Total catches of fish from the wild reached a plateau in the early 1990s. Capture fishery production for both food and non-food utilization has levelled off. There is need for aquaculture expansion and improved output. The aim of this study was to determine the most productive facility for production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis. H. bidorsalis is the most important species from the genus Heterobranchus. It is endemic to Africa. Seven hundred H. bidorsalis fingerlings were acclimatized for 7 days, 200 fingerlings were randomly selected and stocked in: Earthen ponds, Concrete tanks, and Plastic tanks labelled as T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Each treatment had two replicates, 100 fingerlings in each. The culture facilities were constructed to have water volume which was not significantly different. The earthen ponds, concrete and plastic tanks water volume was maintained at 2,320 litres, 2,304 litres, and 2,331 litres respectively. Fingerlings were fed with 2mm Coppens of 45% crude protein at 5% biomass. Feeding was carried out at 9:00 and 16:00 hours for 56 days. All treatments were given equal care. Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final weight Gain and Weight Gain recorded were: 13.04±0.57, 13.44±0.75, 32±0.96, 4.45±1.34, 30.36±1.13 and 23.34±2.4 respectively. Growth was significantly higher in T1. In concrete and plastic tanks, observed growth parameters recorded had the following values: 11.75±0.82 and 11.21±0.83, 12.31±0.85 and 11.95±0.89, 3.2±0.96 and 2.84±0.85, 22.24±2.78 and 21.24±5.84, and 14.85±1.7 and 14.99±1.02 for Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final Weight and Weight Gain respectively. There was no significance difference in growth between T2 and T3. The study did not discourage the use of concrete tanks and plastic tanks for H. bidorsalis culture, but considered earthen ponds as most ideal culture facility for yields optimization in H. bidorsalis.

In this study, pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), which is usually produced for its seeds, was used for production of whole pumpkin powder directly incorporated into biscuit formation. Fiber, protein and ash content of pumpkin powder are determined 13.4%, 8.5% and 4.7% (dry basis), respectively. Pumpkin powder was added into the dough by means of displacement with the wheat flour at rates of 15%, 30% and 45% during biscuit production. Firmness, work of shear, stickiness and work of adhesion were examined after adding pumpkin flour to biscuit dough at different rates and an increase of firmness, work of shear, stickiness and work of adhesion were recorded as 58.9%, 72.4%, 52.1%, and 29.4%, respectively. A decrease of 24.8% in thickness and 22.7% in volume were observed as the amount of pumpkin flour increases. When the color values were examined, darker biscuits were obtained compared to the control biscuit. Approximately an increase of 232.6% in ash content in biscuits was observed. Biscuits adding pumpkin powder had 58.4% more moisture content than the control biscuit. While decrease of hardness and toughness were observed as 82.3% and 85.4%, respectively, a significantly change of brittleness value was not observed. Biscuits were evaluated in the sensory analysis in terms of crust color, inner color, homogeneity and size of pore, taste, odor, softness, and dissolve in the mouth and greasy feeling in the mouth. According to the results of sensory analysis, biscuits that 45% pumpkin powder was added was the highest rated. According to the study, positive effects were obtained in terms of nutritional properties and favorable results were also found in texture and color of biscuits that pumpkin powder was added. These findings were also supported by the results of sensory analysis.

Bu çalışmada organik (Sel-Plex®-2000, Alltech, USA) ve inorganik selenyum (Na2SeO3.5H2O - Sodyum selenite pentahydrate-FLUCA) ilaveli yem ile beslenen Oreochromis niloticus’un karaciğer antioksidan enzim aktiviteleri ve immün sistem parametreleri araştırılmıştır. Ortalama ağırlıkları 12,62 ± 0,11 g olan balıklar, 5 farklı uygulama grubu (Kontrol; Org1,5; Org3,0; İnorg1,5; İnorg3,0) olacak şekilde akvaryumlara yerleştirilmiş ve 75 gün beslenmişlerdir. Deneme süresi sonunda karaciğer katalaz (CAT), süperoksit dismutaz (SDO), glutatyon peroksidaz (GSH-Px), lizozim (LYZ) ve miyeloperoksidaz (MPO) aktiviteleri ile malondialdehit (MDA) düzeyi ve kas selenyum seviyeleri belirlenmiştir. Karaciğer antioksidan enzim aktiviteleri ve immün sistem parametreleri Se gruplarında kontrol grubuna oranla artmıştır. Kas dokusu Se düzeyi Se ilaveli tüm gruplarda kontrol ile karşılaştırıldığında göre önemli oranda artmıştır. 3mg/kg organik selenyumla beslenen balıklarda, kas selenyum seviyeleri diğer gruplara oranla daha yüksek bulunmuştur.

Increase in online available bioinformatics tools for protein research creates an important opportunity for scientists to reveal characteristics of the protein of interest by only starting from the predicted or known amino acid sequence without fully depending on experimental approaches. There are many sophisticated tools used for diverse purposes; however, there are not enough reviews covering the tips and tricks in selecting and using the correct tools as the literature mainly state the promotion of the new ones. In this review, with the aim of providing young scientists with no specific experience on protein work a reliable starting point for in silico analysis of the protein of interest, we summarized tools for annotation, identification of motifs and domains, determination isoelectric point, molecular weight, subcellular localization, and post-translational modifications by focusing on the important points to be considered while selecting from online available tools.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of fuel type ( pure diesel, blending 10% of Jatropha oil with diesel (J10%), blending 14% of Jatropha oil with blending (J14%),blending 10% of ethanol with diesel (E10%), blending 14% of ethanol with diesel (E14%), blending 10% of Jatropha oil and 10% of ethanol with diesel (J10%, E10%) and blending 14% of Jatropha oil and 14% of ethanol with diesel (J14%, E14%)), on exhaust gases, engine speed, implement draft and power requirement and fuel consumption. The results showed that, Blending J14%, E14% recorded the highest rate of fuel consumption as 4.60 l/h compared with pure diesel which recorded 3.90 l/h. Pure diesel fuel recorded the lowest engine speed of 2174 rpm, while the fuel blends recorded engine speed in the range of 2529 – 2583 rpm. The fuel blend J14% recorded the lowest ppm of CO and of NO2.The J10%, E14% and J10% with E10% blending’s recorded the lowest SO2 as zero ppm. Pure diesel recorded the highest power requirement of 6.81 kW while J14% recorded the lowest power of 5.32 kW. Ethanol blending’s showed higher power than Jatropha blending by 19.7%. Statistical analysis showed that, the effect of fuel blending on draft and power, gases exhausted, engine speed and fuel consumption were not significant.

Demir (Fe) noksanlığı dünyada bitkilerde ve insanlarda görülen önemli bir beslenme problemidir. Bu sorun aynı zamanda Türkiye’de de yaygın bir beslenme problemi olup ayçiçeği, önemli derecede verim ve kalite kayıplarına yol açan Fe noksanlığına duyarlı bir tür olarak bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmada farklı ayçiçeği genotiplerinin Fe noksanlığına karşı duyarlılığı test edilmiştir. Çalışmada, bitki materyali olarak, TR-6149-SA, TR-3080 ve 6480 genotipleri kullanılmıştır. Bitkiler, Fe’siz (0 µmol Fe) ve Fe (100 µmol Fe) içeren su kültürü yetiştirme ortamında test edilmiştir. Deneme sonunda bitkilerde simptom derecesi, SPAD değeri, klorofil konsantrasyonu, yeşil aksam kuru madde verimi, Fe-redüktaz enzim aktivitesi, yeşil aksam Fe konsantrasyonu ve büyüme ortamının pH değeri ölçülmüştür. Sonuçlar ayçiçeği bitkisinin Fe noksanlığını etkileyen en önemli faktörlerin Fe alımı ve Fe-redüktaz aktivitesi olduğunu göstermiştir. Çeşitlerin Fe noksanlığına karşı toleransta önemli rolü olan köklerin Fe redüktaz enzim aktivitesinin TR-3080 nolu genotipde Fe noksanlığı koşullarında diğer genotiplerden daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, uygulanan değişik Fe konsantrasyonlarına karşı genotiplerin tepkilerinin önemli derecede farklılık gösterdiği ve Fe noksanlığına karşı tolerant genotiplerin belirlenmesinde Fe redüktaz enzim aktivitesinin önemli rol oynayabileceği ortaya çıkmıştır.

Studies were conducted to determine the proximate and anti-nutrient composition of full-fat and defatted seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) using standard procedures. The defatted seed flour (DSF) indicated higher protein content (46.55%) while the full-fat seed flour (FSF) presented a value of 10.20%. The lipid (35.78%), carbohydrate (42.27%), and caloric values (531.90 Kcal/100 g) obtained for FSF were respectively higher than values of similar determinations for DSF. The anti-nutritional analyses of the FSF showed slightly higher oxalate content (44.00 mg/100 g) while cyanide, phytate and tannin levels were higher in DSF. The vitamin A composition of FSF (9.18 mg/100 g) was higher than that of DSF (0.84 mg/100 g) while DSF indicated higher vitamin C (74.44 mg/100g) content. These results revealed that the seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis contains an appreciable amount of nutrients and vitamins. The levels of toxicants in both FSF and DSF samples were low and below toxic levels. The seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis can be exploited as a cheap and valuable source of vegetable protein in fortified food products formulation.

Greenhouse tomato production is in the first place in Turkey, 34% of total tomato production (3.614.472 tonnes) is under greenhouse conditions. The increase in yield in Turkey is due to the spread of undergrowth cultivation besides the use of qualified varieties and seeds. Synthetic fertilizers can’t be used to obtain economic efficiency in underground organic tomato growing Therefore, the application of alternative fertilizers (barn stubble, green manure, organic fertilizer, vermicompost etc.) needs to be improved. For this purpose, effect of the eight different fertilizer combination including organic and worm liquid fertilizer, humic acid and mycorrhizae applications on tomato plant and fruit yield were investigated in the study. Negative check without any fertilizer application growing and a positive check; a synthetic liquid fertilizer application was included. Experiment was set up according to completely randomised block design with 3 replications under greenhouse conditions. Tomato fruit length, diameter and weight was determined as fruit yield and fresh and dry weight as plant yield. There was not any statistical difference among fertilizer applications for fruit and plant yield. However, the highest tomato fruit yield was obtained in the treatments of organic (7.17 kg/ plot) and worm fertilizers (4,80 kg/ plot) in combination with mycorrhizae. The results were similar for fruit diameter and length. Plant fresh and dry weight was between 2.01 to 5.92 and 0.368 to 1.153 kg, respectively. The highest plant weight was belong to mycorrhizae and organic fertilizer application.

Delayed rough rice drying was often found in tidal low land in Indonesia due to rice harvesting used to be in rainy season. Moisture re-absorption of rough rice during delayed drying caused fissures and breakage after rice milling. This experimental works condition the rough rice in some different moisture content and relative humidity during delayed drying. This aim of this study was to develop an alternative condition of delayed rough rice for drying so as not to significantly affect the physical quality of milled rice. The experiment was arranged as a factorial-randomized block design. Each treatment was repeated three times. Rough rice of IR42 variety was selected at three level of moisture content (24.89%, 18% and 22%), and was stored in a closed vessel at the relative humidity of 76% and 86%. The percentage of whole grain, head rice, large broken grain, and small broken grain were daily assessed until 7 days of delayed drying duration. The results showed that the moisture content and relative humidity had a significant effect on all parameters on each day of delayed rough rice drying duration. Rough rice would be better delayed for drying at the conditions for moisture content of 22% and relative humidity of 86%.

The aim of this study is to determine the factors that affect the development of bureaucratic knowledge and skills of farmers in rural areas. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was administered face-to-face to 110 farmers. The survey was conducted in the central villages of Tokat Province in 2013. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine the factors that affect the development of farmers’ knowledge and skills regarding bureaucratic procedures. The exploratory factor analysis generated a structure with 4 factors and 10 variables. These factors which explained 76.063% of the total variance, and their reliability coefficients were determined as cooperation tendency (0.803), bureaucratic procedure experience (0.701), level of benefit from government support (0.900) and immediate environment communication (0.601). According to the results of the confirmatory factor analysis, the fit index values were 0.938 for GFI; 0.934 for CFI and 0.913 for NFI. The fact that the RMSEA and CMIN/DF coefficients were also consistent and significant indicates that the results fit the theory. The fact that the intended goodness-of-fit index values of these coefficients were significant also indicates that the results fit the theory. Thus, the factors that affect the bureaucratic knowledge and skills of farmers in the rural areas of Tokat Province were found to be: getting involved in agricultural organizations, the experience of performing formal procedures in public offices, attempts to benefit from agricultural support and immediate environment communication.