Evaluation of Physicochemical, Nutritional and Sensory Properties of the Wet Tarhana

The wet tarhana is a fermented product that prepared with wheat flour, yogurt, tarhana herb (Echiophora sibthorpiana)  and some chopped vegetables and spices. The basic difference of wet tarhana from other tarhana types is that it is prepared without a drying step. During its spontaneous fermentation process about 10 days, yogurt bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) produce several organic acids such as lactic acid and some other organic compounds. The ingredients and long fermentation process gain characteristic flavor and unique taste to the tarhana. Tarhana is similar to sourdough due to its' long spontaneous fermentation time. The aim of the study was to investigate physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological properties of wet tarhana, and to evaluate the relationships between them. For this purpose, wet tarhana samples were collected from different districts, and some physicochemical properties (pH, total acidity, dry matter, fat, and soluble ash content), antioxidant activity, phytic acid content, bioavailability, viscosity and counts of microbiota were performed. The results showed that the level of mineral digestibility was ranged from 67.22% to 88.88%, and a negative correlation was determined between mineral bioavailability and phytic acid content. The vitality of the microbiota especially lactic acid bacteria maintained during the storage period. Moreover, tarhana soups were prepared with the samples and their viscosity and sensory assessment were performed. Although the wet tarhana and soup samples had different viscosities initially, all the samples indicated pseudoplastic flow behavior. Furthermore, it was determined that the physicochemical properties of the samples affected the preference of the panelists in terms of sensorial assessment. Keywords: tarhana, fermented products, bioavailability, viscosity DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/83-0

Re-examining the characteristics of pediatric multiple sclerosis in the era of antibody-associated demyelinating syndromes.

Background: The discovery of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG and anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-IgG and the observation on certain patients previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) actually have an antibody-mediated disease mandated re-evaluation of pediatric MS series. Aim: To describe the characteristics of recent pediatric MS cases by age groups and compare with the cohort established before 2015. Method: Data of pediatric MS patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2021 were collected from 44 pediatric neurology centers across Turkiye. Clinical and paraclinical features were compared between patients with dis-ease onset before 12 years (earlier onset) and >= 12 years (later onset) as well as between our current (2015-2021) and previous (< 2015) cohorts. Results: A total of 634 children (456 girls) were enrolled, 89 (14%) were of earlier onset. The earlier-onset group had lower female/male ratio, more frequent initial diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), more frequent brainstem symptoms, longer interval between the first two attacks, less frequent spinal cord involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and lower prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-restricted oligoclonal bands (OCBs). The earlier-onset group was less likely to respond to initial disease-modifying treatments. Compared to our previous cohort, the current series had fewer patients with onset < 12 years, initial presentation with ADEM-like features, brainstem or cerebellar symptoms, seizures, and spinal lesions on MRI. The female/male ratio, the frequency of sensorial symptoms, and CSF-restricted OCBs were higher than reported in our previous cohort. Conclusion: Pediatric MS starting before 12 years was less common than reported previously, likely due to exclusion of patients with antibody-mediated diseases. The results underline the importance of antibody testing and indicate pediatric MS may be a more homogeneous disorder and more similar to adult-onset MS than previously thought