This study aims to identify the spring diet composition and feeding strategy of the European sprat, Sprattus sprattus. Diet composition of European sprat was investigated for the first time in the central Black Sea coast of Turkey. Examined of the 115 specimens (6 - 9.1 cm total length) of stomach, 12 (10.4%) had emty. Diet analysis was described based on gravimetric percentages (W%), frequency of abundance (N%), frequency of occurrence (%F) and relative importance index (IRI%). Feeding strategy was analyzed and graphically (Costello) represented, considering the frequency of abundance (N%) and frequency of occurrence (%F) indexes and grouping prey into higher taxonomic categories. Twenty species were identified, belonging to four prey groups: Polychaeta, Crustacea, Mollusca and Chaetognatha. Finally copepods proved to be the most important food item considering the above-cited indexes. All other prey taxa were identified as accidental preys. At least seven copepod species were identified, where Calanus euxinus appeared all round with %IRI≥50. Also results of feeding strategy analyses revealed a trophic specialization toward a single prey.

Honey is a natural substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from the nectar of blossoms or from secretions of living parts of plants or excretions of plant sucking insects on the living parts of plants, which honeybees collect, transform and combine with specific substances of their own, store and leave in the honey comb to ripen and mature. Besides being of carbohydrate-rich food, honey has been used as a functional food for its potential health benefits. To explain how different kinds of carbohydrate-rich foods directly affect blood sugar, the researchers developed the concept of the “glycemic index” (GI) that ranks carbohydrates on a scale based on how quickly and how much they raise blood sugar levels after eating. The diet should include adequate and healthy balance of nutrients, and according to many health professionals the concept of GI provides a useful means of selecting the most appropriate carbohydrate containing foods for the maintenance of health and the treatment of several disease states. There have been some studies on determining the GI of honey. Further more, we need to determine the GI of various honey types with different botanical and geografical origin. Researches on the issue will serve to bring awareness in the public consciousness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible presence of sesame in commercial foods normally carrying no warning for the allergen, but which may have been subjected to contamination during processing. One hundred units of widely consumed goods with high potential to contain allergenic substances deriving from nuts were analyzed, using sensitive and capable PCR (C-PCR) and Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) methodologies. Of the products examined, 15 (15.0%) declared the presence of sesame, 36 (36.0%) carried no food allergy label, 44 (44.0%) were marked by the phrase “may contain traces of nuts” and 5 (5.0%) carried the indication “may contain sesame traces”. The sesame-positive products detected using the C-PCR method were 15 (100%), 12 (33.3%), 14 (31.8%) and 3 (60%), respectively. Using the RT-PCR technique, positive results were obtained for 15 (100%), 18 (50.0%), 18 (20.5%) and 5 (100%) samples, respectively. The results indicate that the PCR methods applied are highly sensitive and selective, which makes them suitable for the detection of sesame traces in food samples. In addition, they can be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of cleaning processes in the production units of the food industry.

Uğut (wheatgrass marmalade / dessert) is a traditional Turkish food which is almost to be forgotten. It is produced in various regions of Turkey by boiling the mixture of wheatgrass juice, flour and water. The wheatgrass contains amino acids, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and enzyme. It is reported that the wheatgrass has antioxidant, anticancer, anti-aging, laxative, diuretic and antibacterial effects due to its rich composition. Uğut is also a good source of carbohydrate because of its flour contents. In this article, the composition and production methods of Uğut were discussed.

Pinus brutia Ten., Red pine, known to be tough drought resistant pine specie, could effectively be used for afforestation of disturbed areas. It is of great interest for the afforestation in arid zones. Appropriate seed sources for the specific areas guarantees reforestation success. Away from its native areas Pinus brutia Ten. is planted for its ornamental value and timber production purposes. Selection of drought resistant provenances can very well increase the survival success. In this study, the effects of water potential on germination were studied in fourteen provenances of Pinus brutia Ten. from Turkey. Water potentials between 0 and -8 bars were obtained using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) solutions. Seeds were kept for 35 day at 20 ± 0.5°C. A decrease in water potential produced a marked reduction in germination percentage and germination value. As a result, significant variations between the provenances were found. It was determined that, under a -8 bar water stress, Isparta-Bucak and Mersin-Silifke, respectively corresponding to 58% and 57% of the control group, were the least water stress affected provenances.

This study was carried out to evaluate survival of Bifidobacterium infantis 20088 in fermented beverage formulated from selected traditional Sudanese fruits Gudaim and dom. The viable counts of the strain and physiochemical changes during refrigeration were determined. 10% beverages (w/v) were prepared from dom and gudaim powder. 2.5% (w/w) skim milk was supplemented to each formulation to provide the required nutrient for bacteria growth during the fermentation. After sterilization and cooling, the mixture was inoculated with a 10% culture of B. infants 20088 followed by incubation for 36 h at 37°C. Reconstituted skim milk was used as control. Fermented beverages were held at refrigeration (4°C) for a period of 2 weeks. During the refrigeration storage of the fermented beverages there was significant reduction in Bifidobacterium infantis of all fermented beverages. Nevertheless, the strain was maintained high; fulfill the number required to presence in probiotic foods, which was at least 6 log CFU/ml fermented product. There was no significantly difference in TSS and pH as compared to their initial at the beginning of fermentation except in pH of fermented gudaim. Therefore gudaim and dom are suitable carrier to deliver Bifidobacterium infantis 20088 to consumer.

Mycotoxin occurrence in foods, especially in uncontrolled produced traditional foods causes serious health problems. In this study, traditional Küp cheese samples were collected from different part of Anatolian region in Turkey (Ankara, Nevşehir and Yozgat) and analyzed to determine Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) level. AFM1 analysis was carried out by, immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) attached with fluorescence detector (FL) The level of AFM1 in all samples was in the range of 16 and 136 ng/kg which is lower than the maximum tolerance limit of the Turkish Codex Regulations (250 ng/kg). The levels of contamination indicated that more detailed and continuous monitoring is required to increase the public health conscious and reduce consumers’ exposure to AFM1.

Carrying between February 2012 and February 2013 as seasonal, the present study aims to determine heavy metal loads of five different creeks pass through Giresun city center and disembogue to Black Sea. Heavy metal analyses were performed from selected stations by ICP-MS instrument. Without seasonal and station differences, metal levels were found as follow; Cd: 0.129-5.113, Mn: 0.009-2.937, Fe: 0.007-1.985, Cu: 0.002-1.344, Zn: 0.002-1.901, Ni: 0.003-0.149, Pb: 0.009-21.22, Cr: 0.002-0.177, Co: 0.001-0.087 mg/L in water. Cd: 0.118-166.3, Pb: 5.62-398.9, Mn: 111.7-988.2, Fe: 2919-117973, Cu: 18.60-963.9, Zn: 11.09-2471, Ni: 11.29-813.1, Cr: 10.76-860.5, Co: 8.59-757.1 mg/kg in sediment. There were statistically significant differences between seasons in sea water. Statistically differences were found on Aksu, Güre, and Batlama stations. In sediment, statically differences in Cu, Zn, Ni, Co levels were found in winter season. The same elements were also statistically different on Güre station.

The poultry industry in the developing countries is facing some challenges, one of which is an increase in the cost of feed because of high prices of protein and energy sources. Moringa oleifera is a rich source of protein and crude fiber content. The crude protein (CP) content of Moringa ranges from 7.12 to 39.17%. Negligible content of tannins and other anti-nutritive compounds and offers an alternative source of protein to ruminants and non-ruminants. Although rich in nutrients such as protein and minerals, Moringa oleifera is one of those plants that have not been studied for many years. In addition, they are also faced with the problem of the development of antibiotic resistant pathogens due to unwise and excessive use of antibiotics. In this paper, feeding studies made on the Moringa oleifera used in nutrition of poultry and ruminant species have been reviewed.

Model system chicken emulsions were prepared by replacing 5, 10, 15 and 20 % beef fat with chicken skin. Moisture, protein, fat, ash and pH were determined in raw and heat processed emulsions. Emulsion samples were evaluated for cooking characteristics, TBA values and colour parameters (L*, a*, b*). Addition of chicken skin decreased fat content and increased moisture and protein content of emulsion samples. Chicken skin replacement significantly increased water holding capacity and cooking yield and decreased fluid release. Increasing chicken skin in formulation increased a* and b* values of emulsion samples. Therefore, adding of chicken skin instead of beef fat is useful in improving technological quality and producing low fat formulation.