The aim of this study is to determine the quality characteristics of kefir by developing different flavours in order to increase its consumption. Plum (10%) and molasses (7.5%) which are rich in phenolic contents are used to produce kefir in different flavours. Chemical analysis (pH, titratable acidity, dry matter and colour), microbial analysis (total microorganism, Lactobacillus spp, Lactococcus spp. and yeast counts), total antioxidant activity (by ORAC method), total amount of phenolic contents and sensorial properties of all kefir samples were carried out at the 1st, 7th and 14th days of storage. Consequently, the results of pH, titratable acidity and dry matter in the kefir samples were determined to change between the values 4.11-4.39; 0.22-0.30 and 11.9-17.02% respectively, during the storage. In the colour analysis, the redness colour parameter of the kefir sample produced using molasses was determined to be higher compared to the other kefir samples. At the first day of storage, the total antioxidant contents of the control group kefir, plum- added kefir and molasses-added kefir samples were determined as 13.30; 16.80 and 17.35 µmol ml-1; and the total phenolic contents as 945.70; 2535.8 and 2357.6 mg ml-1, respectively. Content of total microorganism in kefir samples varied between 8.91-9.80 log kob ml-1during the storage period. Lactobacillus spp. and Lactococcus spp. contents of kefir produced using molasses were determined to have the highest values with 9.11 and 9.91 log kob ml-1, respectively, at the first day. Yeast content of the plum kefir and the molasses kefir samples including sugar was detected to be higher than that of the controlled kefir sample. According to the results of the sensory analysis, the kefir produced with plum was approved the most by the panelists. As a result of this study, two alternative products with quite high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were developed for consumers.

This study was carried out to determine the influence of diets including different levels of protein and supplemented with probiotic-enzyme mixed on performance parameters and eggshell quality in laying quails. Japanese quails (n=120), 10 wk of age, were divided into 6 dietary treatment groups and the experiment lasted for 10 weeks. In each experiment group there were 5 replicates, and in each replicates there were 4 birds. Six diets, arranged a factorial design with three protein levels (16, 18 and 20 (control) %) and two levels of supplemented probiotic-enzyme mixed (0.0 and 1.0 g/kg) were used. Dietary crude protein levels and supplementation of probiotic-enzyme did not effect on the body weight gain, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion, cracked egg yield, specific gravity and shell strength. However, egg production, eggshell thickness and eggshell weight were significantly increased by the addition of probiotic-enzymes mixed. Egg weight in group containing 18% crude protein was significantly higher than the containing 16% crude protein group. Results of the present study indicated that laying quails should be fed 18% crude protein and 1.0 g/kg of supplemental probiotic-enzyme mixed improved egg production and eggshell quality.

Tannins are phenolic metabolites, which naturally produced by plants. They can defend plants against pathogen microorganisms and viruses. According to animal nutrition, tannins have both adverse and beneficial effects depending on animal species, physiological state of the animal, structure and concentration of the tannins. The objective of this study was to review the literature about tannins, their effects and usage of tannins in animal nutrition.

Saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, is extremely appreciated for its extraordinary color, taste and aroma. At the present time, nearly all the saffron harvest and post harvest processes are carried out manually. To increase the quality and development of economic role of saffron, it is essential to go beyond the traditional method of harvest of saffron. Considering that saffron components terminal velocities are different, a separator is planned and constructed to separate stigma from other parts of saffron flower. This separator is designed on the basis of aerodynamic and physical properties of saffron flower. The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of a saffron separator for different air flows to increase the level of automation and efficiency of post-harvest operations. The results show that the maximum stigma separation happens when the air flow speed in outlet B is 3 m/s. finally, this data will be applied to find the optimum areas of outlet B and D, as two main parameters which have significant effect on the efficiency of saffron separator.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) have specialized and complex relationships with their host plants. A better understanding of interaction between nematode and their host will help to provide new point of view for root-knot nematode management. For this purpose, recently investigations on cellular and molecular basis of root-knot nematode parasitism and host response were reviewed.

Genetic diversity present in gene pool is an important determination for breeding programs, and characterization is useful of building crop plant collections primarily based on the knowledge of the presence of valuable genes and traits. Developing successful varieties for increasing the future yield and quality of tomato depend mainly on the genetic diversity of parents used in the breeding program. Molecular characterization of 21 tomato genotypes used in in Pakistani breeding program was studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Total 102 bands were amplified among 21 genotypes using 20 RAPD primers. Overall 73.5% polymorphism was shown as 75 out of 102 loci were polymorphic. High degree of divergence between varieties was indicated by low level of monomorphic bands. The number of PCR products per primer varied from 2-8 with an average of 5.1 bands per primer. Primer GL J-20 and GL C-09 produced maximum number of bands whereas the primers GL A-09 produced the lowest. The polymorphism per RAPD primer ranged from 50% to 100% with an average of 73.5%. The accumulative analysis of amplified products generated by RAPD’s was enough to assess the genetic diversity among the genotypes. The information would be helpful for formulating future breeding and genome mapping programs. This study will also work as an indicator for tomato breeders to evolve varieties with genetic diverse back ground to achieve sustainability in tomato production in the country.

In Turkey, Chickpea is in the first rank in pulses and it is followed by lentil, bean and faba bean respectively. In the world, Turkey is one of the most important producer and exporting countries especially for chickpea and lentil. In recent years, Turkey’s chickpea and lentil production are in downvard trend. Our country has diverse ecological regions for growing many pulses species. Our production potential of pulses must be evaluated and a great importance must be given to the production of cultivars with high yield potential, quality and standart bigness seed. On the other hand, in Turkey, winter chickpea production in coastal region and winter lentil production in central Anatolion region must be widened. Pulses production must be done by using proper growing techniques. Sowing and harvesting should be done by machine. At the same time good war should be made against disease and insect for increasing yield potential of pulses. So, in Turkey, pulses plantation can be increased much more than nowdays.

Tannins are phenolic metabolites, which naturally produced by plants. They can defend plants against pathogen microorganisms and viruses. According to animal nutrition, tannins have both adverse and beneficial effects depending on animal species, physiological state of the animal, structure and concentration of the tannins. The objective of this study was to review the literature about tannins, their effects and usage of tannins in animal nutrition.

This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the consumption of fruit mineral water by households living in the urban areas in Beypazari. The main material of the study consisted of data collected through a questionnaire from 240 households. The study also aimed to reveal the features of the households and the preferences, tastes and thoughts of the households affecting the consumption. Binary Logit Regression method was employed to determine the factors affecting the fruit mineral water consumption. Seven variables affecting the likelihood of fruit mineral water consumption were identified based on the regression analysis employed. The companies in food industry are expected to increase the number of their consumers while they are determining their strategies to raise income rates or while they are increasing the current potential through studies aiming women and young people.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of alfalfa meal on performance, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol and hatchability parameters of quail breeders. In this trial a total of 90 Japanese quail breeders (30 males, 60 females), 10 weeks old was distributed 5 experimental groups randomly. Each experimental group consisted of 6 replicates of 3 quails (1 males, 2 females) in each. During the 12 weeks experiment period, birds were fed with 5 dietary groups based on corn and soybean meal and containing 0 (control), 10, 20, 40 and 80 g/kg alfalfa meal. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum throughout the experiment. The different dietary levels of alfalfa meal had no significant effect on body weight change, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg shell breaking strength, egg yolk triglyceride, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs or hatchability of eggs set. The feed intake was decreased with 10 or 20 g/kg alfalfa meal levels in the diet. The eggshell weight was best in quails fed 20 g/kg alfalfa meal, and the egg yolk cholesterol was the lowest in quails fed 40 g/kg alfalfa meal. According to the results of this study the addition of 40 g/kg alfalfa meal in laying quail diets decreased the egg yolk cholesterol levels without adverse effect on performance.