In the present study, we isolated three thermophilic Bacillus strains from the soil samples collected from the coast sediments of the Burnaz Stream located in Erzin. The isolates were entitled as Bacillus sp. CT1, CT2, and CT3, respectively. The maximum α-amylase production was revealed at 60°C for CT1 strain, and at 80°C for CT2 and CT3 strains, respectively. The optimum enzyme activity was observed at 90°C for CT1 α-amylase, whereas at 60°C for CT2 and CT3 α-amylases. On the other hand, optimum pH value for CT2 α-amylase was 7.0, whereas 8.0 for CT1 and CT3 α-amylases. The specific activities of CT1, CT2, and CT3 amylases were 317.6, 113.3 and 362.7 U/mg at 55°C, respectively. The estimated molecular weight of CT1 and CT3 α-amylase was 65 kDa, and for CT2 α-amylase was 38 kDa by zymogram analysis.

‘Hicaznar’ pomegranate fruits were stored under both modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and normal atmosphere without packaging at +7oC temperature and % 85-90 RH for 18 weeks. Weight loss, % CO2/O2 gas changes, arils color changes [L (lightness) and C (chroma)] values, total soluble solids (TSS) content, pH, titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (mg/100mL), total flavonoid content (mg/100mL), antioxidant activity (%), malic acid (%), changes of sugar (glucose, fructose, saccarose and sorbitol) content and volatile aroma compounds of ‘Hicaznar’ pomegranate fruits were determined during cold storage. Both average weight loss of pomegranate fruits and aril L (lighness) colour value changes were increased while aril C (Chroma) colour changes was decrease slightly at the end of storage. Total phenolic content in control arils samples were determined 109.5 mg/100 mL while it was 127.8 mg/100 mL in MAP aril samples; also total flavonoid content was decreased in 26.8 (control) and 27.1 (MAP) respectively at the end of storage compared to begining. The decrease of TSS was statistically significantly different between treatments. Moreover in this study volatile profile of ‘Hicaznar’ pomegranate fruit was desribed and 27 volatile compounds identified using automatic headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (HS-SPME GC/MS) tecniques. ‘Hicaznar’ pomegranate fruits have alcohols, aldehide, alkan, acids, esters, terpene and another volatile. Both effects of storage type and duration were evaluated. The results showed that terpenes increased for both MAP and control fruit samples while alcohols, aldehide and acids were decreased for both of storage type at the end of storage.

The purpose of this study is to determine the environmental sensitivity and awareness level of the inhabitants in Konya, Sarayönü districts. In today’s world, the environment is rapidly being polluted and pollution rate is being increased by human beings. In this regards, the viewpoints of Sarayönü people on the environment and environmental elements are revealed. For this purpose, a research include variables such as gender, age, job and education level was carried out by using a questionnaire made up of 16 questions. The questionnaire was applied to 314 males and 286 females, totaling 600 participants. The research serves to raise an awareness of environment and environmental sensitivity. The findings showed that the people in Sarayönü have a high level of environmental sensitivity. Females tended to reflect a higher level of sensivitiy to the environment than males. The participants opted for air pollution as being the most important environmental element among the air, water, soil etc. pollution.

Sorghum and millet are important food staples in semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. Sorghum and millet are cereal grains that have prospective to be used as substitute to wheat flour for celiac patients. These are considered as the good source of many important and essential fatty acids. The volatile profiling of these two important crops is comparable to other cereals as well. The present study was an effort to explore biochemical composition of commercially available sorghum and millet varieties with special reference to their fatty acid and volatile profiling. Chemical composition of sorghum and millet was determined according to respective methods. Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared and then subjected to GC-FID for fatty acids analysis. The results indicated that both sorghum and millet oils are rich in essential fatty acids comprising mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Main fatty acids that are identified in current study includes palmitic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, behenic acid, linoleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, etc. On the other hand volatile compounds from sorghum and millet were determined by preparing their respective volatile samples by using calvenger apparatus with suitable volatile extracting solvent. Volatile samples were then subjected to GC-MS analysis and respected results were compared with NIST library. About 30 different volatiles were identified in millet varieties while 35 different compounds were discovered in sorghum varieties belonging to aldehydes, ketones, benzene derivatives, esters, alcohols, sulphur compounds.

The aim of present study was to determine the growth performance of Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii throughout 5 years and to investigate problems encountered in grow-out phase. Fish samples (2750.88±351.18 g, 80.18±6.49 cm mean±SD) were equally stocked into fiberglass tanks, three replicate per treatment and fed for 5 years. Gain of weight and length, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Condition Factor (CF) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were determined. Our results indicated that mean final length and weight were 106.34±2.79 (cm) and 6651.16±3.16 (g). The mean condition factor (CF) at year 5 was 0.51. FCR values fluctuated and the highest value of food conversion rate (FCR) was determined in 4th year. During the rearing period of Russian sturgeon, SGR values decreased dramatically from 2.88 to 1.83. In conclusion, slow growth was determined in Russian sturgeon A. gueldenstaedtii. Therefore, there is need for extensive evaluation and comparison of data obtained from field studies and those obtained from laboratory studies.

Pinus brutia Ten., Red pine, known to be tough drought resistant pine specie, could effectively be used for afforestation of disturbed areas. It is of great interest for the afforestation in arid zones. Appropriate seed sources for the specific areas guarantees reforestation success. Away from its native areas Pinus brutia Ten. is planted for its ornamental value and timber production purposes. Selection of drought resistant provenances can very well increase the survival success. In this study, the effects of water potential on germination were studied in fourteen provenances of Pinus brutia Ten. from Turkey. Water potentials between 0 and -8 bars were obtained using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) solutions. Seeds were kept for 35 day at 20 ± 0.5°C. A decrease in water potential produced a marked reduction in germination percentage and germination value. As a result, significant variations between the provenances were found. It was determined that, under a -8 bar water stress, Isparta-Bucak and Mersin-Silifke, respectively corresponding to 58% and 57% of the control group, were the least water stress affected provenances.

The present study was conducted to investigate the carcass traits of Karayaka lambs slaughtered at different slaughter weights (SWs) and to find out optimum SWs. Male Karayaka lambs with 20 kg live weight (n=30) constituted the animal material of the study. Lambs were randomly divided into five SW groups; 30 (GI; n=6), 35 (GII; n=6), 40 (GIII; n=6); 45 (GIV; n=6) and 50 (GV; n=6) kg. Lamb fattening feed (concentrate feed, ad libitum) and forage (lentil straw, 100g/lamb/day) were used as the feed material. Lambs were sent to slaughter at target SWs. Following the slaughter, non-carcass components, tailless hot and cold carcass weights were taken. Carcasses were separated into six sections as leg, foreleg, back, loin, neck and others. Physical dissection was performed to investigate carcass composition. Only the differences in carcass dressing and skin percentages of slaughter groups were not found to be significant. Increasing carcass fat percentages and decreasing carcass lean and bone percentages were observed with increasing SWs. Considering the consumer preferences, current findings revealed that Karayaka lambs should be sent to slaughter at weights between 30-35 kg. However, considering the red meat deficit of the country, current market conditions and producer preferences, the optimum SW for Karayaka lambs were recommended to be between 40-45 kg.

Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is known as phenylthiourea and it is an organic compound that has the phenyl ring. Ability to perceive the tastes of PTC chemical is related to the dominance of taste genes. There are a large number of population studies regarding the PTC taste perception and different personal characteristics or disease conditions. The purpose of this study is to reveal and compare the relation between the PTC taste perception and work-out habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and tendency to the depression of people. A total of 2500 adults were volunteered to be included in this study. PTC taste perception was measured by tasting with PTC solution (10 mg/L) filtered in a paper. It showed that tasters were significantly more frequent (81.8%) than nontasters (18.2%) in all population. And in some parameters analyzed in this study, there are significant differences. The taste genetics show up with environmental factors and create the sense of taste, which develops the feeding behaviors. The taste perception resulting from food and beverages diversifies by genetic and environmental effects and the nervous system interprets this perception. This study is enlightening in terms of presenting that the taste perception of people affects their lifestyles and lead them to start and either continue or discontinue some habits.