Current research work was carried out for the detection of potential bacterial pathogen and aflatoxigenic fungi Aspergillus spp. from grain comprising [Rice (5), Maize (5), Wheat (5), Khessari dal (5) and Anchora dal (5)] were collected from 3 different local markets of Dinajpur District, Bangladesh. 15 bacterial isolates comprising 4 genera of bacteria were found from a total of 25 samples. The isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp. with 16%, 28%, 16% and 16% prevalence respectively. Antibiogram studies revealed that overall effective drugs against isolated bacteria were Ciprofloxacin followed by Gentamycin. But resistant drugs were Penicillin, Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Kanamycin, and Amoxicillin. The variation in the sensitivity of common antibiotic could be the result of extensive and indiscriminate use of these antibiotics. Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 4-grain samples with 16% prevalence. But aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 3 samples with 12% prevalence. From the wheat samples and maize, the aflatoxigenic fungus was isolated and their prevalence in maize, wheat was 40% and 20% respectively. Their early detection can help to take preventive measures to combat economic and health losses. The study showed that earlier detections can be made by simple traditional identifications using macro and micromorphological fungal features rather than adopting the time and cost consuming molecular identification techniques.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are being planted at large scale worldwide. In most of the countries, GM crops are processed into livestock feed. The land is used for cultivation of GM plants has been increased in recent years; in 2012 GM plants were grown on over 170 million hectares in 28 countries by 17.3 million farmers and extended to 185.1 million hectors in 2016 worldwide. GM plants have been used as feed for animals and the number of studies has proved their safety for animal and public health. This paper reviews the possible effects of GM crops on livestock, poultry, and aquatic animals by reviewing different type of studies, in which parameters such as performance, reproductive and health assessment were investigated. The most of peer-reviewed papers evaluating the effects of feeding animals with transgenic crops were based on GM plants with improved agronomic traits i.e. herbicide-tolerant plants and pets-tolerant plants; however, in some cases GM plants with boosted nutritional properties assessed. In most experiments, either Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) maize, Roundup Ready (RR) soybean or both fed to animals. Measurable differences in various parameters were mostly observed in Bt maize and soybean fed separately or simultaneously to animals. In this review, scientific studies showing the effects of the use of GM products in the nutrition of domestic animals on performance, health and reproductive parameters are investigated.

Probiyotik gıdalar, sindirim sisteminin çalışmasına yardımcı olan canlı mikroorganizmaları içeren gıdalardır. Bu gıdaların tüketimi sağlığın korunmasına ve bağışıklık sisteminin güçlenmesine olumlu katkı sağlamaktadır. Yapılan bu çalışma, probiyotik ürünlerin tüketim durumu ile tüketicilerin probiyotik ürünler hakkındaki bilgi düzeyini saptamak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda ankete katılan bireylerin %51,7’si bayanlardan, %48,3’ü erkeklerden oluşurken yaşları 18 ile 65 arasında tespit edilmiştir. Probiyotik ürünler hakkında bilgiye erkekler %31,4 oranında sahip iken bayanlar %61,1 oranında sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca öğrenim seviyelerinin ve ekonomik durumların artışına bağlı olarak probiyotik ürünler hakkında bilgi seviyesinin anlamlı derecede arttığı görülmüştür. Probiyotik ürünleri tüketenlerin oranı %26,0 iken tüketenlerden fayda gördüğünü düşünen bireyler %79,1 olarak belirlenmiştir. Ek olarak probiyotik ürünleri tüketenlerin %77,3’ü bu ürünlerin doğal olduğunu düşünmektedir. Sonuç olarak probiyotik ürünlerin sağlığımıza olumlu katkısı olmasına rağmen tüketimi ve hakkındaki bilgi yeterli seviyede değildir. Kişilerin öğrenim seviyesi ve ekonomik refahı yükseldikçe probiyotik ürün tüketimi ve bilgi düzeyi artmaktadır. Bu nedenle buna benzer toplumun bilgisini ölçmeye dönük çalışmaların periyodik olarak yapılması önerilmektedir.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the traits of reproductive, milking and growth performance of Saanen and Saanen × Hair crossbreds (F1, B1 and B2) raised at the Bandırma Sheep Research Institute. The data were collected from 868 goats for reproductive performance and milk yield and from 1077 kids for survival performance between 2009-2012. Milk components (fat, protein, lactose and non-fat dry matter) of goats (n=162) and body weight changes of kid’s (n=64) were evaluated for one year in 2012. Estrus rates and survival rates were similar among all genotypes. Kidding rate was significantly higher in F1 goats than Saanen goats. Saanen goat had the lowest average mean daily milk yield compared with other genotypes. The effect of year and age were significant on milk yield. Goats in F1 and B1 genotypes had higher milk protein percentage and non-fat dry matter content in comparison with Saanen and B2 genotype. Milk fat and lactose contents were similar among genotypes. Birth weight and monthly live weight were similar between genotypes while weaning weight, six month live weight and yearling live weight were higher in B1 kids in comparison with Saanen kids. The effect of dam age and birth type were significant on birth weight, monthly live weight and weaning weight. The findings related to performance characteristics in goat genotypes investigated show that B1 genotype could be recommend for semi-intensive production system in the Western Anatolia.

The level of pollution has reached the dimensions that threaten human health, with the rapid urbanization and the increase of energy consumption especially in developing countries. Every year in the world, millions of people lose their lives because of air pollution. Heavy metals have a separate precaution in pollutants, especially in terms of human health, because they can remain intact in nature for long periods of time, they tend to bioaccumulate and some are toxic or carcinogenic even at low concentrations. Therefore, monitoring of heavy metal pollution and determination of risky areas is very important. Biomonitors are the most commonly used methods for monitoring heavy metal pollution. However, determining which organelles are more suitable for monitoring the metal is essential in order to ensure that the monitoring is reliable. In this study, it was aimed to determine the variations of the concentration of Ba, Na, Al, B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Mn elements depending on the traffic density in leaves, seeds and branches of Tilia tomentosa which are grown in areas with heavy, low dense and non traffic areas. As a result of the study, it was determined that the heavy metal concentrations in leaves and seeds except Fe were increased due to traffic density. This situation can cause serious problems for human health, especially since the leaves and seeds of linden individuals grown in traffic-intensive areas are consumed as tea.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of zinc (Zn), which is a common nutritional problem for both plant and human health, on corn and wheat plants. In the research carried out in greenhouse conditions, Zn (Zn0: 0 mg Zn kg-1, Zn5: 5 mg Zn kg-1) was applied to Çukurova and Niğde soils having a natural Zn deficiency and yield and mineral nutrient concentrations of wheat and corn plants were determined. Shoot dry matter yields of wheat and corn plants in both soils significant increased by Zn application. Zinc application caused to 20 and 76% shoot dry matter yield increase for wheat in Çukurova and Niğde soils. The increase in corn pants were greater which was 174% in Çukurova soil and 127% in Niğde soil. The Zn concentration was significantly increased with the increased shoot dry matter yield, while shoot Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations were decreased with Zn applications.

Fusarium graminearum species complex is the major Fusarium head blight disease pathogen in worldwide. Fusarium head blight disease lead to damages on small grain cereals. The identification of the F. graminearum species complex is important for improving disease control and management. Traditional identification methods such as macroscopy and microscopy analysis need to be supported by biochemical and genetics assays. Thus, DNA sequencing-based methods is one of the most preferred, reliable, low priced in the identification methods. In the study, 54 F. graminearum isolates obtained from diseased wheat, barley and corn fields in Turkey and Iran were identified by morphological characteristics and then characterized by species-specific SCAR marker. β-tubulin, Tef1-α, 28s rDNA and Histone H3 genes amplified, purified and then sequenced. The merged multiloci length was obtained as last of all 2215 bp. These sequencing results was used to multiloci genotyping assays. Last of all, 20 isolates were determined as F. graminearum sensu stricto by multiloci genotyping analysis. Remaining isolates were identified as F. asiaticum or Fusarium sp. . The findings are important in terms of revealing the first-time identification in Turkish and Iranian isolates as F. graminearum species complex members by amplification four (β-tubulin, Tef1-α, 28s rDNA and Histone H3) highly conserved DNA regions.

Sensory quality characteristics of fish are very important factors on acceptance and market value of the product. Quality assessment of fish should be precise, fast, systematic and comprehensive regarding freshness attributes. The objectives of this study were to describe weather the QIM (Quality Index Method) scheme for salmonides can be used to determine the freshness and describe the sensory changes during storage. Quality assessment of the fresh water rainbow trout (n=36) was performed on day 1, 7, 14 and 21 of ice storage on temperatures from 0.6-0.8°C. Through the QIM scheme the specific freshness attribute deterioration can be very well described and the QIM score produced a clear result, which showed that the deterioration of fish is linear and has a strong correlation with the time of storage. The QIM scheme for farmed salmon can be used to evaluate the freshness of the rainbow trout. It can also be used to ascertain and predict the remaining shelf life of rainbow trout stored in ice. Under similar conditions, the maximal shelf life of ungutted rainbow trout is 14±2 days or 15 demerit points of framed salmon QIM scheme.

Nowadays, “energy production” and “global climate change and mitigation”, which are in direct relation with each other, are the most important environmental problems waiting for a solution. Renewable and sustainable energy sources provide the most appropriate alternatives for the solution of this problem. In Turkey, one of the important raw material potential of renewable and sustainable energy sources is “Biomass energy”; it is used in biogas production, biofuel production such as biodiesel, bioethanol, biobuthanol and gasification-burning technology. In this study; the potential for agricultural wastes derived from agricultural activities and domestic wastes from Çukurkuyu town of Niğde where the main economic source are agriculture and livestock, were calculated by using incineration technology, which is one of the methods of production of renewable electric energy. In this study, a feasibility study was carried out for the production of renewable electricity from the wastes generated in the town and the potential of renewable electricity generation was determined by the obtained data. Moreover, in this study, fossil fuel balance of the electricity produced from biomass was determined and potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction was determined. Thus, as an alternative to fossil fuels, energy production from renewable sources has been determined both in agricultural waste management.

In continuous monitoring and control systems as required by automation, biosensors are greatly advantageous with their precision, stability, ease of use and response rates. In this study, a new amperometric glucose sensor has been fabricated based on a composite film prepared by electrochemical polymerization of carbazole derivative with having free amino group in presence of the Keggin type polyoxometalate (POM) anion, (nBu4N)3[PW9O34(tBuSiOH)3], in order to meet the needs of the sector. The enzymatic biosensor was prepared by immobilizing the Glucose Oxidase (GOx) enzyme to the surface modified with the POM/PAAC composite. Biosensor preparation and working conditions were optimized and analytical characterizations was carried out. The amperometric response of the POM/PAAC-GOx modified electrode versus varying concentrations of glucose was studied at a potential value of −0.7 V (Ag/AgCl). When the data obtained from these surfaces can be prepared in a short time, it was determined that they are sensitive to the presence of glucose in food samples such as cola and fruit juice. One of the innovations of this study is the shortening of the response time and the easy preparation of the biosensor. In addition to high linearity, short response time and long shelf life advantages in determining the glucose content in foods, it is thought that it will be an economical alternative with its easy preparation, ease of application and time and chemicals gain in measurements.