Academicians Develop Eco-friendly Pesticides in Bogaziçi University

Asst. Prof. Dr. Necla Birgül İyison from Boğaziçi University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics develops a natural pesticide against a bug type (thaumetopoea pityocampa) that harms natural habitat and forest vegetation in Mediterranean forests.

There are chemical pesticide residues on the products we consume and they cause danger not only for human beings, but also for the nature. They are categorized as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides. They transmit to air, water and soil and finally to all beings living there; they transform and cause various reactions.

If the applied pesticide is not biodegradable, it constitutes a huge threat for the environment. Pesticide residue can reach underground waters, then from there to drinking waters and finally threat human health. Pesticides harm water resources, their waste puts environment at risk. For example, a serious amount of fish may die as a result.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues founded by FAO and WHO in the 1960s defined the maximum residue limits. In our country, there is a maximum limit for residues on the basis of products and pesticides. It is possible to find this data on the web-site of the Ministry of Agriculture. Turkey rates 62th out of the first 100 countries to use pesticides.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Necla Birgül İyison from Boğaziçi University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics said that they conduct studies to develop a new kind of pesticide against a bug type (thaumetopoea pityocampa) that harms natural habitat and forest vegetation in Mediterranean forests.

As a part of the research supported by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), İyison indicated that they analyzed the mentioned bug thoroughly in their lab and studied on its receptor protein’s structure. She said that this protein is only produced in bugs and plays a role in their development process. So, they aim to develop a pesticide which would only harm that type of bug and harm no other live being or vegetation. Their objection is to develop an alternative solution to chemical pesticides used in agriculture.

“We submitted our project to TÜBİTAK. Flowingly, we will contact the Ministry of Agriculture. We will be developing a pesticide that only destroys a specific bug. Pesticides harm food and agricultural products. They harm almost every kind of insects, too. Also, the agricultural workers have been reported to produce 40% less sperms than people living in the streets. So, they also cause infertilization. They are cost much, too. Though it is best not to use it, it is not possible, too. Then, bugs harm the crop. It is important to use them in right dosages. After our project ends, in 2 or 3 years, we plan to work on another molecule and submit them to TÜBİTAK and the Ministry of Agriculture, too,” İyison said.