Münir Oktay

Screening of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seed extracts

In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of water and ethanol extracts of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seed (PAS) were investigated. The antioxidant properties of both extracts of PAS were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities. Twenty μg/ml of water and ethanol extracts exhibited 99.1 and 77.5% inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system, which was greater than the same concentration of α-tocopherol (36.1%). These various antioxidant activities were compared with synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and α-tocopherol. The water extract of PAS exhibited greater antioxidant capacity than that of ethanol. Antimicrobial activity tests were carried out using disc diffusion methods with 10 microbial species.

Determination of antioxidant activity of lichen Cetraria islandica (L) Ach.

The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of C. islandica. The antioxidant activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging and free radical scavenging activities were studied. The antioxidant activity increased with the increasing amount of extracts (from 50 to 500 microg) added to linoleic acid emulsion. About 50, 100, 250, and 500 microg of aqueous extract of C. islandica showed higher antioxidant activity than 500 microg of alpha-tocopherol. The samples showed 96, 99, 100, and 100% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid, respectively. On the other hand, the 500 microg of alpha-tocopherol showed 77% inhibition on peroxidation on linoleic acid emulsion. Like antioxidant activity, the reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging and free radical scavenging activities of C. islandica depends on concentration and increasing with increased amount of sample. The results obtained in the present study indicate that C. islandica is a potential source of natural antioxidant.

Antioxidant and analgesic activities of turpentine of Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallsiana (Lamb.) Holmboe

The aim of this study is to examine possible antioxidant and analgesic activities of turpentine exudes from Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallsiana (Lamb.) Holmboe (TPN). Total antioxidant activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging, free radical scavenging, metal chelating, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were studied. The total antioxidant activity increased with the increasing amount of extracts (100, 300, and 500 microg) added to linoleic acid emulsion. All of the doses of TPN showed higher antioxidant activity than alpha-tocopherol. The samples showed 49, 70, and 91% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. On the other hand, the 300 microg of alpha-tocopherol showed 40% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion. There is correlation between antioxidant activity and the reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging, free radical scavenging, metal chelating, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. Like antioxidant activity, the reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging, free radical scavenging, metal chelating, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities of TPN depending on concentration and increasing with increased concentration of TPN. These properties may be the major reasons for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the TPN has a potential source of natural antioxidant. In addition, analgesic effect of TPN was investigated in present study and TPN had strong analgesic effect. The analgesic effect of TPN compared with metamizol as a standard analgesic compound.

On the in vitro antioxidative properties of melatonin

Abstract:The aim of this study is to examine possible in vitro antioxidant effects of melatonin. Thus, the total in vitro antioxidant activity of melatonin was studied using a thiocyanate method. Additionally, the reducing power, the superoxide anion scavenging activity and free radical scavenging activity of melatonin were determined. Melatonin exhibited potent antioxidant activity in a linoleic acid emulsion system. The antioxidant activity increased with increasing concentrations of melatonin (50–500 μg). The 50, 100, 250 and 500 μg melatonin doses showed 41, 60, 86 and 99% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid, respectively. On the other hand, a 500‐μg dose of α‐tocopherol showed 34% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid. Like the total antioxidant activity, the reducing power of melatonin increased in a dose‐dependent manner. The reducing power of melatonin was statistically significant versus control, but lower than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or quercetin. Additionally, melatonin had potent superoxide radical scavenging activity and exhibited a higher superoxide radical scavenging activity than quercetin or BHT but lower than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Melatonins direct free radical scavenging actions may account, at least in part, for its ability to reduce lipid peroxidation. Melatonin may have utility in protecting stored foods from free radical‐induced deterioration.

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and inhibitory effects of some chemicals on enzyme activity.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) was extracted and purified through (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, dialysis, and CM-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and was used for its characterization. The PPO showed activity to catechol, 4-methylcatechol, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), L-tyrosine, p-cresol, pyrogallol, catechin and trans-cinnamic acid. For each of these eight substrates, optimum conditions such as pH and temperature were determined and L-tyrosine was found to be one of the most suitable substrates. Optimum pH and temperature were found at pH 4.5 and 30°C respectively and Km and Vmax values were 7.90 × 10−4 M, and 11290 EU/mL for with L-tyrosine as substrate. The inhibitory effect of several inhibitors, L-cysteine chloride, sodium azide, sodium cyanide, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, L-ascorbic acid, glutathione, thiourea, sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate, β-mercaptoethanol and sodium metabisulfite were tested. The most effective was found to be sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate which acted as a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 1.79 × 10−9 M. In addition one isoenzyme of PPO was detected by native polacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis.

The effects of aqueous extract of Lavandula angustifolia flowers in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity of cerebellar granular cell culture of rat pups.

In the present study, neuroprotective effect of Lavandula angustifolia flower aqueous extract in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rat pups cerebellar granular cell culture was investigated. The extract at doses of 10 microg ml(-1), 100 microg ml(-1), 1 mg ml(-1) and 10 mg ml(-1) was applied to culture flasks. The extract at doses of 100 microg ml(-1) and 1 mg ml(-1) significantly blocked glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, with the most effective dose being 1 mg ml(-1). On the other hand, 10 mg ml(-1) dose of extract increased the dead cell with respect to glutamate group, despite being found insignificant statistically. As a result, L. angustifolia protected the neurons against glutamate toxicity.

Dissolution kinetics of some borate minerals in CO2-saturated water

Abstract Dissolution kinetics of inyoite and inderite, two boron-containing minerals, in water saturated with carbon dioxide were investigated. Particle size, gas flow rate, and temperature were the parameters chosen. A decrease in particle size and an increase in temperature enhanced the dissolution rate, while gas flow rate had no effect on the rate. Dissolution was found to be chemically controlled for both minerals. Activation energies for the dissolution were determined as 58.5 kJ mol −1 for inyoite, and 61.3 kJ mol −1 for inderite.

The effectiveness of problem-based learning on teaching the first law of thermodynamics

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching approach working in cooperation with self-learning and involving research to solve real problems. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but that energy is conserved. Students had difficulty learning or misconceptions about this law. This study is related to the teaching of the first law of thermodynamics within a PBL environment. Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of PBL on candidate science teachers’ understanding of the first law of thermodynamics and their science process skills. This study also examined their opinions about PBL. Sample: The sample consists of 48 third-grade university students from the Department of Science Education in one of the public universities in Turkey. Design and methods: A one-group pretest–posttest experimental design was used. Data collection tools included the Achievement Test, Science Process Skill Test, Constructivist Learning Environment Survey and an interview with open-ended questions. Paired samples t-test was conducted to examine differences in pre/post tests. Results: The PBL approach has a positive effect on the students’ learning abilities and science process skills. The students thought that the PBL environment supports effective and permanent learning, and self-learning planning skills. On the other hand, some students think that the limited time and unfamiliarity of the approach impede learning. Conclusions: The PBL is an active learning approach supporting students in the process of learning. But there are still many practical disadvantages that could reduce the effectiveness of the PBL. To prevent the alienation of the students, simple PBL activities should be applied from the primary school level. In order to overcome time limitations, education researchers should examine short-term and effective PBL activities.