Enzymatic extraction of beta-glucan from oat bran cereals and oat crackers and optimization of viscosity measurement

The viscosity of the soluble fibre, β-glucan, has been shown to influence its ability to lower serum cholesterol and postprandial blood glucose levels. The impact of various amylases, proteases and lipase on the solubility and resulting viscosity of β-glucan extracted from oat bran cereals with a range of β-glucan concentrations and molecular weights was investigated. Addition of enzymes increased the final viscosity of high molecular weight β-glucan in cereals by facilitating the release of β-glucan from the food matrix. For cereals with partially depolymerized β-glucan, the addition of digestive enzymes decreased the final viscosity by eliminating the contribution of starch and protein to viscosity. Final viscosity varied depending on enzyme combinations including pancreatin, salivary and microbial α-amylases, microbial protease, porcine protease, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Addition of lipase did not significantly affect viscosity or solubility of β-glucan extracted from oat crackers. Addition of lichenase showed that β-glucan was the major contributor of viscosity to the system, with negligible interference from other components. The viscosity of the optimized protocol was compared to physiological results previously obtained. The viscosity of β-glucan extracted with pancreatin plus microbial α-amylase (pH 6.9) was predictive of LDL-cholesterol reduction (R² = 0.847) and glycemic response (R² = 0.883).     

Effect of Oyster Mushroom,Pleurotus ostreatus,Extract on Hemato‐Immunological Parameters of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The current study investigated the effects of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, extract on immunological and hematological parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The fish were fed diets containing 0 (control), 1, and 2% supplementation of the oyster mushroom extract for 6 wk. Blood samples were collected weekly for the first 6 weeks. After 6 wk of feeding, the fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and mortality was recorded. The results of this study showed that feeding rainbow trout an oyster mushroom extract–supplemented diet stimulated phagocytic activity of phagocytic cells, lysozyme activity, and myeloperoxidase activity in serum, but it did not significantly affect the total serum immunoglobulin level. At the same time, a significant increase was found in the number of neutrophils, monocytes, and total white blood cells. Fish fed the diet supplemented with oyster mushroom extract showed reduced mortalities following L. garvieae infection compared with controls. These results show that supplementation of fish diets with oyster mushroom extract at 1 and 2% concentrations significantly imrpoves hematological parameters and modulates the immune response against L. garvieae in rainbow trout.     

Pharmacokinetics of ascorbic acid in horses

The pharmacokinetics of ascorbic acid were studied in 29 horses after intravenous (iv), subcutaneous, intramuscular (im) and oral administration. Following iv injection of 5 and 10 g ascorbic acid, respectively, a biphasic decline of ascorbic acid serum levels was found, indicating that the vitamin distributes in the body according to a two-compartment open model. The apparent volume of distribution (average value for V_d(ss)= 0.6 litre/kg) was approximately equivalent to the volume of total body water. The terminal half-life of the biexponential serum level-time curve (t_1/2β) varied between 5 and 17 h. Both distribution and elimination were found to be positively correlated with the iv dose administered. Following subcutaneous and im injection, the average bioavailability of ascorbic acid amounted to 82 and 61 per cent, respectively. However, both routes of administration gave rise to marked local irritation. Following oral administration, the systemic availability of ascorbic acid was very poor. Serum levels in most experiments were not increased above the endogenous pre-administration values of the vitamin. Thus, in horses iv injection appears to be the only satisfactory route of administration of ascorbic acid if supplementation is required.     

New records of endoparasitoidBassus fabricius, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae) species from Turkey

SixBassus species were recorded for the first time in Turkey:B. calculator (Fabricius, 1798),B. cingulipes (Nees, 1814),B. conspicuus (Wesmael, 1837),B. graecus Achterberg, 1992,B. rugulosus (Needs, 1834) andB. zaykovi (Nixon, 1986). By adding these new records, the number ofBassus species in Turkey has been raısed from seven to 13. Distribution and known hosts are given.     

Effects of varying nitrogen doses on yield,yield components and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is an aromatic-antibacterial herb that destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding, and of which the secondary compound of interest is artemisinin. The objective of the present study was to determine yield, yield components and artemisinin content of A. annua L. grown under four nitrogen applications (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹) in the Çukurova region of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. Field trials were conducted at Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty Field Crops Department. In the study, plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content and artemisinin content (by high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) were examined. By analysis of variance, nitrogen doses had no any statistical effect on the traits investigated except for artemisinin content. Artemisinin content of the dried leaves were significantly affected by nitrogen applications, which varied from 6.32 to 27.50 mg 100 g⁻¹. Contents were from 120 and 80 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen for the years of 2004 and 2005, respectively.     

Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an von Vorratsschädlingen angegriffenen Verpackungsfolien aus synthetischen Kunststoffen und abgewandelten Naturstoffen

Packaging foils made of cellulose actetate, cellophane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, attacked byRhizopertha dominica F.,Stegobium paniceum L.,Tribolium castaneum Hbst. and larvae ofPlodia interpunctella Hbn. were examined with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Because of the destruction marks made by the insects, it is possible to determine with the SEM the side of packaging material which has been attacked by the pests. Due to the shape and position of the mouthparts of the insects the gnawing marks are rather typical for the different species. By means of a standard of comparison it might be possible to determine the family and perhaps the genus or species of the insects involved. The influence of shape and size of the mouthparts as well as the position of the mandibles in relation to the anatomy and to the axis of the body on the gnawing ability of stored-product pests is discussed. The reasons for the insect resistance of packaging materials are discussed (smoothness of the surface, rigidity, thickness).     

Effect of temperature and compression on the mechanical behavior of steam-treated wood

The mechanical behavior of steamed spruce wood changes dramatically with compression along the grain, the change being much more moderate perpendicular to the grain. The stiffness decrement due to increased temperature is greatest in the tangential material direction. The stiffness decrement due to compression is greatest along the grain. Compression to 80% compressive strain at 131°C inverts the order of the material directions regarding stiffness, the stiffness being the least along the grain. Plastic strain due to compression is greater at higher temperatures. The compression-induced decrement of stiffness along the grain is greater at higher temperatures, but the off-axis decrement of stiffness is less at higher temperatures.     

Genotype,production system and sex effects on fatty acid composition of meat from goat kids

Two trials were performed to assess the meat fatty acid profile of goat kids from different genotypes, production systems and sex. In the first trial, genotype effect was determined in 24 suckling male kids from Turkish Saanen, Maltese and Gokceada breeds. In the second trial, male and female Gokceada Goat kids were used to compare the effect of extensive and semi‐intensive production systems on fatty acid composition of meat. Significant genotype effect was observed in the percentages of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1 n‐9), linolenic acid (C18:3 n‐3), arachidonic acid (C20:4 n‐6) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n‐3), despite no differences on the ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) and n‐6/n‐3 (P > 0.05). The effect of production system had also significant effects on fatty acids, but sex only influenced significantly stearic acid (C18:0), C18:1 n‐9 and C18:3 n‐3 fatty acids and total PUFA level and PUFA/SFA ratio. This study confirms that dairy breeds are prone to produce higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids in their muscle. Meanwhile, meat from Gokceada goat kids, which is one of the indigenous breeds in Turkey, had similar PUFA/SFA and n‐6/n‐3 ratios to Turkish Saanen and Maltase.     

The potential drivers in forming avian biodiversity hotspots in the East Himalaya Mountains of Southwest China

Little has been published to describe or interpret Asian biodiversity hotspots, including those in the East Himalayan Mountains of Southwest China (HMSC), thus making necessary a review of the current knowledge. The Pliocene and Pleistocene geological and glacial histories of the Asian continent differ from those of Europe and North America, suggesting different mechanisms of speciation and extinction, and, thus, different responses to climate changes during the Quaternary glaciations. This short review summarizes potential drivers in shaping and maintaining high species richness and endemism of birds in the HMSC. The geographical location at the junction of different biogeographical realms, the wide range of habitats and climates along the extensive elevational range, the complex topography and the distinct geological history of this region have probably contributed to the evolution of an exceptionally species‐rich and endemic‐rich, specialized montane avian fauna. The Mountain systems in the HMSC may have provided refugia where species survived during the glacial periods and barriers for preventing species dispersal after the glacial periods. More studies are required to further test this refugia hypothesis by comparing more cold‐tolerent and warm‐tolerent species.     

Macroscopic Anatomy of the Lower Respiratory System in Mole rats (Spalax leucodon)

The morphologic and morphometric features of the lower respiratory system in mole rats were examined. It was seen that the low respiratory system of this species leading a special life under highly hypoxic/hypercapnic conditions underground is structurally similar to other mammals living on land in terms of the parts examined; trachea was formed by 29.5 ± 4 oval‐formed cartilaginous tracheals arranged backwards and became gradually more stenotic diameter from cranial to the caudal of the neck. The trachea was separated in two principal bronchus at the fourth thoracal intercostal spatium level. The angle between the two main principal bronchi was 60.5 ± 2.35°. The lung constituted 1.29 ± 0.03% of the body weight and the right lung was heavier than the left lung. Fissura inter‐lobaris was deep and separated the lung lobes wholly, and the right lung was separated in four lobes, whereas the left lung was not separated into the lobes. Also, the medial lobe of the left lung was the lightest lobe.