Comparison of Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Leaves Essential Oil Collected from Different Locations

Sandy Douba^*(1) Ahmed Shams ElDien Shaaban⁽²⁾ Nawras AlAbras⁽³⁾and Yahya Kamari⁽⁴⁾

(1). Department. of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technological Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Department. of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Technological Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(3). National Commission of Biotechnology NCBT, Damascus, Syria.

(4). Aleppo Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Sandy Douba. E-Mail: sandy_d14@hotmail.com).

Received: 28/10/2018 Accepted: 31/12/2018

Abstract

This study was carried out between March 2017 and May 2018. The leaves of Laurus nobilis L. were collected from Aleppo and Al-Nabk cities during flowering and fruiting stages. The essential oil was extracted using Clevenger and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was reported that the major compound in both oils was 1.8-cineole. Other predominant compounds of both oils were: Sabinene, α-Pinene, β-Pinene, Delta Careen. Antibacterial activity of the essential oil was tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and three species of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klepsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using microdilution method. The concentrations of oil ranged from 1 to 100 μl/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The oils extracted during flowering stage showed higher antibacterial activity than fruiting stage against most species of tested bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa that was resistant to the higher concentrations that were used. The antibacterial activity of Aleppo oil was higher than Al-Nabk oil.

Keywords: Essential oil, Water extraction, Gram-positive bacteria, Chemical composition, Antibacterial activity, Bay laurel.

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Characterization of Fatty Acids and Determination of Vitamins A and E in Carp Fish (Cyprinus carpio) Viscera Oil Extracted Using Infrared Radiation

Asaad R. S. Al–Hilphy⁽¹⁾ Sabah M. H. Al-Shatty^*(1) Atheer A. A. Almtury⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Sabah Al-Shahy. E-Mail: sabahalshatty@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/11/2019 Accepted: 03/02/2020

Abstract

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fish oil was extracted by a locally manufactured infrared device at Food Engineering Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of Basrah, and it was used for the first time at the local level as there are no previous studies before. A complete randomized design (CRD) was used for analyzing data of temperature, and a factorial experiment was used for analyzing intensity and distance of infra-red radiation. Three replications were used in all experiments. In this study, fatty acids were diagnosed, as well as vitamin A and E were estimated for carp viscera oil. It was found that the quantity of vitamins A and E were 0.01 mg/100 g, and 0.007 mg/100 g respectively. Fatty acids were determined using GC/MS technique, which included Methyl esterification of fatty acids and their identification. The results showed that four unsaturated fatty acids were detected viz. Oleic, Linolenic, Myristoleic and Palmitoleic with percentages of 9.38%, 1.10%, 1.05% and 12.55% respectively. Also, nine saturated fatty acids were detected viz. Stearic acid, Myristic acid, Undecanoic acid, Nonanoic acid, Caprylic acid, Capric acid, Margaric acid, Oleic acid, Palmitic acid and Tridecoic acid with percentages of 2.64%, 1.11%, 2.13%, 1.92% ,4.43%,1.49%, 1.16%, 1.33%, and 3.58% respectively.

Keywords: Fatty acids, Carp (Cyprinus carpio) viscera, Infrared radiation, GC/MS. Vitamin A and E.

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Some Factors Affecting Lactic Acid Production from Cheese Whey Using a Mixed Culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus

Sahar Adnan Sheet^{( 1)} and Waleed Ahmed Mahmood^*(1)

(1). Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul. Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Waleed Ahmed Mahmood. E-Mail: waleedahmed53@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/01/2020 Accepted: 09/02/2020

Abstract

The study was carried out at Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Univ. of Mosul in 2018 and 2019. Lactic acid was produced from cheese whey of buffalo’s milk by free mixed cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Some factors affecting acid productivity were studied which included type and concentration of carbon and nitrogen sources, concentration of magnesium sulphate and manganese sulphate, inoculum concentration, pH and fermentation time. Results showed a significant increase in acid production upon using the mixed culture as compared to pure culture of each species. Yeast extract (12 gm/l) and lactose (15 gm/l) were found the best addition as a source of nitrogen and carbon for improving acid production, respectively. Addition of magnesium sulphate (0.35 gm/l) and manganese sulphate (0.05 gm/l) had significantly increased lactic acid production. Maximum lactic acid production was obtained upon the addition of the inoculum with a concentration of 10×10⁷ cell/ml. Optimum initial pH of whey for acid production was 5.5 with non-significant differences within the range of 5-6.5. Incubation time of 48 hours was found suitable for acid production since the increment beyond this time was non-significant.

Key words: Lactic acid,Cheese whey, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

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Study of Changes in Fatty Acids Content (ω3 and ω6) When Freezing the Fish (Liza aurata, Risso, 1810)

Rana Mostfa Mohamad*⁽¹⁾ Adib Ali Saad⁽²⁾ and Moufid Yassin⁽³⁾

(1). Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(3). Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Rana Mohamad. E-Mail: rana-mohamad@outlook.sa).

Received: 04/09/2019 Accepted: 02/10/2019

Abstract

This study was carried out at the laboratories of the Faculty of Technical Engineering, University of Tartus, during 6/2017, to determine the changes in fatty acid content in flesh of (Liza aurata, Risso, 1810), which is one of the Syrian commercial marine fish species, and that during frozen storage at (-18 °C) at consecutive time intervals (0, 60, 120, and180) day. Fish samples were randomly collected from sites landing along the beach of Tartus governorate, and approximately (40) individuals were taken for the analysis with three replicates, and an individual for each replication, then kept it at (0-4) °C directly waiting to be transferred to the laboratory within less than an hour. There the gonads, internal organs, head, bones, skin and blood vessels were removed, then frozen and stored at (-18°C). The edible muscles of fresh and frozen samples were analyzed only during the studied periods of freezing. According to the results of the study, L. aurata was classified as a medium-fat content fish. The content of Mono Un Saturated Fatty Acids was higher than the Saturated Fatty Acids, followed by Poly Un Saturated Fatty Acids (MUFA ˃ SFA ˃PUFA) for fresh samples, but frozen samples content was (SFA ˃ MUFA ˃PUFA) at the end of the freezing period. The fresh samples content of L. aurata of omega 3 and omega 6) were (15 and 4%) respectively, while it attained in the frozen samples (11 and 3.7%) during (0, 180) days of freezing time respectively, due to lipid oxidation, so it is possible to freeze L. aurata at (-18°C) for (5) months while its nutritional value retaining within the limits which are suitable for human consumption. Fatty acids have significant differences during storage duration at a significant level of (0.05).

Key words: Liza aurata, Tartus, Omega3, Omega6.

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General and Specific Combining Ability for Some Fodder Components Yield Traits of Pearl Millet Single Crosses [Pennisetum glaucum )L.( R. Br.]

Ghassan AL Lahham*⁽¹⁾ Elias Aweel⁽¹⁾Saoud Shehab⁽¹⁾Majeda AL Rwely⁽¹⁾Razan AL Najjar⁽¹⁾ Reem AL Mansour⁽¹⁾ Ali Wannous⁽¹⁾ Thamer AL Hniesh⁽¹⁾

(1). Crops Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: E-Mail: gh_lahham@hotmail.com).

Received: 02/05/2019 Accepted: 01/10/2019

Abstract

Half diallel set of crosses between six inbred lines of pearl millet were executed at First of May Research station, Syria, during 2011 and 2012 seasons to study the heterosis, and general and specific combining ability components for silking date (day), plant height(cm), number of leaves, number of tillers per plant and green and dry fodder yield (ton/ha), to be compared with the average. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The results showed that the variation of inbred lines and crosses was highly significant in the inheritance of all studied traits, and the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities mean squares of the inbred lines, and crosses were significant for all traits, this showed the contribution of additive and non-additive gene action in those traits. The ratio of σ²_GCA/σ²_SCAshowed the dominance of additive gene action in inheritance of these traits. Heterosis of hybrids (P1 × P4, P1 × P6, P2 × P3, P3 × P6, P4 × P6 and P5 × P6) was significant compared with mid and better parents for most studied traits in particular green and dry fodder yield. The lines (P6, P5, P4) also showed a positive and significant general ability for yield of green and dry forage. while the hybrids (P1 × P2, P1 × P3, P2 × P6 and P4 × P6) had the highest significant good SCA for green fodder yield (14.22**, 16.37**, 17.92** and 31.92**) respectively. This confirms the need to include them in the selection and breeding programs of this crop.

Key words: Pearl millet, Half diallel cross, GCA, SCA, Heterosis.

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Estimation of Some Genetic Indicators of Sunflower Helianthus annus L. Varieties Growth and Production Characteristics under Different Plant Densities

Mohamed Nael Khattab^*(1)Waseem Adla⁽²⁾and Erwa Suleiman⁽¹⁾

(1). Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2). Al-Ghab Agricultural Scientific Research Center. General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamed Nael Khattab. E-Mail: aboalabd876@gmail.com).

Received: 03/01/2019 Accepted: 20/02/2019

Abstract

The research was carried out with the aim of estimating some genetic indicators of growth and productivity characteristics to determine the important trait or traits in the selection to be used in breeding programs, for five varieties of sunflower Helianthus annus L. (variety 90, variety 19, variety 9, local variety, and variety 54), which were received from the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), and were planted in three densities (44000, 55000, and 74000 plants/ha), according to randomized completely block design arranged in split-plot with three replicates. The varieties were distributed in the main plots, while the plant densities were allocated in the secondary plots in AL-Gab region (Hama) during season 2018. The results revealed that there were genotypic and phenotypic homogeneity, according to the lowest genetic variance coefficient (GCV) and phenotypic variance coefficient (PCV) for most of the studied traits. Genetic variability was the largest percentage of phenotypic variation. The broad sense heritability values ranged from 83% to 96%, especially at the density of 74000 plants/ha of some traits and reflected on genetic progress which was high and ranged between 14-30%. The results also showed that the best variety that can be evaluated for several years and in more than one geographic location was (variety 9), if planted in a density of 44000 plants/ha to get high productivity components. The characteristics of number of days until flowering, maturity, plant length and productivity kg/ha are better on density of 74000 plants/ha. It is concluded that number of seeds per head and seeds weight can be used as selection indices.

Keywords: Sunflower, Densities, Genetic indicators.

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Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Yield and its Components in Some Maize Zea maiz L. Genotypes Using Factorial Mating System

Ahmed H. A. Anees^*(1) andWatheq H. M. Thiaib Al-Gaisi⁽¹⁾

(1). Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Ahmed H. A. Anees . E-Mail: Ahmed75hawas@yahoo.com).

Received: 28/12/2019 Accepted: 24/02/2020

Abstract

A factorial mating was carried out between male parents (OH₍₁₎, ZP-31₍₂₎, UN440₍₃₎, INbread12₍₄₎ and ZP-607₍₅₎) and female parents (SH₍₆₎, IK-58₍₇₎, IK-8₍₈₎ and R-153₍₉₎). It had been done during spring 2014 at a farm in Baiji district. Parents and their hybrids had been evaluated at Shwan Research Station, Directorate of Agriculture in Kirkuk in autumn 2015 to figure out parents general combining ability (GCA), hybrids specific combining ability (SCA) and dominant gene action for number of days till male and female flowering, plant height, leaf area, number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, 100 grain weight and single plant yield. Results showed a significant genetic difference among the genotypes in most of the characteristics except number of rows per ear for male parents. The male parents (INbread12₍₄₎ and ZP-607₍₇₎)weresignificantly combined positively for plant height and leaf area in INbread12₍₄₎and 100 grain and yield for ZP-607₍₇₎. The same positive direction was obtained in female parents (IK-8₍₈₎ and R-153₍₉₎) for number of days till female flowering, number of rows per ear and yield for IK-8₍₈₎, and leaf area, number of rows per ear, number of grains per row and yield for R-153₍₉₎. Hybridssignificantly combined in a desired direction as well. For example, (OH X R-153), (INbread12 R-153X) and (ZP-607 X IK-58) combined in growth and yield characteristics. The components ratio of (GCA) to (SCA) was less than one, and the dominance variance was more than the additive variance. This was reflected on the broad sense heritability which was high, and on the narrow sense heritability which was low. Finally, it is possible to prognosticate that studied characteristics were controlled by the dominant gene action, and can be selected as promising hybrids and avoiding the selection in the early generations.

Kew words: Maize, Factorial mating system, Genetic parameters.

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Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Effect of its Use for Irrigation on Surface Soil Salinity in South East of Syria (Alyaaroubiya Area)

Rami Kaba⁽¹⁾ and Ahmad Majar^*(2)

(1). Alqamishli Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Administration of Natural Resources, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ahmad Majar. E-Mail: majar2000us@gmail.com, majar2000us@gcsar.gov.sy).

Received: 10/03/2019 Accepted: 15/04/2019

Abstract

Groundwater is considered the main irrigation resource in South-eastern of Syria (Syrian Jazeera). In order to guarantee its sustainable use, qualitative and quantitative evaluation is very much needed. Our study aimed to evaluate wells water quality, as main source for irrigation, and its effect on soil salinity. The study was conducted during 2012 and 2013 in Alyaaroubiya province. Field investigation was undertaken in two stages, where soil and water samples from 16 locations were collected, first and second stages included 7 and 9 locations respectively. pH, EC and TDS, cations and anions were determined, in addition, water quality indicators were calculated. Results showed that water salinity as well as use restrictions were varied from sever to medium levels at different wells, according to infiltration indicator there were no restrictions in the wells 1 and 2, slight ones in the wells 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. According to chloride poisoning, no restriction noticed in the well 8 and slight to medium in the well 9, however rest of wells were suffered of high content of chloride where its concentrations varied between 12.9 and 97.2 mg/l. It was recognized that increasing of soil salinity was compatible with increasing of irrigated water salinity especially in the zone 2, where salinity of the soil, irrigated from the well 16 of highest salinity of water (14.5 dS/m), reached 8.4 dS/m. Dominated salts were chloride and sulfate of sodium, calcium and at lower rate magnesium, and less content of bicarbonate.

Keywords: Groundwater, Water salinity, Soil salinity.

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Designing a Computer Software to Calculate Plant Water Requirements

Mazen Dougouz⁽¹⁾ Mahammed Haqqoun⁽¹⁾ Ayman Hijazi^*(1) and Hadi Nasr-Allah⁽¹⁾

(1). Administration of Natural Resources, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Ayman Hijazi. E-Mail: siraiman@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/08/2019 Accepted: 02/10/2019

Abstract

This research was carried out at the Administration of Natural Resources Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, in 2018; it is considered a computer software with the first version, which calculates the quantity of water requirement for optimal plant growth without water stress according to the climatic data which was calculated for the specific area, taking into consideration no water waste, according to the proper irrigation method of the plant based on the climate data which is included in the program database. The monthly modified crop coefficients were confirmed which depended on the phonological stages of crops and trees and the results of long term of researchs that were carried out at the irrigation research stations of GCSAR, which distributed to cover the seven water basins in Syria. This program calculates the monthly plant water requirements for crops, vegetables, and trees according to Penman Montieth equation which estimates the reference evapotranspiration taking into consideration the irrigation efficiency and coefficient of reduction according to the irrigation method. This program aimed to be a guide software for estimating plant water requirements and this software is considered as a result of a research project which was supported by (GCSAR) reflecting its efforts to rationalize uses of irrigation water and improving water use efficiency especially in arid and semi-arid regions, which already had scarce in its water resources.

Keywords: Software, Water requirement, Evapotranspiration, Crop coefficient.

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Evaluation of Land Suitability for the Cultivation in A Chosen Area in Al-Hasaka Using GIS and LAMIS Program

Rukea El-Hassan*⁽¹⁾ Othman Hamal⁽²⁾ and Younes Idris⁽³⁾

(1). Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Soil and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Euphrates, Der Ezzor, Syria.

(3). General organization of Remote Sensing, Damascus. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Rukea El-Hassan. E-Mail: rukeaalhasn@gmail.com).

Received: 02/05/2019 Accepted: 01/10/2019

Abstract

This research was conducted at a selective area in Al Hasaka Governorate (Wadi Khribet Al Maliha) to evaluate the profitability of its lands to be grown and determine the optimum land use of it. A geo-pedological soil survey was initiated, and 10 soil profiles representing the physiographic units in the study area were collected for some chemical and physical properties analysis. Land evaluation was achieved using LAMIS (Land Management Information System) program under ArcView 3x platform. Evaluation was done by applying map-algebra on both crops’ requirements with parametric conditions of lands and climate characteristics. The results of the evaluation showed that 23.28 % of studied area had good suitability S1, 73.02% had moderate suitability S2, because of simple limitations (CaSo₄, and active depth), and 3.62% had limited suitability because of moderate limitations (CaSo₄, and frost).

Key words: Land suitability evaluation, LAMIS program, Geographic Information System, AL- Hasaka.

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