Adnan Alkazah^(1)*,  Abdulwahab Meri⁽²⁾ and Bassam Aloklah⁽³⁾

(1). Laboratory of the directorate of internal trade and consumer protection in the Damascus countryside

(2). Food Science Department-Faculty of Agriculture-Damascus University-Damascus-Syria

(3). National Commission for Biotechnology-Damascus-Syria

(*Corresponding author: Adnan Alkazah: adnankaza@hotmail.com, Mobile 0938291015)

Received: 30/5/2025                                   Accepted: 3/8/2025

Abstract: 

Lactic acid is considered one of the most important organic acids due to its uses in food and industrial fields. The current research aimed to isolate lactic acid producing bacteria from different foodstuffs such as pickles (turnip, cucumber and capsicum), cheeses (Okawi and shelal), yoghurt, eyran, milk (bovine and sheep milk), Labaneh, Shanklish and keshek, and to choose the better isolate for using in lactic acid production on a medium based on cheese whey. The primary tests are performed on isolates, which include Gram stain and catalase test to ensure whether the isolated bacteria are Gram-positive (either they were cocci or bacilli) and catalase negative, so they are belonging to lactic acid bacteria group. The total number of samples was 79 and the total number of lactic acid bacteria was 60, the bacilli were 18 isolates and the cocci were 42 isolates. Whey samples were collected from Damascus, and they were tested for the percent of dry matter, fat, lactose, total ash, total acidity and pH value. The whey sample was prepared by protein precipitation for screening experiments, which performed on lactic acid bacteria that obtained from food samples, and aimed to identify the most effective isolate in producing lactic acid bacteria from cheese whey. The isolate Y7 produced the largest amount of lactic acid (28.12 g/L). The biochemical tests were performed for identifying this isolate by means of API 50 CHL strip, and this isolate found to be belonging to Lactobacillus paracasei. The identifying of the former isolate was confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, using specific primers designed based on the National Bank for Bioinformatics (NCBI), and this technique ensured the accuracy of the identification using API 50 CHL strip, and that the superior isolate Y7 is belonging to Lactobacillus paracasei.

Keywords: API 50 CHL strip, cheese whey, lactic acid, Lactobacillus paracasei, RT-PCR technique.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Rema Al-Wadaa^1*, Darem Tabbaa²and Abdalnaser Al-Omar³

(1). Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Hama (PhD Student).

(2). Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Hama.

(3). Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Hama Research manager).

(*Correspounding Author, Rema Al-Wadaa, E-mail: rema.vet@gmail.com)

Received: 4/2/2024             Accepted: 1/4/2024

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at the Hama Research Center of the General Authority for Agricultural Scientific Research for the year 2022 with the aim of studying the improvement of the L-Carnitine compound against the toxicity of the liver and kidneys resulting from the use of Formaldehyde in the male rabbits. 24 male rabbits were divided evenly into four groups as follows: The witness group is only provided by food and water. The L-Carnitine compound was given to the second group at a rate of 250 mg/kg of body weight. The third group was digested by the L-Carnitine and Formaldehyde together with milk on a daily basis by mouth with the same ratios mentioned in the second and fourth group, where the fourth group was digested with the Formaldehyde with milk at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg of animal weight per day by mouth. The experiment lasted for 90 days, during which blood was drawn from experimental animals periodically every (15) days, and liver enzymes (ALT, alanine aminotransferase, AST, aspartate aminotransferase) and kidney indicators (creatinine, CREA, urea, BUN) were measured. The results obtained showed that giving the Formaldehyde led to a high morale at the level of (5%) in the liver and kidneys indicators in the blood of rabbits male compared to the witness, while when the animals are given the L- Carnitine compound and the Formaldehyde together lowering the L- Carnitine the values of liver and kidney indicators compared to the resulting values in the form of the Formaldehyde and has become closer to the normal rate, It is concluded that the use of L-carnitine on a daily basis for male experimental rabbits plays an important role against liver and kidney toxicity resulting from formaldehyde, as it was able, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to clearly reduce it, and this in turn leads to improving liver functions by lowering the level of its enzymes and reducing From the harmful effect on kidney tissue.

Keywords: Milk, Formaldehyde, L_ Carnitine, liver, kidney, Rabbit.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Raneem Ali Msalam* ⁽¹⁾, Ibrahim Hamdan Saqr ⁽¹⁾, and Ali Suleiman Ahmed ⁽²⁾

(1). Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2). Department of Economics and Planning, Faculty of Economics, Tishreen University, Syria.

(*Correspondent author: Raneem Ali Msalam, raneem.msalam.93@gmail.com , Mob.: 0934737643)

 Received :28 /1/2024                 Accepted: 27/3/2024

Abstract: 

The research aimed to analyze and evaluate the performance of micro-agricultural projects specialized in livestock production in Latakia Province, economically and environmentally, and to identify the most prominent obstacles that hinder the growth and development of these projects. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to a random sample of 133 agricultural producers in the regions. Of the Lattakia Governorate (Jableh, Al-Haffa, Qardaha, Latakia) and constitutes (10%) of the total studied community 1332 animal production projects, and the performance was evaluated using a three-point Likert scale, in addition to applying many financial and production standards that express the economic efficiency of the studied projects, The results showed that there are many obstacles facing animal production projects, such as the high costs of production requirements, especially feed materials, medicines, and vaccines. The results of the research also showed that there is good economic efficiency for micro-animal production projects, as the productivity of the invested capital reached 1.81 SYP, and the coefficient Profitability (81.02%), and rentier coefficient (45%). The research recommends the need to educate farmers about the importance of self-reliance in providing fodder through cultivation in smallholdings, in addition to the need to invest family capital in micro-farm projects.

Keywords: agricultural, livestock, micro-projects, performance, economic analysis and evaluation.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Rana youness Hamdan*⁽¹⁾,  Anton Sammaan Youssef⁽²⁾,  Ahmad Sammour Al-Ibrahim⁽³⁾

(1). Phd student, Chargé d’affaires, Department of food engineering, faculty of chimecal and petroleum engineering, Al-Baath university

(2). Professor, Department of food engineering, faculty of chimecal and petroleum engineering, Al-Baath university.

(3). Assistant Professor, Department of food engineering, faculty of chimecal and petroleum engineering, Al-Baath university.

(*Corresponding author: R. Hamdan: basimaal508@gmail.com, tel: 0934591083).

Received: 30/9/2024                       Accepted: 19/1/2025

Abstract: 

The effect of using some lemon sterilization solutions, are studied in this research, packaging them in aseptic conditions and storing them refrigerated, on the percentage of microbiological spoilage of the fruits and on the change in their chemical composition. For sterilization, hot water was used at temperatures (40,50,60 °C), sodium bicarbonate at concentrations (1,2,3 %) at temperatures (20,55,60 °C) and hydrogen peroxide was used at concentrations (0.5,1,2 %). For aseptic packaging, a locally manufactured device was used to carry out this work, and polyethylene bags were used to pack the fruits simultaneously with sterilization it. The results showed that using hot water did not give the desired result as it affected the strength of the fruits (their texture), while using sodium bicarbonate at a concentration of 3% and at a temperature of 55 ºC gave positive results in terms of the possibility of using it for long-term storage of lemons. When using hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1%, the fruits maintained their microbiological safety for a long period exceeding seven months while maintaining good physical and chemical properties. The experiments showed that the best treatment for lemon fruits was using immersion in hydrogen peroxide (concentration 1% for 2 min), where the physiological damage rate was 3% and no fungal growth appeared on the stored lemon fruits.

Key words: Lemon, Aseptic Ambience, polyethelyne, hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Basima Barhom^*(1) and Khayam Mohrez ⁽¹⁾

(1). General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Basima Barhom. Email: d.basimabarhom@gmail.com ).

Received: 22/10/2023                                 Accepted: 9/5/2024

Abstract: 

This experiment is carried out during the 2022-2023 season in an open field in the Hinadi nursery, which is affiliated with the Latakia Agriculture Directorate (Latakia Governorate) to test the effect of both the fungus Trichoderma harzianum and Olive Mill Wastewaters on the germination of seeds and the lengths of Pinus pinea L. plants grown in pots. The results of the experiment showed that the biological treatment with T. harzianum led to a clear increase in the wet weight of the entire plant, reaching 11.16 g compared to 9.61 g in the untreated control, and also led to an increase in the wet weight of the roots, reaching 3.7 g compared to 2.66 g in the untreated control. On the other hand, the concentration of 50% Olive Mill Wastewaters did not have a clear effect on the length of the plant, but led to the inhibition of the wet weight of the entire plant compared to the control, and no toxic effects of Olive Mill Wastewaters were observed on the treated plants.

Keywords: Trichoderma – Pinus pinea – Olive Mill Wastewater- Growth indicators.

  Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Khaled Al-Issa* ⁽¹⁾ Ahmed Jairodia⁽¹⁾ and Amer Agha ⁽²⁾

(1). Renewable Natural Resources and Environment Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University. Syria.

(2).  Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Al-Furat University. Syria.

(*Corresponding author:  Eng. Khaled Al-Issa, khaled.wfp@hotmail.com ).

Received: 20/11/2023         Accepted: 9/3/2024

Abstract: 

The study was aims to evaluate the growth of Populus euphratica trees in their natural distribution areas in the lower Euphrates basin in five different sites: Al-Tebni site (L1), Al-Baghiliya site (L2), Hawijat Saqr site (L3), Al-Mariya site (L4), and Al-Mayadin site (L5). It was implemented in the period between 2021-2022. Growth indicators (diameter at chest height, height, density, volume) and wood productivity (woody reserve) were studied at the rate of three replicates at each site, with an area of 200 m2 for each repeater, and the results of the measurements indicated that the Populus euphratica  was superior in Al-Tebni site in terms of growth and wood productivity indicators, as the wood reserves within an area of 1 hectare reached to 359.69 m3/ha, while the wood reserve in the Al-Baghiliyah site reached an area of 1 hectare amounted to 159.29 m3, which is the lowest value among the studied sites. The decrease in productivity in the studied sites is due to reasons related to human activity and encroachments by local residents, in addition to environmental climatic factors and soil quality, which contribute effectively and fundamentally to determining this productivity.

Keywords: Populus euphratica, lower Euphrates basin, growth indicators, wood reserves.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Haidara Boissa⁽¹⁾*,  Mazen Nassour⁽²⁾, and Fahed Sahuni⁽³⁾

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

(2). Professor, Horticulture,Second Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University.Aleppo , Syria.

(3). Postgraduate Student (PhD), Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University.Lattakia , Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Haidara boissa. E-Mail: haidara.hhda@gmail.com )

Received: 10/12/2023                                 Accepted: 1/4/2024

Abstract: 

The aim of this research was to study the effect of foliar spraying with the growth regulators gibberellin and alar in improving the quantity and quality of the essential oil extracted from the flowers and leaves of the Chrysanthemum plant, where the treatments were as follows: control treatment (T0), spraying with the alar growth regulator (500, 1000) ppm, and spraying With gibberellin acid (100, 150 ppm) and spraying with growth regulators (1000 ppm Alar and 150 ppm gibberellins). Field experiments were carried out in the village of Al-Dubaika – Al-Haffa District – Latakia Governorate – Syria, and laboratory experiments were carried out in the College of Agriculture – Tishreen University for two agricultural seasons (2019-2020) and (2020-202). The essential oil of the six samples was analyzed using gas chromatography technology connected to a mass spectrometer. The results showed that all treatments were significantly superior to the control treatment in the amount of essential oil for leaves and flowers, which did not exceed (0.76 and 0.61)%, respectively. The results also showed that the spraying treatment was superior to T5 was significantly different from the rest of the treatments in the average amount of essential oil in flowers and leaves by (0.96, 0.78)%, respectively. The results of the qualitative analysis of the oil of the grebe plant showed five basic chemical groups in the essential oil – a group of hydrocarbons, a group of esters, – a group of alcohols, a group of ketones, and a group of organic acids whose presence is limited to the essential oil of flowers. The results also showed the positive effect of joint spraying of growth regulators represented by treatment T5, as it was significantly superior to the rest of the treatments in the chemical composition of the essential oil extracted from the leaves and flowers.

Key words: Chrysanthemum – essential oil- GA₃ – ALAR .

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Bodour Mansour ⁽¹⁾, and Hanan Sharaby*⁽²⁾

(1). Engineer, Master of Horticultural Sciences, Organic Agriculture Directorate, Aleppo Agriculture Directorate.

(2). Lecturer, Department of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Damascus University.

(*Correspondent: Dr. Hanan Sharaby, hanan.sharaby@damascusuniversity.edu.sy )

Received: 28/11/2023                                 Accepted: 9/5/2024

Abstract: 

This experiment was conducted on a private farm in the Al-Dhahabiya area in the Aleppo countryside during the 2022-2023 agricultural season, with the aim of studying the effect of some natural fertilizers such as “wood vinegar, nettle extract, and compost tea” and the interaction between them on the morphological and productive characteristics of bean plants as one of the methods of recycling according to the principles of Regenerative agriculture. The experiment included 13 treatments (untreated control, wood vinegar at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 ml/l, nettle extract at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ml/l, compost tea at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ml/l, and the interaction between them). The experiment was designed according to completely randomized blocks and included 13 treatments, with three replications for each treatment. The results showed the efficiency of treatment with natural organic fertilizers, as the treatment with the highest concentrations of 400 ml/l for both nettle extract and compost tea, and the treatment (wood vinegar 10 ml/l + nettle extract 100 ml/l + compost tea 100 ml/l) recorded a significant superiority compared to the rest of the coefficients increased in the number of branches/plant, reaching 5.74, 5.89, and 5.65 branches/plant, respectively. A significant increase was observed in the average amount of pods/plant with the treatment with higher concentrations of nettle extract and compost tea 400 ml/l and the treatment (wood vinegar 10 ml/l + nettle extract 100 ml/l + compost tea 100 ml/l).

Keywords: regenerative agriculture, wood vinegar, compost tea, nettle extract, beans.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Jinan M. Kalaf*⁽¹⁾  and Layla A. Benyan^{( 1)}

(1). Department of plant protection, college of Agriculture,University of Basrah, Iraq

 (*Corresponding author. Jinan Malik Kalaf, E.mail: Jinan.kalaf@uobasrah.edu.iq)

Received: 5/10/2024                       Accepted: 3/8/2025

Abstract

This study was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of plant protection ,College of Agriculture/  University of Basrah  for the 2023 -2024.to know the effect of treating wheat grains with plant powders of Conocarpus lancifolius Adolf , Vitex agnus castus  L. , Nerium  oleander L.at concentrations of 4 ,6 , 8%  by weight  and suspension of the Trichoderma harzianum , Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps pseudolloydii at concentrations of 6×10^{8 ,} 46.66×10^8, 22.6×10⁸ spore/ml on the life of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst).The percentage of mortality of the adults of the beetle reached 82.3, 80.9, 100% of wheat grains treated with Conocarpus lancifolius Adolf , Vitex agnus castus L. ,Nerium  oleander L. powder at aconcentrations of 8% after ten days of treatment and  the rate of effect of plant powders on the mortality rate was  49.29 ,25.45 , 71.92 %  for both Conocarpus lancifolius Vitex agnus castus and  Nerium  oleander powder at a concentrations respectively. The results showed an increase in the annual mortality rate when the concentrations and duration of exposure to the plant powders increased .while the rate of effect of the fungal suspension of mortaliy was 40,60 , 93.33 % for T.harzianum , B. bassiana and C. pseudolloydii respectively and the average percentage of germination of grains treated with the plant powders 98.88, 92.22, 93.33% for Conocarpus lancifolius Vitexagnus castus and Nerium  oleander respectively, compared to the control, which  reached 96.66%. The average germination of grains treated with the fungal suspension was 93 ,96.33, 96.66 % respectively. Plant powders and fungal suspensions had a non-significant effect on the germination rate and length of stem and root of germinated grains compared to the control.    

Key words: plant powders, Biological fungi, Rusty flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst).

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Basima Alsheikh*⁽¹⁾, Rami Youness⁽¹⁾,  Dimah Najar ⁽²⁾, and sawsan Allan⁽¹⁾

(1). Department Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2). Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry Department, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Basima Alshiekh. E.Mail: basimaal508@gmail.com ).

Received: 19/12/2023                                 Accepted: 9/5/2024

Abstract: 

Urban green spaces contribute to biodiversity conservation, and provide ecosystem services and benefits. Study was carried out in the city of Latakia in Syria. It iimed to estimate functional biodiversity in the city parks. Thirteen parks were chosen, and 34 sampls were identified witheen these parks. Fifty-five plant species were recorded, including ceratonia siliqua, which is endangered by extinction, belonging to 41 genera and 26 families. Moraceae and Fabaceae were the most represented families with 7 species, the family Oleaceae came next with 5 species. Species characteristics were as follow: most of species were exotic (63.64%), tree size was small (83.64%), pollination by insects (67.27%), and dispersal by animals (58.18%), evergreen (70.91%), low abundance (40%), The fruits were dry (52.72%). Trees cosnstitute (69.09%) of all species. The relative importance of Washingtonia filifera was the highest (IVI=(15.930, followed by Ficus nitida (IVI=14.053) and Melia azedarach (IVI=(9.212. Pinus brutia and Melia azedarach were the most abundance species. Results showed low to moderate values in biodiversity indicators, and use of non-native species more than native ones. The study recommends the use of indigenous species as they support biodiversity and wildlife in the urban landscape.

Keywords: Plant diversity, functional diversity, urban park, green space, Latakia, Syria.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF