The study is aimed at predicting soil erosion and investigate its spatial distribution in Souss basin area used EPM (erosion potential model), also known as Gavrilovic method, incorporating into GIS (geographic information system) software. The spatial distribution of soil erosion shows three main zones in the studied area (very slight, slight to moderate). The main factors in the EPM (soil erodibility, soil protection, slope, temperature and rainfall) were evaluated using GIS software. Data layers used in this study were created from digital elevation model (DEM), lithology maps, landsat 8 oli digital images, the highest amount of erosion occurred in the northeast regions, Results showed that about 87.84% of the study area is classified in low and very low to destructive erosion intensify, 12.15% of the study area was moderate potential soil losses.

In this study, seasonal changes in the lipid and fatty acid profiles of S. lessepsianus caught from the Mersin Bay were investigated. The total lipid levels of S. lessepsianus were found to be 2.94%, 7.19%, 2.45%, 0.83%, in spring, summer, autumn and winter season, respectively. Major fatty acids in S. lessepsianus were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in all seasons. The highest values of palmitic, palmitoleic and EPA were determined as 22.97%, 3.80% and 4.22% in spring, respectively. The highest values of stearic and oleic acid were determined as 15.93% and 7.84% in autumn, respectively. The highest value of DHA were also determined as 31.91% in winter season. The EPA level from polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in the range of 2.54-4.22% (23.09-195.62 mg/100g). The highest level of DHA were observed in the winter season and its levels changed in the range of 19.83-31.81% and was calculated as 201.29-1301.73 mg/100g. In addition, the highest level of the Σn3, Σn6, and Σn9 were calculated in the summer season as 1516.39, 114.88, 399.77 mg/100g, respectively. This report showed that fat and fatty acid profiles of S. lessepsianus are quite influenced by seasonal factors.

Sun dried (T. fasciata) was stored with airtight polyethylene bags at room temperature to investigate the changes in physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics for 90 days. Sensory and physical (water reconstitution, pH) characteristics of dried T. fasciata showed that the product was acceptable up to 60 days of storage. Moisture content of T. fasciata was significantly increased from 15.06% to 17.80% during the storage period. No significant difference was observed in protein, lipid and ash content on dry matter basis during storage. However, amount of lipids of the dried fish was slightly decreased with the increasing of storage time. The pH value of dried T. fasciata was decreased significantly from 6.51 to 5.94 during the storage period. The peroxide value was increased from 13.84 to 27.87 meq/Kg of lipid. Similarly, acid value and conjugated diene of the lipids were increased significantly, and this result suggested that lipid oxidation occurred over this period of time. Microbial load was also increased from 1.13 to 8.37 log CFU/g with the increasing of storage time. Results of this study showed that the product was oxidized marginally during the storage period and suitable for human consumption up to 60 days.

Strawberry is one of the most preferred fruits all over the world due to its characteristic properties. Due to the morphological structure of fresh strawberries after harvesting, quality losses are observed during cold storage. Therefore, industrial washing of fresh strawberries is especially important for reducing microbial load and increasing shelf life. Demand for the new methods as an alternative to the chemicals used in industrial washing of fruits and vegetables is increasing due to consumer-related health concerns. Ultrasonic washing is a preferred innovative method in terms of reducing the microbial load and maintaining quality properties compared to chemical washing processes. In this study, fresh strawberries were washed with ultrasound (550 W/35 kHz) and peroxyacetic acid (40 ppm) after harvesting. The pH, total acidity, water soluble dry matter (brix), vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, total viable, mold and yeast count analyses were performed in every two days during 14 days of cold storage of washed strawberries. Ultrasonic washing was found to be more effective in reducing microbial load and preserving bioactive properties of strawberries compared to other method due to its cavitation effect.

This study was conducted with aim to investigate the effects of Isatis tinctoria leaves extract on growth performance, pigmentation and protection against Aeromonas hydrophila of Pseudotropheus acei. Five diets were prepared by adding four different ratios fish woad extraction (Woad: W1: 1%, W1.5: 1.5 %, W2: 2 %, W2.5: 2.5% and C: control diet 0 %). Three replicates were conducted for each treatment. One hundred twenty fish and 15 tanks (80 x 30 x 80 cm) were used in recirculating system. In the end of 90 days, there were no differences in terms of weight gain, FCR and SGR of Pseudotropheus acei feed with diets added with different levels of Isatis tinctoria extraction compare to control group. Isatis tinctoria extract was not found effect on survival rates in Pseudotropheus acei after A. hydrophila infection. However, there were no differences on pigmentation of Pseudotropheus acei. Isatis tinctoria extract administration did not provide protection against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the risk management strategies and the level of risk perception of the entrepreneurs in agricultural enterprises classified according to production activities. Risk behaviours of entrepreneurs were examined according to the enterprise typologies, and the reference game was used for this purpose. The success of the economic activities of the enterprises was determined by an analysis of the annual operating results. The risk perception was investigated according to the enterprise typology. As a result, it was determined to be perceived as risk factors: drought, fluctuation of input and product prices in the livestock enterprises; drought, precipitation, pests, frost and hail in the mixed plant enterprises; drought, precipitation, frost and hail in the mixed plant and livestock enterprises; pest, diseases, hail, drought and precipitation in the specialized perennial enterprises; storm, capital shortage, loans, price fluctuation, yield fluctuation and fire in the specialized horticulture enterprises; drought, frost, hail, insufficient and unpredictable precipitation in the crop enterprises. The general information on agricultural issues, the implementation of new farming techniques, the diversity in production, the planned debt, the contract production, agricultural protection and the market follow were found out as management strategies for these risk factors.

Coffee is one of the most valuable cash crops in Rwanda. Coffee production in Rwanda stands high among three different export crops such as tea, pyrethrum, and was recently set as priority crop where more attention should be concentrated. This study estimates the impact of climate change and variation on coffee yield in Huye district, southern province of Rwanda. In this research both secondary and primary data were used and primary data were gathered from a random sample of 110 households in HUYE District. Coffee farmers were interviewed in August-September 2016 using structured questionnaires that were administered to household’s heads via person-interviews. Climate data (temperature and precipitation) were collected from the Rwanda Meteorological Station located in RUBONA Station. The results from climate change model has revealed that approximately 74% of change in the coffee production during the last 17 years was explained by climate factors jointly. The results indicate that coffee farms near Huye Mountain are highly vulnerable to precipitation variation like erosion during heavy rain in March through May and drought from June through August.

Encapsulation is a technology applied to cover an active material with various materials. In the food industry, encapsulation techniques are applied to protect sensitive components against environmental factors, increase bioavailability of nutrients, controlled release and mask flavor and odor. Nanocapsules are obtained when the size of the obtained encapsulated materials is less than 1 μm. There are many methods for the production of nanocapsules, which are classified as lipid formulation-based nanoencapsulation technologies, natural nanocarrier-based nanoencapsulation technologies, specialized equipment based nanoencapsulation technologies, biopolymer nanoparticle-based nanoparticle technologies and other nanoencapsulation technologies. In this review, information on these technologies used in the nanoencapsulation of food components in accordance with this classification is presented.

In this study, growth performance of Akkaraman lambs and some fertility parameters of Akkaraman sheep raised in semi extensive farm conditions were investigated. A total of 6300 heads Akkaraman ewes (6000 ewes and 300 rams) housed in 34 farms located in central villages of Niğde province were evaluated between 2012 and 2016. The data of birth weight of 30161 lambs, body weight of 29517 lambs aged 90 days old and some fertility parameters of 30000 heads ewes were used. The average lambing rate of ewes was found 90.1%. The twining rate of ewes was 20.8%; the average litter size was 1.12 lambs. Birth weights of Akkaraman sheep lambs was 4.23 kg, average 90th day live weights were 23.05 kg. Effects of year, birth type, dam age, and sex were found statistically significant on birth and 90-day live weights of the Akkaraman lambs. As a result, it was concluded that the fertility of Akkaraman sheep and growth characteristics of lambs raised by public under semi-extensive conditions could be improved and the economic situation of sheep farms could be better by the implementation such improvement project.

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr. is popularly known as “sulphur polypore” or “chicken of the woods” due to its characteristic sulphur yellow coloured polypore’s and chicken-like taste and texture. This edible wild mushroom has been traditionally consumed as a source of nutrition and folk medicine in Asia and Europe for a long time. The numerous studies have shown that L. sulphureus nutritionally provides various key components such as carbohydrate, essential amino acids and fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Besides, the extracts prepared from fruiting bodies or mycelia of this mushroom have exhibited a number of medicinal properties such as immunomodulation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihyperglysemic activities because of their biologically active components such as phenolics, triterpenes, and polysaccharides. L. sulphureus is also a suitable candidate to be used as a natural food preserving source.