• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.472-487
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• 2016

This study aimed to determine the effects of floral fragrances on human brain waves and moods. A total of 44 subjects participated in this experiment. Group 1 consisted of 11 male and 14 female college students with a mean age of 24.5 years (${\pm}2.23$) and Group 2 consisted of 10 males and 9 females with a mean age of 54.3 years (${\pm}2.98$). Subjects were exposed to floral fragrances of Rosa hybrida, 'Hera' (hereafter referred to as "rose"), Cymbidium faberi (hereafter referred to as "orchid"), or odorless control flowers (hereafter referred to as "control"). Experiments took place in three rooms (rose, orchid, and control). Electroencephalographs (EEGs) were recorded during exposure to the odors and the data were processed using quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) techniques. The changing EEG patterns were analyzed by brain mapping and compressed spectral arrays, and the subjects' preferences (hedonic evaluations) were quantified with an A1 index. Increased activation of absolute alpha waves was verified on six of the eight EEG channels, with the right frontal and left occipital lobes exhibiting no changes and the left parietal region showing the greatest activation. According to the QEEG measurements in the electrode sites over the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, the strongest absolute alpha waves were induced in the parietal lobes, followed by the temporal lobes, with the other lobes showing no significant changes. On brain maps, the orchid fragrance induced greater absolute alpha and absolute mid-beta activities compared with the rose and control fragrances, and the rose fragrance induced high absolute mid-beta activation. To identify emotional responses to floral fragrances, the subjects were requested to fill in a questionnaire and the resulting odor-related emotional descriptors were analyzed using semantic differential and factor analysis. Principal component analysis identified "elegant" as the first principal component describing the floral fragrance, followed by "refreshing" and "aromatic." The subjects gave orchid higher scores for "elegant" and "refreshing," while finding rose more "aromatic." Differences in hedonic evaluation revealed by the A1 index appeared in the 65-115 sec range of scent exposure time. The subjects with ages of around 50 years showed olfactory preferences throughout the entire experimental time of 160 sec, most markedly in the later time segment (115-165 sec), showing an increasing preference with increasing exposure time. We conclude that rose fragrance can improve concentration by creating an aromatic environment conducive to a concentrated and calm state of mind, and orchid fragrance can make people feel pampered and relaxed by creating an elegant and refreshing environment.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2011

To identify and quantify the major antioxidants present in Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum (C. zawadskii, hereafter), the flowers of C. zawadskii were cut into pieces, extracted with methanol (MeOH), and fractionated by using n-hexane, chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water. The highest concentration of polyphenol and flavonoid was observed in the EtOAc fraction. Based on ABTS and DPPH methods, highest antioxidative activities of C. zawadskii were found in the EtOAc fraction, in their 81.56% and 68.12% levels, respectively. By using HPLC, we identified two flavonoids: quercetin and luteolin, in the EtOAc fraction, and their contents were 20.02 and 1.65 $mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively. Our results clearly suggest the presence of these antioxidants in the flower of C. zawadskii, thus it may be consumed as tea with health beneficial effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immuno-stimulatory activity of the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMWF) of Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) extracts obtained by ultrafiltration in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and to assess its immuno-stimulatory effect in mice. Ultrafiltration was performed with polyethersulfone membranes (30 kDa cutoff) in a cross-flow filtration system to obtain the HMWF of CW. The results showed that the HMWF increased the production of various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide in dose-ependent manners. In addition, HMWF treatment increased the relative spleen weight as well as splenocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A or bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the HMWF-treated group was significantly increased compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that the HMWF of CW can support the immune system through secretion of macrophage cytokines, thereby enhancing NK cell activity and murine splenocyte proliferation.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.672-680
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• 2012

To determine the characteristics of four different sweet pumpkins (Minimam, Bojjang, Ajikuroi and Kurijiman), juices were made from these varieties. The carotenoids in the flesh were 1.5~2 times higher than those in the skin and were highest in the flesh of the Minimam pumpkin among all the pumpkin varieties studied. The vitamin A contents were higher in the skin than in the flesh, and Minimam had the highest vitamin A content (2,016.57 IU/100 g) while Kurijiman had the lowest (998.83 IU/100 g). The vitamin C contents varied from 43.21 to 82.35 mg%, but there were no significant differences between the flesh and the skin. That of Kurijiman was the highest among the varieties studied. The major mineral of these varieties was potassium, which was highest in the flesh of Ajikuroi, followed by phosphorus. The antioxidant activities of the sweet pumpkin water extracts were higher in the skin than in the flesh. The $EC_{50}$ of the Minimam skin was the highest (4.01 mg/mL), and that of the Ajikuroi flesh was the lowest. The sweet pumpkin juice yields were 69.5~89.4%, with significant differences shown according to the variety. That of the peeled Ajikuroi's flesh was the highest. The pH was 7.17~7.83, and the unpeeled sweet pumpkin's pH was higher than that of the peeled sweet pumpkin. The Brix degree was $12.5{\sim}16.6^{\circ}Brix$, with that of the unpeeled Bojjang being the highest($16.1^{\circ}Brix$) and that of the unpeeled Ajikuroi the lowest ($12.7^{\circ}Brix$). The sweet pumpkin beverage made with pressed juice was adjusted by pH 3.5 with citric acid, and the Brix degree was maintained at the $12^{\circ}Brix$ with sugar. The adjusted beverage, which was the peeled pumpkin flesh juice, had suspension stability for a short time. The sweet pumpkin beverage had a certain flovor and a slimy mouthfeel. Bojjang and Kurijiman were evaluated as the best in the terms of taste and color, but the peeled Minimam and Bojjang showed the best results overall.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2013

This study was conducted not only to analyze ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity with fronds and rhizomes of nine Pteridophyte species, but also to select the plant materials suitable for natural ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor. Harvested rhizomes and fronds were washed, freeze-dried and grinded. After conducting ultrasonification extraction for 30 minutes in ultrasonic water tank with 100% methanol solvent, and vacuum filtration, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity was measured. Acarbose was used as the positive control. After mixing $100{\mu}L$ of 0.7 unit ${\alpha}$-glucosidase enzyme solution into $50{\mu}L$ of extract and reacting them at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 minutes, $50{\mu}L$ of 1.5 mM ${\rho}$-NPG solution was taken and reacted at $37^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes. The reaction was stopped with 1 mL of 1 M $Na_2CO_3$ and absorbance was measured in 405 nm. With the regression analysis, the content of solubility solids (the value of $IC_{50}$) which can inhibit 50% of 0.7 unit ${\alpha}$-glucosidase solution's activity was investigated. The frond ($IC_{50}=14.00{\sim}913.33{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) and rhizome extracts ($IC_{50}=12.93{\sim}205.84{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) of nine Pteridophyte species showed higher ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity in comparison with acarbose ($IC_{50}=1413.70{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). The extracts of fronds and rhizomes showed higher value than acarbose by 1.55~100.98 and 6.87~109.33 times each. Especially, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities of Pyrrosia lingua in fronds and Osmunda cinnamomea var. fokiensis in rhizomes were the highest. The necessary biomass of fronds and rhizomes for inhibiting 50% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity showed the lowest value, 0.35, 0.27 mg each, in O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis. $IC_{50}$ value of P. lingua was the highest among fronds of nine Pteridophyte species, but content of soluble solids was 2.4 times less than O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis. So frond of O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis is more economic in comparison with P. lingua. As the result of this study, O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis showed high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity even with small biomass. Therefore it was considered to be high-valued economic material as natural ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.97-101
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• 2010

Objectives : The present study investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the water extract of Geranii Herba (The stem and leaves of Geranium thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc.) in the animal models of pain and inflammation. Methods : We evaluated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Geranii Herba extract (GHE) using the writhing test, tail-flick test, carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema models. Two dose of GHE (100 and 1000 mg/kg) was administrated orally to the mice. Control group received normal saline and ibuprofen (50 mg/kg) was used as a positive control drug. Results : GHE 1000 mg/kg treated group showed an increased tail-flick response time in the tail-flick test and inhibitory effect on writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid. Treatment with GHE at the same dose inhibited ear edema induced by xylene and foot edema induced by carrageenan toxicity. Conclusion : The results demonstrate that GHE has anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in the various models of nociception and inflammation.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.162-167
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• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) producing phenyllactic acid (PLA), which is known as antimicrobial compound, was isolated from button mushroom bed and the isolated LAB was identified to Lactobacillus casei by 16 rRNA gene sequence analysis. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) from L. casei was assessed for both the capability to produce the antimicrobial compound PLA and the antifungal activity against three fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, and Collectotricum aculatum). PLA concentration was investigated to be 3.23 mM in CFS when L. casei was grown in MRS broth containing 5 mM phenylpyruvic acid as precursor for 16 h. Antifungal activity demonstrated that all fungal pathogens were sensitive to 5% CFS (v/v) of L. casei with average growth inhibitions ranging from 34.58% to 65.15% (p < 0.005), in which R. solani was the most sensitive to 65.15% and followed by C. aculatum, and B. cinerea. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for commercial PLA was also investigated to show the same trend in the range of 0.35 mg mL-1 (2.11 mM) to 0.7 mg mL-1 (4.21 mM) at pH 4.0. The inhibition ability of CFS against the pathogens were not affected by the heating or protease treatment. However, pH modification in CFS to 6.5 resulted in an extreme reduction in their antifungal activity. These results may indicate that antifungal activities in CFS was caused by acidic compounds like PLA or organic acids rather than protein or peptide molecules.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2007

xBrassicoraphanus is an intergenic breed crossed between Brassica campetris L. ssp. pekinensis and Raphanus sativus L. that have been daily consumed. xBrassicoraphanus was known to have good tastes and biological activities. Nevertheless, its constituetnts were not elucidated yet. Thus, in the present study, to indirectly evaluate the biological activity of xBrassicoraphanus, 12 compounds were isolated from leaves and roots of xBrassicoraphanus. On the basis of spectroscopic evidences, the structures of these compounds isolated from leaves of xBrassicoraphanus. were identified as ${\beta}-sitosterol$, indole-3-acetonitrile, ferulic acid, methyl ferulate, linolenic acid methyl ester, linolenic acid and coniferyl alcohol, while the chemical structures of compounds isolated from the roots of were xBrassicoraphanus were characterized as ${\beta}-sitosterol$, indole-3-acetonitrile, ferulic acid, methyl ferulate, linolenic acid methyl ester, 1-methoxyindole-3-acetonitrile, goitrin, 4-hydroxycinnamyl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, palmitic acid and daucosterol. These can be classified as three steroids, two indole cyanides, two cinnamic acid derivatives, one cinnamyl alcohol derivative, three fatty acid derivatives one isothiocyanate. These results suggest that the compounds isolated from xBrassicoraphanus were almost identical with known components of Brassica campetris L. ssp pekinensis or Raphanus sativus L. However, it is necessary to investigate more about the difference of amounts of constituents according to harvest time and variant species amounts.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.139-148
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• 2010

This study was conducted to restore our traditional Cheongtaejeon tea and to develop the special products. We inoculated Cheongtaejeon tea with lactobacilli (Lactobacillus plantarum CHO 25) and the mixed microbial strains (L. plantarum CHO 25 + Saccharomyces cerevisiae + Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CHO 104). We also examined the sensuous characteristics and physiological activity of Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced by the inoculation of microbial strains. The external appearance of Cheongtaejeon teas were not significant among the teas which were produced with or without the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25 and the mixed microbial strains. The taste of the tea increased most in Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced without the inoculation of microbial strains. The taste and liking of Cheongtaejeon tea which was inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger decreased significantly, and it was not suitable to drink. Total phenolics compound contents, total flavonoid contents and DPPH ($\alpha,\alpha$-diphenyl-$\beta$-picryl-hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of Cheongtaejeon tea extracts increased much more in the order of that produced with the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25, control and that with the mixed microbial strains. However, nitrite radical scavenging activity in 1,000 mg/L Cheongtaejeon tea hot water extracts were in the order of the control (94.4%), the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25 (93.6%) and the mixed microbial strains (91.1%). Overall results indicated that the sensuous characteristics increased most in Cheongtaejeon tea which was produced without the inoculation of microbial strains, and those physiological activities in tea with the inoculation of L. plantarum CHO 25.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4394-4402
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• 2011

The study was done to examine the effects of horticulture therapy on depression and stress in patient of hospice unit. The subjects of this study were hospice patient in D hospital in D city, thirty hospice patient were assigned to experimental group, thirty hospice patient were assigned to control group. Data were collected from April 29, 2009 to July 26, 2009. Horticulture therapy program consisted of indoor and outdoor horticultural activities. The horticulture therapy was conducted 30 minutes, 6 times a week for 3 weeks (a total 18 times). Measures were depression, and stress by serum cortisol count. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and t-test with SPSS/WIN 17.0 version. The results of this study was patients in the experimental group receiving Horticulture therapy had a significant difference in changes of depression between the experimental group and control group. The study results indicate that horticulture therapy is an effective, palliative intervention program to improve the depression and stress of hospice patients.