[in Japanese]

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This study determines the flavonoid composition of “bushukan”, a citrus fruit mainly cultivated in the Hata district of Kochi, Japan. The fruit was harvested in August, September, and December, and flavonoids in the flavedo, albedo, and juice were measured. In September, fruits were harvested from three different fields. Flavonoid contents of the comparative “naoshichi” and kabosu (Citrus sphaerocarpa) fruits were also measured. “Bushukan” was found to contain the flavanones hesperidin, narirutin, and naringin, and the polymethoxyflavones nobiletin and tangeretin. Narirutin and naringin contents were notably higher in “Bushukan” compared with naoshichi and kabosu. “Bushukan” harvested in August had the highest compositions of these flavonoids. Flavonoid content variance between crop fields was small. The contents of aromatic components, limonene and myrcene, in the flavedo were also measured. Myrcene content in “bushukan” was the highest, especially in fruits harvested in September. The suppression effect of flavedo extract on the degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells was evaluated. The flavedo extract of “Bushukan” which was harvested in August and September showed the suppression effect.

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Portable leaf nitrogen measuring device (CCN6001 manufactured by Satake) accurately and efficiently measures leaf nitrogen concentration of rice varieties at panicle formation stage. As a result of measuring the fully developed second leaf at panicle formation stage for rice cultivated in China, correlation between estimation and chemical analysis of leaf nitrogen concentration is from 0.893 to 0.957 by correcting the calibration curve corresponding to the rice in Japan. It is confirmed that the measuring device is practically applicable to rice varieties in China by slightly correcting the calibration curve.

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The purpose of this study is to examine the future brand strategies for Tamba-Dainagon adzuki bean, focusing on efforts to revitalizing the Tamba area, located in the central part of Hyogo Prefecture, mainly by making full use of Tamba-Dainagon adzuki bean. The adzuki bean has been cultivated in the area for about 400 years and has been one of the special products of the area. It is used as the main ingredient of quality Japanese-style confectionary; however, its insufficient supply has not been satisfying the demand for it, and only a small amount of it has been consumed in Tamba. It is important to solve these problems. Therefore, efforts are being made to establish a supply system of Tamba-Dainagon adzuki bean and familiarize “Tamba-Dainagon adzuki zenzai” with consumers all over Japan in order to revitalize the Tamba area. The author believes that it is indispensable to make long-term efforts to have “Tamba-Dainagon Adzuki Zenzai” eaten by many more people in the area, especially young people and children, as the first step to familiarize the “Zenzai.”

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