• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated in vitro immuno-stimulatory and anti-obesity activity of fruit (LIF), leaves (LIL) and stems (LIS) from Lonicera insularis Nakai in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. LIF, LIL and LIS increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) partly blocked LIF, LIL and LIS mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. In addition, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling attenuated the production of immunostimulatory factors induced by LIF, LIL and LIS. Based on these results of this study, LIF, LIL and LIS is thought to activate macrophages the production of immunostimulatory factors and phagocytosis through toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and MAPKs signaling pathway. In anti-obesity study, LIF reduced the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. LIF increased the protein phosphorylation expressions such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) related to the lipolysis of the adipocytes. In addition, LIF increased the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism and brown adipose tissues differentiation such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coativator 1α (PGC-1α) and PR domain-containing16 (PRDM16). These results suggest that LIF is involved in lipid accumulation inhibition through expressing the proteins such as lipolysis and differentiation of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.668-675
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• 2017

To assess the physiological effects of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus extract on cytoxicity of a neuronal cell line, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotection against intensive glucose-induced oxidative stress were quantitated. Compared to the other fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus (EFAD) showed the highest total phenolics and flavonoids. The 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay and malondialdehyde inhibitory effect test confirmed the superior antioxidant activity of EFAD. Moreover, EFAD also decreased the intracellular ROS level and suppressed neuronal cell death against intensive glucose- or $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, assessment of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities revealed that EFAD was an effective inhibitor of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis identified caffeic acid as the main ingredient of EFAD. Overall, these results suggest that the EFAD is a good natural source of biological compounds that counteract hyperglycemic neuronal defects.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2018

In the present study, we compared the effects of 50% ethanolic extracts of Chinese and Korean Wolfiporia cocos (CPE and KPE) on in vitro lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and their anticancer activities in Sarcoma 180 cells. We further compared the anticancer activities and the 50% inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of CPE with KPE with cultivated for one and two years in a landfill and a facility (LPE and FPE), respectively. In addition, the single oral dose toxicities of CPE and KPE were evaluated in mice. Lipid accumulation was inhibited after 48 hours, in CPE and KPE treated 3T3-L1 cells; however, no significant difference was observed between CPE and KPE in their lipid accumulation inhibitory activities. The anticancer activity of KPE was higher than that of CPE at $300{\mu}g/mL$ (p<0.05), revealing the possibility of an auxiliary biological means for origin identification. The anticancer activities of LPE and FPE were significantly stronger than that of CPE (p<0.05) but there was no difference between extracts from one- and two-year-old W. cocos, irrespective of the cultivation method. In single oral dose toxicity tests, CPE and KPE did not induce mortality during the 14-day observation. Thus, the 50% of lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of CPE and KPE were estimated to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg. Taken together, our results indicate that the anticancer assay could be an auxiliary means of identifying the origin of W. cocos. In addition, artificial cultivation could be an alternative way to reduce the import of W. cocos. Lastly, 50% ethanolic W. cocos extracts could be potential candidates for obesity and cancer managements.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.560-567
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• 2016

Sensory evaluation, in vitro antioxidant activities and main compounds of coffee water-extract, coffee liqueur (CL) and coffee-ground liqueur (CGL) were investigated to consider their industrialization. Sensory evaluation showed that all groups of CGL without 25% CGL (3 month) were relatively higher than CL groups. Total phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activities such as 1,1-diphenyl-2picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) were also performed. The group of 35% CGL had higher total phenolic compounds than others, and the result of DPPH radical scavenging activity was similar to that of total phenolic compounds. In addition, 35% CGL is comparable to the FRAP of coffee water extract (CE). Qualitative and quantitative analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed, and chlorogenic acid as a ployphenolic compound and caffeine as a nonpolyphenolic compound were detected in all samples. Moreover, the HPLC analysis showed that CGLs contain a larger amounts of chlorogenic acid (difference of 0.3~10.5%) and also greater amounts of caffeine (difference of 10.0~18.2%) more then CE. Consequently, these results suggest that coffee-ground as coffee by-products could be used as commercially available food substances because of its physiological molecules remained.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.524-531
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• 2017

The study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extract (EFOJ) and its main constituent compounds. Among all fractions, the highest content of total phenolics was found in EFOJ. The antioxidant activity of EFOJ was confirmed through the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 1-1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and the inhibitory effect of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, we ascertained that EFOJ not only decreased the intracellular ROS level, but also protected the neuronal cells against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. In liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the following were found to be the main compounds of EFOJ: quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. Consequently, these results suggested that the protective effect on neuronal cells was based on the antioxidant activities of the physiologically active compounds of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extract, which could therefore help to mitigate neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.430-437
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• 2022

We conducted a study on the whitening activity of Abies nephrolepis MAX. extracts. The electron-donating ability of 70% ethanol extracts from A. nephrolepis MAX. Stem (AN-S) and A. nephrolepis MAX. Leaf (AN-L) were found to be 89.4% and 90.9% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Their ABTS⁺ radical scavenging abilities were found to be 88.8% and 96% 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Their tyrosinase inhibitory effects were found to be 48.5% and 31.1% at 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Cell survival rates measured in B16F10 were examined with the AN-S and AN-L extracts. Results showed cell viabilities of 98.3% and 94.4% at 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. The protein and mRNA expression inhibitory effects of AN-S and AN-L extracts were measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively, at 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. The results of western blotting showed that the AN-S extract at 100 ㎍/ml concentration decreased the TRP-1 protein expression rate by 46%. The results of Western blotting also showed that the AN-L extract at 100 ㎍/ml concentration decreased the MITF protein expression rate was by 54.6%. Consequently, in the case of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase, the amount of mRNA expressed decreased as the concentration of the extracts increased. Our results suggested that A. nephrolepis MAX. extracts can be used as a functional cosmetic material by confirming that they can be used as a whitening material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.622-632
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate activities as functional cosmetic materials, focusing on Rhododendron brachycarpum (RB) and Rhododendron fortunei (RF). The tyrosinase inhibitory effect, related to skin-whitening, was 32.6% and 39.3% respectively at the concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml. The elastase inhibitory effect, related to skin anti-wrinkling activity, was 30% and 36.2% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Collagenase inhibitory activity showed 77.7%, and 80.2% respectively at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, which demonstrated excellent inhibitory activity. For a cell viability test, that measured on fibroblast cells by RB and RF extracts. Furthermore, the cell viability test showed 100.9% and 98.9% with cell viability at 100 ㎍/ml concentration in CCD-986Sk. The protein expression inhibitory effect of RB and RF extracts was measured by western blot at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations, and the β-actin was used as a positive control. As a result, western blot of RB and RF extracts was measured by the expression inhibition rate of the MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 protein, and was decreased by 67.2%, 65.5%, 13.6%, and 89.1%, 85.0%, and 62.7% at 100 ㎍/ml concentration. The mRNA expression inhibitory effect of RB and RF extracts was measured by RT-PCR at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations, and the GAPDH was used as a positive control. According to the results of RT-PCR of RB and RF extracts, the expression inhibition rate of the MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3 mRNA was decreased by 70.1%, 9.1%, 37.9%, and 38.2%, 8.3%, 57.3% at 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. So, RB and RF extracts showed the anti-wrinkle effectiveness as a functional cosmetic material.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2011

Strain A-3, an amylase-producing bacteria, was isolated from coastal seawater near Daecheon in the Republic of Korea. It was seen to possess a single polar flagella and grow well, on ASW-YP agar plates, at temperatures of between $20-37^{\circ}C$. However, it grew more slowly at the temperatures of $15^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. Similarly, it was observed to grow abundantly, in an Artificial Sea Water-Yeast extract-Peptone (ASW-YP) liquid medium, in a pH range of 6-9, but not grow at pHs of 4-5 and a pH of 10. Strain A-3 was noted as being close to Pseudoalteromonas phenolica O-$BC30^T$, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea $NCIMB1893^T$, Pseudoalteromonas rubra $ATCC29570^T$, and Pseudoalteromonas byunsanensis $FR1199^T$, with 98.30%, 97.86%, 97.78%, and 97.25% similarities respectively, in its 16S rRNA sequence. A phylogenetic tree revealed that strain A-3 and P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ belong to a clade. However, strain A-3 differed from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ in relation to a number of physiological characteristics. Strain A-3 exhibited no growth above 5% NaCl concentrations, no utilization of D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, or D-melibose, and no lipase (C-14) activity. All of these properties strongly indicate that strain A-3 is distant from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ and thus led us to name it Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3 produces ${\alpha}$-amylase throughout growth. Maximal amylase activities of 144.48 U/mL and 149.20 U/mL were seen at pH 7.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3's high, stable production of ${\alpha}$-amylase in addition to its biochemical features, such as alkalitolerance, suggest that it is a good candidate for industrial applications.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.358-383
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• 2015

The concept of 'carbon footprint' has been developed as a means of quantifying the specific emissions of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause global warming. Although there are still neither clear definitions of the term nor rules for units or the scope of its estimation, it is broadly accepted that the carbon footprint is the total amount of GHGs, expressed as $CO_2$ equivalents, emitted into the atmosphere directly or indirectly at all processes of the production by an individual or organization. According to the ISO/TS 14067, the carbon footprint of a product is calculated by multiplying the units of activity of processes that emit GHGs by emission factor of the processes, and by summing them up. Based on this, 'carbon labelling' system has been implemented in various ways over the world to provide consumers the opportunities of comparison and choice, and to encourage voluntary activities of producers to reduce GHG emissions. In the agricultural sector, as a judgment basis to help purchaser with ethical consumption, 'low-carbon agricultural and livestock products certification' system is expected to have more utilization value. In this process, the 'cradle to gate' approach (which excludes stages for usage and disposal) is mainly used to set the boundaries of the life cycle assessment for agricultural products. The estimation of carbon footprint for the entire agricultural and forestry sector should take both removals and emissions into account in the "National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report". The carbon accumulation in the biomass of perennial trees in cropland should be considered also to reduce the total GHG emissions. In order to accomplish this, tower-based flux measurements can be used, which provide a direct quantification of $CO_2$ exchange during the entire life cycle. Carbon footprint information can be combined with other indicators to develop more holistic assessment indicators for sustainable agricultural and forestry ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.765-776
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• 2013

This study was conducted to find out availability of a urban forest (Eudeungsan) as a substitute place of Mudeungsan Provincial Park (MPP) in overuse problem and to identify related factors to place substitutability. During June-August of 2012, 232 samples who have ever visited both of the two places (i.e., MPP and Euduengsan) in Gwang-ju city were selected by using convenient sampling and snowball sampling methods. Self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted, and the valid responses from 225 samples (97.0%) were used for data analysis. 24.2% of respondents had "considerably" or "very much" intention to use the substitute place, and 65.5% of respondents showed "a little" or "somewhat" 10.3% of respondents didn't have any intention to visit Eudeungsan as a substitute place of MPP. Generally, socio-demographic and visiting characteristics were not related with intention to visit Eudeungsan as a substitute place of MPP. It was only found that respondents who largely visit 'alone' to Eudeungsan tended to have higher intention to visit the substitute place than those who visit 'in group.' Three factors of reasons to visit Eudeungsan (i.e.,Challenge/self-development: ${\beta}=0.35$; Accessibility/familiarity: ${\beta}=0.27$; Adventure: ${\beta}=-0.19$) influenced intention to visit the substitute place. Relationship between reasons to visit and intention to visit the substitute place was found. No direct relationship was found between perceived similarity of the places and intention to visit substitute place, and similarity of recreation experiences showed perfect mediating effects between the two variables.