This work investigated the extraction efficacy of phenolic acids on the potato and its byproducts. Also, the compositions of bioactive compounds and antioxidants were evaluated in various parts of the potato, such as the tuber, microtuber, peel, and flesh. The chemical constituents were quantified by HPLC analysis, and the highest levels of phenolics (88.99 mg/L) were obtained in acetone extracts from a micropropagated potato. The micropropagated potato demonstrated that notable phenolic compounds were mainly a bound form of phenolic acids including caffeic acid and vanillic acid. The micropropagated extracts using acetone showed the higher radical scavenging activity, 94.3% and 95.5% at 5 mg/mL in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS •+), respectively. In addition, the same extracts showed the highest (85.61%) β-carotene bleaching inhibition activity. A positive relationship existed between DPPH and either ABTS •+ (r = 0.58, p < 0.05), β-carotene bleaching (r = 0.65, p < 0.05), or total phenolics (r = 0.63, p < 0.05). However, ABTS •+ did not show a significant correlation between both total phenolics and β-carotene bleaching. The effective phenolic compounds contributing to antioxidant activity were caffeic acid and vanillic acid, which could be extracted in high amounts by acetone from potato peels and micropropagated potatoes.

In order to better understand the functions of plants, it is important to analyze the internal structure of plants with a complex structure, as well as to efficiently monitor the morphology of plants altered by their external environment. This anatomical study investigated structural characteristics of pinecones to provide detailed descriptions of morphological specifications of complex cone scales. We analyzed cross-sectional image data and internal movement patterns in the opening and closing motions of pinecones, which change according to the moisture content of its external environment. It is possible to propose a scientific system for the deformation of complex pinecone for the variable structures due to changes in relative humidity, as well as the application of technology. This study provided a functional principle for a multidisciplinary approach by exploring the morphological properties and anatomical structures of pinecones. Therefore, the results suggest a potential application for use in energy-efficient materials by incorporating hygroscopic principles into engineering technology and also providing basic data for biomimicry research.