Influences of gamma-irradiation and storage on the carotenoids of sun-dried and dehydrated paprika

The effects of drying methods, gamma-irradiation, and storage on the carotenoids (capsanthin, capsorubin, zeaxanthin, capsolutein, violaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) of paprika were investigated. Sun-dried and dehydrated paprika samples were irradiated in a (60)Co gamma-irradiator at five doses (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 kGy) in polyethylene bags and stored for 10 months at ambient temperature. Individual carotenoid analyses were carried out on the paprika and fresh red pepper during a 2 month period using the reverse phase HPLC technique. The concentrations of capsanthin and capsorubin, which are responsible for the attractive red color of sun-dried paprika, were higher than those of dehydrated paprika. Higher irradiation doses and a longer storage period resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of all the carotenoids, except capsorubin. There was no significant (P < 0.05) effect of irradiation dose on capsorubin destruction. The decrease of red carotenoids, for all irradiation treatments, was less than that of the storage period. Even the highest irradiation dose, 10 kGy, caused a 11.1% capsanthin reduction; however, 10 months of storage at the ambient temperature caused a 42.1% reduction of capsanthin. Yellow pigments of paprika (zeaxanthin, capsolutein, violaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased by all treatments. These yellow pigments were also found to be at high levels in those sun-dried samples with red pigments. This difference could be caused by the contribution of pigment biosynthesis during the sun-drying period. The most significant pigment reduction was realized in the processing and storage conditions of paprika, rather than in the irradiation process.     

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in relation to fertility in heifers

In this study, blood serum and leukocyte samples were collected from 400 Holstein heifers, all of which appeared to be healthy. Antibodies (Ab) against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were detected in 57 serum samples, and BVDV antigen (Ag) was detected in 38 leukocyte samples. There were statistically important differences between the average first insemination ages (FIT) of the BVDV (Ag-/Ab+) heifers (p<0.0001) (pregnant p<0.05, nonpregnant p<0.0001) and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers. The average conception rates (CR) of BVDV (Ag-/Ab+) heifers and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers were not significant statistically. There were statistically important differences in average FIT between persistent infected (PI) BVDV (Ag+/Ab-) heifers (p<0.0001; PI pregnant p<0.05, PI nonpregnant p<0.0001) and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers. No significant differences in average CR between PI BVDV (Ag+/Ab-) heifers and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers were found. The differences in average FIT between BVDV (Ag+/Ab+; p<0.0001; nonpregnant p<0.0001) and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers were important statistically. Although there were no BVDV (Ag+/Ab+) pregnant heifers, the differences in average CR between BVDV (Ag+/Ab+) pregnant heifers and BVDV (Ag-/Ab-) heifers were found to be statistically important (p<0.0001). We conclude that fertility is affected in heifers with BVDV (Ag-/Ab+, Ag+/Ab- and Ag+/Ab+).     

Wheat stem sawfly (Cephus pygmaeus L.) damage; impacts on grain yield, quality and marketing prices in Anatolia

This study aimed to draw the attention of the all stake holders attention to an underestimated insect pest of wheat in Southeastern Anatolia. The field studies were carried out in the experimental field of GAP Training, Extension and Research Center in Koruklu in 2003–2004 cropping season.

It was found that the number of sawfly damaged spikes varied between 6 and 12% in durum wheat and 8 and 12% in bread wheat. Comparing healthy grains, grain weight spike⁻¹ decreased significantly, giving 0.430 g less kernel weight in durum wheat and 0.385 g in bread wheat. Some of the grain quality characteristics of both sawfly damaged and healthy spikes were tested and it was found that protein content (%) in durum wheat, and 1000 kernel weight in bread wheat were reduced significantly, whilst, the SDS sedimentation value in bread wheat increased significantly for sawfly damaged grains. Grain yield losses by sawfly infestation were found to be 2.23% in durum wheat and 3.32% in bread wheat. Marketing price studies showed that sawfly damage reduced it significantly, resulting in $ 0.016 kg⁻¹ less price in bread wheat. But this was not serious for durum wheat.

It was concluded that income loss, depending on grain yield loss, un-harvestable broken spikes and lower marketing price of sawfly damaged grains, could be no less than $ 68.8 ha⁻¹ in durum wheat and $ 68.6 ha⁻¹ for bread wheat. Therefore, some control methods are required for sawfly infestation, where damage is already over the economic threshold (10–15% stem cut by pest) especially in bread wheat.     

Acute toxicity and histopathological effects of sublethal fenitrothion on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Organophosphothionate insecticide fenitrothion is known as potential toxic pollutant contaminating aquatic ecosystems. The effects of fenitrothion were studied to determine the 96 h LC₅₀ value on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and investigate histopathological responses of fish exposed to sublethal fenitrothion concentrations. Data obtained from the fenitrothion acute toxicity tests were evaluated using the Probit Analysis Statistical Method. The 96 h LC₅₀ value and 95% confidence limit for Nile tilapia (58.70 ± 6.97 g) was estimated as 0.84 (0.68-1.15) mg/L. Behavioral changes were observed closely during the acute toxicity test. The bioassay experiments were repeated three times and static test method was used. Some fish exposed to 96 h 0.1, 0.5 mg/L fenitrothion concentrations showed histopathological alterations in the gills, liver, kidney, brain and testes. Severely deformations were observed at 0.5 mg/L fenitrothion on the gills lamella such as hyperemia, epithelial hyperplasia, fusion and telangiectasis, in the liver tissue such as cloudy swelling, hydropic degenerations and lipid infiltration. In addition hyperemia and hemorrhage observed in kidney tissue and hyperemia was determined in brain tissue.     

Laboratory and field evaluations of some botanical pesticides against the cedar leaf moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acleris undulana</Emphasis>

The cedar leaf moth (CLM), Acleris undulana Walsingham, has recently become an important pest in the cedar forests in southwestern Turkey. Control has focussed on the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, with little research having been conducted on alternative control methods. In this study, four botanical pesticides (two commercial neem products, Neemazal-T/S^® and Greeneem^® oil, and two hot water plant extracts, Origanum onites L. and Pimpinella anisum L.) were evaluated for their effects against young (first–second) and older (third–fifth) instar larvae of CLM under laboratory and field conditions. The results of larval dip bioassay in the laboratory showed that all the botanical pesticides tested had significant larvicidal activity against both young and older instars of CLM compared to the water-treated control. Of the botanical pesticides tested, Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, causing mortalities ranging from 84 to 100%, the least effective was the P. anisum extract, but at high concentrations this extract still caused significant mortality. Results from field trials also revealed that the botanical pesticides had larvicidal activity against CLM. Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, followed by Greeneem oil then by O. onites and finally by P. anisum. Our overall results suggest that all the botanical pesticides tested are promising as larvicides against CLM, and may provide an alternative control method that is more compatible with Integrated Pest Management programs than the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.     

Histopathological and biochemical findings of congenital copper deficiency: are these similar to those of caprine arthritis-encephalitis?

This study was done after identifying animals with a twisted carpal joint in goat herd. These included a kid goat walking on its articulus carpii and a newborn goat with a stiff leg. Necropsies of the diseased goats revealed swollen carpal joints that were twisted backwards. Arthritis was observed during microscopic examination of the carpal joints. Very low levels of eosinophil, leucocyte, and lymphocyte cell infiltration were found in the central nervous system and meninges. Serum copper levels were significantly decreased in most of the animals. All of these results led us to diagnose the animals with swayback disease.     

The effect of short-term fasting on performance traits and rectal temperature of broilers during the summer season

1. The present study was conducted to determine if detrimental effects of high temperature on broiler performance could be overcome by short-term fasting and to examine the effect of food withdrawal on the responses of two commercial strains (S1 and S2). 2. An experimental design was used with three feeding groups and two strains. Birds in the control (C) group were fed ad libitum during the experimental period (0 to 6 weeks), while feed was withdrawn in the other groups between 10:00 and 16:00 h during weeks 5 and 6 (F1) or week 6 (F2), respectively. After standard brooding for the first 3 weeks temperature and humidity varied according to outside climate between 4 and 6 weeks of age. 3. Feeding strategy significantly affected body weight at week 6 (BW6) and daily weight gain during week 6 (DWG5-6). F2 gave the best results in BW6 and DWG5-6. Strain effect was significant on DWG4-5 and DWG5-6; S1 had higher DWG4-5 and S2 gained more at the last stage. S1C broilers had greater BW6 than S2C but the S2 strain gave a better response to short-term fasting compared with S1 and this resulted in significant strain by feeding interaction effect on BW6 and DWG5-6. 4. It was shown that short-term fasting was an effective method for controlling rectal temperature (RT) of broilers at 5 and 6 weeks of age. 5. Total food consumption (FCO-6), food conversion ratio (FCRO-6), mortality, and carcase characteristics were not affected by short-term fasting in the experimental conditions. 6. In conclusion, it can be recommended that broiler producers may practise 6 h of fasting during the hot period of the day without any adverse effect on slaughter weight and FCR when the birds are close to the average slaughter weight and a heat wave is expected. Strain differences in RT measurements also indicate the importance of choosing strains to be used in hot and warm climate conditions with attention to the thermoregulation ability of broilers.     

Contact and ingestion toxicities of plant extracts to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thaumetopoea solitaria</Emphasis> Frey. (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae)

Thaumetopoea solitaria is a serious pest of pistachio throughout the Mediterranean and the surrounding region. In this study, contact and ingestion toxicities of Bifora radians, Fumaria officinalis, Humulus lupulus and Rhododendron ponticum extracts against T. solitaria larvae were examined under laboratory conditions. Dimethoate was used as a positive control. In the contact toxicity bioassays B. radians extract was the most toxic, causing 32% mortality. In the ingestion toxicity bioassays H. lupulus extract was the most active, causing 83% mortality after 48 h. This shows that H. lupulus is acting as a stomach poison. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values for H. lupulus ingestion toxicity bioassays were 1.7 and 8.7%, respectively. The LT₅₀ value was 29.3 h. Since H. lupulus extract caused >50% mortality even 6 days after application, its long lasting residual effect promises fewer applications. These results imply that H. lupulus has potential for use as a crop protectant against T. solitaria.     

Comparison of the Salt Stress Tolerance of Promising Turkish Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) Lines and Interspecific Hybrids

The objective of this study was to evaluate several selected Cucurbita genotypes for their salt resistance in a rootstock breeding program for grafted watermelon seedling production. Specifically, changes in the relative water content (RWC), leaf area (LA), total chlorophyll content (TCC) and proline concentration (PC) of a commercial cultivar (G32 code), two promising winter squash (G12 and G13 of Cucurbita maxima Duch.) lines, six pumpkin (G3, G27, G28, G29, G30 and G31 of Cucurbita moschata Duch.) lines, and four C. maxima?×?C. mochata hybrids (G14, G15, G40 and G42), were investigated with a control treatment and four levels of salt stress (4, 8, 12 and 16?dS/m). In this study, Cucurbita cultivars which showed significant differences according to RWC, LA, TCC and PC at least significant difference (LSD) tests (P?<?0.05) and had salinity sensitivity index (SSI) value lower than 20%, were assessed as salt tolerant genotypes. The salt tolerant genotypes were grouped with principal component analysis (PCA) in each salt level. At the end of the study, all genotypes for all characteristics were generally tolerant at 4?dS/m salinity level. The G3, G12, G13, G14, G29 and G42 genotypes were resistant at 8?dS/m salinity, while the G15, G31, G32 and G40 were the most resistant genotypes at 12 and 16?dS/m. In conclusion, the selection of more salt resistant cultivars in rootstock breeding programs should be a priority to maintain growth performance in saline environments.