The “Natural Miracle Thyme” workshop, which was organized in cooperation with the Near East University and Lefke Tourism Association, in order to determine a roadmap for bringing thyme species grown in Cyprus to the pharmaceutical industry and economy, was completed. Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. During the workshop moderated by Tamer Şanlıdağ, Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış, Director of Near East University Graduate Education Institute Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Can Başer attended as a speaker.
Cyprus thyme species will be brought into the economy
The workshop held at the Lefke Tourism Association center was held with the intense participation of Lefke District Governor, Lefke Mayor, representatives of non-governmental organizations, local producers and the public. Acting Rector of Near East University, who also moderated the workshop, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said that a pilot project will be prepared and a road map will be determined for the evaluation of endemic plants in the region in the pharmaceutical industry, and the introduction of new products to be developed using thyme oil and active ingredients of thyme.
Thyme species known as Şapşişa and Yeşilırmak have high commercial potential.
Near East University Graduate Education Institute Director Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Can Başer stated that among the thyme species grown in Cyprus, Sapşişa (Origanum Majorana) has a great economic potential due to its high essential oil yield and chemical properties sought in trade. prof. Dr. Başer also said that Origanum Dubium, known as Yeşilırmak thyme in Cyprus, has 6,5 percent essential oil and high carvacrol content and has a high commercial potential.
prof. Dr. Hüsnü Can Başer emphasized that Tülümbe, which grows widely in nature, is another type of thyme that can be cultivated with its essential oil and high thymol content. Stating that Lagoecia cuminoides, another species grown in Cyprus, has the highest thymol content in the world, Prof. Dr. Başer said, “The thyme species grown in Cyprus can be used as a natural source of thymol. "If these plants, which are all wild, are grown and their essential oils are extracted, it will create a significant economic gain on a local and national scale," he said.
Thyme species grown in Cyprus have biological richness and molecular diversity.
Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış emphasized that natural resources and especially land plants can be used in new molecule (compound) research to be used in the pharmaceutical industry. Stating that the Lamiaceae (Mintaceae) family, which also includes the thyme plant, is rich in non-volatile compounds, Prof. Dr. Çalış stated that thyme species grown endemic in Cyprus have a significant biological richness and molecular diversity.
prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış gave information about the ways followed in plant selection in scientific research for drug production and emphasized the potential of medicinal plant cultivation in Cyprus that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry. prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış said that with researches that will pave the way for the use of endemic plants of the island, especially thyme, in the pharmaceutical industry, a new production source can be created for the local people and a great contribution to the country's economy can be made.
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