Mustafa Karakaya

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional profile and functional characteristics of eight traditional pekmez varieties produced from different fruits. Samples of andiz, pear, aronia, white mulberry, black mulberry, carob, pomegranate, and grape pekmez were obtained from local producers in Türkiye. Analyses included total soluble solids, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugars, vitamin C, and essential amino acid content. All values were expressed on a fresh weight basis. The total soluble solids ranged from 55.36% to 80.92%, and total sugar content varied between 40.74 and 44.88 g/100 g. Fructose was the dominant sugar in all samples (15.71–17.64 g/100 g). Vitamin C was the most abundant vitamin, with concentrations ranging from 18.74 to 109.69 mg/kg. Among essential amino acids, arginine was the most prevalent (209.64–483.99 mg/100 g), followed by threonine and methionine. Arginine, important for growth hormone synthesis, may support dietary needs in growing children. PT1 (andiz) had the lowest HMF and the highest vitamin C content, while PT5 (black mulberry) contained the highest levels of all essential amino acids except phenylalanine. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 44.7% and 26.3% of the total variance, respectively, revealing key differentiators among the samples. These findings emphasize the nutritional richness of pekmez and support its promotion as a functional food. The results may also guide local producers in diversifying pekmez production to enhance nutritional value and expand market potential.

This study examined the chemical composition, including moisture content, total fat, iodine value, melting point, saponification number, differential scanning calorimetry, fatty acid profiles, and color values (L*, a*, b*), in abdominal (A) and subcutaneous (S) fat of 15-week-old geese from three female varieties: Turkish (Lo), Linda (Li), and Mast (Ma). Results showed significantly higher moisture content in Lo-S compared to abdominal fats (P < 0.05), with consistent fat contents among goose varieties in abdominal fats. Iodine value (IV), melting point (MP), and color values did not differ significantly across varieties within fat types (P > 0.05). The Ma-A group exhibited the lowest saponification number (SN). Lo-S, Li–S, and Ma-S displayed higher onset and peak temperatures than abdominal fats across all groups. Li-A exhibited the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an optimal PUFA/SFA ratio (P < 0.05), and Li–S demonstrated the lowest Atherogenic Index (AI), supporting its health-promoting profile. Additionally, Ma-S showed elevated levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), a high nutritive value index, and a favorable AI value (P < 0.05), indicating its suitability for heart-healthy diets. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified PC1 with associations to SFA, palmitic acid, iodine value, myristic acid, and a*, while PC2 emphasized total fat content and melting point as pivotal factors. These findings underscore distinct chemical profiles of abdominal and subcutaneous fats in different goose varieties, revealing variations in fatty acid composition and thermal properties. Overall, Li–S, Li-A, and Ma-S fats emerged as optimal choices for consumers seeking healthful dietary fats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vinegar‐based marinades on pH, technological properties, color, microstructure, texture, and sensory characteristics of 9‐year‐old Holstein meat which had tough texture. To marinate the Longissimus lumborum steaks, three different marinades were prepared depending on the different additions of vinegar: black chokeberry (BV), grape (GV), and hawthorn vinegars (HV). The group with water (without vinegar) was prepared as a control sample (C). The steak samples were dipped into the vinegar‐based marinades and stored at 4°C for 24 h. Vinegar‐based marinades decreased the pH and cooking loss of the samples (p < .05). The highest a* values were determined in the BV group, while the samples marinated with vinegar‐based marinades had lower L* values than the control group (p < .05). The samples marinated with grape vinegar marinade had the lowest hardness, WBSF, and WBSE values (p < .05). SEM images and sensory analysis results also supported these texture results. The results suggest that grape vinegar‐based marinade may be a promising natural tenderizer to improve textural characteristics of tough meats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of chicken döner kebab during 28 days of storage. Five different groups of chicken döner kebab were produced: C1: Control 1 including chicken breast meat, C2: Control 2 including ground chicken breast + transglutaminase, M1: 95% ground chicken breast + 5% MDCM + transglutaminase, M2: 90% ground chicken breast + 10% MDCM + transglutaminase and M3: 85% ground chicken breast + 15% MDCM + transglutaminase. The addition of MDCM to chicken döner kebab samples increased the pH value of the samples (P < 0.05). The TBARS values of the chicken döner kebabs increased during the storage period, especially on the 21st and 28th day. Groups M1, M2 and M3 had lower lightness (L*) and higher redness (a*) values than the control groups (P < 0.05). The addition of MDCM had no negative influence on the sensory parameters of the samples (P > 0.05).

The purpose of present research was to detect the efficacies of various vinegars (aronia, grape and hawthorn) used as marination solutions on the physicochemical, technological, textural and sensor...

In this study, sugar beet molasses was used as a natural curing agent in the production of fermented Turkish sucuk in two different forms (molasse and powdered molasse). Some quality characteristics were determined during the ripening (1st, 3rd and 5th days) period of the obtained sucuk dough (0. day) and sucuk samples. In order to compare the effects of molasses and powdered molasses used as natural curing agents in sucuk, a control (K) group containing sodium nitrate was formed. The application of the natural alternative curing process in sucuk production causes a decrease in the pH value and TBA content of the samples during the ripening period, whereas causes an increase in the nitrosomyoglobin and residual nitrate contents. As a result of microbiological analysis, it was determined that the natural alternative curing process increased (P0.05). In addition, total Coliform group bacteria were not detected in sucuk dough and sucuk samples on the last day (5th day) of the ripening period. Consequently, it has been determined that it is possible to reduce the amount of chemical nitrate by using sugar beet molasses and powdered molasses as natural curing agents in sucuk formulation.