• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Vitis amurensis Rupreche, a sort of grape, grows naturally in Asian countries. It is known for important biological effects such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis inhibition. Although its root is used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea, the root's biological activities are poorly studied. In the present study, the effects of V. amurensis root methanol extract (VARM) and its solvent fractions on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. The VARM significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and the triglyceride (TG) content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. To identify active molecules, the VARM was fractionated with a series of organic solvents including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All the fractions also showed inhibition of lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the most powerful anti-obesity effect through the modulation of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosinethymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expression. Oleanolic acid was one of the main active compounds involved in the anti-obesity activity of the V. amurensis root. These results provide important new insight into the potential potent anti-adipogenic effect of the V. amurensis root and illustrate that one of the main compounds involved in this effect is oleanolic acid.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.975-982
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• 2017

Health of human intestine has deteriorated due to excessive stress and western diet. In this study, Vigna angularis was fermented by Bacillus subtilis KCCM11965P in order to develop prebiotic resource for improving bowel movement. The contents of ash and crude protein were $3.35{\pm}0.04%$ and $21.1{\pm}0.19%$ respectively. Vigna angularis extract (1, 3, 5%) were incubated with 3% (v/v) Bacillus subtilis KCCM 11965P for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Total bacterial numbers showed that the combination of 3% powdered seeds and 72 h incubation time was optimum condition for this experiment. Total polyphenol content increased from $0.18{\pm}0.010mg/mL$ in pre-incubation to $0.23{\pm}0.007mg/mL$ in post-incubation with the condition mentioned above. DPPH radical scavenging activity also increased from $36.1{\pm}6.0%$ to $63.6{\pm}5.2%$. Analysis of protease activity showed $2.69{\pm}0.003unit/mL$ in combination of 5% powdered seeds and 72 h incubation time. Amylase activity increased from $1.0{\pm}0.1unit/mL$ in pre-incubation to $26.0{\pm}0.2unit/mL$ in post-incubation. The analysis of free amino acids after incubation with Bacillus subtilis KCCM 11965P showed that leucine increased from 5.22 mg/L to 67.59 mg/L and tyrosine, one of non-essential amino acid also increased 10.08 mg/L to 259.35 mg/L by incubation with 5% powdered seeds. Most of organic acid were reduced by incubation for 72 h. These results suggest that Vigna angularis could be utilized most as a prebiotic resources.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.180-188
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• 2006

This study was carried out to offer the raw data on the method of cultivation and ecological characteristic by systematical analysing habitat environment of Tulipa edulis that was expected as medicinal and ornamental resource. The habitat environment was that the altitude was 245 m, the aspect of south, the size of approximately $49\;m^2$, and there was analyzed that Tulipa edulis grew wild in the dryly sunny spot. The vascular plants were summarized as 62 taxa; 28 families, 59 genera, 50 species, 11 varieties and 1 forms, and the resource plants were classified that there were 23 taxa of ornamental plants(37.1%), 43 taxa of edible plants(69.4%), 34 taxa of medicinal plants(54.8%) and 29 taxa of others(46.8%). In the results of soil factors analysis, there showed that acidity was pH 4.9, organic matter content of 4.9%, available $P_{2}O_{5}$ of 3.6 mg/kg, exchangeable $K^+$ of $0.5\;cmol^{+}/kg$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ of $3.0\;cmol^{+}/kg$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ of $0.8\;cmol^{+}/kg$, cation exchange capacity(C.E.C) of $12.3\;cmol^{+}/kg$ and electrical conductivity(EC) of 0.3 dS/m. In the results of correlation analysis between soil factors, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ and C.E.C were highly correlative. The growth characteristics of Tulipa edulis were surveyed that height was 7.6 cm, leaf width of 0.6 cm, leaf length of 12.7 cm, flower width of 2.8 cm, peduncle of 5.4 cm and chlorophyll of $34.7\;{\mu}g\;mg^{-1}$. In the results of correlation analysis between growth characteristics, height and peduncle were highly correlative. In the results of correlation analysis between soil factors and growth characteristics, exchangeable $K^{+}$ and leaf length were high relativity but they were confirmed negative relation. In the results of growth model analysis, R-square of leaf width and exchangeable $K^{+}$ was some 86.4% and that of chlorophyll and exchangeable $K^{+}$ was some 83.7%.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.431-440
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• 2015

This study investigated the correlation between the trees planted on the slope of the first landfill where the landfill was completed and the soil environment. 69 plots (($7{\sim}20m{\times}5{\sim}20m$) were planted with 26 kinds of major trees in the first landfill slopes for vegetation survey. The survey was conducted from 2007 to 2009. Soil analysis from 2007 to 2008 was made on the basis of the injured index and the indicator species were selected. Depending on the rate of growth of the indicator species, seven survey locations were selected for soil sample analysis. 10 tree species appeared to adapt to the landfill environment. Among them, the coniferous trees were Pinus thunbergii (Seedling) and Juniperus chinensis and the deciduous trees were Quercus aliena, Salix preudo-lasiogyne, Castanea crenata (Seedling), Prunus armeniaca var. ansu, Quercus acutissima, Chionanthus retusus, Liriodendron tulipifera (Seedling) and Celtis sinensis. 8 species of trees did not adapt well to the landfill environment. Among them, two kinds were coniferous, the other six kinds were deciduous. In addition, judgment on the other 8 species of trees as to whether they adapted well or not was postponed. The species for which judgment was postponed included one coniferous tree and seven deciduous trees. Indicator species of injured index was the species that have more than 25 % of the defect. The soil was collected from where Catalpa ovata, Sophora japonica, Albizzia julibrissin and Acer palmatum were planted for analysis. According to the soil analysis, the soil pH showed that the soil was alkaline. Regarding the three phases of the soil, most sample soil showed 60 % for the solid phase or 55 % for the solid phase but with less than 10 % of gas phase. The organic matter content was found to be 0.14 to 2.52 %.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2017

Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient for the health and growth of plants. Iron is usually provided by fertilizers, and iron-chelate fertilizers are well absorbed by plants. This study presents the plant growth-promoting effects of a new functional iron fertilizer, Fe-chelating crab shell powder (FCSP), which is generated from the chelation of Fe ions with crab shell powder. Iron chelate was derived from spent pickling liquor, which is rich in reductive iron, iron(II) oxide. To analyze the effects of FCSP on plant growth, we treated lettuce with several concentrations of FCSP in both lab- and field-scale experiments. In the lab-scale test, the treatment of 50 ppm of FCSP highly promoted growth and resulted in increases in the size, weight, number and chlorophylls content of leaves of plants compared to the treatment of crab shell powder. Fifty ppm of FCSP also increased the size and weight of leaves up to 2 times compared to the application of chemical fertilizer and/or compost in field conditions. In addition, the FCSP treatment resulted in the highest ion uptake of Fe in lettuce leaves. Moreover, FCSP led to increases in the amounts of Fe, Ca, available phosphorus and organic matter in treated soil, indicating that soil quality was improved. Taken together, our results demonstrate that FCSP promotes lettuce growth via enhancement of Fe availability and improves soil quality. Therefore, FCSP can be utilized as a new functional iron fertilizer.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.172-183
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• 1976

RNA, DNA and other phosphorus fractions were determined in the leaf and root of soybean plants different in phosphorus sensitivity grown in $NH_4-N,\;NO_3-N$ and urea medium. The phosphorus sensitive cultivars contained higher ASIP (acid soluble inorganic phosphorus) than the tolerant cultivars with all nitrogen sources. ASIP was highest in the urea treated plants and lowest in the nitrate treated plants. Total phosphorus content was mostly affected with increase in ASIP. When ASIP increased, acid solsuble organic phosphorus(ASOP), phospholipids (L-P), RNA-P, residual phosphorus (R-P) tended to increase, while DNA-P showed little change. The percent RNA-P or DNA-P of total phosphorus in the nitrate treated plant was twice that in the ammonium treated plant, which were also higher in tolerant cultivars regardless of nitrogen sources. The percent ASOP in total acid soluble phosphorus $(ASOP/ASP{\times}100)$ decreased as phosphorus sensitivity decreased. Indications are that phosphorus sensitivity depends on the relative sizes of phosphorus metabolic pools. Total dry matter yield was negatively correlated with total phosphorus (r=0.84 significant at 0.01P), ASIP (0.84 significant at 0.01P) and residual phosphorus (0.69 significant at 0.05P). ASOP showed positive correlation with L-P, RNA-P and DNA-P but negative with R-P. RNA-P was significanly correlated only with L-P (0.63 at P=0.01). There was significant interaction (0.01) among nitrogen sources, cultivars and phosphorus metabolic pools. Phosphorus sensitivity and ammonium toxicity appear to be same in view of energy metabolism, that is, the former inhibits the conversion of ATP to ADP (energy releasing) through phosphate potential while the latter inhibits ATP formation (energy storing).

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the residual amounts of PAHs in environmental samples such as crop, soil and water collected from paddy, upland fields and forestlands near industrial zone and/or a thermal power plant in South Korea. All of the samples were analyzed by GC-mass spectrometer. The average contents of total PAHs in soil samples were 140.2 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ and the range was from 4.3 to $662.9{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. The detection of benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h) anthracene which have strong carcinogenecity was ranged from 14.2 to 167.8 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. The residual amounts and detection frequency of PAHs in soil samples from the iron and heavy industrial areas near Pohang and Busan were 3-folds more than those of the other areas. Amounts of PAHs in upland soil samples was 1.5 folds higher than those of paddy soil samples, suggesting that it may be related to the content of organic matter in soil. The average contents of total PAHs in crop samples were 9.7 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ which ranged from 4.5 to 52.2 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. However, the residual amounts of PAHs in water samples were not detected. These results showed that soils and crops were slightly contaminated with PAHs. Therefore, the investigation should be continued for evaluating a safety or risk assessment through expansion of regions and crops.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.267-276
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• 2010

This study was performed to obtain basic data about vegetation structure and site environment of rare and endangered plant, viola websteri in five natural habitats. The dominant species of Hongcheon habitat were Pyrus pyrifolia (tree layer), Morus bombycis (subtree layer), Pyrus pyrifolia (shrub layer) and Isodon inflexus (herb layer). Mt. Yeonin habitat were dominated by Quercus mongolica (tree layer), Morus bombycis (subtree layer), Philadelphus schrenckii (shrub layer) and Viola websteri (herb layer). Mt. Yumyung habitat were dominated by Cornus controversa (tree layer), Morus bombycis (subtree layer), Fraxinus rhynchophylla (shrub layer) and Adenocaulon himalaicum (herb layer). Mt. Daebu habitat were dominated by Acer mono (tree layer), Staphylea bumalda (subtree layer), Staphylea bumalda(shrub layer) and Dryopteris crassirhizoma (herb layer). And the dominant species of Mt. Worak habitat were Larix leptolepis (tree layer), Fraxinus rhynchophylla (subtree layer), Alangium platanifolium var. macrophylum (shrub layer) and Adenocaulon himalaicum (herb layer). It was found out that the average acidity of soil pH was 5.23; 0.30ds/m for electron conductivity; 12.6% for organic matter content; 0.68% for total nitrogen; 21.66 ppm for available phosphorous; and 23.45 cmol(+)/kg for CEC. Interchangeable cation was decreased in order of $Ca^{2+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ > $K^{2+}$. Viola websteri had positive association with Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum and Geranium thunbergii but negative association with Poa sphondylodes. Species diversity index(H'), maximum Species diversity index (H' max), evenness(J') and dominance (1-J'), of investigated sites ranged 0.6816 (Mt. Worak)~0.9656 (Mt. Daebu), 1.0000 (Mt. Yeonin)~1.3010 (Hongcheon, Gangwon), 0.5330 (Mt. Worak)~0.8947 (Mt. Daebu) and 0.1053 (Mt. Daebu)~0.4670 (Mt. Worak) in woody layer and 1.0414 (Mt. Yumyung)~1.3295 (Mt. Worak), 1.4314 (Mt. Yumyung)~1.6435 (Mt. Daebu), 0.6984 (Hongcheon, Gangwon)~0.8356 (Mt. Worak) and 0.1644 (Mt. Worak)~0.3016 (Hongcheon, Gangwon) in herb layer, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2001

The CA(Controlled Atmosphere) storage of cherry tomatoes were carried out under seven gas compositions including air. The weight loss of cherry tomatoes progressively increased with storage time. In the case of cherry tomatoes stored under CA conditions, increment of weight loss was reduced. However, cherry tomatoes (in air) tut about 15% weight at the end of storage. In CA stored cherry tomatoes lost about 10% weight at the same time. General trend was a decrease in titratable acidity with storage time. In air md 6.4% O$_2$, 4.2% CO$_2$, titratable acidity was lower than that in other storage conditions. During storage of cherry tomatoes, soluble solids increased till 8 days of storage, and then decreased. Stored cherry tomatoes in air and 6.4% O$_2$+4.2% CO$_2$ have lower values. Lycopene contents of cherry tomatoes with 6% O$_2$ storage condition increased and cherry tomatoes with 1% O$_2$+6% CO$_2$ and 3% O$_2$+3.1% CO$_2$maintained s initial contents. In air, flesh firmness decrease till 8 days, and then increase. At 1% O$_2$+6% CO$_2$ ethanol contents were ten times to that of other experimental conditions. Air and 6% O$_2$+7.8% CO$_2$ condition had lowest value for the ethanol content. In changes of organic acid and citric acid decreased slowly during storage, malic acid in air and below 3% O$_2$was disappeared at 8 days. Above 4% O$_2$concentration malic acid contents were maintained till 16 days. In over all acceptability, air and 6.4% O$_2$+7.8% CO$_2$ condition took a good score from the panel. Quality of stored cherry tomatoes was not edible condition in 1% O$_2$+6% CO$_2$. CA storage cherry tomatoes took a good score in firmness and juiciness where as control received good score in color and sweetness. This result was explained that in air ad 6.4% O$_2$+7.8% CO$_2$stored cherry tomato was ripened and full color development, but in CA was break stage because of suppressed ripening.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to identify the radionuclide distribution in public water by carrying out the analysis of artificial radionuclides($^{134}Cs$, $^{137}Cs$, $^{239+240}Pu$), natural radionuclide($^{210}Pb$) and TOC in the lake Euiam sediment in Chuncheon, South Korea. The $^{134}Cs$ concentration in all lake sediments showed below MDA values, and the $^{137}Cs$ concentration in lake sediment were ranged from MDA to $8.79Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The $^{137}Cs$ concentrations in surface sediment were reported to be 2.4 to $4.2Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The lowest concentration of $^{137}Cs$ was reported at St. 4 and the highest concentration was reported at St. 3, respectively. The $^{239+240}Pu$ concentration in lake sediment were ranged from 0.049 to $0.47Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The lowest concentration was reported at St. 2 and the highest concentration was reported at St. 3. The correlation(r) between the $^{239+240}Pu$ concentration and $^{137}Cs$ concentration in lake sediment presented higher values (0.54 to 0.97) and this suggests the behavior and origin of $^{137}Cs$ is identical to the $^{239+240}Pu$ in the sediment. The $^{134}Cs$ concentration below MDA value and the $^{239+240}Pu/^{137}Cs$ ratio(mean value of 0.041) indicated that the artificial radionuclides in the sediment were originated from global fallout by the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons conducted by former USSR and U.S.A, but not from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident. The sedimentation rate derived from $^{210}Pb$ age-dating method at St. 2 is calculated to be $0.31{\pm}0.06cm{\cdot}y^{-1}$. This value is similar to the value ($0.41{\pm}0.05cm{\cdot}y^{-1}$) estimated from the $^{137}Cs$ maximum peak produced from early 1960's. The content of TOC in lake Euiam sediments varied from 0.20 to 13.01%. While the highest correlation between TOC and $^{137}Cs$ concentration in the sediment were found at St. 1, the others presented the low correlation.