International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR)

Characterizing Ochratoxin A Production in Aspergillus Section Nigri: A. foetidus var. pallidus as an Emerging Contributor

2024-12-28T00:41:04+00:00

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Among these, ochratoxins, primarily produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, are recognized for their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic properties. This study investigates the growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production of Aspergillus Section Nigri species isolated from grapes in the Aegean region of Turkey. The Agar Plug and Rice Culture methods were employed to assess OTA production. While Aspergillus carbonarius is widely known as the primary producer of OTA, the study also identified that 27% of Aspergillus foetidus var. pallidus strains produced OTA, with two strains exceeding 750 ppb in production. The Agar Plug method was found to be faster and more efficient compared to the Rice Culture method, with both methods yielding satisfactory recovery rates. These findings highlight the role of environmental factors in OTA production and suggest that A. foetidus var. pallidus could also significantly contribute to OTA contamination, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies in agriculture and food safety.

Determination of Extracellular Enzymatic Activities of Bacteria Isolated from Insuyu Cave

2024-12-27T01:23:05+00:00

Caves are often regarded as extreme environments due to their high humidity, stable low temperatures, limited nutrient availability, and minimal energy input. These unique characteristics attract researchers from various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. Despite the presence of approximately 40,000 caves in Türkiye, microbiological studies in these habitats remain limited. One significant area of research involves the discovery of antimicrobial compounds and enzymes produced by microorganisms in isolated cave environments, driven by interspecies competition. In this study, bacterial strains were isolated from Insuyu Cave to evaluate their extracellular enzymatic activities. Seventy-five isolates were screened for lipase, protease, amylase, catalase, gelatinase, and urease production. Results showed that 39% of the strains exhibited lipolytic activity, 36% protease activity, 36% amylase activity, 91% catalase activity, 13% gelatinase activity, and 45% urease activity. The findings highlight the significant potential of caves as natural resources for industrial enzyme research.

Isolation and Characterization of Yeast Strains from Burdur Sugar Factory

2024-12-26T05:56:30+00:00

This study aimed to isolate and characterize yeast strains from diverse sampling points within the Burdur Sugar Factory, including pulp, bagasse, transport water, molasses, and filter press soil. Yeast isolation was performed using Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar, and colonies were analyzed for growth at elevated temperatures, heavy metal resistance, killer toxin production, and textile dye removal capabilities. A total of 16 yeast strains were isolated, with the highest colony counts observed in pulp and bagasse samples, while no growth occurred in molasses or filter press soil. Physiological characterization revealed that 11 strains exhibited growth at 37 °C, and all strains demonstrated lead resistance at 5mM concentration, though resistance to other heavy metals was negligible. Killer toxin assays identified that BS12 effectively inhibited five other strains, highlighting its potential for fermentation applications. In the textile dye removal test, all strains grew in dye-enriched media, but only one strain BS8, isolated from bagasse, showed significant color removal. These findings suggest that the unique microenvironment of the sugar factory supports yeast strains with diverse and potentially valuable metabolic properties. Further molecular characterization is recommended to confirm species-level identification and explore the industrial applications of these yeasts in biotechnology, biofuel production, and environmental remediation.

Factors That Influence Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention in Xi’an, China: Perceived Entrepreneurial Education as a Mediating Effect – A Pilot Test

2024-12-14T05:01:01+00:00

This study explores the factors influencing students' entrepreneurial intention in Xi’an, China, with a focus on the mediating role of perceived entrepreneurial education. A pilot test was conducted with 50 undergraduate students from private and public universities to assess the reliability and validity of the survey instruments. Key independent variables include perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, student attitudes, risk-taking propensity, perceived desirability, and self-efficacy. The pilot test results indicate high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70) and construct validity for all variables. The findings suggest that perceived entrepreneurial education significantly mediates the relationship between these factors and entrepreneurial intention. This paper highlights the importance of refining instruments to ensure data quality and provides insights for enhancing entrepreneurship education programs.

The Use and Future of Social Humanoid Robots in Special Education: A Systematic Review

2024-12-12T19:33:30+00:00

The rapid advancement of technology enables the development of innovative approaches in education. In the field of special education in particular, technological tools aimed at meeting students' individual needs have gained significant importance. Within this context, social humanoid robots emerge as innovative tools that can support students' learning processes, enhance their social interactions, and foster the development of their individual abilities. However, questions such as how social humanoid robots can be effectively used in special education, the educational value of these robots, and the types of future developments that may occur remain largely unanswered in the literature. This research employs a systematic review approach to critically examine studies on the use of social humanoid robots in the education of children with special needs, assessing the concrete field experiences, adaptability to inclusive education, and outcomes of these studies. To achieve this, twelve studies were analyzed in detail using the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Inclusion criteria for this review included studies conducted with individuals diagnosed with special needs aged 2-15, published between 2014 and 2023, involving at least one case or participant group regardless of qualitative or quantitative research methodologies, and published in a peer-reviewed journal. A majority of these studies focused on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Findings from studies conducted with social humanoid robots (such as NAO, ZENO, QTROBOT, PROBO, KASPAR) with ASD children indicate improvements over time in eye contact and joint attention skills, significant increases in interaction initiation abilities, support for verbal and non-verbal communication skills, though with limited gains in imitation skills.These studies reveal certain limitations, particularly related to small sample sizes, low female participation, and lack of control groups. Furthermore, it can be suggested that one of the most critical areas researchers need to focus on is conducting large-scale studies to assess the effects of social humanoid robots on special education across diverse child populations. In conclusion, the use of social humanoid robots in special education holds substantial potential to enrich these students' educational experiences. However, effective utilization of this potential requires careful planning, ongoing research, and providing educators with necessary guidance.