Mineral content of some herbs and herbal teas by infusion and decoction

Sage (Salvia fruticosa L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), Hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), mountain tea (Sideritis spp), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), lime flower (Tilia cordata), nettle (Urtica dioica L.), thyme (Thymbra spicata), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), rosehip (Rosa canina L.), mentha (Mentha piperita L.), balm (Melissa officinalis L.), tea (Camelia sinensis L.) (Black and green), sena leaf (Casia angustifolia), camomile (Matricaria chamomilla), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum casia) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) were used as plant material in this study. Decoction was applied to R. canina, A. dracunculus and C. casia, and infusion was applied to other plant materials. Ten, 15 and 20 min were used as a time parameter for both infusion and decection. Inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AEs) has been used for the determination of the elements in all infusions, decoctions and plant material.     

Determination of Mean Velocity and Discharge in Natural Streams Using Neuro-Fuzzy and Neural Network Approaches

The applicability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for determination of mean velocity and discharge of natural streams is investigated. The 2,184 field data obtained from four different sites on the Sarimsakli and Sosun streams in central Turkey were used in the study. ANNs and ANFIS models use the inputs, water surface velocity and water surface slope, to estimate the mean velocity and discharges of natural streams. The accuracies of both models were compared with the multiple-linear regression (MLR) model. The comparison results showed that the ANFIS model performed better than the ANNs and regression models for estimating mean velocity and discharge. The ANN model also showed better accuracy than the MLR model. The root mean square errors (RMSE) and mean absolute relative errors (MARE) of the MLR model were reduced by 88 and 91 % using the ANFIS model in estimating discharges, respectively. It is found that the optimal ANFIS model with RMSE of 0,063, MARE of 3,47 and determination coefficient (R²) of 0,996 in the test period is superior in estimation of discharge than the MLR model with RMSE of 0,532, MARE of 38,9 and R² of 0,776, respectively. The study reveals that the ANFIS technique can be successfully used for estimating the mean velocity and discharge of natural streams by using only the inputs of water surface velocity and water surface slope.     

Numerical and experimental analysis of a horizontal ground-coupled heat pump system

The main objective of this work is to evaluate a heat pump system using the ground as a source of heat. A ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) system has been installed and tested at the test room, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey. Results obtained during experimental testing are presented and discussed here. The coefficient of performance (COP_sys) of the GCHP system is determined from the measured data. A numerical model of heat transfer in the ground was developed for determining the temperature distribution in the vicinity of the pipe. The finite difference approximation is used for numerical analysis. It is observed that the numerical results agree with the experimental results.     

Elimination of Yersinia enterocolitica on carrots (Daucus carota L.) by using household sanitisers

In this study, the effects of lemon juice, the mixture of lemon juice–vinegar (1:1) and lemon dressing against Yersinia enterocolitica on carrot were investigated. Carrots inoculated with Y. enterocolitica cells (approximately 10⁶ cfu/ml) were treated with 100%, 75% and 50% lemon juice, a mixture of lemon juice–vinegar, and lemon dressing for 0, 15, 30 and 60 min. Enumeration of Y. enterocolitica populations on CIN agar beside TSA agar by using two methods as then performed. One hundred percent lemon juice was the most effective agent used, completely inhibiting viable cells of Y. enterocolitica on carrot after 15 min exposure. Although no growth was observed on carrots treated with 100% lemon juice for 15 min, there was no statistical difference between the antibacterial effects of 100% lemon juice, 75% lemon juice, the mixture of lemon juice–vinegar and lemon dressing whilst the effect of 50% lemon juice was statistically different from those solutions (P < 0.05) and its definite inhibitive activity was seen after 60 min treatment.