This study was conducted to evaluate the quality features, antioxidant capabilities, microbiological and sensory aspects of yogurt fortified with 2%, 5%, and 7% red dragon (RD) peel powder. The yogurt was formulated using the classical technology adapted to laboratory conditions. The results of the physicochemical properties showed significant differences in pH (4.73–4.36), acidity (0.18–0.16 g lactic acid/100 g), and ascorbic acid (1.17-1.34 mg/100 g) among different yogurt formulations (P<0.05). In addition, RD peel powder fortification showed increasing trends in crude fiber (1.53-3.34 g/100 g), ash (5.19-5.29 g/100 g), and moisture (76.70-80.19 g/100 g) content, respectively; while the reversed trend was observed for fat (3.48-2.36 g/100 g), and crude protein (4.49-4.07 g/100 g) contents, respectively. Furthermore, gradual progression of RD peel powder in fortified yogurt manifested an improvement of the overall antioxidant activity (1.30-1.57 µmol TE/mL). The analyses of the sensory properties demonstrated that yogurt with RD peel powder in proportions of 2% received the highest hedonic score for consumer approval. Moreover, no coliform was reported in any of the control and fortified yogurts. Therefore, it could be concluded that RD peel powder can be employed as a functional food constituent in yogurt with improved quality attributes and sensory properties compared to plain yogurt.

Çalışmanın amacı Denizli kent merkezi ve yakın çevresinde bulunan yeşil alanların yeterliliğinin ve kentin hava kalitesini arttırmaya yönelik sağladığı hizmetlerinin ölçülmesidir. Bu bağlamda çalışma alanı olarak Denizli merkez ilçeleri (Pamukkale ve Merkezefendi) ve kent merkezinde yer alan yeşil alanlar değerlendirme kapsamında ele alınmıştır. Yeşil alanların yeterliliği; alanın erişilebilirliği ve mahallelerin nüfus oranı çerçevesinde irdelenmiştir. Öte yandan yeşil alanların, hava kalitesinin bazı kriterleri üzerinde sağladığı faydalar “i-Tree Canopy” yazılımı aracılığıyla tahmin edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına aktif yeşil alanlardan sadece iki tanesine erişilememektedir. Çalışma alanı sınırları içerisinde bulunan 111 mahalle içerisinde sadece 11 mahallede kişi başına düşen yeşil alan miktarının yeterli sınırın üzerine çıktığı tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra aktif yeşil alanların yıllık yaklaşık 4.717.371 ton karbon monoksit, 28.032.093 ton Azot Dioksit, 276.147.567 ton ozon, 21.727.132 ton Kükürt Dioksit, 12.564.544 ton PM 2,5, 55.519.883 ton PM10 uzaklaştırdığı, 181.805 ton karbondioksit tutulduğu ve 213.603 ton karbondioksit depolandığı tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma ile Denizli kent merkezindeki yeşil alanların sosyal açıdan yeterlilikleri değerlendirilirken, kente olan ekolojik ve ekonomik katkıları da ortaya konulmuştur. Yapılan değerlendirmeler mevcut durumu ortaya koyarken kent planlama çalışmalarına da katkı sağlayacaktır.

Forage variety development for diversified environmental conditions may benefit from the use of genomic-based breeding procedures. In today's conditions, molecular markers are used by researchers in this field to track loci and genome regions in crop breeding studies. Although earlier characterization efforts yielded useful information, morphological traits and RAPD markers have limitations when used together for genetic diversity research. Different combinations of methodologies are required for diversified aims to study different forage species at the genetic level and to connect micro level traitsto macro level traits.

The aim of this study was to determine the milk quality characteristics of Simmental (SIM) cows of Austrian origin, which have increased the interest of breeders in Türkiye in recent years. For this aim, the milk analysis results of a farm located in Menemen County, İzmir/Türkiye from 2012 to 2021 were used. Milk fat (MF, %), protein (MP, %), lactose (ML, %), total dry matter (TDM, %) contents and somatic cell count (SCC, cell/ml) were determined. In order to determine the current situation, milk samples were taken from the cows (90 heads) in August 2021, and in addition to the above milk components, the solid non-fat (SNF) and freezing point (FP) were determined. The effects of sampling season, calving month, lactation month, sampling season x calving month and sampling season x lactation month interactions were found to be statistically significant for all traits (P<0.05). Parity and calving month effects on Log10SCC were also detected to be statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean MF, MP, ML, TDM, FP and SCC of SIM cattle were 3.71±0.018%, 3.42±0.009%, 4.63±0.009%, 12.49±0.03, -0.535±0.003oC and 5.14±0.01 (138.038 cells/ml), respectively. It was concluded that the milk components of Austrian-origin SIM cattle are not very different from the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed, however, in the low SCC average for many years, besides the important contribution of the measures taken against mastitis in the farm, the resistance against mastitis may be higher in this genotype. This situation is thought to be the reason why breeders in Türkiye prefer Austrian-origin SIM cattle in addition to high milk yield and carcass weight.

Sweet cherry, which affects consumers’ preferences with its aroma, taste and sensory properties, is a significant fruit species for human health with its bioactive compounds such as organic acids, vitamins and anthocyanins. However, its post-harvest shelf life is very short due to its sensitive fruit structure. Thus, the significant economic losses occur. In the study, effects of pre-harvest Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), Salicylic acid (SA) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications on fruit quality characteristics and biochemical content in sweet cherry were determined. SA and PGPR treatments increased fruit size, but AVG decreased (If the fruit weight is 4.51 in the control application, 4.49 in the SA application and 4.10 in the PGPR, how can it be said that SA and PGPR increase the fruit weight).  The fruits treated with SA, AVG and PGPR had higher fruit firmness values than the control’-fruits. Salisylic acid treatmens did not affect the rate of soluble solids content(SSC) in fruit, SSC rate was higher in PGPR treated-fruit, but AVG decreased the SSC. Titratable acidity (TA) was lower in PGPR treated-fruit, but was higher in the AVG and SA treated-fruit. Fruits treated with the SA and AVG had higher fruit color values than control fruits, while the lowest color values was obtained with PGPR treatment. In general; PGPR, SA and AVG were effective in the concentration of organic acids, but their effects varied depending on the organic acid compounds. As a result, AVG and SA delayed fruit ripening and fruit softening while PGPR, AVG and SA improved fruit quality (It is not clear how this idea was reached). These applications can be considered as a promising method for improving fruit quality at harvest and  maintaining post-harvest fruit quality of sweet cherry.

The main focus of this research was to explore the present status of pineapple cultivation in Madhupur tract of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interviews from a sample of 300 pineapple growers and two focus group discussions were also carried out from March to May 2022. According to the study findings majority (51%) of the respondents cultivate pineapple in their own land having medium experience (53.3%), followed mixed cropping pattern (89%) where 25.33 percent respondent cultivate banana as companion crop. ‘Calendar’ is the top most cultivated variety of pineapple in Madhupur tract. Majority of the respondent use balanced pesticide and ripening agent due to increasing demand of chemical free farm fresh pineapple among consumers. Higher profit compared to other crops (82.00 %) was the main reason for producing pineapple in the study area. Majority (26.67%) of the respondent followed (Grower- Faria- Bepari- Aratdar- Wholesaler- Retailer- Consumers) channel among the six dominant marketing channels to market their produced pineapple. The results of SWOT analysis revealed that weakness of pineapple cultivation in Madhupur tract have the potential to improve. If the government and other policy making organizations come forward to solve the problems arising in pineapple cultivation, then the position of pineapple as fruit will be consolidated soon in home and abroad.

Lactic acid bacteria are the substantial source for producing polysaccharides used in technological applications as thickeners and viscosifiers in the food industry. A broad variety of lactic acid bacteria species secrete structurally diverse exopolysaccharides that contribute to their surface attachment, protection against abiotic or biotic stress factors and nutrient uptake. The exopolysaccharides are produced naturally during fermentation process by living lactic acid bacteria cells and accepted as postbiotic for these metabolites having various physiological health-promoting effects. Exopolysaccharide producer lactic acid bacteria encode a great number of enzymes and regulatory proteins involved exopolysaccharide biosynthesis process. This process is a complex and occurs through presence of multiple genes. However, it is crucial the understanding of structure, composition, function, chemical, and physical properties of exopolysaccharides which vary from one type of bacteria to another via chemical analysis methods. In this review, the use of lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides, their structures, genetic modules and biosynthesis, and the use of exopolysaccharides derived from lactic acid bacteria in the food industry are described, discussed and focused on recent developments.

Quercetin (QU) is a flavonoid found in different fruits and vegetables. Studies report that QU may have positive effects on neurological diseases. However, the effect of QU on 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced neurodegeneration in neuronal cells is still not fully elucidated. In this study, the effects of QU on 4-AP-induced hippocampal neuron damage in vitro and the possible role of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in this effect were investigated. The study was carried out using the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cell line. The effect of pre-treatment with QU on cell viability after 4-AP-induced neuronal damage was determined by the XTT test. Cells were evaluated histopathologically for apoptotic nuclear change (ANC) using DAPI staining. The effects of QU on oxidative stress (total oxidant state (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS)) occurring after neuronal damage were evaluated with colorimetric commercial kits and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (activating transcription factor 4 (ATF-4) and C/EBP homologous protein). (CHOP) was measured with the ELISA kits. While the cell viability rate decreased in the cells treated with 4-AP, it was determined that pre-treatment with QU reversed this situation. In terms of histopathology, treatment with 4-AP increased the number of ANC, while QU pre-treatment reduced it. In addition, in terms of biochemical evaluations, TOS, ATF-4, and CHOP increased in neuronal cells after 4-AP, and QU was determined to suppress this increase. In addition, QU normalized the decreased TAS levels following the 4-AP application. As a result, in the HT-22 cell line, it was found that QU treatment had a neuroprotective effect by suppressing oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in 4-AP-induced neuronal damage.

Gelişen sanayi faaliyetleri ile birlikte günümüzün en önemli sorunlarından biri haline gelen ağır metal kontaminasyonu tüm canlı organizmalar için ciddi bir tehdittir. Bazı funguslar ağır metallere karşı direnç mekanizmalarına sahiptir ve bu durum iyileştirme süreçleri için sürdürülebilir bir yaklaşım olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı ağır metal kontaminasyonunun yüksek oranlarda olduğu alanlardaki dirençli fungal mikrobiyotayı belirleyerek ağır metallerin biyolojik ıslah yaklaşımlarına ışık tutmaktır. Araştırmada yüksek oranda ağır metal kirliliğine sahip Samsun Organize Sanayi Bölgesinden alınan toprak örneklerindeki Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As ve V ağır metal oranları ICP-OES ile tespit edilmiştir. Toprak fungal mikrobiyotası ise metagenenomik yeni nesil sekanslama teknolojisi kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Metagenomik sekanslama için illumina MiSeq teknolojisi, istatistiksel mikrobiyom analizi için QIIME 2 2017,4 kullanılmıştır. Ağır metalle kontamine olmuş çalışma alanında en yüksek oranlarda sırasıyla Mortierella %53,90, Halokirschsteiniothelia %18,01, Rhizopogon %2,74, Cladosporium %,1,88, Aspergillus %1,62 ve Gibberella %1,12 cinsleri tespit edilmiştir. Sonuçlar metal konsantrasyonundaki fazlalığa dirençli taksonların ortamda dominant olduğunu göstermektedir.

Bu çalışmada toprak organik madde içeriğini iyileştirmek için toprağa ahır gübresi ve biyoçar uygulanarak farklı organik madde seviyelerinin [%1,21 (kontrol) %1,5, %2,5, %3,5 ve %4,5] elde edildiği inkübe toprağın temiz su ve arıtılmış atık suyla sulanması koşullarında bir aylık ıslanma-kuruma döngüsünde topraktan CO2 ve H2O salınımı ile toprak nemi ve sıcaklığı değerleri araştırılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonuçları kontrol uygulamasına göre ahır gübresiyle toprağın iyileştirilen organik madde içeriğinde CO2 salınımının %29’dan %146’a kadar arttığını gösterirken biyoçarın %1,5 ve 2,5 organik madde seviyelerinin kontrol uygulamasıyla istatistiksel olarak benzer olduğunu ancak biyoçarla daha fazla artan organik madde katkısının kontrol uygulamasına göre salınımı %28 ve %81 arttırdığını belirlemiştir. Arıtılmış atık suyla sulama temiz suya göre %40 daha fazla CO2 salınımıyla sonuçlanmıştır. Ahır gübresi ve biyoçarla toprağın artan organik madde katkısı topraktan daha az H2O salınımı ve daha fazla toprak nemi sağlamış ve ahır gübresinin aksine biyoçarın H2O salınımını azaltıcı ve toprak nemini koruyucu etkisi belirlenmiştir. Toprak neminin daha fazla olması nemin yüksek bulunduğu uygulamalarda toprak sıcaklığını azaltıcı bir etki ortaya çıkarmıştır. Ayrıca topraktan CO2 salınımı toprak nemi ile önemli pozitif doğrusal ilişki göstermiş ancak toprak sıcaklığıyla olan etkisi önemsiz olmuştur. Toprak organik maddesini iyileştirmek için ahır gübresi yerine biyoçarın topraktan CO2 ve H2O salınımlarını azaltıcı ve toprak nemini koruyucu özelliklerinden yararlanılması önemli bir sonuç olmakla beraber özellikle atık suyla sulama koşullarında biyoçarın çevre dostu bir uygulama olarak kullanımı bu çalışmanın sonucunda önerilebilir olarak bulunmuştur.