• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제37권2호
• /
• pp.166-173
• /
• 2010

The purpose of functional genome research is to identify biological function of useful gene and to give an agricultural value in plant biotechnology. Brassica rapa is an economic crop which recorded 1,000 billion won of domestic market and 100 million dollar of exports and it produces 2.5 million ton in 50,000 ha as a major ingredient of representative Korean food, Kimchi. Furthermore, it is very important crop economically and commercially because Korea is major seed exporter. The fact that Multinational Brassica Genome Project (MBGP) was launched and Arabidopsis thaliana, affiliated to same genus with B. rapa, has been fully sequenced activated functional genome research of B. rapa. Besides new technologies related to gene function analysis keep developing, many results are reporting every year by international research including Korea. This review paper introduces development of Chinese cabbage mutants which is a first step in functional genome research, variant phenotypes of mutants, flanking DNA analysis in B. rapa genome, gene identification, gene analysis using microarray, and representative researches.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2005

The ethanolic extracts of the leaves and bulbs of Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Liliaceae) collected from Daegwallyoung (D) and Ullung Island (U) in Korea were obtained using three different extracting methods. The first extracts, DL-1 DB-1, UL-1 and UB-1, were obtained from leaves (L) and bulbs (B) dried at $90^{\circ}C$, respectively, and the second extracts, DL-2, DB-2, UL-2 and UB-2, were obtained by extracting the leaves and bulbs of fresh plant parts. The third extracts DL-3, DB-3, UL-3 and UB-3 were obtained by incubating leaves and bulbs at $36^{\circ}C$. The six extracts obtained from A. victorialis var. platyphyllum at Daegwanllyoung (cultivated site) were orally administered to examine for a possible antihepatotoxic effect in $CCl_4-induced$ rats. DL-1 exhibited the most pronounced effect. The extracts inhibited serum ALT, AST, SDH, ${\gamma}-GT$, ALP and LDH activities elevated by $CCl_4$ injection and attenuated decreased glutathione S-transferase, glutatione reductase and ${\gamma}-glutamylcysteine$ synthetase activities and a decreased hepatic glutathione. However, the extracts obtained from Ullung Is. (native site) were less active than the extracts from Daegwallyoung, suggesting that A. victorialis var. platyphyllum from the cultivated site is more useful for functional food than of native site. These results also suggest that the antihepatotoxic effect is due to a higher content of hepatic glutathione. Gas chromatography of the twelve extracts showed significantly different sulfides, disulfides or trisulfides contents belonging to volatile sulfur substances (VSS). Nine components were identified on the basis of their mass spectra, namely, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, diallyl disulfide, dipropyl disulfide, allyl methyl sulfide, allyl methyl trisulfide, 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin, 3,4-dihydro-3-vinyl-1,2-dithiin, and allithiamine. Extract DL-1 had the highest VSS content. Dried plant materials contained larger amounts of the VSSs than other extracts, and the leaves contained larger amount than the bulbs. These results suggest that heat treatment increases the antiheaptotoxic ability of A. victorialis var. platyphyllum by increasing the proportion of VSSs.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• 제36권2호통권141호
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 2005

The herb of Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Liliaceae) has been used as an edible wild herb and to treat heart failure and gastritis. We have already reported antihyperlipidemic anti-tumor effects of this plant. To enlarge the commercial availability of this food, it was investigated whether the extracts of A. victorialis var. platyphyllum reduce hyperlipidemia and obesity or not. The plants tested in this experiment were collected from two eco-types of Is. Ullung and Mt. Odae cultivated at Pyongchang. Extracts were prepared by extracting the fresh leaves and those dried at $36^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$, respectively. Pretreatment with the ethanolic extracts for two weeks(p.o.) reduced serum triglyceride-, total cholesterol- and LDL-cholesterol contents in rats induced by Triton WR-1339, respectively. Furthermore, oral administration of the extracts also inhibited the hyperlipidemia induced with oral diet of 30% corn oil. In the other attempt to find to alleviate the obesity, the model rats with obesity were induced by the high fat-diet for six weeks. Post-treatment with the extracts for two weeks significantly reduced the hyperlipidemia. Retroperitoneal-, epidymal- and total abdominal fat pad weights were considerably reduced at 100 mg/kg oral administration of the extracts. Increased feces lipid contents were also found in the rat treated with the extracts. The extract may lead to the higher activity in treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity than of the dried one.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• 제20권4호
• /
• pp.503-518
• /
• 2012

Korean type of no-tillage cultivation method which was applied on this study used the ridge and the furrow and constantly recycling them as it was suitable for Korea's weather and farming conditions. This no-tillage cultivation was reported to have little negative impact such as reduction of production (Kwon et al., 1997). In addition, it was found to have a lot of benefits as it requires less agro-materials and energy costs as well as shortened working hours because tillage operation is not needed. (Yang et al., 2012). According to an analysis, no-tillage cultivation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by $344.7kgCO^2$ (58%) in every 10a ($1,000m^2$) compared to ordinary pepper farming technique (Korea averages). Direct-indirect reduction effects from using fertilizer and using less amount of energy were 92% and 44% respectively both of which can be considered very high. Besides the direct effects of no-tillage cultivation, soil management using no-tillage technique raises carbon sequestration effect on soil as time goes on (West & Marland, 2002), that is why the technique is expected to have constant carbon emission reduction effect. For theses reasons, distribution and expansion of Korean type no-tillage cultivation are expected to play a role as major agro-green technologies for achieving our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural sector.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• 제16권5호
• /
• pp.746-749
• /
• 2006

Two known flavonoids, luteolin (1) and acacetin (2) were isolated from a $CHCI_3$ soluble fraction of the whole plants of Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura, and their structures were determined by NMR analysis. The luteolin (1) was isolated from this plant for the first time. These compounds were examined for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines including HCT116 (colon), UO-31 (renal), PC-3 (prostate) and A549 (lung) by sulforhodamine B(SRB) assay. Acacetin (2) showed significant cytotoxic activity against HCT116 and UO-31 cells with an $IC_{50}$ of 2.44 and $2.89\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제40권3호
• /
• pp.156-162
• /
• 2013

Plant tolerance to drought is a beneficial trait for stabilizing crop productivity under water deficits. Here we report that genetically engineered Chinese cabbage expressing Arabidopsis $H^+$-pyrophosphatase (AVP1) shows enhanced physiological parameters related to drought tolerance. In comparison with wild type plants under soil water deficit stress created by cessation of irrigation, soil water potential in pot with AVP1-expressing plants was more rapidly decreased that might lead to increased relative water content in leaves, while both genotypes had indistinguishable wilting phenotypes. Transgenic plants subjected to drought treatment also exhibited higher photosystem II quantum yield in addition to lower electrolyte leakage and $H_2O_2-3,3^{\prime}$-diaminobenzidine content when compared to wild type plants.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.116-124
• /
• 2010

While groundwater is the major source for drinking and irrigation purposes, arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is a serious issue in Bangladesh. With a view to reduce As contamination in drinking water the guideline value recommended for Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/L. We assessed groundwater As in an As-affected Sadar Upazilla (small administrative unit) in the District (administrative unit) of Chapai Nabwabganj during 2006, where 50% hand tube well water were above the recommended limit (0.05 mg/L) during dry season. Almost 20% tube well waters were above the recommended limit during rainy season, perhaps due to the dilution of water table. The groundwater in Bangladesh contaminates surface soils and plants thereby As entering the food chain. In 2005, we examined the As levels in different rice varieties grown in different Districts of Bangladesh and the As concentrations in rice grain ranged from 0.07~1.12 mg/kg while the concentrations in 3 rice varieties were above the recommended limit (1 mg/kg rice grain) and the maximum concentration was 1.12 mg/kg rice grain in the rice variety BR 11. With few exceptions, the As content of rice grain in Bangladesh is not considered to be concentration of greater health concern as yet. We also observed enhanced root uptake, efficient root-to shoot translocation, and a much elevated tolerance through internal detoxification all contribute to As hyperaccumulation in a plant, ladder brake fern (Pteris vittata L.). But the phytoremediation technique might not be an appropriate tool to reduce the As calamity in the vast areas of Bangladesh. To mitigate the As problem of Bangladesh, better coordination among governmental agencies and many other organizations will be required to combat the disaster.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.250-261
• /
• 2016

The Philippines is a naturally water-rich archipelago capable of sustaining its ecological goods and providing services and needs of its people. Several waterbodies have been declared as natural wetlands in the country supporting the needs of community like water and food. In this study, 65 natural wetlands were considered including six sites that were identified as 'Wetlands of International Importance' such as Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Las $Pi{\tilde{n}}as-Para{\tilde{n}}aque$ Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. There are 22 wetland types presented in this research categorizing the Philippine wetlands. Philippine wetlands are now facing tremendous challenges such as land use conversion, abuse of resources, pollution coming from domestic, industrial and agricultural activities, and climate change. This paper provides an overview of Philippine wetlands in terms of their characteristics and components, impacts in the ecosystem, and the challenges they are dealing with. Moreover, the preservation measures that the government and private agencies implements to these wetlands were discussed and assessed. The enforcement of local and national laws concerning wetlands is found to be inadequate resulting in poor quality wetlands. The preservation and utilization of these wetlands can be maximized with a voluntary participation of whole Philippine community.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.343-350
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to find out the coefficient relationships between intensity values of image processing and biological/physical parameters of soil in greenhouses. Soil images were obtained by an image processing system consisting of a personal computer and a CCD earners. A software written in Visual C$\^$++/ systematically integrated the functions of image capture, image processing, and image analysis. Image processing data of the soil samples were analyzed by the method of regression analysis. The results are as follows. For detecting soil density of unbroken soil samples, the highest correlation coefficients of 0.82 and 0.84, respectively were obtained fur R-value and S-value among image processing data while it was 0.97 for G-value. Considering the relationship between biological characteristics and image processing data of soil in greenhouse, the correlation was found generally low. For pH of unbroken soil sample, the correlation coefficients were found 0.87, 0.85, and 0.94, respectively with G, I, and H values of image processing data. In the case of bacteria, any correlation was not found with the image processing data For Actinomyctes, they were 0.86 and 0.85, respectively with G-value and B-value of image processing data showing high correlation coefficient compared to the other variables. The correlation coefficient between Fungi and H-value was shown 0.88, the highest among the variables higher than 0.8 while the other variables showed low correlation. For broken soil samples from greenhouse, the relation between biological parameter and image processing data were rarely shown in this study. The results of this study indicated that most of correlation coefficient between the variables were usually lower than 0.01. Accordingly, it was assumed that the soil should be used without broken to fairly estimate biological characteristics using CCD camera.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• 제60권4호
• /
• pp.475-483
• /
• 2015

We examined the effects of light colors (wavelength) and light quantities on the yield ratio and quality of cultivated cowpea sprouts. All light colors resulted in a lower cowpea sprout yield ratio compared to the untreated condition (darkness), but were similar in hard seed ratio. All light colors promoted the growth of the epicotyl and root when compared to the untreated condition, but limited the growth of the hypocotyl. White light (458 nm) significantly improved grade by increasing the lightness of the cotyledon and the hypocotyl and the yellowness of the hypocotyl. The Fe content of cowpea sprouts was higher in those grown under red light (632 nm), and the total amino acid content was higher for those grown under yellow light (560 nm), white light (458 nm), and blue light (460 nm) compared to plants grown in the untreated condition (darkness). The yield ratio of cowpea sprouts was lower in the yellow light condition (560 nm) at lower light quantity, but no differences were observed at other light colors and quantities. The lightness and yellowness of cowpea sprouts was higher in the yellow light (560 nm) and red light (632 nm) at lower light quantity, redness was lower. No significant differences were observed in the content of normal and inorganic components according to the light quantities of each light color, except that Fe content was higher in sprouts grown under red light (632 nm) as light quantity increased. Total amino acid content was slightly higher in sprouts grown under white light (458 nm) and blue light (460 nm) as light quantity increased.