This article presents the first-ever findings on the release of MPs (microplastics) from tea bags containing tea leaves into tea infusions in Türkiye. The study aimed to investigate the possible distribution and abundance of MPs in cup of tea bags and teapot tea bags of fifteen packaged tea brands in Türkiye using ATF/FTIR analysis. The results showed that MPs were found in all the analyzed tea brands. Surprisingly, the highest particle number was observed in the dry tea samples (removed from tea bags) belonging to all brands. Brands A and O had the highest abundance of MPs. All MP particles identified were fiber in shape, and four colors were identified, with a predominance of navy blue. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most abundant polymer type. The size of MPs varied from 33.65 μm to 1680.20 μm. The daily MP exposure by tea intake was analyzed for male and female groups, and the dietary exposure for males was greater than that for females. According to the MP contamination factor values, a wide variety of MP contamination levels were determined, with a predominance of significant and very high levels of contamination. The mean polymer risk index was determined to be 10.80, indicating a low level of risk. Additionally, this study also provides information on the potential health effects of these harmful MPs. Considering that consuming tea is a significant way for individuals to come into contact with MPs, tea prepared with tea leaves packaged in tea bags could potentially have adverse effects on the health of consumers. Graphical

Çevre kirliliği insanlığın karşı karşıya olduğu en büyük tehdittir; hastalık ve ölümlerin en önde gelen nedeni olarak kabul edilmektedir. Taş ocağı ve madencilik faaliyetleri gibi antropojenik uygulamalar bitki topluluğunun yapısını ve işleyişini değiştirebilir. Bu çalışmada, aktif ve pasif taş ocağı istasyonlarının otsu ve odunsu bitki türlerinin ağır metal içerikleri üzerine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Taş ocağı madenciliğinin çevresel etkilerini ortaya çıkarmak için otsu (Juncus effusus subsp. effusus) ve odunsu (Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata) bitki örneklerinde krom (Cr), demir (Fe), nikel (Ni), bakır (Cu), çinko (Zn), arsenik (As), kurşun (Pb) ve mangan (Mn) içerikleri indüktif eşleşmiş plazma-kütle spektrometresi (ICP-MS) ile analiz edildi. Juncus effusus subsp. effusus ve Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata’nın Cr, Fe, Cu, As, Pb ve Mn içeriklerinde P < 0.01, Ni içeriklerinde ise P

Genotype and cultivar identification is essential for conserving tea genetic diversity within plantation ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of high-quality tea production. This study represents the first large-scale genetic characterization of 200 elite varietal candidate tea (Camellia sinensis) clones, which were pre-selected from 2,034 genotypes originating from the Eastern and Western Black Sea regions of Türkiye. Eight polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers located near loci associated with catechin content, including epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were employed. SSR profiles were generated for all 200 tea clones cultivated in control plots at the National Tea Gene Bank, and the resulting data were additionally used for DNA barcoding of 12 varietal candidate tea clones currently under registration. Among the evaluated markers, TM412 (EGC) exhibited the highest polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.8816), whereas TM376 (EC) showed the lowest (0.4321). Notably, TM412 (EGC) and TM399 (ECG) displayed high PIC values, indicating their strong discriminatory potential for Turkish tea genotypes. The findings indicate that Turkish tea germplasm possesses substantial genetic diversity, and some markers may be effectively utilized in variety registration and breeding efforts. This study presents the first comprehensive molecular characterization of tea genetic resources in Türkiye. It contributes to the long-term conservation of selected clones and supports the variety registration process through DNA barcoding and a QR code-based traceability system. The genetic dataset generated in this work contributed directly to the establishment of Türkiye’s first and the world’s fifth-largest tea gene pool in Rize Province, providing a valuable reference for strengthening tea genetic resource conservation and breeding programs at both national and global scales.

Bitki gelişimi ve gıda güvenliği üzerinde olumsuz etkileri olan ağır metallerin bitkilere bulaşması, ciddi bir küresel sorun olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Ağır metallerin taş ocağı faaliyetli kontaminasyonunu ortaya çıkarmak için aktif taş ocağı, terk edilmiş (pasif) taş ocağı ve kontrol sahasından olmak üzere Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (eğrelti otu) örneklerinin krom (Cr), demir (Fe), nikel (Ni), bakır (Cu), çinko (Zn), arsenik (As), kurşun (Pb), kadmiyum (Cd), mangan (Mn) ve kobalt (Co) içerikleri (mg kg-1) belirlendi. Bitki örneklerindeki ağır metal içeriklerinin aktif taş ocağı sahasında en yüksek, pasif taş ocağı sahasında orta seviyede, en düşük ise kontrol sahasında olduğu tespit edildi. Yıkanmış bitki örneklerinin ağır metal içerikleri yıkanmamış örneklere göre daha düşük seviyede bulundu. Eğrelti otu için hesaplanan zenginleştirme faktörleri (EFbitki) değerleri sırasıyla Zn>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cu>Cr>Fe>As>Mn>Co şeklinde olarak belirlendi. Tüm elementlerin birbirleri ile pozitif yönde, çok güçlü ve önemli seviyede ilişkileri olduğu ortaya çıkarıldı. Sonuçlar taş ocağı faaliyetlerinin eğrelti otundaki Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Cd, Mn ve Co kirliliğine katkıda bulunduğunu göstermektedir.