Abstract—Some physico-chemical characteristics and mineral composition of ‘Karayemis’ (Prunus laurocerasus L.) fruits which grown naturally in Norteast Turkey was studied. 28 minerals ( Al, Mg, B, Mn, Co, Na, Ca, Ni, Cd, P, Cr, Pb, Cu, S, Fe, Zn, K, Sr, Li, As, V, Ag, Ba, Br, Ga, In, Se, Ti) were analyzed and 19 minerals were present at ascertainable levels. Karayemis fruit was richest in potassium (7938.711 ppm), magnesium (1242.186 ppm) and calcium (1158.853 ppm). And some physico-chemical characteristics of Karayemis fruit was investigated. Fruit length, fruit width, fruit thickness, fruit weight, total soluble solids, colour, protein, crude ash, crude fiber, crude oil values were determined as 2.334 cm, 1.884 cm, 2.112 cm, 5.35 g, 20.1 %, S99M99Y99, 0.29 %, 0.22 %, 6.63 % and 0.001 %, respectively. The seed of fruit mean weight, length, width and thickness were found to be 0.41 g, 1.303 cm, 0.921 cm and 0.803, respectively. Keywords—Prunus laurocerasus L., physico-chemical properties, nutritional properties. I. INTRODUCTION ARAYEMIS or Taflan (local names of Prunus laurocerasus L.) is a member of Rosaceae family and grown in eastern Black Sea, Marmara and Aegean regions in Turkey [1, 2, 3]. Karayemis (Cherry laurel) is a type of evergreen tree (which is 5-15 m long) and prefers growing in the moisture and shade. Karayemis has a small white-colored flowers which are hermaphrodite (have both pistile and stamen) and are pollinated bees, lepidopthera. Its leaves are short-stalked, oval, dark green and leather shiny. Karayemis has been used as traditional medicine for many years [4, 5, 6, 7]. Karayemis’s juice, obtained from fresh leaves, has the effect of relieving abdominal pain, cough, nausea. Karayemis is also used as drug material in pharmacology [8, 9, 10]. Recently, Karayemis become more popular and more research is being done about it. Pomological and physical (weight, colour, firmness etc.), physiological and physico- Assist Prof. Dr. I. H. Kalyoncu is with Selcuk University, Konya/Turkey(+90 5323371846, kalyon@selcuk.edu.tr). Assoc. Prof. Dr. N. Ersoy is with Akdeniz University, Antalya/Turkey(+90 5078766855, nildaersoy@akdeniz.edu.tr). Lecturer A.Y. Elidemir is with Akdeniz University, Antalya/Turkey (+90 5425803383, ayseyalcin@akdeniz.edu.tr). MS Studet Cansu Dolek, Selcuk University, Konya/TURKEY (+90 5447278991,cansudolek.90@gmail.com). chemical (pH, soluble solid etc.) [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16], chemical properties (moisture, soluble sugars, starch etc.) [4, 5, 6], medicinal effects [10] have been reported. The aim of present investigation was to determine some physico-chemical characteristics and mineral composition of ‘Karayemis’. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS A. Sampling 50 fruits of each treatment were used for analyses. B. Determination of Size From the samples, 50 fruits were selected at random for determining the physical characteristics. For each fruit and seed, 3 linear dimensions were measured, that is (a) length, (b) width and (c) thickness, using a vernier caliper reading to 0.01 mm. Hence measurement of all size indices was replicated 10 times for fruit. The weight of individual fruit and seed for Karayemis were determined by using an electronic balance to an accuracy of 0.001 g. Each measurement was replicated 10 times. C. Total Soluble Solids The content of total soluble solids was determined using samples of fruit pulp with a hand refractometer, at room temperature (range from 18 to 23°C) [17]. D. Protein The nitrogen content estimated by the Kjeldahl method and was converted to protein content by using the conversion factor 6.25 [18]. E. Colour The colour scale was employed for determination of the fruit juice colour [19]. F. Crude Ash Crude ash was determined in a muffle furnace at 850 ˚C for 8 h [20]. G. Crude Fiber Crude fibre was determined in the sample using the standard methods of analysis of the [20]. Mineral and Some Physico-Chemical Composition of ‘Karayemis’ (Prunus laurocerasus L.) Fruits Grown in Northeast Turkey İsmail Hakkı Kalyoncu, Nilda Ersoy, Ayşe Yalcın Elidemir, and Cansu Dolek K World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol:7, No:6, 2013 430 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(6) 2013 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/7542 International Science Index, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol:7, No:6, 2013 waset.org/Publication/7542