Hak Tae Lim

Enhancement of ginsenoside compounds by far infrared irradiation in ultra fine powdered red ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer)

The effects of far infrared irradiation (FIR) on protopanaxatriol and propanaxadiol ginsenoside were investigated with ultrafine powdered red ginseng and compared with untreated sample. The study showed that FIR treatment increased the Rf, Rg2, and Rh1 production in a temperature dependent manner, but Rg1 and Re decreased with temperature. Similarly, Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 increased with temperature. The maximum increase was observed at 215°C with 2.09, 4.67, 17.23 and 18.57 times for Rb3, Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 respectively. Likewise, Rd and Rc also increased gradually with temperature. However, Rb1 showed negative effects with temperature, showing decreased activities with increasing temperature. Overall, this research is expected to be helpful in enhancing the bioactive ginsenoside in ultrafine powdered red ginseng by optimizing the FIR conditions.

Contact coiling of cucumber tendrils and the establishment of new supporting materials

Abstract The responses of contact coiling of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) tendrils to different types of supporting materials were studied. The coiling frequency of cucumber tendrils was shown to be higher with bamboo as a support than with polyethylene string. Tendrils coiled more effectively under higher temperatures ( 30 25° C day/night) than under lower temperature ( 20 15° C ) regimes, regardless of supporting materials. Moisturized polyethylene string supports increased coiling by 20% compared with dry polythene string. Elimination of static electricity by grounding accelerated tendril coiling. When supports were treated with 1% (w/v) of the antistatic agents KK-2, Pigeon, Antinol-505, and Antistatic I, tendrils coiled for 15–23 days. On a polyethylene net support made by mixing polyethylene and 0.5% Antistatic II, however, 84% of tendrils coiled, and the effect lasted over 1 year.