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.

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.

Agroforestry is a system that combines household and community level food production ecosystem services along with income security. It has potential of carbon sequestration and puts a positive impact on balancing greenhouse gases. The research was carried out to assess the variability of carbon stock under the agro-forestry systems in Churiya range at Rakshirang Rural Municipality of Makwanpur district of Nepal. Thirty households were sampled for this study; ten households from each of three different systems namely, Agrisilviculture, Silvopasture and Homegarden for data collection. Simple random sampling was used for the sample plot selection from the selected agroforestry systems for biomass and soil carbon estimation. Each system consisted of ten sample plots. Diameter and height of all trees with diameter at breast height greater than 10 cm were measured. The diameters of the trees were measured at standard height, i.e., diameter at breast height. Above ground biomass, below ground biomass and soil organic carbon were summed to determine the total carbon stock in the agroforestry systems. Collected data were analyzed through tabular analysis, and volume and biomass estimation of the trees. Total carbon stock was found higher in Silvopasture system (32.41t/ha), 28.58 t/ha in Agrisilviculture system and 30.71 t/ha in Homegarden system. Results have shown the potentiality of agroforestry systems for carbon sequestration. Such systems need to be promoted for their efforts by encouraging them with some subsidized input support, financial support or some capacity building trainings by the government.

The global dilemma of waste management and food scarcity require novel solutions that fulfill both environmental concerns and nutritional requirements. To address these significant problems in a sustainable manner, this research investigates the possibility of producing single cell protein (SCP) from sugarcane bagasse, an abundant industrial waste product in the presence of Aspergillus niger strain. The production of SCP was further optimized by inducing variations in Physico-chemical properties to increase the protein yield. These parameters include temperature, pH, fermentation time, inoculum size, carbon and nitrogen sources. The results of this study revealed that A. niger showed maximum production of biomass (24.0±0.02%) at the temperature of 25°C after 7 days of incubation time with the pH adjusted to 5. In conclusion, this multidisciplinary strategy emphasizes how essential biotechnology is to be advancing the idea of how sugarcane bagasse could potentially be used as a beneficial asset to help feed the world's expanding population.

Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented geranium) plants have been used since ancient times in food, cosmetics, perfumery, traditional medicine, and the pharmaceutical industries due to the pleasant fragrance of the essential oil obtained from its leaves. In this study, the essential oil content and components of rose-scented geranium cultivated in two different regions, Kırşehir in Central Anatolia and Adana in the Eastern Mediterranean, were investigated. The essential oil content of the plants from Kırşehir was determined to be 0.70%, while that of the plants from Adana was 0.34%. The main components of the essential oil of geranium cultivated in Kırşehir were citronellol (35.05%), geraniol (8.29%), and citronellyl formate (10.59%). In Adana, the essential oil components were citronellol (29.71%), geraniol (4.31%), and citronellyl formate (16.10%). The study shows that different locations significantly affect the essential oil content and chemical composition of rose-scented geranium.

The modern intensive agriculture system relies on the heavy use of chemical fertilizers for food production, neglecting the health of the soil. To explore the alternative nutrient source provided by Azotobacter, a free-living nitrogen-fixing bio-fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted at the Gaindakot – 8, Nawalpur in the inner Terai of Nepal during March-June 2023 to study the effect of Azotobacter inoculation on three different maize varieties. The effect was examined on the soil fertility parameters such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K), pH, and organic matter (O.M). Five levels of nutrient sources; Control, Farmyard Manure/FYM (10-ton ha-1), Azotobacter only, Azotobacter + FYM and Azotobacter + NPK (120:60:40 kg ha-1 RDF) varieties; Local Pahelo, Rampur Composite and Rampur Hybrid-14 were tested in Two Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results showed a non-significant difference in the mean values of N, P, O.M., and pH whereas K content was significantly influenced under the different varieties. Rampur Hybrid-14 (256.64 kg/ha) showed the highest soil K level whereas Rampur Composite (173.12 kg/ha) showed the lowest. The highest N content was recorded in Azotobacter only (0.140%) followed by Azotobacter + FYM (0.137%) and lowest in control (0.132%). Similarly, the maximum percent of organic carbon was recorded in the nutrient source Azotobacter only (2.80) which is on par with the nutrient source Azotobacter + FYM (2.75). There was a significant influence of the FYM on the maximum residue of the Azotobacter population (180.2×10-3 cfu/gm). The status of O.M., N, P, K, and pH improved positively with the Azotobacter application.

Processed chicken meat products are more susceptible to oxidative deterioration which reduces the quality and safety of the product, therefore, the need to include antioxidants during processing order delay its processes. Chicken meat (from live broiler birds procured from the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan) was ground through a 5 mm plate of a meat mincer. Ingredients such as red pepper, black pepper, garlic, onions, salt, refined vegetable oil (Grand soya oil®) ice flakes and Lemon Grass Leaf Powder (LGLP) were added and mixed thoroughly with chicken meat for homogeneity. There were four treatment groups: T1 = (0g LGLP), T2 = (2g LGLP), T3 = (4g LGLP), T4 = (6g LGLP). Each batch was oven cooked separately and replicated three times. Proximate composition (%), sensory characteristics (9-point hedonic scale), Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS MDAµg/g) were assessed and data generated were analysed using ANOVA @ P<0.05). Moisture 51.24 (6gLGLP) was significantly higher than 52.69 (4gLGLP), 53.04(2gLGLP) and 54.69 (0gLGLP); fat 16.09 (2gLGLP) is similar with 17.19 (4g LGLP) and lower than 15.89 (0gLGLP) but lower than 17.48 (6gLGLP) (P<0.05). Crude protein 19.52 (4gLGLP) is similar to 18.10 (2gLGLP) and 19.18 (6gLGLP) but significantly higher than 17.85 (0gLGLP). The hardness 2983.81kg (0gLGLP) and 3442.86kg (2gLGLP) were similar but lower than 5395.55kg (4gLGLP) and 5523.17kg (6gLGLP) (P>0.05). Chewiness 2790.83kg (0gLGLP) is not different from 3413.43kg (2gLGLP) and 5315.52 (4gLGLP) but higher (P<0.05) than 5523.10kg (6gLGLP) (P>0.05). No significant variation exists in the sensory characteristics among chicken meatballs. The TBARS 1.74 (6gLGLP) is lower than 1.80 (4gLGLP), 1.86 (2gLGLP) and 1.84 (0gLGLP). Utilisation of different levels of lemongrass leaf powder in chicken meat balls production increased the nutrition and improved the lipid oxidation stability of the product during refrigerated storage.

Bu çalışmada Jersey ırkı sığırların süt yağı asit profili ve mevsimsel değişimi incelenmiştir. Araştırmada ilkine buzağılamış 15 baş Jersey ırkı sığır kullanılmıştır. Süt örnekleri yaz ve kış mevsimi olmak üzere iki defa alınmıştır. Yapılan analizler neticesinde mevsimin süt yağının yağ asitleri profili üzerinde sınırlı bir etkisi olduğunu tespit edilmiştir. Sadece 3 yağ asidinde (C21:0, C23:0, C18:1 trans11) mevsimsel değişkenlik gözlemlenmiştir (p<0,05). İstatistiksel olarak önemli çıkmasa da yaz mevsiminde çoğu doymuş ve çoklu doymamış yağ asitlerinin içeriğinin daha düşük ve çoğu tekli doymamış yağ asitleri içeriği kış mevsimine göre daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür.

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), primarily cultivated in desert regions like the Middle East, is a significant source of nutrition, rich in sugars, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, anthocyanins, and sterols. Notably, the polysaccharides in dates exhibit prebiotic properties, supporting beneficial gut microbiota. Research highlights that dates promote the growth of helpful bacteria, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which enhance intestinal health, improve barrier function, and increase the production of short-chain fatty acids. Beyond gut health, dates offer additional benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and blood sugar-regulating effects. This review synthesizes recent findings on the prebiotic effects and broader health impacts of dates, suggesting their potential in dietary strategies for promoting health and preventing gastrointestinal disorders.

The growing energy demand and increasing environmental concerns have led to greater interest in renewable energy sources. In this context, biomass has come to the forefront due to its sustainable and eco-friendly nature. This study aims to determine the plant-based biomass potential of Trabzon province, located in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. The primary objective is to provide a data foundation for the feasibility studies of biomass energy facilities planned at the local level and to contribute to the development of sustainable energy policies. The study used agricultural data for Trabzon province for the year 2023, obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). The biomass potential was analyzed using established methods in the literature. The data were converted into energy equivalents (TEP and MW) using calorific value formulas. According to the results, a total of 218,465 tons of agricultural production was obtained from 928,914 decares of cultivated land across 18 districts. This corresponds to an estimated energy potential of approximately 1016.3 MW. Among the districts, Hayrat, Sürmene, and of showed the highest biomass energy potential. The findings reveal that Trabzon has significant potential for sustainable biomass energy production at the local level. They also show that converting agricultural waste into energy can support rural development, environmental sustainability, and energy supply security. In this regard, the study provides a scientific basis for strategic planning of local energy investments.