The aim of this study is to contribute to the valorization of the cocoa bean varieties “Mercedes” and “Forastero” grown in Côte d’Ivoire. A comparative characterisation of phenolic compounds and minerals in the beans of the “Mercedes” and “Forastero” varieties from two major cocoa production areas of Côte d’Ivoire were determined. The phenolic compounds of cocoa beans were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study showed that a significant difference at the 5% level was observed in the averages of minerals, cinnamic acid, protocatechic acid, quercetin, coumaric acid, rutin, ellagic acid, veratric acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid and naringenin. On the other hand, no significant difference at the 5% level was observed in the averages of arbutin, catechin, vanillic acid and caffeic acid in the bean kernels analysed in the Divo and Abengourou regions. The proportion of cinnamic acid is (6.18±0.63 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo), that of ellagic acid is (18.48±0.44 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo) and that of naringenin is (5.95±0.35 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo). The amount of potassium is (7569.97±1.51 mg/kg “Forastero” of Abengourou) and that of iron is (179.9 ± 0.70 mg/Kg “Forastero” of Divo). The phenolic compounds and minerals in the cocoa bean samples analysed are highly correlated and rich in antioxidants. They would be beneficial for many biological functions. They can be recommended in pharmacology and cosmetics to fight against oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases.

The farming technique of radical terracing is one of the new agricultural technologies introduced in Rwanda to enhance farming activities in the highland areas. The study was designed to analyze the applicability of the adoption and diffusion model of farm innovation on adopting radical terraces in Rwanda. It adopted a descriptive correlational research design to the farmers owned radical terraces in Nyamagabe District. The purposive sampling technique was applied to select 19 Key Informants and 192 farmers. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, direct observation and documentary sources. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data analysis whereas thematic and narratives content analyses were used on qualitative. The research outcomes show that the level of farmers' adoption was medium. Besides, the farmers’ access to agricultural information; and farmers’ participation were found to have a positive influence on the applicability of the adoption-diffusion model on the adoption of radical terraces. The study showed that the adoption of radical terraces in Nyamagabe depended on the compatibility with the existing values and practices among farmers based on the information-contagion model and the social participation model that is widely used in the agricultural context. The study recommended the government continue sensitizing farmers on the importance of adopting radical terraces for better use and maintenance as a modern farming practice. Further research should focus on the applicability of technology characteristics user's context model on the adoption of radical terraces in Rwanda.

This work aimed to develop a formulation of pumpkin seed paste and to evaluate its nutritional, sensory and textural properties. In the study, a delicious product was tried to be obtained with raw materials with high functional properties. Pumpkin Seed Cream was produced in four groups as roasted, roasted and cinnamon added, unroasted, unroasted and cinnamon added. The roasting process was carried out for 12 min. at 160°C. The effect of roasting pumpkin seeds and adding cinnamon to the formulation on cream samples produced within the scope of the study were investigated. Firmness, consistency, cohesiveness and spread ability properties were investigated of samples. It was determined that the roasting of pumpkin seeds used in the formulation created a statistically significant difference in the spreadability properties of the samples. As a result of the color analysis of the samples, the brightest and greener color intensity was detected in the unroasted group. The appearance, odor, texture and flavor profiles of samples were examined in sensory analysis. In terms of general taste, the unroasted and cinnamon-free group was most appreciated.

Lemna minor L. is an aquatic plant that is resistant to hard conditions, is a fast growing, rapidly multiplying vascular floating macrophyte, and is widely distributed in wetlands in our country and around the world. Lemna minor L., also known as duckweed, contains essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as various secondary metabolites that are beneficial for humans. Therefore, it is a remarkable source of alternative food. In addition to its traditional medical use, it is thought that taking into account in the development of herbal medicines and cosmetics today in the light of scientific studies will be beneficial in terms of developing value-added products and bringing them into the economy. In this review, studies and articles on the usability of Lemna minor L. in the field of health and nutrition are reviewed and presented with an overview.

This study was aimed to determine the effect of hatching system (house and machine) and egg weight (heavy and light) on growth performance and meat quality traits in geese. The study was carried out for 12 weeks with a total of 220 Turkish native geese. The geese were individually weighed every 2 weeks during the study, on these same weeks feed conversion ratio (FCR) was measured. Hot and cold dressed, blood, head, foot, edible internal organs (heart, liver, gizzard), abdominal fat, neck, back, breast, thigh and wing percentages were determined. Also cooking loss, drip loss, color and pH were determined as meat quality traits. There was no significant difference between the egg weight groups in terms of BW. However, the geese produced in the house hatching system showed more BW from 6 to 12 weeks of age onwards compared to the machine system. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of FCR by 8 weeks. Both 10 and 12 weeks FCR were determined as the worst house heavy, while the best house light groups. Hot and cold carcass percentages in geese hatched from heavy were higher rates than light eggs. The percentage of wings differed significantly among geese produced from different egg weight groups. Breast meat cooking loss was found higher rates in heavy eggs than light eggs, while thigh meat cooking loss was found higher rates in the house than machine system. The results of this study show that geese hatched in the house system had more BW at the slaughter age compared to machine system geese. In addition, geese produced from heavy eggs showed a higher hot and cold dressed percentages than geese produced from light eggs.

High morbidity and mortality rate associated with pneumococcal infection globally is of major concern most especially among infant. This burden is equally worsened by multidrug resistance strains due to indiscriminate consumption of antibiotics. Hence, need for constant search for cheap and effective bioactive compounds as alternative antimicrobials for the treatment of pneumococcal infection. Bioactive compound profiling and in-vitro antibacterial activity of ginger methanol extract against two predominant pneumococcal agents; Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenza were investigated. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used for the identification and quantification of bioactive compounds in the ginger methanol extract. The antibacterial activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined using Agar well diffusion. Twenty-seven (27) matched bioactive compounds were detected in the sample. Zingerone (17.70%), α-zingiberene (13.30%), (6)-shogaol (10.84%), α-Farnesene (6.26%), β-Funebrene (5.61%), 6-gingerol (5.18%), α-curcumene (4.15%) were the major compounds present. All other identified compounds had less than 4% composition by peak area each. The antibacterial activity of the ginger crude methanol extract against S. pneumonia and H. influenza were 2.33 mm and 9.33 mm. MIC of the extract against the isolates was 10%. In conclusion ginger crude methanol extract contain an array of bioactive compounds and the extract exhibited antibacterial activity against predominant pneumococcal agents. Ginger extract can be harnessed for the production of new antimicrobials to combat pneumococcal infection.

This study assessed the intensity of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSA), identified determinants of the adoption, and examined adoption synergies and trade-offs among the practices in Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected by the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency with the support of the World Bank in 2018/2019. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit model. Widely promoted CSA technologies i.e. conservation tillage, manure, crop residues, compost, and soil and water conservation practices were considered in the study. The study found soil and water conservation practices were the most widely adopted technologies (77% of farmers) followed by manure application (56% of farmers), and residue cover (54% of farmers). Among the adopters, 43% and 13% of them used conservation tillage and applied compost on their farms respectively. Area-based intensity of adoption of soil and water conservation practices, residue cover, conservation tillage, manure, and compost were 63%, 25%, 18%, 14% and 3%, respectively. The study indicated improvements in government services such as extension, credit, market and watershed programs enhance adoption of CSA practices. Adoption of manure and compost, residue cover and compost, and residue cover and conservation tillage had a positive and significant correlation, implying that adopting one practice increases the likelihood of adoption of the other practice for the same farmer. In conclusion, the government needs to use the opportunity of complementarity effect among adoption decision of the practices and work on driving factors identified to enhance the adoption and build resilient agriculture.

This study has emerged within the scope of the sectoral studies requested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of Turkish Republic from the Development Agencies, and aims to select the optimal plant location among the organized industrial zones in the TR72 Region consisting of Kayseri, Sivas and Yozgat provinces in order to produce processed fibre from the raw fibre obtained as a by-product of hemp cultivation. The criteria such as parcel unit price, electricity unit price, service water unit price, waste water unit price, natural gas unit price, insurance premium employer's share support period, investment contribution rate for insurance premium employer’s share support, tax reduction rate, investment contribution rate for tax reduction, interest or profit share support, access to raw material sources, access to market and access to qualified labour supply that form the basis for the selection of plant location were determined and weighted according to the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method The most available plant location among the emerging alternatives was determined by using Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods consisting of Combined Comprimise Solution (COCOSO), Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) and Multi-Attributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA). Consequently, it was concluded that Kaleseramik Private Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) located in Yozgat province is the most available plant location among the other seven alternatives.

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient and has important functions such as vision, growth, reproduction embryogenesis, cellular differentiation, and proliferation, immune function and epithelial protector in the organism. Biotechnological production of vitamins is increasing due to their advantages and significant advances. The vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) gene is extremely effective in binding oxygen and conducting it under hypoxic conditions. In this study, the production of vitamin A in E. herbicola (wild type) and its recombinant strains was investigated in LB medium and M9 medium (containing high concentrations (1%) of different carbon sources). The maximum production of vitamin A of the recombinant strain with the hemoglobin gene (vgb+) was observed in including glucose and sucrose M9 medium and their total product levels in vgb+ recombinant strain were 0.14 µg/ml and 0.1 µg/ml, respectively. The vitamin A production in the M9 medium with glucose and sucrose were 2-fold and 1.4- fold higher than that of the wild strain, respectively. The extracellular product level (0.07 µg/ml) in LB was 7-fold higher than wild strain at 48 h. These results reveal that the expression of VHb in E. herbicola in the both LB and M9 medium (containing 1% glucose and 1% sucrose, specially) increase the vitamin A production.