Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the world. This plant species is propagated vegetatively by the formation of daughter corms from the mother plant. Unfortunately, many factors prevent the efficient propagation of saffron through this traditional practice. For example, the low production rate of daughter corms and the risk of fungal contamination affect the quality of daughter corms. Therefore, the traditional propagation method cannot meet the demand for planting material. The use of biotechnological tools, especially in vitro culture techniques, can be of great benefit in propagating saffron. Therefore, in recent years, various regeneration systems have been established for saffron through somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis using different explant types, media components, plant growth regulators (PGRs) and culture conditions. In vitro culture methods allow obtaining large amounts of propagation material for the saffron plant in a short time. This research was conducted to reveal the effects of different nutrient medium and hormone combinations on the in vitro propagation of saffron and to establish a sustainable in vitro micropropagation protocol. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the use of relatively high amounts of BAP in addition to maintaining a high cytokinin/auxin ratio in basic media (MS or DKW) is necessary for a sustainable saffron in vitro micropropagation protocol.

The development of sustainable and functional food packaging materials is crucial to addressing global challenges such as environmental pollution, food waste, and the demand for eco-friendly solutions. This study explores the fabrication of oleuropein-incorporated chitosan nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. Oleuropein, a phenolic compound known for its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, was integrated into chitosan-based nanofibers to enhance their functional characteristics. The structural, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the nanofiber films were thoroughly evaluated. Results revealed that increasing oleuropein concentration significantly influenced the viscosity of the polymer solutions and nanofiber morphology while having negligible effects on electrical conductivity. The films exhibited enhanced total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity with higher oleuropein concentrations, with the OLE_3.75 sample achieving the highest TPC (31.66±3.29 mg GAE/g film) and strong DPPH scavenging activity (87.15±1.14%). Antimicrobial tests demonstrated selective inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), with inhibition zones of 18.50±0.15 mm and 17.50±0.25 mm for OLE_2.5 and OLE_3.75 films, respectively, while showing no activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria). These findings underscore the potential of oleuropein-loaded PEO/chitosan nanofiber films as innovative active packaging materials with robust antioxidant and selective antimicrobial properties. This research contributes to the advancement of multifunctional, biodegradable packaging solutions that align with sustainability and food safety goals, offering promising applications in food preservation and biomedical fields.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), one of the typical natural plants of the Mediterranean Basin, has economic and ecological importance due to the essential oil obtained from its leaves, its fruits and its potential for use as an ornamental plant. However, factors such as habitat loss, overharvesting and low natural reproduction rates threaten the sustainability of myrtle populations. This research was carried out to determine the most appropriate nutrient medium combination for sustainable in vitro propagation of myrtle, to determine the optimum conditions for rooting of in vitro propagated plantlets and to acclimate the rooted plantlets to external conditions. MS + 1 mg/l BAP + 0.2 mg /l IBA medium gave the most successful results in terms of shoot number per explant and shoot length. The results obtained showed that myrtle clones selected for different purposes can be propagated in a short time by tissue culture.

The present research aimed to evaluate the utilization of some medicinal aromatic plants' distillation wastes (sage, thyme, mint, and basil) to provide an option for seedling growth media to ameliorate the seedling quality as well as to the restricted sources of peat.  Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were used as vegetative production materials. In the present study, including control media five different growing media consisting of distillation waste of thyme, sage, mint, and basil at 3:1 (peat: distillation wastes) rates were prepared. Consequently, it can be said some medicinal aromatic plant distillation wastes have the potential to be used as a support to seedling growing media.     

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch), belonging to the Rosaceae family and classified under the Prunoidea subfamily of the Rosales order, is divided into three cultural forms: fuzzy (Prunus persica vulgaris Mill), non-fuzzy (Nectarines) (Prunus persica var. nectarina Maxim), and tomato peach (Prunus persica var. platycarpa). Peaches are primarily consumed as fresh fruit but are also used for industrial purposes. This study utilized the Catherina variety from a specific orchard in the Kumkale region of Çanakkale's. The collected samples were analyzed in the laboratory to examine their chemical properties. A total of 33 components were identified through the analyses. According to the results, the total values of the aroma groups were as follows: aldehydes (443.65 μg/kg), lactones (35.48 μg/kg), alcohols (10.80 μg/kg), esters (29.41 μg/kg), and terpenes (19.28 μg/kg). This study determined the volatile aroma compound values of the Catherina peach variety.