Background : Miscanthus sinensis is a C4 crop with high photosynthetic efficiency and is known as a representative cellulose-based bio-energy crop originating in East Asia such as Korea, Japan, and China. It also has a high resistance to environmental conditions such as low temperature and drying and pests. However, many studies on the antioxidant activity of the M. sinensis have not been conducted. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure total phenol and total flavonoid contents of the M. sinensis accessions collected from some countries and to select the M. sinensis accessions with rich total phenol and total flavonoid contents. The results of this study can be used as basic data for future breeding. Methods and Results : This study carried out the total phenol and total flavonoid contents analysis of M. sinensis collected from different country to preserve genetic resources. Total 205 accessions of M. sinensis were collected from the USA, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Zambia. Their leaves were extracted with 100% methanol and concentrated at 45℃. To determine total phenol and total flavonoid contents, we measured the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. The highest total phenolic conten t(81.04 ± 0.02 ㎎·GAE/g) showed in the accession (PMS-178) from China. The highest total flavonoid content (32.66 ± 0.01 ㎎·QE/g) showed in the accession (KMS104) from Korea. On the other hand the lowest total phenolic content (1.11 ± 0.00 ㎎·GAE/g) and the total flavonoid content (0.81 ± 0.00 ㎎·QE/g) were obtained from the accession (M. sinensis ‘Super Stripe’) from USA. Conclusion : In this study, we analysed the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents by country of origin.

Background : Miscanthus is a species of flowering plant in the family poaceae, native to Eastern Asia throughout most of China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. It is diploid hybrid grass used as bioenergy plant, biomass production and high quality of cellulose and ethanol production. It is an herbaceous perennial grass, growing up to 0.8 - 3.0 m tall, rarely 4.0 m, forming dense clumps from an underground rhizome. Recently, Studies on Miscanthus have been carried out on the growth characteristics and to see the antioxidant difference of Miscanthus for functional materials in various regions. Methods and Results : This study carried out the antioxidant activities of Miscanthus collected from different countries of origin. Two hundred one accessions of Miscanthus were collected in 7 countries (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A, Zambia). Initially, each leaves were extracted with 70% ethanol to determine actioxidant activty. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity showed in the accession [M. sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne (little silver spider)’] from U.S.A (RC50: 10.66 ± 15.46 ㎍/㎖) and the lowest showed in the accession (M. sinensis ‘Supr Stripe’) from U.S.A (RC50: 188.03 ± 0.86 ㎍/㎖). The ABTS radical scavenging activity showed the highest in the accession (No.401: JM0310.002) from Japan (RC50: 17.97 ± 3.26 ㎍/㎖) and the lowest showed in the accession (M. sinensis ‘Supr Stripe’) from U.S.A (RC50: 416.88 ± 10.05 ㎍/㎖). Conclusion : The antioxidant activity of Miscanthus showed in average DPPH radical scavenging activity (RC50: 74.05 ± 3.74 ㎍/㎖) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (RC50: 81.46 ± 3.95 ㎍/㎖). In this study, it may be used for feed crops or food crops as a functional material.

Background : Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a perennial plant of the Gramineae, followed by rice, wheat, corn and barley, the fifth major food crop in the world. Sorghum is mostly used in Korea for cereals using seeds or for making food directly. However, sorghum is not directly used for food in foreign countries, but plays an important role in the development of cosmetic and pharmaceutical materials and as a bio-energy crop. Most of the sorghum cultivated in Korea does not use the remainder after harvesting seeds, so research on other uses is needed. Therefore, we carried out this experiment in order to identify the characteristics of domestic genetic resources and to select the genetic resources with excellent growth. Methods and Results : Samples were tested for their growth characteristics by the Agricultural Genetic Resources of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. Growth characteristics of heading, total length, stem length, stem width, leaf length, leaf width, length of ears and width of ears were investigated. After 10 weeks of sowing, 45% of the outbreaks occurred and showed a quick heading. The total length of the sorghum ranged from 65.7 ㎝ to 341.0 ㎝, and the stem width ranged from 0.2 ㎝ to 2.6 ㎝. Leaf length ranged from 33.3 ㎝ to 92.4 ㎝ and leaf width ranged from 3.8 ㎝ to 12.2 ㎝. The length of the ears was in the range of 8.0 ㎝ - 52.7 ㎝, and the width of the ears was in the range of 5.2 ㎝ - 27.0 ㎝. K131301, K178840, K258654 and K255198, which are expected to bear a large number of seeds with high biomass content and large size of leaves and plants, were selected. Conclusion : Through this study, we can understand the growth characteristics of the sorghum in Korea and select excellent genetic resources.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of packaging material on the growth of rootstock of Liriope platyphylla. Methods and Results: This study examined the effects of two types of packaging material, LDPE (low density polyethylene) and functional film on the growth of the tubers of L. platyphylla, at 5℃. During the 16-weeks of storage period, the ratio of loss and decay of the tubers was examined at intervals of 4, 8, and 16 weeks to detect the quality of the plant. After 16 weeks of storage, the treated tubers were own. Subsequently, plant height and the number of leaves were recorded. The results revealed that functional film at 5℃ was the ideal material for the storage of L. platyphylla tubers. The rate of loss was the highest (57.42%) with a onion net and the lowest (22.12%) with a functional film. Similarly, the rate of tuber decay was highest (8.20%) using onion net and the least (4.60%) when the functional film was used. Conclusions: Thus, the use of the functional film proved to be the most effective in the storage of L. platyphylla tubers when compared with the LDPE.

Background : Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is a medicinal plant corresponding to 'raw materials for food use' in Korean food standards codex, and it is known that it has the same origin although it is classified into wild ginseng, cultured ginseng and red ginseng. It varies morphologically, molecularly, depending on the cultivation or habitat environment. In this study, we carried out experiments for the morphological differentiation of cultured ginseng (Hongcheon, Gunsan, Miryang) and adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng (by company). Methods and Results : Morphological observations were made with resin sectioning method (RSM). The test method was sampled, preprocessed, embedded, segmented, slid and then observed with an optical microscope. The epidermis, cortex and vascular tissues were identified in the inner cross section of adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng. Phloem was formed at the center, and xylem was formed at the side. In cultured ginseng, the organs of the vascular tissues were differentiated into two, whereas in the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng, one vascular tissue was formed due to the thin adventitious. Conclusion : Plant resources have the diversity of using the same or different origins depending on their distribution. The morphological differentiation method of ginseng and adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng is expected to be based on domestic fair trade to prevent discrimination.

Background : Recently, wild ginseng cultured ginseng cultured in a bioreactor is mass produced using biotechnological tissue culture technology. PgTRx1 gene which is involved in the production of useful substances in fermented wild ginseng cultured root was selected and introduced into a model plant (Nicotiana benthamiana) to investigate transformation useful gene expression and possible production of useful substances. Methods and Results : The PgTRx1 gene was amplified and isolated from fermented wild ginseng cultured root. Isolated PgTRx1 gene was ligated to the plant expression vector pMBP1. Overexpression genes were recombined and cloned into E. coli. Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 was transformed, cultured A. tumefaciens LBA4404 was agro-infiltrated into a model plant for transient assay. Agro-infiltration model plants were sampled on days 0, 1, 2, and 3, and cDNA synthesis was performed after total RNA extraction. The expression level of PgTRx1 gene increased with time, and NbNR, NbHSR, NbAPx, NbSIP, NbPAL, NbPR1a and NbNOA1 genes showed a decrease in the expression level. The samples were taken to determine antioxidant activity, acetylcholine hydrolase inhibitory activity and glutamate content at 0 h, 12 h, 14 h, and 36 h. The highest antioxidant activity was observed at 24 h of sample, acetylcholine hydrolase inhibitory activity at 12 h, and glutamate at 36 h. Conclusion : The possibility of introducing the model plant of the PgTRx1 gene derived from fermented wild ginseng cultured root was confirmed. The results showed that various activities were increased with time of agro-infiltration.

Background : Miscanthus sinensis 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 carried out to investigate the expression of MsCOMT gene and the variation of lignocellulosic component and phenolic compounds contents in transgenic plants. Methods and Results : Multiple bands were detected from the homologous region of the COMT gene in PCR analysis. In order to obtain more detailed results, putative transgenic lines were estimated by RT-PCR analysis to confirm the expression of mRNA. Also, analysis of the lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and phenolic compound contents of transgenic Miscanthus plants were performed. Total lignin content of transgenic plants was lower than that of the control plant due to reduced caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene expression related to lignin production. Cellulose and hemicellulose contents in transgenic plants were not increased. Variation in cellulose and hemicellulose contents had no correlation with variation in lignin content of transgenic plants. Conclusion : In conclusion, transgenic M. sinensis was obtained with down-regulated COMT gene. Lignin synthesis was decreased what offers possibility of crop modification for facilitated biofuel production.

Background : Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the fifth most important crop in the world. Although it is known as a crop with many medicinal action, Studies on sorghum breeding are inferior to other crop. Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate excellent varieties of sorghum which is stable and has excellent physiological activity. So, this study was conducted to investigate the total phenolic content and the total flavonoid content of the sorghum accessions to select the sorghum accessions with rich antioxidants. The results of this study can be used as basic data for future breeding. Methods and Results : The seeds for study were supplied from the Center for Agricultural Genetic Resources of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. The seeds were extracted with 100% methanol and concentrated at 45℃. To determine antioxidant, we measured the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. The highest total phenolic content showed in the accession from IT No. 155552 (55600.34 ± 17.78 ㎎·GAE/g) and the total flavonoid content showed the highest in IT No. 143716 (116563.20 ± 149.39 ㎎·QE/g). On the other hand the lowest total phenolic content showed in the accession from IT No. 135777 (20.14 ± 4.29 ㎎·GAE/g) and the total flavonoid content showed the lowest in IT No. 152910 (701.25 ± 5.53 ㎎·QE/g). Conclusion : Among 300 sorghum accessions, we analysed the total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents.

Background : Sorghum(Sorghum bicolor) is the fifth most important crop in the world. Although it is known as a crop with many medicinal action, Studies on sorghum breeding are inferior to other crop. Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate excellent varieties of sorghum which is stable and has excellent physiological activity. So, this study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity of the sorghum species and to select the sorghum species with high antioxidant activity. The results of this study could be used as basic data for high-function breeding. Methods and Results : The seeds for study were supplied from the Center for Agricultural Genetic Resources of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. The seeds were extracted with 100% methanol and concentrated at 45℃. To determine antioxidant activity, we measured the DPPH radical scavenging ability and ABTS radical scavenging ability. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity showed in the accession from IT No. 158264 (RC50 : 5968.71 ± 4986.24 ㎍/㎖) and the ABTS radical scavenging activity showed the highest in IT No. 143744 (RC50 : 1558.47 ± 273.21 ㎍/㎖). On the other hand the lowest DPPH radical scavenging activity showed in the accession from IT No. 155497 (RC50 : 3.26 ± 20.06 ㎍/㎖) and the ABTS radical scavenging activity showed the lowest in IT No. 152910 (RC50 : 3.31 ± 20.10 ㎍/㎖). Conclusion : Among 300 sorghum accessions, we analysed the antioxidant activities of DPPH and ABTS.

Background : Natural substance extracted from plant is going increased to apply for agricultural industry to improve crop product. Thus, hydrosols of lavender used to cosmetic materials was treated in plant to investigate growth effect. Methods and Results : The young plants grown for 7 days from seed were transferred to pot. They have foliage dressed with lavender hydrosols diluted to 500 × at intervals of 2 days. The results of N. benthamiana grown by foliage dressing for 2 weeks were 11.37 ± 0.31 ㎝ of leaves length, 11.07 ± 0.47 ㎝ of leaves width, 14.43 ± 0.90 ㎝ of plant length. These values were investigated to more increase than control. In the results measuring plant length at 4 weeks, there had no difference in two treatments. The activities of DPPH scavenging and SOD were checked to examine the antioxidant activity in two treatments. The DPPH scavenging activity was not shown a difference in two treatments. However, SOD activity displayed at high to level of 2 times in extracts from 100% ethanol of N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in compared to control. The RT-PCR preceeded to investigate the transcriptional changes of genes related to antioxidant activity using the respective primers for 5 genes such as NbNOA1, NbNR, NbPAL, NbAPX, NbSOD. These 5 genes were known to detect as a high level in N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in transcriptionl expression. Conclusion : The influence on plant growth through lavender hydrosol treatment was represented as a promoting effect in early growth stage.

Background : Oplopanax elatus, comnonly called Asian devil’s club, is distributed in the northern high mountains of the Korean peninsula, northeastern China, and southeastern Russia. Its root is traditionally used to treat asthma, depressive states, chronic fatigue syndrome, and hypertension, neurasthenia, hypopiesis, schizophrenia, cardiovascular problems, diabetes mellitus, impotence, emaciation, hypotension cough, rheumatism, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, and wounds. Plant cell and tissue culture techniques for the mass production of adventitious roots in suspension culture allows a high proliferation rate, stable accumulation rate, and production of valuable compounds. Methods and Results : The plants were cultured on 1/4 MS medium with 1% sucrose and 1% plant agar for 3 month and they transferred to pot. The pots were contained of soil, soil + pelite (1 : 1), and soil + sand (1 : 1), respectively. The plants were measured plant length, leaf length, and leaf number. The number of leaves have represented as similar result of 7.44 ± 1.34 ㎝ in soil and 7.56 ± 1.26 ㎝ on soil + pelite. The 3.22 ± 0.53 ㎝ of plant length and the 6.57 ± 0.51 ㎝ of leaves length were highest on soil. Conclusion : The survival rate depending on soil types of Oplopanax elatus was confirmed to exist in these cases of soil and soil+pelite. However, they all died in condition of soil+vermiculite. The number of leaves have no difference and the length of plant and the length of leaves were longest on soil.

Background : Korean mountain ginseng adventitious roots culture extract fermentation product (KGEF) is increased the content of low molecular weight ginsenoside Rk1 and Rg5 by purifying, steaming, and fermentation of the wild ginseng adventitious roots culture. In Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the analysis method of low molecular weight ginsenoside (Rk1, Rg5, Rh2, compound K, etc.) has not been proven, therefore we conducted validation to confirm the suitability of the qualitative and quantitative analysis method for Rk1 and Rg5. Methods and Results : Quantitative analysis was performed at a maximum absorption wavelength of 203 ㎚ (specificity). It was confirmed that the retention time of each peak of Rk1 and Rg5 was separated by chromatogram. The separation degree of Rk1 and Rg5 was 2.15 more as 1.5 a result of calculation according to the formula to evaluate the separation limit. (accuracy). The recovery rate was 101.5% of Rk1 and 103.9% of Rg5 in KGEF. (repeatability). The area value of ginsenoside Rk1 and Rg5 showed high reproducibility with relative standard deviation Rk1 0.86% and Rg5 0.68%. Retention time was also reproducible with relative standard deviation Rk1 of 0.054% and Rg5 of 0.09%. (linearity). The correlation coefficients were 0.999 of Rk1 and 0.999 of Rg5. The reproducibility of retention time in linearity was also high, with relative standard deviation Rk1 0.0017% and Rg5 0.0017% (limit of quantification, limit of detection). The quantitative limit of Rk1 was 53.73 ㎍/㎖ and the detection limit was 17.73 ㎍/㎖ and the detection limit of Rg5 was 259.03 ㎍/㎖ and detection limit was 85.48 ㎍/㎖. Conclusion : In this study, we validated ginsenoside Rk1 and Rg5 for identification and content testing. It will be enables to verify physicochemical differentiation and analytical methods, and to be a research-based data of low molecular weight ginsenosides.

Background: The extract of Abies holophylla is used as an ingredient in cosmetics. This study assessed the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the material remaining after the extract is used. Methods and Results: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities were assessed to determined the free radical scavenging activity. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined to measure the antioxidant activity. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the resudual extract were higher (95.61 - 99.42% and 74.26 - 77.98% in water extract respectively) than those of the positive control. In 50% EtOH extract, the total phenol content was 389.84 ㎎·GAE/㎖, and the total flavonoid was 0.15 ㎎·QE/㎖. The minimum inhibition concentration degree for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was < 8 to < 125 ㎍/㎖ compared to that of the positive control in all extracts. The clear zone against S. aureus was found to be 12.2 ± 3.8 ㎜. Conclusions: The A. holophylla byproducts were found to have antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, the materials remaining after the A. holophylla extract is used in cosmetics has potential functional uses. Key Words: Abies holophylla, Staphylococcus aureus, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity