Background : Momordica charantia L. (M. charantia) is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae, used as a medicine herb in traditional medicine. In this study, we present the sequencing, de novo assembly and analysis of the transcriptome of M. charantia and provide a global description of relationship between putative phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis genes and alteration of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid content during different organs and plantlet of M. charantia. Methods and Results : The transcriptome of M. charantia was constructed by using an Illumina Nexteseq500 sequencing system. Out of 68,073,862 total reads, approximately 88,703 unigenes were identified with a length of 898 bp. Alternatively, transcriptomic data, 10cDNAs (McPAL, McC4H, Mc4CL, McCOMT, McCHS, McCHI, McF3H, McFLS, McDFR and Mc3GT) encoded phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic genes. The expression levels and the accumulation of trans-cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, 4-hydroxyvbenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, catechin hydrate, ferulic acid, and rutin were investigated in different organs and plantlets. Mainly, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids accumulated in leaves and flowers, whereas low levels accumulated in roots. Collectively, these results indicate that the putative McPAL, McC4H, McCOMT, McFLS, and Mc3GT might be key factors for controlling phenylpropanoid and flavonoid contents in M. charantia. Conclusion : In this study, we present the sequencing, de novo assembly and analysis of the transcriptome of M. charantia. We also compared gene expression and compound analysis of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid in different organs and plantlet of M. charantia. These results indicate that McPAL, McC4H, McCOMT, McFLS, and Mc3GT are key regulators of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid accumulation in M. charantia

Background : This study analyzes changes in DPPH radical scavenging activity, total polyphenol contents, and total flavonoid contents of six different kinds of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) leaves which are identified as herbaceous plants, and are living in the subtropics. The data of changes in polyphenol, flavonoid contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities were analyzed, based on two different lengths of growth period.. Methods and Results : The six different kinds of cultivars ; Jangdae in Korea, and El-1, R, G-1, Ef-1, Ef-2 in the State of Israel were collected on the 43th and 62nd day from when they have planted. The collected cultivars were dried at 70℃, and 80% of methanol concentration was applied to each ground specimen. Extraction was made by immersion and filtering process at room temperature. Samples were classified into two groups, one for cultivars that were collected on the 43th day, and the other for the collection of the 62nd day. We measured the rate of DPPH radical scavenging activity, total polyphenol contents, and total flavonoid contents for every Samples. For the group of the 43th day collection, Jangdae showed the highest rate of radical scavenging activity as well as the highest polyphenol contents, and El-1had the highest flavonoid contents. For the group ofthe 62nd day collection, R demonstrated not only the highest contents of polyphenol and flavonoid, but alsothe highest rate of antioxidant activity. When we compared each cultivar from another regardless its date of collection, R resulted biggest increase in all of functional components. Conclusion : Based on the test results, useful components and antioxidant activity of kenaf leaves increase in proportion to longer growing period. Particularly, the study indicates that R can be utilized as a cosmetic ingredient crop, as the rate of increase in polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest among the six cultivars.

Background : Invitro antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid aglycone contents in black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves were investigated to provide valuable information for the further development and utilization of resources of Platycodon grandiflorum. Methods and Results : Flavonoid aglycone contents were investigated using HPLC (SHIMADZU, Japan) with a hypersil ODS column (125 mm × 4 mm, 5-μm particle, HP). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured by method of Lee & Lee (2004) with slight modification. Antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid contents in green tea were significantly higher than these in black tea. PC analysis indicated that first principal components explained 79.9% of the total variability for five traits investigated. PC2 explained 19.7% of the variation. Conclusion : It can be concluded from these results that these characteristics can reveal the active compound variation of black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves. These results provide scientific evidence for the utilization of balloon flower leaves.

The purpose of this study was to measure the bioactivity and antioxidant activity of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger. Orostachys japonicus A. Berger have been known to contain functional materials such as kaempferol, hydroquinone, methyl gallate, quercetin, gallic acid etc. To identify the main functional materials of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger, the contents of flavonoid and phenol were measured. We extracted Orostachys japonicus A. Berger powder from four solvents such as chloroform:methanol (CM, 2:1, v/v), distilled water (DW), 70% methanol, 70% ethanol. After that, this study determined tannin, total phenol, flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and reducing power of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extracts and as results of comparing each extract. respectively. From the above results shows that antioxidant activity and bioactivity of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extracts was higher in the order of 70% ethanol, 70% methanol, DW and CM (p<0.05). The results showed that antioxidant activity of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extracts supposed to affect by the total phenol and flavonoid contents.

Flavonoids and total polyphenols are important secondary plant metabolites, as they play a role in reducing the oxidative stress caused by ROS In this study, we investigated for flavonoid contents, total polyphenol contents, and antioxidant activities in 27 accessions from 10 Vicia species. Among 27 vicia accessions, NAC17 (V. monantha) and NAC14 (V. hyrcanica) had the highest total flavonoid (1.42 ± 0.09 mg/g) and total polyphenol (124.2 ± 0.5 μg/GAE mg) contents, respectively. In four flavonoids, naringenin showed the highest concentrations in Vicia species. The DPPH and ABTS were the range from 0.2 (NAC24, V. sativa subsp. nigra) to 18.5 (NAC13, V. faba) μg/ASC mg and 19.1 (NAC7, V. cracca) to 253.4 (NAC13, V. faba) μg/Trolox mg, respectively. Among the 10 Vicia species, V. monantha and V. hyrcanica had the highest flavonoid (1.31 ± 0.09 mg/g) and total polyphenol (116.5 ± 2.0 μg/GAE mg) contents, respectively. The highest antioxidant activity was detected in V. faba. These results will expand the flavonoid database and provide information on Vicia species valuable for development of functional foods or feed-additives resources.

In this study, the concentrations of isoflavones, anthocyanins and total phenol content (TPC) in 19 soybean mutant lines changed seed coat color from yellow to black or brown were determined. Among 19 soybean mutant lines, 5 soybean mutant lines with black pigment were detected 3 anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, D3G; cyaniding 3-O-β -D-glucoside, C3G; petunidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside, Pt3G). The highest concentration of anthocyanins among 5 soybean mutant lines was D-16 (1280.0 ± 19.4 mg/100g seed coat) derived from cv. Danbaek. Although isoflavone contents of all soybean mutant lines showed lower levels compared to original cultivars, glycitein was detected only 5 soybean mutant lines (DP-37-2, DP-38, DP-39, DP-40, and DP-41 derived from cv. Daepung). In TPC of 19 soybean mutant lines, DP-10 was increase levels compared to original cultivar, while DP-37-2, DP-40, and DP-41 were decrease levels of TPC. Using reduction of DPPH, we measured the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) among 19 soybean mutant lines. Five black and 4 brown soybean mutants showed significant increase in FRSA. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that gamma irradiation may change the isoflavone, anthocyanin, and total phenol contents of soybean. These mutant lines using in this study can be useful for the breeding of soybean varieties altering the nutritional values.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an excellent source of vitamin A and C as well as flavonoid compounds, which are important antioxidant components that may reduce the risk of diseases. In this study, we investigated ABTS, DPPH activity and flavonoid contents in eggplant leaves and fruits to identify genetic resources with high antioxidant capacity for use in food or as feed additives. A total of 102 eggplant accessions were classified into four groups by latitude of their origins: 0°~15° N (8 accessions), 15°~30° N (19 accessions), 30°~45° N (34 accessions), and 45°~60° N (41 accessions). The accessions originated from 45°~60°N showed the highest flavonoid contents (AVG. = 15.4 μg mg-1) followed by accessions originated from 30°~45° N (AVG. = 13.0 μg mg-1), 15°~30°N (AVG. = 11.0 μg mg-1) and 0°~15°N (AVG. = 9.5 μg mg-1). Same pattern was also found in ABTS and DPPH antioxidant activities. High ABTS, DPPH activity and flavonoid contents were found in the early-flowering accessions. All flavonoids of the greenish violet leaves were significantly higher than those in green leaves. The flavonoid concentration in eggplant leaves with an average of 15.6 μg mg-1 increased from 10- to 20-fold as compared with their fruit (AVG.=0.9 μg mg-1). In conclusion, eggplant leaves represent a potential source of natural antioxidants due to their very high flavonoid contents.

리퀴리티게닌과 이소리퀴리티게닌은 감초의 주요 플라보노이드 성분이다. 이들 플라보노이드는 수용성 감초추출물과 β-glucosidase를 생성하는 잎새버섯 HB0071 균사체 발효배양을 통하여 생산하였다. 감초추출물 내 리퀴리티게닌과 이소리퀴리티게닌은 잎새버섯 발효배양 동안 현저히 증가하였다. 이 균주의 β-glucosidase의 활성은 배양 96시간을 기준으로 최고 91.5 mU/mL로 확인되었으며, 감초추출발효물로부터 생성된 리퀴리티게닌과 이소리퀴리티게닌의 함량은 HPLC 분석을 통하여 최대 568.5 μg/mL과 89.6 μg/mL로 확인되었다. 본 연구에서는 감초추출물의 잎새버섯 발효 전․후의 시료가 처리된 각질형성세포를 이용하여 자외선 UVB에 조사로 발현된 염증유발인자(COX-2)와 사이토카인(IL-1β, IL-6) 모두 감초추출발효물(FLEx)에서 농도의존적으로 발현이 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 결론적으로 리퀴리티게닌과 이소리퀴리티게닌의 함량이 증가된 감초추출발효물은 자외선으로부터 손상된 피부 염증반응을 완화시켜줄 것으로 사료된다.