Ahmet Yemenicioğlu

Salt tolerance in Solanum pennellii: antioxidant response and related QTL

BackgroundExcessive soil salinity is an important problem for agriculture, however, salt tolerance is a complex trait that is not easily bred into plants. Exposure of cultivated tomato to salt stress has been reported to result in increased antioxidant content and activity. Salt tolerance of the related wild species, Solanum pennellii, has also been associated with similar changes in antioxidants. In this work, S. lycopersicum M82, S. pennellii LA716 and a S. pennellii introgression line (IL) population were evaluated for growth and their levels of antioxidant activity (total water-soluble antioxidant activity), major antioxidant compounds (phenolic and flavonoid contents) and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase) under both control and salt stress (150 mM NaCl) conditions. These data were then used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for controlling the antioxidant parameters under both stress and nonstress conditions.ResultsUnder control conditions, cultivated tomato had higher levels of all antioxidants (except superoxide dismutase) than S. pennellii. However, under salt stress, the wild species showed greater induction of all antioxidants except peroxidase. The ILs showed diverse responses to salinity and proved very useful for the identification of QTL. Thus, 125 loci for antioxidant content under control and salt conditions were detected. Eleven of the total antioxidant activity and phenolic content QTL matched loci identified in an independent study using the same population, thereby reinforcing the validity of the loci. In addition, the growth responses of the ILs were evaluated to identify lines with favorable growth and antioxidant profiles.ConclusionsPlants have a complex antioxidant response when placed under salt stress. Some loci control antioxidant content under all conditions while others are responsible for antioxidant content only under saline or nonsaline conditions. The localization of QTL for these traits and the identification of lines with specific antioxidant and growth responses may be useful for breeding potentially salt tolerant tomato cultivars having higher antioxidant levels under nonstress and salt stress conditions.

Development of flexible antimicrobial packaging materials against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid into zein-based films.

In this study, antimicrobial films were developed against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid (GA) into zein-based films. The zein and zein-wax composite films containing GA between 2.5 and 10 mg/cm(2) were effective on different C. jejuni strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Zein and zein-wax composite films showed different release profiles in distilled water but quite similar release profiles at solid agar medium. Depending on incorporated GA concentration, 60-80% of GA released from the films, while the remaining GA was bound or trapped by film matrix. The GA at 2.5 and 5 mg/cm(2) caused a considerable increase in elongation (57-280%) of all zein films and eliminated their classical flexibility problems. The zein-wax composite films were less flexible than zein films, but the films showed similar tensile strengths and Youngs modulus. Scanning electron microscopy indicated different morphologies of zein and zein-wax composite films. This study clearly showed the good potential of zein and GA to develop flexible antimicrobial films against C. jejuni.

Total antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents in different Turkish eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars.

In this study, total water soluble antioxidant activity and phenolic content of 26 eggplant ( Solanum melongena L. ) cultivars were investigated. Total water soluble antioxidant activity of the cultivars varied from 2664 to 8247 μmolTrolox/kg, which is a 3.1-fold difference. Cultivars also showed significant variation for total phenolic contents ranging from 615 to 1376 mg/kg, a 2.2-fold difference. The two traits were significantly correlated and results of this study suggested that breeders can use the information to develop eggplant cultivars with high antioxidant activity.

Antimicrobial Activity of Lactoperoxidase System Incorporated into Cross‐Linked Alginate Films

In this study, the antimicrobial effect of lactoperoxidase (LPS) incorporated alginate films was investigated on Escherichia coli (NRRL B-3008), Listeria innocua (NRRL B-33314), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-253) in presence of different concentrations of H(2)O(2) (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM) and KSCN (1, 2, and 4 mM). The incorporation of 70 nmol ABTS/min/cm(2) LPS into alginate films gave 0.66 to 0.85 nmol ABTS/min/cm(2) enzyme activity at 0.2 to 0.8 mM H(2)O(2) concentration range. The antimicrobial activity of LPS system on target bacteria changed according to the concentrations of KSCN and H(2)O(2). The growth of all tested bacteria was prevented for a 6-h period by applying LPS system in presence of 0.4 or 0.8 mM H(2)O(2) and 4 mM KSCN. At 0.8 mM H(2)O(2) and 4 mM KSCN, the LPS system also inhibited growth of L. innocua and P. fluorescens for a 24-h incubation period, whereas E. coli growth could not be inhibited for 24 h under these conditions. At 0.2 mM H(2)O(2) and 1 to 4 mM KSCN, a considerable inhibitory effect was obtained only on P. fluorescens. The decreasing order of the resistance of studied bacteria to LPS system is as follows: E. coli, L. innocua, and P. fluorescens. The developed antimicrobial system has a good potential for use in meat, poultry, and seafood since alginate coatings are already used in these products. Further studies are needed to test the LPS incorporated edible films in real food systems.

Effects of nisin and lysozyme on growth inhibition and biofilm formation capacity of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from raw milk and cheese samples.

Effects of nisin and lysozyme on growth inhibition and biofilm formation capacity of 25 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from raw milk (13 strains) and cheese (12 strains) were studied. Nisin was tested at concentrations between 0.5 and 25 μg/ml; the growth of all strains was inhibited at 25 μg/ml, but the resistances of strains showed a great variation at lower nisin concentrations. In contrast, lysozyme tested at concentrations up to 5.0 mg/ml showed no inhibition on the growth of strains. Nisin used at the growth inhibitory concentration prevented the biofilm formation of strains, but strains continued biofilm formation at subinhibitory nisin concentrations. Lysozyme did not affect the biofilm formation of 19 of the strains, but it caused a considerable activation in the biofilm formation capacity of six strains. Twelve of the strains contained both biofilm-related protease genes (sspA, sspB, and aur) and active proteases; eight of these strains were nisin resistant. These results suggest a potential risk of S. aureus growth and biofilm formation when lysozyme is used in the biopreservation of dairy products. Nisin can be used to control growth and biofilm formation of foodborne S. aureus, unless resistance against this biopreservative develops.

Controlled release properties of zein-fatty acid blend films for multiple bioactive compounds.

To develop edible films having controlled release properties for multiple bioactive compounds, hydrophobicity and morphology of zein films were modified by blending zein with oleic (C18:1)Δ⁹, linoleic (C18:2)Δ(9,12), or lauric (C₁₂) acids in the presence of lecithin. The blend zein films showed 2-8.5- and 1.6-2.9-fold lower initial release rates for the model active compounds, lysozyme (LYS) and (+)-catechin (CAT), than the zein control films, respectively. The change of fatty acid chain length affected both CAT and LYS release rates while the change of fatty acid double bond number affected only the CAT release rate. The film morphologies suggested that the blend films owe their controlled release properties mainly to the microspheres formed within their matrix and encapsulation of active compounds. The blend films showed antilisterial activity and antioxidant activity up to 81 μmol Trolox/cm². The controlled release of multiple bioactive compounds from a single film showed the possibility of combining application of active and bioactive packaging technologies and improving not only safety and quality but also health benefits of packed food.

Are Protein-bound Phenolic Antioxidants in Pulses Unseen Part of Iceberg?

In the last ten years a particular effort has been spent to show health benefits of pulses such as lentils and chickpeas. Lentils attract significant interest since they contain higher antioxidant phenolic compounds than most other legume seeds. The studies suggest that the consumption of lentils is beneficial to prevent development of atherosclerosis, to reduce incidence of different types of cancer and type-2 diabetes, and to lower blood cholesterol levels [1-6]. Due to their lower antioxidant phenolic contents than lentils reports about bioactive properties of chickpea phenolics were limited. However, continuous reports have been published about antioxidant properties of chickpea proteins and their hydrolizates [7]. The studies on antioxidant properties of lentil proteins on the other hand are scarce.

Antioxidant Activity of Pulse Hydrocolloids: Classical Screening MethodsDepending on Water Soluble Phenolic Antioxidants Need Revision toMeasure True Antioxidant Potential of Pulses

The aim of this study is to show the presence of considerable amounts of antioxidants bound on pulse hydrocolloids. For this purpose, 6 lentil and 4 chickpea cultivars were tested for their free radical scavenging based antioxidant capacities in water soluble extracts and hydrocolloid extracts. The results clearly showed that the antioxidant potential of pulses based on hydrocolloid extracts accounts for 28 to 89% of those based on soluble phenolic antioxidants. Moreover, the antioxidant activity measurements in hydrocolloid extracts help much more than those in water extracts to determine differences among the antioxidant potentials of pulse cultivars. Extensive screening studies have been conducted by plant breeders to understand the importance of different phenotypic and genetic factors as well as the growth conditions on antioxidant status of the plants. This work clearly showed that not only water extracts, but also hydrocollid extracts should be considered to conduct realistic screening studies.

The Use of Zein and Its Edible Films for the Development of Food Packaging Materials

Zein is a unique protein obtained as a by-product during corn and maize processing by the bioethanol and oil industries. It is a great candidate as an edible film-forming agent since it has excellent film-forming ability, good solubility in ethanol, and compatibility with many natural active agents. This article focuses on the use of zein in the development of edible films and coatings, and promising natural active agents that could be employed in active packaging. Different packaging applications with zein films are also presented to show the benefits of this biomaterial to enhance the safety and quality of various foods.

Control of lactic acid bacteria in fermented beverages using lysozyme and nisin: test of traditional beverage boza as a model food system

The objective of this study was to increase quality and limited shelf-life of boza (3–15 days), a traditional Balkan origin fermented beverage using lysozyme (LYS) and/or nisin (NIS). For this purpose, the effectiveness of NIS, LYS and LYS:NIS combinations was first tested in a broth medium at 4 °C for 3 weeks on Lactobacillus plantarum, one of the frequently isolated lactic acid bacteria in boza. Stability of LYS and NIS in boza, their effects on LAB counts, and chemical and sensory properties of boza were then evaluated during cold storage at 4 °C. Results of LAB counts as well as pH, Dand L-lactic acid, and titratable acidity measurements showed that LAB in boza containing NIS (250 lg g ) or LYS:NIS (500:250 lg g ) could be controlled without reducing LAB counts below 6 log CFU mL 1 during 2 weeks shelf-life. In contrast, LYS (500 lg g ) alone could not control LAB in boza to delay its acidic spoilage. Positive effects of NIS and LYS:NIS application on quality of boza were also proved with sensory analysis by panelists and e-nose measurements. This work showed that use of natural GRAS agents in preservation of fermented beverages containing probiotic LAB is possible without affecting their characteristic aroma and flavour.