syringic acid, Benzoic acid, Naringin, o-Coumaric acid, Myricetin, Naringenin and Hesperetin. Japan 139 line showed the highest level of total phenol contents (8254.0 ㎍/g, dry weight).