Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (Reishi mushroom) is one of medicinal mushroom species. The chemical content of the mushrooms shows significant changes depending on the physical and chemical properties of their growing place. In this study; total soluble protein, total soluble carbohydrate (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and some mineral elements (P, K, Mg, Mn, S, Fe, Zn, Ca and Na) of Ganoderma lucidum collected from the nature and cultured on orange stump were investigated. According to the results; total protein, glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch content of the G. lucidum cultured on orange stump were found higher than G. lucidum collected from nature. Phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium and sulfur content were determined to be higher in mushroom samples cultured on orange stump. Calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc values were found as higher in mushroom samples collected from nature. According to these results, G. lucidum cultured on orange stump had higher nutritional value than mushrooms collected from nature.

Genomic imprinting is expression of gene’s only one allele in one of homolog chromosome depending on its maternal or paternal origin. A waste number of genes which are under the imprinting effect were identified as it has a key role in mammalian growth. The first three genes which is identified as imprinted are Igf2r, Igf2 and H19 which are first discovered in mouse genome. Over a hundred genes are identified as imprinted in mammals. Most of the imprinted genes are considered as they have a key role in growth and differentiation. In this review, epigenetic regulators of imprinted genes in mammals were mentioned.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatment and drying temperature on the drying kinetics and nutritional quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum L.) under hot air drying. Tomato samples were blanched at 80oC and osmotically dehydrated using 20% w/w sodium chloride solutions at 30oC for 20 min. The blanch-osmotic pre-treated and untreated tomato slices were dried at temperature of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80oC, respectively in a hot air-dryer. The results showed that blanch-osmotic pre-treatment offered a higher drying rate and lower or faster drying time than untreated condition. The tomato drying regime was characteristically in the constant and falling rate period. The tomato drying rate curve showed characteristics of porous hygroscopic solids. The optimum drying temperature for tomato was found to be 60oC. Four semi-empirical drying models of Newton, Page, Henderson and Pabis, and Logarithmic were fitted to the drying data using non-linear regression analysis. The most appropriate model was selected using the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The Page model has shown a better fit to the drying kinetics data of tomato in comparison with other tested models. Transport of moisture during drying was described by Fick’s diffusion model application and the effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) thus estimated. The Deff at 60oC was 4.43 × 10-11m2/s and 6.33 × 10-11m2/s for blanch-osmotic pre-treated and untreated tomato slices, respectively.

Two plant growth regulators: β-NOA (50 and 80 ppm) and GA (200 and 250 ppm) were applied to emasculated flowers at anthesis to set parthenocarpic fruit, while in the control treatment fruit set was achieved by natural pollination. The application of β-NOA found ineffective in setting parthenocarpic guava. No significant differences were observed in the length and diameter of fruit between parthenocarpic and naturally pollinated seeded fruit at different days after anthesis. The mean fruit weight, TSS and ascorbic acid content of parthenocarpic fruit were similar to that of seeded fruit. Significant higher amount of total polyphenol was detected in the seeded fruit than the parthenocarpic fruit. Although 200 ppm GA showed comparatively better response to fruit growth, TSS and ascorbic acid content than 250 ppm GA but not in a statistical level.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of antibiotic, vitamin E and rosemary essential oils in various doses on some blood parameters, beneficial and harmful microorganisms in instentine jejunum microflora of lying hens. The experiment was conducted according to random parcel experiment design. A total of 240 Bovans genotype and 32 weeks aged were equally divided into 6 groups (8 hens in each group with 5 replicates). While the control group was fed with basal diet the treatment groups were supplemented with 500 mg/kg antibiotics; 200 mg/kg vitamin E; 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg REO to basal diet for 90 consecutive days. The result showed that there were no effects of all additions to basal diets on examined blood parameters. Antibiotic and all rosemary essential oils doses to basal diet affected the instentine jejunum bacteria content by decreasing probable coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium perfringens (Cl. perfringens) bacteria level significantly. While a 100 mg/kg rosemary essential oils dose was of the same influence with antibiotic (500 mg/kg) on all bacteria species, 200 and 300 mg/kg doses applications were more effective on E. coli compare to antibiotics. 300 mg/kg doses applications dose was more effective on probable faecal coliforms than antibiotics. As conclusion, the results shows the rosemary essential oils has the high antimicrobial effect on some pathogenic bacterias and could be used in laying hen for feed addition.

Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is one of the oldest trees in the world and has been cultivated from civilization of Ancient Persia, especially on the Mediterranean coasts, till nowadays. The fruit of the carob tree (carob bean) are attracting attention in recent years due among others to tits rich nutritional value and use as a substitute and/or alternative for cocoa. Although it has higher sugar content than sugar beet and sugar cane, it is a food that also lowers cholesterol. In addition to its fruit, the plant has interesting morphological qualities. Deep root system of carob tree allows high productivity even in draught conditions; it is an ideal plant in the fight against erosion and one of the most preferred plants while establishing fire-resistant forests. Additionally, because 2016 was declared the International Year of Pulses, it is necessary to draw attention to the carob tree since it is a typical pulse plant. The status of Turkey, as the 5th carob producer in the world, was analysed in this context, in terms of Agricultural Geography. The existing and necessary practices in carob production are discussed based on the data from the studies conducted in Antalya and Mersin in 2015 and previous ones.

Thirty five genotypes of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) were tested in four artificially created environments to judge their stability in performance of seed yield. The differences among genotypes and environments were significant for seed yield. Stability parameters varied considerably among the tested genotypes in all the methods used. The variation in result in different methods was due to non-fulfillment of assumption of different models. However, AMMI analysis provides the information on main effects as well as interaction effects and depiction of PCA score gives better understanding of the pattern of genotype – environment interaction. The sum of squares due to PCAs was also used for the computation of AMMI stability values for better understanding of the adaptability behavior of genotypes hence, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model was most appropriate for the analysis of G x E interactions for seed yield in coriander. Genotypes RVC 15, RVC 19, RVC 22, RVC 25 and Panipat local showed wider adaptability while, Simpo S 33 exhibited specific adaptability to favourable conditions of high fertility. These genotypes could be utilized in breeding programmers to transfer the adaptability genes into high yielding genetic back ground of coriander.

Because of using sulphur free fertilizer, rice crop facing tremendous sulphur (S) deficiency throughout the world as well as in Bangladesh. However, farmers of Bangladesh often overlook the importance of sulphur fertilization on rice yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of sulphur on growth, yield attributes and uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw of BRRI dhan41 rice variety. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication and eight treatments including control. The result of the study revealed that the highest plant height, panicle length, filled grain was found in T1 (50% RFD of S) treatment, while the utmost number of effective tiller and straw yield was recorded in T5 (150% RFD of S) treatment. Interestingly, maximum grain yield as well as uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw was significantly higher in T6 (175% RFD of S) treatment. The highest grain yield of T6 treatment might be due to maximum nutrient use efficiency. However, in all cases control treatment (T0) gave the worst result. The present study clearly indicates that higher rates (175% of the recommended dose) of S along with other fertilizers may be recommended for better growth and yield of BRRI dhan41 in Bangladesh soil.

Quality of plain set yoghurt was investigated by varying levels of ultrafiltration concentration of cow skim milk (1-without ultrafiltration, 1.5 and 2 folds) and inoculum (2, 2.5 and 3%) of yoghurt culture (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus 1:1). Titratable acidity development and pH reduction were significantly faster during incubation of yoghurt with increasing ultrafiltration concentration level and inoculum level. Increased ultrafiltration concentration level decreased spontaneous whey syneresis, but increased water holding capacity and firmness of the product significantly. Body & texture and overall acceptability scores were significantly better in yoghurts prepared from 1.5 fold concentrated milk irrespective of the inoculum level studied. Inoculum level did not show any significant effect on the quality of yoghurt, but higher inoculum level decreased the incubation period significantly. Optimized product was obtained with 1.5 fold concentrated skim milk standardized to 3.3% fat and incubated with 2% inoculum level in about five and a half hour of incubation. Optimized product had 13.60±0.02% total solids, 3.31±0.01% fat, 5.27±0.04% protein, 4.20±0.03% lactose and 0.82±0.02% ash. Whey syneresis, water holding capacity and firmness in optimized product were nil, 63.49% and 1.89 N, respectively. Thus, high quality plain yoghurt could be prepared by employing ultrafiltration, without addition of stabilizers, which is otherwise widely used commercially for the manufacture of yoghurt to control its wheying off and body.

The effect of temperature and pH on adsorption-desorption of fungicide hexaconazole was studied in two Malaysian soil types; namely clay loam and sandy loam. The adsorption-desorption experiment was conducted using the batch equilibration technique and the residues of hexaconazole were analysed using the GC-ECD. The results showed that the adsorption-desorption isotherms of hexaconazole can be described with Freundlich equation. The Freundlich sorption coefficient (Kd) values were positively correlated to the clay and organic matter content in the soils. Hexaconazole attained the equilibrium phase within 24 h in both soil types studied. The adsorption coefficient (Kd) values obtained for clay loam soil and sandy loam soil were 2.54 mL/g and 2.27 mL/g, respectively, indicating that hexaconazole was weakly sorbed onto the soils due to the low organic content of the soils. Regarding thermodynamic parameters, the Gibb’s free energy change (ΔG) analysis showed that hexaconazole adsorption onto soil was spontaneous and exothermic, plus it exhibited positive hysteresis. A strong correlation was observed between the adsorption of hexaconazole and pH of the soil solution. However, temperature was found to have no effect on the adsorption of hexaconazole onto the soils; for the range tested.