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Thirty-three honey samples were collected between 2017 and 2018 in Kastamonu Province, in order to characterise the palynological and physico-chemical properties of the honey produced in the western Black Sea region of Türkiye. Melissopalynological characteristics of the honey samples were determined based on the total pollen number in 10 g (TPN-10 g) along with the pollen taxa diversity. The physicochemical properties of the samples including humidity ratio, volatile organic compounds, total phenolic content, fructose/glucose ratio and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content were determined using a refractometer, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS), ultraviolet-visible spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Melissopalynological analysis revealed that the honey samples contain 49 taxa, of which 18 were determined at family level and 31 were determined at genus level. The most common taxon was Castanea sativa while the other important taxa were Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Eleven out of 33 honey samples were monofloral and the remaining 22 samples were multifloral. According to the TPN-10 g results of the honey samples, the total number of pollens in 10 g of Kastamonu honey was between 1051 and 325 108 pollen grains. The moisture ratio was obtained between 11.9 and 18.9% while the fructose + glucose values were between 35.84 and 84.1 g/100 g. HMF content varied between 0.38 and 21.31 ppm while the total phenolic content varied between 39.6 and 138.8 mg GAE/100 g. The GC–MS analysis revealed that the samples contain compounds belonging to the groups of aldehydes, aliphatic acid and its esters, alcohols, hydrocarbons, flavonoids, carboxylic acid and esters, ketones, and sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skinbag Tulum cheeses produced by traditional methods in the Karaman region of Turkey were selected as research material. The volatile fraction was determined during 180 days of ripening by SPME–GC–MS technique. In the meantime, sensory evaluation was performed on the 90th and 180th days of the ripening. According to the results of volatile component analysis, 12 carboxylic acids, 9 alcohols, 16 esters, 10 ketones, 2 aldehydes, 4 terpenes, and 3 hydrocarbons were detected. Among them, the dominant groups were carboxylic acid, esters, ketone, and alcohols, respectively. Octanoic and hexanoic acids have been found to be the most typical carboxylic acids in Tulum cheeses. The predominant esters were ethyl acetate and methyl decanoate. Some other notable volatile components were 2-butanone, isoamyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde. For all sensorial characteristics except odor, ripening time was statistically significant and the highest scores were obtained on the 90th day of the ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to contribute toward characterizing the general properties of the Onobrychis Miller (sainfoin) honey.We analyzed 21 samples of Onobrychis honeys, which were collected in 2013, from Northeast Anatolia according to their microscopic and physicochemical features (fructose/glucose (F/G) ratio, 5-(hydroxymethyl) furan-2-carbaldehyde (HMF) value, and volatile compounds). The relationships were examined between these variables with statistical methods such as principal component, regression, and correlation analyses. Statistical analyses revealed certain correlation patterns between several parameters. Onobrychis radiata (Desf.) M. Bieb., O. tournefortii (Willd.) Desv., O. oxyodonta Boiss. and Onobrychis spp. pollens were identified.TPN-10 ranged from 6532 to 481157 while the HMF values were between 0.1-7.5 mg/kg and F/G ratios were between 0.8-1.3. Alcohols, aldehydes, aliphatic acids and their esters, carboxylic acids and their esters, hydrocarbons, flavonoids, ketones, sugars and vitamins were identified in the honey samples within ranges of 0-11.95%, 0-16.76%, 0-24.72%, 0-1.86%, 0-14.71%, 2.74-7.09%, 0-27.02%, 5.12-51.39%, and 0-21.36%, respectively.Although it was not significant, a positive correlation between flavonoids and Onobrychis pollen number was calculated via correlation analysis. There was no meaningful correlation between Onobrychis pollen number and other parameters. Although a negative trend between flavonoids and sugars was observed, it was not significant. F/G ratio was found to be positively correlated with sugars, HMF, and TPN-10 of which the latter two parameters had significant values. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between TPN-10 and HMF was also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of hereditary tyrosinemia Type I (HTI) patients treated with 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1,3- cyclohexanedione (NTBC) to increase knowledge about the clinical outcome in these patients. We want to mention that the patients with HTI have heterogeneous clinic. Early diagnosis and early treatment important to prevent the complications. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with twenty nine patients with HTI and who had been followed up by Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition Unit between December 1996 and September 2017. Results: Eight patients were acute form, thirteen were subacute and eight patients were chronic form. Mean age onset of clinical symptoms was 3.7±1.6, 9±1.6 and 41±27 months in acute, subacute and chronic HTI patients, respectively. The mean interval from the first symptom the diagnosis was 12.2 months. Mean of follow-up was 82.2 months (minimum: 1 month-maximum: 203 months). Five patients of HTI diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and neurogenic crises were detected in four patients. Conclusion: NTBC treatment is effective and improves the prognosis of HTI. But early diagnosis and treatment leads to much better outcome. Adherence to the diet and treatment and follow-up schedule of the patients are vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Humic acid is a soil extract found widely around the world. This product includes some trace elements important for human's health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and histopathological changes associated with an experimental periodontitis model in rats in response to systemic administration of humic acid. Material and Methods Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: non-ligated ( NL, n = 6) group; ligature-only ( LO, n = 8) group; ligature + systemic administration of humic acid (20, 80 and 150 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 d respectively) (S-20, S-80 and S-150) groups. 4/0 silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of lower first molars of the mandibular quadrant. The animals were killed at the end of 15 d. Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured, using a stereomicroscope (× 25), as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest. Tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences of osteoclast numbers, osteoblastic activity and inflammatory cell infiltration among the study groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay interleukin ( IL)-1β and IL-10 levels in serum and gingival homogenates were evaluated. Results At the end of 15 d, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups ( p < 0.05). In addition, the alveolar bone loss in the S-80 group was significantly lower than the LO and S-20 groups ( p < 0.05). The osteoblastic activity in the S-80 and S-150 groups was significantly higher than the other groups ( p < 0.05). The osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups ( p < 0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly higher in LO and S-20 groups than the other groups ( p < 0.05). The highest serum and gingival homogenate IL-10 levels were determined in the S-80 group ( p < 0.05). The serum and gingival homogenate IL-1β levels in the LO group were significantly higher than the other groups ( p < 0.05). Both 80 and 150 mg/kg dosages of humic acid significantly reduced the periodontitis-related bone loss and inflammation, but the differences between these two groups were not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that humic acid, when administered systemically as an 80 mg/kg dose, may prevent alveolar bone loss and reduce inflammation in the rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritoneal contamination is considered to be risk for anastomosis. In our study, the effect of vitamin C and lipoic acid combination on anastomosis healing following colonic anastomosis performed in rats with experimentally-induced intraabdominal sepsis has been investigated. The rats in the control group were given only routine enteral feed in the preoperative and postoperative periods. The rats in the vitamin C group were given 100 mg/kg vitamin C IV/S.C, the rats in the lipoic acid group were given 50 mg/kg lipoic acid daily via the peroral route, and the rats in the vitamin C + lipoic acid group were given vitamin C and lipoic acid via the same routes beginning from the operation day. Perforation was induced in the sigmoid colon and intraabdominal sepsis was induced, and this perforation site was resected 24 hours later and an end-to-end colonic anastomosis was performed. The anastomosis site was taken out of the abdomen and the bursting pressure was measured. Biochemical analysis was performed for this site in order to analyze the prolidase enzyme, hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde thereafter. While the mean bursting pressures and hydroxyproline levels of the combination group were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of the other study groups (p<0,001), the prolidase and malondialdehyde levels of the combination group were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the other study groups. Use of antioxidants vitamin C and lipoic acid in combination provides better anatomosis healing and tension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenocarpus complicatus is distributed throughout the Anatolian peninsula and is widely used for human and animal nutrition. The purpose of this work was to study the antioxidant properties and fatty acid composition of different parts of this plant (fruits and mixed materials). The species was collected from Golyuzu village of the Seydisehir district near Konya province, Turkey. Fruit and mixed parts obtained from this species were ground and a 15g sample was used to prepare methanolic extracts. Powdered plant samples were extracted with 100mL methanol in a mechanical shaker. The obtained extracts were filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure and were subsequently stored at -20°C. Antioxidant components, namely total phenolic and flavonoid content, were detected for each extract using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by various assays including phosphomolybdenum, DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, metal chelating activity, and ferric and cupric ion reducing power. The fatty acid profiles of plant parts were also determined by using gas chromatography. The total phenolic content of fruit (36.21mgGAE/g) was higher than that of mixed materials (13.79mgGAE/g). The methanolic extract of mixed material had higher amounts of flavonoid than fruit extract. The free radical scavenging activity of extracts was expressed as IC50 value (µg/mL) (amount required to inhibit DPPH radical formation by 50%). The lower IC50 value reflects better free radical scavenging action. The radical scavenging activity of the samples was compared with BHT, it showed the mixed material to be almost two times more potent than the fruit extract. However, BHT is an excellent free radical scavenger with an IC50 of 34.061µg/mL. The ferric and cupric reducing power potentials of the extracts were expressed as EC50 value (the effective concentration at which the absorbance was 0.5). Fruit extract exhibited strong ferric reducing power with an EC50 of 871.25µg/mL. The metal chelating activity of the extracts increased with concentration. Chelating effect was 83.60% for fruit extract at 1mg/mL concentration. Oil content of fruit and mixed parts were detected as 6.71 and 6.14%, respectively. A total of 32 fatty acids were found in the oil. Essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acid) were identified as the most abundant fatty acids in the oil. These results demonstrated that this plant species can be considered as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Likewise, the oil obtained from the plant can be used as a source of essential fatty acids for food and pharmacological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidative stress is believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) on oleic acid (OA)-induced ALI in rats. Study Design: Animal experiment. Methods: A total of thirty-five rats were divided into five groups in the study. Group 1 served as a control group. Rats in Group 2 (α-LA) were administered α-LA intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight (BW). Rats in Group 3 (OA) were administered OA intravenously at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW. In Group 4 (pre-OA-α-LA), α-LA was given 15 minutes prior to OA infusion, and in Group 5 (post-OA-α-LA), α-LA was given two hours after OA infusion. Four hours after the OA infusion, rats were decapitated. Blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), and the levels of activity for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Lung tissue samples were taken for histopathological examination. Results: Exposure to OA resulted in increases in serum MDA levels (p<0.001), as well as histopathological lesions in lung tissue, and decreases in CAT (p<0.05), GSH-Px (p<0.05) activities and GSH (p<0.05) levels. On the other hand, MDA levels were decreased significantly (p<0.001), while CAT (p<0.05), GSH-Px (p<0.01) activities and GSH (p<0.05) levels were increased significantly in the pre-OA-α-LA group compared with the OA group. Conclusion: α-LA was found to lessen oxidative stress and to have positive effects on antioxidants in cases of OA-induced ALI. In conclusion, α-LA appears to have protective effects against ALI and potential for the prevention of ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatty acid composition was determined for 14 feeds commonly available in Turkey for marine fish species, particularly sea bream and sea bass (juvenile, adult, and broodstock). Nine of the juvenile and adult fish feeds and 1 of the broodstock fish feeds were imported. The other feeds were produced in Turkey. The n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) levels in the feeds of juvenile, adult, and broodstock fish were 2.5%-3.9%, 1.5%- 3.5%, and 2.1%-4.9% of the dry weight of diets, respectively. Similarly, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels of these feeds were 1.4%-2.3%, 0.5%-1.8%, and 1.2%-3.0% of the dry weight of diets, respectively, and the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels of the dry weight in the diets were 1.1%-1.5%, 1.0%-1.6%, and 0.8%-1.8%, respectively. In addition, the arachidonic acid (ArA) levels in the feeds of juvenile, adult, and broodstock fish were 0.5%-0.9%, 0.5%-0.8%, and 0.6%-0.9% of total fatty acids, respectively. The results showed that the DHA, EPA, or ArA levels and DHA/EPA ratios in the feeds of juvenile or adult sea bass and sea bream were sufficient for good growth and development. The broodstock feeds also had adequate levels of EPA, DHA, or ArA and ratios of ArA/EPA or DHA/EPA for normal reproductive performance of sea bass or sea bream broodstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some physical and chemical properties of four oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties (BDMY-6, BDMY-7, Che-Chois and Y-2330) harvested from Konya in Turkey were investigated. The weight of the grain, moisture, crude protein, crude ash, crude fibre, crude energy, crude oil and water-soluble extract contents of all oat variety grains were analysed. Contents of aluminium, calcium, cadmium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, lead, potassium and manganese were also determined in the oat grains. The specific gravity, refractive index, free fatty acids, peroxide value, saponification number and unsaponifiable matter were determined in the grain oil. Tocopherol contents of these four oat grain oils were measured. Palmitic acid (15.72%), oleic acid (33.97–51.26%) and linoleic acid (22.80–35.90%) were found to be rich in protein, oil, fibre, unsaturated fatty acids and minerals, suggesting that they may be valuable for food uses. Due to high nutritive values, it is recommended to process for healthy food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study related to fatty acid composition of cold press oils and seven edible plant seeds in Turkey. Seed oils from medicinal edible plants are common food ingredients and may contain significant levels of α-linolenic acid. Cold press oils are commercially available due to consumers' desire for natural and safe food products. Meanwhile, some chemicals like tocopherol and carotenoids may play a significant role in the oxidative stabilities of the cold press oils.

Kütahya city, a thermal power plant (TPPs) affected region of Turkey, has serious air quality problems like similar industrial regions of the world due to the emissions from three closely-located coal-fired TPPs, residential coal combustion along with the contribution of several industrial stacks. The organic chemical speciation of ambient size-segregated particulate matter (PM) was investigated during two seasons at two sites with different pollution characteristics (urban and rural). The ambient PM was collected using a high volume cascade impactor, with 6 stages: PM >10.2 , PM 10.2-4.2 , PM 4.2-2.1 , PM 2.1-1.3 , PM 1.3-0.69 and PM <0.69. Collected PM samples were extracted with organic solvents and the organic composition (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n-alkanes and carboxylic acids) was determined by GC-MS. Sources of the organic species were assessed using molecular PAH diagnostic ratios, carbon preference index and wax percentages. More than 70% of the PM-bound PAHs were quantified in submicron particles. Similarly, 34–42% of n-alkanes and approximately 30% of the carboxylic acids were found on the smallest particles. The main sources of the PM-bound organic species were considered as the anthropogenic emissions such as coal and biomass combustion and also vehicular emissions rather than the biogenic sources. Considerably high cancer risk levels were obtained through inhalation of PAHs. Seasonal variations and size distributions of the carboxylic acids and levoglucosan were also evaluated. Polar organic compound concentrations were higher in the summer period at both locations probably due to the higher sunlight intensity and temperature favoring their photochemical formation. Image 1 • Organic speciation of aerosol samples was inspected at a highly polluted city. • Coal and biomass combustion resulted elevated concentrations in winter. • Cancer risk due to PAH exposure was significant beyond the study population. • Biomass combustion was also contributed to fine aerosol in summer period. Organic composition of size-segregated PM was investigated around a thermal power plant affected region. Predominance of combustion sources on organic aerosol explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkish folk medicine, leaves of Sorbus domestica are used for the treatment of burns, cough, stomachache, bradyuria, kidney stone. The fruits of this plant are used for diarrhoea. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of S. domestica on ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid in rats. The crude methanolic extract of fruits was sequentially fractionated into five subextracts; dichloromethane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, n -butanol and aqueous extracts. Effects of the extract, subextracts and fractions were investigated in acetic acid–induced rat colitis model. The colonic interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), nitrite, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as the caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured to determine the activity. Histopathological analyzes were also performed on the colon tissue of rats. The methanolic extract and diethylether subextract have led to a noteworthy decrease in MPO, caspase-3, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and nitrite levels in the colon tissue and blood. In addition, histopathological analysis results were supported by biochemical parameters. After confirmation of the activity against ulcerative colitis, the diethyl ether subextract was subjected to more chromatographic separation for the isolation of compounds 1, 2 and 3. The structures of these three compounds were elucidated as vanillic acid 4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), protocateuic acid anhydrite (2) and trivanilloyl-(1,3,4-trihydroxybenzol) ester (3). In this study, the potential of S. domestica in the treatment of colitis was investigated. Fruits of this plant were found to have important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Through isolation techniques, vanillic acid 4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, protocateuic acid anhydrite and trivanilloyl-(1,3,4-trihydroxybenzol) ester were determined as the main active components of the fruits. Consequently, S domestica might be a promising candidate for upcoming use the prevention and treatment of various disorders, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and Clostridium difficile infection. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study oil yields and fatty acid compositions in the kernels of two varieties (Uzun and Siirt) of pistachio grown in different region of Turkey were investigated. Kernel oils were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether. The yields were found to be 57.1-58.9% and 56.1-62.6 respectively for the Uzun and Siirt varieties, on a moisture-free basis. Fatty acid composition of oils were analysed by GC/MS in the methyl ester form. Fourteen fatty acid components representing about 99% of the total oils were characterised. Oleic acid (55.4-62.6% and 60.7-65.5%, respectively) was the main fatty acid component in both varieties. Pentadecanoic acid, (Z)-7-hexadecenoic acid, margaric acid, Z-7-octadecenoic acid, arachidic acid, 11-eicosenoic acid, and behenic acid were detected in both varieties for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the fatty acid composition of Zygophyllum fabago seeds. In order to find new sources of EFAs, researchers have investigated about one hundred oils from plant seeds in previous studies. Therefore, they aimed to determine the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of Z. fabago in this study. Mature plant seeds were collected from the vicinity of Ankara, Turkey in the natural habitats of the plants in September 2002. The plants were identified by M. Vural. A voucher specimen (GUE 2312) was kept in the Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University (GUE), Ankara, Turkey.