This study aimed to investigate the biological activities, including polyphenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities, of various cultivars of Korean perilla leaves. The results indicated that among nine cultivars (Namcheon dlggae, Saedora, Nulbora, Donggel 1, Donggell 2, Soim, Sangyeop, Somirang, and Saebom) of perilla leaves, the total polyphenolic content (gallic acid equivalent mg/g, GAE) was the highest in “Nulbora,” while it was lowest in Namcheon dlggae. Moreover, flavonoid content in the extracts of nine cultivars leaves was in the range of 132.93~268.50 mg catechin equivalent/g sample. The antioxidant effects of the perilla leaves were determined using two different in vitro bioassays measuring DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities. The results revealed that antioxidant activity was also higher in “Nulbora” compared with other cultivars. Xanthin-oxidase-inhibition activity ranged from 65.65% to 80.58%, with “Nulbora” exhibiting the highest activity, although the difference with other cultivars was not significant. “Nulbora” extracts reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and several cytokines, including IL-6 activation induced by LPS in macrophages in the range of 100–50 μg/mL. These results suggest that extracts from perilla leaves can be used as bioactive and functional materials that could be important in industrial applications in the future.

Recently, consumers’ awareness of the importance of the intestinal action of lactic acid bacteria and intestinal microbes is increasing, as well as interest in yogurt. In this study, yogurt was prepared with three mixed strains (lactic acid bacteria combination, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp., and Bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilussei, 1:1:1) by adding oats flour, and the quality characteristics of yogurt were investigated, while stored at a storage temperature of 4℃ for 12 days. According to the storage period, the control as wel as the oat yogurt showed slight decrease in pH, and no significant change in acidity. Sugar content slightly increased. and brightness decreased, in the control and the oat yogurt. Visible cell numbers increased during storage, and decreased on the 12th day. Viscosity in the oat yogurt was 7,580 cP, which was approximately eight times higher than that of the control group, and decreased gradually according to the storage period. Antioxidant activity (DPPH) was approximately two times higher in the oat-added yogurt, and slightly increased with the storage period, decreased on the 12th day of storage, and β-glucan was detected only in oat-added yogurt.

Sprouts have various health benefits. Specifically, wheat sprouts are rich in bioactive compounds, such as vitamins and polyphenols. Elicitation induces and enhances secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plants. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) treatments on the growth profile, free amino acid content, and antioxidant activity of germinated wheat (Triticum aestivum). Wheat seeds were germinated at 20℃ for 10 days and treated with 0, 2, 4, 7.5, and 10 mM of NaCl 10 days before harvesting. Treating the soil bed with NaCl increased the nutritional component amounts, such as free amino acids and γ- aminobutyric acid. The chlorophyll a and b concentrations were the highest in the hydroponic system treated with 7.5 mM NaCl. In addition, the polyphenol and flavonoid contents of sprouts treated with 2 and 7.5 mM NaCl were 1.94 and 1.34 times higher than that of the control sprouts (0 mM NaCl, water only), respectively. These results suggest that 2 to 4 mM NaCl treatments improve the nutritional and food quality of wheat sprouts more than water only.

The former Scelionidae (sensu stricto) is considered to be a part of Platygastridae, recently. During the parasitic wasp collecting with yellow pan trap, aiming at investigating promising biological control agents which attack on plantbug pests for soybean cultivation, one new species and one unrecorded scelionine species were identified. Opisthacantha albertoi sp. n. was collected from central part of korean peninsula. It is very unique by its yellowish body, compared with the black of the most recorded korean scelonine species. It has a long ovipositor which is 1.3 times longer than body length. It was named after the late Dr. S.-B. Ahn, the noctuid specialist. The unrecorded Tiphodytes gerriphagus (Marchal) was famous for its extremely extraordinary habit of diving for Hymenoptera to attack the eggs of gerrid hosts (Gerris, Trepobates spp.). It was collected nationwidely in Korea. As a result, two genera are newly added in korean scelionine fauna and korean Scelioninae is composed of eight species in five genera in total.

Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is known to occur in barley field during spring. But, it is unlikely that R. pedestris can find host resource to reproduce in the spring season. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the reproduction of R. pedestris population collected from field from March to September. Riptortus pedestris were collected at intervals of three days from 15th of each month. Females of R. pedestris collected from trap were provided with just water in a breeding dish, and eggs laid were collected daily. Quality of R. pedestris eggs at each month was also evaluated by providing them as host resource to two egg parasitoids. The collected eggs were divided into three groups and tested for hatchability and parasitism by two egg parasitoids, respectively. As a result, R. pedestris population collected in March and April did not reproduce, and fecundity and proportion of reproduced females were the highest in August. But, neither hatchability nor parasitism rate of R. pedestris eggs show significant difference among the sampling months. In conclusion, R. pedestris starts to reproduce from May, and fecundity reaches highest on August. No change in egg quality was found among the study periods.

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is one of the most serious pest in cabbage cultivation. Field survey was carried out to know the insecticide resistance levels in five main cabbage cultivation regions (Pyeong-chang, Hong-cheon, Bong-wha, Mu-ju and Je-ju) in 2009. The green peach aphid can resist a wide range of insecticides in five surveyed local populations. Among the nine tested insecticides, four chemicals (methomyl, bifenthrin, pymetrozine and flonicarmid) showed less than 50% mortality in the recommended concentration in all populations. Multi resistant (MR) strain was selected from these populations and esterase over-expression, modified AChE (MACE) and mutation(s) in para-type sodium channel were analysed using native IEF and quantitative sequencing with five local populations. Esterase over-expression and MACE (StoF mutation) were observed in all populations including MR strain. LtoF mutation is well known as a kdr mutation in para-type sodium channel. However, even though LC50 values of MR strain noted over 2,000 times higher than that of susceptible strain against bifenthrin, any mutation was not detected in para type sodium channel and also local populations. These results suggested that unusual case could be existed in pyrethroid resistance mechanism in green peach aphid.

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.), the most destructive pest of cruciferous crops, is well-known as typical subtropical insect pest. A number of biological agents such as diseases, parasites and predators can affect populations of DBM in the fields negatively. In previous reports, we suggested Cotesia glomerata, Diadegma semiclusum, and Microplitis plutellae as promising natural enemies to DBM control at highland areas, but these species are larval parasitoids. In 2004~2009, we searched highland fields cultivating various cruciferous crops for PUPAL parasitoids which can supplement the unsatisfactory parasitism in the augmentative release of larval parasitoids. We obtained adults of hymenopteran parasitoid from DBM pupae in early July at Hoengseong region (asl 540 m), and then identified as Diadromus sp., although being a critical species so far. This parasitoid showed high rate of parasitism, about 13.2%, in mid October at the same region. Development period from oviposition to emergence of Diadromus sp. ranged from 14 to 18 days under 23℃ condition. Adult longevity, > three weeks, was longer when it was provided with 10% sugar solution as food than with water only or without food. Male adults mated as soon as emerging from parasitized DBM pupae, and laid eggs into DBM pupae for a week. Parasitism by Diadromus sp. was highest on 7th day after emergence. In contrast, lethality of DBM pupae which were not parasitized by wasps showed 60% on average for seven days. Parasitized DBM pupae could be stored at 10℃ for two weeks. The simultaneous augmentative release of larval parasitoids and pupal parasitoids can be an important component to integrated DBM management program in the future.

The potato tuber moth (PTM, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)) is a serious pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants in the field in regions with warm temperate to tropical climates, and of tubers stored under ambient temperatures post-harvest. Although PTM can be a minor to serious pest depending on the area and year, this pest is getting more and more serious to potato fields in Korea according to accidental surveys. Son (1979) represented 12.5℃ of average annual temperature as northern limit of distribution where corresponding to Youngdeog, Dalseong, Boseong and Jindo regions. Soon after, Choi and Park (1980) reported that the northern limit of PTM distribution coincided with -8℃ isotherm for average annual minimum temperature of January. In recent years, concerns on PTM occurrence and damage to potato are increasing due to climate change resulted in global warming. We carried out an extensive survey of PTM distribution using sex pheromone traps at 24 sites across the nation in 2009. As a result, we confirmed that the northern limit of PTM distribution climbed to southern Gyeonggi and middle Gangwon regions from Gyeongbuk and Chungbuk regions indicated by Choi and Park (1980). Hereafter, we are trying to investigate why drastic going northward of PTM happened in Korea. Here is one presumption that a sudden rise in average temperature has occurred during 30 years, from 6.34℃ in 1973 to 7.62℃ in 2007, especially around Daegwallyeong area where is a typical highland with 800 m high.

We analyzed the variation in occurrence time and intensity of attacks by the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) on several crops. This study aimed to understand how C. suppressalis damages crops and to utilize this basic data for the establishment of environment-friendly control methods like pheromone traps. This study surveyed the changes in occurrence patterns of C. suppressalis, biological characteristics of overwintering larvae, and the efficacy of different types of pheromone traps the years. We found similar occurrence patterns of C. suppressalis in different crops. In addition, occurrence time of the first generation was advanced. Overwintering larvae showed no difference in pupal period and weight compared to the non-overwintering ones. However, the larval period was reduced to 19.1 days in Miscanthus field, in contrast to that in the paddy fields. It was confirmed that larvae of C. suppressalis generally prefer the lower part of the stems of Miscanthus. Efficiency of the emergence trap was confirmed to be greater than that of the delta trap for capturing C. suppressalis adults. However, it is necessary to adjust the control period because of the advancement in occurring time of C. suppressalis in recent years. The larvae of C. suppressalis experience favorable environmental conditions for overwintering in Miscanthus fields. The major Miscanthus fields are generally located in the areas protected for sources of drinking water, owing to which spraying of chemical pesticides is very limited. The results of this study provide important inputs for the development of environment-friendly control methods.