The effect of infrared stabilized rice bran substitution on physicochemical and sensory properties of pan breads: Part I

Infrared stabilized rice bran (SRB) substitution to white wheat, wheat bran and whole grain wheat breads at the levels of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% was evaluated in terms of proximate composition, crumb color, dietary fiber, texture and sensory attributes. An increasing tendency was observed in crude fat and ash content of the breads. Redness (+a*), yellowness (+b*) chroma and redness (a*/b*) values were increased gradually with the addition of SRB. Crumb color was found to be darker when 10% of SRB was added to the breads. SRB inclusion did not affect the content of soluble dietary fiber while it significantly increased the insoluble and total dietary fiber contents of the breads (p < 0.05). In general, whole grain wheat bread differed from the other bread types in terms of textural behavior. Based on the overall acceptability scores, white wheat and wheat bran breads were sensory accepted up to 10% of flour replacement with rice bran, while substitution levels higher than 2.5% negatively affected the sensory scores of whole grain wheat bread.     

The prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptosporidium</Emphasis> species in diarrhoeic lambs in Kars province and potential risk factors

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in diarrhoeic lambs and investigate some risk factors in Kars province (Northeastern region of Anatolia) in Turkey. Four hundred faecal samples were taken from the rectums of clinically diarrhoeic and aged to 1-month-old lambs from 34 sheep farms in 20 villages in March-April 2007 and examined by using the modified acid-fast staining technique. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species was found as 38.8% (155/400). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 90.0% (18/20) of villages and in 76.5% (26/34) of the sheep farms. Infection rates were detected as: 44.4% (67/151) in 1-week-old lambs, 37.5% (39/104) in 2-week-old lambs, 40.0% (38/95) in 3-week-old lambs, and 22.0% (11/50) in 4-week-old lambs. Farms classified according to their zoohygienic conditions and fine, average and bad conditioned farms were contaminated with Cryptosporidium with the percentages of 14.7%, 20.6% and 41.2%, respectively. Clinical cryptosporidiosis was determined in 35.0% of the villages (7/20) and in 29.4% of the sheep farms (10/34), Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 81.3% of the lambs (91/112) in these farms. Cryptosporidiosis may be a major epidemiological significance in lambs in Kars province, and suggests that naturally infected lambs may be reservoirs of Cryptosporidiosis infections for calves even for humans too.     

Investigation of seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria equi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia caballi</Emphasis> in horses in Nigde province,Turkey

The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Nigde, in central Anatolia, Turkey has remained unknown. Serum samples were obtained from a total of 125 horses and were tested for antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Twenty-three (18.4%) horses were seropositive for equine piroplasmosis. Anti-T. equi was observed in 16 horses (12.8%) while anti-B. caballi was detected in 12 horses (9.6%). In addition, 5 serum samples were positive for both parasites. The prevalence rates of antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi for female and male horses were statistically indifferent (p = 0.19 and 0.90). The difference between the seropositivity rates to T. equi among age groups was statistically insignificant (p = 0.44) while the difference to B. caballi among age groups is statistically significant (p = 0.01). Seropositivity rates ranged from 2.9% to 25.7% for T. equi and 2.9% to 14.3% for B. caballi from the selected districts in Nigde. A statistically significant difference on seropositivity rates for the study sites was observed for only T.equi (p = 0.03). This study indicates that T. equi is higher than B. caballi in Nigde. This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Nigde University (FEB 2007/08).     

Prevalence of equine herpesvirus-1 and equine herpesvirus-4 infections in equidae species in Turkey as determined by ELISA and multiplex nested PCR

In this report we examined the presence of specific antibodies against equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) in several equidae, including mules, donkeys, horses. The presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in respiratory diseases of equids, and ability of multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening in simultaneous diagnosis of horses acutely infected by EHV-1 and EHV-4 were also investigated. Sera from 504 horses, mules and donkeys sampled were tested for the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 specific antibodies. Blood samples taken from 21 symptomatic horses and nasal swabs taken from 40 symptomatic horses were tested for the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 by a multiplex nested PCR. A total of 14.3% (3/21) of buffy coat samples and 32.5% (13/40) nasal swab samples were found to contain EHV-1 DNA, while 19% (4/21) buffy coat samples and 22.5% (9/40) nasal swab samples were found to be positive for EHV-4 DNA. By species, 14.5% of horses, 37.2% of mules and 24.2% of donkeys tested were EHV-1 seropositive. EHV-4 specific antibodies were detected in 237 (81.7%) of 290 horse sera tested. Results from this investigation demonstrate that EHV-1 and EHV-4 are prevalent throughout the equid population, and that donkeys and mules might also represent an important source of infection for other equids. We also showed that the multiplex nested PCR assay might be useful for diagnosis of mixed respiratory infections in horses due to EHV-1 and EHV-4.     

Settlement and growth of the mussels (Mytilusgalloprovincialis,Lamarck, 1819) on different collectors suspended from an offshore submerged longline system in the Black Sea

A study of spat settlement of a submerged longline mussel culture system was carried out in Sinop area, Black Sea, between May 2008 and May 2009. The effects of six different types of collectors on spat settlement and growth were investigated. Six different types of spat settlement rope were used as polypropylene ropes with 18 mm diameter, 18 mm diameter timeworn silk rope, 22 mm diameter rope made from old hawser (OSR), 22 mm diameter ropes made from old anchovy net without pegs, 18 mm diameter old used nylon ropes and 18 mm diameter tasselled polypropylene ropes. Monthly temperature, salinity, chlorophyll‐a, total suspended matter, inorganic matter and organic matter were determined during the experimental period. The best settlement was observed on the OSR type when measured per metre (3450.00 ± 125.83 ind m^?1). Consequently, the findings showed that settlement preference of spat occurred according to rope structure, and if ropes are designed to combine numerous well‐fixed tassels, spat settlement can increase. Spat growth was affected by environmental factors and rope structure. In addition, the study revealed a negative relationship between density and growth.