Amine-functionalized graphene was synthesized via a one-step solvothermal method and used as a metal-free cathode for non-aqueous lithium–oxygen batteries. The material delivered an outstanding specific capacity of 19,789 mAh/g at a current density of 200 mA/g as well as better cycling stability than graphene without the amine functional group. This improvement was attributed to the electron-donating effect of the amine groups and appropriate mesopore volume, which can promote the penetration of oxygen, electrons, and lithium ions, as well as accommodate more discharge products, Li2O2 in Li–O2 batteries. Amine-functionalized graphene has an amine functional group on the carbon surface, which improves the electrical conductivity of carbon and provides electrochemical active sites for oxygen absorption reactions.

High-level heteroatom, N and S, dual-doped graphene with an improved mesoporous structure was fabricated via facile in situ carbonization and used as metal-free cathode for non-aqueous lithium oxygen batteries. The prepared cathode delivered an ultrahigh specific capacity of 22,252 mAh/g at a current density of 200 mA/g as well as better cycling reversibility because of the larger and copious mesopores, which can promote the penetration of oxygen, electrons, and lithium ions and the ability to accommodate more discharge products, e.g., Li2O2, in Li–O2 batteries. The material had a high level of heteroatom co-doping in the carbon lattice, which enhanced the electrical conductivity and served as active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Recently, Metcalfa pruinosa is the pest that can not be easily controlled due to its wide host range. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop a trap plant that can block the entry of M. pruinosa into the farm. We have examined the host preference of M. pruinosa in previous studies and verified their attractiveness to these pests for some favored plants(bean, perilla, sunflower and sesame). We divided the plants used in the experiment into young and maturing stages. In the yougn stage of the plant, the soybeans were highly suscetible to M. pruinosa, but the sunflower was the most influential in the mature stage. Therefore, we selected sunflower as a trap plant to M. pruinosa and conducted a field survey. The sunflower attracted effectivley M. pruinosa in aronia cultivation system. But the time of our experiments was at the nymphal stages of M. pruinosa and at the beginning of adult emergence. Therefore, we plan to conduct experiments at the peak period of adult emergence and develop the trap with attractants.

In this study, in order to improve the thermal and electrical properties of epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), surface modifications of GNPs are conducted using silane coupling agents. Three silane coupling agents, i.e. 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)-ethyltrimethoxysilane (ETMOS), 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPTS), and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), were used. Among theses, GPTMS exhibits the best modification performance for fabricating GNP-incorporated epoxy composites. The effect of the silanization is evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrical and thermal conductivities are characterized. The epoxy/silanized GNPs exhibits higher thermal and electrical properties than the epoxy/raw GNPs due to the improved dispersion state of the GNPs in the epoxy matrix. The TEM microphotographs and Turbiscan data demonstrate that the silane molecules grafted onto the GNP surface improve the GNP dispersion in the epoxy.

Russula compacta, a wild mushroom, belongs to Russulaceae, Russulales of Basidiomycota. This study was conducted to evaluate the free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase and anti-α-glucosidase effects from fruiting bodies of R. compacta extracted with methanol and hot water. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging effects, the methanol and hot water extracts showed good scavenging effects comparable with positive control, BHT. The chelating effect of methanol and hot water extracts of the mushroom were significantly higher than the positive control, BHT. The reducing power of the methanol and hot water extracts of the mushroom were lower than the positive control at the concentrations tested. In the HPLC anaysis of phenolic acids profile of the mushroom extract, 7 phenolic acids such as gallic acid, vanillin, rutin hydrate, resveratol, quercetin formononetin, and biochanin-A were detected. Nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccahride (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 cells was inhibited by 1.5-fold with the treatment of methanol extract when compared with the control. In the anti-cholinesterase activity assay, the methanol extract inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) effects by 73.9% and 81.05% at the 1.0 mg/mL concentration, whereas galanthamine, the standard drug, inhibited the AChE and BChE activities by 97.80% and 81.12%, respectively at the same concentration. The methanol and hot water extracts of the mushroom inhibited the α-glucosidase activity by 55.44% and 62.00%, respectively at the 2.0 mg/mL concentration, while acarbose, the positive control inhibited the α-glucosidase activity by 81.81% at the 2.0 mg/mL concentration. From the experimental results, the fruiting bodies of R. compacta contained natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cholinesterase, and anti-diabetic substances, which might be used for health foods.

Recently, there had been reports on ethanol fermentation from mono-saccharide and disaccharide by mushroom mycelia. This experiment was conducted to study ethanol production from xylose by mycelila of mushrooms isolated from Korea. The cultures used in this study were obtained from Culture Collection and DNA Bank of Mushrooms in the Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University. The results showed that Neolentinus lepideus, Trametes hirsuta and Cerrena unicolor produced ethanol from xylose contained media. The ethanol concentration produced in the xylose contained media ranged from 2.5∼3.8%. The highest ethanol concentration(3.8%) was obtained from fermentation of xylose by Neolentinus lepideus mycelia. All of the mushroom mycelia used in this study showed a good ability of ethanol fermentation from glucose, fructose, mannose, cellobiose and maltose.

Recently, there had been many reports on ethanol fermentation by mushrooms. This study was initiated to screening of ethanol fermentation by mushroom mycelilal cultures preserved in Culture Collection and DNA Bank of Mushrooms in the Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University. The experimental results showed that ethanol concentration produced by Cerrena unicolor, Trametes pubescens and Daedalea dickinsii, Microporus vernicipes and Perenniporia fraxinea in the glucose medium ranged from 2.3∼4.7%. The highest ethanol concentration was obtained from fermentation of glucose by Cerrena unicolor (4.7%). Some of the mushrooms used in this study have a good ability to efficiently ferment arabinose, fructose, mannose, cellobiose, maltose and sucrose . The highest ethanol concentration was obtained under semi-aerobic condition compared with aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The media used for ethanol fermentation by T. pubescens and P. fraxinea. contained small amounts of β -D-glucan, which is known to have anti-tumor activity.

This study was conducted for evaluation of the alleviating effects of Phellodendrin cortex water extract (PCWE) on skin inflammation in hairless mice. Skin inflammation was induced by UVB irradiation and application of squalene monohydroperoxide (Sq-OOH) to the back skin of hairless mice for six weeks. At the same time, saline (C), jojoba oil (VC), PCWE (E), and 0.01% retinoic acid diluted with polyethylene glycol (PC) were applied topically twice per day, six days per week for a period of six weeks. The skin erythema index of the E group was lower than that of the C group. Epidermis and dermis of the C group were remarkably thickened, compared to the PC or E group. In the C group, infiltration of many inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and lymphocytes, was observed in dermis, and a large number of mast cells were observed in dermis and hypodermis; the degree of degranulation was remarkable. However, these phenomena were alleviated in the PC and E2 groups. The E group showed a lower activity in skin xanthine oxidase but a higher activity in skin superoxide dismutase, compared to the C group (P<0.05). The VC, PC, and E groups also showed a high activity of skin catalase by 25.3%, 58%, and 42%, respectively, compared to the C group. Taken together, these results indicate that PCWE could have an alleviating efficacy on skin inflammation induced by UVB irradiation and application of Sq-OOH in hairless mice.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus was successfully cultivated and commercially available in Korea. The antioxidant, xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase inhibitory activities and polyphenol contents of fruiting bodies of Pleurotus citrinopileatus extracted with acetone, hot water and methanol (hereinafter referred to Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH). The antioxidant activities on β-carotene-linoleic acid in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 96.12%, 94.21% and 96.52%, respectively at the concentration of 20 mg/ml. Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 30.12%, 35.42% and 29.02%, respectively at the concentration of 5 mg/ml. Tyrosinase inhibition activity in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 58.78%, 49.25% and 63.29%, respectively at the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. Total polyphenol contents in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 18.99 mgGAEs/g, 16.73 mgGAEs/g and 18.66 mgGAEs/g. These experimental results suggested that fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus contained good physio-chemical substances for promoting human health.

The antioxidant, xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase inhibitory activities and polyphenol contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus cornucopae extracted with acetone, hot water and methanol (hereinafter referred to Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH). The antioxidant activities in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 93.23%, 89.55% and 92.58%, respectively at the concentration of 2.0 mg/ml. Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 45.84%, 46.50% and 45.60%, respectively at the concentration of 5 mg/ml. Tyrosinase inhibition activity in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 52.11%, 50.12% and 55.81%, respectively at the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. Total polyphenol contents in the Fr. Ace, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH were 18.99 mgGAEs/ g, 16.73 mgGAEs/g and 18.66 mgGAEs/g. These experimental results suggested that fruiting bodies of P. cornucopae contained good physio-chemical substances for promoting human health.

The current investigation was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant activities, tyrosinase inhibitory effects on the fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus extracted with acetone, methanol and hot water. The antioxidant activities were performed on β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, and ferrous chelating abilities. In addition to this, phenolic acid and flavonoids contents were also analyzed. Methanolic extract of P. ostreatus showed the strongest β-carotene-linoleic acid inhibition as compare to others exracts. At 8 mg/ml, acetonic extract showed a high reducing power of 1.54. The scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, acetonic extract was effective than other extracts. The strongest chelating effect (85.66%) was obtained from the acetonic extract at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. Antioxidant activities of the extracts from the fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus were increased with the increasing concentration. After application of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray ionisation mass spectra, six phenolic compounds namely, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, naringenin, hesperetin, formononetin and biochanin were identified from acetonic extract. Tyrosinase inhibition of acetonic, methanolic, and hot water extracts of P. ostreatus were increased with the increasing of concentration. Results revealed that methanolic extract showed good, while acetonic and hot water extracts showed moderate activities of the tyrosinase inhibition at the concentration tested. This study suggests that fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus can potentially be used as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.

Lentinus edodes is a popular edible mushroom in South-East Asia. This study was initiated to evaluate the antioxidant activities, tyrosinase inhibitory effects on the fruiting bodies of L. edodes extracted with acetone, methanol and hot water. The antioxidant activities were performed on β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, and ferrous chelating abilities. In addition to this, phenolic acid and flavonoids contents were also analyzed. Methanolic extract of L. edodes showed the strongest β-carotene-linoleic acid inhibition as compare to others extracts. At 8 mg/ml, hot water extract showed a high reducing power of 0.96. The scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, acetonic extract was effective than other extracts. The strongest chelating effect (86.45%) was obtained from the acetonic extract at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. Antioxidant activities of the extracts from the fruiting bodies of L. edodes were increased with the increasing concentration. After application of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray ionisation mass spectra, four phenolic compounds namely, naringenin, hesperetin, formononetin and biochanin were identified from acetonic extract. Tyrosinase inhibition of acetonic, methanolic, and hot water extracts of L. edodes were increased with the increasing of concentration. Results revealed that acetonic and methanolic extracts showed good, while hot water showed moderate activities of the tyrosinase inhibition at the concentration tested. This study suggests that fruiting bodies of L. edodes can potentially be used as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.

Lentinus lepideus is an edible mushroom, belongs to the family Tricholomaceteae and order Agaricales. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities, tyrosinase inhibitory effects on the fruiting bodies of L. lepideus extracted with acetone, methanol and hot water. The antioxidant activities were performed on β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, and ferrous chelating abilities. In addition to this, phenolic acid and flavonoids contents were also analyzed. Hot water extract of L. lepideus showed the strongest β-carotene-linoleic acid inhibition as compare to others extracts. At 8 mg/ml, methanolic extract showed a high reducing power of 1.21. The scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, acetonic and methanolic extracts were effective than hot water extract. The strongest chelating effect (87.50%) was obtained from the methanolic extract at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. Antioxidant activities of the extracts from the fruiting bodies of L. lepideus were increased with the increasing concentration. After application of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray ionisation mass spectra, six phenolic compounds namely, chlorogenic acid, vanillin, naringin, naringenin, formononetin and biochanin were identified from acetonic extract. Tyrosinase inhibition of acetonic, methanolic, and hot water extracts of L. lepideus were increased with the increasing of concentration. Results revealed that acetonic and methanolic extract showed good, while hot water showed moderate activities of the tyrosinase inhibition at the concentration tested. This study suggests that fruiting bodies of L. lepideus can potentially be used as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.

Pleurotus eryngii, known as king oyster mushroom, has been widely used in nutritional and medicinal purposes. This study was initiated to screen the antioxidant activities, tyrosinase inhibitory effects on the fruiting bodies of P. eryngii extracted with acetone, methanol and hot water. The antioxidant activities were performed on β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, and ferrous chelating abilities. In addition to this, phenolic acid and flavonoids contents were also analyzed. Methanolic and acetonic extracts of P. eryngii showed the strongest β-carotene-linoleic acid inhibition as compare to hot water extract. At 8 mg/ml, acetonic extract showed a high reducing power of 1.203. The scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, acetonic extract was effective than other extracts. The strongest chelating effect (88.10%) was obtained from the methanolic extract at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. Antioxidant activities of the extracts from the fruiting bodies of P. eryngii were increased with the increasing concentration. After application of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray ionisation mass spectra, ten phenolic compounds namely, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, naringin, naringenin, hesperetin, formononetin and biochanin were identified from acetonic extract. Tyrosinase inhibition of acetonic, methanolic, and hot water extracts of P. eryngii were increased with the increasing of concentration. Results revealed that acetonic and methanolic extracts showed good, while hot water showed moderate activities of the tyrosinase inhibition at the concentration tested. This study suggests that fruiting bodies of P. eryngii can potentially be used as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.

Comparative effect of oyster mushrooms on plasma, fecal lipid profiles, liver and kidney functions were evaluated in hyper and normocholesterolemic rats. The feeding of hypercholesterolemic rats with 5% powder of fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms i.e., Pleurotus ostreatus, P. sajor-caju and P. florida reduced the plasma total cholesterol level by 37%, 21% and 16%, respectively and triglyceride level by 45%, 24% and 14%, respectively. LDL/HDL ratio decreased by 64%, 45% and 41% for P. sajor-caju, P. ostreatus and P. florida fed rats, respectively. Mushroom feeding also reduced body weight in hypercholesterolemic rats. However, it had no adverse effect on plasma bilirubin, creatinin and urea nitrogen level. Mushroom feeding also increased the total lipid and cholesterol excretion through the feces. The present study reveals that feeding of 5% oyster mushroom powder do not have detrimental effects on the liver and kidneys rather may provide health benefits for the cardiovascular-related complication by decreasing the atherogenic lipid profiles.