Metataxonomic Sequencing to Assess Microbial Safety of Buffalo Yogurts in Amasra Region.

Interest in the "microbiota" of dairy products and studies on this subject is increasing day by day. In this study, homemade buffalo yogurt was collected from five different local producers in Amasra province, and their microbiota was evaluated by next-generation sequencing. Salmonella enterica was found in all yogurts (1.2-3.17%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was found to be 1.12% and 5.15% in two of the samples. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be 3.17% in only a single sample. The presence of these potentially pathogenic bacteria suggests that more attention should be paid to hygiene rules during homemade production, processing, and distribution of these products being offered for sale in public markets. These yogurt products can potentially carry risks of contamination and should be periodically checked by the relevant authorities.

Some physical properties of sun-dried Berberis fruit (Berberis crataegina).

The present study was conducted to evaluate some physical properties of sun dried Berberis fruit as a function of moisture content, varying from 9.59% to 27.90% (w.b.). Dried fruit length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter and sphericity, increased nonlinearly from 7.19 to 7.53 mm; 3.42 to 4.03 mm; 2.78 to 3.02 mm; 4.05 to 4.51 mm and 0.56 to 0.62, respectively with increased moisture content. When we tested 1000-dried fruits, their mass increased linearly from 3.10 to 4.89 g, the true and bulk density increased nonlinearly from 769 to 845 kg m(-3) and 389 to 395 kg m(-3), respectively; with increased moisture content. Also, porosity values of dried fruits increased nonlinearly from 49.40% to 53.30%. The lowest static coefficient of friction was found on the steel surface. The angle of repose increased nonlinearly from 20.14° to 23.20° with the increasing in the moisture content.

Effect of administering kefir on the changes in fecal microbiota and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Kefir is a kind of fermented probiotic dairy product. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of kefir consumption on the fecal microflora and symptoms of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kefir was serially diluted and inoculated into de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar and incubated at 37°C for 48 to 72 h under anaerobic conditions. This was a single-center, prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial. Forty-five patients with IBD were classified into two groups: 25 for treatment and 20 for control. A 400 mL/day kefir was administered to the patients for 4 weeks day and night. Their stool Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus kefiri, content was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction before and after consumption. Abdominal pain, bloating, stool frequency, stool consistency, and feeling good scores were recorded in diaries daily by the patients. RESULTS: A 5×107 CFU/mL count of lactic acid bacteria colony forming units was found in a kefir sample as the total average count. Lactobacillus bacterial load of feces of all subjects in the treatment group was between 104 and 109 CFU/g, and the first and last measurements were statistically significant (p=0.001 in ulcerative colitis and p=0.005 in Crohn's disease (CD)). The L. kefiri bacterial load in the stool of 17 subjects was measured as between 104 and 106 CFU/g. For patients with CD, there was a significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, whereas hemoglobin increased, and for the last 2 weeks, bloating scores were significantly reduced (p=0.012), and feeling good scores increased (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: According to our data, kefir consumption may modulate gut microbiota, and regular consumption of kefir may improve the patient's quality of life in the short term.

The effect of kefir consumption on the lipid profile for individuals with normal and dyslipidemic properties: a randomized controlled trial / O efeito do consumo de kefir no perfil lipídico em indivíduos com propriedades normais e dislipidêmicas: um ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Objective This research was conducted as a prospective, self-controlled, eight-week clinical trial to investigate the effect of kefir consumption on the lipid profile of individuals with normal and dyslipidemic properties. Methods Kefir microorganisms given to volunteer subjects were determined using classical microbial count methods and qReal-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. The study was carried out with 23 volunteer hospital health personnel between the ages of 20 and 55 who met the research criteria and did not have any health problems. The volunteers regularly consumed kefir on an empty stomach for four weeks. In the last stage, the eight-week study was completed by making blood and anthropometric measurements of the subjects, who continued to be studied without kefir consumption for four more weeks. Results Considering the changes in the serum lipid profiles of 13 individuals with dyslipidemic symptoms during the 4-week period they consumed kefir, Total Cholesterol values decreased by 9.15% compared to initial values, LDL-Cholesterol values decreased by 10.64%, HDL-Cholesterol values decreased by 6.9%, and triglyceride values decreased by 2.46%. The changes in the serum lipid profiles of 13 individuals with dyslipidemic findings at the end of an eight-week study were a 5.71% decrease in total cholesterol values (p<0.018) considered statistically significant, as well as a 5.31% decrease in LDL-Cholesterol values (p<0.021); the HDL-Cholesterol results were found to be significant with an 8.58% decrease in the values (p<0.035) and insignificant with a 17.21% increase in the triglyceride values (p<0.926). We concluded that regular kefir consumption was effective in both women and men in lowering total cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol from blood lipid profiles, especially in individuals with dyslipidemic symptoms, while this effect was not observed in normal individuals. Conclusion Kefir can positively affect the total cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol blood parameters of dyslipidemic individuals with high serum lipid values.

RESUMO Objetivo Esta pesquisa foi conduzida como um ensaio clínico prospectivo e autocontrolado de oito semanas para investigar o efeito do consumo de kefir no perfil lipídico de indivíduos com propriedades normais e dislipidêmicas. Métodos Microrganismos kefir dados a voluntários foram determinados usando métodos clássicos de contagem microbiana e de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real. O estudo foi conduzido em 23 profissionais de saúde de hospitais voluntários, com idades entre 20 e 55 anos, que atendiam aos critérios da pesquisa e não apresentavam problemas de saúde. Os voluntários consumiram kefir com o estômago vazio regularmente durante quatro semanas. No último estágio, o estudo de oito semanas foi concluído com medidas de sangue e antropométricas dos indivíduos, que continuaram a ser avaliados sem consumo de kefir por mais quatro semanas. Resultados Considerando as mudanças nos perfis lipídicos séricos de 13 indivíduos com sintomas dislipidêmicos durante o período de quatro semanas em que consumiram kefir, os valores de colesterol total diminuíram em 9,15% em comparação com os valores iniciais; os valores de LDL-Colesterol diminuíram em 10,64%, os valores de HDL-Colesterol diminuíram em 6,9% e os valores de triglicerídeos diminuíram em 2,46%. Ao final de um estudo de oito semanas, o resultado foi considerado estatisticamente significativo, com queda de 5,71% nos valores de colesterol total (p<0,018); de 5,31% nos valores de Colesterol-LDL (p<0,021) e de 8,58% nos valores de HDL-Colesterol (p <0,035), e insignificantes com aumento de 17,21% nos valores de triglicerídeos (p<0,926). Como resultado do estudo, concluiu-se que o consumo regular de kefir foi eficaz em mulheres e homens na redução do colesterol total e do LDL-Colesterol dos perfis de lipídios no sangue, especialmente em indivíduos com sintomas dislipidêmicos, enquanto esse efeito não foi observado em indivíduos normais. Conclusão O kefir pode afetar positivamente os parâmetros sanguíneos do colesterol total e do LDL-Colesterol de indivíduos dislipidêmicos com altos valores de lipídios séricos.