Browsing by Author "Aydemir, Mehmet Emin"

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Antiprotozoal Effects of Pediococcus Acidilactici-Derived Postbiotic on Blastocystis Subtypes ST1/ST3
(MDPI, 2025) Aydemir, Selahattin; Arvas, Yunus Emre; Aydemir, Mehmet Emin; Barlik, Fethi; Gurbuz, Esra; Yazgan, Yener; Ekici, Abdurrahman
Blastocystis, a common intestinal protozoan in humans, is associated with gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, urticaria, and colorectal cancer. Its genetic diversity and potential for treatment resistance make it a focus of ongoing research. This study evaluated the in vitro antiprotozoal activity of a postbiotic derived from Pediococcus acidilactici as a natural alternative treatment. P. acidilactici cultures were grown in MRS broth under anaerobic conditions, and the postbiotic was collected and characterized for pH, yield, organic acid composition, and phenolic compound content. Human isolates of Blastocystis subtypes ST1 and ST3 were cultured in Jones' medium and exposed to varying postbiotic concentrations for 72 h. Viability was assessed microscopically. The cytotoxic effect of the postbiotic-derived P. acidilactici was evaluated by investigating its impact on the viability of HT-29 cells using the Cell Counting Kit 8. The postbiotic showed a 7% yield and a pH of 4.52 +/- 0.11. It contained seven different organic acids, predominantly lactic acid, and eleven phenolic compounds, with naringin as the most abundant. At 4.38 mg/mL, the postbiotic achieved over 94% inhibition and 100% inhibition at 8.75 mg/mL and above. A pH analysis confirmed that the inhibition was independent of the culture medium acidity. Cell viability was not affected at the postbiotic concentration showing 100% antiprotozoal activity (8.75 mg/mL). These findings suggest that the P. acidilactici postbiotic is effective on a mixed culture of ST1 and ST3 subtypes and holds promise as a safe, natural antiprotozoal agent. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm this.
Fate of Blastocystis in Homemade Koruk (Unripe Grape) Juice and on Juice-Treated Green Leafy Vegetables
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Aydemi̇r, Selahattin; Aydemir, Mehmet Emin; Barlık, Fethi; Ekici, Abdurrahman; Necip, Adem
This study aimed to evaluate the viability of Blastocystis in naturally produced koruk juice and on leafy salad greens treated with the juice. Additionally, the antiparasitic effect of koruk juice is to be evaluated by molecular docking analysis. Koruk juice was produced from unripe grapes. Blastocystis isolates were inoculated with koruk juice at different concentration levels. The isolates were also inoculated onto different salad greens, and the greens were dressed with koruk juice. Molecular docking was used to investigate the interactions between the organic acids found in koruk juice and the 6NO0 protein, which plays a critical role in Blastocystis physiology. In the control group, Blastocystis maintained viability for 60 min. However, treatment with 50% koruk juice reduced the number of viable Blastocystis cells by 100% within 30 min in culture. The number of live Blastocystis decreased from 73.25 (curly lettuce) to 97.65 (parsley), depending on the type of greenery, after 5 min in green salads dressed with 50% concentration of koruk juice. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the organic acids found in koruk juice exhibit a high binding affinity for the active site of the Blastocystis target protein. Citric acid showed the highest interaction score (−6.486 kcal/mol), whereas the control drug metronidazole had the weakest (−4.065 kcal/mol). The fact that all the organic acids exhibit a higher affinity than metronidazole confirms the antiparasitic effect of koruk juice at a molecular level. In conclusion, koruk juice has an anti-Blastocystis effect and can be used as a salad dressing on greens to improve and eliminate the risk of Blastocystis. Practical Applications: This study shows that homemade koruk (unripe grape) juice can effectively reduce Blastocystis contamination on leafy salad greens. Using 50% koruk juice as a natural salad dressing may help improve the microbial safety of fresh salads in home kitchens, restaurants, or food service settings. 50% koruk juice eliminated Blastocystis in culture within 30 min. Koruk juice was the most effective on Blastocystis viability on parsley. Molecular docking showed strong binding of organic acids to Blastocystis protein. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Investigation of the Effect of Pasteurization on the Viability of Cryptosporidium Parvum in Cow's Milk by Propidium Monoazide Qpcr
(Ankara Microbiology Soc, 2023) Aydemir, Selahattin; Durmaz, Hisamettin; Aydemir, Mehmet Emin; Kilic Altun, Serap; Demir, Abdulbaki; Halidi, Ahmet Galip; Arslan, Ali
Cow's milk, which is one of today's most important food sources, can be a reservoir for many patho-gens that create a risk to public health. One of these pathogens is Cryptosporidium parvum. The oocysts of C.parvum, an obligate intracellular parasite, cause infection when ingested orally. The oocysts scattered around with the feces of infected cows or calves can contaminate raw milk and this is frequently seen in dairy farms. The aim of this study was to investigate the viability of C.parvum by propidium monoazide (PMA)-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method after heat treatment applied to contami- nated raw cow's milk. For the study, 50 ml of unpasteurized cow's milk was contaminated with 5 X 105 C.parvum oocysts and portioned into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Three groups, namely the control group, pasteurization group and boiling group were formed. No warming procedure was applied to the control group. In the pasteurization group, the milks in microcentrifuge tubes were poured into the wells of the dry block heater set to 71.7 degrees C and incubated for five seconds. At the end of the period, the milks were transferred to the wells of the cold metal tube, which was removed at-20 degrees C with the help of a micropipette, and incubated for five seconds. The milks in the boiling group were incubated for two minutes in a dry block heater set to 95 degrees C. After the heat treatment, the milks in microcentrifuge tubes were transferred to 10 ml centrifuge tubes, PBS was added to make the final volume 10 ml, and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes. After this process was repeated twice, 400 mu l of PBS was added to the precipitate remaining at the bottom, and the precipitate was homogenized. One sample of each group was applied with PMA, while PMA was not applied to the other sample. PMA-applied samples were incubated for five minutes at room temperature and in the dark, and then exposed to UV light for five minutes in the device with cooling feature. The oocysts were collected by centrifugation at 5000 g for five minutes. After DNA isolation from oocysts, SYBR Green real time PCR (Rt-PCR) was performed using primers amplifying the COWP gene region. As a result of SYBR Green Rt-PCR, the mean Ct values of the control without PMA, pasteurization and boiling groups were determined as 25 +/- 1.24, 23 +/- 0.98 and 26 +/- 1.03, respectively. While no peak was obtained in the boiling group after PMA application, the mean Ct values of the control and pasteurization groups were 28 +/- 1.38 and 31 +/- 1.46, respectively. As a result, it was concluded that live C.parvum cysts in milk could be detected by PMA-qPCR method and live oocysts could be found in pasteurized milk.
Investigation of the Relationship Between Covid-19 Pandemic and Consumption Behavior, Nutrition Habits, Physiological Activity and Complementary Medicine Practices in Different Age and Profession Groups
(Dokuz Eylul Univ inst Health Sciences, 2023) Takum, Kasum; Aydemir, Mehmet Emin; Cengiz, Sercan; Aydun, Ibrahim
Purpose: This study, on this basis of Turkey, determined physiological factors affecting individuals' being infected by the COVID-19 virus. Material and Methods: For this purpose, on 1104 individuals above the age of 18; necessary data are collected and assessed. Results: The women went through COVID-19 more severely when compared with men. It is also seen that smokers were less infected by COVID-19. It is seen that sunbathing, exercises, sleeping and using minerals did not have positive effects against the disease; usage of plant-based agents did not have positive effects on individuals' resistance against COVID-19 on severeness of the disease and results obtained after usage of medicines; surprisingly, individuals, who used probiotics/prebiotics were in a disadvantageous position against COVID-19. It is seen that individuals had significant changes in their feeding habits. Participants mostly preferred organic animal -based products. It is also seen that there were significant changes in individuals' habits on consumption. It is determined that there was a decrease in the amount of shopping from supermarkets, while at the same time, there was an increase in the amount of shopping from online platforms. Conclusion: The COVID 19 pandemic disrupted many known memories for other pandemics and led to unique new situations.