Backgrounds : Camellia sinensis is known to have a very high antioxidant activity, but its petals are small and it is difficult to use it because of its low yield. In comparison Camellia japonica has many petals and yield, however, the biological effects of C. japonica have been less frequently studied. In the present study, we focused on investigating the in vitro antioxidant effect of the ethanol extract from flower of C. sinensis (CSF), C. japonica (CJF) and mixture of CSF and CJF. Methods and Results : Content of total phenolics and total flavonid, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities, reducing power, superoxide anion and hydroxy radical scavenging activity of CSF and CJF were compared in vitro experimetal models. Total phenolics was contained the higer in CJF (172.19±1.65 mgCAE/gEX) than 146.75±0.15 mgCAE/gEX in CSF. And effects of antioxidant measured by reducing power, superoxide anion generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase and hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO4 + H2O2) in a cell-free system was shown higher in mixture of CSF and CJF than BHT, ascorbic acid as a chemical oxidant which was detected by electron spin resonance spectrometry coupled with DMPO spin trapping. These results suggest that Camellia flower extract such as CSF and CJF exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging ROS. Camellia extract contained quercetin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercitrin and kaempferol, which are antioxidant compounds. Conclusion : As a result, the combination of CSF and CJF showed higher antioxidative effect than using CSF or CJF alone.

South Korea is the northernmost distributional territory on the Camellietea japonicae (evergreen broad-leaved forests of the warm-temperate zone) in East Asia. A total of 40 stands were collected in terms of an ecologically-naturalized wild tea population (WTP), and their species composition was analyzed by Zürich-Montpellier School’s method with preliminary regard to forest canopy idendtification. Stand types were characterized by ecological flora’s criteria such as Raunkiaer’s life-form, neophyte, zonal distribution, and nativeness of species. Expansion of WTP distribution into the interior of the peninsula was recognized, than expected. The highest and northernmost WTPs have been recorded at Mt. Palgong, Daegu (390 m a.s.l.) and Iksan Jeonbuk (latitude 36° 03′ 33″), respectively. Altitudinal and latitudinal WTP distribution of Korea under continental climate shows lower than Japanese situation under oceanic climate. Community structure generally involved a few human interferences. Syngeographically WTP distribution was limited on the warm-temperate zone and the southernmost cool-temperate southern·submontane zone. First driving force on distributional expansion of the WTP was anthropogenic, particularly in the northernmost distribution area. We finally confirmed an actual existence of the WTP in South Korea and suggested a long-term monitoring on the WTPs in national view of in-situ genetic resources with higher frost-resistance.

On June 14, 2008 (the first experiment) and July 24, 2008 (the second experiment), the shores of the Boseong River and the sandy beaches, Seokgok-myun, Moksadong-myun, Gokseong-gun in Jeollanam Province were investigated and a total of 29 soft-shelled turtle (Tryonyx sinensis) eggs in the natural spawning nest eggs were collected (13 eggs were collected in the first experiment and 16 eggs in the second experiment). The temperatures in the natural spawning nests were 25.9- 36.9±0.5℃, the depth of the eggs was 5.2-7.5±0.5 cm as the distance of the average 6.4±0.5 cm. 29 eggs were scattered at least 0.2 cm interval. Artificial incubation of 29 eggs was conducted in artificial nest boxes in thermo-plastic composition of the incubator, and then incubated at 26.5-35.5±0.5℃, and an average constant temperature was 31.2-32.1±1.0℃. The incubation days ranged from 53 to 55. In case of most turtles, incubation at 31℃ (higher temperatures) generally produces all or mostly females, while incubation at 25℃(cooler temperatures) produces all or mostly males. Exceptionally, in case of genus Trionyx, the sex ratio of female : male of T. sinensis of a freshwater soft-shelled turtle was approximately 1:1, which differs from other genera of turtles and makes T. sinensis Strauch only turtles presently known to lack temperature-dependent sex determination.

Background : Temperature is major factor for growth plant. Recently, because of global warming, abnormal temperature included drought, deluge, sudden temperature change and heavy snow damaged crops in the world. In Korea, crops have been sensitive to low temperature on early growth stage, e.g. fruit tree and ginseng, were damaged owing to sudden heavy snow and cold on Spring. Therefore, recently interest in cold resistance crops were increased in demand rapidly. This study was performed to establish transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana by transforming cold resistant gene related to cold tolerance S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) isolated from Miscanthus sinensis. Methods and Results : Total RNA was extracted from leaves of M. sinensis using Trizol assay and isolated MsSAMS. Isolated MsSAMS was insert into SacⅠ- XbaⅠ sites of pMBP1 vector. The vector was transformed to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 by DH5α. A. tumefaciens with binary plasmid were selected at YEP medium supplemented with kanamycin. Cut leaves of tobacco were co-cultured with selected A. tumefaciens. Co-cultured leaves was grown on regeneration medium for a month at dark condition, and transferred to at light condition. Regeneration shoot from callus were excised and transferred to root-induction medium. Approximately, 58% of leaves explant produced callus. Nearly, 30% of callus had shoot and approximately, 94% of shoots were rooted in root-induction medium. Conclusion : We established an efficient transformation system of N. benthamiana transformed by using MsSAMS gene related to cold tolerance isolated from M. sinensis. We may use the produced transgenic plants to prevent damages carried by cold.

Background : Angelica gigas is a monocarpic perennial plant. A. gigas, also called DangGui or Korean Angelica, is a major medicinal herb used in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and China. In Korea, we are using the roots of A. gigas. but, Chinese using Angelica sinensis and Japanese using Angelica acutiloba with the same name 'DangGui'. The biggest problem in the use of A. gigas is the confusion with A. acutiloba or A. sinensis. This confusion can cause an medical accident or lack of pharmacological ingredients. In this study, we developed chloroplast InDel markers that can distinguish A. gigas, A. acutiloba or A. sinensis. Methods and Results : We collected 14 Angelica plant samples including A. gigas, A. acutiloba and A. sinensis and extrated DNA using CTAB method. The DNA was diluted to 10 ng/㎕ and kept -20℃. We designed the primer sets using CLC Main Workbench based on chloroplast DNA InDel region of between A. gigas and A. acutiloba. PCR were performed on the 14 Angelica plant samples including A. gigas, A. acutiloba and A. sinensis (5 repeats each). Electrophoresis was performed using fragment analyzer automated CE system. We designed 6 InDel primer sets and the primer sets amplified the amplicons effectively. Three of the 6 primer sets showed polymorphism. Conclusion : We could distinguish A. gigas, A. acutiloba, and A. sinensis using 2 newly developed InDel markers.

Background : Miscanthus 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 determine an efficient transformation system for Miscanthus sinensis, and to optimize factors and conditions required for expression of MsCOMT–AS gene. Methods and Results : An efficient transformation of callus from M. sinensis was established using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring a binary vector pMBP1. In order to establish stable transformation system, we obtained high transformation rate from callus by various transformation factor explant type, strain, co-culture periods, acetosyringone concentration, and selective marker. Finally, in this study, seven putative transgenic plants were obtained. Through various tests including PCR analysis and southern blot were to detect antisense of COMT digested Xba I and Sac I restriction enzymes. The biomass of the control plant was superior than transgenic plants. Conclusion : This study was to develop transgenic Miscanthus sinensis by Agrobacterium tumerfeciens mediated transformation to produce high bioethanols and to reduce the lignin content of transgenic plants. Detailed characterization of the transgenic plants revealed interesting finding about COMT gene expression in the segregates

More than 300 Miscanthus accessions as a potential bioenergy crop were collected in Korea and their morphological traits were investigated at various growth stages. Among morphological traits, stem growth habit, the presence of awn in spikelet, and autumn new shoot are the most important key traits enabling to cluster Miscanthus accessions into M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus groups. Miscanthus sinensis has bunch stem growth habit and awn in spikelet, and produces autumn new shoot, while M. sacchariflorus has scattering stem growth habit with no awn in spikelet and does not produce autumn new shoot. Interestingly, we found several Miscanthus accessions showing intermediate morphological traits. 7 M. sinensis accessions showed morphological traits similar to M. sacchariflorus and 17 M. sacchariflorus accessions showed morphological traits similar to M. sinensis. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting finally revealed 5 Miscanthus hybrids, suggesting that they are resulted from natural hybridization between M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus. Therefore, these Miscanthus hybrids can be used to understand genetic recombination between these two Miscanthus species and our understanding may support future efforts for breeding new Miscanthus variety with high biomass productivity and environmental adaptability.

본 연구에서는 항산화 기능을 가진 자소엽, 어성초 그리고 녹차 추출물들과 이들 추출물의 혼합물을 사용하여 항산화, 미백, 세포독성실험을 진행하였다. 자소엽, 어성초와 녹차의 추출물을 동일 양으로 혼합하였을 때 처리농도가 증가함에 따라 농도 의존적으로 DPPH와 ABTS 라디칼 소거활성이 높아졌으며, 추출물을 혼합한 경우 낮은 농도인 10 μg/mL에서도 80.2%, 98.0%의 DPPH와 ABTS 라디칼을 소거시키는 우수한 항산화 효과를 나타내었다. 미백효과의 정도를 조사하기 위하여 tyrosinase 저해효과를 조사한 결과 자소엽과 녹차추출물 그리고 각 추출물의 혼합물이 농도 의존적으로 tyrosinase 저해효과가 증가되었다. HaCaT 세포를 사용한 세포독성실험의 경우 자소엽, 어성초 추출물의 경우 세포생존율이 무처리 대조군과 같거나 높게 나타났으며 특히 어성초추출물의 경우 100 μg/mL에서 무처리 대조군 보다 10% 이상의 높은 생존율을 보였다. 녹차와 각 식물 추출물 혼합물의 경우 500 μg/mL 이상에서는 무처리 대조군에 비하여 세포생존율이 감소하였다. 그러므로 세 가지 식물의 추출물 혼합물이 100 μg/mL 농도일 때 세포에 안전하며 높은 항산화 활성과 함께 tyrosinase 저해 효과가 있었다.

In this study, we analyzed two types of echolocation calls used by the parti-coloured bat, Vespertilio sinensis. Bats were captured in the Naejangsan National Park in October 2013. Call sounds of hand-released bats were recorded at the location of capture within the National Park. We analyzed pulse duration (PD), pulse interval (PI), peak frequency (PF), maximum frequency (FMAX), minimum frequency (FMIN), and bandwidth (BW). V. sinensis emitted the different types of the echolocation calls depending on the surrounding environment. Frequency modulated-constant frequency (FM-CF) signal of audible range was emitted when they flew in the uncluttered space over the canopy. However, when flying in the cluttered space below the canopy, they only emitted FM signal. FM-CF signal is in the audible range (e.g., low frequency), and FM signal has a harmonic broadband frequency range of two. There were significant differences in PD, PI, PF, FMAX, FMIN, and BW between the calls emitted over and below the canopy. Considering the functional characteristics of FM and CF signals, we conclude that the foraging activity of V. sinensis was observed below the canopy, and recommend the use of FM signal and broadband as echolocation signals.

We have analyzed the external morphology and the environment of the foraging site of Vespertilio sinensis. The external morphology was analyzed by twelve parameters and the environment characteristics of the foraging site was analyzed using GIS 10.1 program. The wing membrane was inserted into the ankle of the hind foot and the wing ratio was 1.42, the middle type between broad-short wing type and long-narrow wing type. The fur color was blackish brown but the guard hair color was whitish. The shape of the ear was a rounded triangle and tragus was a fan shape. This study showed that V. sinensis preferred the deciduous forest of the upper forest zone, where human interference was less. We believed that abundance of insects, depending on water system, was closely related to the use of the foraging site. This result showed that the environment characteristics was very similar to the nature preservation zone including Baekyang valley and Keumsun valley in Naejangsan National Park.

The nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activities of the first and second sprouts of Kalopanax pictus, Cedrela sinensis and Acanthopanax cortex were investigated to increase the utilization of these sprouts. The moisture and crude lipid contents of the first sprout were higher than those of the second sprout, and the crude fiber and carbohydrate contents were higher in the second sprout. The organic acid content of the first sprout was higher than that of the second sprout. The second sprout had higher free amino acid contents in K. pictus and C. sinensis, and the first sprout had a higher content in A. cortex. Especially, the second sprout of K. pictus and C. sinensis had a higher level of glutamic acid, which is a major taste component of foods, than the first sprout. The second sprouts of all the samples had higher mineral levels than the first sprouts. In contrast, the first sprouts had higher total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and showed a higher antioxidant activity level, except for the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the A. cortex. The results of this study show that the nutritive value of the second sprout was higher than that of the first sprout, but the bioactive components value of the second sprout was lower than that of the first sprout. Therefore, additional research is needed on the cultivation condition required to maintain the nutritive values and the antioxidant activities of these sprouts.

The gDNA isolated from Cyclina sinensis from Gochang (GOCHANG), Incheon (INCHEON) and a Chinese site (CHINESE), were amplified by PCR. Here, the seven oligonucleotide decamer primers (BION-66, BION-68, BION-72, BION-73, BION-74, BION-76, and BION-80) were used to generate the unique shared loci to each population and shared loci by the three cyclina clam populations. As regards multiple comparisons of average bandsharing value results, cyclina clam population from Chinese (0.763) exhibited higher bandsharing values than did clam from Incheon (0.681). In this study, the dendrogram obtained by the seven decamer primers indicates three genetic clusters: cluster 1 (GOCHANG 01~GOCHANG 07), cluster 2 (INCHEON 08~INCHEON 14), cluster 3 (CHINESE 15~CHINESE 21). The shortest genetic distance that displayed significant molecular differences was between individuals 15 and 17 from the Chinese cyclina clam (0.049), while the longest genetic distance among the twenty-one cyclina clams that displayed significant molecular differences was between individuals GOCHANG no. 03 and INCHEON no. 12 (0.575). Individuals of Incheon cyclina clam population was somewhat closely related to that of Chinese cyclina clam population. In conclusion, our PCR analysis revealed a significant genetic distance among the three cyclina clam populations.

This study was to examine the quality characteristics of Cedrela shoots according to soy sauce conditions. First, the results were on solid samples (pickled Cedrela sinensis shoot) as follows: The pH and acidity of Cedrela shoots tended to decrease slightly in the licorice added section. The sugar content and salinity of Cedrela shoots tended to decrease gradually during the storage period. The color values of Cedrela shoots tended to change from green to dark green due to soy sauce as their storage periods. The texture of Cedrela shoots had differences according to their unique characteristics, but the change was small in the licorice added section. The overall preference appeared most high in P1-1. Next, the results were on Liquid samples (soy sauce) as follows: The pH and acidity of soy sauce tended to decrease gradually during the storage period. The sugar content and salinity did not change a lot. Microorganisms were not detected during the storage period in the established conditions. Therefore, the conditions for quality changes about pickling soy sauce during the storage period have been established and it can be anticipated to commercialize various pickle food using Cedrela shoots.

바이오에너지 작물로 주목받고 있는 억새(Miscanthus sinensis)의 성숙 종자로부터 캘러스를 유도하고 식물체를 재생시키는 방법을 개발하였다. 억새 종자로부터의 캘러스 유도에 적합한 조건을 알아보고자 기본배지와 2,4-D의 농도, proline의 농도, 배지고형제의 종류와 농도 처리를 각각 실시하였다. 기본배지로 MS배지와 N6배지를 두고 2,4-D를 농도별로 처리하였을 때, MS 배지에 2,4-D 4.0 mg/L를 첨가한 처리구에서 캘러스 형성율이 42.2%로 가장 높았다. Proline은 종자로부터 캘러스 형성을 증가시키는 효과가 있었고, 3.0 g/L 이하의 저농도에 비해 12.0 g/L를 첨가하는 것이 캘러스 형성에 좋았다. 배지 고형제는 agar에 비해 Phytagel이 효과적이었으며 Phytagel 2.25 g/L를 첨가한 처리구에서 캘러스 형성율이 86.1%로 가장 높았다. 억새의 종자로부터 유도된 캘러스는 4주 간격으로 계대배양하였고, 캘러스 유도 3개월 후 진한 노란색의 둥근 돔 형태를 갖는 캘러스를 분리하여 신초 재생에 이용하였다. 종자로부터 유도된 캘러스를 호르몬 무첨가 MS 배지 또는 MS 배지에 BA 1.0 mg/L를 첨가한 배지에서 배양하여 신초 재생을 유도할 수 있었다. 재생된 신초는 신장과 발근을 거쳐 소식물체로 발달하였으며, 소식물체는 성공적으로 활착되었고 정상적인 표현형을 나타냈다.

The sensory properties of Kalopanax pictus and Cedrela sinensis shoots were analyzed according to their blanching conditions and the thawing methods used. For the Hunter colors, the K. pictus that was blanched without adding salt for 6 min had the highest L value, and the C. sinensis that was blanched with 1% salt for 6 min had the highest L value. The chlorophyll content of K. pictus was 141.1 mg% when it was blanched for 3 min with 2% salt, and the chlorophyll content of C. sinensis that was blanched without adding salt for 6 min was highest (124.8 mg%). When K. pictus and C. sinensis were blanched without salt addition for 3 min, their texture showed a higher value than that of the other samples. The sensory test result showed the highest overall preference for the sample that was blanched without adding salt for 3 min, among all the samples. The L value of the K. pictus that was thawed in a microwave oven was significantly higher than that of the other samples, but the L value of the C. sinensis that was thawed at 4℃ was higher than that of the other samples. As for the overall preference for the samples according to the thawing method used, K. pictus and C. sinensis scored highest in the case of thawing in a microwave oven.

The present study investigated an ethanol extract of Chaenomeles sinensis fruit (CSF) for possible neuroprotective effects on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid β protein (Aβ) (25-35) in cultured rat cortical neurons and also for antidementia activity in mice. Exposure of cultured cortical neurons to 10μM Aβ (25-35) for 36 h induced neuronal apoptotic death. At 0.1-10μg/ml, CSF inhibited neuronal death, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Aβ (25-35) in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Memory loss induced by intracerebroventricular injection of mice with 15 nmol Aβ (25-35) was inhibited by chronic treatment with CSF (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days) as measured by a passive avoidance test. CSF (50 mg/kg) inhibited the increase of cholinesterase activity in Aβ (25-35)-injected mice brain. From these results, we suggest that the antidementia effect of CSF is due to its neuroprotective effect against Aβ (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity and that CSF may have a therapeutic role for preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

본 연구는 최근 한방자원, 사료자원, 바이오에너지 자원 등 다양하게 이용되는 국내 자생 억새(Miscanthus sinensis)의 대량생산 및 신품종 개발을 위한 조직배양체계 확립을 위해 수행되었다. 이를 위해 억새 완숙종자로부터의 캘러스 유도와 재분화를 위한 식물생장조절제의 적정농도를 규명하였다. 억새의 성숙종자유래 배발생 캘러스 유도를 위해 2,4-D, IBA, NAA를 1~10 mg·L-1의 농도로 단용 처리한 결과, 5 mg·L-1 2,4-D 처리에서 가장 높은 85.3%의 캘러스 유도율과 캘러스의 증식을 보였으며 조직배양 과정 중 갈변화율도 가장 낮았다. 또한, 캘러스의 재분화를 위해 옥신인 NAA와 Kinetin, 2-iP, 또는 BAP 등의 사이토키닌을 혼용 처리한 결과, 각각 19.0%~59.0%, 23.0%~67.3%, 14.7%~83.7%의 재분화율을 보여 NAA와 BAP의 혼용 처리구가 NAA와 Kinetin 또는 2-iP와 혼용 처리구보다 식물체 재분화에 효과적이었다. 특히 3 mg·L-1 NAA와 5 mg·L-1 BAP 혼용 처리된 배지에서의 재분화율이 83.7%로 가장 높게 나타났으며, 캘러스 당 재분화 식물체 개수도 5.5개로 동일농도의 2-iP 또는 Kinetin 혼용 처리 시 2.1 및 2.0개보다 많았다. 본 연구결과 억새 성숙 종자로부터의 배발생 캘러스 유도에는 5 mg·L-1 2,4-D가 그리고 캘러스의 재분화에는 3 mg·L-1 NAA와 5 mg·L-1 BAP 혼용 처리가 가장 효율적이었다. 본 연구를 통해 확립된 조직배양체계는 억새의 대량생산 및 신품종 개발에 유용할 것으로 판단된다.