Within the scope of the 'Scientific Article Awards' organized this year by Pınar Institute to encourage scientific production in the fields of sustainable agriculture, food, and animal husbandry, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Dr. Lecturer Esma Ulusoy achieved a significant success. Ulusoy's study titled “The effect of silver nanoparticles on secondary metabolite composition and toxicity in anise callus culture,” which was awarded second place, attracted attention with its interdisciplinary approach combining plant biotechnology and nanotechnology. The research presents an innovative method to increase the secondary metabolite content of the anise plant, which has high economic and pharmacological value.
“Being deemed worthy of the second-place award is extremely valuable to me”
Dr. Lecturer Esma Ulusoy, commenting on the award she received, emphasized that being recognized by a reputable institution like Pınar Institute, which supports scientific production and qualified research, holds great meaning for her. Ulusoy said; “Being deemed worthy of the second-place award by Pınar Institute, which contributes to the development of society in the fields of sustainable agriculture, food, and animal husbandry, is extremely valuable and motivating for me. This award serves as important feedback in terms of seeing the scientific quality and originality of my work recognized through an independent evaluation process.”
“Making the effort visible is an important motivation”
Referring to the impact of this success on her academic motivation, Ulusoy stated that making the effort expended during the research process visible creates a strong incentive for new studies. Ulusoy said; “Making the effort expended during the research process visible provided significant motivation to increase my scientific productivity in both my current work and the projects I plan for the future. I can say that the award further strengthened my desire to pursue interdisciplinary research with social contribution potential.”
Turkey holds a significant share in global anise production…
Dr. Ulusoy, providing information about the starting point of the study, pointed out that anise is an important medicinal and aromatic plant for Turkey, both agriculturally and economically. Ulusoy stated that Turkey holds a significant share in global anise production and that increasing the secondary metabolite content of this plant offers great potential in the fields of medicine and pharmacy. Ulusoy stated; “Anise is one of the medicinal and aromatic plants with the largest cultivation area in our country after cumin. It is a strategic product, especially for export to European Union countries. The production of high amounts of secondary metabolites, which can be active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicine and pharmacy, is a significant problem. In this study, we aimed to offer an innovative solution to this problem by investigating the elicitor effect of silver nanoparticles in anise callus cultures.”
Ulusoy noted that within this scope, both the toxic and stimulating effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were investigated together for the first time in anise in vitro callus cultures, emphasizing that the obtained data provides original contributions to the literature.
Plants resistant to environmental stresses are important for sustainable agricultural models
Dr. Lecturer Esma Ulusoy, also touching upon the sustainability dimension of the research, stated that plants with low water and input requirements and high resistance to environmental stresses, such as anise, are important for sustainable agricultural models. Ulusoy said; “Anise is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many years and possesses functional food properties. Integrating such plants into agricultural systems can contribute to the development of sustainable production models that adapt to climate change. The results we obtained in our study have shown that high levels of secondary metabolites, important for nutrition and health, can be produced.”
Ulusoy stated that the findings obtained within the scope of the study provide important data regarding the usability of nanotechnological applications as elicitors in plant tissue cultures, and that this approach offers an advantage in terms of production that is independent of environmental conditions and controlled.
The scientific power of an interdisciplinary approach!
Ulusoy, drawing attention to the scientific importance of combining nanotechnology and plant biotechnology, stated that this approach paves the way for new and sustainable strategies in the production of high value-added biomolecules. Ulusoy said; “The combination of nanotechnology and plant biotechnology is scientifically extremely important in demonstrating that secondary metabolite production can be directed by using nanoparticles as a controlled stress factor and elicitor in plant in vitro cultures. This approach allows for the production of high value-added biomolecules in a short time and independently of environmental conditions.”
“Providing support is of great importance for increasing qualified studies”
Ulusoy also touched upon the difficulties encountered during the research process, stating that callus contamination, high-yield production processes, and limitations regarding laboratory infrastructure made the process challenging, but that this situation created an important area of experience for her.
Concluding her words with thanks, Dr. Lecturer Esma Ulusoy said; “I thank all institutions supporting scientific studies, especially TÜBİTAK. Furthermore, the support provided for establishing and strengthening laboratory infrastructure in plant biotechnology and nanobiotechnology at my university is of great importance for increasing such qualified studies.”