In the current study, thermal degradation and thermodynamic properties of ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of convective dried kiwi fruits were investigated. To determine kinetic model describing thermal degradation of these parameters, zero order, first order, fractional conversion and Weibull model were used. Weibull model gave the best fitting to thermal degradation of these parameters. Moreover, the rate constant of the thermal degradation reaction increased with the increment in drying temperatures, meaning that these degradation reactions were temperature dependent. On the other hand, total phenolic content had the lowest activation energy and ∆H value indicating the lowest thermal stability in comparison to others. The degradation reactions endothermically occurred during drying process. Additionally, it was seen that the reason for the higher degradation rate at higher temperatures as the absolute values of ∆S increased. It is important to evaluate thermal degradation of bioactive compounds for the design of the thermal processes. This study will be beneficial for the convective drying process design due to these results.

This study evaluates the chemical properties of mistletoe leaves powder from moringa trees (MLPM) and mistletoe leaves powder from kola nut trees (MLPK). The MLPM and MLPK were subjected to phytochemical analysis, vitamin A determination, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) analysis, proximate and mineral composition analysis, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Total phenol, steroids, and tannins concentrations were higher in MLPK than in MLPM; steroids was higher in MLPK than in MLPM; whereas total flavonoids and saponins concentrations, were equivalents. MLPK had greater vitamin A concentrations and DPPH than MLPM. The lipid peroxidation inhibition of MLPM and MLPK did not differ significantly. MLPM had higher moisture, crude fibre, and ash content than MLPK. Furthermore, MLPK had larger fat, crude protein, and nitrogen-free extract contents than MLPM. The MLPM and MLPK have similar Zn (0.9 vs. 1.3 mg/kg), Ca (20.1 vs. 13.1 mg/kg), Mg (66.1 vs. 70.2 mg/kg), and P (185.8 vs. 183.5 mg/kg) contents. The alpha-amylase inhibitory action of MLPM (40.40%) and MLPK (35.07%) were similar. MLPK (44.37%), on the other hand, has a stronger alpha-glucose inhibitory action than MLPM (32.47%). Finally, phenol, steroids, tannins, and steroids varied between MLPM and MLPK, with phenol, steroids, and tannins being greater in MLPK. The MLPM had higher vitamin A concentrations and antioxidant activity than MLPK. The MLPM and MLPK inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the water quality of the inlet, irrigation outlet, and edges linked to Nuwarawewa reservoir, Mahakanadarawa reservoir, Hurulu wewa reservoir, Sangilikandarawa reservoir, and Nachchaduwa perennial reservoir in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Water samples were taken from a designated position of each inlet, irrigation output, and edges in the second inter-monsoon, northeast monsoon, and first inter-monsoon seasons. Water quality indicators such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), NO3- -N, NH4+-N, dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), and heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb, and Hg) concentrations were measured in each water sample. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistica software. Considerable temporal fluctuations in water quality indicators were detected in inlets, irrigation outflows, and edges over the research period. The findings revealed that NO3- -N, NH4+-N, and DRP in Sangilikandarawa reservoir during the northeast monsoon were close but not above the FAO (1985) maximum levels guidelines for irrigation water. pH, EC, TDS, and heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb, and Hg) in all the other tanks were within permitted values according to WHO drinking water quality standards and FAO (1985) guidelines for irrigation water. This finding further demonstrated that the consequences of surrounding land use on water pollution in inlet water canals linked to Sangilikandarawa and Nuwarawewa are greater. It could be concluded that a pollution management plan needs to be implemented in order to stop further pollution.

In the study, the growth performances of the Shibot fish (Tor grypus) with an average weight of 2.38 g were evaluated by feeding them with 3 different protein-containing feeds for 45 days. In order to create these evaluations, the experimental groups were designed as G1 (33%), G2 (37%) and G3 (41%) fed with different protein levels. Effects on body weight gain (BWG), Feed conversion rate (FCR), Specific growth rate (SGR), Survival rate, Economic conversion rate (ECR) and Economic profit index (EPI) as growth parameters has been researched. At the end of the study, the offspring reached a weight of 3.42±0.16 g, 4.17±0.06 g and 4.50±0.02 g, respectively. G3 and G2 group individuals showed similar performance in terms of end-trial FCR, EPI and ECR.

In this study, genetic relationship of ISSR markers of seven endemic Inula species distributed in Turkey was carried out. Plant samples were collected from different regions of Turkey in 2013 and gDNA was obtained by DNA isolation from green leaves. Genetic relationship between species was determined using 12 ISSR primers. PCR products were run on agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized under UV light. All gel images were examined and the presence and absence of polymorphic bands were scored as 0 and 1. A total of 85 bands were obtained from the primers. Of these, 74 polymorphic and 11 monomorphic bands were obtained. The total polymorphism rate was found to be approximately 87.05%. The phylogenetic tree and genetic distances between species were calculated using the PAUP 0 4.0b10 analysis program. According to the distance matrix, the genetic distance was found between the closest Inula helenium subsp. orgyalis and Inula helenium subsp. vanensis (0.29851), while the farthest between Inula sarana and Inula macrocephala (0.56000) species. The phylogenetic tree was obtained using the UPGMA algorithm, and the tree consisted of two groups. The results were compared with the morphological, palynological nrDNA and cpDNA results of the past. Our findings supported previous studies.

This study examined the Effects of Economic Partnership Agreements between ECOWAS and the EU on Trade, Revenue and Welfare of Agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc. The specific objectives of the study were to:(i) estimate the potential trade creation and diversion effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc, (ii) estimate the potential revenue effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc and (iii) estimate the potential welfare effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc. World Integrated Trade Solutions provided access to an online secondary data as classified by United Nations Harmonized system. The result on the potential trade creation and diversion effects of EPA on both trading blocs showed that ECOWAS will gain US$198.9million in trade creation and lose US$58.4 million in Trade Diversion. On the other hand, there will be no trade creation for EU with negligible trade diversion of – US$0.2million. The result showed total potential tariff revenue losses of US$366.4million for ECOWAS bloc post EPA. On the other hand, EU will lose (US$951.8million) its agricultural products post EPA. The result further showed potential welfare gain of US$27.6million for consumers of ECOWAS bloc. On the other hand, there will be welfare gain of the EU at US$243.5million for their consumers post EPA. Among all the recommendations, the study therefore points out that the on-going EPA negotiations between ECOWAS and the EU need not to be hurriedly signed by ECOWAS bloc. Also, ECOWAS needs to strengthen its agricultural production efficiency to be able to compete globally and encourage its individual countries to return to a single digit borrowing interest rate to encourage more investment by local agricultural producers if they want to enjoy the benefits of trade treaties at long run if EPA is eventually signed.

Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by climate change, especially through the reduction in the number of rainy days in semi-arid areas, which require deficit supplementary irrigation (DSI) to minimise crop failures. Few studies have utilised soil quality indices (SQIs) to evaluate the quality changes of soils under DSI practices in semi-arid agricultural ecosystems. This paper examines the effects of DSI activities on soil quality in the Ingawa area of Nigeria’s semi-arid region. Plots subjected to different years of DSI (3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 15 years) practices were chosen to serve as the controls. Soil samples were collected from each of the nine sites at depths ranging from 0 cm to 20 cm and 25 cm to 40 cm. The collected samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties. Soil quality change was estimated by computing percentage equivalence values that define the extent to which mean values of soils under DSI vary from those of the control. The results obtained show that the practices have caused significant negative changes in the levels of most of the properties considered, with significant deleterious effects on the selected physical and chemical indicators of soil quality to extents that might preclude sustainable agriculture on the soils. Potassium, organic carbon, organic matter, and some other essential nutrients needed for plant growth and soil stability have dropped a lot in irrigated farms compared to control farms, but salinization hasn't happened much. It was suggested that the right steps be taken to prevent the loss of important nutrients that crops need to grow well.

Türkiye’nin su kaynakları her geçen gün giderek kirlenmekte ve kişi başına düşen su miktarı ihtiyacı nüfus artışı ile yıldan yıla hızla artmaktadır. Artan nüfusla beraber gıdaya duyulan ihtiyacın artması buna bağlı olarak su tüketiminin artması, atık suların uygun yöntemlerle arıtılarak çeşitli alanlarda özellikle sulama suyu olarak yeniden kullanımının sağlanması günümüzde ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bu kapsamda, Kırklareli il merkezinin kanalizasyon suları mevcut evsel ve endüstriyel arıtma tesislerinde arıtılarak Kırklareli deresine deşarj edilmektedir. Bu çalışma derenin suları ve arıtma tesislerinden salınan suların, sulama suyu kalitesi ve kirlilik durumunun belirlenerek tarımsal amaçlı kullanıma uygunluğunu ortaya koymak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Kırklareli Deresi üzerinde belirlenen istasyonlardan alınan atık su örnekleri mevsimsel olarak alınmıştır. Örnekler üzerinde fiziksel ve inorganik-kimyasal parametreler incelenmiştir. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçları değerlendirmek için, Su Kirliliği Kontrol Yönetmeliğinde yer alan Kıta İçi Yerüstü Su Kaynaklarının Sınıfları (KYSKK) kullanılmıştır. Buna göre; Kırklareli deresi su örneklerinin fiziksel ve inorganik-kimyasal parametreleri açısından mevsimsel olarak kalite sınıfının IV. sınıf olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, elektriksel iletkenlik (EC) ve sodyum adsorpsiyon oranı (SAR) değerlerini temel alan ABD tuzluluk laboratuvarı sınıflandırma sistemine göre C3S1 sınıfına girdiği, fazla tuzlu olmasından dolayı dikkatle kullanılması gerektiği tespit edilmiştir. Su örnekleri ölçüm değerleri üzerinde yapılan tekrarlanan ölçümlü deneme düzeninde varyans analizi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve korelasyon analizi yapılmıştır. İstatiksel açıdan parametreler arasındaki belirgin farklar ve ilişkiler belirlenmiştir.

The study’s main purpose is to to determine the price levels in the market and their willingness to accept higher prices of organic farming enterprises. For this purpose, enterprises engaged in organic farming activities in Konya were interviewed. A total of 883 organic farming enterprises in Konya grow 123 kinds of organic products, and as the products change, the organic structures of agricultural products change and their marketing channels, strategies and price formations also differ. In this context, 219 surveys were conducted in 13 product groups classified by TURKSTAT. In line with the data obtained as a result of the survey, the social, economic, production and marketing characteristics of the organic farming enterprises and the effects of the marketing structures of organic products on their willingness to accept prices were investigated using the Willingness to Accept (WTA) method, which is one of the conditional valuation methods. Furthermore, the marginal effects of each factor were determined by constructing the equation of the ordinal probit regression to be used to estimate the function of the WTA curve. As a result, suggestions have been developed for optimal price formation in the organic agriculture sector, where the marginal benefit is at the forefront, due to the high level of healthy life and environmental awareness, as well as marginal income, unlike traditional agricultural enterprises.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Lam.) is a well-known, extensively grown and consumed crop, world-wide. Pumpkins are natural and rich source of potential bioactive compounds. The presence of active phytochemicals makes these fruits a great matrix to be further exploited for therapeutic purposes, beyond biotechnological applications. Peel, flesh and seeds of this fruit are heavily loaded with phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids, which are the main tributes of this functional and medicinal food. Present study was designed to utilize these parts of pumpkin in the form of powders, at 0, 5, 10 and 15% replacement levels with white flour, to develop biscuits and to obtain methanolic extracts of these biscuits to determine their phytochemical parameters. Among the different treatment biscuits, highest amount of total phenolics (101.79 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoids (60.74 mg CE/ 100 g) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (38.00 mg AAE/100 g) was found in biscuits with 15% replacement of pumpkin seeds powder, while biscuits with 15% replacement of pumpkin flesh powder exhibited highest amount of total carotenoid contents (6.95 mg/ 100 g) and β carotene (2.86 mg/100 g). Functional biscuits developed from replacement of pumpkin parts powders with wheat flour may be offered to patients facing oxidative stress, degenerative diseases and diabetes. These biscuits can be offered to children for better growth and development. Consumers awareness through proper marketing at commercial level with proper labelling of nutritional facts, may lead to increased demand of this functional and medicinal food rich in bio actives.