To improve hen welfare, several studies have investigated various environmental enrichments that suit different laying hen production systems. The positive results of these studies can enable such environmental enrichments to be utilized in commercial laying hen production. This paper reviewed the effects of environmental enrichments in different laying hen production systems on hen welfare and egg quality. The successfully proven environmental enrichments in free-range production system include forage, shelterbelt, and artificial shade in outdoor area and novel objects and H-shaped perching structures in indoor. These are associated with increased range use that positively affects hen welfare. In aviary system, perches, and litter materials (e.g., straw, sand) as environmental enrichments are linked to improved behavioral expression, reduced stress, and enhanced immune system. Under the litter system, environmental enrichment with substrates (e.g., pecking stones, alfalfa blocks, silage, straw, barley) has been found to increase the foraging behavior of laying hens. This reduces severe feather pecking thus, improving the plumage condition of hens. Although the effects of environmental enrichments on hen welfare have been assessed and scientifically proven in the reviewed studies, significant progress of their impact on egg quality traits has not been reported. The studies have shown that environmental enrichments have no significant effect on egg quality traits. Also, appropriate pasture or plant species as environmental enrichments in free-range production system in relation to hen welfare and egg quality have not been identified. Therefore, it is important to continue studies on environmental enrichments while emphasizing their influence on egg quality since it is a major performance trait in the egg industry. In addition, there is a need for studies to identify ideal pasture or plant species for free-range production system that positively affects hen welfare and egg quality.

Yağlı tohumlu bitkiler, Türkiye’de arz açığı yüksek olan ürün gruplarından biridir. 2018 yılı verilerine göre Türkiye’nin sadece ayçiçeği ve ayçiçek yağı ithalatı için ödemiş olduğu tutar 762 milyon ABD$’dır. Aynı yılın verilerine göre Türkiye’nin yağlı tohumlar üretim miktarı yaklaşık 4 milyon ton olup, üretimden ayçiçeğinin aldığı pay ise %48,62’dir. 2018 yılında ülke yağlık ayçiçeği üretim alanı yaklaşık 650 bin ha, üretim miktarı 1,8 milyon ton ve verim değeri de 277 kg/da olarak gerçekleşmiştir. Ülke genelinde ilk beş sırada yer alan illerin toplam yağlık ayçiçeği ekim alanı ve üretim miktarındaki payı yaklaşık %70 düzeyindedir. Birim alandan elde edilen verim değerinde Konya 408 kg/da ile ilk sırayı alırken, ekim alanı en yüksek il olan Tekirdağ ilinde değer 235 kg/da düzeyindedir. Türkiye’de 1998-2018 arası dönem dikkate alındığında, yağlı tohumlar üretiminde %66,43 oranında artış sağlanmış olup, bu artışta üretim miktarı bakımından en önemli değişim %126,65 pay ile ayçiçeğinde gerçekleşmiştir. Zira, bu dönemde yağlık ayçiçeği verim değeri 146,76 kg/da’dan 277,00 kg/da düzeyine ulaşmıştır. Türkiye’nin yağlık ayçiçeği üretiminde kendine yeterlilik oranı %64,30 olup, önemli düzeyde arz açığı mevcuttur. Yağlık ayçiçeği üretiminde üretici geliri üzerinde en etkili destekleme uygulaması fark desteği uygulaması olmasına rağmen 2017-2019 döneminde ilan edilen birim fiyat değerinde bir değişiklik olmamıştır. 2018 yılında Türkiye’de yağlık ayçiçeği ortalama verim değerinin 277 kg/da olduğu dikkate alındığında fark desteği uygulamasının yağlık ayçiçeğinde üretim değerini birim alanda 110 TL/da artırmaktadır.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were preferred to grow in aquaponics due to their high and fast productivity growth. However, limited research was conducted on the impact on different inorganic substrates’ growth performance in aquaponics. In this study, lettuce’s growth performance was determined in four different kinds of inorganic substrates in Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) aquaponics by measuring final weight, daily growth rate, stem diameter, plant and root lengths, leaf number per plant and shoot/root ratio. Polyester fiber, rock wool, zeolite, and gravel were used as inorganic substrate materials. A constant flow rate of 0.3 L/min was maintained using with a submersible pump motor. At the end of the study, the African catfish’s feed conversion ratio was estimated to be 0.66, while the specific growth rate (SGR) was 2.3%. Total lettuce yields for polyester fiber, rock wool, zeolite and gravel were obtained as 5.072,22 kg/m2, 4.934,03 kg/m2, 6.067 kg/m2, and 5.382,64 kg/m2 respectively. There were statistically significant differences for daily growth rate between the inorganic substrates that the significantly highest values were recorded in the zeolite. The results revealed that initial plant length and shoot/root ratio were the significant factors on the growth performance for lettuce in aquaponic system tested. The best lettuce yield performance was observed in zeolite substrate but, economically available option was found as gravel for hydroponic troughs.

H. perforatum, which is widely used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds was extracted with ethanol-water (3:7). The extract was encapsulated with maltodextrin and gum arabic in a spray dryer in order to protect the phenolic compounds in its structure. Different amounts of microcapsules were added to our traditional drink, i.e. ayran (drinking yoghurt). The total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the microcapsules, extract of HP, and ayran samples were determined. The amount of total phenolic compounds in the microcapsule provided a superior effect than the extract. The ayran samples were supplemented with 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% of H. perforatum (HP) microcapsules and it is observed that total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicated an increase with concentration. TPC and DPPH activity were determined as 256.94 mg GAE / 100mL and 78.05% for 6% of HP microcapsules supplemented samples. As a result of the sensory analysis, ayran samples which supplemented with 4% of HS microcapsule gained the highest scores by the panellists and received more appreciation than the control group. According to sensory analysis, HP4 (ayran produced with 4% HP added microcapsule) sample was determined as the best sample, while the HP6 (Ayran produced with 6% HP added microcapsule) sample had the highest scores in terms of DPPH scavenging activity and TPC results. The overall results of this study revealed that 4% HP supplemented ayran can be produced with its increased health benefits and desirable properties. In this study, the use of H. perforatum microcapsules in ayran, its effect on antioxidant and phenolic components, the usage rates and acceptability of microcapsules were investigated.

This study evaluated age-related changes in the gross morphology and morphometry of the testis and epididymis of the African Greater Cane Rat (AGCR). Twenty pathogen-free cane rats used for this study were randomly divided into 4 groups; Group I - prepubertal (≤4 months), Group II - pubertal (>4≤12 months), Group III - adult (>12≤30 months), and Group IV - aged (>30 months) of 5 animals each. On day 8th of acclimatization, testis and epididymis were harvested from sedated cane rat, described grossly and standard morphometric parameters (length, width, circumference, weight, and relative weight) determined. Gross morphological observations in the testes of all the different age categories showed similar characteristically cream to milky-white coloration and ellipsoidal shape. The epididymis in the different AGCR group uniquely presents the same inverted S-shaped outline, loose attachment to the testis, and less distinct division into caput, corpus, and cauda segments. Testicular and epididymal morphometric parameters were significantly reduced in the prepubertal cane rat relative to other groups. The parameters consistently displayed an age-dependent increment with the advancing age of the animal. In conclusion, this study has shown that both testicular and epididymal gross morphometrics increase with age advancement and perhaps might be linked to the varying functional reproductive status of the different age groups of the African greater cane rat.

Banana is a fruit crop which has high demand in Ethiopia, but its production is constrained by lack of disease free planting material with conventional propagation methods. For shoot initiation, shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/L BAP. Similarly, MS medium supplemented with BAP at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L in combination with IBA at 0.25 and 0.50 mg/L were used for shoot multiplication. Half- strength MS medium augmented with IBA at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/l were used for root induction. MS medium without PGRs were used as controls. Finally, hardening of the in vitro derived plantlets was carried out in green house both in the primary and secondary acclimatization stages. Results showed that the highest shoot initiation percent (93.40%), highest mean number of shoots per explant (4.67) and lesser day for shoot induction (11.00) were observed in explant cultured on MS + 1.0 mg/L BAP. With shoot multiplication, highest shooting percent (92.60%), maximum number of shoots (7.67) and highest shoot length (5.27 cm) were recorded on MS + 1.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L IBA. The highest rooting percent (93.40%), maximum root number per shoot (7.67) and highest root length (11.00 cm) were found on a half strength MS medium + 2.0 mg/L IBA. The survival rate of plantlets were 96.00% in coco peat substrate in primary acclimatization and 97.92% in forest soil, sand and manure substrates mixed at 3:2:1 ratio in secondary acclimatization. Overall, the result showed that the PGRs type, concentrations and combinations used are effective for mass propagation of banana variety studied in this experiment.

Despite positive effects on nutrition, it has been reported that milk causes allergic reactions and many health problems. Allergic reaction to milk is called lactose intolerance, but it is estimated that this is not caused by lactose, but by the β -casein structure of milk, which varies depending on animal species. Although there are many fractions of β-casein in the structure of milk, especially A1 and A2 casein attract attention. A1 β -casein causes many health problems because it plays a role in the formation of the bioactive opioid peptide β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7). These health problems are allergic reactions, weakening of the immune system and slowing down of the gastro-intestinal system and some systemic diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, autism, schizophrenia). The underdevelopment of gastro-intestinal system, especially in newborns, causes us to encounter these health problems more frequently. For this reason, the consumption of milk containing A1 β-casein, especially cow’s milk from culture breeds, is not recommended. Since BKM-7 (β-casomorphin-7) formed by A1 β-casein cannot occur in A2 β-casein, these health problems cannot be expected to be observed. However, A2 β-casein causes DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) enzymes to be regulated in the body and a non-opioid effect is observed. It is recommended to consume goat’s milk and dairy products containing A2 β-casein in newborns, people with celiac disease and stomach disorders. Despite the lack of studies on the subject of A1 and A2 β-casein and the ongoing discussions, in this review, the importance and differences of A1 and A2 β-caseins in cow and goat milk were discussed and their effects on human health.

The management of forests, a source of livelihood in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas has received little attention in recent times. As a result, most of the forest dwellers who depend on these forests for survival are poor and are beginning to diversify their livelihood into off and non-forest activities as a relevant source of income. This study assessed participation in forest management practices, livelihood diversification and, the welfare of forest dwellers in Gambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data, collected from 121 respondents using a multistage sampling Procedure were analyzed employing Descriptive Statistics, Logit, Tobit, and Ordinary Least Squares model. The decision to participate in forest management practices was significantly linked to gender, age, and membership in a forest association. Also, participation in forest management practices, gender, age, and credit accessibility significantly influenced livelihood diversification positively while farm size and monthly income had negative effects. The welfare of forest dwellers was found to be positively influenced by being a married indigene, having access to credit, participation in forest management practices, livelihood diversification, and monthly income while age, education, and market distance from homestead negatively affected the welfare of forest dwellers.