A New Era in Plant Science Begins in Turkey
Bezmialem Foundation University is establishing the “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research and Reference Center," one of Turkey's most comprehensive projects in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants. Supported by a guided project grant from the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), this project, with a budget of 99 million TL, will provide critical guidance for developing new products for the food and cosmetics sectors.
Supporting Industrial Production: High-Quality Analysis Services
The new center aims to conduct productivity and quality analyses of medicinal and aromatic plants that are either cultivated or can be cultivated in different regions of Turkey, ensuring their suitability for industrial use. To this end, an internationally accredited infrastructure will be established to support R&D, quality control, analysis, and testing processes for plant-based raw materials. Additionally, formulation development and clinical studies for cosmetic and food products will be conducted under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Bezmialem's New Research Center to Shape the Sector with Modern Infrastructure
In response to the growing demand for the services of the existing Phytotherapy Education, Application, and Research Center, a new, larger facility will be constructed on a campus allocated by the General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey. This expanded center will open doors to national and international collaborations and lead R&D efforts within the sector.
Project Team and Collaborations
The project is led by an expert team of researchers from Bezmialem Foundation University. Professor Dr. Murat Kartal, Director of the Phytotherapy Center, and Dr. Zeynep Görmezoğlu, General Secretary of Bezmialem Foundation University, head the project, with a distinguished team including Professor Dr. Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu, Professor Dr. Gülaçtı Topçu, Professor Dr. Özlem Su Küçük, Professor Dr. Mustafa Çakırca, and biologist Onur Yolay. Strategic partnerships have also been established with key institutions, such as the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Health, as well as local governments and various agricultural research institutes.
Prof. Dr. Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu: “Bezmialem Will Become an International Reference Point"
Professor Dr. Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu, Rector of Bezmialem Foundation University, stated that the goal of this project is to position Turkey as an international center in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants. Prof. Dr. Kazancıoğlu emphasized that the center, with its extensive range of services, will guide producers and industry leaders and contribute to raising quality standards across the sector.
