• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 2005

Stability of functional properties and chemical components of gamma-irradiated Astragali Radix (AR) were investigated to study the application of radiation technology for preservation and hygiene of medicinal herbs. Thus, ethanolic extracts and ethyl acetate fractions were prepared from gamma-irradiated and gamma-nonirradiated AR, respectively. Functional properties were estimated by comparing antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity) and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Chemical components were compared by HPLC analysis, comparing with calycosin ($_{t}$ R= 15.111 min), which was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction as a standard material. Their antioxidant activities and protective effects against oxidative DNA damage showed no significant difference at the concentrations tested. HPLC analysis also showed almost same pattem. These results suggest that the functional properties and chemical components of AR are not affected largely by gamma irradiation, and radiation technology can be applied to preservation and hygiene of medicinal herbs.s.