Parsley leaves (Petroselinum crispum L.) weighing 100 ± 0.09 g were dehydrated from moisture content of 82.24 ± 0.07% to 10.01 ± 0.02 % (wet basis) using the microwave (MD), convective (CD), solar oven (SOD), sun (SD) and natural (ND) drying. Drying in MD, CD, SOD, SD, and ND was completed at 18±1.15, 61±0.58, 255±10, 330±5.29, and 1530±11.55 min, respectively. The energy consumption of MD and CD was measured as 0.213±0.009 and 0.427±0.015 kWh, respectively. In microwave drying, 700 W microwave output power was applied while convective drying was used with 50°C temperature and 1m/s air velocity. The sun and solar oven drying processes were carried out under the same conditions at the same time. The average temperature of the system during the solar oven drying was 81.7±1.5°C whereas the airflow in the system was 0.5 m/s. The data obtained from the experiments were also modeled using twelve different thin-layer drying equations, and thus the theoretical data were obtained. According to these theoretical data, the best model in the microwave and natural drying was Alibas’s equation while the most suitable model in the solar and convective drying was modified Henderson and Pabis’s model. On the other hand, it was seen that the best model in the solar oven drying was the Page equation. As a result, considering both quality and drying parameters, it was determined that MD and SOD were the most suitable method for drying of parsley leaves.

From all the pigments found in Spirulina platensis, phycocyanin has been found to have a diverse application in various fields, and has a high market demand, calling for a need to increase production and easy isolation methods. In general, phycocyanin production in cells depends on the light conditions, among other factors during the cultivation period. The focus of this study was to look at the effect of different light intensities on phycocyanin production in Spirulina platensis. Other cellular biochemical parameters, including chlorophyll content and protein, were explored under the different treatments. An experimental design containing 4 different light intensities of 20, 150, 300 and 600 μmol photons m2/s was administered with 3 replicates. The results obtained from the study showed that high phycocyanin content was obtained from a low light intensity treatment. Chlorophyll results were a bit in contrary to the results obtained for phycocyanin, with high chlorophyll content obtained in high light intensity treatments. Protein and biomass accumulation also followed the same trend, where they were observed to be higher in high light intensities, with the maximum biomass achieved at 600 μmol photons m2/s and maximum protein content achieved at 300 μmol photons m2/s. Due to the commercial potential of phycocyanin to humans, its low cost downstream cultivation and processing of Spirulina platensis will be of economic advantage to the relevant stakeholders to fulfil the rampant demands and affordability of the blue phycocyanin pigment to both first and third World countries, hence the need of producing phycocyanin using the modified Zarouk’s media which has cheaper if not affordable ingredients.

In this context, it is necessary to select and develop salt-tolerant genotypes that can grow in salty soils and have high yields, and formulate strategies which may enhance the plant survival under salinity stress. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an important biological hormone that provides resistance to abiotic stress conditions and can be secreted by plants. Melatonin concentration in plants varies depending on genotype, temperature and growth period. Increase in melatonin concentration is associated with increased SNAT and HIOMAT/ASMT enzyme activity. It plays an important role in gibberellic acid and abscisic acid biosynthesis during the germination and provides plant growth and development. Exogenous application of melatonin significantly alleviates chlorophyll degradation and stomatal closure caused by salt stress, improves photosynthesis and enhances plants' salt tolerance. Besides it significantly reduces the harmful effects of salinity by regulating plant physiology, improving plant morphology, photosynthesis and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The present review discusses the recent studies on the effect of melatonin on plant growth and physiology against salt stress that have important impacts on plant growth and development have been given according to the findings of various researches. It also highlights the mechanim/s of melatonin-induced salinity stress tolerance in plants.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of five different wavelengths of light on the comfrey plant (Symphytum officinale) (family Boraginaceae). The light source and wavelengths used in the study were UV-A (390-410 nm), blue (465-485 nm), red (620-630 nm) and cool white (CW) daylight (400-700 nm, 6500 K), LED (Light Emitting Diode). In the study, each of the 5 different light applications was applied for 45 days (T1: 100% blue; T2: 100% red; T3: 60% blue + 35% red + 5% UV-A; T4: 100% CW daylight; T5: 80% CW + 20% red). The experiments were carried out under conditions of 22C temperature, 60% humidity, 16/8 hours light/dark and 180 µmol.m-2.s-1 Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). After each application, measurements were taken of number of leaves, number of roots, height of plant, amount of chlorophyll in leaves, leaf colour and brightness. According to data obtained, the different wavelengths of the coloured light applied in the growing environment created a change in colour and brightness of the leaves, height of the plant, length of the roots, and number of leaves and roots.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most widely consumed and cultivated fruits worldwide. Sorbitol plays a role in plant responses to many biotic and abiotic stresses. In this research, we intended to understand the effect of sorbitol spraying on the bioactive compounds of strawberry leaves. The application of sorbitol at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 mM and 75 mM) greatly improved strawberry characteristics such as total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, and total phenolics. As sorbitol concentrations increased, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b values increased in the samples taken during the fruiting period and higher values were obtained. The carotenoid content increased by approximately 189.49% and the total phenolic content increased by 30.85% in strawberry plants treated with sorbitol compared with the control. Supply of sorbitol decreased flavonoid content. The results indicate that sorbitol treatment has no inhibitory influence on the overall growth of strawberries. Among the biochemical parameters analyzed, chlorophyll, phenolic, and carotenoid contents increased, whereas flavonoid content decreased with sorbitol application.