Ground red peppers: capsaicinoids content,Scoville scores,and discrimination by an electronic nose

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and total capsaicinoids levels of different ground red pepper samples obtained from local retail markets in Izmir, Turkey. Scoville scores were determined using sensory tests. An electronic nose (EN) was used to discriminate ground red pepper samples by headspace volatiles. EN data were analyzed using discriminant function analysis (DFA). An overall correct classification rate of pepper varieties by EN of 91% was obtained. A linear correlation between capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and total capsaicinoids and Scoville scores was also observed, and R (2) values of 0.89, 0.85, and 0.91 were obtained, respectively.     

Production of human milk fat analogue containing docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids

Human milk fat (HMF) analogue containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) at sn-1,3 positions and palmitic acid (PA) at sn-2 position was produced. Novozym 435 lipase was used to produce palmitic acid-enriched hazelnut oil (EHO). EHO was then used to produce the final structured lipid (SL) through interesterification reactions using Lipozyme RM IM. Reaction variables for 3 h reactions were temperature, substrate mole ratio, and ARASCO/DHASCO (A:D) ratio. After statistical analysis of DHA, ARA, total PA, and PA content at sn-2 position, a large-scale production was performed at 60 °C, 3:2 A:D ratio, and 1:0.1 substrate mole ratio. For the SL, those results were determined as 57.3 ± 0.4%, 2.7 ± 0.0%, 2.4 ± 0.1%, and 66.1 ± 2.2%, respectively. Tocopherol contents were 84, 19, 85, and 23 μg/g oil for α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol. Melting range of SL was narrower than that of EHO. Oxidative stability index (OSI) value of SL (0.80 h) was similar to that of EHO (0.88 h). This SL can be used in infant formulas to provide the benefits of ARA and DHA.     

A field study on the influence of soil ph on trace element levels in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and carrots (Daucus carota)

Soil pH is one of the main factors influencing the solubility and availability of trace elements in arable soils. Thus pH can affect the trace element contents of agricultural crops and thereby indirectly influence human health. The aim of this study was to determine Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Al and Se contents in spring wheat, potatoes and carrots (Cd, Ni and Zn) and estimate their correlations with certain soil factors (surface and subsurface soil pH and organic matter content) governing the plant availability of these elements. Commercial fields were sampled in Sweden in order to cover a wide range of soil types with respect to pH, soil texture and organic matter content. Concentrations of Zn, Mn, Ni (grain) and Cd (straw) in spring wheat (n=43); Cd, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu and Al in potatoes (n=69); and Cd, Ni and Zn in carrots (n=36) showed significant negative correlations with surface soil pH (0–25 cm). The Se content of potatoes and Cr content of spring wheat straw were positively correlated with soil pH. Stepwise multiple regressions including a combination of soil pHs (0–25 and 25–50 cm) and organic matter contents (0–25 cm) showed that the organic matter content as well as the surface and subsurface soil pH significantly influenced concentrations of several trace elements in one or more of the studied crops. It was concluded that, if acid deposition together with other acidifying processes (fertilisation, harvest of biomass, etc.) are not balanced by a sufficient amount of liming there might be a decrease in the pH of arable soils, which, in turn will lead to decreased levels of Se in edible crops but an overall increase concentrations of other trace elements.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Triticum L. and Aegilops L. species as genome progenitors of bread wheat based on sequence diversity in trnT-F region of chloroplast DNA

Cultivated wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.), is one of the most important food crops in the world. The Aegilops L. genus is frequently utilized by plant breeders for improving the current wheat cultivars due to their close relationships. Therefore, understanding the phylogenetic relationships among the species of these genera is not only valuable for plant taxonomy, but also for plant breeding efforts. The presented phylogenetic analysis was based on the sequences of trnT-F chloroplast DNA containing three non-coding sub-regions. Twelve genotypes belonging to four species of Triticum L. genus and twenty-four genotypes belonging to eight species of Aegilops genus were used in the current study. The results postulated a close genetic relationship between diploid Aegilops species containing the BB genome and polyploid Triticum species. With the exception of Aegilops cylindrica Host (CCDD), all other Aegilops species having the CC genome were alienated from Aegilops speltoides Tausch (BB) and clustered together. These two clusters joined by a third cluster including the AA genome containing diploid Triticum species.     

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Centaurea aladagensis

Composition of the water-distilled oil of the aerial parts of Centaurea aladagensis, endemic in Turkey, was analysed by GC-MS. Hexadecanoic acid (39.3%), caryophyllene oxide (6.6%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (4.3%) were found as main constituents in the oil. The oil was tested against 7 human pathogenic microorganisms.     

Laboratory Measurement of Mowing Machine Material Feed Rate

The main objective of this research was to evaluate two possibilities of material feed rate measurement of modern mowing machines equipped with conditioner. The machines are commonly used for harvest of grasses (Lolium multiflorum, Dactylus glomerata, Phleum pratense, etc.), clover (Trifolium pratense, etc.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) etc.A mowing machine with finger conditioner was equipped with an electronic measuring unit for the purpose of our measurements. The mowing machine's conditioner shaft was supplied with strain gauges placed on a torque-meter and with a RPM optical sensor counter. Together with torque-meter the mowing machine was equipped with a curved impact plate mounted on the machine's material output.It was decided to arrange a laboratory measurement to obtain information about the dependence of conditioner power input and signals from the impact plate on material mass flow. A mixture of grass and alfalfa was used for our measurement.The measurements carried out proved that a very good linear relationship existed between the conditioner's power input, output frequency of the apparatus measuring impact force by means of the impact plate, and material feed rate through the mowing machine. The calculated coefficients of correlation were about 0.95. It is possible to differentiate a material feed rate difference of 0.5kgs^–1 using both methods. This accuracy should be sufficient for practical utilisation such as creating yield maps.     

Note:Syringopais temperatella Lederer, 1855 and its parasitoids in wheat and barley fields in the southeast Anatolian region of Turkey

Larvae of the cereal leaf minerSyringopais temperatella Led. (Lep.: Scythridae) collected from wheat and barley fields in the southeast Anatolian region of Turkey during 2005–2006, and their parasitization rates, were determined in the laboratory,Bracon (Habrobracon) stabilis Wesmael andApanteles sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were identified as its parasitoids for the first time.     

Lead Isotopic and Metallic Pollution Record in Tree Rings from the Copperbelt Mining�CSmelting Area, Zambia

The composition of tree rings and soils was studied at several locations affected by smelting and transportation in the vicinity of Kitwe (Copperbelt, Zambia). The contents of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) and the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotope ratios in the tree rings were interpreted in relation to potential sources of contamination such as smelter production, acidification of the environment, soil composition, raw material processing, and atmospheric suspended particulate matter (SPM). The highest Co contents in the tree rings correspond to maximum ore production in the mid-1970s. Acidification through SO₂ emissions is documented in the increased Mn contents from the mid-1980s. The isotopic composition of the tree rings of the studied tree species varies in the interval 1.16?C1.34 and the youngest parts of all the studied trees exhibit a low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio (<1.17). The soil isotope composition varies in the range ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb?=?1.18?C1.35. The Pb isotope composition in the soils and tree rings was formed by a combination of lithogenic Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb????1.3), Pb in processed ores (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb????1.2), and SPM (automobile) Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb??1.1). As the soils in the distant region have high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios (>1.3) in the whole profile and simultaneously the youngest parts of the tree rings of tree species growing in this soil have a low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio (<1.17), it can be assumed that the Pb in the youngest parts of the tree species is derived from absorption of SPM Pb through the bark rather than root uptake. The absence of Pb with a low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio in soils in the distant area is probably affected by fires in the herbaceous and bush undergrowth and plant litter, which prevents Pb from biomass from entering the soil and mobilize it back into the atmosphere.