Turkish scholars reveal native N. American plant can thrive in Türkiye

Gaziantep University (GAUN) has determined that the plant “Oenothera biennis,” native to North America, can be cultivated in the Southeastern Anatolia Region as part of a project aimed at providing raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and income for local farmers.

The Phytotherapy and Medicinal Aromatic Plants Application and Research Center at GAUN is conducting studies on approximately 200 plants used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Through these studies, academics have discovered various methods to grow the yellow-flowered “Oenothera biennis” in Southeastern Anatolia.

Trial plantings revealed that the plant adapts well to the region’s climate and grows easily. Additionally, the oil extracted from its seeds meets the quality standards required by the pharmaceutical industry.

Professor Dr. Nazim Sekeroglu, the director of the center, told an AA correspondent that they are starting to see the results of the work they began two years ago.

Sekeroglu stated that they have conducted quality research on 50 plants to provide a high income for farmers, saying, “We cultivate plants used in the health and cosmetic sectors. Among the plants we grow is the North American-origin Oenothera biennis. This plant’s seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid, a substance also present in breast milk.

Oil production plans call for contract farming

Sekeroglu noted that gamma-linolenic acid is highly concentrated in this plant and is a sought-after raw material in the pharmaceutical industry. He clarified that drip irrigation is an effective method for growing the hardy plant.

Sekeroglu shared that they obtained promising results from two years of quality and cultivation studies, stating, “This plant bloomed beautifully and produced seeds. Both the oil content and the fatty acids within it are quite significant. Gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fat, is widely used in the treatment of women’s diseases and pain relief. Many foreign companies sell the oil of this plant in small bottles for between ₺500 and ₺1000. All of this oil is currently imported.”

“Until now, this plant has not been produced in our country. We will make it in Gaziantep, extract oil from its seeds, and begin producing raw materials for the health and cosmetic industries. This is an important step for local producers, and we are in contact with farmers.”

Sekeroglu emphasized that by engaging in contract farming with around 10 farmers in Kilis and Gaziantep, they will process the seeds at the university facilities and obtain a significant amount of oil.