천연물 기반의 에센셜 오일은 합성 살충제의 대체제로 주목받고 있는데, 그 구성 성분인 단일 화합물들은 훈증활성과 더불어 다양한 생리활성 을 통해 해충 방제에 효과를 나타낸다. 본 연구에서는 페닐프로파노이드 계열의 대표 화합물들인 trans-cinnamaldehyde와 trans-anethole의 반복 노출에 따른 초파리 성충(Drosophila melanogaster)에 대한 저항성비, 해독 효소 활성, fitness cost 변화를 분석하였다. 국소처리법을 통해 선택압을 부여한 결과, trans-anethole 처리군에서는 10세대 동안 RR값이 1 수준으로 유지된 반면, trans-cinnamaldehyde의 LD50 농도 처리 계통에서는 RR값이 최대 2.51까지 증가하였다. 이는 기존 합성 살충제에 비해 매우 낮은 수준이지만, 단일 천연물에 의해서도 일정 수준의 저항성 발달이 가능 함을 시사한다. 해독 효소 분석 결과, 계통별로 esterase 및 GST 활성이 상이하게 변화하였으며, 이는 처리 물질의 구조적 차이뿐만 아니라 노출 농 도에 따른 생리적 반응 차이로 해석될 수 있다. 본 연구는 천연물 유래 단일성분의 반복 사용이 해충에서 저항성 발달을 유도할 수 있음을 실험실 조 건에서 확인하였으며, 단일물질보다는 혼합물 형태의 활용이 저항성 지연에 효과적일 수 있음을 제안한다.

Betulin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, abundantly accumulated in Inonotus obliquus (chaga mushroom), exhibits strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. However, its extraction remains challenging due to its poor solubility and thermal sensitivity. In this study, we optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize simultaneous betulin and antioxidant compound recovery from I. obliquus. We evaluated three extraction variables (i.e., time, temperature, and ethanol concentration) using a three-factor, five-level design. All quadratic models were significant (p < 0.05), with R² values ranging from 0.83 to 0.93 and prediction errors remaining below 5 %, thereby confirming strong model reliability. Multi-response optimization using a superimposed response plot identified 92.08 % ethanol, 42.56 min, and 62.19 °C as a narrow optimal region, in which all responses simultaneously met the desired criteria. Under these conditions, extraction was predicted to yield high phenolic content (2.58 mg GAE/g DM), increased flavonoid levels (0.57 mg QE/ g DM), strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity (87.49 % DSA), and a betulin content of 2.00 mg/g DM. In contrast, low ethanol concentrations, excessive heating, or prolonged extraction times resulted in reduced yields due to the oxidative or thermal degradation of the bioactive constituents. Overall, the optimized extraction conditions emphasize the importance of controlling solvent polarity and balancing the temperature and time parameters to prevent thermolabile compound decomposition. These results provide a reproducible and eco-efficient framework for large-scale antioxidant constituent extraction from I. obliquus.

The potential release of toxic metals such as Li, Ni, and Co into aquatic environments is increasing due to the growth of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry and the expansion of recycling processes. In this study, the 24-h acute toxicity of Li, Ni, and Co was evaluated in both single-metal exposures and binary mixture using Daphnia magna. Single-metal toxicity showed the highest toxicity for Co, followed by Li and Ni. Mixture toxicity results indicated antagonistic interactions in the Li-Ni and Li-Co combinations, whereas a strong toxicity enhancement was observed for the Ni-Co combination. Nonlinear interaction patterns dependent on fixed concentrations and concentration ratios were also identified. These findings highlight the limitations of simple additivity assumptions and provide fundamental data for mixture-based ecological risk assessment related to LIB recycling activities.

This study evaluated the potential of two unmodified seaweeds, Sargassum fulvellumand Ishige okamurae, as low-cost adsorbents for aqueous phosphate removal under low phosphorus conditions. Batch tests (25±1°C; initial phosphorus concentration, approximately 0.67 mg/L) were performed for up to 72 h at adsorbent doses of 1.0, 5.0. and 10.0 g/L, and time-series concentration profiles showed a rapid decrease within the first 12-24 h, followed by an approach to equilibrium. The removal efficiency increased with the seaweed dose; after 72 h, the maxima were approximately 12.0% for I. okamuraeand 12.4% for S. fulvellum, the mass-specific adsorption capacity (q) was relatively higher for I. okamuraeat the lowest dose. The adsorption data were obtained at a single initial concentration, equilibrium isotherm analysis was performed on an exploratory basis. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms yielded low coefficients of determination, establishing the basic performance of unmodified seaweeds at low phosphate levels. Overall, these results indicate the need forkinetic analysis using time-dependent models, together with material optimization (i.e., surface modification), to enhance the capacity and practical applicability of seaweeds for phosphorus adsorption.

본 연구에서는 해양 유래 녹조류인 잎파래(Ulva linza) 열수 추출물(ULW)의 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 평가하고자 항산화 활성, 항산화 관련 성분 함량, 미백 및 주름 개선 관련 효 소 활성, 항균 특성, 피부세포 독성 및 항염 효능을 종합적으로 분석하였다. ULW의 항산화 활성은 DPPH 및 ABTS+ 라디칼 소거 실험을 통해 평가한 결과, 농도 증가에 따라 소거 활성이 증가하는 경향 을 보였으며, DPPH 라디칼 소거 활성은 전반적으로 낮았으나 800 μg/mL에서 약 24% 이상의 소거 활성을 나타냈다. 반면, ABTS+ 라디칼 소거 실험에서는 100 μg/mL 이상에서 소거 활성이 증가하여, 최고 농도인 800 μg/mL에서 약 91% 이상의 높은 소거 활성을 나타냈다. ULW의 총 플라보노이드 함 량은 16.56 mg QE/g, 총 폴리페놀 함량은 74.86 mg TAE/g으로 확인되어, 전반적으로 낮은 수준의 플 라보노이드 및 폴리페놀 함량을 나타냈다. 미백 및 주름 개선 관련 효능 평가를 위해 tyrosinase 및 elastase 저해 활성을 분석한 결과, ULW는 전 농도 범위에서 유의적인 효소 저해 효과를 나타내지 않았 다. 또한, 항균 활성 평가에서 ULW는 Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 및 Cutibacterium acnes에 대해 항균 효과를 나타내지 않았다. 피부세포 독성 평가 결과, ULW는 대식세포(RAW 264.7), 각질형성세포(Kera-308), 섬유아세포(NIH-3T3) 모두에서 800 μg/mL 의 최고 농도까지 세포 생존율이 높게 유지되어 독성을 유발하지 않는 것으로 확인되었다. 한편, LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 대식세포 모델에서 ULW는 NO 생성과 iNOS 단백질 발현을 효과적으로 억제하여 항염 효과를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과를 종합할 때, ULW는 미백, 주름 개선 및 항균 효능은 제한적이었 으나, ABTS+ 라디칼 소거를 중심으로 한 항산화 활성과 우수한 항염 효능, 그리고 피부 관련 세포에 대 한 높은 안전성을 바탕으로 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 지니는 것으로 판단된다.

Tricholoma matsutake, one of the most favorable ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, forms a symbiotic relationship with its host, Pinus densiflora. In this study, co-cultivation of T. matsutake mycelium with bacteria from fairy rings was conducted to explore artificial cultivation. Among the isolates tested, strain B22_9_B28 promoted mycelial growth across five T. matsutake isolates: KMCC05631 from Yangyang-gun (124.23%), KMCC05632 and KMCC05633 from Yeongdeok-gun (127.68% and 156.61%, respectively), and KMCC05634 from Yeongdong-gun (153.31%), and KMCC05644 from Bonghwa-gun (171.59%). 16S rRNA sequence analysis suggested that B22_9_B28 may represent a novel species of Paenibacillus. These results highlight the potential of a new Paenibacillus species with pan-regional growth-promoting effects on T. matsutake mycelium, offering a promising avenue for the artificial cultivation of this valuable mushroom.

This review summarizes recent insights into the effects of foods and natural products on brain function, focusing on neuron-glia interactions and the Gut-Brain Axis. Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and ginsenosides exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and suppression of NF-?B-mediated inflammatory cascades. They also enhance synaptic plasticity via the CREB-BDNF pathway, improving learning and memory function. Fermented foods and microbiota-related metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), modulate the Gut-Brain Axis, leading to increased hippocampal BDNF expression and emotional stability. Traditional Korean fermented foods and marine-based dietary components further contribute to the regulation of neuron-glia networks, providing a scientific rationale for the neurofunctional benefits embedded in Korean dietary culture. This review highlights that food-derived bioactive components act not only as nutrients but also as neuromodulatory agents maintaining brain homeostasis. Future perspectives emphasize integrating molecular neuroscience with food culture research to advance the emerging field of food neuroscience and promote functional food innovation grounded in traditional dietary wisdom.

Edible mushrooms are recognized as a rich source of diverse metabolites, including polysaccharides, amino acid derivatives, terpenoids, polyphenols, sterols, and flavonoids. These compounds have been extensively reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory activities, thereby underscoring their scientific and industrial significance in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. However, conventional extraction methods, which are simple and cost-effective, have limitations in large-scale processes, including long processing times, excessive use of solvents, low yields, and degradation of heat-sensitive compounds, which limit scalability. Therefore, eco-friendly extraction methodologies have emerged as sustainable alternatives. Advanced extraction strategies using food-grade solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents, in conjunction with ultrasound or microwave assistance, enable selective recovery of metabolites under mild conditions, enhancing yield and minimizing the environmental impact. In this review recent progress in advanced extraction methodologies, with respect to efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability, are critically assessed. The industrial implications, including case studies of advanced extraction methodologies applied to secondary metabolites, and the potential of edible mushrooms as renewable bioresources or the development of nextgeneration functional foods and natural therapeutics, are also discussed.

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) is a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat digestive disorders and stomach ulcers. In this study, the extraction characteristics of the major bioactive compounds of tarragon, estragole, eugenol, and herniarin, were determined using subcritical-water extraction (SWE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Their efficiencies, compared to conventional solvent extraction, were evaluated. For SWE, the highest yields were obtained for estragole (0.66±0.04 mg/g) at 200°C for 5 min, eugenol (0.11±0.00 mg/g) at 200°C for 15 min, and herniarin (3.35±0.09 mg/g) at 190°C for 5 min. For UAE, only herniarin (1.49±0.07 mg/g) was detected, with a maximum yield of <350 W for 10 min. For conventional solvent extraction, eugenol was not detected, for 100% methanol (45°C, 120 min), the highest yield for estragole was 0.37±0.05 mg/g, and for hot water extraction (90°C, 120 min), the yield for herniarin was 1.59±0.04 mg/g. Among the tested methods, SWE had the highest overall efficiency without the use of organic solvents, highlighting its potential as a rapid and eco-friendly technique for effective extraction of bioactive compounds from tarragon.

Natural compounds are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional hair loss treatments. This review examines various natural ingredients, including green tea (EGCG), pea sprout extract, red ginseng, pumpkin seed oil, rosemary oil, chia seeds, and micronutrients. It summarizes their mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, and safety profiles. These compounds target pathways related to androgenetic alopecia, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oxidative stress, and inflammation. Clinical and animal studies indicate benefits such as stimulating hair growth, preserving hair follicles, and exhibiting anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, with increasing evidence supporting their use among patients with hair loss disorders.

This study evaluated the field-scale performance of an amorphous iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3)-based desulfurizing agent for the removal of sulfur-based odorous compounds emitted from wastewater treatment facilities, including equalization tanks and sludge dewatering unit facilities. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (MM), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), which account for over 60~80% of total odor impact in such facilities, were targeted in this research. A drytype adsorption system packed with porous amorphous Fe(OH)3 was installed at a wastewater treatment plant and operated continuously for 45 days. Odorous gas concentrations were measured before and after treatment using portable analyzers and gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD). The desulfurizing agent demonstrated a high H2S removal efficiency of over 99.9%, even under high inlet concentrations exceeding 500 ppm. Physicochemical analyses including XRD, XRF, EDS and BET confirmed that the material was amorphous, possessed a high surface area (243.4 m2/g), and exhibited a mesoporous structure favorable for gas adsorption. Hysteresis observed in nitrogen adsorption isotherms indicated a bottleneck-shaped pore structure, which enhances adsorption of odorous gases and removal efficiency. Notably, the system maintained stable performance under varying humidity without significant degradation.

‘괴(槐)’를 지명소(地名素)로 포함한 전국의 지명 33개소의 분포와 유래를 규명하고 그 역사적·문 화적·생태적 의미를 고찰한 본 연구는 문헌 조사와 현장 답사 그리고 구술 자료를 종합하여 진행함 으로써 지명 속에 내재된 괴목의 정체와 상징성을 추적하였다. 분석 결과 ‘괴’를 포함한 지명은 주로 법정 동명 형태의 마을명에서 나타났으며, 가장 높은 빈도의 지명은 괴정리(괴정동), 괴목리(괴목 마을), 괴평리(괴평동), 괴목정마을의 순으로 나타났다. 지명 유래는 괴목 정자, 노거수, 서식지, 당집, 전설, 중국 지명, 주변 지형 등 다양한 요소와 깊이 관련되어 있었다. 특히 회화나무와 느티나 무의 식재지 및·자생지 특성이 지명 형성에 깊이 반영된 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 ‘괴’ 지명이 단순한 땅이나 공간의 명칭이 아니라 지역의 생활양식과 문화적 변용, 그리고 환경적 특성 을 반영하는 중요한 지표임을 보여준다. 또한 지명에 내재된 역사·문화·생태적 의미를 밝힘으로써 지명 유래와 문화경관 해석의 기초 자료를 도출하였음은 본 연구의 성과라 판단된다.

Phellinus linteus, a medicinal mushroom with potent antioxidant properties, contains bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. To optimize the extraction of skin-whitening compounds, ultrasound-assisted extraction combined with statistically based optimization was used to simultaneously extract total polyphenol content (TPC), radical scavenging activity (RSA), and tyrosinase activity inhibition (TAI). Extraction variables, including extraction time (X1:4.8 ~ 55.2 min), extraction temperature (X2:26.4 ~ 93.6oC), and ethanol concentration (X3:13.0 ~ 97.0%), were varied in 17 experimental cycles based on a central composite design. Quadratic regression models for TPC, RSA, and TAI had coefficients of determination (R2) greater than 0.92, demonstrating well-fitted models and statistical significance. Analysis of variance revealed that all three variables significantly influenced extraction efficiency (p < 0.0041), with ethanol concentration (X3) having the most pronounced effect. The optimal extraction conditions were 80.0 min, 82.5oC, and 64.8% ethanol, yielding predicted values of 6.42 mg GAE/g DM for TPC, 73.71% for RSA, and 85.04% for TAI. These results suggest that a moderate ethanol concentration combined with adequate thermal input maximizes the extraction of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities specifically associated with skin-whitening effects.

Lactic acid bacterial (LAB) fermentation is frequently used to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of natural products. Oysters (Crassostrea gigas), a marine bivalve mollusc, have long been used in food applications. In the present study, we explored the effects of LAB fermentation on the physiological activity of C. gigas. To identify new starter strains, we isolated and screened LAB from local specialties in Sacheon, South Korea. Eighteen LAB strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, four of which exhibited protease activity. All the four isolates were identified as Latilactobacillus curvatus. Fermentation was carried out in a medium containing C. gigas powder for three days. After incubation, the antioxidant activity in the culture supernatant of fermented C. gigas with L. curvatus GH-118-24 increased by approximately 139.2% compared with that of the non-fermented control. Additionally, the extract of fermented C. gigas for three days showed significant improvements in anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects, with increases of over 71.2% and 253.8%, respectively, compared to the non-fermented extract. These results suggested that the selected LAB strains have potential as starters capable of enhancing the bioactive properties of food, thus highlighting the importance of genetic resources in South Korea.