Identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional cone yoghurt

Cone yoghurt is a yoghurt variety produced by adding only pine cones to milk without culture in a limited area of Turkey. The present study was conducted to identify and characterize lactic flora in traditional cone yoghurt. Morphological, cultural, physiological, biochemical, and genotypic characteristics were employed to identify lactic acid bacteria isolates from cones and cone yoghurts. Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus (S. thermophilus) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) were obtained from both cones and yoghurts. Among the isolates, L. plantarum was frequently isolated except for these two bacteria (S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus). The results indicate that the cone yoghurt has a mixed microflora contrary to the yoghurt produced by the addition of a starter culture and S. thermophilus, and L. bulgaricus in cone yoghurt originates from the pine cones.     

Determination of (n,2n) Reaction Cross Sections for Some Nuclei with Asymmetry Parameter

The (n,2n) reaction cross sections for targets of ^203,205Tl, ^{204,206,207,208}Pb, ²⁰⁹Bi, ²³²Th and ²³⁸U were calculated both theoretically and semi-empirically. Theoretical calculations were done using two different computer codes: PCROSS computer code for the full exciton model and ALICE/ASH-2006 computer code for the geometry dependent hybrid (GDH) model with the incident neutron energy up to 25 MeV. Semi-empirical calculations were done using formulas derived by several researchers. The obtained results have been discussed and compared with the available experimental data taken from the literature. The different nuclear reaction program codes used in the present study show considerable differences depending upon the selected energy range. Especially PCROSS calculation results show a disagreement above the incident energy of about 16 MeV for all the studied nuclei. Moreover, even though the graphs qualitatively agree in shape, they differ in magnitude below 15 MeV.     

Synthesis and characterization of nano-scale alumina on single walled carbon nanotube

In this study, nano-scale crystalline alumina was synthesized on single walled carbon nanotube by sol-gel method for using as a sorbent for solid phase extraction of trace metals. The characterization of the synthesized nanocomposite material was performed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer methods. It was proved that the obtained composite material was mainly nano-scale Al₂O₃, and partly Mg₂Al₂O₄ and Zn₂Al₂O₄ on single walled carbon nanotube. In addition, the specific surface area of the material was determined and found as 165 m²/g. The adsorption capacity of the nanomaterial was also determined for cadmium(II) ions and found as 2.18 mg/g at pH 8.     

Effects of dietary yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content,egg yolk fatty acid composition and humoral immune response of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary yeast autolysate on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content, egg yolk fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation of egg yolk, some blood parameters and humoral immune response of laying hens during a 16 week period. A total of 225 Hyline Brown laying hens, 22 weeks of age, were allocated equally to one control group and four treatment groups. Yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, InteWall) was used at levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second, third and fourth treatment groups respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake and egg traits. Yeast autolysate supplementation increased egg production (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P < 0.001) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 decreased egg yolk cholesterol level as mg g^?1 yolk (P < 0.01) and blood serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (P < 0.05) and increased antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (P < 0.01). Total saturated fatty acids and the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids increased (P < 0.01) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001) decreased with yeast autolysate supplementation. CONCLUSION: Dietary yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on performance, egg cholesterol content and humoral immune response. It is concluded that 2 g kg^?1 yeast autolysate will be enough to have beneficial effects in laying hens. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary black cumin seed on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens during a 12 week period. For this purpose a total of 160 Lohmann Brown laying hens 36 weeks of age were allocated to four dietary treatments with one control group and three treatment groups. Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) was used at the level of 5, 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake, egg production, egg quality characteristics and blood parameters. Diets containing 10 and 15 g kg^?1 black cumin seed increased egg weight (P < 0.01), improved feed efficiency (P < 0.01) and decreased egg yolk cholesterol, saturated fatty acids (% of total fatty acid methyl esters) and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared to the diet of control group. CONCLUSION: Dietary black cumin seed at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on egg weight, feed efficiency, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Therefore it can be used at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of laying hens. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Involvement of free radicals in the cardioprotective effect of defibrotide

We have developed an estrogen bioassay using the Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line grown in 96-well microtiter plates. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity (Alkp) in these cells was markedly stimulated by estrogen (E2), and this enzyme can be easily quantified in situ using a chromogenic substrate. Estradiol induces AlkP at levels as low as 10-8M. The induction of AlkP is specific for estrogens as for other steroids and other steroidal materials (Progesterone, Tamoxifen, clomiphene citrate, Ru 486, ICI) could not produce a similar effect. The stimulation of AlkP in Ishikawa cells is not only specific for estrogen, it is highly reproducible and sensitive and permits large numbers of samples to be assayed with ease. The non-radioactive nature of the assay makes it attractive to developing countries.     

Characterization of materials used in the execution of historic oil paintings by XRD,SEM-EDS,TGA and LIBS analysis

In this study, material characteristics of historic oil paintings in a 19th century church in Ayval?k/Turkey were investigated to propose the treatments to be used in their conservation and protection. For this purpose, physical, chemical and mineralogical compositions and the microstructure of the paintings were determined by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Infrared Spectroscopy and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. Analysis results showed that the paintings were composed of very thin binding and white priming layers on which the pigments were applied. Binding layers were composed of polymerized vegetable oil with Zinc Oxide. Priming layers were composed of anglesite mineral in polymerized vegetable oil. Pigments used in paintings were mainly green earth, red chrome and iron oxide.