Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a worldwide popular horticultural crop. Interest in assessing bioactive compounds with potential health benefits in artichoke is increasing. Therefore, in this study, the variability in total phenolic and flavonoid contents of six artichoke cultivars, including five purple namely Brindisie, Opal, Conserto, Romanesco and Rouge de France as well as an ordinary white artichoke variety were investigated. The results showed significant differences in total phenolic and flavonoid contents between artichoke cultivars. Total phenolic content ranged from 17.31 mg GAE/ g DW in the white artichoke variety to 21.31 mg GAE/g DW in Romanesco. Flavonoid content ranged from 4.51 mg RE/g DW in white artichoke to 7.06 mg RE/g DW in Rouge de France. Therefore, the highest total phenolic content was shown by Romanesco. However, the highest flavonoid content was recorded for both Opal and Rouge de France. This study demonstrates the importance of genotypic variability in shaping the levels of total phenolic and flavonoid, emphasizing the need to evaluate artichoke biodiversity in order to improve its nutritional value and to contribute towards increasing the intake of antioxidants.

The aim of this study is to reveal how consumers perceive the Geographical indication (GI) label in Mersin, which has such a rich diversity, and the factors that are effective in this perception. In this context, our main population is 571,485, which is the average number of households in Mersin in 2020, and a survey study was conducted with 260 consumers by using Simple Random Sampling Method Based on Main Audience Ratios in sample selection. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the most important factors in the purchasing behavior of consumers are the price of the product, the certificates of the product and the content of the product. Consumers define quality food as a natural, additive-free and healthy product. While 41.41% of the consumers had heard of the concept of GI, 23.54% of these people stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the subject. On the other hand, 6.79% of the consumers stated that they pay more attention to the GI labels in the products they buy than other consumers. 18.10% of consumers who have knowledge about the GI concept perceive the GI label as a quality indicator. On the other hand, 24.22% of consumers reported that they are willing to overpay for GI registered products. As a result, it can be said that more information should be provided on GI in Mersin, where an important development has been experienced especially after the Law enacted in 2016, and this system will be an important local development tool if the deficiencies in this area are eliminated.

Drying characteristics of Lemon grass leaves using an oven dryer was studied at four different temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70°C). The effect of the drying temperatures on moisture content of the leaves was investigated. Thirteen drying models were fitted to the drying data to establish the model that best describes the drying characteristics of Lemon grass leaves. The best model was determined by the model with the lowest value of SSE and root mean square error (RMSE), and the highest value of coefficient of determination (R2). Hii et al. model satisfied the conditions for selecting the most suitable and reliable model with R2, SSE and RMSE values of the model was 0.9964, 0.0250 and 0.0214 respectively. This model is most suitable at 40°C. The effective diffusivity (Deff) values ranged from 8.92452 × 10-12 m2/s to 16.00657 × 10-12 m2/s and increases as temperature increases. It was further observed that the amount of energy required to eliminate moisture within the leaves was in the range of 19.85 kJ/mol - 19.86949 kJ/mol. Dried lemongrass leaves can be used in food preservation as an alternative to synthetic substances that have recently become less acceptable to consumers. Consumers accept natural food products that are universally acknowledged as safe, such as lemon grass with essential oils, and they also fit the standards for green processing.

Sheep farming is an important segment of the livestock sector in Turkey. However, low meat, milk, leather and wool production due to various parasitic diseases has adversely affected this sector. This study was carried out by using stool and tissue samples collected from 300 sheep registered with the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in Iğdır, Turkey. Stool samples were collected using native, flotation and sedimentation methods to diagnose common parasites. In addition, parasitic diagnoses were strengthened with the migration paths of parasites and the presence of cysts as a result of macroscopic examination of the liver and lungs of sheep slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. From the data obtained, the prevalence and material damage and loss of workforce of parasites were determined using appropriate statistical programs. Fascioliasis 16.7%, Nematodirosis 20% Echinococcosis 29% Dicrocoeliasis 32% varied. It was concluded that the parasite population is high in sheep in Iğdır province, Turkey. Accordingly, attention was drawn to the issue of necessary protection and controls.

The viruses that cause avian flu (influenza) are highly contagious and highly variable viruses commonly found in birds. Wild birds in aquatic habitats are thought to be natural reservoirs for influenza viruses, but domestic poultry and other birds can also be infected. Influenza viruses belong to the orthomyxovirus family. Influenza A viruses are the only orthomyxoviruses known to naturally affect birds. Many bird species are susceptible to infection with influenza A viruses. Influenza A viruses have nucleocapsid and matrix proteins associated with their antigenic properties but are subtyped according to the hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) antigens. In addition, avian influenza virus infections are considered to be one of the most important public health problems of the 21st century. Only in the last century, avian influenza viruses have created 4 different pandemics and have caused the death of a large number of poultry all over the world. The main purpose of this study is to provide information about avian influenza virus characteristics, important virus subtypes, clinical symptoms and antiviral drugs by analyzing the “Avian influenza” known as a poultry epidemic that has had significant effects in the 21st century.

This study was carried out in order to determine the antifungal effects of elemental sulfur applications on Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani in potatoes in 2011-2012. Elemental sulfur was applied in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg S/da doses with 3 different methods (seed tuber, soil (seed bed) and potato leaf). For both infections, seed tuber and soil applications showed higher antifungal effects than foliar applications. The effects of the application methods were different depending on the doses, and 6 kg/da and above S in seed tuber applications, 10 kg/da S in soil applications, and 6-8 kg/da S doses in foliar applications showed a higher antifungal effect. Infected tuber ratio and the infection severity with R. solani decreased to 18.8% and 6.0%, respectively with 10 kg/da S soil applications. The mean infection severity and infected tuber rate with F. solani decreased to 6.8% and 6.0%, respectively, with 8 kg/da S seed tuber applications. Sulfur applications showed high antifungal effect on both fungal pathogens, and this effect was higher on R. solani. With sulfur applications, a significant resistance can be created against R. solani and F. Solani infections, which have high economic damage in the potato plant. It was concluded that the application of sulfur to the soil or seed tuber was much more effective than the foliar application and 6-8 kg/da S applications may be sufficient to control of fungal diseases.

Beekeeping, which is a livestock branch made depending on nature, is to collect nectar from many vegetable sources from various regions, and to transform them into different bee products in the most economical and appropriate seasonal periods. Many products are obtained with beekeeping. The contribution of these products to the economy is very high. The use of bee products on human health has also increased in recent years. Apart from these, bees also make important contributions to the ecosystem. They are pollinators of many plant species existing in the world and they also serve as pollinators of many fruits and vegetables produced in greenhouses. Thanks to the pollinatorship of bees, the quality of the products obtained is increasing. Again, with its pollinator function, bees ensure the continuity of many endangered plants, and play an important role in ecosystem balance by increasing plant and animal diversity. Bees are not only involved in the pollination of plants that need an external pollinator, but also the product quality and quantity are increased in many plants that perform their own pollination. In this review, the importance of bees in pollination and the effect of global warming on bees are mentioned.

Propionic acid bacteria (PAB) are extremely important because of the metabolites they produce (vitamins, propionic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, and bioactive peptides). Nowadays, the increasing interest in healthy nutrition has led to the formation of the concepts of probiotics, postbiotics and functionality with studies. Vitamin B12 is one of the postbiotics produced by PAB and is known to be beneficial for human health. Due to its coenzyme feature, it plays a key role in the body process, as well as shows anti-inflammatory properties. The recommended dietary intake of vitamin B12 for adults is 4 μg/day. Although it is highly found in meat products, it is known that the bioavailability of B12 in dairy products is higher. Fermented dairy products, especially products that contain PAB in their natural microflora, are good tools for the production and intake of vitamin B12. In this study, the factors affecting the microbial production of vitamin B12 were examined.