: The EtOH extracts of red seaweeds (Symphyocladia latiuscula, Chondrus ocellatus and Carpopeltis affinis) and solvent partitioned fractions were investigated for their 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects and the total phenolic contents were correlated with ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The EtOH extracts and their solvent partitioned fractions exhibited strong ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Among the solvent partitioned fractions obtained from n-Hexane (HX), methylenchloride (MC), ethylacetate (EA), and buthanol (BuOH), the HX fraction from C. affinis showed higher radical scavenging activities than other fractions. Total phenolic contents showed significant correlation (r 2 = 0.709) with ABTS radical scavenging activity. The results of this study suggest that the strong radical scavenging activity of HX fraction from C. affinis is a promising natural antioxidant for healthcare products.

This study investigated optimal extraction conditions for application of Ulmus pumila L. as a natural antioxidant. U. pumila L. was extracted using ethanol (EtOH) at various concentrations (0, 40, and 80%) and extraction times (1, 2, and 3 h) at 70°C and then evaluated for extraction yield, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activities [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC)]. Antioxidant activities were correlated with total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Of the solvent conditions, 80% EtOH extracts for 3 h at 70°C showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents with strong antioxidant activities, although there were no significant time effects on DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power. However, ORAC values of all EtOH extracts remarkably increased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, 80% EtOH extract for 3 h exhibited strong antioxidant effects on HDF and 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, the antioxidant capacity of U. pumila L., may due to phenolic and flavonoid contents, and extraction conditions were 80% EtOH for 3 h at 70°C. This extract could be a good source for natural antioxidants.

As an assessment of substantial equivalence and environmental risks of branchless chrysanthemum GM lines (LeLS69, LeLS76, LeLS80) developed in Korea, we investigated their degree of branchlessness and developmental characteristics including growth and flowering, as well as the stability of populations of insect pests and soil microbes. The GM lines were compared with a control variety, 'Jinba'. LeLS80 showed the highest level of branchlessness among the three GM lines, whereas abnormal axillary buds developed in lines LeLS76 and LeLS69. There were no significant differences between the growth characteristics of 'Jinba' and the GM lines. The branchlessness LeLS80 was increased during the summer season, suggesting that it is a useful germplasm for developing elite branchless cultivars. These GM lines showed no significant differences in the occurrence of five insect pests including aphids, mites, leaf miners, thrips, and whiteflies. Similarly, for soil microbes including bacteria and actinomycetes, there were no significant differences between 'Jinba' and the GM lines. However, there was a higher occurrence of fungi in the GM lines compared to 'Jinba'. Our findings suggest that 'Jinba' and the GM lines are substantially equivalent, although further monitoring studies are needed to confirm this.

Pathogenicity of Steinernema carpocapsae GSN1 strain was evaluated against Morophagoides moriutii larvae. In Petridish tests, insect mortality by the nematode was dose dependent, which increased with dose from 5 to 160 infective juveniles(IJs)/larva. Pathogenicity against fourth-instar larvae was higher than the rate of corresponding second-and third-instar larvae, showing 100% insect mortality with the dose of 40 IJs/4