The technology of using licorice root in the manufacture of food products was developed in the laboratory of the Academy of Sciences Technology Center of Turkmenistan. Bread was the first product enriched with glycyrrhizic acid. Specialists also plan to add this substance to Berzenňi mineral water.

This work is carried out by request of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as part of the general socially oriented strategy of the state aimed at the well-being of citizens, protecting the health of Turkmen citizens, ensuring international health standards, and strengthening epidemiological surveillance.

In accordance with the instructions of the leader of the nation, large-scale work is being carried out to enrich the flour produced in the country with iron and folic acid, thanks to which our state has been awarded an international award for leadership in flour fortification. Currently, the possibilities of its enrichment with zinc and vitamin B12 are being studied.

In particular, the head of state initiated in-depth studies of the antiviral effects of glycyrrhizic acid on the human body, its practical application. Turkmen licorice, according to the leader of the nation, can help in the fight against a new type of coronavirus infection. In this regard, in December 2020, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the head of the Academy of Sciences and the Minister of Health and Medical Industry to conduct research in this area.

Today, 350 types of medicines are being prepared on the basis of glycyrrhizic acid to combat allergies, colds, bronchitis, eczema, as well as antiviral agents. According to experts, our licorice, due to the hot climate and soil characteristics, is a concentrate of useful substances and that is why it is successfully used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

The healing properties of licorice root and the active substance in its composition - glycyrrhizic acid - in the fight against COVID-19 were also discussed on January 19th during an online meeting of Turkmen specialists with the head of the Virology Center of the Essen University Hospital (Germany), Professor, Dr. A. Kravchik.

As part of the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on January 14th, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a Resolution on the construction of a plant for the production of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root in Turkmenabat in the structure of the agro-industrial complex “Buýan” of the Türkmendermansenagat association. The capacity of the enterprise, which is scheduled for commissioning in January 2024, will be 390 tons of crude glycyrrhizic acid per year.

The Technology Center of the Academy of Sciences, after carrying out relevant studies, provided a scientific justification for the use of licorice root extract in the production of bread and bakery products.

According to AST experts, glycyrrhizic acid, obtained from licorice root, not only has its own biological activity, but can enhance the effect of other drugs and even reduce their therapeutic dose when used together.

The use of this acid allows not only to improve the nutritional and taste parameters of products, but also to preserve their taste and aroma.

Bread and bakery products are the most consumed food products containing substances necessary for human life. In order to develop technologies for the production of bread and bakery products with the addition of licorice extract in our country, for the first time, a comprehensive laboratory study of these products was carried out to determine a reliable dose of licorice root extract additives.

At the same time, scientifically based recipes for baking bread and bakery products have been compiled. These recipes were offered for use by the Bereketli Trade Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, where the new product is currently being baked and sold.