In this study, the optimized conditions for l‐asparaginase treatment on Arabica coffee beans and the impacts of two independent variables (enzyme dosage and treatment time) on five dependent variables (acrylamide, 2‐Acetyl‐3‐Methylpyrazine, 2,3‐Dimethylpyrazine, 2,5‐Dimethylpyrazine, and 2‐Methylpyrazine) were investigated by employing RSM. Green coffee beans were treated with l‐asparaginase at various dosages (0–4000 ASNU/kg green bean) and times (30–120 min). Statistical analysis indicated that levels of responses were significantly related to enzyme dosage and treatment time (p < .05). These independent parameters had a significant influence on the quantity of acrylamide in Turkish coffee (p < .05), but enzyme dosage was found to be more effective (p < .01). The optimum conditions of l‐asparaginase treatment for producing superior quality Turkish coffee were determined as 2,126.4 ASNU/kg green bean and 82.73 min. Also, a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.669, p < .01) was found between the asparagine concentration in green coffee beans and acrylamide content of coffees produced from these beans. Practical applications The use of asparaginase seems a good solution for acrylamide mitigation in foods. However, various factors including application dosage and time should be taken into consideration when using this enzyme in food manufacture. There is a need to examine the effect of these parameters to optimize the enzyme application conditions in coffee beans. Knowledge about optimum conditions for asparaginase treatment may be applied in the production of high‐quality Turkish coffee with low acrylamide and high pyrazine concentration.

Türkiye represents one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, containing over 11,000 species of plants, with an estimated 10% being edible. Wild food plants, especially in rural areas, are collected and eaten or sold in local markets, complementing people’s diets, and represent a source of additional income for foraging households. Yet, the use of wild food plants is declining, with both their dietary and cultural values being undermined. Wild food plants can be used as a healthy dietary alternative to imported and ultra-processed foods, particularly as the Turkish population increasingly suffers from diet-related diseases. Using a unique and innovative approach to mainstream biodiversity for food and nutrition, wild food plants from five different regions of Türkiye were analyzed to determine their nutrient composition, and to evaluate their contribution not only to diets and nutrition, but to promoting a more sustainable food system. Examples are presented of how the approach was put into practice and how action was taken to (i) strengthen the evidence of the nutritional value of wild food plants; (ii) use this knowledge to shape new policies and identify emerging markets for food biodiversity; and, (iii) improve awareness of consumers, using capacity building and farmer training, gastronomy, and cultural events.

This study was conducted to determine the characteristic properties of Turkish pine honey, which is an important honeydew honey. The geographical classification of the honey was determined by applying carbon isotope, melissopalynological, and physicochemical analyses to 373 samples collected from 47 regions between 2015 and 2017 under controlled conditions. δ13C protein-δ13Choney, C4%, electrical conductivity, moisture, ash, free acidity, color CIEL* a*b attributes, optical rotation [α]20, proline, diastases activities, and sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose) were used as physicochemical properties. Number of honeydew elements /number of total pollen (NHE/NTP) ratios were studied at melissopalynological analyses. The results showed that all samples exhibited honeydew properties, and that all physicochemical parameters met the criteria set by regulatory standards for honeydew. However, C4% sugar and δ13C protein-δ13C honey values did not meet the regulatory criteria and exhibited quite wide standard deviations.

The present study aimed to investigate phenolic compounds of strawberry which is organically-grown in Bursa region and blueberry in Trabzon region. The phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by RP-HPLC according to their retention times with the help of diode array detector at 280 nm, 320 nm and 360 nm. Investigated compounds were gallic acid, epigallocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, 2 coumaric acid, 3 coumaric acid, 4 coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, cafeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, trans resveratrol, ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. According to results it was determined that bluberry fruit contains high amounts of chlorogenic acid (644.25 mg/kg) and among the phenolic acids in strawberries, 4 coumaric acid is regarded as major phenolic compound (3.76 mg/kg). The highest level of myricetin compounds was measured in blueberry (14.41 mg/kg), on the contrary, myricetin was not identified in strawberry fruits but this fruit is especially rich in catechins (58.34 mg/kg).