Üsküdar University students examined production and distillation processes on-site

Students of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Program examined on-site the medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation and processing studies carried out within Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality and SEKAPARK A.Ş. During the educational trip conducted with the accompaniment of Program Head Asst. Prof. Tuğba Kaman, students gained knowledge about the processes extending from plant cultivation to distillation and product development.

During the educational trip, students who visited the distillation facility and the production areas at Arslanbey Campus had the opportunity to reinforce the theoretical knowledge they gained in classes with practical applications in the field.

Herbal production and distillation processes examined

In the first part of the trip, medicinal and aromatic plants cultivated in the field were introduced. The facility official provided students with information about plant cultivation and irrigation techniques. Subsequently, students examining the distillation units where industrial-scale production is carried out observed the essential oil extraction process in terms of equipment used, process steps, and production capacity. Information about post-harvest operations such as drying, sifting, and packaging was also shared.

Herbal production residues are being repurposed

During the visit, the evaluation of herbal raw materials at different stages of production was also addressed. While explaining the essential oil and extract production processes using rosemary as an example, information was given on the use of residual plant materials in various fields after processing. With this example, students learned about the circular production approach based on resource efficiency and the repurposing of production residues on-site.

Students also had the opportunity to closely observe the transformation process of herbal raw materials into final products by examining the products prepared from medicinal and aromatic plants grown in the region.

Sustainable cultivation practices introduced

In the second part of the trip, the medicinal and aromatic plant production areas at Arslanbey Campus were visited. The medicinal and aromatic plants technician provided information about herbaceous and shrub-form plants grown in the area, especially medicinal mint, lemon balm, different types of thyme, and rosemary. Students comparatively examined the mulched and unmulched cultivation methods applied in the production plots.

During the field briefings, the contributions of mulch application in terms of weed control and facilitating maintenance operations were emphasized. Officials stated that synthetic chemical pesticides are not used in the production areas; instead, methods such as monitoring, sticky traps, and microbial preparations suitable for the target organism are utilized in disease and pest management.

They gained awareness about environmentally sensitive production

The practices examined during the trip were discussed in terms of weed management, biological and biotechnological control of diseases and pests, and the evaluation of herbal production residues. Students evaluated the effects of agricultural production methods on soil health, biodiversity, and the ecosystem through on-site examples.

Students, observing the processes ranging from cultivation to harvest, and from distillation to product development, found the opportunity to relate their professional knowledge to practical applications.