This study aimed to investigate the biochemical compounds of five different apple cultivars (Amasya, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Starking) grown in the same location and to reveal the differences between peel and pulp in the fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples. Sugar and organic acid contents were analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography. Besides, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents were analyzed with a spectrophotometer. The results of these analyses showed that the compounds varied between peel and pulp and among fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples. The largest level of total flavonoid was found in Amasya oven-dried peel, and the largest total phenol, antioxidant activity, fructose, and total sugar levels were observed in Amasya sun-dried peel. Moreover, the largest L-ascorbic acid was detected in Amasya oven-dried pulp. Granny Smith oven-dried pulp was rich in citric, succinic acids, and glucose. Braeburn sun-dried pulp, Golden Delicious oven-dried pulp, and Granny Smith sun-dried pulp contained the largest sucrose, malic acid, and total soluble solids levels, respectively. For data interpretation, t-test, ANOVA, Duncans test, KruskalWallis H test, and principal component analysis were performed. The peel contained significantly higher total flavonoid, total phenol, and antioxidant activity than pulp. Moreover, among fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples, total phenol, succinic acid, malic acid, and L-ascorbic acid significantly differed. As a whole, the pulp was rich in sugars. The results provide valuable information on the food quality parameters of five different apple cultivars. It was demonstrated that consuming apple with its peel is healthier (in terms of total flavonoid, total phenol, antioxidant activity parameters, and L-ascorbic acid), and drying (especially the sun-drying method) is an effective food storage method for apples.

Crimson Sweet is one of the favorite watermelon cultivars with high sugar content and great flavor containing small and dark seeds. Both fruit flesh and seeds have high nutrition content. In order to evaluate new sources of oil for the growing population, watermelon seed oil is used in some nations. Therefore, it was aimed to determine the fatty acid profile of differentially stored Crimson Sweet watermelon seed oil in this study. The results indicated that seeds are rich in Omega 6 fatty acid (40.62-42.34%). The amount of this essential fatty acid was higher at samples stored at 4oC. Palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids are the main fatty acids followed by linoleic acid in Crimson Sweet watermelon, respectively. Moreover, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acids was determined as 1.16, 1.20, 1.27 (room temperature, 4oC, and newly harvested, respectively) which are in the desirable range for qualified oil.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) is one of the most beloved ornamental plants with fragrant flowers. As one of the important bulbous plants, hyacinth is used as a cut flower, potted flower, and garden flower. Due to their unique aroma, hyacinth flowers are used in perfumery especially in France whose perfume industry is well-known in the world. In this study, Headspace Solid Phase Micro Extraction (HS-SPME) GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) technique was used for the analysis of volatile compounds of flower samples. A total of 28 volatile compounds were identified in the fresh flowers of hyacinths. Phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, a-pinene, and furfural were the major aromas accounting for hyacinth fragrance.

In this study, the fuel characteristics of biodiesel produced from jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] oil and biodiesel obtained from the jojoba oil procured under laboratory conditions were compared. For this purpose, jojoba seed endosperm and oil, which was attained from the jojoba endosperm calli via soxhlet extraction, was obtained. Biodiesel was produced from this oil via the transesterification method. It was determined that the fuel characteristics of the biodiesels produced from the oil procured under the laboratory conditions and the oil attained from the seeds were close to each other, and it was observed that the other features were in parallel with the standards, except for the viscosity and freeze point. This research study offers a solution for the raw material problem, which is one of the most important obstacles against the widespread use of biodiesel, in terms of environmental and economic aspects.