• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.67 no.4
• /
• pp.265-273
• /
• 2022

Waxy corn (Zea mays L.), which contains homozygous mutant alleles for the waxy1 (wx1) gene, is widely consumed as a snack food in Asia. This study evaluated sixteen agronomic characteristics of inbred Korean waxy corn lines to aid development of high-quality waxy corn cultivars. The plant materials studied were 177 inbred waxy corn lines developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. For the tested lines, days to tasseling and silking averaged 77.69±2.22 days (with a range of 56-97 days), and 81.12±7.56 days (66-99 days), respectively. Plant length ranged from 88 to 237 cm (averaged 164.88±22.67 cm), ear length averaged 11.75±2.52 cm (5.0-18.5 cm), and ear width averaged 2.94±0.68 cm (1.4-4.5 cm). The number of rows on each ear of corn averaged 12.22±2.22 (7-32 rows) and the kernel number averaged 24.30±4.22 (9-37 kernels) per row. The crude protein content was 12.05±1.53% (8.90-21.80%) and total starch content was 69.27±5.74% (49.5-83.9%). Principal component analysis revealed that ear width, grain length, ear length, days to tasseling, days to silking, percentage of ear setting height, and total starch are features that allow distinction between the 177 waxy inbred corn lines. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified twelve waxy inbred lines that produce tall plants and have a short silking period. These lines may improve yield among quickly growing corn varieties.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.249-257
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to comparison analysis growth characteristics, yield and forage quality of 18silage corn varieties grown in paddy and upland fields. In this condition, days to silking of Sinhwangok was the shortest with 78 days and Kangdaok the longest with 92 days. Moreover it was confirmed that the difference of days to silking at this condition greatly occurred in the late species than in the precocious species. The height and ear height ratio of corn grown in paddy decreased by 5~10% and increase by 10~15% compared to upland, respectively. It was confirmed that the ear ratio of corn which enhances the forage quality was highest in Sinhwangok at paddy and upland and most of the varieties decreased by 10~30% at paddy rather than upland. The length of ear was also reduced by 10~25%. In fresh yield, Dacheongok showed the highest yield at 65,750 kg/ha in upland and 38,830 kg/ha in paddy. Similar to the fresh yield, dry and TDN yield in Dacheongok also showed the highest yield at 36,910 kg/ha, 18,040 kg/ha in upland and 21,670 kg/ha, 14,390 kg/ha in paddy, respectively. As a result of analyzing crude protein and starch from seeds to evaluate the feed value of corn for silage, there was no difference between cultivars grown in this condition. In addition, as a result of analyzing the contents of ADF and NDF using leaves, stems and seeds, the contents of leaves and stems were lower in P3394 and P1543 at the upland and lower in Singwangok and Daanok when cultivated at paddy. Moreover ADF and NDF contents were decreased in some varieties in paddy rather than upland. Therefore, there is no significant difference in the feed value of corn varieties grown in this condition, it is possible to cultivate corn in paddy if normal growth is achieved through drainage management.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.215-221
• /
• 2022

This study was carried out to investigate the growth characteristics, yield and chemical compositions of rye according to mixing ratio of chemical fertilize r(CF) and liquid swine manure (LSM) in paddy field cultivation. The experimental design was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The manure fertilizer ratio of five treatments were CF 100% + LSM 0% (C), CF 70% + LSM 30% (T1), CF 50% + LSM 50% (T2), CF 30% + LSM 70% (T3), and CF 0% + LSM 100% (T4) of rye. At this time, the application of liquid swine manure was based solely on nitrogen. Plant length did not show significant differences among treatments. Ear length, leaf length and leaf width were the longest in C, T3, and T2, respectively (p<0.05). The stem diameter showed in the order of T4 > T3 > T2 > T1 > C, which was thicker as the LSM application rate increased (p<0.05). Fresh, dry matter and total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield were the highest in T4 (p<0.05), whereas the lowest in C treatment. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude fiber content were did not show significant difference among treatments. However, compared to C, crude fat and crude ash were significantly higher in T2 and T3, respectively (p<0.05). Total mineral content decreased significantly as the LSM application rate increased (p<0.05). Total free sugar showed high in T3 and T4 with a high LSM ratio, but showed significantly lower in chemical fertilizer treatment (C) and low LSM treatment (T1) (p<0.05). The analysis of all the above results suggests that the application of LSM is very effective, considering the dry matter yield and the contents of free sugar. In addition, LSM may be possible to grow rye without chemical fertilizer.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding the whole crop rice silage (WCRS) which partially replaces the imported grass hay crop on the milking performance of Holstein and profitability. Two experimental diets were used according to the traditional practice of dairy farms. The control diet (C) was composed of 13kg/day of mixed hay, 6.8kg/day concentrate, and orchardgrass/bermudagrass hay (1.8kg/day). The treatment diet (T) was composed of 9.6kg/day of mixed hay, 6.8kg/day of concentrate and 2.2kg/day of WCRS. The CP content of the WCRS (4.6%) was lower than orchardgrass (11.3%) and bermudagrass hay (8.4%) due to the harvest being 30days later than the optimum harvest date of rice. The lower intake was observed in T during the entire experiment period which seems to be related to the higher proportion of fiber in rice (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in milk production between C (26.9kg) and T (26.3kg) during the entire experiment period (p>0.05). Also, no difference in milk fat, milk protein, total solids, and milk composition was observed between the two diets. Higher income per head was resulted in T (21,141won) compared to C (21,915 won). These results indicate that the partial replacement of the grass hay by the WCRS can bring the profit to the dairy farm due to the no difference between the control diet and the treatment diet.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.261-267
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the various functionalities of the peels, pulps, and seeds of passion fruit. Proximate composition, mineral contents, phenolic acid contents, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, reducing power, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activities were measured for each part of passion fruit. Proximate composition analysis of the passion fruit indicated that moisture content contained (4.78-8.20%), carbohydrate (68.33-73.23%), protein (8.78-13.63%), fat (1.19-11.60%), and ash (1.51-8.80%). K, Ca, Na and Fe were the predominant mineral in the peels. P and Mg were the predominant mineral in the pulps. All the antioxidant activities (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, and reducing power) showed high results in the seeds. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities IC₅₀ were in the peels (5.59 and 63.16 mg/mL), in the pulps (3.80 and 31.90 mg/mL), and in the seeds (0.06 and 1.02 mg/mL). These results indicated that the pulps, peels, and seeds of passion fruit have value as natural antioxidants with the high quality functional components.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2023

Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquariums, and as a folk remedy for inflammation and pus. Nevertheless, the biological activity and underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Myriophyllum spicatum L. (EMS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant activity of EMS was assessed by radical-scavenging effects on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. As inflammatory response parameters produced by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were quantified to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of EMS. Our results showed that EMS increased FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In EMS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly inhibited at the non-cytotoxic concentration. In addition, EMS significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/myeloid differentiation protein (MyD) 88 signaling pathway, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB). Positive correlations were noted between anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it was indicated that EMS suppresses the transcription of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. This study highlights the potential role of EMS against inflammation and associated diseases.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.605-614
• /
• 2022

Two major problems currently threaten human survival on Earth: climate change and the rapid aging of the population in developed countries. Climate change is a result of the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere due to the increase in the use of fossil fuels owing to economic and transportation development. The rapid increase in the age of the population is a result of the rise in life expectancy due to the development of biomedical science and technology and the improvement of personal hygiene in developed countries. To avoid irreversible global climate change, it is necessary to quickly transition from the current fossil fuel-based economy to a zero-carbon renewable energy-based economy that does not emit GHGs. To achieve this goal, the dairy and livestock industry, which generates the most GHGs in the agricultural sector, must transition to using low-carbon emission production methods while simultaneously increasing consumers' preference for low-carbon diets. Although 77% of currently available arable land globally is used to produce livestock feed, only 37% and 18% of the proteins and calories that humans consume come from dairy and livestock farming and industry. Therefore, using edible insects as a protein source represents a good alternative, as it generates less GHG and reduces water consumption and breeding space while ensuring a higher feed conversion rate than that of livestock. Additionally, utilizing the functionality of medicinal insects, such as silkworms, which have been proven to have certain health enhancement effects, it is possible to develop functional foods that can prevent or delay the onset of currently incurable degenerative diseases that occur more frequently in the elderly. Insects are among the first animals to have appeared on Earth, and regardless of whether humans survive, they will continue to adapt, evolve, and thrive. Therefore, the use of various edible and medicinal insects, including silkworms, in industry will provide an important foundation for human survival and prosperity on Earth in the near future by resolving the current two major problems.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.149-157
• /
• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that affects not only the survival and growth of cancer cells but also the activity of immune cells. Although it has been generally accepted that cancer cell-derived TGF-β could promote the survival and growth of early cancer cells and have immunosuppressive roles, it has been known that TGF-β has differential effects according to the type or stage of cancer cells. Therefore, it is hard to clearly define its role in cancer progression and immune responses. This study investigated the effects of TGF-β signaling on the expression of five NKG2D ligands and the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response in the primary colon cancer cell line KM12C and its two metastatic cell lines, KM12SM and KM12L4A. At the surface protein level, exogenous TGF-β decreased the expression of MICA, MICB, ULBP1, and ULBP2, and galunisertib increased the expression of MICA, MIAB, ULBP1, ULBP2, and ULBP3 in KM12C. However, KM12SM and KM12L4A showed no significant changes in the expression of NKG2DLs after treatment with TGF-β or galunisertib. TGF-β signaling inhibition via galunisertib improved the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response against KM12C but did not show a significant response to KM12SM and KM12L4A. Therefore, the suppression of TGF-β signaling could improve the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response against KM12C. However, an increase in NKG2DLs expression and an enhanced NK cell-mediated cancer immune response is hard to expect due to the alteration of TGF-β signaling in KM12SM and KM12L4A.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2023

As a protective defensive mechanism against ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in skin tissue, melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Tyrosinase plays a key role in melanin production in melanocytes. However, the overproduction of melanin can lead to lesions, such as freckles and dark spots. Thus, it is clinically important to find a modulating molecule to control melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase expression and/or activity. It is known that catechin, a plant flavonoid, can reduce melano- genesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase expression. Here, we tested whether catechin derivatives isolated from the stem bark of Ulmus parvifolia have an effect on melanin production by regulating tyrosinase in mouse melanoma cells and in vitro mushroom tyrosinase. The catechin derivatives used in this study included C5A, C7A, C7G, and C7X. Treatments using these catechin derivatives reduced melanin production in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells in which melanogenesis was stimulated by α-MSH. Notably, the anti-melanogenic effects of catechin derivatives were similar to those of kojic acid, a well-known anti-melanogenic molecule. Both C5A and C7A directly inhibited the activity of tyrosinase isolated from mushrooms in vitro. Furthermore, our in silico computational simulation showed that these two compounds were expected to bind to the active site of tyrosinase, which is similar to kojic acid. In addition, all four catechin derivatives reduced tyrosinase protein expression. In summary, our results showed that catechin derivatives can reduce melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase activity or expression. Thus, this study suggests that catechin derivatives isolated from U. parvifolia can be novel modulators of melanin production.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.406-413
• /
• 2023

In this study, the various physiological and anti-inflammatory activities of Sanguisorba officinalis L. roots (SR) were assessed for potential use as functional cosmetic materials. As a result of measuring electron-donating abilities to determine the antioxidant ability of SR extract, activity increased as the concentration increased, showing an excellent antioxidant capacity of 93.8% at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Further, the antioxidant power of SR extract, which was determined using an ABTS⁺ assay measurement, was more than 99% at concentrations of 50 ㎍/ml or more, while the tyrosinase inhibition rate was 37.7% at the highest concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml. Consequently, the elastase and collagenase inhibition of SR extract measured 84.9% and 90.3%, respectively, at a 1,000-㎍/ml concentration. As a result of confirming the survival rate of Raw 264.7 cells, the cell survival rate was determined to be 80% or more below a 100 ㎍/ml concentration, and subsequent cell-related experiments were conducted at concentrations below 100 ㎍/ml. Furthermore, after applying a NO assay to identify anti-inflammatory activity, it was confirmed that SR extract had an inhibitory rate of 50.8% at a concentration of 500 ㎍/ml, and it was excellent at suppressing the inflammatory expression. As a result of verifying protein expression by treating SR extract in Raw 264.7 cells, it was confirmed that expression was inhibited concentrated in all factors. Therefore, it is judged that SR can be used as a functional cosmetic material with antioxidant, whitening, and wrinkle-improving physiological effects and anti-inflammatory activities.