In this study, the plants Melissa officinalis (Melissa), Elaeagnus angustifolia (Elaeagnus), Styrax officinalis (Styrax) and Echinops ritro (Echinops) were firstly used to prepare enriched bread and to study their effects on the shelf life of bread. Water and alcohol extracts of the plants were also prepared to determine their antibacterial and antifungal activities in-vitro. The focus is on their potential applications as natural preservatives in sustainable functional bread production. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion assay. Results showed that alcohol extracts of medicinal and aromatic plants exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity than water extracts, with inhibition zones diameters ranging from 15-22 mm for alcohol extracts compared to 8-13 mm for water extracts. Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella Paratyphi A, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, showed resistance, with inhibition zone diameters below 10 mm. However, alcohol extracts from Styrax and Elaeagnus achieved inhibition zone diameters of 12-15 mm against these pathogens. Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, showed promising results, with alcohol extracts zones averaging 20 mm and water extracts inhibition of zone diameters averaging 14 mm. Fungal inhibition zone diameters was effective, with extracts reducing Aspergillus niger growth by 85%. A shelf life experiment revealed that bread enriched with Elaeagnus and Melissa extracts remained mold-free for 7 days, while control samples developed mold within 3-4 days. Sensory analysis indicated that 80% of participants preferred the taste and aroma of Elaeagnus seed bread, with an average score of 4.5-5. The incorporation of medicinal and aromatics plants not only enhances bread flavour but also provides health benefits besides sell life of bread. These plants serve as valuable natural preservatives, improving nutritional value, extending shelf life, and inhibiting harmful microorganisms in sustainable bread production.

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate land consolidation studies carried out in Türkiye between 1961 and 2004. Data from 509 land consolidation and on-farm development services projects carried out in 33 provinces of Türkiye were examined using statistical analysis methods. It was determined that land consolidation projects significantly contributed to more efficient use of agricultural lands, reducing the number of parcels and reaching more suitable sizes of agricultural enterprises. The results show that the average consolidation rate of the examined projects was 35.76% and an average increase of 81.45% occurred in parcel sizes. In the regional evaluations, it was determined that the Black Sea Region had the highest consolidation rate. In contrast, relatively lower success rates were obtained in the Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia regions. These differences are related to land structure, property relations and agricultural enterprise sizes. It has been observed that technological developments, especially computer-aided mapping techniques and tools such as Geographic Information Systems, have increased the success of consolidation projects. As a result, it has been determined that land consolidation studies play a critical role in the sustainability of agricultural production. Still, more strategic planning should be made by considering regional characteristics. This study is essential for evaluating the historical development and impacts of land consolidation studies in Türkiye. It is also considered a guide for institutions carrying out consolidation studies.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of using Spirulina and Chlorella instead of fish meal on the growth, feed utilization, digestibility and digestive enzyme activity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). For this purpose, 25% fish meal was added to the control diet, 25% Spirulina to the SP diet and 25% Chlorella to the CL diet as the main protein source. In the 3×3 planned experiment, fish with an average weight of 1.98±0.10 g were fed with isonitrogenous and isolipidic formulated diets until satiation for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, higher final body weight and specific growth rate were obtained in the groups fed with diets containing Spirulina and Chlorella (p<0.05) and feed conversion was not affected by the main protein source in the diet. Lipid content in muscle tissue of fish fed with control diet was lower than that of the group fed with Chlorella containing diet (p<0.05). Microalgae addition to the diets significantly (p<0.05) increased dry matter, protein and lipid digestibility, as well as protease and lipase activity. The results obtained showed that Spirulina or Chlorella in Cyprinus carpio diets increased growth, nutrient digestibility and activity of digestive enzymes, and therefore, based on these parameters examined, Spirulina and Chlorella could be used instead of the entire 25% fish meal in the diet.

Küresel iklim değişiklikleri ve artan nüfus alternatif nişasta kaynaklarına yönelik araştırmaları artırmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, at kestanesi tohumlarından alkali ve ultrason destekli yöntemlerle nişasta üretimi gerçekleştirmek ve üretilen nişastaların morfolojik, termal ve fonksiyonel özelliklerini belirlemektir. Ultrason destekli yöntem nişastaların şişme gücü ve su/yağ tutma kapasite değerlerini yükseltmiş, sineresis değerlerini ise düşürmüştür. Örnekler minimum %6 ve %12 nişasta oranlarına sahipken jel oluşumu göstermiştir. Alkali ve ultrasonik yöntemlerle üretilen nişastaların amiloz içerikleri sırasıyla %25,41 ve %29,86’dır. Nişastaların termal bozunmasının en yüksek olduğu sıcaklıklar 221-343°C aralığında tespit edilmiştir. Ultrasonik yöntem nişastanın lmax değerini 523,0 nm’den 583 nm’ye yükseltmiş ve spesifik dönme açısını 59,90’dan 21,75’e düşürmüştür. Termogravimetrik veriler kütlenin %50’sinin alkali yöntem için 302-312°C ve ultrason destekli yöntem için 303-304°C aralığında kaybolduğunu göstermiştir. Ultrasonikasyon, ortorombik kristal yapıya sahip nişastaların yapısında kısmi bir değişikliğe neden olmuştur. Çalışmamız alternatif nişasta kaynakları ile ilgili kapsamlı bir çalışmadır. Üretilen nişastaların başta glutensiz ürün üretiminde ve jel yapısı istenen ürünlerde kullanılma potansiyeli bulunmaktadır.

In dairy farms, water is crucial for the health, productivity, and welfare of animals. Water is a fundamental component in all biological processes, and insufficient water intake can negatively impact milk production, reproductive health, and overall animal welfare. The water requirement for dairy cattle depends on various factors such as age, weight, milk yield, environmental temperature, and nutritional status. An adult dairy cow can consume approximately 80-150 liters of water per day. This requirement increases in high-yielding cows. Adequate water intake directly affects milk production, as approximately 87% of milk is composed of water. The quality of water is as crucial as its quantity. This study investigates the quality of drinking water in dairy farms within Niğde Province, Turkey, focusing on its implications for livestock health and productivity. Water samples were collected from 11 livestock enterprises, encompassing water tanks and troughs, and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), and phosphate phosphorus (PO₄) concentrations. Results showed EC values averaging 0.803 dSm⁻¹, within acceptable standards for livestock, although high concentrations in certain tanks raised concerns regarding mineral content and potential health impacts. The pH ranged from 7.27 to 8.20, remaining suitable for all livestock classes. NO₃ concentrations averaged 21.834 mgL⁻¹, with no samples below the 10 mgL⁻¹ threshold, highlighting risks from prolonged exposure. In contrast, NO₂ concentrations averaged 0.251 mgL⁻¹, remaining within safe limits. PO₄ concentrations were minimal, averaging 0.056 mgL⁻¹, and posed no significant risks. The findings underscore the importance of periodic water quality monitoring in livestock farms to mitigate risks of contamination and ensure optimal health and productivity. These findings highlight the necessity for customized water management techniques to fit particular farm settings and advance our understanding of the complex effects of water quality on livestock performance.

Tip 2 diyabet (T2DM), vücudun insülin hormonunu etkili bir şekilde kullanamamasıyla karakterize edilen ve yüksek kan şekeri seviyelerine yol açan kronik bir metabolik hastalıktır. Süt, T2DM yönetiminde olumlu etkileri olduğu belirtilen önemli besin bileşenleri bakımından zengin bir kaynaktır. Sütte kaynaklı biyoaktif bileşenler, süt proteinlerinden, yağlarından ve diğer bileşenlerinden türeyen, vücutta çeşitli biyolojik aktiviteler gösteren ve sağlık üzerinde olumlu etkiler sağlayan moleküllerdir. Bu bileşenler (proteinler, peptitler, yağ asitleri), süt ürünlerinin tüketimi sırasında ya da süt proteinlerinin sindirilmesi ve hidroliz edilmesi sonucunda ortaya çıkmaktadır. Son dönemde yapılan müdahale çalışmaları, süt kaynaklı biyoaktif proteinlerin, peptitlerin ve yağ asitlerinin T2DM'nin önlenmesi ve yönetiminde yararlı etkiler sağladığını göstermektedir. Süt biyoaktif bileşenleri arasında kazein, kazein türevi peptitler, peynir altı suyu proteinleri ve peynir altı suyu proteini türevi peptitler yer almaktadır. Bu biyoaktif bileşenler, çeşitli mekanizmalar aracılığıyla anti-diyabetik etkiler göstermektedir. Bu mekanizmalar arasında insülin duyarlılığının artırılması, glukoz metabolizmasının düzenlenmesi ve inflamasyonun azaltılması yer almaktadır. İnsanlarda gerçekleştirilen müdahale çalışmaları sonucunda, süt kaynaklı bu biyoaktif bileşenlerin açlık kan şekeri seviyelerini düşürdüğünü ve insülin duyarlılığını artırdığı ortaya koyulmuştur. Bu çalışma, sütten elde edilen biyoaktif bileşiklerin (proteinler, peptitler ve yağ asitleri) anti-diyabetik etkilerini ve bu bileşiklerin T2DM yönetimindeki etki mekanizmalarını inceleyen güncel çalışmaları kapsamlı bir şekilde ele almaktadır. Böylece, süt biyoaktif bileşenlerinin T2DM üzerindeki potansiyel faydaları ve klinik uygulamaları hakkında bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between body defects, egg and chick quality and hatching results at different age periods of the laying period of partridges raised in production conditions (cage system). The study was based on three different periods. The first period is the pre-peak egg production period (˂200 eggs), the second period is the peak egg production period (˃200 eggs) and the third period is the post-peak egg production period (˂200 eggs). These periods also represent the age of the animals. As material, 432 female and 216 male partridges in their first egg production year were used. The study was organized according to the random plots experimental plan. There were changes in body defects and other health parameters depending on egg production periods. Foot-pad dermatitis and elbow burns increased with increasing age. Parent partridges had better head, neck, back, chest and tail feather condition before peak egg production. Egg weight increased with advancing age. Hatching egg characteristics such as excessively pointed eggs and eggs with calcium deposits decreased in the peak and post-peak yield period. Eggshell transparency increased with advancing age. Fertility was higher in the pre-peak egg yield period compared to other periods. Hatchability was lower after the peak period. Tona score of chicks decreased with age. There were weak negative and positive phenotypic correlations between many traits. Practices that prevent body injuries in the early egg production period and deteriorating feather condition with advancing age, decreasing shell opacity, deterioration in hatching performance and chick quality traits in partridges will be beneficial in terms of increasing both production performance and animal welfare.

In this study, the effects of pre-slaughter fasting periods (8, 12, and 16 h) on stress levels, body weight loss, slaughter, carcass, and meat quality characteristics were investigated in broiler chickens with different growth rates (medium and fast-growing). In the experiment, 15 male and 15 female broilers each from the ANADOLU-T A1 (medium growing) dam line and ROSS-308 hybrid (fast growing) at 42 days of age were used. Body weight losses did not differ significantly among fasting periods, but medium-growing broilers exhibited higher body weight losses across all fasting groups (P<0.05). The carcass yield was higher in fast-growing broilers (P<0.05), while abdominal fat ratios were higher in medium-growing broilers (P<0.05). The amount of residual feed in the gizzard, digestive system, and gizzard ratios decreased with increasing fasting duration (P<0.05). Digestive system ratios also differed between genotypes (P<0.05). An increase in breast ratio was observed with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). On the other hand, the fast-growing genotype had higher breast ratios, lower wing ratios, lower back ratios, and lower neck ratios (P<0.05). Fasting periods did not significantly affect the L*, a*, and b* color values of breast and thigh meat, but differences between genotypes were significant, with higher values observed in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Breast pH values did not differ among fasting periods but were higher in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Thigh pH values, however, varied significantly between fasting periods and genotypes (P<0.05). The medium-growing genotype had higher thigh pH values, and thigh pH increased with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). White striping and woody breast scores in breast muscles were higher in the fast-growing genotype, with partial increases observed as fasting duration increased. In conclusion, the results indicate that a 12-h pre-slaughter fasting period is sufficient for digestive tract clearance and carcass quality. However, meat quality defects in fast-growing genotypes should be monitored.

The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in economic growth, employment, and food security. Although E7 countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey) hold a significant share in global agricultural production, there is limited literature on the determinants of agricultural value added. This study aims to analyze the key economic factors affecting agricultural value added in E7 countries and assess the effectiveness of agricultural policies. The study covers the period 2001-2022 and employs the Panel ARDL method to examine long-term relationships. The findings indicate that the proportion of agricultural land and agricultural employment positively impact agricultural value added, whereas government expenditures may have a negative effect. Governments intervene in the agricultural sector through both direct and indirect measures. It can be suggested that direct income support policies for farmers may have the potential to increase dependency rather than enhance productivity. Although a detailed distinction regarding the implementation of direct payments during the analyzed period could not be made, the impact of government support is likely to vary depending on the type and implementation of the assistance provided. The results emphasize the need for more effective planning of agricultural support mechanisms. Redirecting public expenditures towards infrastructure investments, agricultural technology adoption, and rural development projects could enhance the sector’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, improving the transparency and measurability of support policies may increase their effectiveness and strengthen agricultural productivity. Policymakers should conduct a more detailed analysis of the effects of different support mechanisms to develop appropriate intervention strategies.

Salinity is a primary abiotic factor affecting agricultural productivity in arid and semiarid environments. The stages that are most vulnerable to salinity are germination and early seedling growth. There are limited reports on the responses of Lupinus albus L. to salinity. Therefore, in the study, we aim to test germination and early seedling growth of L. albus under different salinity levels. To this end, seeds of L. albus were treated with different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) of NaCl under laboratory conditions. A total of 16 parameters, including germination and growth, were examined. The results showed that under 200 mM NaCl, germination percentage (GP) decreased by 13.4% and germination rate index (GRI) decreased by 69.24%, while mean germination time (MGT) increased by 30.02%. In addition, the shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RWF), and root dry weight (RDW), root to shoot dry matter (R/S DM), shoot water content (SWC), root water content (RWC), and seedling vigor index (SVI) were reduced respectively by 82.69%, 75.65%, 53.30%, 70%, 66.66%, 70.86%, 23.47%, 0.35% and 82.57% under 200 mM NaCl, compared to the control condition. However, root to shoot ratio (R/S), shoot dry weight (SDW), shoot dry matter (SDM), root dry matter (RDM) were increased by 43.33%, 65.07%, 249.68%, and 3.22% under 200 mM NaCl. Overall, the study results showed that the critical level to mitigate the negative effect of salinity is 150 mM NaCl (-0.6 MPa osmotic potential) for germination and 50 mM NaCl (-0.2 MPa osmotic potential) for growth. Therefore, L. albus has a low tolerance to salinity.