Psychophysiological and Metabolomics Responses of Adults during Horticultural Activities Using Soil Inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus: A Pilot Study

Seon-Ok Kim, Min Ji Kim, Na-Yoon Choi, Jin Hee Kim, Myung Sook Oh, Choong Hwan Lee and Sin-Ae Park ()
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Seon-Ok Kim: Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Min Ji Kim: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Na-Yoon Choi: Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Jin Hee Kim: Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Myung Sook Oh: Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Choong Hwan Lee: MetaMass Corp., Seoul 05029, Korea
Sin-Ae Park: Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: This study compared the physiological effects at a metabolomics level with autonomic nervous system responses in adults during soil mixing activities, based on the presence or absence of Streptomyces rimosus in the soil. Thirty adult participants performed soil mixing activities for 5 min using sterilized soil with culture media and Streptomyces rimosu s , respectively. Blood samples were drawn twice from each participant after each activity. Electroencephalograms were measured during the activity. Serum metabolites underwent metabolite profiling by gas chromatography, followed by multivariate analyses. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and C-reactive protein levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Soil-emitted volatile organic compounds were identified via solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, followed by multivariate analyses. The volatile compound analysis revealed that the terpenoid and benzoid compounds, geosmin, and 2-methylisoborneol were greater in soil with Streptomyces rimosus . Serum metabolomics revealed that the treatment group (soil inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus ) possessed relatively higher levels of serotonin compared to the control group (soil mixed with culture media), and serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly lower in the treatment group. In the treatment group, the electroencephalogram revealed that alpha band activity of the occipital lobe increased. This study concludes that Streptomyces rimosus soil contact can positively affect human metabolic and autonomic reactions. Therefore, this pilot study confirmed the possible role of soil microorganisms in horticultural activities for psychophysiological effects in humans.

Keywords: 2-methylisoborneol; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; C-reactive protein; electroencephalogram; gardening; geosmin; horticultural therapy; metabolite profiling; soil microorganism; volatile compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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