Dietary fibers have positive effects on the product structure thanks to their technological features. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of dietary fibers obtained from purple and orange sweet potato varieties on heat-treated sucuks. For this purpose, dietary fibers were produced from sweet potato varieties and their characterizations were determined. Then, sweet potato fibers were added to the sucuks in the amount included in their formulation and the effects of dietary fiber change were examined in terms of physicochemical, bioactive, textural and sensory. In this context, it was determined that the color change in sweet potatoes affected the color properties of the dietary fibers obtained. In addition, it was observed that the hardness value was the highest (1715.35 g) in sucuks to which orange sweet potato starch, which has high oil and water binding values, and the sweet potato fibers changed the product properties compared to the control group. Total phenolic content of sucuks was determined in the range of 60.57-130.45 mg/ml gallic acid and it was determined that sweet potato fibers increased the phenolic content. As a result of the study, it was determined that sweet potato dietary fibers are an alternative additive for sucuks.

In the study, it was aimed to reveal the morphological, morphometric and histological characteristics of sinus interdigitalis found in the fore and hind feet of Konya merino sheep. For this purpose, the fore and hind feet of 10 Konya merino sheep, weighing between 44-79 kg, were used. Sinus interdigitalis were dissected out from the feet, and after morphometric measurements were made, morphological examinations were performed and photographed. The shape of the sinus interdigitalis, present in all the forefeet and hind feet, resembled a pipe consisting of neck and body. It was determined that the neck part was longer than the body at all feet. The inner surface of the gland was covered with hair, and there was more hair on the neck than on the body. The weight of the gland, body length and diameter, flexura, canal length and diameter were measured morphometrically. In the measurements made, it was determined that all the values of the forefeet were higher than the hind feet. In histological examination, it was found that the wall of the sinus interdigitalis consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and fibrous capsule, and in the dermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, m. arrector pili and sweat glands were found.

Faba bean is the most important legume grown in Ethiopia. But, insect pests have been causing its substantial loss under farmers’ storages. A survey to assess the farmers’ pest protection practices of stored faba bean was conducted in its selected major growing peasant associations of the Farta District from 4 January 2019 – 15 May 2020. Semi-structured questionnaires and farmers’ participatory discussion were used to conduct the study. Accordingly, the majority of farmers (66.7%) harvested their grain in usual time (in December) fearing insect pests infestation. A substantial proportion of the farmers (25%) used a combination of cultural and botanical methods, followed by botanicals (20.83%) for grains protection. Eucalyptus globlus, Croton macrostachyus and Otostegia tomentosa were the three most commonly used botanicals and suggested to be potent. Threshing was done most commonly by livestock (66.7%), followed by beating with sticks (25%) both of which are not recommended as they might lead to grain losses. The insect infestation level was high in threshed and un-threshed forms of faba beans after 3 and 7 months storage periods, respectively. Consequently, the farmers’ traditional practices were ineffectual for storing beans for longer periods. Therefore, planning pest management strategies of stored beans are desirable.

Heavy metal toxicity can either be acute or chronic effects. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative process. In this research, a total of 30 representative chocolate samples were collected from local shops and markets in Lahore. All the samples were analysed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore. It was observed that the majority of chocolate samples contain heavy metals levels higher than the permissible limits as recommended by Punjab Food Rules (PFR) 2011. The levels of Pb ranged between 0.375 and 3.4 mg/kg with 90% samples having concentrations exceeding PFR allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg). Whereas, Ni concentrations varied from 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 80% samples were above the PFR limit (0.025 mg/kg). Further, Cr levels analysed between 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 53% samples had Cr concentrations higher than PFR limit (0.02 mg/kg). Similarly, Cd levels were observed between 0.50-3.25 mg/kg with 53% samples having Cd concentrations exceeding the PFR limit (1.0 mg/kg). Investigation indicates that the quality of available chocolates is not recommendable for eating because of the higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

Mushrooms used as food have medicinal importance due to their antioxidant compounds. In this context, it is very important to determine the biological potential of fungi and to reveal these medicinal properties. In this study, it was aimed to determine the element contents, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index of Suillus collinitus (Fr.) Kuntze mushroom. In this context, the mushroom samples were extracted with ethanol in the Soxhlet extractor. Element contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Total antioxidant (TAS) and total oxidant (TOS) levels and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined using Rel Assay commercial kits. As a result of the study, it was determined that the TAS value of S. collinitus was 2.467 ± 0.145 mmol/L, TOS value was 17.845 ± 0.273 µmol/L and OSI value was 0.677 ± 0.030. In addition, the Fe content (350.72 ± 10.23), Cu content (68.11 ± 2.51), Pb content (11.58 ± 2.43), Zn content (10.46 ± 1.28) and Ni content (1.47 ± 0.21 mg.kg-1) of S. collinitus measured. As a result, S. collinitus mushroom is thought to be a natural source of antioxidants. It has also been observed that the element contents are at normal levels.

Tandojam is one of the main tomatoes producing city in Pakistan. Several tones of tomatoes are produced in the Tandojam each year. The main objective of the study was to estimate the intensity of tomato post-harvest rot in the vicinity of Tandjam, so curative strategies can be explored. A survey was conducted in the surrounding of Tandojam viz; Tando Allahyar, Sultanabad Vegetable Market, Tandojam city, Tando Qaiser, Bahawal Zaur, and Hyderabad Vegetable Market. A total of 20 tomato growers/farmers, 30 brokers, and 23 small shopkeepers were interviewed based on the proforma developed in the current study. The fruit rot infection among all 20 different fields ranged from 5 to 65% with 31.85% infected fruits by Alternaria. At Sultanabad and Hyderabad vegetable markets infection was ranged from 20 to 60% and 10 to 70%, respectively, with mean percentages 37 and 38.5% infected by Alternaria sp. Infection in small shops was ranged from 16.67 to 60% in Tandojam city and 16.67 to 53.33% in Tando Qaiser. The overall comparison revealed 30 percent infected fruit by Alternaria under field conditions, 36 percent at the vegetable market, and 43 percent at small shops level. Controlling tomato rots is a big challenge as the intensity of this disease is unknown in different regions. This research has significantly contributed to estimating the intensity of this disease.

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a building material that has gained importance recently because it can easily and spontaneously settle in high buildings, where pouring conditions with frequent reinforcement are difficult. Agricultural structures, on the other hand, are structures that involve many units such as plant and animal barns, storage buildings and residences, and require care in their design and construction. In this study prepared for this purpose, it is used in concrete by replacing marble dust and fly ash with cement in concrete that will be used in agricultural structures. The main factor in these studies is to obtain information about the behavior of KYB with marble powder and fly ash, its fresh properties as well as its effect on durability, as well as to calculate the cost of marble powders in SCC with superplasticizers and similar chemical additives. Within the scope of the study, different ratios of marble powder (MP) and fly ash (FA) mixtures were created instead of OPC 32.5 and OPC 42.5. 100 mm cubic samples were prepared with the prepared mixtures and some of the physical properties of these samples were determined in 3th, 7th and 28th days. Samples were compared with SCC concrete values with traditionally produced references. As a result, it has been determined that the contribution of fly ash to SCC is more effective than the contribution of waste marble powder and can be used as powder material. In terms of cost, it has been observed that it will provide advantages in agricultural structures thanks to the high strengths obtained.

Keban Baraj Gölü ülkemizin en büyük ikinci baraj gölüdür. Bunun yanı sıra gerek su ürünleri potansiyeli gerekse elektrik üretimi açısından ülkemizin en önemli baraj göllerinden biri olma özelliğine de sahiptir. Bu çalışmada, Keban Baraj Gölü Örencik mevkiinden yakalanan Capoeta trutta balık örnekleri kullanılmıştır. Bazı ağır metallerin (bakır, demir, çinko, krom, nikel, kadmiyum, arsenic ve civa) Capoeta trutta’nın kas dokusundaki konsantrasyonları ile bu balığın insanlar tarafından tüketilmesi durumunda sağlık riski oluşturup oluşturmadığı araştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, ağır metal birikimi ile balığın bazı biyolojik özellikleri (ağırlık, uzunluk, cinsiyet) arasındaki ilişki de belirlenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda Capoeta trutta’nın kas dokusunda en fazla birkim gösteren ağır metalin çinko, en az birikim gösteren ağır metalin ise kadmiyum olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Capoeta trutta’nın kas dokusundaki ağır metal konsantrasyonlarının balığın ağırlığına, uzunluğuna ve cinsiyetine bağlı olarak değişiklik gösterdiği bulunmuştur. Capoeta trutta’nın kas dokusundaki ağır metal düzeylerinin EPA, WHO ve FAO tarafından önerilen değerlerin altında olduğu, dolayısıyla bu balığın insanlar tarafından tüketilmesi durumunda sağlık riski oluşturmayacağı tespit edilmiştir.

The present study was conducted to determine the seed morphologies and macromorphological characteristics of fifteen local faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes collected from different region of Northern Cyprus. The characteristics in the seeds were evaluated using a light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM pictures were taken of the whole seed and its details. The scope of the research was examined comparatively using LM and SEM, and the seed shapes, surface ornamentation, and quantitative measurements were determined. Different characteristics for seed size and surface were found among the local faba beans accessions. Seed dimensions were between 12.44 and 24.26 mm long and between 9.49 and 17.45 mm wide, colors ranged from yellowish-brown to dark brown, and ornamentation of the seed coat varied. The local faba bean seeds were of subprolate and prolate types. We believe that using this technique to determine the differences among the seeds of different genotypes may play a role in helping to create different programs that can choose specific genotypes to improve cultivars based on the seed characteristics.