Cemalettin Baltaci

Aflatoxin levels in raw and processed hazelnuts in Turkey

Aflatoxin levels in hazelnut samples obtained from exporter companies were monitored over a 3-year period. A total of 3188 samples of raw and processed hazelnuts were analysed using an HPLC method. The total aflatoxin content of the contaminated samples was in the range of 0.02–78.98 µg kg−1 for hazelnut kernels, 0.07–43.59 µg kg−1 for roasted hazelnut kernels, 0.02–39.17 µg kg−1 for roasted sliced hazelnut kernels, and 0.02–11.20 µg kg−1 for hazelnut purees, respectively, showing that the variations of aflatoxin contamination were very high. The results of aflatoxin analysis revealed that the aflatoxin contamination in the hazelnut samples was at a tolerable level. A total of 3147 samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, although below the legal limits. However, the aflatoxin contents of 41 samples exceeded the legal limits. Therefore, aflatoxin contents of hazelnuts should be monitored regularly to minimise the risk of aflatoxin hazard, and pre- and post-harvest strategies should be developed to prevent aflatoxin formation.

A triterpenoid saponin from Cyclamen coum.

A new triterpenoid saponin, coumoside A, has been isolated from the whole plant of Cyclamen coum and the structure of this novel saponin (C58H92O27) has been deduced by NMR methods based on 1H, 13C, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HETCOR, NOESY-NMR experiments and the FAB-mass spectrum. It has the structure 3 beta-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl- (1-2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)]-alpha-L -arabinopyranosyl]-16 alpha-hydroxy-30,28 beta-lactone-olean-12-ene and is called coumoside.

Environmental impact of Gümüşhane City, Turkey, waste area in terms of heavy metal pollution

The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of a heavy metal contamination in a solid waste site of Gümüşhane City, Turkey, to examine the dimensions of the risk of contamination, and to present suggestions for possible solutions. For this purpose, heavy metal contents of soil and leachate samples taken from a Gümüşhane waste site were determined by a new method, microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). When the obtained results are compared with background and control values, it can be seen that the region carries contamination risks, especially in terms of heavy metals such as Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Co. To examine the environmental effects of the landfill area in more detail, geodeposition index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination index (PI), and combined contamination index (IPI) parameters are used. In addition, the samples taken from an area supposed to be free of pollution risk were also analyzed as control samples, and the obtained data were statistically compared with the results of the waste area. It is determined that the results of landfill waste site are dissimilar to those of comparison samples in terms of investigated metals, and that they contained higher values in general.

Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil from Pedicularis condensata BIEB

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried aerial parts of Pedicularis condensata was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Thirty-eight components have been identified in the essential oil of P. condensata. The major compounds of the essential oil were pentacosane (21.28%), hexadecanoic acid (18.48%) and tricosane (13.70%). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated and it showed moderate antimicrobial and antifungal activites aganist twelve gram negative bacteria and five fungi. The amount of total phenolic and DPPH reducing activity quantified essential oil in P. condensata were found as 198.28 GGA/L and 10.90 % respectively. Keywords: Pedicularis condensata; Essential oil; GC-FID; GC-MS; Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity; Pentacosane DOI: 10.17350/HJSE19030000039 Full Text:

Validation of HPLC Method for the Determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in Pestil, Köme, Jam, Marmalade and Pekmez

This study represents a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the detection of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in pestil, kome, jam and pekmez samples. The linearity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, detection limit, quantification limit, precision, recovery, ruggedness and measurement uncertainty of the method were determined. The developed method, simple and accurate, showed good recovery values (97-108 %). The accuracy of the method expressed with the relative standard deviation was below 6 %. The detection limit and quantification limit were 0.03 mg/kg and 0.10 mg/kg, respectively. HMF levels in pestil, kome, jam, marmalade and pekmez samples were determined using the validated method. Keywords: HMF; Method validation; Pestil; Kome; Jam; Marmalade and Pekmez. DOI: 10.17350/HJSE19030000037 Full Text: