BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 15
By Amina Nazarli - Trend:
Turkmenistan’s city of Turkmenabat will launch construction of a plant to produce glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root this January 2022, as part of the memorandum signed with Italy in 2019, Trend reports citing Turkmenportal.
The plant will operate in the structure of the Buýan agro-industrial complex under the Turkmendermansenagat association in the Lebap region, which produced 680 tons of dry and 610 tons of thick extract from 2,960 tons of purified licorice root last year.
The Turkmen enterprise Mizemez gadam, as the winner of the tender for the contraction, will build the plant capable of producing 390 tons of crude glycyrrhizic acid per year.
Adipson Ind Srl, an Italian company that will supply the technological component, will participate in its equipment.
The plant should be fully operational and ready for commissioning in January 2024.
Glycyrrhizic acid, found in licorice roots, is used as a topical antiviral agent.
Back January 2021, Turkmen and German medical experts met to discuss the medicinal properties of licorice root and glycyrrhizic acid, the active substance in its composition in the fight against COVID-19.
Turkmen licorice is notable for its valuable properties. It is high in vitamin C and essential oils and has been used for centuries to boost the immune system, treat colds, and treat kidney and kidney stone problems. It is also used to make soft drinks in the food industry.
Glycyrrhizic acid lowers viral load, reduces inflammation, and alleviates pain. Its derivatives are used to treat the liver and as a component of antiviral therapy.