• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.493-498
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to make growth and yield models for common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) using expolinear functional equations in a closed-type plant production system. Three-band radiation type fluorescent lamps with a 12-hours photoperiod were used, and the light intensity was $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Nutrient film systems with three layers were used for plant growth. Environmental conditions, such as air temperature, relative humidity and $CO_2$ concentration were controlled by an ON/OFF operation. Leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weights, light use efficiency of common ice plant as function of days after transplanting, accumulative temperature and accumulative radiation were analyzed. Leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weights per area were described using an expolinear equation. A linear relationship between shoot dry and fresh weights was observed. Light use efficiency of common ice plant was $3.3g{\cdot}MJ^{-1}$ at 30 days after transplanting. It is concluded that the expolinear growth model can be a useful tool for quantifying the growth and yield of common ice plant in a closed plant production system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the antioxidant and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of an ethanol extract and different solvent fractions of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (ice plant). Methods: The ice plant was freeze-dried, extracted with 99.9% ethanol, and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The total polyphenol content (TPC), total carotenoid content (TCC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity (RSA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured. Assays using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide were performed to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell growth, respectively. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and cell cycle analysis were performed for the detection of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Results: TPC, TCC, RSA, and FRAP of the ethanol extract (EE) were 3.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, $13.2{\mu}g/g$, 21.0% (at a concentration of 5 mg/mL), and 21.0% (at a concentration of 5 mg/mL), respectively. Among the different solvent fractions, the butanol fraction (BF) showed the highest TPC (5.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), TCC ($86.6{\mu}g/g$), RSA (34.9% at 5 mg/mL), and FRAP (80.8% at 5 mg/mL). Treatment of HCT116 human colon cancer cells with EE and BF at concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ reduced the levels of intracellular ROS. Concomitantly, EE and BF resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth (at the concentrations of 125, 250, and $500{\mu}g/mL$ for 24 ~ 48 h) and the induction of apoptosis (at the concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ for 48 h) in HCT116 cells. An increased G2/M cell population was also found in the BF-treated cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that ice plant possesses antioxidant and growth inhibitory activities in colon cancer cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.1012-1017
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• 2017

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Family: Aizoaceae) is an annual plant consisting of ice crystal-shaped bladder cells, which is responsible for its common name ice plant. This study investigated biological activities according to general components and extraction solvent in order to examine the functionality of ice plant. The total content of free amino acids was 32.57 mg/g, including 4.64 mg/g of L-alanine as the most abundant and 2.60 mg/g of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid. Regarding angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities of solvent fractions of ice plant, ethyl acetate fraction and chloroform fraction showed activities of $33.17{\pm}3.20{\sim}88.19{\pm}3.20%$ and $23.72{\pm}2.89{\sim}86.78{\pm}2.24%$, respectively, similar to $Captopril^{(R)}$ ($19.51{\pm}3.44{\sim}84.72{\pm}1.06%$) and $Enalapril^{(R)}$ ($24.93{\pm}1.12{\sim}91.32{\pm}3.62%$) as positive control groups. Regarding inhibition of lipid droplet production in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by ice plant, anti-adipogenic activities were $53.00{\pm}0.45{\sim}65.75{\pm}0.31%$ and $44.16{\pm}0.29{\sim}63.32{\pm}0.36%$ in the ethyl acetate fraction and butanol fraction, respectively, showing the lowest lipid droplet production. The chloroform fraction and hexane fraction showed activities of $38.33{\pm}0.09{\sim}56.55{\pm}0.50%$ and $31.17{\pm}0.50{\sim}55.10{\pm}1.93%$, respectively, whereas the water fraction showed activity of $26.32{\pm}2.27{\sim}49.48{\pm}0.05%$. Therefore, all solvent fractions inhibited fat accumulation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes according to treatment concentration. According to the results above, it would be possible to utilize ice plant as a new health functional material.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.371-375
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• 2014

This study was carried out to get the basic data to practically design an artificial light-used plant factory system for common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) cultivation. The adequate range of light intensity was $120-200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and the carbon fixed rates was $0.84nmolCO_2{\cdot}cm^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. When the planting density, light intensity, and yield were $0.0225m^2$ ($15{\times}15cm$), $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and 1,000 plants per day, the total number of the plants, cultivated area, and total light intensities were estimated as 25,000 plants, $563m^2$, and $140,625{\mu}mol{\cdot}s^{-1}$, respectively. About 153.2kW with 2,785 fluorescent lights (FL) needed for the electric power and the electricity charges was 2.46 million won for one month. At a harvest rate of 1,000 plants per day in closed-type plant factory, the light installation cost, total installation cost, and total production cost were 27.85, 83.56, and 100.27 million won, respectively. The production cost per plant including labor cost was calculated as 370 won, providing that the cultivation period was 25 days and marketable ratio was 80%. Considering the annual total expenses, incomes, and depreciation cost, the sales cost per plant could be estimated around 970 won or higher.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.688-696
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• 2019

This study investigated changes in triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis and tyrosinase activity induced by ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) extract, which cannot be stored for long periods of time due to its high moisture content when it was fermented to improve its storage stability. The accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol in HepG2 cells inhibited the accumulation with a relatively large magnitude in n-butanol and aqueous fractions that generally have high polarity, however, changes in inhibition potency due to the fermentation were not significant. As for the effect to inhibit tyrosinase activity, when L-tyrosine was used as a substrate, the inhibitory activity was the highest for the aqueous fraction at $60.58{\pm}4.03%$ and $63.35{\pm}4.35%$, before and after fermentation, respectively, which amounted to 72% of that of the positive control group (arbutin, $100{\mu}g/ml$). In addition, when L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) was used as a substrate, the inhibitory activity was also found the highest for the aqueous fraction at $56.85{\pm}1.57%$ and $59.38{\pm}1.74%$, before and after fermentation, respectively, which amounted to at least 88% of that in the positive control (kojic acid, $100{\mu}g/ml$). Overall, the activity of the fermented ice plant extract was similar or a little higher compared to that of the one without fermentation, indicating that fermentation can be a good approach to improve the storage stability of the ice plant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.909-918
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• 2017

Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) was fermented in brine in the form of mulkimchi (IPMB), and its contents of organic acid and cyclitols and biological activities were compared with those before fermentation. The pH of the IPMB continuously decreased until the sixth day of fermentation. The lactic acid yield was greatest on the fourth day. D-pinitol in ice plant mulkimchi solids (IPMS) decreased during fermentation. However, myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol increased. The radical scavenging activities of ABTS and DPPH, in addition to the activity of FRAP, of the IPMS extract were generally higher after fermentation, with the activities highest on the fifth ($79.09{\pm}0.69%$), fourth ($87.55{\pm}1.21%$), and sixth ($78.72{\pm}0.99%$) days of fermentation, respectively, when treated with 1 mg/ml of the extract. As shown by a lipid/MA assay, antioxidant activity was generally higher after fermentation. The viability of BNL CL.2 cells damaged by t-BHP, $H_2O_2$, and ethanol was $14.19{\pm}0.98$, $13.80{\pm}2.25$, and $25.89{\pm}2.90%$, respectively. When treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of IPMS extract, the cell viability was $57.06{\pm}4.52%$ on the first day, and $66.06{\pm}1.36%$ on the fourth day, and $50.07{\pm}04.85%$ on the sixth day of fermentation. Hepatocyte protective effects did not increase significantly after fermentation. ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity was quite high, with a range of $83.52{\pm}2.69$ to $92.79{\pm}2.16%$, and the activity increased gradually in all the groups over the fermentation period. There was no clear correlation between ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitory activity and fermentation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the optimum nutrient solution, pH, irrigation interval, light intensity and planting density to growth of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) in a closed-type plant production system. Three-band radiation type fluorescent lamps with a 12-h photoperiod were used. Nutrient film technique systems with three layers were used for the plant growth system. Environmental conditions, such as air temperature, relative humidity and $CO_2$ concentration were controlled by an ON/OFF operation. Treatments were comparison of the nutrient solution of Horticultural Experiment Station in Japan (NHES) and the nutrient solution of Jeju National University (NJNU), pH 6.0 and 7.0, irrigation interval 5 min and 10 min, light intensity 90 and $180{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and within-row spacing 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm and 25 cm with between-row spacing 15 cm. Optimum macronutrients were composed N 7.65, P 0.65, K 4.0, Ca 1.6 and Mg $1.0mM{\cdot}L^{-1}$. There were no significant interactions between pH 6.0 and 7.0 about shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight of common ice plant. Irrigation interval 5 min and 10 min was also the same result. Shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were highest at $180{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were decreased according to increasing the planting density. From the above results, we concluded that optimum nutrient solution, optimum levels of pH, irrigation interval, light intensity and planting density were 6.0-7.0 and 10 min, $180{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and $15{\times}15cm$, respectively for growth of common ice plant in a closed-type plant production system.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2016

In this study, a planting density-growth-harvest (PGH) chart was developed to easily read the growth and harvest factors such as crop growth rate, relative growth rate, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, harvesting time, marketable rate, and marketable yield of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.). The plants were grown in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system in a closed-type plant factory using fluorescent lamps with three-band radiation under a light intensity of $140{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and a photoperiod of 12 h. Growth and yield were analyzed under four planting densities ($15{\times}10cm$, $15{\times}15cm$, $15{\times}20cm$, and $15{\times}25cm$). Shoot fresh and dry weights per plant increased at a higher planting density until reached an upper limit and yield per area was also same tendency. Crop growth rate, relative growth rate and lost time were described using quadratic equation. A linear relationship between shoot dry weight and fresh weights was observed. PGH chart was constructed based on the growth data and making equations. For instance, with within row spacing (= 20 cm) and fresh weight per plant at harvest (= 100 g), we can estimate all the growth and harvest factors of common ice plant. The planting density, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, lost time, shoot dry weight per plant, harvesting time, and yield were $33plants/m^2$, $20g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, $0.27g{\cdot}g^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, 22 days, 2.5 g/plant, 26 days after transplanting, and $3.2kg{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively. With this chart, we could easily obtain the growth factors such as planting density, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, lost time and the harvest factors such as shoot fresh and dry weights, harvesting time, marketable rate, and marketable yield with at least two parameters, for instance, planting distance and one of harvest factors of plant. PGH charts will be useful tools to estimate the growth and yield of crops and to practical design of a closed-type plant production system.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.236-241
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• 2016

The common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) has some medicinal uses and recommended plant in closed-type plant factory. The objective of this study was to estimate the cardinal temperatures for seed germination of the common ice plant using bilinear, parabolic, and beta distribution models. Seeds of the common ice plant were germinated in the dark in a growth chamber at four constant temperatures: 16, 20, 24, and $28^{\circ}C$. For this, four replicates of 100 seeds were placed on two layers of filter paper in a 9-cm petri dish and radicle emergence of 0.1 mm was scored as germination. The times to 50% germination were 4.3, 2.5, 2.0, and 1.8 days at 16, 20, 24, and $28^{\circ}C$, respectively, indicating that the germination of this warm-weather crop increased with temperature. Next, the time course of germination was modeled using a logistic function. For the selection of an accurate model, seeds were germinated in the dark at constant temperatures of 6, 12, 32, and $36^{\circ}C$. Germination started earlier and increased rapidly at temperatures above $20^{\circ}C$. The minimum, optimal, and maximum temperatures were estimated by regression of the inverse of time to 50% germination rate, as a function of the temperature gradient. The different functions estimated differing minimum, optimal and maximum temperatures, with 5.7, 27.7, and $36.5^{\circ}C$, respectively for the bilinear function, 13.4, 25.0, and $36.6^{\circ}C$, respectively, for the parabolic function and 7.8, 25.9, and $36.0^{\circ}C$, respectively, for the beta distribution function. The models estimated that the inverse of time to 50% germination rate was 0 at 6 and $36^{\circ}C$. The observed final germination rates at 12 and $32^{\circ}C$ were 62 and 97%, respectively. Our data show that a beta distribution function provides a useful model for estimating the cardinal temperatures for germination of seed from the common ice plant.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.878-885
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• 2016

A study was conducted to examine the effects of light quality on the growth and phytochemical contents of ice plant in a closed-type plant production system. Seeds were sown in a 128-cell plug tray using rockwool. The seedlings were then transplanted into a deep floating technique system with recirculating nutrient solution (EC $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, pH 6.5) in a closed-type plant production system. The nutrient solution was supplied at two weeks after transplanting with 2.0 mM NaCl concentration in all treatments for the development of the bladder cells. The three light sources with different light qualities used were as followed; FL (fluorescent lamps), combined RW LED (red:white = 7:3), and combined RBW LED (red:blue:white = 8:1:1) at $150{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PPFD with a photoperiod of 14/10 hours (light/dark). The results showed that the FL treatment had the greatest growth enhancement effects on the leaf area and the fresh and dry weights of the shoots and roots. The SPAD values were significantly higher under the FL and RBW LED treatments, at 29.8 and 30.6, respectively. No significant difference was observed in salinity under all treatments. Chlorophyll fluorescence was significantly higher under the FL treatment. The total phenol content and antioxidant activity were the highest under the RBW LED treatment. The total flavonoid content was significantly higher under the RBW LED and FL treatments. Hence, the results indicate that the growth of ice plant was maximized under the FL treatment. The phytochemical contents were maximized under the RBW LED treatment.