This study was undertaken to examine the quality characteristics of nonblanched carrots (CON) and carrots blanched in distilled water, 2% NaCl water and 2% citric acid at 100oC for 3 minutes. This moisture contents of CON was the highest at 85.91%, whereas NT had the lowest moisture at 83.92% (p<0.01). Compared to CON values the L values of pretreatment groups were decreased whereas the b values were increased (p<0.001) A comparison of true retention (TR), revealed that NT had the highest TPC TR 101.04% and TFC TR 91.59% (p<0.001). β-Carotene contents were determined to be higher in NT (1.98 mg/100 g) and CT (1.94 mg/100 g) than in other groups, with highest levels obtained in NT (106.64%) (p<0.001). Examination of the DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities revealed that the NT group had maximum scavenging activity. The total bacterial count was determined to be 3.37 log CFU/g in the CON, whereas no microorganisms were observed in all the pretreatment groups. Our study indicates that blanching in 2% NaCl water is the most desirable in order to increase the biochemical content and nutrient preservation rate of carrots, and to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Theobroma cacao L., a fruit of cacao trees, is a perennial plant, which belongs to Sterculiaceae, and is native to the Amazon in South Africa. It also has been known for its various biologically active effects, such as anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial. The spleen cell proliferations of mice were measured at 48 hours after treatment of Theobroma cacao L. water extracts in seven concentrations(0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 μg/mL) an ELISA assay. The production of cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ), is secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS, was detected by ELISA assay using the cytokine kit. From the results of in vitro study, both splenocytes and cytokine production activated by peritoneal macrophages have increased when water extracts were supplemented in the range between 250 and 500 μg/mL concentration. Notably, splenocytes production has a signigicant proliferation at 500 μg/mL concentration. The result from this research suggests that supplementation with Theobroma cacao L. water extracts may enhance the immune function by stimulating the splenocyte proliferation and improving the cytokine production activating macrophage in vitro.

Pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) has been known as a traditional remedy and food source, not only in South Korea but worldwide. It is rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and other minerals and vitamins, making it a nutritional food loved by many. showed that pumpkin sweet potato had antioxidant biological effects. The in vitro study showed that both splenocytes and cytokine production byactivated peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented at 100 and 250 μL/mL. Notably, the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by splenocytes was significantly increased at 100 μL/mL. The results suggest that supplementation with pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) water extract may enhance immune function by stimulating splenocyte proliferation and improving cytokine production, activating macrophages in vitro.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn has been usedas a traditional remedy and food source in South Korea. It promotes gastrointestinal function and controls blood pressures. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts supplement at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000 μg/mL after a 48 h pre-treatment with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) increased the mouse splenocytes proliferation. Water extract supplement also increased the cytokine production (IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ), measured by a cytokine ELISA kit. For the result of in vitro study, the proliferation of splenocytes and cytokine production activated by peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented in the range of 50~500 μL/mL concentration. Specifically, the levels of the splenocytes proliferation, IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ were the highest at 250 μL/mL concentration. This in vitro study suggestedthat supplementation with Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production activating macrophage in vitro.

Flammulina velutipes is an edible mushroom and contains a lot of fiber, vitamin B1, B2, niacin and folic acid. This study was conducted to explore the effects of the Flammulina velutipes mushroom on immune cells and immunity. Th1 cytokine productions as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 were measured in an activated macrophage by Flammulina velutipes water extract in seven concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL). Also, the splenocyte proliferation index was measured at 48 hours after treatment of the Flammulina velutipes water extract in seven concentrations or mitogen, LPS and ConA. The IFN-γ and TNF-α productions were increased by treatment of the Flammulina velutipes water extract. The TNF-α production was significantly higher in the 50~1,000 μg/mL Flammulina velutipes water extract treated macrophages. The IFN-γ production of macrophages treated with the Flammulina velutipes water extract increased significantly in all groups, and the highest 1000 μg/mL concentration. The splenocyte proliferation index was enhanced when the 10~1,000 μg/mL Flammulina velutipes water extracts were treated compared to the control. These primary results suggest that Flammulina velutipes may enhance the immune function by activation of the macrophage and spleen cell.

King oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), an improved species of oyster mushroom, is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine. Spleen cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) of king oyster water extracts (KOWE); then, the proliferation of the cells was measured 24, 48, and 72 h after each treatment. Also, type 1 T helper cytokine productions (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2) were measured in activated macrophage by KOWE in seven concentrations. Under the condition of its 50, 100, 250, and 1,000 μg/mL for 48 h, the proliferation of cells was increased. However, there was no significant fluctuation in the spleen cells proliferation for 24 and 72 h-long KOWE exposure. To determine cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2) productions of type 1 T helper cells, macrophage was stimulated by KOWE for 48 h. Treatment of KOWE gave a rise to the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, but not in that of IL-2 productions. These results suggest that king oyster mushroom water extracts may be beneficial for enhancing immune functions in its high concentration.

Plantago asiatica L., observed frequently in East Asia, is a known herb used in traditional medical remedies several studies report that P. asiatica L has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To determine the production of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and non-LPS-stimulated macrophages, an ELISA assay was conducted using cytokine kits. Mice splenocytes were cultured for 48 h with various concentrations of P. asiatica L. (5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) or with mitogens (ConA or LPS). P. asiatica L. increased the proliferation of mice splenocytes, especially under the condition of its concentration ranging from 250 to 1,000 μg/mL. In addition, Plantago asiatica L. notably induced cytokine production of (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) at its concentration of 250~500 μg/mL. These results suggest that supplementation with P. asiatica L. water extracts may play a potential role in enhancing immune function by mediating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production through its anti-inflammatory activit.

The quality characteristics, total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of rice nutritional bar with added powder of aronia byproducts were investigated in this study. The rice nutritional bar was prepared by adding aronia byproducts powder at concentrations of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%. The pH of the rice nutritional bar batter was lowered for the control and 2% aronia byproducts powder was added. The moisture content, baking loss rate, leavening rate and specific volume of the rice nutritional bar decreased with as the aronia byproducts powder content increased. In relation to measurements of the colors of the rice nutritional bar crust and crumbs, as the content of aronia byproducts powder increased, the L and b values decreased while the a value increased. From texture analysis, the hardness and chewiness increased according to the level of added aronia byproducts powder, but the springiness and cohesiveness decreased. The total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity showed the highest values in the rice bar with 6% aronia byproducts powder added. According to a sensory evaluation, overall preference was highest for the rice bar with 4% added aronia byproducts powder, whereas the color and taste was rated higher for the rice bar added with 4% and 6% aronia byproducts powder.

In vitro 실험을 통한 가시오가피 물 추출물 첨가가 마우스 의 면역세포 증식에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구 결과, 음의 대 조군에 비해 가시오가피 물 추출물을 첨가한 모든 농도에서 비장세포 증식능이 증가하였으며, 특히 고농도인 500~1,000 μg/ mL 농도에서 유의적으로 증가하였다. 반면, 복강 대식세 포로부터 유도된 사이토카인 생성의 경우, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF- α 사이토카인 생성량을 측정한 결과, TNF-α 사이토카인은 가시오가피 물 추출물 50 μg/mL 농도와 250~1,000 μg/mL 농 도에서 대조군보다 유의적으로 높은 분비량을 보인 반면, IFN-γ에서는 변화를 보이지 않았다. IL-2의 경우, 100~500 μg/ mL에서 유의적으로 증가하는 경향을 보여주었다. 이상의 결 과에 의하면 가시오가피 물 추출물은 마우스 비장 세포를 증 식시키고, 사이토카인 분비량에도 영향을 줄 것으로 보이며, 면역 기관의 주요 기능을 증진시킬 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다. 따라서 가시오가피 물 추출물이 면역 증진 기능성식 품 개발의 소재로 활용될 가능성이 있을 것으로 기대된다