The level of pollution has reached the dimensions that threaten human health, with the rapid urbanization and the increase of energy consumption especially in developing countries. Every year in the world, millions of people lose their lives because of air pollution. Heavy metals have a separate precaution in pollutants, especially in terms of human health, because they can remain intact in nature for long periods of time, they tend to bioaccumulate and some are toxic or carcinogenic even at low concentrations. Therefore, monitoring of heavy metal pollution and determination of risky areas is very important. Biomonitors are the most commonly used methods for monitoring heavy metal pollution. However, determining which organelles are more suitable for monitoring the metal is essential in order to ensure that the monitoring is reliable. In this study, it was aimed to determine the variations of the concentration of Ba, Na, Al, B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Mn elements depending on the traffic density in leaves, seeds and branches of Tilia tomentosa which are grown in areas with heavy, low dense and non traffic areas. As a result of the study, it was determined that the heavy metal concentrations in leaves and seeds except Fe were increased due to traffic density. This situation can cause serious problems for human health, especially since the leaves and seeds of linden individuals grown in traffic-intensive areas are consumed as tea.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of zinc (Zn), which is a common nutritional problem for both plant and human health, on corn and wheat plants. In the research carried out in greenhouse conditions, Zn (Zn0: 0 mg Zn kg-1, Zn5: 5 mg Zn kg-1) was applied to Çukurova and Niğde soils having a natural Zn deficiency and yield and mineral nutrient concentrations of wheat and corn plants were determined. Shoot dry matter yields of wheat and corn plants in both soils significant increased by Zn application. Zinc application caused to 20 and 76% shoot dry matter yield increase for wheat in Çukurova and Niğde soils. The increase in corn pants were greater which was 174% in Çukurova soil and 127% in Niğde soil. The Zn concentration was significantly increased with the increased shoot dry matter yield, while shoot Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations were decreased with Zn applications.

Fusarium graminearum species complex is the major Fusarium head blight disease pathogen in worldwide. Fusarium head blight disease lead to damages on small grain cereals. The identification of the F. graminearum species complex is important for improving disease control and management. Traditional identification methods such as macroscopy and microscopy analysis need to be supported by biochemical and genetics assays. Thus, DNA sequencing-based methods is one of the most preferred, reliable, low priced in the identification methods. In the study, 54 F. graminearum isolates obtained from diseased wheat, barley and corn fields in Turkey and Iran were identified by morphological characteristics and then characterized by species-specific SCAR marker. β-tubulin, Tef1-α, 28s rDNA and Histone H3 genes amplified, purified and then sequenced. The merged multiloci length was obtained as last of all 2215 bp. These sequencing results was used to multiloci genotyping assays. Last of all, 20 isolates were determined as F. graminearum sensu stricto by multiloci genotyping analysis. Remaining isolates were identified as F. asiaticum or Fusarium sp. . The findings are important in terms of revealing the first-time identification in Turkish and Iranian isolates as F. graminearum species complex members by amplification four (β-tubulin, Tef1-α, 28s rDNA and Histone H3) highly conserved DNA regions.

Nowadays, “energy production” and “global climate change and mitigation”, which are in direct relation with each other, are the most important environmental problems waiting for a solution. Renewable and sustainable energy sources provide the most appropriate alternatives for the solution of this problem. In Turkey, one of the important raw material potential of renewable and sustainable energy sources is “Biomass energy”; it is used in biogas production, biofuel production such as biodiesel, bioethanol, biobuthanol and gasification-burning technology. In this study; the potential for agricultural wastes derived from agricultural activities and domestic wastes from Çukurkuyu town of Niğde where the main economic source are agriculture and livestock, were calculated by using incineration technology, which is one of the methods of production of renewable electric energy. In this study, a feasibility study was carried out for the production of renewable electricity from the wastes generated in the town and the potential of renewable electricity generation was determined by the obtained data. Moreover, in this study, fossil fuel balance of the electricity produced from biomass was determined and potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction was determined. Thus, as an alternative to fossil fuels, energy production from renewable sources has been determined both in agricultural waste management.

In continuous monitoring and control systems as required by automation, biosensors are greatly advantageous with their precision, stability, ease of use and response rates. In this study, a new amperometric glucose sensor has been fabricated based on a composite film prepared by electrochemical polymerization of carbazole derivative with having free amino group in presence of the Keggin type polyoxometalate (POM) anion, (nBu4N)3[PW9O34(tBuSiOH)3], in order to meet the needs of the sector. The enzymatic biosensor was prepared by immobilizing the Glucose Oxidase (GOx) enzyme to the surface modified with the POM/PAAC composite. Biosensor preparation and working conditions were optimized and analytical characterizations was carried out. The amperometric response of the POM/PAAC-GOx modified electrode versus varying concentrations of glucose was studied at a potential value of −0.7 V (Ag/AgCl). When the data obtained from these surfaces can be prepared in a short time, it was determined that they are sensitive to the presence of glucose in food samples such as cola and fruit juice. One of the innovations of this study is the shortening of the response time and the easy preparation of the biosensor. In addition to high linearity, short response time and long shelf life advantages in determining the glucose content in foods, it is thought that it will be an economical alternative with its easy preparation, ease of application and time and chemicals gain in measurements.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages in the world. During tea infusion, both essential mineral elements and toxic metals are extracted into the beverage. In oriental countries, almost a liter of tea is consumed daily by an average adult. Thus, high toxic elements in traditional teas can be of concern. Aim of the study was to determine the essential element contents and toxic heavy metal concentrations in tea products available on the market in Turkey and comparing the contents of infusion for Turkish and Ceylon black and green tea types. The associated health risk to tea drinkers were estimated with reference to Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) Values from US EPA for adults and children. Among the essential elements in all of the black teas purchased from the market, K was present at the highest concentration followed by Mg, Ca and Al. Pb and Mn contents of several tea samples were found over the Tolerable Daily Intake levels.

Oregano, which grows widely in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa, has been known as a medicinal plant since ancient times. Thyme used in the spice industry and in the pharmaceutical industry due to its anti-fungal and antiseptic properties because it has an aromatic smell, also contains some vitamins and minerals that humans and animals need. The use of oregano, which comes to the forefront in the feeding of small ruminants during the times when animal feeds are scarce in our country, is becoming more and more important in small head and poultry production and good agriculture and organic farming applications due to some secondary metabolites it contains.