The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a native species in East Asia specialized in box trees (Buxus sp.) but has recently invaded most European countries. Due to the absence of its natural enemies in Europe, the economic impact is serious in most countries. In order to find parasitoids as biological control agents in Korea, C. perspectalis larvae were collected from ornamental and native box trees from various regions of the country from 2022 to 2023. While rearing them in the insectary, several parasitoids emerged from the larvae. We found at least six larval parasitoids, including five wasp species and one fly species. Molecular diagnosis using the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that most samples were 90–97% identical to the data in the NCBI database. Further studies are required to determine biological and parasitic characteristics, such as developmental rate, fecundity, host specificity, and parasitic rate, to clarify the suitability of parasitoids as biological control agents.

This study was conducted to obtain basic data on domestic wild Lanopila nipponica K specimens collected in Jeollanam-do from 2015 to 2017 to investigate the characteristics of fruit bodies and analyze their nutritional components. L. nipponica K. was mainly found near hills, such as in persimmon fields around hills, on mountain trails, and in bamboo fields. L. nipponica K. occurred from July to mid-October, especially after the rainy season or a typhoon, when the air humidity was increased. Rainfall occurred for 8–15 days during the 20 days before the collection date, and the average temperature was ≥ 23oC. The size of the fruit body was 12.3–28 cm, and the weight varied depending on the size; however, the fruit body was estimated to grow overnight, reaching the size observed at its discovery. As aging progressed, the surface of the fruit body cracked, and it turned dark after 6 days. Spores were lump-shaped when the surface was cut with a knife. When the soil on the surface of the site where the fruit body was located was scratched, a white thread-shaped mycelium expanded. At the time of collection, the flesh of the fruit body was white, but it turned brown and fluffy as maturity progressed. On the sixth day after the mushroom was generated, it produced a pungent odor and became friable, resembling a black cotton ball. The surface of the fruit body was white and had a circular or elliptical shape. Crude protein content tended to be high at 59% of the dry weight. The antioxidant activity, determined using the DPPH radical scavenging analysis method, was 167 vitamin C equivalents/100 g. The spores were brown, approximately 6 μm in size, with protrusions on their surface.

The purpose of this study was to investigate ash and mineral contents of agricultural products that are widely and specifically grown in Korea, including 23 fruits, 11 cereals and specialty crops, and 11 leaves and vegetables. Pre-treatment of mineral was performed by microwave method. Mineral contents were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometry Mass (ICP-MS). Ash contents ranged from 0.20 to 0.69 g/100 g in fruits, 1.62 to 3.80 g/100 g in cereals, and 0.28 to 2.93 g/100 g in leaves and vegetables. Among the 45 samples, the highest contents of ash were found in quinoa (average 3.80 g/100 g), the highest contents of calcium (Ca) were found in Hansan ramie leaves (average 894.79 mg/100 g), the highest contents of phosphorus (P) were found in yellow amaranth(average 661.88 mg/100 g), the highest contents of potassium (K) were found in quinoa (average 1,455.38 mg/100 g), the highest contents of magnesium (Mg) were found in red amaranth (average 434.02 mg/100 g), the highest contents of molybdenum (Mo) were found in moringa (average 482.50 μg/100 g), and the highest contents of selenium (Se) were found in apple mango(average 23.67 μg/100 g).

전라남도 신안군에서 재배되는 시금치(신안 섬초)의 수확시기별 특성을 조사하고 섬초의 경제적 가치가 하락하는 4월 이후의 섬초 이용성을 증대하기 위해 건조 및 추출조건에 따른 유용성분 및 효능을 분석하였다. 수확시기별 유리당 함량은 1월 수확 섬초에서 sucrose 함량이 높아 총유리당 함량이 가장 높게 나타났으며 무기질 함량 중 K은 수확시기가 지남에 따라 점차 감소하는 경향을 보였으며 Mg과 P은 1월 수확 섬초에서 가장 높은 결과를 보였다. 섬초의 수확시기별 비타민류 함량변화를 분석한 결과 나이아신과 비타민 C 함량 또한 1월 수확 섬초에서 가장 높은 경향을 보였으며 클로로필도 같은 경향이었다. 그러나 총페놀성화합물, 루테인은 오히려 4월 섬초에서 더 높은 경향을 보여 이러한 성분들을 추출할 수 있는 최적의 조건을 확립하였다. 건조방법에 따라 항산화효능, 총페놀성화합물, 루테인 함량은 모두 동결건조 > 열풍 > 데침건조 순의 경향을 보였으며 추출방법에 따라서는 주정추출에서 효율이 높은 것으로 조사되었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 신안 섬초를 생식하는 경우 당함량이 높아 단맛이 강하고 비타민류 함량이 높은 1-3월 수확 섬초가 가장 적당하며 그 이후 비상품성 섬초의 경우 열풍건조 후 주정추출 하여 다양한 식품소재로 활용 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of Dianthus chinensis L extract were examined in ICR mice. Dianthus chinensis L extract administered orally (200 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, Dianthus chinensis L extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 μg) was diminished by Dianthus chinensis L extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by Dianthus chinensis L extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by Dianthus chinensis L extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that Dianthus chinensis L extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of Dianthus chinensis L extract may be mediated by α2-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

Miscanthus is a rhizomatous perennial C4 grass and has been studied as a lignocellulosic biomass energy crop in Europe and USA. Although Korea has many native Miscanthus species, however, Miscanthus has never been considered as a potential bioenergy crop and not much studied. Therefore, we collected Miscanthus spp (M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus) in Korea and overseas and conducted a field experiment during 2008-2010 to investigate their agronomic characteristics related to biomass yield and thus to select genotypes with a high biomass yield potential. The agronomic characteristics assessed are plant height, leaf area, stem thickness, stem density, flowering time, dry weight and so on. Some Korean genotypes particularly collected in Jeju and Gyeonggi showed very high biomass yield, suggesting that they can be used for breeding a new Miscanthus cultivar for biomass production. Correlation analyses showed that plant height, stem thickness and density are closely related with biomass yield. Flowering times vary with genotypes and their collection sites. Phenotypic information of Korean Miscanthus we present herein may be useful for further studies on Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop.