[Contribution] Perilla, once known only to us, now a global agricultural product

The article highlights the economic and nutritional significance of perilla, a plant valued for its omega-3 rich oil and health-promoting leaves. It discusses perilla's benefits, including dementia and cardiovascular disease prevention, anti-inflammatory properties, and skin health improvements. The rising production value in Korea and global interest in Korean cuisine are driving advancements in cultivation and processing, making perilla more available year-round. The article also emphasizes the potential for perilla products to succeed internationally by focusing on quality control, standardization, and promoting their health benefits.

Jang Hwan-hee, Agricultural Researcher, Functional Food Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration Perilla, with its unique fragrance, is an indispensable ingredient on our tables. Perilla seeds are mainly used to make perilla oil or powder, and the leaves are eaten as wraps or made into pickled vegetables and side dishes. The sesame cake from which the oil is extracted is used as livestock feed or fertilizer. Recently, pencils made from sesame cake have been released, contributing to the virtuous cycle of resources. Perilla oil has the highest content of omega-3 among vegetable oils, at 60%. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is effective in preventing dementia and cardiovascular disease and improving learning ability. In fact, according to a 2016 study by the Rural Development Administration, perilla oil was shown to be effective in improving memory and learning ability. Perilla leaves contain a large amount of rosmarinic acid, ...