Mohammed Al-haql^(1)*, Hoda Habbal ⁽¹⁾ and Bassam Al Oklah⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, , Damascus, Syria.  

(2). Department of Food Technology –National Commission for Biotechnology, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Al-haql. E-mail Alhaql.moh@damascusuniversity.edu.sy. Mobile: 00963951954375).

Received: 5 / 01/  2025                    Accepted: 16 /03 /2025

Abstract: 

The research was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Food Science at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, and the National Commission for Biotechnology, between 2022 -2024. The aim was to comparatively study some physical properties (water activity, density, turbidity, and color) and functional properties (water or oil holding capacity, gel formation, solubility, emulsification, and foaming) of protein isolates from roasted and unroasted sesame husks. The results of the physical properties study showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the two protein isolates in terms of density, turbidity, and color indices. The functional properties study revealed that the roasted sesame husks protein isolate outperformed the unroasted one in oil-binding capacity (2.94 and 2.23 g/g, respectively) and gel formation ability (12% and 14%, respectively). The findings revealed a significant impact of both the roasting process and pH value on solubility, emulsification indices, and foaming properties. Both protein types exhibited comparable sensitivity to pH changes, with the highest values observed in the alkaline range (pH = 10) for solubility (74.14% and 79.41%), emulsification (82.74% and 84.52%), and foaming (101% and 128.86%) in roasted and unroasted sesame husk protein isolates, respectively. It can be concluded that both isolates exhibit good functional properties, offering promising potential for food applications.

Keywords: sesame Husks, protein, roasting, physical properties, solubility.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Tahani Alidee ^{(1) *} and Maytham Jales⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Food Technology-General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Tahani Alidee. E-Mail: tahane.alidee@yahoo.com).

Received: 14/01/2024                 Accepted: 24/09/2024

Abstract: 

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from Al-Shami mulberry leaves (Morus nigra) grown in Syria using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Minitab17 program for use in food and pharmaceutical industries later. The fresh leaves were collected from Khan Arnabah, Al Qunaitra Governorate, Syria, in 2022, shade-dried, and kept in a dry place until they were analyzed. The phenolic compounds were extracted using ultra-pure deionized water (extraction solvent) related to solvent:solid ratio and the mixture was put in a water bath at three temperatures (30, 40, and 50 C) for 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and the design included 30 experiments. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, whereas the antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH method. The TPC ranged from 11.47 to 43.97 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g, and the antioxidant activity ranged from 31.98 to 79.78%. The statistical results showed that the linear effects of temperature, the ratio of water, and the quadratic effect of temperature on TPC were significant. Whereas the linear effect of the temperature on antioxidant activity was significant (P≤0.05). The optimum results showed that the maximum TPC value (420.91 mg/100 g) with the highest antioxidant activity (71.56%) was observed at an extraction time of 45 min, a temperature of 50 °C, and a solvent-solid ratio of 30:1 by using water as an extraction solvent.

Keywords: Al-Shami mulberry, Morus nigra, Syria, phenolic compounds, DPPH, RSM.          

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Wissam Tahan⁽¹⁾, Nasr Sheikh Suliman⁽²⁾, Saleem Rai ⁽³⁾ and Hassan Ahmad ⁽³⁾

(1). Horticulture Department- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering- Tishreen niversity-

Lattakia, Syria.

(2). Department of plant protection- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering- Tishreen University- Lattakia, Syria.

(3). Tartous Agriculture Directorate- Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Reform. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Wissam Tahan, E-Mail:  wissamou.ali1993@gmail.com, 0996124420)

Received: 5/10/2024                 Accepted: 9/03/2025

Abstract: 

The experiment was carried out in the governorate of Tartous, the village of Karto in the autumn of 2022, where the tomatoes (Dana hybrid) was treated with the cucumber mosaic virus and without it within the plastic house with the SALSICO compound spraying on the plants and adding with irrigation water with two concentrations: 3 and 6 ml/l, in addition to two treatments of the infected control not treated with the SALSICO compound and the healthy control not treated with the SALSICO compound, to study the indicators of vegetative growth and production, which were plant height, leaf surface area, the amount of total chlorophyll in the leaves and production in the experimental plants. The results showed that spray treatments were superior in average plant height, leaf surface area, total chlorophyll, and fruit weight over irrigation treatments at the same concentrations, with significant differences in tomato plants infected and uninfected with the cucumber mosaic virus compared to the healthy and infected control, and the highest average plant height, leaf surface area, total chlorophyll, and fruit weight were recorded in the plants uninfected and treated with the SALSICO compound in the spray treatment with a concentration of 6 ml/L, it reached (2.39 m/plant, 14,880 cm2/plant, 1,111 mg/g, 5.95 kg/plant) respectively, and with an increase rate of (47.53, 38.80, 28.43, and 44.76)%, respectively, compared to the healthy control. The results showed the effectiveness of the SALSICO compound at concentrations of 3 and 6 ml/l and with two treatment methods (spraying, irrigation) in stimulating vegetative and fruit growth and increasing productivity in protected tomato plants in the presence and absence of viral infection.

Keywords: SALSICO compound (sugar alcohols and salicylic acid), protected tomatoes, vegetative growth, production, cucumber mosaic virus.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Mohammad Saab^(1)* and Fateh Khatib⁽¹⁾

(1). Dept. of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding Author, Mohammad Saab, Email:Mohammad.Saab1995@gmail.com, Phone: +963938796193 )

Received: 23/05/2024                     Accepted: 19/01/2025

Abstract: 

Phytoplasma is a non-culturable, cell-wallless bacterium that infects various vegetable crops, including potatoes, which are considered one of the most important food vegetables grown in Aleppo Governorate. A phytoplasma infection survey and characterization of its symptoms were carried out in six potato fields planted in the fall season during 2022 in Tal Aran and Tal Hasel in Aleppo Governorate. Twenty-two apparently infected plant samples were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from them, its concentration and purity were estimated, and its quality was tested. Nested PCR was performed in two stages using primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/ R16R2 to detect phytoplasma infection. The products were separated on 1% agarose gel and fragments of 1800bp in length were obtained for the first reaction and 1200bp in length for the second reaction. Six enzymes AluI, HinfI, BamHI, EcoRI, HhaI, Rsal were used in PCR-RFLP technique to digest the PCR products in the second stage. The digested products were separated on 2% agarose gel. The results were compared with reference studies to identify molecular groups and subgroups based on the 16S rRNA gene in phytoplasma. The nested PCR results showed that the collected potato samples were infected with phytoplasma by 77.27%. The average phytoplasma infection rate was 1% in both regions. The results of enzymatic digestion showed that the phytoplasma infecting potato belonged to the species Candidatus phytoplasma trifolii of the clover leaf group 16SrVI, and to the subgroup 16SrVI-A.

Key words: Potato, Phytoplasma, Molecular Characterization, PCR-RFLP technique, Purple top.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Lobna Rajab^*(1), Ibtisam Gazal⁽¹⁾  and Mohammad Ahmad⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tartus University, Tartus, Syria.

(*Corresponding Author, Lobna Rajab, E-mail: lobnarajabassiana@gmail.com).

Received:28/09/2024          Accepted: 24/02/2025

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at Latakia University, during 2022, and aimed to investigate the direct and endophytic effects of two indigenous isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuil. in protecting the cucumber plant from an infestation of Aphis gossypii under greenhouse conditions. The isolate B243 isolated from soil and the isolate N20 endophytically isolated from a cucumber plant were used for these experiments. The pathogenicity of these isolates against the cotton aphid A. gossypii was tested in the laboratory by feeding aphids on cucumber leaf discs dipped in the fungal spore suspension. The results showed a significant decrease in the resulting population size, reaching 44.35 and 58.49% compared with the control for both isolates B243 and N20, respectively. The effect of both isolates on the infestation of cucumber plants with A. gossypii was studied under greenhouse conditions using three inoculation methods: foliar spray before infested plants with aphids, foliar spray after infested plants with aphids, and root soaking with the spore suspension as the endophytic effect of the fungus. The ability of the fungus to colonize plant parts was also studied after each of these methods. The results showed that the fungus was able to colonize the leaves, roots, and stems after root soaking only. Application of B. bassiana, whether through root inoculation or direct spray after infestation, was effective in reducing the infestation of cucumber plants with cotton aphids in the greenhouse. Both treatments reduced the individual fertility and the community size by a reduction percentage of 85.39 and 74.02% for the community of each of B243 and N20, respectively.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic Fingi, Endophytic Colonization, Beauveria bassiana, Aphis gossypii.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Wassim Mayya* ⁽¹⁾

(1). Faculty of science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Wassim Mayya, Email: wassim.mayya@damascusuniversity.edu.sy  ,      phone: 0936007810 ).

Received:25/09/2023                                  Accepted:19/12/2023

Abstract: 

This study, included the feeding of Clausocalanus arcuicornis (Dana,1849 ) of crustacean zooplankton (Calanoida), by studying the structure of the Mandible and the gut content of this previous species to determine its favorite food.  76 samples have been collected vertically in period between March and October 2021. The samples were also accompanied with different hydrophysical and hydrochemical measurements in three regions that differ from each other with their environmental properties. The number of members of (C.arcuicornis ) that were studied reached (61) individuals, of which (42) are female and (19) are male. On the other hand, studying its mandible structure, and knowing the content of the gut of the aforementioned species helped in expanding knowledge about the conditions and strategies of feeding it under the influence of environmental factors. The number of algae species (phytoplankton) that C.arcuicornis  fed reached (7) species, of which (4) belong to the Dinophyceae, (2) species to Bacillariophyceae earth, and (1) only one species to the group Cryptophyceae. The highest average number of Dinophyceae was (1500), followed by Bacillariophyceae (420) individuals, then the group of Cryptophyceae (140) individuals.

Keywords: Feeding, Mandible, Gut Content, Hydrophysical And Hydrochemical Measurements.

Full Paper in English: pdf

Laila Alloush^{(1) (2)}*, Sabah AL-Maghribi⁽¹⁾, Basima Barhom⁽³⁾

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattkia, Syria,

(2). GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). Researcher. Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr.Laila Alloush, E-Mail: engineerlaela@gmail.com)

Received: 30/08/2023         Accepted: 1/11/2023

Abstract: 

This research aimed to study the effect of salicylic acid on development of infection with races 0 and 2 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris on chickpea cultivar Ghab4. Studying the antifungal antagonism of salicylic acid for races through Poisoned Food Technique, ten concentrations were prepared from 1 to 2000 µg/ml on PDA, the inhibition percentage was calculated. The half-field experiment was carried out under the natural conditions of Al-Ghab region at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center, 2021, with a Complete Random Block Design with three replications and three treatments: seed coating, seed soaking, and spraying the plants with salicylic acid in addition to the control. The percentage and severity of infection were recorded on plants at the age of 80 days. The results showed an increase in the percentage of inhibition by increasing the concentration of salicylic acid in PDA culture, the two concentrations of 1000 and 1500 µg/ml completely inhibited the actinic growth of races 0 and 2 (respectively). The use of salicylic acid was not highly effective in reducing the percentage and severity of infection resulting from infection with race0, while the soaking had significant differences over each of the spraying and coating, followed by the spraying with significant differences with the control infected with race2.

Key words:Ghab4 cultivar, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, salicylic acid, race0, race2, AL-Ghab.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Alaa Khalil^(1)*, Issam Allaf⁽²⁾, Qusai al-Rehiyeh⁽³⁾ and Ibrahim Al-Obied⁽²⁾

(1). GCSAR- Hamah research center , GCSAR, Syria.

(2). Department of plant protection, University of Tishreen, Lattakia, Syria.

(3). GCSAR,  Lattakia Research Center, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Alaa Khalil, E-Mail: lolot5640b@gmail.com, Mobile, 0938446652).

Received: 7/07/2023            Accepted: 19/12/2023

Abstract: 

The current study was conducted during the season (2021-2022 In the fields of al-Ghab Research Center in order to determine the effect of two different planting dates on the appearance of blight on the black cumin plant (Nigella sativa) and the plant’s susceptibility to the disease. The survey included (12) fields. The cultivation took place on two different dates (1-15 December and 1-15 February). The results confirmed the presence of significant differences between the two dates, where planting succeeded in the second date and the crop escaped from the threat of frost, which weakened the plant in the first date and made it vulnerable to infection. It will serve as a reference for scientists, researchers and agricultural workers to choose the most suitable date for planting the crop to escape the disease that has swept the crop in recent years and caused heavy damage and material losses. Note that references in this field are very rare.

key words: Nigella sativa, black seed , planting dates,  blight disease.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Ismaeel alsaleh^*(1), Abu-ghorrah Mahmoud⁽¹⁾ and Aroub Almasri⁽²⁾

(1). Department of plant protection -faculty of agriculture, Damascus   University, Damascus, Syria.

(2). National commission for biotechnology( NCBT), Ministry of higher education and scientific research, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Ismaeel Alsale, E-Mail: ismaeel.alsaleh@damascusuniversity.edu.sy).

Received: 1/10/2023            Accepted: 5/11/2023

Abstract: 

This study was conducted in Plant Bacterial Diseases lab at Damascus university – faculty of Agriculture, and Molecular Biology lab at National commission for Biotecnology , We evaluated the efficiency of spraying wheat seedlings with the recombinant Harpin_Ea protein in increasing the activity of the peroxidase enzyme (POD), we used for that spectrophotometry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) assays, the results of the measurement enzyme activity by spectrophotometer showed increasing in POD activity at wheat seedlings which treated with Harbin compared to seedlings treated with water (control).  the highest activity of the enzyme was at 72 hours post-treatment with Harpin compared to control (it reached 1.828 times concentration of the enzyme in the control), while it decreased slightly at 96 hours after spraying. Detection of activity of POD enzyme at wheat seedlings by polyacrylamide electrophoresis (Native-PAGE) confirmed last result, electrophoresis showed that the density and intensity of the peroxidase bands gradually increased in samples treated with harbin and reached the highest effectiveness (the highest density and intensity of the resulting band) at 72 hours post-treatment with Harpin, then the band density decreased slightly at 72 hours post-treatment with Harpin. Also at this study, we conducted gene expression of GPX (one of the genes responsible for peroxidase enzyme), and gene expression of Taβ-actin gene (housekeeping gene as internal control) on agarose gel. The results showed stability in gene expression by the time for both genes, whether in wheat seedlings treated with water or seedlings treated with Harbin, i.e. there was’nt any effect of treating wheat with harbin protein on the GPX gene expression, which indicates that the effectiveness of Harbin protein in stimulating activity of peroxidase enzyme didn’t match with gene expression of GPX, maybe there are other genes play a role in increasing its activity. This study showed the possibility of of treating wheat with Harbin protein which produced locally to increase its immunity and resistance to various pests.

Key words: Wheat, harbin protein, peroxidase enzyme.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Mahmoud alhamdan*⁽¹⁾ and George Ghandour⁽²⁾

(1). General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Researches, Homs Center Research, Homs, Syria

(2). Faculty, albaath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud alhamdan, Email Alhamdan1978@hotmail.com, Tel: 00963934003889).

Received:24/09/2023          Accepted:24/12/2023       

Abstract: 

This research was carried out at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Homs during the year 2022-2023, in order to study the effect of foliar spraying by biological maturate( biobacter) by concentration (0 blank, 1, 2, 3) g/lit which equal the levels ( 0 blank, 50, 100, 150)% in growth and productivity Tomato plant and in the quality properties of fruits, For that completely Randomized blocks was used, and the treatments distributed by three replications,  the results gave the following: Increase the plant height  by the increasing of levels spraying comparing with the control,  the foliar  spraying by concentration 2 g/lit (treatment 100% level) outperformed the two treatments  (50, 150)% according to the number of fruits/  bunch (3 fruit /bunch), the number of fruits/ shrub (38.33 fruit/shrub), and productivity estimated with (kg/ dunum) which reached to 500kg/dunum with increasing about 50% comparing with the control. On the other hand, the result showed a decrease in the acidity of fruits, an increase in their hardness, and a decrease in the percentage of soluble soils in them when foliar spraying with biological maturate at concentration of 2 g/l (100%).

Keywords: biological maturate (biobacter), foliar spray, tomatoes, growth, productivity, quality specification.   

Full paper in Arabic: pdf