• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.360-385
• /
• 2024

This study was carried out to clarify the distribution of vascular plants in Biryongsan Mt. (1,129 m) and Baebawhisan Mt. (967 m) (a.s.l., 36° 55'~37° 06' N, 129° 03'~29° 09' E), Gyeongsangbuk-do. The surveys were conducted 13 times from April 2019 to August 2022. The vascular plants of Biryongsan Mt. and Baebawhisan Mt. was consisted a total of 570 taxa based on the voucher specimens; 108 families, 334 genera, 506 species, 17 subspecies, 44 varieties, 3 forms. Among them, the Korean endemic plants were 12 taxa. The of number of threatened and near threatened plants, as National Red List of Vascular Plants in Korea designated by the Korean National Arboretum, were 8 taxa, comprising 1 endangered (EN), 3 vulnerable (VU), and 4 near threatened (LC) species. The number of floristic target plants designated by the Ministry of Environment was 104 taxa, including 10 of level IV and 28 of level III. The naturalized plants in this area were 42 taxa. Among 570 taxa, there were 403 edible plants, 461 medicinal plants, 221 industrial plants, 306 ornamental plants, and 17 taxa with unknown usefulness respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.302-311
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the changes in bioactive compounds across the ripening stages of three pepper cultivars, each characterized by unique skin colors. The samples used in this study consisted of three pepper cultivars distinguished by their skin colors as green, purple, and yellow green at breaker ripening stage. Samples were harvested at each of the four ripening stages, including premature, breaker, turning, and mature, and subjected to analysis for various bioactive compounds, including capsaicin, ascorbic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, and sugars. In all cultivars with varying skin colors, the capsaicin content within green pepper fruits consistently increased as the ripening stages advanced. Ascorbic acid was most abundant during the premature stage of development in purple and green cultivars, subsequently declining as maturation progressed. In the case of the purple cultivar, kaempferol content decreased by approximately 30% at the mature stage, while the green cultivar exhibited a gradual increase in kaempferol content with maturation. Conversely, the kaempferol content of the yellow green cultivar rapidly declined as maturation progressed. Regarding quercetin content, the purple and green cultivars tended to decrease with maturity, while the yellow green cultivar displayed an increasing trend. Furthermore, the accumulation patterns of glucose, fructose, and sucrose, the predominant free sugars in green pepper fruit, demonstrated an inclination to increase as the maturation stage advanced in both purple and green cultivars. In contrast, the yellow green cultivar initially showed an elevation in free sugar content during the immature stage, followed by a minor reduction during maturation and a subsequent rise during the mature stage. Each pepper cultivar, distinguished by its unique skin color, exhibits varying levels of bioactive substances at different ripening stages. Therefore, optimal harvesting and utilization should align with periods when the desired substance content is at its peak.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.475-483
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to determine the optimal irrigation starting point by analyzing tree growth, physiological responses, fruit quality, and productivity in peach orchards. Seven-year-old 'Kawanakajima Hakuto' peach trees were used in an experimental field (35°49'30.4"N, 127°01'33.2"E) located within the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The irrigation starting point was set with four levels of -20, -40, -60, and -80 kPa from June to September 2022. While there were no significant differences in increase of trunk cross-section area and leaf area among treatments, shoot length and diameter decreased in the -80 kPa and -20 kPa treatments. The photosynthetic rate measured in August was highest for -60 kPa (17.7 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), followed by -40 kPa (15.6 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), -20 kPa (14.5 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) and -80 kPa (14.0 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). SPAD value measured in May and August was lower in the -80 kPa and -20 kPa treatments than in the -60 kPa and -40 kPa treatments. The harvest date reached three days earlier in the -20 kPa treatment compared to other treatments. The fruit weight was highest in the -60 kPa (379.1 g), followed by -40 kPa (344.0 g), -80 kPa (321.0 g) and -20 kPa (274.9 g). Firmness was the lowest in the -20 kPa treatment. The soluble solid content was highest in the -60 kPa treatment (13.3°Bx).The ratio of marketable fruits was highest in the -60 kPa treatment (50.7%) and lowest in the -80 kPa treatment (23.4%). In conclusion, we suggest that setting the irrigation starting point at -60 kPa could improve the fruit quality and yield in peach orchards.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.366-376
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to develop a model for predicting the growth of kimchi cabbage using image data and environmental data. Kimchi cabbages of the 'Cheongmyeong Gaual' variety were planted three times on July 11th, July 19th, and July 27th at a test field located at Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (37°37' N 128°32' E, 510 elevation), and data on growth, images, and environmental conditions were collected until September 12th. To select key factors for the kimchi cabbage growth prediction model, a correlation analysis was conducted using the collected growth data and meteorological data. The correlation coefficient between fresh weight and growth degree days (GDD) and between fresh weight and integrated solar radiation showed a high correlation coefficient of 0.88. Additionally, fresh weight had significant correlations with height and leaf area of kimchi cabbages, with correlation coefficients of 0.78 and 0.79, respectively. Canopy coverage was selected from the image data and GDD was selected from the environmental data based on references from previous researches. A prediction model for kimchi cabbage of biomass, leaf count, and leaf area was developed by combining GDD, canopy coverage and growth data. Single-factor models, including quadratic, sigmoid, and logistic models, were created and the sigmoid prediction model showed the best explanatory power according to the evaluation results. Developing a multi-factor growth prediction model by combining GDD and canopy coverage resulted in improved determination coefficients of 0.9, 0.95, and 0.89 for biomass, leaf count, and leaf area, respectively, compared to single-factor prediction models. To validate the developed model, validation was conducted and the determination coefficient between measured and predicted fresh weight was 0.91, with an RMSE of 134.2 g, indicating high prediction accuracy. In the past, kimchi cabbage growth prediction was often based on meteorological or image data, which resulted in low predictive accuracy due to the inability to reflect on-site conditions or the heading up of kimchi cabbage. Combining these two prediction methods is expected to enhance the accuracy of crop yield predictions by compensating for the weaknesses of each observation method.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2023

This study is in order to the effect of 1-methlycyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and film package as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the changes in fruit quality factors of 'Daehong' peaches during cold storage. The concentrations of 1-MCP were treated at 1µL·L^-1 and 2µL·L^-1, and peaches in film package were stored for 28 days in cold storage at 5±1℃ and 85±5% RH. The fruits stored carton box were used as a control of MAP, and 1-MCP free fruits were used as the control of both packages. Rate of fresh weight loss during storage was not significantly different between groups with and without 1-MCP treatment, but was higher in the box package than in the MAP. The control group had a higher incidence of both gases with the 1-MCP treatment group showing statistically significantly low. Carbon dioxide in the package was lowered by about 12% compared to the non-treated group, and the ethylene concentration was maintained at 1µL·L^-1, showing a significance low compared to other treated groups. As the storage period elapsed, the firmness of 1-MCP and MAP treated fruits remained significant at 5-9% compared to the control group. Regardless of the packaging method Hunter a^* values of exocarp and mesocarp were significantly higher in fruit treated with 1-MCP 1µL·L^-1 treatment than in the control group, and anthocyanin was significantly higher in the fruit during the storage period, especially high in MAP. In summary, fruits of MAP group with 1-MCP 1µL·L^-1 had rate of lower respiration and ethylene production, and little changes in firmness, Hunter a^* values of exo-carp and meso-carp, and anthocyanin, which is considered the most suitable method for preserving postharvest quality of the peach cultivar during the storage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.79-87
• /
• 2024

This study confirmed the effects of seed shape, temperature, and light treatment on the germination of eight species of medicinal crops to produce high-value crops in vertical farms. Eight species of medicinal seeds were selected, and the seed shape, seed length, seed width, seed length/width ratio, and one hundred seed weight were measured. The seed moisture content was confirmed. Eight species of medicinal seeds were sown, and the germination rate, germination energy, mean daily germination, and mean germination time were investigated according to temperature (15, 20, 25, 25/15℃) and light treatment. Each of the eight medicinal seeds showed different seed shapes. The moisture content of the seeds showed a moisture content rate of over 20% in the five medicinal seeds. Medicinal seeds that showed a germination rate of over 50% were Angelica gigas Nakai, Codonopsis lanceolata (Siebold & Zucc.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Trautv., and Achyranthes bidentata Blume var. japonica Miq. seeds. A. gigas seed showed a germination rate of 67.34 ± 4.38% under 25/15℃ light conditions, and C. lanceolata seed showed a germination rate of over 50% under both temperature and light treatment conditions, especially the highest germination rate of 82.67 ± 1.46% under 15℃ dark conditions. Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. seed showed a germination rate of 52.34 ± 1.77% under dark conditions at 20℃, and the highest germination rate was 51.67 ± 3.79% under dark conditions at 15℃. The maximum germination energy was 74.00 ± 4.94% in C. lanceolata seed. The maximum mean daily germination was 14.94 ± 0.15 days in P. japonicum seed. Astragalus penduliflorus Lam. var. dahuricus (DC.) X.Y.Zhu seed showed the highest mean germination time of 34.19 ± 4.71. Through this study, it was determined that A. gigas, C. lanceolata, and A. penduliflours seeds would be suitable for production in vertical farms based on the characteristics of each medicinal seed through analysis of seed germination characteristics.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.343-352
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to develop probiotics with anti-periodontitic effects to help treat inflammation in the tissues surrounding the teeth. We isolated Weisiella cibaria (W. cibareia) SPM402 and Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) SPM412 from homemade kimchi and used their cell-free supernatants. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL of L. paracasei SPM412 (LP412) inhibited the formation of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) biofilm by 95.99±0.73%. In addition, 10 mg/mL of LP412 reduced the RQ value of fimA, an adhesin gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) to 0.08±0.05, and the RQ value of radD, an adhesin gene of F. nucleatum, to 0.08±0.008. When the P. gingivalis outer membrane vehicle (Pg OMV) induced inflammation in YD-38 cells, the RQ value of TNF-α was increased to 36.68±1.85, but was reduced to 4.15±0.37 in the presence of 1 mg/mL of W. cibareia SPM402 (WC402). Similarly, in Pg OMV-induced inflammation in THP-1 cells, the RQ value of IL-1β increased to 2,330.65±204.61 but was reduced to 15.19±4.57 in the presence of 15 mg/mL of WC402. In F. nucleatum-induced inflammation in YD-38 cells, the RQ value of IL-8 increased to 15.10±1.11 and was decreased to 2.67±0.50 in the presence of 1 mg/mL of LP412. In conclusion, W. cibaria SPM402 and L. paracasei SPM412 showed potent anti-inflammatory effects against oral pathogenic bacteria and hold promise as functional probiotics with anti-periodontitic activity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.304-311
• /
• 2024

The present study aimed to compare the accuracy of the compact dry and culture plate methods for natural flora (yeasts/molds, coliforms, and total bacterial count) and artificial inoculum (Escherichia coli) in dosirak (meat-based), meal kits (seafood-based), and Doenjang (traditional food). Compact dry TC, EC, CF, and YMR were compared with culture plate methods using a suitable medium for each bacterium. The total bacterial count, coliforms, yeasts/molds, and E. coli were assessed with 3M Petrifilm (aerobic bacterial, coliform, yeast/mold, and E. coli count plates) using culture plate methods. Analysis of the recovery rates of target microorganisms in the three food samples showed that the compact dry method for total bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli exhibited recovery capabilities equivalent to those of the culture plate and Petrifilm methods, with no significant differences (P>0.05). Overall, compact dry TC, CF, and EC showed a good correlation between the methods used in this study, indicating rapid and convenient microbial enumeration by saving time and requiring less space.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.249-260
• /
• 2024

Background: The Republic of Korea's aging population escalates medical and long-term care costs. While prior research has suggested that long-term care might reduce these costs, these studies had limitations in their subjects and duration, making it difficult to generalize the results. This study aims to evaluate cost changes between the long-term care group and the general older adults group after addressing these limitations. Methods: A cohort was derived from the 2015 national population using stratified sampling. Subsequently, 15,114 individuals (7,557 in each group) were identified through 1:1 propensity score matching. The study employed a difference-in-differences analysis to explore variances in medical costs and long-term care benefits post-utilization of long-term care services. Results: Compared to the general older adults group, the long-term care group experienced a reduction in monthly per capita total medical costs by 56,459 Korean won (KRW). Although costs at tertiary and general hospitals increased, those related to long-term care hospitals decreased by 90,687 KRW. Including long-term care benefits, overall expenditures increased by 948,038 KRW. Conclusion: The analysis reveals that the long-term care group faces higher medical costs in acute care than the general older adults group, emphasizing a greater need for medical services within this group. To meet the increasing medical demands of the long-term care group, a collaborative strategy linking community resources, healthcare, and long-term care facilities is imperative. Additionally, developing and implementing preventive health habit management strategies for middle-aged and older adults is essential to diminish the future requirement for long-term care.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.113 no.3
• /
• pp.282-291
• /
• 2024

In Korea, pine forests are continuously declining as they mature. Along with vegetation succession, mushroom succession also occurs. The productivity of pine mushroom, a mycorrhizal species that was introduced as a source of short-term forest income in the late 20th century, is also declining. Although the forest fires was originally blamed as the main cause of pine forests decline, it has not been identified as a significant factor in the decline of pine mushroom productivity. Pine mushrooms are mainly produced in pine-dominant stands ranging in age classes from 3 to 8, with the highest productivity occurring between 4 and 6 classes. Accordingly, the aging of pine forests and their succession to mixed forests were evaluated as the most important factors contributing to the decrease in pine mushroom productivity. Since tending practices in pine mushroom-producing forests contribute to maintaining and increasing the productivity of pine mushrooms in mature pine forests, production can be sustained through proactive forest/soil management. In recent years, attempts have been made to cultivate pine mushrooms. The method of producing a mycorrhizae-infected pine tree by planting a pine in front of a fairy ring of Tricholoma matsutake and then transplanting it to create a new pine mushroom-producing stand has been successful. However, the method may cause damage to the fairy ring and has difficulties to preserve the viability of mycorrhizal fungus during transplantation. Mycorrhizae-inoculated seedling production is proposed as an alternative technology, but difficulties remain in keeping the fungus in the seedling during transplantation. Research on the microbiome of the fairy ring of T. matsutake is being conducted to solve this problem. Bacteria and fungi that contribute to the mycelial growth of T. matsutake have been discovered. It is expected that the era of industrial cultivation of pine mushroom will soon be possible through a microbial ecological approach.