Castanea Crenata Research Articles

Antiamnesic Effects of Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Chestnut (Castanea crenata var. dulcis) Inner Skin on Aβ25–35-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Mice

To investigate neuronal cell protective effects of an ethyl acetate fraction from chestnut inner skin, in vitro assays, including 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, 3-[4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were performed. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species resulting from hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) treatment of PC12 cells was significantly reduced when ethyl acetate fractions were present in the medium compared to PC12 cells treated with H(2)O(2) only. In a cell viability assay using MTT, the ethyl acetate fraction protected against H(2)O(2)-induced neurotoxicity, and inhibited LDH release into the medium. In addition, the ethyl acetate fraction improved in vivo cognitive ability against amyloid β-peptide (Aβ)-induced neuronal deficit. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin were predominant phenolics in the ethyl acetate fraction. Consequently, the results suggest that chestnut inner skin, including above phenolics, could ameliorate Aβ-induced learning and memory deficiency, and be utilized as effective substances for neurodegenerative disorders, notably Alzheimer's disease.

Morphological, molecular and statistical tools to identify Castanea species and their hybrids

The aim of this study was to investigate, in relation to reference samples, the genetic structure of several natural Castanea populations of unknown origin and of hybrids from the clone collection of the Lourizan Forest Research Center. A total of 115 individuals sampled from four Castanea sativa stands located in the northwest of Spain, 61 Castanea crenata individuals and 27 Castanea mollissima individuals were classified on the basis of four morphological traits, and genotyped with 11 microsatellite loci to define a set of reference samples. The data analyzed with the program STRUCTURE detected four clusters: the two Asiatic species and two clusters in C. sativa. From these reference samples, pure individuals and hybrids of known genealogy were simulated to determine the efficiency with which STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS assigned them to pure or hybrid groups and to a specific genealogical class, respectively. As expected, the discrimination and assignment of the simulated individuals improved with increasing F st value. The two clusters identified within C. sativa may correspond to gene pools with different adaptive characteristics previously identified in provenance tests; pure and admixed populations of both C. sativa gene pools were identified.

국내산 밤의 시기별 영양성분 변화

본 연구에서는 국내 대표적인 밤 생산지역인 공주지역의 밤 품종(단택; Tanzawa, 대보; Daebo, 축파; Tsukuba, 옥광; Okkwang)을 활용하여 밤의 산업적 이용가치 및 최적 저장 조건 확립을 위한 체계적인 기초자료를 제시하고자 미숙기, 수확기 및 저장기에 따른 영양화학성분의 변화에 대하여 조사하였다. 일반성분 분석 결과 수분이외의 고형분으로서는 가용성 무질소물과 조단백의 함량이 비교적 높게 나타났으며, 미숙기에서 수확기로 경과됨에 따라 수분을 제외한 대부분의 고형분 함량이 증가되었다. 무기성분 분석결과 총 8가지 성분이 분석되었으며, 그 중 K P Ca Mg 함량이 상대적으로 높게 나타났고, 미숙기에서 수확기로 경과됨에 따라 무기성분 함량이 대부분 증가되었다. 밤에는 총 17종의 아미노산이 존재 하였으며, 시기별로 aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine 및 alanine 순으로 높게 나타났다. 특히 대보(Daebo)와 축파(Tsukuba) 품종의 경우 미숙기에서 저장기로 경과됨에 따라 필수 아미노산 함량이 크게 증가하였다. 각 품종별 지방산으로는 미숙상태에서는 포화지방산이 다량으로 존재하였으며, 저장기로 지남에 따라 그 함량은 줄어들고 불포화 지방산의 함량이 증가하는 것으로 분석되었다. 유리당으로는 glucose, fructose, sucrose, 및 maltose 4종이 확인되었으며, 미숙기에서 저장기로 경과됨에 따라 총 유리당 함량이 증가되었다. 지용성 및 수용성 vitamin 분석 결과 retinol은 검출되지 않았으며, <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-carotene vitamin <TEX>$B_1$</TEX> niacin vitamin C의 경우 미숙기에서 수확기로 경과됨에 따라 함량이 비교적 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 반면 저장기에서의 각종 vitamin 함량은 오히려 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. Compositional changes of the Korean chestnut (Castanea crenata) including Daebo, Tsukuba, Tanzawa and Okkwang were investigated in order to characterize them from different periods (immature, mature and storage period). Proximate compositions of mature cultivars were higher than that of the immature cultivars. Between minerals, K (263.0-420.6 mg/100 g) and P (45.8-69.6 mg/100 g) of Tanzawa were highest, and they gradually increased during storage. Tsukuba, in mature period, showed the highest contents of total essential amino acids and glutamic acids as savory amino acids. Major fatty acids were palmitic acid and linolenic acid in four cultivars. In addition, linoleic acids, as <TEX>${\omega}$</TEX>-6 fatty acids, were increased during the storage period. Tanzawa, in the mature period, presented the highest levels of sucrose, however, tsukuba, in the storage period, showed relatively higher free sugar content than others. <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-Carotene, as a provitamin A, of Tsukuba in the mature period was highly detected among them, and vitamin C of Tsukuba and Tanzawa was more plentiful than others.

Detection of a hypersensitive reaction in the chestnut hybrid ‘Bouche de Bétizac’ infested by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu

The purpose of the study was the identification of the mechanisms of resistance to Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu in the hybrid-resistant cultivar 'Bouche de Bétizac' (Castanea sativa×Castanea crenata). Larvae and eggs of the insect are found in the buds of this cultivar at the end of winter, but there is no gall development after budburst. The hypothesis of the presence of a hypersensitive reaction (HR) in the buds was tested using diaminobenzidine (DAB) to detect H(2)O(2) and by Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) to evaluate the expression of a germin-like protein gene. HR in plants is elicited by the production of reactive oxygen compounds, such as H(2)O(2), and results in the programmed cell death. The DAB test was applied to buds of 'Bouche de Bétizac' and of the susceptible cultivar 'Madonna' (C.sativa) at different stages of budburst. The DAB staining produced brown areas in the swelling buds of 'Bouche de Bétizac', indicating the presence of H(2)O(2). On the contrary, all uninfested buds, as well as the infested buds of 'Madonna', appeared whitish. Papers report that germin and germin-like proteins (GLP) with oxalate oxidase activity are discrete markers of stress-responsive gene products. A strong expression of the chestnut GLP gene was detected by RT-PCR at bud swelling in infested 'Bouche de Bétizac' buds but not in 'Madonna' ones. The results support the hypothesis of the occurrence of an HR in 'Bouche de Bétizac' as response to the cynipid infestation, resulting in cell and larvae death.

Inheritance of the Easy-peeling Pellicle Trait of Japanese Chestnut Cultivar Porotan

‘Porotan’ is a Japanese chestnut cultivar (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.) that was selected from offspring of the cross 550-40 × ‘Tanzawa’ and released in 2006. Its nut is distinguished by a pellicle that is easy to peel after roasting; previously, all Japanese chestnut cultivars were thought to have a pellicle that was difficult to peel. Both 550-40 and ‘Tanzawa’ are Japanese chestnuts, and 550-40 is a selection descended from ‘Tanzawa’. Both 550-40 and ‘Tanzawa’ have a pellicle that is difficult to peel. Among 59 offspring of a cross of 550-40 × ‘Tanzawa’, 12 had an easy-peeling pellicle and 47 had a difficult-peeling pellicle; this ratio is not significantly different from the 1:3 expected ratio for monogenic inheritance based on a chi-square test at P = 0.05. A half-diallel cross without selfings was made among ‘Porotan’, ‘Tanzawa’, and ‘Tsukuba’. All the offspring from ‘Tanzawa’ × ‘Tsukuba’ and from ‘Tsukuba’ × ‘Porotan’ had a difficult-peeling pellicle; in contrast, 39 offspring from ‘Tanzawa’ × ‘Porotan’ segregated in a ratio of 19 difficult-peeling pellicle to 20 easy-peeling pellicle, which is not significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio for monogenic segregation based on a chi-square test at P = 0.05. These results suggest that the easy-peeling pellicle trait of ‘Porotan’ is controlled by a major recessive gene at a single locus. We designated the pellicle peelability locus as P/p. According to this model, the ‘Tsukuba’ genotype is homozygous-dominant (PP), the ‘Tanzawa’ genotype is heterozygous (Pp), and the ‘Porotan’ genotype is homozygous-recessive (pp).

갈색날개매미충(신칭, Ricania sp.)의 발생생태와 친환경 방제자재 선발

본 실험은 2011년 전남 구례지역의 산수유, 감, 밤 등에 대발생하여 피해가 심한 갈색날개매미충의 기주식물, 산란특성, 형태적 특징, 생활환을 조사하고 친환경 방제자재 선발을 위하여 수행하였다. 갈색날개매미충의 기주식물은 목본류 32종, 초본류 19종을 포함한 51종이였으며, 산란 선호식물은 산수유, 감나무, 밤나무, 두충나무, 때죽나무였다. 알은 길이 1.24 mm, 폭 0.55 mm 의 장타원형으로 1년생 가지 속에 난괴 당 평균 28.8개의 알을 산란하였다. 약충은 4회 탈피하는데 항문 주변에 x자 모양의 흰색 또는 노랑색 밀납물질을 형성한다. 전남 구례지역에서 연 1세대 발생하며 알로 월동하여 부화시기는 5월 중순~6월 상순, 약충시기는 5월 중순~8월 중순, 성충은 7월 중순~11월 중순이며 알은 8월 중순부터 산란한다. 갈색날개매미충은 산란에 의한 1년생 가지 고사, 양분흡즙으로 인한 생육저해, 그을음병 유발에 의한 상품성을 하락시키는 피해를 준다. 갈색날개매미충 약충과 성충 방제에 효과적인 친환경자재는 고삼추출물제와 천연식물추출물제로 살충율이 80% 이상이었다. An outbreak of Ricania sp. occurred in the Kurye, Jeonnam area in 2011. This outbreak damaged many kinds of fruit trees such as Cornus, Persimmon and Chestnut. This experiment was conducted to survey the occurrence ecology of Ricania sp. such as host plants, oviposition characters, morphological characters and life cycle, as well as to select environmental friendly control agents. Ricaina sp. host plants included 51 species such as 32 xylophytes, and 19 herbaceous plants. Ricaina sp. preferred Cornus officinalis, Diospyros kaki, Castanea crenata, Eucommia ulmoides, Styrax japonicus for oviposition. Adults laid eggs on new inner twigs with 28.8 eggs per egg-mass. Egg size was 1.24 mm(length), 0.55 mm(width) in an oval shape. Nymphs molted four times. Every nymph stage had an x shape of yellow or white beeswax around the anus. Overwintered eggs of Ricania sp. hatched from the mid May to early June. Nymphal periods were from mid May to mid August and adults appeared from mid July but spawning began in mid August. Ricania sp. damaged new twigs by oviposition and retarded growth by sucking nutrients and producing a sooty mold. Sophora and natural plant extracts were effective environmentally friendly agricultural materials used to control the nymph and adult Ricania sp. Mortality was > 80%.

Predicting distributional change of forest cover and volume in future climate of South Korea

This study was performed to estimate the forest cover and volume change using the potential forest cover map and National Forest Inventory (NFI) data of South Korea. The regression models were developed to predict mean diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (h) and number of trees (Nha) for Pinus densifloraroman Pinus koraiensisroman Pinus rigidaroman Larix kaempferiroman Castanea crenata and Quercus spp. stand using NFI data. The second step was to prepare potential forest cover maps after 50 and 100 years using the Hydrological and Thermal Analogy Groups (HyTAGs), and then we compared the produced map with the present forest cover map. For the area where forest cover is changed after 50 years, therefore, the volume could be calculated using regression models and DBH and tree height estimated by “age class 1” in this study. On the other hand, the volume of unchanged forest area could be predicted with DBH k+5 and Nhak+5 adding age class 5 (50 years) to the present age class k on the forest cover map. The forest volume after 100 years was also calculated with the same process of after-50 years. As a result, it was predicted that the forest cover would be changed rapidly into Quercus spp. forests for the coming 100 years, accompanying the diminution of coniferous forest. The forest volume would dramatically decrease by 358,719,160 m3 for the coming 50 years because about 80% of coniferous forests are changed into young forests of Quercus spp. by climate change. The forest volume after 100 years would increase to 315,810,920 m3 due to the growth of young forest during 50 years. However, it should be noted that the change of forest cover and volume was estimated without the consideration of mortality, thinning, and tree planting in this study.

Discrimination among host tree species by the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus

The ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus is a vector for the fungus that causes Japanese oak wilt, and susceptibility to infestation by P. quercivorus varies by tree species. We postulated that P. quercivorus discriminates among host tree species differing in susceptibility to attack. To test this postulate, we counted the number of flying male beetles (NFM), the number of holes bored by male beetles (NH), and the number of flying female beetles (NFF) per unit area of bark surface in three fagaceous tree species: Quercus crispula (with high susceptibility to infestation) and Q. serrata and Castanea crenata (both with low susceptibility). NFM and NH were used to calculate the proportion of male beetles that bored holes out of those that flew to the tree (PBM). We used generalized additive models to predict NFM, NFF, and PBM. The locations of trees, expressed as x and y coordinates, numbers of weeks after the first male beetle's flying (WEEK), diameters of trees 130 cm above ground (DBH), and tree species (SP) were incorporated into the models as candidate explanatory variables. The best-fit models for NFM and NFF included WEEK and DBH and the effect of location; SP was not included in the models. For PBM, the best-fit model included WEEK, DBH, and SP. The results indicate that male P. quercivorus prefer Q. crispula to Q. serrata and C. crenata and that selection is made before boring holes on trees, but that P. quercivorus do not discriminate among host species when they fly to trees.

Antimicrobial Activity of Chestnut Extracts for Potential Use in Managing Soilborne Plant Pathogens.

Chestnut extracts were studied for antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms, including plant pathogens. Chestnut extract on paper discs was applied to an agar medium to evaluate the inhibition to multiple microorganisms or the extract was added at various concentrations to a culture medium to evaluate the growth of target microorganisms. Chestnut type, tissue of plants (shell, pellicle, and leaf), extraction methods, and physical characteristics were studied to determine antimicrobial activity. Most test microorganisms were inhibited by the extracts at different effective concentrations for 50% growth inhibition (EC50). Pseudomonas fluorescens was the most sensitive (EC50 = 4.4 μg/μl), Phytophthora cambivora was one of the least inhibited (EC50 = 185 μg/μl), and Cryphonectria parasitica was not inhibited. Extracts of the Japanese × European chestnut (Castanea crenata × C. sativa) 'Colossal' showed a greater inhibition than those of wild trees of the Chinese species (C. mollissima). High temperature did not affect the inhibitory effect. Extracts from chestnut pellicle had the highest concentration of antimicrobial compound, compared with leaf and shell. The active fraction contained several substances with molecular masses consistent with one flavonol glycoside and several terpenoid substances. Pellicle and shell tissue reduced radish scab disease caused by Streptomyces scabies in the greenhouse.

Differentiation of Stylar Transmitting Tissue during Ovule Development in Female Flowers of Japanese Chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.)

Differentiation of Stylar Transmitting Tissue during Ovule Development in Female Flowers of Japanese Chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.)

충남 미호천 일대 약용식물의 생태적 분포

This study was analyzed and investigated to evaluate ecological distribution of medicinal plants in Miho Stream of Korea. Totality 463 taxa of vascular plants were appeared in lower part of Miho Stream. Medicinal plants were distributed 253 taxa, which were 54.6% of the total vascular plants appeared. Medicinal plants of official drug compendium(Korean pharmacopoeia) were 85 taxa. Medicinal plants were distributed most of the forest area, and followed field surrounding, stream surrounding and paddy surrounding respectively. The distribution of life form hemicryptophyte was the most frequent. Plant community of appearing area of medicinal plants was classified into Salix koreensis, Phragmites japonica, Echinochloa crusgalli, Artemisia selengensis, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Setaria faberii, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Bidens frondosa, Humulus japonicus, Monochoria vaginalis var. plantaginea, Eleocharis kuroguwai, Erigeron acris, Pinus densiflora, Pinus rigida, Quercus acutissima, Quercus serrata, Robinia pseudoacacia and Castanea crenata community. Medicinal plants in plant communities that occur frequently were Humulus japonicus, Corylus heterophylla and Liriope spicata.

Advances in Understanding Early Agriculture in Japan

Six episodes—the Jomon, Yayoi, Tohoku Yayoi, Satsumon and Ainu, Okhotsk, and Gusuku—of agricultural development are examined. These events involve both indigenous adaptations as well as migration and diffusion to and within the Japanese archipelago. All but Jomon subsistence adaptations began as a result of migration and diffusion. Jomon populations engaged in niche construction/anthropogenesis that ranged from annual plant encouragement and probably management, lacquer tree (Toxicodendron verniciflua) and nut tree (Castanea crenata and Aesculus turbinata) management, and probable domestication of barnyard millet and soybean as well as cultivation of bottle gourd and hemp and possible cultivation of Perilla and adzuki. These characteristics place the Jomon in a middle ground that is neither hunting and gathering nor traditionally conceptualized agriculture. A brief comparison with China shows late Upper Paleolithic and Early Neolithic/Early Jomon similarities that can inform discussions about agricultural...

Novel genomic and EST-derived SSR markers in Japanese chestnuts

A total of 366 novel simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed in Japanese chestnut ( Castanea crenata), comprising 220 genomic SSRs derived from enriched genomic libraries and 146 expressed sequence tag (EST)–SSRs obtained from large-scale EST sequencing analysis. Thirty accessions, comprising Japanese, Chinese ( C. mollissima), European ( Castanea sativa), and American chestnuts ( Castanea dentata), were used for evaluation of SSR polymorphism and transferability across species. The EST–SSRs showed less polymorphism than the genomic SSRs and were more transferable. The mean observed heterozygosity ( H O) and the mean expected heterozygosity ( H E) of genomic SSRs in the Japanese chestnuts were 0.63 and 0.68, respectively; those of EST-SSRs were each 0.47. Although about 80% of the genomic SSRs were amplified in all 4 species, more than 95% of the EST–SSRs were transferable across all 4 species. The many novel SSRs developed in this study will be applicable for the construction of genetic linkage maps, QTL analysis of phenotypic traits, high-throughput genotyping of marker-assisted selection, and association genetics.

A Study on the Growth and Management Status of Mansongjung forest in Hahoe, Andong

A village forest is a place for intentional purposes with natural and ecological grounds including history, culture and faith. The study investigates and analyzes land use, soil status, flora, vegetation, disease and insects, uses and management of Mansongjeong (pine tree) forest in Hahoe, Andong designated as natural monument for the purpose of preserving the Village forest. This diagnoses current vegetation of the forest and secures basic information to propose sustainable management. The land use analysis showed that wetlands and streams around the forest accounted for 44.2%, peripheral environment with high humidity and the soil analysis stated that the pH was proper but organic materials, total nitrogen and effective phosphorous reached below the average or overfeeding. The flora consists of 119 kinds including 37 families, 13 varieties, 1 species and 1 frost aster (Aster pilosus Willd) and there are 22 naturalized species. The vegetation stated that there were 859 Pine trees (Pinus densiflora), 6 zelkovas (Zelkova serrata), 1 nut tree (Castanea crenata) and 1 plum tree (Prunus mume), showing that the pine trees dominated in the upper part of the forest. There shall be consideration for new or existing forest with tree planting by excluding factors which may affect traditional tree-planting pattern in region with old trees and forming natural generation congress in the future. Pest research discovered that there were 9 kinds including Rhyacionia duplana (Hubner), aphids, mites, Tomicus piniperda (Linne) and zelkova silverfish. Usage and management results showed that the number of visitors was small but sharply increased during the festival season of Hahoe Village and there were 14 facilities in 2 kinds. A project on protecting the forest was designated and performed once in 2006. Systemic and pest managements considering ecological features of shade intolerant trees like pine trees through proper light penetration and adjusting crowd rates and regulating number of visitors are required to sustain the Mansongjeong Forest.

Molecular characterization of chestnut plants selected for putative resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi using SSR markers

A set of nine short sequence repeat (SSR) loci was used for the molecular characterization of 32 accessions of 15 chestnut trees selected in the field because of their putative resistance to the ink disease caused by Phytophthora spp. The goal of the present study was to determine the genetic identity of those selected European chestnut trees ( Castanea sativa) or interspecific hybrids, considering that hybridization programs between European chestnut and Asiatic species (mainly Japanese chestnut, Castanea crenata) have been carried out in Galicia (Spain) since the early 20th century. The results showed that the analyzed SSR loci were useful to discriminate three Asiatic and the European species of Castanea. The joint information provided by a factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) and the presence of privative alleles allowed the putative molecular assignment of the selected plants to a certain identity. Most of them were determined as hybrids between C. crenata and C. sativa. The individuals coded C036 and C048 were assigned, with a high probability, to C. sativa due to their clustering with accessions of this species and because they had a number of privative alleles of this species. Only a few individuals could not be assigned to any particular genotype.

Evolution of rDNA FISH patterns in the Fagaceae

The Fagaceae is one of the most important plant families in European forest ecosystems, and it includes several genera distributed in the Northern hemisphere. In this work we studied the genome organization and evolution within the family, by karyotyping and physically mapping rDNA in ten European and Asian species of the genera Fagus, Quercus, and Castanea. All of the species studied had a chromosome number of 2n=2x=24, except for the first report of a single individual of Quercus suber which proved to be triploid (2n=3x=36). The rDNA physical mapping revealed several patterns: the dominant one is present in European and Asian Quercus subgenus Quercus, and in Castanea sativa and Castanea crenata, consisting of two 18S–25S rDNA loci (one subterminal major and one pericentromeric minor) and one 5S rDNA pericentromeric locus. In Fagus sylvatica and in Quercus sessilifolia, different patterns were observed: four terminal 18S–25S rDNA loci and two 5S rDNA pericentromeric loci in the former, and five 18S–25S rDNA loci (three terminal and two intercalary) and one 5S rDNA pericentromeric locus in the latter. In Castanea mollissima a distinct rDNA distribution pattern with two intercalary 18S–25S rDNA loci and two 5S rDNA was found. These findings suggest rDNA loci restructuring during Castanea evolution, and variability of 18S–25S loci between Quercus and Cyclobalanopsis subgenera.

밤부산물(율피)의 주름개선 및 미백 효과

율피를 기능성 화장품 소재로 활용하기 위하여 주름개선, 미백 및 수렴효과를 검증하였다. 주름개선 효과를 검증하기 위하여 elastase 저해활성과 collagenase 저해활성을 측정하였다. Elastase 저해활성을 측정한 결과 율피 아세톤 추출물 100 ug/ml에서 51.0%의 효과를 나타내었으며, collagenase 저해활성을 측정한 결과 아세톤 및 에탄올 추출물이 50 ug/ml 에서 96.4%, 94.3%의 저해활성을 나타내었다. 미백효과를 확인하기 위하여 tyrosinase 저해활성을 측정한 결과 아세톤 및 에탄올 추출물이 열수 추출물보다 높은 Tyrosinase 저해활성을 나타내었으나 대조군으로 사용한 Vitamin C와 비교시 약 50%의 효과를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 보아 율피 추출물의 주름개선 효과가 높음을 확인할 수 있었고, 주름개선 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하였다. Aging in humans is inexorable and inescapable. The progressive decrease of physiological capacity and the reduction of the ability to cope with environmental stresses lead to increased susceptibility and vulnerability to human disease. Recently, in the cosmetic industry, many researchers have paid considerable attention to delaying or improving the symptoms of skin aging. Since the early 1990`s, there have been various challenges in developing cosmeceutical products which have strong anti-aging effects, and this has been an important issue in the cosmetic industry. Meanwhile, development of anti-aging cosmetics supported by biochemical activities in the skin has been researched. Castanea crenata inner Shell solvent extracts were investigated for anti-wrinkle and whitening effects, in order to apply it as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products. For anti-wrinkle effect, elastase inhibition activity of Castanea crenata inner shell acetone extract (CA) was 51.0% at a concentration of 100 ug/ml. The collagenase inhibition activity of CA and Castanea crenata inner shell ethanol extract (CE) was 96.4%, 94.3% at a concentration of 50 ug/ml. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect, which is related to skin-whitening, was 47.2% and 45.8% in CA and CE at a concentration of 500 ug/ml. All these results suggest that Castanea crenata inner shell can be effectively used as a cosmeceutical ingredient for the prevention of wrinkles.

Effect of mast production on home range use of Japanese black bears

AbstractAlthough bears may expand their home ranges in times of low food availability, it is unclear what mechanisms directly affect home range extension in times of low mast production in Japanese forests. To clarify the relationship between home range utilization by Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and abundance and distribution of mast production, we collected data on habitat use from 13 bears (6 M and 7 F) fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars equipped with activity sensors in the Ashio‐Nikko Mountains on the eastern part of Honshu Island, Japan, during 2006–2008. We also collected data on mast production by 5 Fagaceae species. We categorized each fall as either poor (2006) or relatively‐good (2007 and 2008) based on mast production. Bears used small patches in their large home ranges and the distances between core areas increased in the fall of 2006, when the mast of Japanese oak (Quercus crispula) were poorly distributed. Our findings suggest that localized patches of Japanese oak are the staple food for bears in our study area, even in poor mast years. However, in the fall of 2006, we also found that bears moved to lower elevations, relative to 2007 and 2008, in search of alternative foods (e.g., Konara oak [Q. serrata] and Japanese chestnut [Castanea crenata]), which were mostly at lower elevations and produced mast consistently over the study period. Our results suggest that dispersion and elevational distribution of mast‐producing trees affect bear habitat use in fall, as well as amount of mast. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

Woodland management in the ancient Mahan statelets of Korea: an examination of carbonized and waterlogged wood

Mahan collectively refers to 54 statelets that existed in the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula between the 1st and 6th centuries A.D. In this study, carbonized and waterlogged wood remains from eleven archaeological sites are examined in order to shed light on the management practices of tree species in the Mahan polities. The analysis provides evidence of a shift in wood composition after the formation of Mahan, especially a dominance of chestnut ( Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc.) at the expense of oak ( Quercus sp.) and pine ( Pinus sp.). Chestnut proliferates in the secondary forests around villages, usually under human intervention, and is one of the few woody plants that are mentioned in the historical description of Mahan. This plant provides durable wood and carbohydrate-rich fruits that are similar in nutritional value to cereal crops. The study results suggest that the Mahan people valued chestnut trees as an important source for fuel, construction materials and food, and exerted control over the propagation of this plant in the surrounding forests.

Identification of the genealogy of interspecific hybrids between Castanea sativa, Castanea crenata and Castanea mollissima

The massive mortality of Castanea sativa in southwestern Europe, which was caused by different species of Phytophthora spp., led to the introduction of seeds of the Asiatic species Castanea crenata and Castanea mollissima and to hybridization to breed for resistance to Phytophthora spp. In Spain, two programmes were developed: one programme, focussed mainly on obtaining first generation hybrids by controlled pollinations, and the other programme, based on selection among open-pollinated progenies collected from first and second generation hybrids, in both cases between sweet and Japanese chestnut. A clone collection of 194 of the clones obtained is conserved at the Lourizán Forest Reseach Centre, and 32 of these were approved as basic material for forest reproduction. A sample of 356 individuals was genotyped using 13 isozyme loci, including the clone collection and several stands of Asiatic species. Only three loci were identified as being diagnostic among these species. The diversity of stands of both Asiatic species was reduced compared to that of C. sativa. Genotype inspection of diagnostic loci and two Bayesian procedures (STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS) were used to classify all individuals into genealogical classes and, thus, reconstruct the history of chestnut hybridization in Spain.