Objective: Sorghum has received great interest for resistance to heavy metals. Therefore, effects of Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) concentrations (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 ppm) on antioxidant enzyme systems of Sorghum in root and leaf tissues were investigated. Methods: Seeds were cultivated in hydroponic Hoagland solution containing heavy metal concentrations in a growth chamber. Malondialdehyde (MDA), proline levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were evaluated after treatment. Results: Al doses decreased chlorophyll a (Chl a) at 4 ppm and subsequent doses, and total Chl at 32 and 64 ppm doses, however, it did not cause any change at Chl b except at 2 ppm. Although 64 ppm of Al, Cr, and Pb decreased total Chl, it increased proline level (nearly 5, 21 and 40 times higher compared to control, respectively) in leaf. Common observation is that positive correlation was apparent between proline, MDA, APX and GST activity for Al and Cr treatments and GST activity for three elements in root. Also, the only positive correlation was evident between proline and MDA for Al and Cr applications in leaf. Conclusion: Although sorghum is resistant to heavy metals, induction of antioxidant enzymes seem to be not enough at higher concentrations to protect cells from heavy metal toxicity; however, it has great importance for further studies to find out whether phenolic compounds produced in sorghum have additive role in this regard.

The effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on the crude oil and fatty acid composition of maize cultivars was studied. Three levels of irrigation (50, 75 and 100% of field capacity) and nitrogen (100, 200 and 300 kg·ha-1) were used for treatment groups. After harvest, the crude oils were extracted and fatty acid profiles were determined by Gas Chromatography system. The study was repeated for two years and the interaction effects of fertilizer and irrigation were determined. Our results show that the crude oil content was affected positively by the fertilizer and the irrigation applications. As expected, the most abundant fatty acid was linoleic and the harvest year did not alter it. The highest linoleic acid content value was obtained with a 50% field capacity and 300 kg·ha-1 fertilizer treatment combination. In addition, fatty acid contents varied with the changing of interaction effects except for myristic and palmitic acid. Oleic acid was the second abundant fatty acid in the oil samples and the lowest oleic acid value was obtained with a 50% field capacity and 300 kg·ha-1 fertilizer treatment combination. Oleic acid content tended to increase with 75% field capacity but 100% field capacity treatment decreased in it.

Alfalfa is a crucial feed source for livestock, necessitating proper drying to achieve optimal moisture levels before consumption. This study aims to reveal alfalfa's drying characteristics and quality properties, defined as the queen of feed, by drying it under different drying conditions. Alfalfa samples were dried using different drying techniques: Open-sun, shade, greenhouse, hybrid (microwave-air-convective), air-convective, microwave, and freeze-drying. The influence of drying techniques on the drying kinetics, energy aspects, biochemical properties, mineral composition, fatty acids, carotene, and color attributes of alfalfa were investigated. Present findings revealed that shade and high-temperature drying conditions increased the crude fiber content (23.18%) of alfalfa samples. The highest protein values were found in open-sun drying (22.01%) and 60 °C air-convective drying (22.10%). The highest values for mineral composition were determined in freeze drying, and the greatest Zn (33.68 ppm) and Fe (135.45 ppm) contents were determined in 100 °C air-convective drying. The highest saturated fatty acids open-sun (21.27%) and freeze dryer (21.07%), unsaturated fatty acids at 60 °C (84.51%) and 80 °C (84.26%), poly unsaturated fatty acids at 60 °C (78.36%), 80 °C (78.14%) and 100 °C (77.74%) were obtained. The drying kinetics of alfalfa were best modeled with the Jena&Das, and in terms of a* (greenness) values, the hybrid drying yielded the best results. The lowest total energy consumption (54.00 kWh) was seen in 200W + 80 °C hybrid drying and the highest (324.72 kWh) in 100 °C air-convective drying. The color attributes and energy consumption findings showed that hybrid drying could efficiently be used for alfalfa drying. In addition, freeze drying was determined to be the best drying method in terms of nutrient preservation.