• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.689-695
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of in vitro human digestion on the antioxidant activity of blueberry leaf extracts (BLE) in emulsion-type sausages (ETS). Leaves from four cultivars of blueberries (Bluecrop, Bluegold, Duke, and Northland) collected from a wild blueberry farm were extracted with 80% ethanol. ETS were prepared with 0.2% BLE. The samples were then passed through an in vitro human digestion system which simulates the composition of the mouth, stomach, and small intestine juice. Only one phenolic compound (chlorogenic acid) was detected in the BLE. Northland BLE had appreciably higher amounts of chlorogenic acid than that of other BLE, both before and after in vitro human digestion. Antioxidant activity of any BLE was not influenced by in vitro human digestion, whereas the antioxidant activity of chlorogenic acid standard increased in response to in vitro human digestion in both 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). In the present study, the antioxidant activities of the BLE were not strongly influenced by in vitro human digestion, and the antioxidant activity depended on the chlorogenic acid content of ETS. Thus, compounds from blueberry leaves may have important applications in the future as natural antioxidants for meat products.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.276-285
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to determine effects of humic acid (HA) and blueberry leaf powder (BLP) supplementation in pig feed on productivity, blood profiles, and meat quality characteristics of longissimus muscle. The experimental design included six treatments: 1) CON, no addition; 2) T1, BLP 0.1%; 3) T2, BLP 0.2%; 4) T3, humic acid 2%; 5) T4: humic acid 2%+BLP 0.1%; and 6) T5: humic acid 2%+BLP 0.2%. HA and BLP supplementation in pig feed significantly increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) values (p<0.05). HA supplementation in pig feed had beneficial effects in lipid profiles without altering feed efficiency rate (FER). HA and BLP co-supplementation in pig feed decreased pH in longissimus thoracis (p<0.05). In addition, sensory characteristics were enhanced when pig feed was supplemented with HA and BLP without causing adverse effects in meat quality. Taken together, addition of HA and BLP in pig feed may produce functional meat products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.604-610
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• 2012

The nutritional composition and in vitro anti-oxidant activities of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) leaf extract were investigated to examine their physiological characteristics. Calcium was the most abundant mineral. The principal free sugars were glucose, sucrose, maltose, and fructose. The amino acids were mainly composed of glutamic acid and aspartic acid. The fatty acids consisted mainly of 40.94% saturated fatty acid and 54.35% unsaturated fatty acid. In addition, the 112.64 mg% of vitamin C was analyzed as a natural anti-oxidant. Based on the bioactivity-guided isolation principle, the resulting ethanolic extracts from the blueberry leaf were divided into several fractions of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the greatest total phenolic content. The total phenolics and flavonoid were 50.51 mg of GAE /g and 13.09 mg%, respectively. The ABTS-radical-scavenging activity of the ethyl acetate fraction was 97.53% at a concentration of 500 ${\mu}g/mL$. The ferric-reducing anti-oxidant power of the ethyl acetate fraction increased in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of the blueberry leaf extract has good in vitro anti-oxidant activities and excellent nourishment, and can thus be useful food resources.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2021

Blueberry, which produces phenolic compounds, is one of the most popular fruits in Korea. During a survey on blueberry diseases, 16 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from blueberry leaves in Chuncheon and Gosung, Kangwon province, Korea. Using morphological and molecular analyses, the isolates were identified as Colletotrichum aenigma, C. fioriniae, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides, and C. nymphaeae. C. gloeosporioides was the most frequently isolated (11 isolates), and only one or two isolates of the other species were found. After inoculation with all isolates, those leaves and fruits with wounds easily developed anthracnose; whereas, fruits without wounds became infected but leaves without wounds were infected by only two of C. gloeosporioides. Typically, around seven fungicidal agents are used to control anthracnose on blueberries in Korea. Fluzinam and prochloraz manganese complex strongly (over than 80%) inhibited the growth of all Colletotrichum species, while dithianon and mancozeb only weakly (about 80% or less) inhibited their growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.610-612
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• 2011

We developed a spectrophotometric assay for the quantitative determination of chlorogenic acid based on the formation of green pigment at $50^{\circ}C$ under glycine and alkaline conditions in 96-well plates. The formation of green pigment was linear with a series of chlorogenic acid concentration (0-$300\;{\mu}M$). Using this method, the content of chlorogenic acid (12.42 mg/g dry weight) in the leaves of blueberry was quantified. This method is high-throughput, cost-effective, rapid, and easy to perform.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Rabbiteye blueberry(Vaccinium ashei Reade) has low nutrient uptake efficiency due to its shallow and fibrous root system without root hairs. This study was carried out to establish an efficient nutrient application standard by investigating the effect of nitrogen fertigation on the growth and fruit characteristics of rabbiteye blueberry. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry was treated with 0, 50, 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation of recommended fertilizer application (6, 9 and 14 g/bush in the first, second and third years, respectively). The results showed that leaf nitrogen content significantly correlated with the fruit weight and fruit yield. However, canopy area, dry weight, sugar and anthocyanin contents did not correlate significantly with the leaf nitrogen content. The leaf and stem dry weights of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of planting were the highest with 50% nitrogen fertigation (leaf dry weight=723.7 g/bush; stem dry weight=890.7 g/bush). Maximum fruit yield of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry (12.9 kg/bush) was observed during the third year of planting with 50% nitrogen fertigation and this was about 70% greater than the treatment that received no nitrogen fertigation. The fruit yields of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of planting treated with 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation were 11.0 and 11.5 kg/bush, and these were 17 and 12%lower than the 50% nitrogen fertigation treatment, respectively. Further, the efficiency of nitrogen utilization was the highest (90%) with 50% nitrogen fertigation and lowest (18%) with 200% nitrogen fertigation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that fertigation with 50% of the recommended fertilizer could be most effective for enhancing the growth and nitrogen use efficiency of rabbiteye blueberry.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.360-367
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: The productivity and quality of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) greatly depend on the number of fruits in a plant. Especially, fruit set more than appropriate number negatively affects productivity and marketability due to the increased number of small fruits and delayed harvest time. This study was conducted to investigate proper timing and concentration for applying chemical blossom thinners such as ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) and UREA. METHODS AND RESULTS: ATS at 1.25% and 1.50%, and UREA at 6% and 8% were applied in four developmental stages, bud swell, pink bud, full bloom and petal fall. Fruit thinning rate was calculated based on the number of fruits harvested divided by that of flowers before applying blossom thinners. Ratios of leaf to flower and leaf to fruit were calculated based on the number of fully developed leaves in 25 days after full blossom divided by that of flowers or fruits, respectively. Chemical injury of leaves was investigated by calculating the number of leaves with chemical injury divided by the total number of leaves. Fruit thinning rates were 48% and 66% for UREA treatments at 6% and 8%, respectively, and 49% and 62% for ATS treatments at 1.25% and 1.50%, respectively, in the full bloom stage. In the petal fall stage, fruit thinning rates were 18% and 24% for UREA treatments at 6% and 8%, respectively, and 49% and 35% for ATS treatments at 1.25% and 1.50%, respectively. Leaf to fruit ratio (L/FR) increased by 109% and 188% compared to leaf to flower ratio in ATS treatments at 1.25% and 1.50%, respectively, and L/FR increased 93 and 196% in UREA treatments at 6% and 8%, respectively, in the full bloom stage. In the petal fall stage, leaf to fruit ratio increased by 60% to 100% in ATS treatments, but did not significantly differ from the control in UREA treatments. Fruit harvest was delayed in all treatments of all developmental stages except for 1.5% ATS and 6% UREA treatments at the petal fall stage, whose fruit harvest was two or three days faster than the control. CONCLUSION: The application of ATS and UREA for blossom thinning should be in the petal fall and full bloom stages for early and late harvest, respectively. Considering chemical injury, integrated harvesting and fruit size, however, it is appropriate to apply ATS at 1.5% in the petal fall stage to increase fruit productivity and quality in blueberry.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 2015

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a bush that grows well at special cultural environments such as acid soil, high organic matter content, and a good drainage and aeration compared to other general crops. Blueberries are well known to contain high amounts of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, resulting in high antioxidant activity that provides health benefits, and expanding the cultivation areas and consumer's demand in the worldwide. However, the full genome of blueberry has not been announced until now. Furthermore, the genomic analysis and transcriptome approaches are not so popular compare to major crops such as orange, apple, and grape. The aim of the review about blueberry genomic research is to establish the platform for setting blueberry breeding target, increasing proficiency of blueberry research, and making the practical cultivation techniques in Korea. The main topics in the blueberry genomic research including transcriptome, genetic mapping, and various markers are related with cold hardiness, chilling requirement, hot tolerance, anthocyanin content, and flavonoid synthesis pathway on various tissues like flower bud, leaf bud, shoot, root, and berry fruit. The review of the current status of blueberry genomic research will provide basic information to the breeders and researchers and will contribute to development of blueberry industry with sustainable productions and increase of blueberry consumption as new profitable crops in Korea.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant and intracellular anti-inflammatory efficacy of blueberry leaf extracted with hot water (BLW), 70% ethanol (BLE), and 70% acetone (BLA) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of blueberry leaf extracts, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the production of inflammation-related factors, which were measure by Western blotting and real-time PCR methods. i-NOS, COX-2 protein, and mRNA expression showed concentration-dependent decrease. The decreases in the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) were concentration-dependent. Further, the antioxidant effects of blueberry leaf on total polyphenol contents, electron donating ability and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity were evaluated. The total polyphenol contents of BLW, BLE, and BLA were $217.04{\pm}2.98$, $156.72{\pm}3.90$, and $182.88{\pm}3.02mg\;TAE/g$, respectively, while the electron donating abilities at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of BLW, BLE, and BLA were 81.7, 79.6, and 79.3%, respectively. The $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity was fond to be concentration dependent. The nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition activities at $50{\mu}g/mL$ of BLW, BLE, and BLA were 35.1, 42.4 and 42.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory test results indicate that blueberry leaf extracts (BLW, BLE, and BLA) can be used as potential anti-inflammatory agents.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.582-587
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• 2015

This study was conducted to compare the plant growth and fruit quality of blueberries grown in different soil textures of Korea, in order to utilize the results for stable production and soil improvement. Rabbiteye blueberry cultivars 'Tifblue' and 'Baldwin' were planted and grown for three years from 2013 in wagner pot (1 $2000a^{-1}$) in a greenhouse of Namhae Sub-station, Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science. The plants were grown in four soil textures, sand, sandy loam, loam and silt loam, and nutrient uptake and growth characteristics of plants were investigated. Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus contents of two cultivars grown in different soil textures ranged between 8.6 to $10.5gkg^{-1}$, which was lower than appropriate level for rabbiteye blueberry. However, the contents of potassium, calcium and magnesium in leaves were appropriate levels as $2.29{\sim}3.62gkg^{-1}$, $4.46{\sim}5.46gkg^{-1}$ and $1.45{\sim}2.12gkg^{-1}$, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphate contents in leaves were higher in the two cultivars grown in silt loam soil. There was no significant difference in plant volume and root dry weight among four soil textures in two cultivars. However, dry weight of leaves and branches were highest in loam soil. Fruit production was highest in loam and silt loam soil in two cultivars, showing negative correlation with the amount of sand in soil. However, sugar and acidity showed no correlation with sand content in soil. These results show the limit to the blueberry growth in soil that has no nutrient holding capacity; however, most of Korean soils that have good nutrient holding capacity can produce competitive fruits if the drainage is improved.