---

  In this research, microbial, recombinant and animal rennet were used in the production of Iranian white cheese. The produced cheeses were compared regarding the yields of product, the rates of the proteolysis index, chemical, textural and some sensory properties during ripening period. The results indicated that there were significant differences in total solid content, salt and pH values of cheese samples (P< 0.05). The highest and lowest yields of cheeses were obtained with animal and microbial rennet, respectively. The proteolysis rates were significantly different with three produced cheese samples (P< 0.05). It was significantly higher with microbial cheese than with other samples. The hardness of cheeses produced using animal and microbial rennet were respectively maximal and minimal at the end of the ripening period. The observations of protein network arrangement also showed that the protein content of matrix has been decreased during the repining period. The maximal and minimal decrements were belonged to the cheeses produced by microbial and animal rennet, respectively. The highest and lowest sensory scores were obtained with control sample (animal rennet-based cheese) and microbial rennet-based cheese. According to this research, the cheese produced by microbial rennet showed lower quality compared to the animal and recombinant rennet. In general, because of the low availability of animal rennet and low quality of the cheese produced by microbial rennet, it seems that the recombinant rennet can be used as a proper substitute in cheese production industry.  

---

---

---

One of the many ways that encapsulation are used is the complex coaservation techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fish oil percentage(1%, 3% and 5%),  total biopolymer percent (1%, 3% and 5%) and  homogenizer speed (7000, 9000 and 11000 rpm) on the physicochemical and oxidative stability of produced powders. To this end, the response surface method was used in the central composite design. Optimized emulsion obtained in gelatin and gum coating (1: 1 ratio) contains (fish oil 1%, total biopolymer percent 1%, homogenizer speed 7000 rpm) which and encapsulation efficiency is 97.97% , and  In  order to evaluate the oxidative stability of the treatments, they were placed at 4 ° C for 3 months. The results of the study showed that by increasing the percentage of fish oil, the  powder  lighteness  index  and whiteness decreased and the  yellowness  index   increased. The results of the study the rate of oxidation showed that thiobarbituric acid (TBA) amount were significantly lower in encapsulated samples than in control samples also, in a encapsulated sample containing vitamin E, the amount of thiobarbituric acid in the first month was significantly lower than the other periods  in compared to with the control sample.

---

Selection of superior chance seedling genotypes is an important task in pear breeding programs. This research was carried out in order to explore and evaluate some of European pear (Pyrus communis L.) chance seedling genotypes that are primarily used as rootstock for the Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) in Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) Asian Pear Collection Orchard. After four years visual observations of the genotypes, the evaluation process started on the pre-selected genotypes in order to identify the superior promising individuals during 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. Selected chance seedling genotypes were A₉₅, A₁₀₁, A₁₈₉, A₁₉₅, and A₃₇₄. A local commercial cultivar `Shahmiveh’ was used as a reference and labeled as A<sub>238</sub> in the evaluation program database. Results showed significant differences among the studied genotypes in most of the evaluated characters. Among the studied genotypes, genotype A<sub>95</sub> showed indications of appropriate fruit physicochemical properties and higher fruit quality compared with the reference cultivar. Good fruit aroma as well as a reddish background skin color, highest acidity and lowest pH among the examined genotypes were other superior characters of A<sub>95</sub>. Based on the measured characters compared with `Shahmiveh' as a good reference commercial Iranian pear cultivar, we conclude that A₉₅ showed superiority and higher rank in flavor, fruit color, and attractiveness. Also, this promising genotype showed a good productivity potential in terms of producing higher yield with a suitable supporting vigor. Further research on the standard rootstocks within the TMU pear breeding program will continue in the framework of final new cultivar release program.

---

Remediation of contaminated soil by heavy metals is an important environmental issue which attracted many attentions and was evaluated by several methods. It is highly desirable to apply suitable remedial methods to reduce the risk of heavy metal contamination in soils. Development of new low-cost, efficient and environmental friendly remediation technologies is the main goal of the recent research activities in environmental science and technology. Using nanotechnology in removal of environmental pollutions is of modern and applicable methods. One of the early generations of nanoscale technologies in the field of environment is the use of iron nanoparticles as a ground for sorption of pollutants. These nanoparticles are nontoxic, inexpensive, and very strong absorbents.The aim of this study was to assess the effects of cadmium removal by soil washing with iron (III) oxide nano particles (Fe3O4), stabilized with Polyacrylic Acid (PAA) as nanofluid, on physicochemical characteristics of nanofluid and soil in two defined systems including batch and continuous flow configurations. For this purpose, after complete removal of Cd from the soil in both systems under the optimized conditions, the effects of removal on the physicochemical characteristics of soil and nanofluid including pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solid were assessed. The results of XRD and SEM of soil samples and also zeta potential and size distribution of nanofluid, before and after the removal were investigated. To ensure the absence of other pollutants and elimination of any interaction between soil pollutants, the soil was prepared with clean standard materials and afterwards it was contaminated with cadmium solution prepared by cadmium nitrate. The optimum conditions for cadmium removal in the batch system was as follows: nanofluid concentration=500 ppm, pH=6.5, contact time=24 hr and the ratio of contaminated soil mass (gr) to nanofluid volume (mL) =1:150 . completely Cd removal in continouse flow configuration obtained in the following conditions: nanofluid concentration=500 ppm, pH=6.5, contact time=24 hr, and the flow rate =0.5 mL/min. Cadmium content in the nanofluid after remediation was determined with UV spectrophotometer by using APDC complexes in Tween 80 media. As per the results of this study, pH of the soil samples in the both batch and continuous flow configuration increased from 7.8 to 8.55 and 8.35 respectively. pH of nanofluid increased from 6.5 to 6.8 in the continuous flow configuration and 7.59 in the batch system. EC and TDS of the nanofluid decreased from 1.66 mS/cm and 1110 mg/L to 1.049 mS/cm and 699 mg/L in the continuous flow configuration and these parameters also reached respectively to 0.952 mS/cm and 635 mg/L in the batch system. Soil washing using Fe3O4 nanoparticle did not changed remarkably EC and TDS of the contaminated soil. Nanoparticles size with highest frequency in nanofluid before removal was 205 nmand after Cd removal reached to 23 nm and 29 nm in the continuous flow configuration and batch system respectively, which was an indication of the sorption of nanoparticles with grater size to the soil during the soil washing process. Zeta potential values of influent and effluent of nanofluid from continuous flow configuration and batch system were -61.5, -51.3, and -37.4 mV respectively. The structural changes of soil samples after removal in the both systems were assessed by XRD and SEM tests which confiremed the sorption of nanoparticles through the soil washing.

---

There are limited studies on dairy products containing millet seeds or millet milk. Considering nutritional value of millet, the aim of this study was to evaluate the production of yogurt containing millet milk and to investigate its physicochemical and sensory properties. The replacement of 0, 10, 15 and 20% (V/V) of millet milk (2.5%) with low-fat milk was performed and its effect on physicochemical (pH, synersis and contents of dry matter, fat, protein, total phenol, minerals and fiber) and sensory characteristics of yogurt during 21 days of storage (days 1, 7, 14 and 21), were evaluated. Results showed that replacement of 10% millet milk with low-fat milk, increased pH and decreased syneresis and protein content. With increasing millet milk to 15 and 20%, pH, dry matter and fat content were decreased and syneresis, protein and phenolic compounds content were increased significantly (P<0.05). With adding 20% millet milk, fiber content was increased to 0.09% and calcium content was decreased to 40.5 mg/kg in yogurt. Sensory evaluation results showed that yogurt containing 10% and 20% millet milk had the highest and lowest acceptability, respectively. According to the results of sensory evaluation and due to the results of pH, acidity, dry matter, fat content and syneresis during the storage period, yogurt sample containing 10% millet milk is introduced as the best formulation.
 

---

Today, use of functional food, such as probiotic products, is important due to their health benefits against diseases. In this study, the essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia and Teucrium polium (DAEO and TPEO, respectively) were added to probiotic yogurt (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum bacteria) to investigate their effects on the survival of probiotic bacteria during 21 days and assess its various properties. The results showed upon increasing the concentration of DAEO and TPEO, the value of acidity and viscosity of yogurt treatments increased, and the pH and syneresis showed a decreasing trend (P<0.05). The survivability of the investigated probiotic bacteria demonstrated a decreased trend during storage in all treatments, but finally, the number of probiotic bacteria in all treatments was significantly higher than that of the control samples. Based on the results of all tests, the addition of 0.03% of DAEO is the best way to realize the goals of the research.