Ekin Yaşar, a senior student from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (English) at the Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, attended the 5th International Food Chemistry Congress held in Antalya. Yaşar delivered a presentation titled 'Hydroponic Farming Systems as a Sustainable Food Production Strategy for Türkiye Under Water Stress: Comparative Assessment of Nutrient Chemistry, Food Quality and Safety.' With his presentation on hydroponic farming systems, Yaşar was deemed worthy of the innovation award, given for the first time this year, achieving significant success. With this study, Yaşar attracted the attention of international scientists, highlighting his scientific contributions regarding sustainable production models against increasing water stress in Türkiye, in terms of food quality and safety.
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Received innovation award for hydroponic farming study
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Ekin Yaşar stated that being invited to the '5th International Food Chemistry Congress,' organized in Antalya with the theme 'Food Systems from Chemistry to Nutrition' in cooperation with Üsküdar University, Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ), and the Chemists Association, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was a proud moment for him. He drew attention to alternative production models for Türkiye's increasing water stress with his study.
In his presentation at the 4-day congress, which was attended by authorities in the field from an international level, Ekin Yaşar, a senior student from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (English) at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, discussed the advantages offered by hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic systems in terms of water efficiency, food quality, and safety, from a food chemistry perspective.
Awarded the 'Innovation Award' for the first time this year
Assessing the congress, Asst. Prof. Salih Tuncay, Vice Chairman of the Congress and from the Food Technology Program at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services, pointed out that Ekin Yaşar's study was deemed worthy of the innovation award, given for the first time this year.
Tunçay stated that this study marked the opening of a new award category in the congress tradition, the 'Innovation award' category. He added that, in addition to the award system applied in pharmaceutical chemistry congresses for many years, innovation is also being encouraged in the field of food chemistry this year.
Tuncay stated that the evaluation process was conducted by a jury comprising academics from different universities, emphasizing that Yaşar's study winning this award was an important first.
Water efficiency and food safety in the foreground
Yaşar's study emphasized that the phenolic compound, vitamin, and antioxidant capacities of products could be increased through precise control of nutrient solution chemistry. Furthermore, scientific data demonstrated how soil-borne pesticide residues, heavy metal contamination, and pathogen risks could be minimized with hydroponic farming systems.
Hydroponic farming: A solution for the future
The study, focusing on Türkiye's water stress problem, reveals the advantages offered by hydroponic farming systems. These methods, which provide more efficient production with less water, also offer a new perspective in terms of food safety.
Graduate student Derya Deregöz’s study also received an honorable mention award
On the other hand, the study titled 'Investigation of the In Vitro Effect of Polyphenol-Rich Herbal Extract Combinations on Type 2 Diabetes-Related Enzymes' by Derya Deregözü, a Master's student in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences, also received an Honorable Mention award.