Antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and nutritional quality of different strawberry genotypes

Strawberry contains high levels of micronutrients and phytochemical compounds. These exhibit functional roles in plant growth and metabolism and are also essential for the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the fruit. The aim of the present work was to better characterize the phytochemical and antioxidant profiles of the fruit of nine different genotypes of strawberry, by measuring the total flavonoid, anthocyanin, vitamin C, and folate contents. Cultivar effects on the total antioxidant capacities of strawberries were also tested. In addition, the individual contribution of the main antioxidant compounds was assessed by HPLC separation coupled to an online postcolumn antioxidant detection system. This study showed the important role played by the genetic background on the chemical and antioxidant profiles of strawberry fruits. Significant differences were found between genotypes for the total antioxidant capacity and for all tested classes of compounds. The HPLC analyses confirmed qualitative and quantitative variability in the antioxidant profiles. These studies show that differences exist among cultivars, applicable in dietary studies in human subjects.     

The effects of seasonal,sex and size on the digestive enzyme activities in freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823)

The effects of seasonal, sex and size on digestive enzyme activities of Astacus leptodactylus in natural habitat were investigated in the present study. The freshwater crayfish were sampled 584 individual as seasonally from Egirdir Lake. Ten male and 10 female individuals were sampled randomly from caught crayfish in each two different size ranges (4.5–7.0, 7.1–9.9 cm) and each season. The gastrointestinal tract, gastric, intestine and midgut gland were individually dissected on ice for enzyme analysis and stomach contents. At the end of the study, amylase activities were affected by interaction of season × sex × size in intestinal, season × sex in midgut gland. However, any interaction was not determined in amylase activities of the gastric. Lipase activities were affected by interaction of season × sex × size in intestinal and gastric, season × sex in midgut gland. The protease activities in each organ were affected by interaction of season, sex and size (p ? .05). In all organs, amylase and lipase activities were similar. However, the highest protease activity was in stomach while the lowest protease activity was the intestine. The protease activities were higher than amylase and lipase activities. There is a positive correlation between protease enzyme activities in gastric with gonad maturation and active feeding period. It can be said based on data of digestive system and high protease activity that A. leptodactylus is an omnivore species in need high protein. In addition, the reason for the low levels of lipase activity may be A. leptodactylus not prefer high fat foods or not fed high fat foods.     

Effect of brining on biological activity of leaves of Vitis vinifera L. (Cv. Sultani Cekirdeksiz) from Turkey

Leaves of Vitis vinifera (Fam. Vitaceae) cv. 'Sultani Cekirdeksiz' cultivated in Manisa-Alasehir in western Turkey, were processed with or without brine. Fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves (after being subjected to 3 months of fermentation) were sampled and extracted with distilled water under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities of the water extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity (reducing power activity assay), capacity of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method), anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test), and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used to determine biological activities of the extracts. In addition, the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavonols in the extracts were determined by spectrophotometrical methods. Results were compared with those of ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid as reference antioxidants. The extracts of fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves showed almost the same activity in all antioxidant assays. These extracts inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid to the same extent as BHT. Compositions of the extracts were analyzed by a reverse phase HPLC-PDA method. The occurrence of hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin) was verified in the extracts. The content of total flavonoids as well as quercetin was increased by fermentation.     

Antimicrobial activity of plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) was assessed on 102 clinical isolates from both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and four standard strains, including MRSA ATCC 43300, MSSA ATCC 25923, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. coli ATCC 35218. ABS was significantly active against all bacteria investigated.     

Biological activity and composition of the essential oils of Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and Achillea aleppica DC. subsp. aleppica

The essential oils obtained by water distillation from aerial parts of Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and Achillea aleppica DC. subsp. aleppica were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 1,8-Cineole (32.5 and 26.1%, respectively) was the main component in both oils. The oil of A. aleppica subsp. aleppica was also found to be rich in bisabolol and its derivates. When tested for their antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antinociceptive activities, the oil of A. aleppica subsp. aleppica showed significant antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and moderate antimicrobial activities.     

Size Distribution of Trace Elements and Major Ions in the Eastern Mediterranean Atmosphere

Size distribution of trace elements is measured at the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, by analyzing hi-vol impactor samples collected between August 1993 and May 1994. Mass median diameters of marine elements are between 4.6 and 5.3 μm, and those of crustal elements are between 3.0 and 3.5 μm. Mass median diameters of crustal elements are 30% smaller in samples impacted by Saharan Dust. Pollution derived elements, As, Cd, Mo, Pb, Se, and Zn have MMD's between 1.25 and 1.01 μm. Although 70–90% of the masses of these elements were associated with particles smaller than 2.1 μm, 10–30% of their mass was associated with coarse particles. Coarse component in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Sb and particulate Hg are due to adsorption of fine anthropogenic particles on coarse crustal aerosol, whereas coarse fraction Zn, As, Se, In, Mo and Au are crustal at Al concentrations > 100 ng m^?3. Bromine, Cr, Ni, and V have bimodal distributions. The fine component, which account for approximately 30–40% of their masses are due to anthropogenic sources, whereas the coarse component, which accounts for 30–50% of their masses are due to sea salt for Br, and crustal particles for Cr, Ni, and V.     

Defence responses in leaves of resistant and susceptible pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars infected with different inoculum concentrations of Phytophthora capsici Leon

Three pepper cultivars (PM-702: resistant, Demre-8 and KM-hot: susceptible) with different resistances to Phytophthora capsici-22 (P. capsici-22) were inoculated with different concentrations of zoospores to analyze the time course of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), proline and total protein.     

Assessing wind and mammals as seed dispersal vectors in an invasive legume

While some plants have modified seed structures to facilitate dispersal, many lack such specialised adaptations, making their mode of dispersal unclear. This can be particularly problematic for predicting shifts in species ranges or tracking the spread of invasive plants. As an example, the seed size and shape of the invasive legume, Lespedeza cuneata, suggest that wind and attachment to animals are not important for dispersal, yet populations can spread surprising distances within a few years. Using a series of experiments conducted in the laboratory and field, we tested wind and mammal fur as mediators of seed dispersal. To test wind dispersal, seed traps were arranged radially around a patch of L. cuneata and seeds were collected following dispersal. Attachment to mammal fur was tested by fitting pelts of a deer, coyote and raccoon to artificial torsos and determining seed retention in both the field and the laboratory. Laboratory trials also examined the influence of wet versus dry conditions. Our results showed that wind direction strongly influenced dispersal distance and seeds were readily dispersed by mammal fur. The number of seeds retained was species specific, depending on fur depth and mammal size, with seed retention increasing under wet conditions. Together, these results suggest that both wind and mammal fur contribute to the movement of L. cuneata across grasslands. Consequently, both dispersal vectors should be considered when designing and implementing control strategies.     

Determining phenological and genetic variation in genotypes obtained from open-pollinated seeds of ‘Maraş 12’ walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivar

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - In the present study, the phenological and genetic differences/similarities of 95 walnut genotypes were considered. These genotypes had been propagated...