Plants can synthesize some antioxidants, including L-ascorbic acid (AsA) and polyphenol, in response to environmental stresses. Antioxidants detoxify reactive oxygen species in plants and also aid in human health. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel hydroponic treatment can increase leafy vegetable nutritional quality without retarding growth. Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was grown hydroponically and subjected to rhizosphere drought stress by lowering the water level in the solution tub before harvesting. Appropriate drought stress using this method could increase AsA, polyphenol, and sugar content by 24%, 50%, and 17%, respectively, and decrease nitrate nitrogen content by 18% without reducing yield. Similar effects of drought stress on AsA content were observed in four other plant species. This hydroponic method has a universal potential to increase leafy vegetable quality without reducing yield in controlled environments such as plant factories.

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To remove bilirubin from blood by direct hemoperfusion, polymer adsorbents containing amino compound were prepared. Their bilirubin adsorption ability was investigated both in vitro and ex vivo. All polymer adsorbents tested could adsorb bilirubin from buffered solution containing albumin. The bilirubin adsorption depended on the pH of the medium, that is, the amount of bilirubin adsorbed increases with increase of pH. The coating with poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly (HEMA)) to improve the blood compatibility of the adsorbent did not affect the bilirubin adsorption. In animal tests, the polymer coated with poly (HEMA) also adsorbed bilirubin effectively. However, the number of blood cell components such as platelets and blood white cells decreased drastically during hemoperfusion. These cells adhered on the polymer adsorbent and aggregated. From these findings, we concluded that the amine compound containing polymer adsorbents can adsorb bilirubin effectively from blood, whereas improvement of the blood compatibility of the adsorbent is necessary. KEY WORDS Polymer Adsorbent/Bilirubin/DirectHemoperfusion/Blood Compatibility/Adsorption/

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