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The use of ozone for the sanitization of fresh-cut produce has been postulated during all steps of the cold chain from harvest to consumption. However, little is known about its effects on the postharvest quality of minimally processed spinach. In the present study, the effects of different doses of ozone on the storage life and quality of minimally processed spinach were determined and compared with sodium hypochlorite. Minimally processed spinach samples were subjected to 4 treatments: immersion in sodium hypochlorite solution (100 ppm) as control, and exposure to 3 different ozonated water (0.5,1 and 2 ppm) for 10 min. Treated spinach samples were packaged in modified atmosphere packaging and stored at 0 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity for 25 days. After each cold storage period, the spinach samples were kept for one day at 20 °C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity for shelf life studies. During cold storage and shelf life, weight loss, leaf color, SPAD value, respiration rate, gas composition in package, soluble solids content (SSC), and visual quality were determined. In general, weight losses of the spinach samples were delayed by ozone treatments, especially in low doses. The best suppressing dose for respiration rate of minimally processed spinach was 0.5 ppm, among all treatments. Additionally, the 0.5 ppm ozone treatment preserved vivid green color and visual quality of the spinach leaves better than those treated with higher doses and sodium hypochlorite. Although 1 and 2 ppm ozone treatments retarded quality losses by suppressing the respiration rates of spinach, some undesirable results were obtained from these doses due to their higher oxidative properties. The 0.5 ppm, therefore, can be considered as limit dose for postharvest treatments in minimally processed spinach. These findings revealed that ozonated water with appropriate doses can be used instead of sodium hypochlorite for minimally processed spinach during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out over two years to determine the quality changes in fresh-cut apple slices processed after hot water, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and lovastatin treatments followed by controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Apples harvested at the optimum stage were immediately transferred to the postharvest laboratory by a refrigerated vehicle. Intact apples were exposed to three treatments: dipping into hot water (50 °C for 60 s), treating with lovastatin (1.25 mmol L-1), and treating with 1-MCP (1 L-1). Treated apples and the control group were stored in CA storage (2% O2 + 2% CO2) for 10 months. After long-term storage, the apples, sliced and packaged in plastic boxes, were stored at 0 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 14 days. Weight loss, soluble solid content, flesh firmness and color, titratable acidity, respiration rate, microbial count, and ethylene synthesis were determined during storage. As a result, a global beneficial effect of 1-MCP on sliced apples was observed, although its affirmative effect on ethylene synthesis and respiration rate vanished after 10 months of storage. 1-MCP-treated slices had better results in terms of microbial count, flesh firmness, external appearance, and weight loss compared to other applications. Lovastatin decreased the ethylene synthesis and respiration rate and was the best treatment to maintain the flavor of apple slices. Hot water and control treatments gave similar results for fruit quality and microbial activity. After long-term cold storage (10 months) in CA, fresh-cut apple slices could be stored for 7 days with good quality at 0 °C and 90 ± 5% RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing doses of carvacrol (C) and/or thymol (T) on the performance, rumen fermentation, and blood and carcass parameters of Merino sheep. Eighty-four 12-week-old male Merino lambs were randomly assigned to 7 treatment groups. The sheep were fed with the same concentrate mixtures including a control diet, carvacrol 100 mg/kg (C100), carvacrol 300 mg/kg (C300), thymol 100 mg/kg (T100), thymol 300 mg/kg (T300), carvacrol+thymol 100 mg/kg (C50+T50), and carvacrol+thymol 300 mg/kg (C150+T150). The C and/or T supplementation did not affect the feed conversion. The lambs fed with C and/or T diets had higher rumen pH, NH3-N, and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) compared to those in the control group. However, essential oil supplementation did not change the molar concentration of VFA. The serum urea and glucose in C and/or T groups were not found significant on days 0, 35, and 70 compared to the control group. Slaughter weights and other carcass parameters were similar between the groups. The effects of C and/or T supplementation on the rumen and production parameters showed limited effects when lambs were fed with the high concentrate diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pasta quality of durum wheat is one of the most important properties for the industry and consumers. Therefore, breeding for improved grain quality without yield penalties, using modern breeding methods, has been a primary objective in durum wheat breeding programs in recent years. In this study, 2 important gene regions that encode pasta-quality associated proteins (γ-gliadin 45 and LMW-2 glutenin) were transferred to a registered Turkish durum wheat variety, Sarıçanak-98, from a high-quality Canadian durum wheat cultivar, Kyle, through a marker-assisted backcross breeding method. Each of the F1 and backcross (BC) plants were backcrossed 4 times to the recurrent parent, and the backcrossed plants carrying the targeted gene regions in all generations were selected by markerassisted selection (MAS). DNA markers in combination with A-PAGE were used for tracking the introgression of the targeted gene regions. Transfer of Gli-B1 locus encoding γ-gliadin 45 and Glu-B3 locus encoding LMW-2 glutenin to the wheat variety Sarıçanak-98 led to a considerable increase in protein content and gluten quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat (Triticum durum) is primarily used for the production of high-quality pasta products because of its certain superior characteristics. Wheat landraces are locally adapted diverse populations evolved through natural selection and are invaluable genetic resources for breeding programs. The search for new genetic resources all around the world has been underway to develop high-quality durum wheats. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the pasta quality-associated characteristics of 12 durum wheat landraces (Bağacak, Beyaziye, İskenderiye, Sorgül, Karakılçık, Beyaz Buğday, Ağ Buğdayı, Bintepe, Havrani, Çalıbasan, Hacı Halil, and Akçakale) compared to 2 wellestablished high-quality durum wheat cultivars, Kyle and Zenit. Protein content and quality, pigment content, activities of oxidative enzymes (lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase), kernel size, and endosperm vitreousness were measured as the major quality parameters. The landraces had significant differences (P < 0.05) in their quality characteristics. Of the landraces, Akçakale, Havrani, and Çalıbasan were found to be quite promising for the processing of so-called al dente cooking pasta products, as judged by their elevated protein quantity and gluten quality. With respect to pigment content and oxidative enzymes that are central to the bright yellow color of pasta products, however, the landraces Havrani, Hacı Halil, and Sorgül were found to have great potential. In brief, several landraces have potential for high-quality pasta processing, while a few others can be used for breeding purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinca soneri Koyuncu sp. nova (Apocynaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from eastern Anatolia in Turkey. Diagnostic morphological characters of this new species from the related species V. herbacea Waldst. & Kit. are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of the present study was to estimate (co) variance components for birth weights of Karacabey Merino lambs. The model fitted included direct genetic, maternal genetic, and direct-maternal genetic covariance and maternal permanent environmental effects. Data and pedigree information of the Karacabey Merino sheep used in this study were collected at the Marmara Animal Breeding Research Institute from 1998 to 2002. Variance components for birth weights were estimated by the MTDFREML. A direct heritability estimate of 0.08 and a maternal heritability estimate of 0.05 were obtained for birth weight. The maternal permanent environmental effect was significant. The estimate of the direct-maternal genetic correlation was found high and negative. In conclusion, maternal effects on birth weight of Karacabey Merino lambs were significant and need to be considered in any selection program undertaken in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soaproot (Radix Gypsophilae) is an important herbal drug having medicinal and economic importance and has been collected from nature for more than 30 years. The main goal of this study was to determine soaproot yielding plant species in East Anatolia, and their potential in nature. Collected plants were determined by field studies; damage to the environment after collection was observed, and commerce, exportation, domestic utilisation of soaproot, and problems and proposed solutions were examined. Soaproot is presently obtained from a total of 7 plant species belonging to 2 genera in Turkey (6 Gypsophila L., 1 Ankyropetalum Fenzl): G. graminifolia Bark, G. arrostii Guss. var. nebulosa (Boiss. & Heldr.) Bark., G. eriocalyx Boiss., G. bicolor (Freyn & Sint.) Grossh., G. perfoliata L., G. venusta Fenzl, and Ankyropetalum gypsophiloides Fenzl. It is determined for the first time that G. graminifolia is also being collected as soaproot from Van province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out between 2001 and 2004 to determine the geophytic flora of Şanlıurfa, located within C6, C7, and C8 of the grid system in Turkey. In all, 789 plant specimens that consisted of 104 taxa belonging to 13 families and 30 genera were gathered from the investigation area. Of all the collected specimens, 19 taxa were new records for C6, C7, and C8, and 11 taxa were endemic to Turkey. Scilla mesopotamica Speta, which was first collected from Şanlıurfa-Halfeti in 1888 by Sintenis and was considered a missing species, was rediscovered after 116 years during this study. Colchicum crocifolium Boiss. was also determined as a new record for Turkey. According to floristic regions, Irano-Turanian elements ranked first among the specimens, accounting for 47.12%, followed by Mediterranean elements (25.00%) and Euro-Siberian elements (0.96%). Some of the identified species (26.92%) were widespread and of unknown phytogeographic origin. In addition, 86.54% of the collected taxa were determined to be monocotyledons and the remaining (13.46%) were dicotyledons. The families with the most taxa in the research area were Liliaceae (59) and Iridaceae (14). Concerning the number of species, the major genera in this region were as follows: Allium L. (17), Ornithogalum L. (10), Gagea Salisb. (9), Bellevalia Lapeyr. (6), and Iris L. (6). Moreover, of all collected taxa, 57.69% were bulbous, 21.15% were tuberous, 17.31% were cormous, and 3.85% were rhizomous. Concerning flowering time, 93.27% of the taxa bloomed in early-spring and spring, while 6.73% bloomed in autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]