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Valorization of Bio-resources in Semi Arid and Arid Land for Regional Development

Bioresources

Republic of Tunisia

Finished

Valorization of Bio-resources in Semi Arid and Arid Land for Regional Development

Harnessing the Power of Desert Plants

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  ISODA Hiroko
  The Alliance for Research on North Africa/Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

ODA Recipient Country

Republic of Tunisia

Research Institutions in Japan

University of Tsukuba / Kyoto University / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Center of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS), etc.

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2009

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Effective utilization of plants adapted to stressful environment
Plants growing in arid and semi-arid habitats, such as desert, contain many unique components that enable them to adapt to extreme or stressful environments. Little is known about these plant components and their potential for pharmaceutical or food development, so in this project, we are collecting plants from a range of habitats in Tunisia and based on local or traditional knowledge regarding their medicinal properties, we analyze them to identify and investigate components with novel function for possible industrial application. We will also simultaneously assess the economic feasibility and develop production bases and technologies locally for the sustainable use of plant resources and to aid in local economic development.

Amazing functional components of arid land plants
We have identified plants and functional plant components from olive and medicinal plants found in Tunisia that have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-allergy activities. We are trying to find their practical industrial application through water- and soilrelated production base improvements, economic feasibility studies and production technology development. Through our research, we aim to be able to contribute to the development of a sustainable food resources distribution system and prevention of desertification worldwide.

Photo gallery

Conducting plant survey to estimate the density of useful plant resources

We analyze not only the properties of extracted components in detail, but we also engage in the development of useful methods for extraction and identification of the functional plant components and their evaluation at the genetic level.