A simple, precise, accurate, and validated reverse-phase HPLC method was developed for the determination of melamine in milk (pasteurized and UHT milk) and dairy products (powdered infant formula, fruit yogurt, soft cheese, and milk powder). Following extraction with acetonitrile:water (50:50, vol/vol), samples were purified by filter (0.45 μm), separated on a Nucleosil C8 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 3 μm) with acetonitrile:10 mmol/L sodium L-octane sulfonate (pH 3.1; 15:85, vol/vol) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, and determined by a photodiode array detector. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range from 0.05 to 5 mg/kg. Milk and dairy products were fortified with melamine at 4 levels producing average recovery yields of 95 to 109%. The limits of detection and quantification of melamine were 35 to 110 and 105 to 340 μg/kg, respectively. The method was then used to analyze 300 samples of milk and dairy products purchased from major retailers in Turkey. Melamine was not found in infant formulas and pasteurized UHT milk, whereas 2% of cheese, 8% of milk powder, and 44% of yogurt samples contained melamine at the 121, 694±146, and 294±98 μg/kg levels, respectively. These findings were below the limits set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and European Union legislation. This is the first study to confirm the existence of melamine in milk and dairy products in Turkey. Consumption of foods containing these low levels of melamine does not constitute a health risk for consumers.

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Levels of five heavy metals [copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni)] were evaluated in liver and muscle tissues of fish (Mugil auratus) collected from the Black Sea at Sinop-Icliman, Turkey. Sampling and analysis methods are described. Variations of heavy metal concentrations with seasons are discussed. Cr and Ni concentrations were below the limits of detection (<0.05 and 0.1 ug/g dry weight) in all tissues and seasons. Cu, Pb and Cd were detected within these limits, as mg/kg dry weight, in liver tissue: 0.49-1.30, 0.60-1.21 and 0.15-0.50, and in muscle tissue: 0.30-1.00, 0.57-1.12 and 0.10-0.40, respectively. Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in these tissues were elevated and the highest heavy metal concentrations were found in the liver. While Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations were highest in fish tissues collected in August 2000, the lowest concentrations of these metals were observed in fish tissues collected in May 2000. Pb had the highest level observed in fish tissues. According to the Turkish Food Codex Regulation's residue limits, the cadmium level determined in fish tissues was high (0.1 mg/g) and the lead level, especially in liver tissue, was high in August (1 mg/ g), while other metals (Cu, Cr and Ni) were within the maximum residue limits.

Residues of acaricide coumaphos were assessed in honey, bee brood, and beeswax during a 2-year field experiment. Honey, bee brood, and beeswax samples were collected before and after routine use of coumaphos in the treatment of bee colonies against varroosis in two consecutive years. Determination of coumaphos in honey and bee brood was based on RP-HPLC with UV detection after a liquid-liquid extraction with hexane or ethyl acetate. Coumaphos in beeswax was identified and quantified by GC/MS. Results indicate the undetectable presence of coumaphos in honey. In bee brood, coumaphos was observed after the treatment. In beeswax, the accumulation of coumaphos was determined not only in hives where it was used but also in hives nearby in which coumaphos was not used. Results indicate the accumulation of coumaphos in bee brood and beeswax. Due to the coumaphos accumulation this drug should be used only in strongly affected bee colonies.

Scorpions are included in the order Scorpiones; class Arachnida. Lethal scorpions are mostly of the Buthidae family. Among these, species belonging to Androctonus, Leiurus and Mesobuthus genera cause most scorpion envenomations in Turkey. This study was performed aiming the production of antivenom by using Androctonus crassicauda telsons. Venom toxicity is related to telson weight, size, and storing condition (open or closed). Telsons of A. crassicauda were collected in Southeastern Anatolia (especially in Harran town, Sanliurfa), Turkey. They were separated according to weight, size, and storing condition -open (a) and closed (b). Venom solution was prepared by maceration of telsons. Swiss albino mice were used to determine the lethal dose 50% (LD 50 ), which was as follows: Group 1a 2.31mg; Group 1b 2.66mg; Group 2a 2.32mg; Group 2b 2.66mg; Group 3a 6.66mg; Group 3b 6.88mg. Among the groups of telsons, the first and the second groups showed different characteristics. However, there were no differences between their toxicity. In the third group, a fourfold amount of telsons was used for toxicity. In other words, telsons weighting from 19.99 to 20mg (first group) and from 29.99 to 30mg (second group) presented similar LD 50 values, and telsons weighting from 10 to 19.99mg (third group) showed a fourfold higher LD 50 value. This difference was caused by the maturity of scorpions and venom toxicity was related to their size. The first and second groups were considered to be mature and the third group, not adult. Therefore, we can conclude that obtaining open telsons due to environmental factors was not effective for venom toxicity.

Mycotoxins, the toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, particularly produced by many species of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium, have afected animal and human health for over thousand years, whereas litle has been discovered so far about these complex substances in poultry, which are generally very sensitive. Even though it varies by species and sex, some common efects are reduced feed intake, weight gain, feed eiciency, growth performance, immunity and hatchability along with increased mortality, organ damages (mainly kidney and liver), carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and decreased egg production. Besides their adverse health efects and the decrease in production rate, concerns over their importance in public health is still under debate. Decontamination approaches to reduce mycotoxins in feed are technologically diverse and based on chemical, biological and physical strategies. Chemical remediation strategies involve the conversion of mycotoxins via chemical reactions. Biological strategies involve various substances such as plant ingredients, enzymes and microorganisms. Physical processes include sorting, milling, dehulling, cleaning, heating, irradiation or combinational approaches. New strategies for the prevention and treatment of mycotoxicosis, including beneicial microorganisms/products, along with alternative treatments, including plant extracts/essential oils, are current hot topics in the poultry industry.

1. Gentamicin was injected subcutaneously and intramuscularly into 5 groups of 10 laying hens and its concentration was determined in albumen, yolk and whole egg. 2. Groups 1 and 3 were intramuscularly injected with doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg while groups 2, 4 and 5 were subcutaneously injected with doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. 3. The final gentamicin concentration in albumen was measured on d 3 for groups 1 and 2; on d 4 for groups 3 and 4, and on d 5 for group 5. Concentrations in yolk and whole egg were measured on d 7, 10 and 12. 4. Gentamicin recovery was as follows: 2% in groups 1 and 2, 2.5% in groups 3 and 4, and 3% in group 5. 5. Most of the residue (approximately 90%) was recovered from the yolk.

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