• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.385-394
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• 2015

Background : Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are secondary metabolites present abundantly in the fruits belonging to the genus Schisandra. According to previous studies, Schisandra lignans exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties, as well as an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. Therefore, establishing the Korean "Omija" (Schisandra chinensis) as a lignan-rich source, in addition to identifying and quantifying the lignans, is extremely valuable. Methods and Results : Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans were analyzed with liquid chromatography using diode array detection/mass spectrometry, from methanol extracts subsequently identified by a constructed chemical library of 50 lignans. A total of 27 components of lignan including gomisin S were identified, of which schisandrin, gomisin A, gomisin N, deoxyschisandrin, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, and schisandrin C were identified as the major components in the Korean Omija, Schisandra chinensis. These compounds were divided into two groups, S-biphenyl and R-biphenyl based on the configurations of the stereoisomers structures with contents of 661.7 and 1350.1mg per 100 g dry weight, respectively. The total lignan content averaged 2011.4mg per 100 g dry weight, of which schisandrin and gomisin N comprised the majority (771.8 and 420.5mg per 100 g dry weight respectively). Conclusions : Lignans which are present in high quantities in the ripe fruit of Schisandra chinensis are important functional compounds that play a major role in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.646-652
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• 2018

Neurodegeneration can result in memory loss in the central nervous system (CNS) and impairment of taste and smell in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The neurodegeneration seen in Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by functional loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent studies have also found a role for dopaminergic neurons in regulating taste memory rewards in insects. To investigate how taste memories and sugar sensitivity can be affected in PD, we utilized the $DJ-1{\beta}$ mutant fruit fly, $DJ-1{\beta}^{ex54}$, as a PD model. We performed binary choice feeding assays, electrophysiology and taste-mediated memory tests to explore the function of the $DJ-1{\beta}$ gene in terms of sugar sensitivity as well as associative taste memory. We found that PD flies exhibited an impaired ability to discriminate sucrose across a range of sugar concentrations, with normal responses at only very high concentrations of sugar. They also showed an impairment in associative taste memory. We highlight that the taste impairment and memory defect in $DJ-1{\beta}^{ex54}$ can be recovered by the expression of wild-type $DJ-1{\beta}$ gene in the dopaminergic neurons. We also emphasized the role of dopaminergic neurons in restoring taste memory function. This impaired memory property of $DJ-1{\beta}^{ex54}$ flies also allows them to be used as a model system for finding supplementary dietary foods that can improve memory function. Here we provide evidence that the associative taste memory of both control and $DJ-1{\beta}^{ex54}$ flies can be enhanced with dietary supplementation of the medicinal plant, omija.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 2018

Vinegar was prepared from the fruits produced in Gangwon province, and major metabolite and aroma components were investigated for acetic acid fermentation. In the case of Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar, the ${\text\tiny{L}}$-alanine content was greatly changed by acetic acid fermentation. Acetic acid had the highest content (43%) of total aromatic components, and the contents of ester compounds, such as ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate, were significantly increased after fermentation. Omija-Makgeolli vinegar produced linalool and hexanoic acid by fermentation, and terpenoid compound was prevalent (41.5%). ${\text\tiny{L}}$-alanine was also increased in Omija-Makgeolli vinegar, similar to that of Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar. Terpene compounds, such as terpinel-4-ol and ${\alpha}$-terpineol in Omija-Makgeolli vinegar, and ethyl acetate in Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar, were identified as major components in each aromatic formulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2024

The global elderly population, aged 65 and over, reached approximately 10% in 2020, and this proportion is expected to continue rising. Therefore, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), which are characterized by declining memory capabilities, is anticipated to increase. In a previous study, we successfully restored the diminished memory capabilities in a fruit fly model of PD by administering an omija extract. To identify functional ingredients that can enhance memory akin to the effects of the omija extract, we conducted screenings by administering halophyte extracts to the PD model. Halophytes are plants that thrive in high-salt environments, and given Korea's geographic proximity to the sea on three sides, it serves as an optimal hub for the utilization of these plants. Upon examining the effects of the oral administration of 12 halophyte extracts, Salicornia herbacea and Calystegia soldanella emerged as potential candidates for ameliorating memory loss in PD model flies. Moreover, our findings suggested that C. soldanella, but not S. herbacea, can mitigate oxidative stress in DJ-1β mutants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.851-858
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• 2016

The effective components of Schisandra chinensis are lignans (schizandrins and gomisins), which have various physiological functionalities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This study was carried out to determine the different parts of fruits in Schisandra chinensis to elevate their usefulness. Schisandra chinensis was separated into skin (epicarp), pulp (mesocarp), and seeds, and raw Omija and hot-dried Omija (HDO) were used as control. The most abundant component was nitrogen free extract (6.88~56.70%) followed by crude lipids (1.65~19.04%). The main mineral was K (383.10~2,024.10 mg/100 g), except in seeds where P was the main mineral. The main lignan in all parts of fruit was schizandrin, and the highest content of schizandrin was 9.46 mg/g in dried seeds. Total lignan content was 25.97 mg/g and 14.97 mg/g in dried seeds and HDO, respectively. A total of 17 components of fatty acids in seeds and HDO were detected, of which linoleic acid (72.66~73.78%), oleic acid (14.78~17.39%), palmitic acid (2.88~3.54%), and capric acid (1.70~4.93%) were determined as the major components. Main lignans and fatty acids of Schisandra chinensis fruit contain mainly seeds. Therefore, it is more efficient to use seeds than pulp and extract of fruit itself to use the components of Omija.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.255-258
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of natural antimicrobials on Listeria monocytogenes isolated from Korean slaughterhouses. A mixture of 15 strains of L. monocytogenes at low (3 Log CFU/mL) or high (7 Log CFU/mL) concentration was exposed to various extracts (grapefruit seed extract, citrus fruit extract, ginger extract, pear extract, Japanese apricot concentrate, balloon flower extract, jujube extract, and omija extract) at $0.001-4.0{\mu}g/mL$. Ginger extract, pear extract, Japanese apricot concentrate, balloon flower extract, jujube extract, or omija extract showed no antimicrobial effects on high-concentration of L. monocytogenes (7 Log CFU/mL). However, grapefruit seed extract and citrus fruit extract showed antibacterial effects against L. monocytogenes at 3 and 7 Log CFU/mL with MBCs of 0.001 and $0.002{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. These results indicate that grapefruit seed extract and citrus fruits extract can be used to control L. monocytogenes as natural antimicrobials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.168-183
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• 2021

Using the big data analysis of the Choseonwangjosilrok, this research aimed to figure out the fruits' types, prevalence, seasonal appearances as well as the royalty's perspective on fruits during Choseon period. Choseonwangjosilrok included nineteen kinds of fruits and five kinds of nuts, totaling 1,601 cases at 72.8% and 533 cases at 24.2% respectively. The text recorded fruits being used as: tributes for kings, gifts from kings to palace officials, tomb offerings, county specialties, trade goods or gifts to the foreign ambassadors, and medicine ingredients in oriental pharmacy. Seasonally the fruits appeared demonstrating an even distribution. Periodic characteristics were observed in decreasing quantity chronologically. From fifteenth century to nineteenth century, the fruits with timely features were seen: 804 times at 36.6%, 578 times at 26.3%, 490 times at 22.3%, 248 times at 11.3%, and 78 times at 3.5% respectively. In fifteenth century: citrons, quinces, pomegranates, cherries, permissions, watermelons, Korean melons, omija, walnuts, chestnuts, and pine nuts appeared most frequently. In sixteenth century: pears, grapes, apricots, peaches, and hazelnuts appeared most frequently. In seventeenth century: tangerines and dates appeared most frequently. In eighteenth century, trifoliate orange was the most frequently mentioned fruit.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the residue amount of harmful materials on the 113 commercial fruit teas (Gugija, Omija, Sansuyu) in Gwangju area. It was performed using the GC-ECD, GC-NPD, GC-MSD and the LC-UVD, LC-FLD, LC-MSD to analyze 200 pesticides. The heavy metals were determined using a Mercury analyzer and AAS. The sulfur dioxides were analyzed by modified Monnier-Williams method. The residual pesticides were detected in 4 samples (Gugija). The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) were Pb, 0.024; Cd, 0.031; As, 0.010; Hg, 0.003. The measured values of Pb, Cd, As, Hg showed within MRLs. The sulfur dioxides were over MRLs in 4 samples (Gugija). These results will be used to establish on the regulation of commercial fruit teas in Gwangju area.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2009

The antifatigue and endurance promoting properties of two Korean medicinal herb extracts and molasses with various mineral components were studied by evaluating forced-swimming capacity and biochemical parameters in ICR mice. The treatment groups were orally administered mineral beverages which were contained 6% sugar with the mixture of Maesil (Prunus mume fruit) extracts, Omija (Schisandra chinensis fruit) extracts and molasses for 4 weeks. The exercised forced-swimming tests were conducted after 28 days of beverage supplementation. The swimming times to exhaustion were longer 1.5${\sim}$2 times in group 6 and group 10 than control goup (Control: 93.2${\pm}$10.4 sec; Beverage 6; 190.8${\pm}$25.6 sec, Beverage 10; 173.6${\pm}$21.8 sec; p<0.05). Moreover, the activity of hexokinase (Control: 5.23${\pm}$0.38 ${\mu}mol$l/g tissue; Beverage 6: 5.99${\pm}$0.18 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, Beverage 10: 6.13${\pm}$0.25 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, p<0.05) and citrate synthase (control: 42.9${\pm}$1.87 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue; Beverage 6: 56.8${\pm}$3.98 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, Beverage 10; 59.5${\pm}$3.09 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, p<0.05) were also significantly higher than those of control group. Even if the treatment groups had long swimming than control group, there is no significant difference in the glycogen contents of gastrocnemus muscle or liver between the control group and each treatment group. This demonstrated an improvement in endurance. These results suggest that reported herbal beverage is very effective to combat fatigue, improve endurance and increase overall physical activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2011

In this study, we have developed taste and other functional enhancements of yam chips, from tasteless and flavorless yam slices, through the process of soaking freeze-dried yam in different commercially available juices, including apple, omija (fruit of Maximowiczia typica), grape, wild grape, orange, tomato, red ginseng, and black garlic juice. The analyses of color (brightness, redness and yellowness), pH, brix, acidity, total polyphenol, total flavonoids, total sugar and reducing sugar, DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity, reducing power and nitrite scavenging activity, of the different yam chips showed that the freeze-dried yam slices absorb various components of fruit juices, such as flavonoids, sugars, organic acids and flavors, during the soaking process. These changes resulted in increased taste (both sweet and sour tastes), flavor and antioxidant activity in the yam chips. The soaking time for yam slices in juice is considered to be a crucial factor for the taste and bioactivity of yam chips. In the case of grape juice-yam chips, which had the highest preference among the 8 different chips, the optimum soaking time was noted as 120 seconds. The optimization of the soaking process is necessary for various juices. These results suggest that taste, and other functional enhancements, in yam chips can be developed by juice-soaking and freeze-drying methods.