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.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria+ enzyme (LAB+E) inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and feed values of silages prepared from alfalfa harvested at three maturity stages. Alfalfa was harvested at the early, middle and late flowering stages. Sil-All (Alltech, UK) were used as LAB+E inoculants. Inoculants were applied to the silages at the rates of 1×105, 5×105 and 1×106 cfu/g levels in 1 liter capacity plastic bags. The bags were stored at 20±2°C under the laboratory conditions. Three bags from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses on the 45th day after ensiling. The results showed that LAB+E inoculants reduced pH values and ammonia-nitrogen content, whereas increased lactic acid contents and lactobacillus count of alfalfa silages. High doses LAB+E inoculant decreased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content, increased in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolic energy of alfalfa silages. It has been demonstrated that the most effective application dose of LAB+E inoculant to improve fermentation and feed value of alfalfa silage was 1×106 cfu/g, but 1x105 and 5×105 cfu/g level can also be considered as effective dose.

It is known that plants have been used by humans for a very long time in the treatment of diseases. A wide variety of plant species grown in different regions have been very successful in the treatment of many diseases. In this study, Echium italicum L. plant collected from different regions was used as material. The plant was extracted with ethanol in a soxhlet device. Then, antioxidant and oxidant levels of the plant extract were determined using Rel Assay kits. As a result of the analysis, the TAS values of the plant were determined 5.442±0.240 (Gaziantep), 4.896±0.081 (Hakkari) and 6.056±0.139 (Mersin), TOS values were 21.372±0.747 (Gaziantep), 12.255±0.341 (Hakkari) and 19.107±0.438 (Mersin), OSI values were 0.395±0.027 (Gaziantep), 0.250±0.005 (Hakkari), and 0.316±0.005 (Mersin). It was observed that antioxidant and oxidant values changed as the regions where the plant was collected changed. In addition, it was determined that E. italicum could be a natural antioxidant source.

This study has been carried out in 2017-2018 in order to determine seed dormancy and effective germination depth wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). The in-vitro dormancy breaking experiments (tip breaking, sanding, H2SO4 application, holding in flowing and still water, GA3, KNO3 and GA3+KNO3 combination application) has been applied to wild mustard seeds collected from wheat field in Tokat province and has been applied to wild mustard seeds collected from wheat field in Tokat province and the most effective method was determined as 1000 ppm GA3+KNO3 with 98% impact on seed germination at 15°C within 72 hours. In contrast germination rate has been calculated as 5% in control plants. Furthermore 15°C was assessed as optimum temperature for seed germination was the most effective temperature and during depth studies 100% of wild mustard seeds germinated at 3-5 cm. Because of the difficulies with the work with seeds and plants that have dormancy, these data will contribute future studies.

In completed research, ferrous gluconate -a food additive- used to preserve black color to prevent discoloration during storage in ripe black olives, and Allium cepa L. species. A. cepa L. roots were treated with different doses of ferrous gluconate. The effective concentration EC50 (0.068 g/l) was determined. A. cepa root tips were treated with EC50/2 (0.034 g/l), EC50 (0.068 g/l), 2XEC50 (0.136 g/l) dose for 24, 48, 72 hours, and afterward, the root tips were prepared for observation under the light microscope according to the method of preparing mitotic preparation. Chromosomal abnormality index (CAI) and genotoxic effect of ferrous gluconate in A. cepa root tip cells were determined. Repeated measurement ANOVA and TUKEY multiple comparison tests were used to investigate the effect of time and dose together on genotoxicity. C-mitosis, polyploidy, polar shifting in anaphase, polar shifting in telophase, equatorial plate shifting, laggard chromosome was observed by microscope. The highest CAI (70.16±4.85) was observed at 72h for 2XEC50 dose. Chromosomal aberration is also observed in control group. While the most common chromosomal aberration is determined as C-mitosis; The least observed chromosomal aberration is determined as polyploidy. Research results revealed that ferrous gluconate has a genotoxic effect on the root tip of A. cepa.

The tadpoles of four amphibian species, namely the Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), the Iranian Long-Legged Frog (Rana macrocnemis), the Caucasian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus) and the Variable Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis), were exposed to acute concentrations (0 to 500 mg/L) of ammonium nitrate to assess the lethal effects (larval growth, abnormalities, mortality, and LC50 values). Eggs of each species were obtained from clean and polluted habitats in the same region and the tadpoles for experiments were provided from those eggs in the laboratory conditions. Although there was some variability between different populations of the same species or between different species in the observed effects, acute levels of ammonium nitrate caused decreased growth rate and increased abnormalities and mortality in general. Among the 4 amphibian species, the Variable Green Toad was the most damaged one in terms of growth reduction (on average 77-83%), and abnormality rates, and the most damaged one in terms of mortality rates was the Marsh Frog (on average 61-72%). Additionally, the species with the lowest concentration of ammonium nitrate, which killed half of its population, was the Marsh Frog. LC50 values for two populations of Marsh Frog were 37 and 59 mg/L. As a result of our research, it was determined that the acute fertilizer levels caused by agricultural activities in the region had very important harmful effects for all the species we examined. In this context, it can be said that very important environmental and biodiversity problems may occur if certain precautions are not taken regarding the use of the fertilizers and if the awareness of the farmers using these fertilizers cannot be raised.

Ethiopia has enormous potential for wheat production, yet it remains a net wheat importer. This paper aims to examine the efficiency of wheat production in Debra Libanos district, Ethiopia. Two stages sampling technique was used to randomly select 150 farmers for the study. A stochastic production frontier and two-limit Tobit estimator was utilized in the study. The study reveals that technical (78.5 %,), allocative (85.6%), and economic (66.7%) efficiencies. The yield gap was 5.13 quintal/ hectare showing a room to increase efficiencies. The study identified the determinants of wheat production efficiency in the area. Hence, to improve wheat production efficiencies strengthen extension services, improved technology utilization, and proper land ploughing. Besides, natural resource conservations that improve soil fertility should be the focus of the policymakers.

Ekşi mayalı ekmek, buğday, çavdar veya diğer tahıl unlarının su ile karıştırılması ve laktik asit fermantasyonu sonucu elde edilen geleneksel bir üründür. Ekşi maya fermantasyonu ile üretilen gıdaların sağlık üzerindeki etkilerini sağlayan mekanizmaların; mikroorganizmaların probiyotik etkisi, biyoaktif peptit ve organik asitlerin (asetik asit, bütirat, propiyonik asit) üretimi, anti-besin (fitik asit vb.) miktarının azalması, fenolik bileşik ve antioksidan biyoerişilebilirliğinin artması, nişasta ve proteinin sindirilebilirliği ve minerallerin biyoyararlılığında artış, glutenin degradasyonu ile çölyak hastalarına yeni ürün geliştirme sağlaması olduğu bildirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, ekşi maya fermantasyonunun ekmek bileşenleri üzerine etkisi, in vitro biyoerişilebilirliği ve sağlığa faydaları irdelenmiştir.

The study aims at determining the physicochemical, proximate composition and the total viable count of Staphylococcus aureus in ‘Nono’ and yoghurt samples in Kaduna, Nigeria.Three hundred and eighty-four (384) fermented milk samples (Nono and yoghurt) were obtained from different selling points and were evaluated for the occurrence of S. aureus. The physicochemical and proximate analyses (pH, total titratable acidity, moisture content, ash content, protein content, and fat content) were determined. The results of the analyses showed that Nono had pH range of 3.56-3.61, total titratable acidity: 0.71-1.72, moisture content: 82.23-83.87%, ash content: 0.30-0.31%, crude protein content: 1.50-1.61%, crude fat content: 0.35-0.38 %. For yoghurt, the pH ranged from 3.76 -3.82, total titratable acidity: 1.10 -1.15, moisture content: 77.76-80.06%, ash content: 0.68- 0.70%, crude protein content: 3.40-3.45% and crude fat content: 1.76-1.79% from all the study areas. One hundred and four of the total samples were contaminated with S. aureus. Out of the 104 isolates of S. aureus that were isolated and identified, 88 were coagulase positive S.aureus. The Microgen Staph ID kit (Oxoid) was used to further confirm the characteristics of the 60 isolates of the coagulase positive S. aureus. The kit confirmed 43 isolates as S. aureus, the results indicated the presence of S. aureus in the milk samples which is of public health importance, as this can contribute to food-borne intoxication which can lead to food poisoning. There is a need for proper pasteurisation of raw milk to help eradicate S. aureus infection before human consumption.

This study established an efficient in vitro callus formation and plant regeneration protocol for a prevıously reported Cu accumulator, Brassica nigra, black mustard collected from Diyarbakir (Station site). Node explants from 10-day old mature plants were used for callus formation and shoot regeneration. The highest callus formation frequency (100%) was observed on Murasige Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.1 mg/L Benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg/L Naphthylacetic acid (NAA) (MS 2), 0.6 mg/L BAP + 0.2 mg/L NAA (MS 7), the highest shoot regeneration frequency (100%) was achieved on MS medium containing 0.6 mg/L BAP + 0.05 mg/L Indole butyric acid (IBA) (MS 8), 0.2 mg/L IBA + 0.2 mg/L NAA (MS 10) and the highest number of shoots per explant (3,25) was obtained on MS medium supplemented 0.6 mg/L BAP + 0.05 mg/L IBA (MS 8). After root, stem, and leaf formation from explants in MS medium, these plants were transferred to soil and grown in the plant growth room for one month. A dependable and effective shoot regeneration procedure was developed, laying the groundwork for genetic transformation in Brassica nigra.