Cloned calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been frequently lost by sudden death at 1 to 3 month following healthy birth. To address whether placental anomalies are responsible for the sudden death of cloned calves, we compared protein patterns of 2 placentae derived from SCNT of Korean Native calves died suddenly at two months after birth and those of 2 normal placentae obtained from AI fetuses. Placental proteins were separated using 2-Dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately 800 spots were detected in placental 2-D gel stained with coomassie-blue. Then, image analysis of Malanie III (Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics) was performed to detect variations in protein spots between normal and SCNT placentae. In the comparison of normal and SCNT samples, 8 spots were identified to be up-regulated proteins and 24 spots to be down-regulated proteins in SCNT placentae, among which proteins were high mobility group protein HMG1, apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, bactenecin 1, tropomyosin beta chain, H+-transporting ATPase, carbonic anhydrase II, peroxiredoxin 2, tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein, serum albumin precursor and cathepsin D. These results suggested that the sudden death of cloned calves might be related to abnormal protein expression in placenta.

As an alternative to chemical fumigation using reagents such as methyl bromide, sweet persimmon was treated with γ-irradiation with the aim of extending the export of persimmon to countries with strict quarantine requirements. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) was also employed to prevent the loss of persimmon quality, as treatment by γ-irradiation can cause changes in the firmness and color of the fruit, in addition to physiological injuries. The persimmon quality was assessed at 25℃ over a defined period of retail display following long term cold storage for 60 and 90 day. The persimmon firmness was significantly (p<0.05) decreased following γ-irradiation and display at 25℃ over 2 day, but was dramatically reduced after 3 day display and 60 day cold storage. Although irradiation increased the respiration rate of persimmon after long term storage, it was not significantly (p>0.05) altered at the doses employed herein. In contrast, 1-MCP treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved the persimmon firmness from 1.1 N to 6.0-20.6 N after γ-irradiation treatment and 3 day display and little change in the skin color was observed compared to the untreated samples. The rate of flesh softening was also significantly reduced following 1-MCP treatment.

Background : More than 1250 bamboo species, belonging to 75 genera, are distributed all over the world. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a type of bamboo grass widely distributed in Halla mountain, Jeju Island, which has been used as antidiabetic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaf extracted with different ethanol concentration and demonstrated the potent bioactivities of the extracts suitable to be used as natural antioxidant compounds or pharmaceutical supplements. Methods and Results : Antioxidant and anti-microbial activities of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extracts were studied. At first, different ethanol concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) were compared for determining of the best solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds from Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai. Forty percent Ethanol extract with 990.01±28.9 (mg of gallic acid equivalents/g sample) were the best solvent in the extraction of phenolic compounds. But, 60% ethanolic extracts were highest antioxidant activity appeared such as DPPH radical scavenging (IC50 21.20±0.42 μg/ml), ABTS radical scavenging (IC50 49.85±1.27 μg/ml) and reducing power. However, 80% ethanol extracts showed the strongest SOD like activity. The anti-microbial capacity was screened against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and yeast. Sixty percent and 80% ethanol extracts inhibited the growth of Gram positive bacteria; Bacillus cereus was the most susceptible one with MIC of 125 μ g/ml and 250 μg/ml for the 60% and 80% extracts, respectively. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the extract of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai can be used as easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food supplement or in pharmaceutical industry. However, the components responsible for the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of both extracts of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai are currently unclear. Therefore, it is suggested that further works should be performed on the isolation and identification of the antioxidant components in Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai.

Background : Indigenous plant in Jeju island, Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai, belongs to the Bambusoideae and inhabit around Mt. Halla. According to the ancient book such as Dongui Bogam, Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai have been known to possess the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diuresis effect. However, because of gradual upturning temperature, Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai was spread out to wider area and intrude the habitat that other plant species are growing. Recently, although the study to seek effective use of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai, the investigation about functional properties has not been taken place enough. Methods and Results : To assess the inhibitory activity of melanin synthesis, we employ the tyrosine as substrate and measure the formation of dopaquione at 490 nm. Firstly, 0.1 mM potassium phosphate buffer and tyrosinase were mixed and incubated at 37℃. After incubating at 37℃, the absorbance rate was measured at 490 nm. The value was compared with positive control, arbutin, and calculated with the rate between sample and control value. Previously, formononetin, glabrene, glabridin, glabrol, artocarbene, dihydromoriin are known as effective substances for whitening. Moreover, the arbutin, which was separated from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Sprengel, are widely used in cosmetic field. Arbutin inhibits tyrosinase and tyrosine synthesis, which induce blackish pigmentation. Practically, the Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaf ethanol extract depend on different solvent condition, whole extracts showed stronger inhibition than arbutin. Especially, 60% ethanol extract exhibited twice higher tyrosinase inhibitory activity than arbutin, whereas least inhibitory activity was seen in 20% ethanol extract. Conclusion : In this study, a attempt was made to investigate the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaves extracted by different solvent condition. In the results, each extracts was prior to arbutin. Yet, 20% ethanol extract was lowest, but on the one hand, 60% ethanol extract demonstrated the highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

Backgrounds : Pomelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) is the kind of citrus fruit which is Dicotyledoneae belongs to Rutaceae and special product in Jeju island. According to the previous researches, coumarin, eliocitrin, naringin are identified and these kinds of constituents revealed to be effective as anticancer, antioxidant, and antidiabetic. Until recently, there are many investigations about its functional properties were reported, but investigation about biological activities depend on extraction conditions are not sufficient. Methods and Results : 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was performed by the method of Blois with minor modification. After adding DPPH radical to each sample solutions, the mixtures were incubated in 30 minutes at aphotic place. Then, the degree of scavenging activity was recorded by microplate reader at 490 nm. The scavenging activity was expressed by RC50, which is the concentration of sample solution necessitated to scavenge 50% DPPH radical against negative control. For α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, the method using p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) was applied. To each samples, α-glucosidase and pNPG were mixed and incubated, consequently, Na2CO3 was added to terminate the reaction. Finally, absorbance was read at 450 nm. The same as DPPH radical scavenging activity, the inhibition was explicitly expressed by the amount of sample solution to inhibit 50% α-glucosidase, IC50. The 80% MeOH extract demonstrated the highest radical scavenging activity with 74.32±8.45 μg/ml. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity was carried out to evaluate the inhibitory activity of sugar digestion and absorption and 60, 80% MeOH extract exhibited 416.35±11.07 μg/ml and 336.57±2.03 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion : The DPPH radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were evaluated in this study. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was seen in 80% Citrus grandis Osbeck MeOH extract, following 60% MeOH extract exhibited the second highest scavenging activity. Also, 80% MeOH extract showed 336.57±2.03 μg/ml, which was the highest α-glucosidase inhibition among all extracts.

Background : From 2000 years ago, Panax ginseng is identified as precious pharmaceutical plant. Depend on growing environment, the name would be vary. For instance, it is called "mountain cultured ginseng (jangnoesam)" which is artificially grown ginseng, "Cultured ginseng (jaebaesam)" which refer to the ginseng grown in the forest, and lastly "Wild ginseng (sansam)" which inhabits in deep mountain. The main active compounds in the Panax ginseng is called ginsenoside and many researches have been performing in biological field. However, most studies focus on functional ability of ginseng. In this study, to seek the suitable extraction condition and antioxidant activity, cell cultured Panax ginseng was extracted according to different ethanol concentration and extraction time. Methods and Results : To establish the optimal extraction condition, the sample was pulverized into 500 μm and added 10% (v/v), 30% (v/v), 50% (v/v), 70% (v/v) and, 90% (v/v) EtOH. After that, the samples are extracted in different time by ultrasonic bath (Power sonic 520, Hwashin Co., Korea). The extracts was filtered by Whatman No. 2 filtering paper. Eventually, the saponin was separated by n-butanol as the ginsenoside, the combination of terpenoid and sugar. The extraction yield of 90% cell cultured panax ginseng EtOH extract was 7.36±0.33%, which was the lowest extraction yield and simultaneously, 10% EtOH extract showed 1.8 times more yield that of 90% EtOH extract. The saponin extraction yield revealed 10% and 70% EtOH extract showed 1.64±0.06% and 3.13±0.08%, respectively. Conclusion : The suitable extraction yield in cell cultured panax ginseng and saponin were evaluated by different extraction condition such as ethanol concentration and extraction time. As a result, when 10% EtOH was applied as solvent, the yield was doubles of 90% EtOH extract. As ethanol became high concentrations, the extraction yield was gradually increased. Among them, crude saponin, the main active compounds in Panax ginseng was extracted the most by 70% EtOH and that value was 3.13±0.08%.

Background : This study was carried out to understand the effect of seedling weight (SW) on growth and flowering in Panax ginseng. Methods and Results : The testing materials were Chunpoong (CP), Yunpoong (YP) and Jakyeongjong (JK). The increase of seedling (1yr) weight led to an increase in ratio of flowering plant and in number of flower per plant. The seed setting rate of two year-old plant (CP, YP, JK) increased with increase of SW at the planting time (PT) and number of flower per plant of three year-old plant (CP, YP) increased also. In the two year-old plant (JK), the ratio of three leaves per plant was 8.8, 19.6, 31.0, 42.0, 44.7 and 58.2%, respectively, in the SW of >0.6, 0.6~0.8, 0.8~1.0, 1.02~1.2, 1.2~1.4 and 1.4g<. The growth of ginseng plant was good with increase of SW at the PT. Conclusion : There was a highly positive correlation between seedling weight and flowering characteristics.