Akşit, Zeynep; Yenice, Fatma

Citrus fruits contain many components that are beneficial for health, including minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers. They are also the main source of many bioactive compounds with disease-preventing properties, such as flavonoids and limonoids. Flavonoids are a group of pigments found in plants and are responsible for the coloring of flowers and fruits. The richest source of flavonoids in food is fruits and vegetables. The inedible parts of citrus fruits, such as the juice and pulp of the fruit, are as rich in phenolic compounds as the edible parts of the fruit. Citrus peels and seeds are very rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, and the peels contain more flavonoids than the seeds. The waste parts of citrus fruits, such as peels and seeds, are especially rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and these compounds have important properties for health. Recycling the millions of tons of citrus waste released worldwide has significant potential in environmental and economic terms. Recovery of secondary metabolites from peels contributes to the prevention of chronic diseases as a natural antioxidant source, while reducing oxidation in foods and has the potential to extend shelf life. The phenolic and flavonoid content of citrus waste varies depending on the species, growing conditions and harvest time. The use of citrus waste in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries not only reduces environmental pollution but also enables the development of value-added products in terms of health and nutrition.

Varol, Emre; Ağca, Rabia

This study examined how teapot material (stainless steel, copper, porcelain) and geographical origin (Artvin, Rize, Giresun, Trabzon) affect the sensory attributes and consumer acceptability of Turkish black tea. Sixty naive panellists evaluated tea brewed from Çaykur leaves using standardized protocols. Sensory analysis included colour, brightness, clarity astringency aroma intensity, taste, odour, bitterness and overall acceptability on a 9-point hedonic scale. Results showed that the teapot material, porcelain, produced teas with superior clarity, taste, and overall acceptability compared to those made from stainless steel and copper, significantly influencing key sensory properties. The highest scores were achieved with Artvin-origin tea brewed in porcelain, despite most participants traditionally preferring Rize tea. Principal component analysis indicated that aroma intensity and taste were the primary sensory attributes associated with overall acceptability. The findings suggest that, under standardized brewing conditions, teapot material may exert a stronger influence than geographical origin on tea perception, offering practical insights for improving tea quality and consumer experience.

Akşit, Hüseyin; Şimşek, Samed; Alkan, Fatma Ruveyda; Cetiner, Buket

This study investigated selected quality and functional characteristics of 17 hulled wheat accessions (Triticum monococcum and Triticum dicoccum) preserved in the Türkiye Seed Gene Bank, along using four modern wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum Desf.). The samples were evaluated regarding grain color parameters (L*, a*, b*), thousand kernel weight, and protein content. Furthermore, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities were were analyzed using DPPH and FRAP assays. The differences between samples were statistically significant in terms of DPPH activity and protein content. Species-wise comparison demonstrated that T. monococcum and T. dicoccum had the highest average protein levels. The highest DPPH antioxidant activity was recorded in T. monococcum sample no. 10 (859.67 µg mL⁻¹), while the lowest was in sample no. 2 (532.58 µg mL⁻¹) of the same species. Significant variation was found across the samples for L*, a*, b* color values, Chroma (C), Hue angle (h°), thousand kernel weight, total phenolic content, and FRAP antioxidant capacity. The highest TPC was detected in T. dicoccum sample no. 17 (11.23 mg GAE g⁻¹), and the highest FRAP reducing power was found in sample no. 14 of the same species (22.10 mg TE g⁻¹). These findings demonstrate notable diversity among hulled wheats regarding the evaluated traits and suggest their potential as valuable genetic resources for wheat breeding programs.

Yuca, Hafize; Aydin, Bilge; Coban, Furkan; Karakaya, Songül; Göger, Gamze; Uğurlu, Ecz.Meryem

This study evaluated and compared the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antidiabetic activities of Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender), Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort), Salvia officinalis L. (sage), and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) plants and their extracts. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, while α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays determined antidiabetic potential. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities were measured via the Ellman method, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the micro-well dilution test. Among the tested extracts, H. perforatum extract and H. perforatum drug exhibited the most potent biological activities. In the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, H. perforatum extract displayed the highest inhibition (95.40%, IC₅₀ = 8 µg/mL), followed by H. perforatum drug (94.71%, IC₅₀ = 27 µg/mL). The strongest α-amylase inhibition was observed with the Soothing Complex Product (60.90%), following acarbose (74.61%). The highest ABTS radical scavenging activity was noted in S. officinalis drug (99.39%) and H. perforatum drug (99.32%), while the DPPH assay showed significant activity for S. officinalis extract (46.99%) and α-tocopherol (46.99%). Antimicrobial testing revealed moderate antibacterial effects of F. vulgare drug against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (MIC = 1250 µg/mL). Overall, H. perforatum extracts demonstrated strong enzyme inhibition and antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential for medicinal and dermocosmetic applications. These findings provide valuable insights into the bioactivity of herbal extracts, supporting their potential use in over-the-counter formulations and new plant-based therapeutic products.

Yangılar, Filiz; Okcu, Zühal

In the current study, four different types of yogurt were produced as control samples (no MPP added) and 1, 2, and 3% melon peel powder (MPP1, MPP2, and MPP3). These yogurts were determined by physicochemical, microbiological, sensory, total phenolic, and antioxidant activity weekly for 21 days. While ash, moisture, titratable acidity (TA), viscosity, water holding capacity (WHC), a* and b* values, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of melon peel powder samples increased, L*, pH, and syneresis values decreased. In concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%, the mean antioxidant activity of powdered yogurt was found to have average values during storage of 30.09%, 32.32%, and 36.26%, respectively. All yogurts continued to contain more than 107 cfu/g of live lactic acid bacteria during fermentation. As the storage time increased, the sample’s pH and syneresis decreased, while titration acidity and texture increased. No yeast or mold (2 log cfu/g) was determined in the samples. The panelists preferred MPP1 and MPP2 samples. According to the findings of the study, melon rind powder, which is a by-product, can be recommended as a functional food additive in yogurts.

Gençcelep, Hüseyin; Akşit, Zeynep

In this study, some agro-food processing by-products were evaluated as novel food ingredients, that meet the consumer's demand for natural ingredients, and their contributions to chicken-type sausage production were examined. Sausages were formulated with 3% quince waste (QS3), 3% grapefruit waste (GS3), 2% tomato waste (TS2), and 3% tomato waste (TS3). Other ingredients were fresh breast chicken meat, beef tallow, spice mix, ice, NaCl, and NaNO2. Proximate composition and sensory analyses were conducted before the storage. Water activity, pH, TBARS, purge accumulation, and microbiological analyses were performed during the storage. QS3, TS2, and TS3 treatments got appreciated (7.0-7.4 out of 10) sensory scores, while GS3 scored low acceptability (4.0 out of 10) points. Adding food waste significantly reduced purge accumulation; the average purge accumulation of the control sample was 3.70% which is approximately two times higher than food waste added samples. The average TBARS value of the control sample was determined as 0.31 mg MA/kg, and the food waste-added samples were found between 0.57-0.65 mg MA/kg during storage. Total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and yeast-mold load were higher in TS2 and TS3 products; microbial load and TBARS values of food waste affected the product quality. Also, water activity, microbial growth, and purge accumulation amount affected each other during storage.

Yildirim, Zeliha; Urgancı, Nida Nur; Yılmaz, Nazife; Alasalvar, Gamze Koçer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family, is Gram-negative, rod-\rshaped, motile, aerobic, endospore negative, oxidase and catalase positive. It is widely found in nature\rand isolated from soil, plants, water and animals. It can grow rapidly on the surface of the food and\rform oxidized products and mucous substances. P. aeruginosa, one of the leading foodborne\rpathogens, causes important concerns in food safety due to being a source of contamination, causing\rfood poisoning and antimicrobial resistance in animals, forming biofilms and difficulties in\rpreventing biofilms. In this review, information on history, microbiological, cultural and biochemical\rcharacteristics, virulence factors and pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa are given. In addition, infections\rcaused by P. aeruginosa and its presence in food are described.

Tirasoglu, Engin; Aksoy, Canan; Aksoy, Handan; Üçler, Ali Ömer

Bu araştırmada, Ordu ili Mesudiye ilçesine bağlı Gülpınar Köyü, Gülpınar yaylası ve Kabadüzilçesine bağlı Turnalık yaylasında doğal olarak yetişen ve yöre halkı tarafından besin olarak tüketilenotsu bitki ve mantar örnekleri toplanmıştır. Toplanan örneklerde, element araştırması yapılmış veinsan fizyolojisi için büyük önem taşıyan, Ca, K, Fe elementlerinin yüzde bulunuş oranları EnerjiAyırımlı X-Işını spektroskopisi (EDXRF) kullanılarak tespit edilmiştir. Çalışılan bitki örneklerindenelde edilen sonuçlara göre Bitki örneklerinden elde edilen sonuçlara göre; Ferrula communis veAmaranthus retraflexus'ta en yüksek Fe içeriği sırasıyla%0.01 ve%0,006 olarak bulundu. Ca miktarıbakımından, Rumex crispus ve Mentha sp. Sırasıyla %1,09 ve %1,39 en yüksek değerlere sahiptürlerdir. Son olarak incelenen bu elementler bakımından elde edilen sonuçların önemi ve insansağlığı üzerindeki etkileri tartışılmıştır.