Background : Basil is well known for its use in cooking, however, the herb is also noted for its value in traditional medicine. Basil is a digestive stimulant with antimicrobial, antibacterial, anticonvulsant and anticarcinogenic properties. Basil contains high levels of phenolic acids that contribute to its strong antioxidant capacity and the substantial concentrations of rosmarinic acid, in particular, have been associated with the herb’s medicinal qualities. Rosmarinic acid is noted in the literature to be the most prevalent basil phenolic but other caffeic acid derivatives, such as chicoric acid, are also found in high concentrations. But, no previous study about other phenolic compounds accumulation except previously mentioned. Thus, the aim of this study is to explain that basil accumulates other phenolic compounds except previously mentioned. Methods and Results : 6 basil cultivars, ‘Holy’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Cinnamon’, ‘Dark Opal’, ‘Bush’ and ‘Genovese’, were grown at experimental field of Chungnam National University. These plants leaves were freeze-dried at -80℃ for 72 h and then ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. 100 ㎎ of the sample was weighed into 15 ㎖ tube and 2 ㎖ of 80% (v/v) methanol was added. Next, the tube containing the powder was allowed to be sonicated for 1h at 35℃, and then centrifugation was performed at 12,000 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was filtered with a 0.45 ㎛ PTFE syringe filter and analyzed by a Futecs model NS-4000 HPLC apparatus. 12 phenolic compounds were identified and quantitated in the different cultivar leaves of basil through comparison of retention time, spike tests and external standard calibration curves using HPLC. Gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, catechin hydrate, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, benzoic acid, rutin, trans-cinnamic acid, quercetin, kaempferol were identified. Among 6 basil cultivars, ‘Dark Opal’ show the highest accumulation of phenolic compounds, particular benzoic acid (6.32 ㎎/g dry weight), rutin (1.13 ㎎/g dry weight) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.4 ㎎/g dry weight) are higher than other cultivars. Conclusion : The results presented herein provide information about variation of phenolic compounds in 6 basil cultivars, ‘Holy’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Cinnamon’, ‘Dark Opal’, ‘Bush’ and ‘Genovese’.

Background : Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (common buckwheat) is an important pseudocereal due to high agricultural and medicinal values. It contains various minerals, fiber, and flavonoids. Additionally, flavonoids in buckwheat have various health effects. Thus, this study is aim to optimize the concentration of chitosan, salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA), for the production of phenolics in germinated buckwheat using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods and Results : The treatment with 0.1% chitosan increased the accumulation of all 7 phenolic compounds compared with the control, 0.01 and 0.5% chitosan treatments (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the germinated buckwheat treated with JA at the specific concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 μM increased the accumulation of total phenolic compounds. The germinated buckwheat grown in 150 μM of JA showed the highest amount of total phenolics which was approximately 2.47 times higher than that of control. Particularly, the accumulation of gallic acid, rutin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, and (-)-epicatechin were approximately 2.00, 2.38, 1.76, 2.81, and 7.95 times higher in JA-treated buckwheat than in the control buckwheat samples. A total of seven phenolics, including gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, (-)-epicatechin, benzoic acid, and rutin, were detected in germinated buckwheat. Apparently, JA and chitosan treatment enhanced the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the germinated buckwheat. Particularly, the treatments with 0.1 % chitosan and 150 μM JA were the most effective on the accumulation of phenolic compounds. According to the time-course analysis, a 72 h chitosan treatment enhanced the production of phenolics. Similarly, the germinated buckwheat treated with 48 and 72 h showed the accumulation of higher levels of phenolic compounds than the control buckwheat. Conclusion : This study aimed to optimize the concentrations and treatment period of elicitors, chitosan and JA, for the enhanced production of phenolic compounds in germinated buckwheat. Thus, these results might help build sturdy strategies to enhance the production of phenolics in germinated buckwheat as a good nutritional source for human consumption.

Background : Radish sprouts or young seedlings are important nutritional vegetables in Asian countries. In the present study, we investigated plant growth and levels of glucosinolate accumulation in radish sprouts in response to treatments with different carbon sources. Plant growth and accumulation of glucosinolates were inversely correlated in treatments with different carbon sources. Methods and Results : All the carbon sources used in this study inhibited the growth of shoot and root in radish sprouts and facilitated significantly the accumulation of glucosinolates. Seven different glucosinolate compounds were detected in radish sprouts treated with different carbon sources. The total as well as individual amounts of all the identified glucosinolates increased after treatments with different carbon sources, except for 4-methoxyglucobrassicin and glucoiberin. In particular, the supplementation of sucrose, galactose, and glucose resulted in highest glucosinolate accumulation in radish sprouts. Radish sprouts treated with sucrose showed the highest levels of total glucosinolates, which was 1.22-fold higher than that of untreated sprouts. Furthermore, sucrose treatment resulted in higher production of gluconapoleiferin, glucoerucin, glucoraphasatin, and glucobrassicin compared with that in untreated sprouts, and the treatment of galactose and glucose similarly enhanced glucosinolate production when compared with untreated sprouts. Conclusion : seven glucosinolates were identified by HPLC and great differences in glucosinolates levels were observed in radish sprouts in response to different carbon sources. The glucosinolate production was positively affected by most of the stimuli used in this study. The results presented herein provide information about optimal cultivation conditions, particularly the suitable carbon sources, that will enhance glucosinolate production in radish sprouts.

Background : Agastache rugosa (A. rugosa), belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a medicinal plant mainly distributed in Korea and contains various phenolic compounds revealing anti-fungal and anti-HIV properties. This study is aim to investigate change in phenylpropanoid content of flowers at different developmental stages using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Methods and Results : The variation in the transcriptional level of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes and phenylpropanoid contents in the flowers of A. rugosa at different developmental stages was analyzed. The transcript levels of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes, including ArPAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), ArC4H (cinnamate 4-hydroxylase), and ArCHS (Chalcone synthase), were high in flowers at 1st stage compared with flowers at 2nd and 3rd stages. On the other hand, the expression levels of flavonoid biosynthesis genes, including ArTAT (tyrosine amino transferase), ArHPPR (hydroxyl phenylpyruvate reductase), and ArRAS (rosmarinic acid synthase), were higher in flowers at 3rd stage than those of flowers at 1st and 2nd. These results were consistent with HPLC analysis revealing that most phenolic compounds were higher in flowers at 1st and 2nd stage but the level of rosmarinic acid was the highest in 3rd stage. Conclusion : Our findings provide the information on change in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in A. rugosa flowers at different developmental stages.

Background : Lycoris radiata belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is a bulbous plant native to South Korea, China, and Japan. Galantamine, a representative alkaloid of Amaryllidaceae plants, including L. radiata, exhibits selective and dominant acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In this study, transcriptome analysis of L. radiata was performed. Methods and Results : Genes for galantamine biosynthesis were used to design primers for qRT-PCR. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed with LrActin as a reference gene for normalization. The RT-PCR results reveal the expression of LrPAL A and LrC4H at an early stage in the pathway. Interestingly, the expression of these genes was significantly higher in roots. However, the expression levels of LrNNR and LrN4OMT, which are closely involved in galantamine biosynthesis, were significantly higher in bulbs than leaves and roots. The expression levels of LrPAL B, LrTYDC, LrCYP98A3 and LrCYP76T were not significantly different among the different parts of the plants tested. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of galantamine in all the organs, including the root (0.53 ± 0.07 ㎎/g dry weight), bulb (0.27 ± 0.04 ㎎/g dry weight), and leaf (0.75 ± 0.09 ㎎/g dry weight). The galantamine level in the bulb was 1.42 and 2.78 times higher than that in the root and leaf, respectively. The results of qRT-PCR for the eight galantamine genes revealed relatively high levels of genes expressed early, including LrPAL A, LrPAL B, LrC4H, and LrTYDC in the roots. However, in the bulbs, the levels of LrNNR and LrN4OMT were higher, which are crucial for galantamine biosynthesis. It also explains why bulbs contain high amounts of galantamine, which is likely due to the increased expression of LrNNR and LrN4OMT and the high levels of LrCYP96T, although the genes expressed early were expressed at high levels in the root. Conclusion : Transcript data of plants grown in a growth chamber revealed high expression levels of LrNNR and LrN4OMT genes that are closely involved in galantamine biosynthesis, and, as expected, we observed higher amounts of galantamine in the bulbs than in the root and leaves.

Background : Solanum nigrum Lin. is an annual herbaceous plant which belongs to the family Solanaceae as known the important medicinal herb and health-benefiting plant. Phytochemical investigation of whole plant reported that contain total alkaloids, steroid alkaloids, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, proteins, carbohydrates, coumarins and phytosterols, and glycoproteins, exhibiting antitumor activity. Methods and Results : The accumulation of anthocyanin known as synthesis by flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is increased by AtPAP1 transcriptional factor. To identify the effect of AtPAP1 in S. nigrum, we generate AtPAP1-overexpressed S. nigrum and investigate total anthocyanin in these transgenic lines. The transgenic lines resulted in increasing the total anthocyanin amount compared with control line. Thus, the transgenic lines appeared purple colored leave as well as light purple in flower petal and dark purple in flower anther. To identify that AtPAP1 affects the genes profiling of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in S. nigrum, we harvested the AtPAP1-overexpressed S. nigrum transgenic lines and proceeded to qRT-PCR analysis. The result indicated that AtPAP1 gene highly induces in transgenic lines and the most upstream pathway genes of flavonoid such as SnPAL, SnC4H, Sn4CL, SnCHI and SnHCT are induced by AtPAP1 overexpression, excepting UGT75C1. According to these results, those functional genes may be regulated by AtPAP1 transcription factor. Thus, the purple color appearing in AtPAP1-overexpressed S. nigrum plants may be regulated by those genes. Conclusion : When AtPAP1 is overexpressing, the most genes in flavonoid pathway upregulate and activate resulting in accumulation of anthocyanin compound in leave and flower organs in S. nigrum. Ultimately, our data will be helpful for further research in S. nigrum molecular and physiology and better strategies for exploiting its phytochemical properties.

Background : Nowadays obesity has increased dramatically in developed countries which lead various metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and the risk of stroke. Thus, looking forward a new chemical entity from natural sources which have a strong potential of anti-lipid regulation activity. Recently, protein based nanomedicine offers a new approach to treat a number of diseases including metabolic disorder such as obesity. In this study we evaluated the anti-lipid regulation effect of nano-carrier Bovine serum albumin and Mesoporous silica (MSNPs) conjugated ginsenoside F1 in 3T3-L1adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes. Methods and Results : BSA incorporated drugs has been shown to protect the drug degredation as well as improvement bioavalilability. To assess the anti- adipogenic effect of BSA-F1 and MSNPs-F1 cell viability was investigated in different time point of cell cycle growth and the intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated in mature adipocytes and hepatocytes by Oil red staining assay. In addition, transcriptional gene regulation was quantified by the real time PCR for targeting adipogenic genes such as PPARγ, STAT3, CEBPα, ap2 and aP2 as well as hepatogenic genes such as ACC, AMPK, FAS and PPARα. Moreover, protein expression was evaluated by immunoblotting assay. Conclusion : Altogether, the above results were confirmed that BSA-F1 at dose 25 μM exhibited the anti-adipogenesis effect by downregulating the major transcriptional factors PPAR γ/STAT3 in signalling in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes and upregulated the fatty acid oxidative AMPK signaling in fatty acid induced HepG2 hepatocytes.

전통민속식물지식이 빠르게 사라져 가는 상황에서 전통식물 지식에 대한 기초조사를 통한 기록이 매우 중요한 과제가 되었다. 민속식물학 조사에서 조사강도와 민속식물정보, 식물종 정보의 증가에 관련성은 가장 중요한 과제이다. 본 연구에서는 국 립수목원에서 발간된 자료를 이용하여 한반도 민속식물에 대한 메타 데이터를 DB화하여 분석하였다. 전통민속식물지식의 종 풍부도에 추정은 ACE, Chao1, Chao 2, ICE, Jack 1, Jack 2, Bootstrap 등의 추정식을 이용하여 제시하였다. 종누적곡선 분석에서 지역별 종누적이 다른 양상을 보여 강원도의 누적곡선 은 상대적 샘플링 노력이 더 필요하며 충남 지역의 경우 조사 강도에 비해 일찍 수평선에 점근하는 특성을 보여 이지역의 조사 강도가 실제 정보량의 증가에 비해 높았다. 식용, 약용, 공예용 등의 종풍부도는 남녀간의 지식이 분포가 차이가 있음을 확인 하였다. 주변환경의 식물상과 비교분석을 통해 일부 지역의 경우 민속식물조사가 상대적으로 조사량이 부족하고 추가 조사시 더 다양한 종이 발굴 될 것으로 예상된다.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is widely used as sweetener, and its overconsumption is become a major health problem. In the present study, we used adult female rats and applied a 28 days HFCS feeding model to monitor the estrous cycle and changes in tissue weights and histology. Adult female rats were divided into three groups. Animals were fed with ad libitum normal chow and (1) 24 hours tap water (Control group), (2) 12 hours HFCS access during dark period and 12 hours tap water (12H group), and (3) 24 hours HFCS only access (24H group). Total exposure period was 28 days. There is no significant change in body weight between control and HFCS-fed animals. Both absolute and relative weights of ovary in 24H animals were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The absolute and relative weights of the kidney and liver in 24H groups were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The estrous cycles of the 24H animals were significantly longer. Histological analyses revealed that 24H ovaries were relatively bigger and possessed more corpus lutea than control ovaries. Uterine sections of 12H and 24H animals showed a well-developed stratum vasculare between inner and outer myometrial layers. The number of endometrial glands were decreased in 12H uteri, and recovered in 24H uteri compared to control. Numbers of convoluted tubule in distal region increased in 12H and 24H kidney samples. Liver specimens of 12H and 24H showed the increased number of fat containing vacuoles. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that HFCS treatment for 28 days could induce (1) changes in length of estrous cycle with extended estrous and diestrous stages, (2) altered ovarian and uterine histology, and (3) liver and renal lipid accumulation. These findings reveal the adverse effects of HFCS drinking on the reproductive function and lipid metabolism of female rats.

Background : Nasturtium officinale, belongs to the Brassicaceae, is a perennial plant growing in and around natural watersystem. It is commonly called watercress and commercially consumed as a salad crop in many countries. Hairy root cultures (HRCs), transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A. rhizogenes), have been noted for an experimental model system in plant metabolic engineering for the synthesis of natural products since hairy roots have fascinating properties including biochemical and genetic stability, high biosynthetic capacity for secondary metabolites and rapid growth rates. Methods and Results : The dry weights (DW) of watercress hairy roots was measured after 4-days freeze dryer. The highest weight was recorded after HRCs in SH and half-strength SH medium, followed by the levels of DW in MS and half-strength medium. However, the level of DW after HRCs in half-strength medium was lowest. SH medium is the most suitable for the growth of watercress hairy roots. Glucosinolate contents in the hairy roots varied responding to the basal media. 1/2 SH basal media resulted in the lowest value of total glucosinolate. MS basal media, however, resulted in the highest value of total glucosinolate, as well as the highest accumulation of each glucosinolate. The hairy roots cultured in 1/2 MS basal media showed the second highest value of total glucosinolate, followed by B5, SH and 1/2 B5. The accumulation of 4-Methoxyglucobrassicin and gluconasturtiin was also secondly higher in the hairy roots in 1/2 MS. In contrast, the level of 4-Hydroxyglucobrassicin and glucobrassicin were the second highest after culturing in SH and B5, respectively. Conclusion : In this study, media played a main role in growth and glucosinolate accumulation in watercress hairy roots. SH and half-strength SH media enabled the rate growth of hairy roots to be highest. In contrast, the highest accumulation of glucosinolate was recorded after HRCs in MS media. The current study suggests HRCs of watercress could be one of an effective alternative approaches for the enhanced production of glucosinolates

Background : Agastache rugosa (A.rugosa), belongs to the Labiatae family, is a perennial plant distributed in Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China. It is commonly called korean mint and commercially consumed as a medicinal plant in many countries since the crop contains monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids including rosmarinic acid, tilianin and acacetin. Achievement of hairy root cultures (HRCs) through infection of A rhizogenes is a valuable alternative approach, resulting from genetic and biochemical stability, rapid growth rates and synthesis of natural products. Methods and Results : The hairy root, obtained from the explant of A.rugosa, was cultured in the basal half-strength MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium. The dry weights (DW) of hairy roots was measured after 4-days freeze dryer. The highest levels of DW were obtained at hairy roots cultured in the basal medium supplemented with glucose, galactose and sucrose. The lowest weight was recorded after HRCs in the control, meant that the medium did not contain any carbon sources. Sucrose, glucose and galactose are the most suitable for the growth of korean mint hairy roots. the rosmarinic acid contents in the hairy roots varied responding to various carbohydrates. The basal media added with sucrose resulted in the highest value of rosmarinic acid, followed by the basal media with galactose and glucose. The control showed the lowest amount of rosmarinic acid. Conclusion : In this study, carbon source are of importance for growth and accumulation of rosmarinic acid accumulation in korean mint hairy roots. Especially, the accumulation of rosmrinic acid and hairy root growth was the most appropriate carbohydrate. The current study suggests HRCs of korean mint could provide an valuable alternative approaches for the enhanced production of rosmarinic acid.

Background : The minor saponins produced by the hydrolysis of a major saponins sugar. The minor saponins has high absorption and efficacy compared to major saponin. The acid treatment, heat treatment and fermentation with minor saponin research has been actively conducted. This study was performed in order to investigate the bioconversion of ginsenoside Rg5 of fermented wild ginseng adventitious roots by using lactic acid bacteria. Methods and Results : 20g adventitious roots of ginseng was added to water (10-fold v/w). 10% (v/v) of lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus pentosaceus HLJG0702[KACC 81017BP]) were inoculated with wild ginseng adventitious roots. For the fermentation process the inoculated samples were transferred to culture room for 1, 3 and 5 days. The fermented samples were dried at room temperature and extracted with 70% ethanol. Extract was concentrated completely at 50 ℃ and Rg5 was analysed by using HPLC. Results showed no significant difference the dry weight of non-fermented and fermented wild ginseng adventitious roots. During the fermentation process, the pH changed from 5.7 to 4.2. HPLC analysis showed higher ginsenoside Rg5 (39.588 mg/g) at 3 days. Conclusion : The fermentation of ginseng root can increase the Rg5 contents and minor saponin composition. This process may be used to enhance the minor saponin thereby increasing in fermented property of wild ginseng adventitious roots.

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 : Nasturtium officinale L. which is commonly known as watercress is aquatic perennial herb distributed to Europe, Asia, North and South America. It consist of various nutrients and beneficial compounds such as vitamin B and C, provitamin A, folic acid, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and minerals. Recent studies have demonstrated the biological properties that include antidiabets, antiinflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer. In this study, the effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on growth and development, accumulation of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were investigated in watercress. Methods and Results : Length of shoot and root, and fresh weight of whole plants were measured every weeks (1 to 3 weeks) after sowing. These were significantly affected by different LED lights. Normally, length of shoot and fresh weight of white- and blue-light-radiated watercress were less than those of red-light-radiated watercress. Contents of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were investigated in watercress under different LEDs treatment by HPLC analysis. Six phenolic compounds including catechin hydrate, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and kaempferol were detected. Also, eight glucosinolates that include four aliphatic glucosinolates (glucoiberin, gluconapoleiferin, glucosiberin, and glucohirsutin), three indolic glucosinolates (4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin), and one aromatic glusinolate (gluconasturtiin). Mostly, white light treatment led to the higher production of their compounds than those of red- and blue-radiated. Conclusion : It is concluded that different LED lights have effect on growth rates and secondary metabolites production. Red light caused vigorous growth of shoot and affected their fresh weights. In addition, the accumulation of each compounds was varied depending on light colours and time of harvest.

Background : Tagetes species which belong to Asteraceae show different characteristics including, bloom size, shape, color, plant size, and leaf shape. The color of Tagetes flowers ranging from white to dark orange is due to accumulation of different carotenoids, pathway intermediates, and amount of the same carotenoid. Methods and Results : The carotenoids were monitored in flower extracts from six cultivars of Tagetes that include three T. erecta cultivars, Discovery Orange (DO), Inca Orange (IO), and Inca Yellow (IY), and three T. patula cultivars, including Durango Bee (DB), Durango Yellow (DY), and Safari Red (SR) using HPLC analysis. It showed considerable differences in carotenoid composition depending on cultivars and types of carotenoids. The highest concentration of violaxanthin which represents orange color in plants was showed in IO, whereas the compound was not detected in DB, and DY. Yellow-colored cultivars such as IY, DB, and DY exhibited low levels of lutein. However, others that indicate orange color, DO, IO, and SR showed high levels of lutein. Also, similar pattern was found in the zeaxanthin measurements. α-carotene was significantly accumulated in SR compared to other cultivars. The highest amount of β-carotene was found in SR, followed by IO, IY, DO, DY and DB. Similarly, the highest and lowest amount of 9-cis-β-carotene was showed in SR and DB, respectively. Interestingly, all cultivars except SR in 13-cis-β-carotene showed the same pattern with β-carotene, but no detection indicated in SR. Conclusion : In this study, we determined the differences in carotenoid yields among six Tagetes cultivars. In total, seven carotenoids that include violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α -carotene, β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene, and 13-cis-β-carotene were detected. Among them, all of the cultivars accumulated primarily lutein. In addition, contents of each carotenoid varied in these flowers depending on cultivars.

Background : Tagetes species which belong to Asteraceae show different characteristics including, bloom size, shape, color, plant size, and leaf shape. The color of Tagetes flowers ranging from white to dark orange is due to accumulation of different carotenoids, pathway intermediates, and amount of the same carotenoid. Methods and Results : The carotenoids were monitored in flower extracts from six cultivars of Tagetes that include three T. erecta cultivars, Discovery Orange (DO), Inca Orange (IO), and Inca Yellow (IY), and three T. patula cultivars, including Durango Bee (DB), Durango Yellow (DY), and Safari Red (SR) using HPLC analysis. It showed considerable differences in carotenoid composition depending on cultivars and types of carotenoids. The highest concentration of violaxanthin which represents orange color in plants was showed in IO, whereas the compound was not detected in DB, and DY. Yellow-colored cultivars such as IY, DB, and DY exhibited low levels of lutein. However, others that indicate orange color, DO, IO, and SR showed high levels of lutein. Also, similar pattern was found in the zeaxanthin measurements. α-carotene was significantly accumulated in SR compared to other cultivars. The highest amount of β-carotene was found in SR, followed by IO, IY, DO, DY and DB. Similarly, the highest and lowest amount of 9-cis-β-carotene was showed in SR and DB, respectively. Interestingly, all cultivars except SR in 13-cis-β-carotene showed the same pattern with β-carotene, but no detection indicated in SR. Conclusion : In this study, we determined the differences in carotenoid yields among six Tagetes cultivars. In total, seven carotenoids that include violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α -carotene, β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene, and 13-cis-β-carotene were detected. Among them, all of the cultivars accumulated primarily lutein. In addition, contents of each carotenoid varied in these flowers depending on cultivars.

본 연구에서는 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물의 3T3-L1 지방세포 분화 및 ROS생성 저감효과를 구명하기 위하여 3T3-L1 전지방세포 분화과정 중 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출 물에 의한 지방축적과 ROS 생성을 관찰하였다. 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 XTT assay에서 100, 200 및 400 μg/mL 농도에서 세포 독성을 보이지 않았다. 지방세포 분화 중 세포 내 지방축적 및 ROS 생성량을 비교한 결과, 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리한 지방세포의 경우 지방축적량과 ROS 생성량 모두 유의적으로 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 특히 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리함으로써 지방세포 분화와 관련된 전사인자인 PPARγ, C/EBPα 및 aP mRNA의 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, ROS의 생성과 관련이 있는 주요 유전자인 NOX4 및 catalase의 유전자발현 또한 유의적으로 감소하였다. 이 결과를 통해 연화 열수 및 에탄 올 추출물이 3T3-L1 지방세포 내 중성지방의 축적 억제 효과와 더불어 ROS 생성 억제에 효과적으로 작용함을 확인 하였다. 따라서 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 비만과 같은 대사증후군 관련 질환의 개선을 위한 천연물 기능성 소재로 의 활용이 기대된다.

비소의 농도에 따른 봉의꼬리의 생육 반응 및 비소 축적능을 분석하기 위해 As(III)와 As(V)의 농도를 달리하여 봉의꼬리를 12주간 재배하였다. 연구의 결과 비소의 종류에 관계없이 50, 500mg·kg-1 처리구는 비소 무처리구와 생육이 비슷하였으나, 비소의 농도가 증가할수록 초장이 감소되는 경향을 보였다. 비소의 농도를 50, 500mg·kg-1 처리하여 재배한 봉의꼬리 지상부의 비소 축적능은 As(III) 처리구가 각 802.7, 2,956.0mg·kg-1 DW로, As(V) 처리구(622.6, 2,841mg·kg-1 DW)에 비해 높았다. 그러나 고농도 처리구인 1,000과 2,000mg·kg-1에서는 As(V) 처리구(3,883.3, 5,250.6mg·kg-1 DW)에서 As(III) 처리구(3,347.8, 4,272.7 mg·kg-1 DW)에 비해 비소 축적능이 더 우수하였다. 지하부의 축적능은 2,000mg·kg-1 농도 처리구를 제외한 모든 농도에서 sodium arsenate 처리구가 sodium arsenite 처리구에 비해 높았다.

Proline (Pro) accumulation is a common physiological reaction in response to abiotic stresses in many plants. Accumulation of Pro is believed to play the important role in protecting cellular components from dehydrating effects due to such stresses. The study was performed to investigate the relationship between cold hardiness and Pro content or expression of related genes in peach cultivars during a constant experimental deacclimation. Changes in cold hardiness were determined using electrolyte leakage method in the shoots of 10 peach cultivars (Prunus persica ‘Aikawanakajima’, ‘Chiyomaru’, ‘Daewol’, ‘Janghowon Hwangdo’, ‘Kiraranokiwami’, ‘Mihong’, ‘Misshong’, ‘Soomee’, ‘Suhong’, and ‘Sun Gold’). Pro content was analyzed using the ninhydrin method and related gene expressions were examined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. While cold hardiness of 10 peach cultivars decreased, Pro contents of those increased during the deacclimation. Notably, at the same time, expression of P5CS (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylatesynthase) decreased in 10 peach cultivars, whereas expressions of P5CR (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylatereductase) and OAT (ornithine-δ-aminotransferase) increased. Our results demonstrate that Pro responds positively to higher temperature in the shoots of 10 peach cultivars and expression of both P5CS and P5CR genes could show contrasting patterns during the deacclimation. Furthermore, our results suggest that ornithine pathway, which has been suggested to be important during seedling development, could serve as an alternative pathway in Pro synthesis process during the deacclimation in peach.