Hasan Önder

Detection of adulterated honey produced by honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies fed with different levels of commercial industrial sugar (C3 and C4 plants) syrups by the carbon isotope ratio analysis

In the present study, one hundred pure and adulterated honey samples obtained from feeding honeybee colonies with different levels (5, 20 and 100 L/colony) of various commercial sugar syrups including High Fructose Corn Syrup 85 (HFCS-85), High Fructose Corn Syrup 55 (HFCS-55), Bee Feeding Syrup (BFS), Glucose Monohydrate Sugar (GMS) and Sucrose Sugar (SS) were evaluated in terms of the δ(13)C value of honey and its protein, difference between the δ(13)C value of protein and honey (Δδ(13)C), and C4% sugar ratio. Sugar type, sugar level and the sugar type*sugar level interaction were found to be significant (P<0.001) regarding the evaluated characteristics. Adulterations could not be detected in the 5L/colony syrup level of all sugar types when the δ(13)C value of honey, Δδ(13)C (protein-honey), and C4% sugar ratio were used as criteria according to the AOAC standards. However, it was possible to detect the adulteration by using the same criteria in the honeys taken from the 20 and 100 L/colony of HFCS-85 and the 100L/colony of HFCS-55. Adulteration at low syrup level (20 L/colony) was more easily detected when the fructose content of HFCS syrup increased. As a result, the official methods (AOAC, 978.17, 1995; AOAC, 991.41, 1995; AOAC 998.12, 2005) and Internal Standard Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis could not efficiently detect the indirect adulteration of honey obtained by feeding the bee colonies with the syrups produced from C3 plants such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and wheat (Triticium vulgare). For this reason, it is strongly needed to develop novel methods and standards that can detect the presence and the level of indirect adulterations.

Using Permutation Tests to Reduce Type I and II Errors for Small Ruminant Research

Abstract Önder, H. 2007. Using permutation tests to reduce type I and II errors for small ruminant research. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 69–72. Although parametric tests (F or t) are considerably effective, these are sometimes ineffective when the assumptions needed by model are not provided. In such a case, permutation test unaffected by the assumptions can be applied as a non-parametric method. It has been observed by citing an example that permutation test produces more reliable results than one-way ANOVA in terms of type I error rate and power of the test and permutation test is recommended in order to avoid type I and II errors and to prevent the potential profit lost.

The effect of estrus synchronization programmes on parturition time and some reproductive characteristics of Saanen goats

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of estrus synchronization programmes on parturition time and some reproductive characteristics of Saanen goats. Estrus of Saanen goats was synchronized as follows: by use of intravaginal sponges containing 30 mg flugestone acetate for 11 days following IM injection of 500 IU PMSG (group PP; n = 80) or only intravaginal sponges (group P; n = 80) and natural estrus (control; C, n = 50). Forty-eight hours after removing intravaginal sponges, all goats were introduced to Saanen bucks. Kidding rate and litter size of goats in the PP group were higher than those of goats in the C and P groups (P < .05). Neonatal mortality rate of kids from goats in the PP group was found higher than those of goats in the C and P groups (P < .05). The length of kidding period in goats of group C was longer than goats in the P and PP groups (P < .05). Births showed a unimodal distribution, with maximum parturition at midday and minimum parturition at midnight in all goats. The parturition that occurred during daytime hours in goats of P and PP groups was more than goats in the C group (P < .05). The results of this study may suggest that estrus synchronization shortened the length of the kidding period, concentrated parturition time during daylight hours and increased reproductive performance in Saanen goats.

A study on the determination of body condition score and somatic cell count in Turkish Saanen goats

The aim of the study was to evaluate body condition score (BCS) and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk in Turkish Saanen goats. Data were obtained from 95 goats during the morning milking. While a 1–5 scale was used to assess BCS, direct microscopy was performed to analyse SCC. Effect of stage of lactation (SL) and number of kids at birth (NK) were evaluated in three subgroups. While SL has not affected the parameters, goats with a single kid had significantly higher BCS (P < 0.05) than goats with twins. Correlation coefficient between evaluated parameters was estimated as weak (r = 0.08). In conclusion, milk SCC and BCS levels of Turkish Saanen goats were assumed to be in acceptable thresholds.

Relationship between placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors in sheep

The relationship between maternal intrinsic factors and placental traits was investigated on three Southern Mediterranean breed of sheep; Cukurova Assaf (CA), Cukurova (C) and Cukurova Meat Sheep (CMS). The effect of parity and birth type were also considered in the study as a potential influencing factor. Our hypothesis was to show that while differences in placental traits between breed, parity and birth type affected lamb condition and survivability, its correlation to maternal intrinsic behavioral factors may also be a strong indicator. The study found breed related differences of maternal behavioral factors and also showed significant correlation of these behavioral patterns to various placental traits. It confirmed earlier findings that parity played a major role in the refinement of these behavioral patterns. Significant differences in birth weight (P<0.05), placental weight (P<0.05), number of cotyledons (P<0.01) and cotyledon length (P<0.05) was seen between breeds. Cotyledon weight (P<0.05), width (P<0.01) and length (P<0.05) were found to differ by parity. Breed and parity interaction significantly influenced cotyledon quantity. While we detected breed specific differences in relation to maternal intrinsic factors we also noticed significant variance within breeds to these behavioral patterns when linked to placental traits. Further study is required on the correlation between placental traits and postnatal behavior on not just the ewes but also on their lambs. This could have a significant bearing on how producers manage and maximize lamb survivability.

Comparative Study of Generalized Estimating Equations and Logistic Regressions on Different Sample Sizes and Correlation Levels

In this study, it was aimed to determine accuracy of generalized estimating equations versus logistic regressions on different correlation levels and sample sizes. For this aim, two methods were compared with different sample sizes 10, 25, 50 and 100 and correlation levels 0.0, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8. Result of this study showed that using generalized estimating equations could be preferred versus logistic regression when the sample size is over than 25 and correlation level is higher than 0.3 on data taken from studies with repeated measurements, but logistic regression could be better when the autocorrelations do not exist.

The Effect of Eggshell Thickness on the Hatchability of Guinea Fowl and Pheasants

Successful incubation affects the number of healthy chicks in all poultry species. This study examined the effect of eggshell thickness on the hatching rates of guinea fowl and pheasant eggs. In total, 964 guinea fowl and 1,728 pheasant eggs were used in the study. Eggshell thickness was measured directly with an ultrasound gauge. Thicknesses ranged between 0.27-0.47 mm in guinea fowl and 0.24-0.49 mm in pheasant eggs. Incubation periods were 28 days for guinea fowl and 25 days for pheasant eggs. At the end of the incubation period, unhatched eggs were broken to identify the causes of embryonic mortality. Eggs were classified as thin-, medium- and thick-shelled, and hatching rates were calculated as a function of eggshell thickness. Differences in hatching rates of guinea fowl and pheasant eggs with different shell thicknesses were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Effects of Feeding Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) With Industrial Sugars Produced by Plants Using Different Photosynthetic Cycles (Carbon C3 and C4) on the Colony Wintering Ability, Lifespan, and Forage Behavior

Abstract In the study, 130 honey bee colonies fed with different levels (5, 20, and 100 liters/colony) of various industrial commercial sugars, including High-Fructose Corn 85 (Fructose-85), High-Fructose Corn 55 (Fructose-55), Glucose Monohydrate (Glucose), Bee feed, and Sucrose syrups, for 2 mo were compared with colonies fed with no sugar (control) in terms of their colony development of worker bee population, hive weight, wax production, wintering ability, foraging behavior, and lifespan of worker bee. Utilization of industrial sugars by honey bee colonies showed differences in terms of colony performance and behavior parameters. Honey bees did not use Glucose heavily, resulting in 4% increase in worker bee loss in winter and 46% decrease in marked worker bee numbers over time when compared to the control. Sucrose syrup had a positive effect on wintering ability, wax production, and hive weight. While Sucrose had a positive effect (3–4%) on wintering ability, the 100 liters/colony sugar syrups of all other sugars had negative effects (6–15%). Sugars containing high levels of monosaccharide were not used effectively by honey bee colonies, whereas the sugars containing fructose and glucose at rates of 40 and 30% (Bee feed and Fructose-55), were utilized effectively. The lifespan of worker bees decreased over time in the 100 liters/colony of all sugars syrup. In conclusion, except Glucose, other industrial sugars can be used for promoting colonies at the beginning of the season (in spring). Industrial sugars except sucrose should not be used in order to meet carbohydrate needs of the colonies in winter.

A Comparative Study of Permutation Tests with Euclidean and Bray-Curtis Distances for Common Agricultural Distributions in Regression

Abstract Önder, H. 2008. A comparative study of permutation tests with Euclidean and Bray-curtis distances for common agricultural distributions in regression. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 34: 133–136. This study describes the efficiency of permutation test for Normal, Poisson, Chi-Square and Cauchy distributions. Permutation of raw data with Euclidean distance method can be recommended when the sample size is less than 15 and permutation of residuals under the full model with Euclidean distance method can be preferred when the sample size is higher than 15 except for normal distribution. Bray-Curtis distances are not suitable for such distributions.