Background: This study investigated potential biological control activities, involving the promotion of growth and antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora drechsleri. Methods and Results: Among the microorganisms isolated from an Astragalus cultivation area and from Korean kimchi, three species were selected. These included A11, which displayed excellent pathogen mycelial suppression ability in dual culture tests. It was identified as Bacillus sp. on the basis of 16s rRNA sequencing. Growth promoting ability was tested by dispensing the three selected strains in pots, to be cultured for 4 weeks. The strain A11 increased the fresh plant weight by 50.8% and increased the fresh root weight by 36.6% compared to untreated samples. The respective increases of the other strain were 18.4% and 35.6% by strain, A10, and 28.0% and 31.1% by strain B2-087. In terms of pathogen control, when the A11, A10, and B2-087 were alternatively tested for 4 weeks against F. oxysporum or P. drechsleri, the A11 control rate was 74.1% compared to the group that received no treatment. Meanwhile, the others had shown control rates between 70.4% and 18.5%. Conclusions: The three selected strains induced the growth of A. membranaceus Bunge, which suppressed the development of root rot and wilt disease.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) peel, a by-product of the food processing industry, has attracted attention as a potential source of bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-photoaging-related effects of potato peel extracts in human skin cells. Solanum tuberosum L. peel water extract (PPW) and Solanum tuberosum L. ethanol extract (PPE) were prepared and examined in UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) cells. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression, pro-collagen type I production, and cellular senescence were evaluated in HDF cells, whereas wound closure was assessed in HaCaT cells using a scratch assay. PPE showed higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents and stronger radical scavenging activity. In HDFs, PPW significantly reduced intracellular ROS production, whereas both extracts reduced MMP-1 expression under UVB-irradiated conditions. PPE significantly increased pro-collagen type I production. Both extracts reduced cellular senescence under UVB-irradiated conditions. In addition, PPE enhanced wound closure in HaCaT cells, suggesting a possible improvement in cell migration-related responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that potato peel extracts may exert protective effects against UVB-induced oxidative stress and photoaging-related cellular changes and may serve as potential functional materials associated with skin-protective and anti-photoaging-related cellular effects.