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Il-Kwon Park

Seoul National University · Agricultural and Biological Sciences

About the Lab

Professor Il-Kwon Park's research lab specializes in the discovery and development of bioactive natural products from plants, with a primary focus on essential oils and their applications in pest and pathogen control. The lab investigates the insecticidal, nematicidal, and antifungal activities of plant-derived compounds against agricultural and public health pests, including termites, mosquitoes, nematodes, and fungal pathogens. Key research directions include the isolation and structural characterization of bioactive constituents using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, as well as structure-activity relationship studies to optimize efficacy. The lab emphasizes sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides through the use of natural plant extracts and their active principles.

essential oilsbiopesticidesnematicidal activityinsecticidal compoundsantifungal natural products

Research Overview

Papers
182
Total Citations
5,471
Papers (5y)
23
Primary Field
Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
23total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
55total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|266 citations·2003
Insecticidal activities of constituents identified in the essential oil from leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa against Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.)
Il‐Kwon Park, Sang Gil Lee, Don-Hwa Choi, Ji-Doo Park, Young‐Joon Ahn
SJR Q1Journal of Stored Products Research
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
2
Article|220 citations·2005
Fumigant Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Components from Garlic (Allium sativum) and Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllata) Oils against the Japanese Termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe)
Il‐Kwon Park, Sang‐Chul Shin
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Plant essential oils from 29 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with plant material, exposure time, and concentration. Good insecticidal activity against the Japanese termite was achived with essential oils of Melaleuca dissitiflora, Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus dives, Eucalyptus globulus, Orixa ja

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
3
Article|197 citations·2002
Larvicidal Activity of Isobutylamides Identified in Piper nigrum Fruits against Three Mosquito Species
Il‐Kwon Park, Sang‐Gil Lee, Sang‐Chul Shin, Ji-Doo Park, Young‐Joon Ahn
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

The insecticidal activity of materials derived from the fruits of Piper nigrum against third instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti, and A. togoi was examined and compared with that of commercially available piperine, a known insecticidal compound from Piper species. The biologically active constituents of P. nigrum fruits were characterized as the isobutylamide alkaloids pellitorine, guineensine, pipercide, and retrofractamide A by spectroscopic analysis. Retrofractamide A was is

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
4
Article|195 citations·2012
Insecticidal and Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibition Activity of Apiaceae Plant Essential Oils and Their Constituents against Adults of German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)
Hwa-Jeong Yeom, Jae Soon Kang, Gil‐Hah Kim, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

We evaluated the insecticidal and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibition activity of 11 Apiaceae plant essential oils and their constituents in adult male and female Blattella germanica. Of the 11 Apiaceae plant essential oils tested, dill (Anethum graveolens), carvi (Carum carvi), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) demonstrated >90% fumigant toxicity against adult male German cockroaches at a concentration of 5 mg/filter paper. In a contact toxicity test, dill (Anethum graveolens), carvi (Carum carv

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
5
Article|177 citations·2009
Fumigant Antitermitic Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Components from Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), Allspice (Pimenta dioica), Caraway (Carum carvi), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and Litsea (Litsea cubeba) Oils against Japanese Termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe)
Seon-Mi Seo, Junheon Kim, Sang Gil Lee, Chang-Hoon Shin, Sang‐Chul Shin, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Plant essential oils from 26 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with source, exposure time, and concentration. Among the essential oils tested, strong insecticidal activity was observed with the essential oils of ajowan ( Trachyspermum ammi ), allspice ( Pimenta dioica ), caraway ( Carum carvi ), dill ( Anethum graveolens ), geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ), and

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
6
Article|164 citations·2007
Nematicidal Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Components From Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), Allspice (Pimenta dioica) and Litsea (Litsea cubeba) Essential Oils Against Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus).
Il‐Kwon Park, Junheon Kim, Sang Gil Lee, Sang‐Chul Shin
PubMedOA

Commercial plant essential oils from 26 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activities against the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Good nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), allspice (Pimenta dioica) and litsea (Litsea cubeba). Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of 12, 6 and 16 major compounds from ajowan, allspice and litsea oils, respectively. These compounds fro

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
7
Article|163 citations·2005
Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils and components from garlic (Allium sativum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) oils against the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
Il‐Kwon Park, Kyung‐Hee Kim, Kwang‐Sik Choi, Chul-Su Kim, In‐Ho Choi, Juyong Park, Sang‐Chul Shin
SJR Q2Nematology

Abstract Plant essential oils from 43 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Responses varied with plant material and concentration. Good nematicidal activity against male, female and juvenile nematodes of B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of Cinnamomum verum, Leptospermum petersonii, Asiasarum sieboldi, Boswellia carterii, Pimenta racemosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha spicata, clove and garlic. Garlic a

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
8
Article|153 citations·2008
Antifungal activity of Myrtaceae essential oils and their components against three phytopathogenic fungi
Yeon‐Suk Lee, Junheon Kim, Sang‐Chul Shin, Sang Gil Lee, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q2Flavour and Fragrance JournalOA

Abstract Commercial plant essential oils obtained from 11 Myrtaceae plant species were tested for their antifungal activity against Phytophthora cactorum, Cryponectria parasitica and Fusarium circinatum. Good antifungal activity against Phytophthora cactorum was achieved with the essential oil derived from Leptospermum petersonii at 28 × 10 −3 mg/ml air concentration. Inhibition rates of Eucalyptus citriodora and Melaleuca quinquenervia were 35.4% and 33.6% at 28 × 10 −3 mg/ml air concentration,

Food ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
9
Article|148 citations·2008
Nematicidal Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Components from Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and Valerian (Valeriana wallichii) Essential Oils against Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
Junheon Kim, Sun-Mi Seo, Sang Gil Lee, Sang‐Chul Shin, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Commercial essential oils from 28 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Good nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and valerian (Valeriana wallichii). Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of 26, 11, and 4 major compounds from coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Orient

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
10
Article|144 citations·2013
Fumigant toxicity of Apiaceae essential oils and their constituents against Sitophilus oryzae and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity
Sung-Woong Kim, Jaesoon Kang, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q2Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
11
Article|137 citations·2015
Larvicidal and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of Apiaceae Plant Essential Oils and Their Constituents against Aedes albopictus and Formulation Development
Seon-Mi Seo, Chan-Sik Jung, Jaesoon Kang, Hyo-Rim Lee, Sung-Woong Kim, Jinho Hyun, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

This study evaluated the larvicidal activity of 12 Apiaceae plant essential oils and their components against the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase with their components. Of the 12 plant essential oils tested, ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), caraway seed (Carum carvi), carrot seed (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and parsley (Petroselinum sativum) resulted in >90% larval mortality when

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
12
Article|133 citations·2006
Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae)
Il‐Kwon Park, Kwang‐Sik Choi, Do‐Hyung Kim, In‐Ho Choi, Lee‐Sun Kim, Won‐Chull Bak, Joon‐Weon Choi, Sang‐Chul Shin
SJR Q1Pest Management Science

Plant essential oils from 40 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue (Dufour) using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Eucalyptus smithii RT Baker, horseradish, anise and garlic at 10 and 5 microL L(-1) air. Horseradish, anise and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities among the plant

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
13
Article|123 citations·2000
Insecticidal and Fumigant Activities of Cinnamomum cassia Bark-Derived Materials against Mechoris ursulus (Coleoptera: Attelabidae)
Il‐Kwon Park, Hoi‐Seon Lee, Sang‐Gil Lee, Ji-Doo Park, Young‐Joon Ahn
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

The insecticidal and fumigant activities of Cinnamomum cassia (Blume) bark-derived materials against the oak nut weevil (Mechoris ursulus Roelofs) were examined using filter paper diffusion and fumigation methods and compared to those of the commercially available Cinnamomum bark-derived compounds (eugenol, salicylaldehyde, trans-cinnamic acid, and cinnamyl alcohol). The biologically active constituent of the Cinnamomum bark was characterized as trans-cinnamaldehyde by spectroscopic analysis. In

Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
14
Article|93 citations·2014
Fumigant toxicity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of 4 Asteraceae plant essential oils and their constituents against Japanese termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe)
Seon-Mi Seo, Junheon Kim, Jaesoon Kang, Sang‐Hyun Koh, Young‐Joon Ahn, Kyu‐Suk Kang, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
15
Article|85 citations·2020
Reactive oxygen species mediated-antifungal activity of cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oils and their constituents against two phytopathogenic fungi
Jieun Lee, Seon‐Mi Seo, Min‐Jung Huh, Sung‐Chan Lee, Il‐Kwon Park
SJR Q1Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
Food ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences

Research Areas

Plant ScienceInsect ScienceEcology, Evolution, Behavior and SystematicsFood ScienceEcologyGenetics

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