Carob Research Institutions and Scientific Studies
For many years, carob was seen as a "wild-picked, little-known" product; today, it has become an increasingly researched species in the fields of agriculture, forestry, food science and sustainability. Research institutes, universities and development agencies affiliated to the ministry in Turkey; In the world, universities of Mediterranean countries, international organizations and European Union-supported projects are working on carob.
In this article, we summarize the prominent institutions in carob research, the topics of the studies carried out and what these studies have brought to the sector, based only on verifiable sources.
Why is Carob Researched?
Carob is one of the rare products that concerns many different disciplines. It is the subject of forestry and afforestation as a tree, horticultural crops as a fruit, food technology as seeds and gums, and nutritional science as pulps and syrups. In addition, its drought resistance and autumn flowering make it interesting for climate and ecology research.
The situation is similar for Turkey. Approximately 70 percent of the product is collected from wild trees, the quality varies according to altitude and region, and processing is mostly done on a small scale (Yaşam Dair Vakıf, 2018). This structure; It creates the need for research on many issues such as variety selection, garden establishment, harvesting techniques and value-added product development.
Research Institutions Affiliated to the Ministry in Turkey
Horticultural Research Institute (Alata – Mersin)
The Directorate of Horticultural Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is located in the Erdemli district of Mersin. There are two studies on carob in the list of completed projects of the institute:
- Conservation, evaluation and morphological/molecular characterization of carob genetic resources in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (concluded in 2019).
- Research on the propagation of carob by various methods (1990–1995, doctoral study).
The collection and identification of genetic resources is an area of study that lays the foundation for the development and registration of domestic varieties in the future.
Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM – Antalya)
Interactive carob workshop organized by Antalya Agriculture Council, Antalya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and Antalya Commodity Exchange in Antalya in 2023; It was supported by BATEM, Akdeniz University and Alata Horticultural Research Institute (Politika Newspaper, 2023). This workshop is a current example of institutions coming together on carob.
General Directorate of Forestry and forestry research
Since most of the carob in Turkey comes from natural trees in forest areas, the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) is an important actor in this field. In 2020, GDF published the "Carob Orchard Facility Project Feasibility Report and Investor Guide" (General Directorate of Forestry, 2020). In the Journal of Forestry Research published by GDF, a study examining the effect of root cutting and top pruning on planting success in carob saplings in Osmaniye was included; it was found that tubular saplings showed a higher survival rate than bare-rooted saplings (Taşdemir & Keleş, 2023). In the bibliography of the value chain research, the studies of the Western Mediterranean Forestry Research Institute are also referred to (Yaşam Dair Vakıf, 2018).
Universities and Academic Studies in Turkey
Carob is a subject studied in universities and food engineering departments in Turkey, especially on the Mediterranean coast. Some examples of studies in DergiPark and university open access archives show the diversity of research topics:
| Subject | Case study and finding |
|---|---|
| Comparison of grafted and natural trees | It has been found that the fruit characteristics of grafted trees in Köprülü Canyon National Park are higher than natural trees (Çetinay et al., 2014). |
| Wild genotypes and location | The Demre location in Antalya stood out with a fruit length of 19.03 cm and a seed yield of 26.80 percent (Balkıç et al., 2024). |
| Grafting time | The effect of different grafting times on graft take and survival rates was examined (Gübbük et al., 2012). |
| Sapling quality | Tubular saplings have been shown to be more successful in the field (Taşdemir & Keleş, 2023). |
| Food products | Products sold under the name of "carob extract" and molasses were compared, and no statistical difference was found in the properties examined (Yavuz Küçük & Duraklı Velioğlu, 2022). |
| Traditional product development | Pestil was produced from carob molasses, and the best results were obtained in a formulation containing 60 percent molasses (Çakır, 2009). |
These studies; It seeks answers to the concrete questions of the sector such as garden facility, variety and propagation material selection, standardization of food products and new product development. Master's and doctoral theses can be accessed through the YÖK National Thesis Center and the open access archives of universities.
Development Agencies and International Collaborations
Carob research is not limited to laboratories and trial gardens; studies examining the economic structure of the sector are also important.
Value chain research (UNDP – OGM – GEF)
Within the scope of the Mediterranean Forests Integrated Management Project implemented by the General Directorate of Forestry in cooperation with UNDP and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the "Non-Wood Forest Products: Carob Value Chain Research" was prepared by the Yasama Dair Foundation for the Nature Conservation Center. In the study conducted around the Gülnar and Gazipaşa forest management directorates, the journey of carob from the forest to the market, actors, problems and suggestions were discussed (Yasam Dair Foundation, 2018).
Western Mediterranean Development Agency feasibility report
The "Carob Agriculture and Industry Feasibility Report" prepared for the Western Mediterranean Development Agency sets out the investment, yield, and cost assumptions for a sample carob orchard in Antalya (Erbaş, 2024).
Carob Research in the World
International organizations
One of the most frequently cited main sources on carob is the monograph of Batlle and Tous (1997), published by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, today's Bioversity) and the Leibniz Research Institute for Plant Genetics and Cultivated Plants (IPK Gatersleben) as the 17th issue of the "underrated and neglected crops" series. The Agroforestree database of the World Agroforestry is also a reference source for carob (Orwa et al., 2009).
Universities and institutes in Mediterranean countries
| Spain | In northeastern Spain, the pod and seed yields of ten Mediterranean cultivars were compared in a long-term trial (Tous et al., 2008). A study on the research portal Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona examined the fruit phenology and fruit setting rates of carob (Bosch et al., 1996). The open archive of IRTA in Catalonia also has a record of the agricultural and commercial performance of four Spanish carob cultivars. |
| Portugal | In the study in the archives of the University of Algarve, the relationship of irrigated fertilization with growth and fruit production in mature carob trees was investigated (Correia and Martins-Loução, 1995). |
| Cyprus | The study, which is in the archives of the Cyprus University of Technology, experimentally demonstrated the effect of bees on carob pod production (Varnava et al., 2023). |
| Algeria | The phytochemistry and pharmacology of carob leaves were compiled in a journal published within the University of Tlemcen (Ghanemi and Belarbi, 2021). |
| Croatia | The potential of carob in preventing fires in karst areas and regenerating burned areas has been discussed (Španjol et al., 2020). |
The participation of academics and experts from universities in Turkey, as well as Northern Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Algeria and Lebanon in the 2023 workshop in Antalya (Politika Gazetesi, 2023) shows that carob is a research subject on a Mediterranean scale in the real sense.
European Union Supported Projects
The European Commission's CORDIS database includes projects directly related to carob. These indicate that research is increasingly evolving in a direction towards product development and the market:
| Project | Term and coordinator | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritive by-product from carob pulp (QLK1-CT-2001-42409) | 2001–2002; Chorondo & Filhos Lda., Portugal | Develop functional food and beverage ingredient from pulp that is largely utilized in feed |
| DEMICROCAROB (Phase 1) | 2017–2018; Pedro Perez Martinez SL, Spain | Developing micronized, chemical-free carob flour with infrared drying and special grinding |
| DEMICROCAROB (Phase 2) | 2018–2020; Pedro Perez Martinez SL, Spain | Development and market launch of micronized dried carob powder |
According to CORDIS records, the second phase of DEMICROCAROB was supported under the Horizon 2020 SME instrument, with a total cost of €1,160,642.50 and an EU contribution of €806,377.25.
Prominent Research Topics and Their Contribution to the Industry
When the topics that institutions and projects focus on are evaluated together, it is seen that carob research is gathered on five main axes:
| Genetic sources and variety | Collection of local genotypes, characterization and selection of productive varieties. |
| Garden establishment and cultivation | Sapling quality, grafting, irrigation and pollination management. |
| Ecology and climate | Drought and fire resistance, afforestation, pollinator biodiversity. |
| Food science | Composition, quality criteria and standardization of pulp, flour, syrup and molasses. |
| Value chain and market | Economic structure and value-added product development from collector to exporter. |
The proposals highlighted in the Antalya workshop also coincide with these axes: increasing indoor (garden-type) plantings and nurseries, rehabilitating unproductive trees, creating gene pools and registering more varieties, official harvest dates to prevent early harvests, and exporting processed, value-added products instead of raw fruit (Politika Newspaper, 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which institutions are working on carob in Turkey?
Horticultural Research Institute (Alata) and Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM) affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Forestry and forestry research units, universities and development agencies in the Mediterranean region are among the prominent institutions.
Where can I find scientific articles about carob?
DergiPark for Turkish articles, YÖK National Thesis Center and university open access archives for theses; platforms such as PubMed, MDPI, ScienceDirect for international publications and CORDIS for EU projects can be used.
What topics does carob research focus on?
Genetic sources and variety selection, horticulture and pollination, drought and fire ecology, composition and quality of food products, and value chain and market research are the main topics.
Bringing Scientific Knowledge to the Product with Carob Türkiye
Every research on carob strengthens a link in the chain from the garden to the table and industry. Knowledge of the right variety, the right cultivation and the right processing; It is the basis of producing consistent quality raw materials.
At Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, seeds, and extracts. For information about our products Our Products page for our articles on the components of carob What is D-Pinitol in Carob? and What is Carob Extract? You can review our articles. For your wholesale and export requests You can contact.
Domestic resources
Directorate of Horticultural Research Institute (Alata/Mersin), "Completed Projects". research.
agriculture. gov. en/ alata/ Menu/ 66/ Concluded- The project... Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Forestry, "Carob Orchard Facility Project Feasibility Report and Investor Guide", Ankara, 2020. Eskisehir.
agriculture. gov. en/ DocumentsArchive/ Investor 20% Pledge... Yasam Dair Foundation, "Non-Wood Forest Products: Carob Value Chain Research (Research Report)", Nature Conservation Center – OGM – UNDP, GEF Mediterranean Forests Integrated Management Project, 2018. UNDP.
org/ en/ node/ 36986 Erbaş, S., "Carob Agriculture and Industry Feasibility Report", Western Mediterranean Development Agency, 2024. DEVELOPMENT LIBRARY.
gov. en/ assets/ upload/ files/ Keciboy... Politika Newspaper, "Another benefit of carob has emerged" (Antalya carob workshop results), 07.08.2023. my policy.
com/ carob- one- BENEFIT- more- revealed- output Taşdemir, C., Keleş, H., "The effect of root cutting and top pruning on some morphological characteristics and planting success of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) saplings", Journal of Forestry Research, 10(2), 124–139, 2023. doi.
org/ 10. 17568/ ogmoad. 1268698 Çetinay, Ş., Güler, S., Coşgun, S., Şahin, M., Güngöroğlu, C., "Comparison of Natural and Grafted Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Trees in Terms of Fruit and Seed Characteristics (Köprülü Canyon National Park Example)", SDU Journal of the Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, 17(1), 64–69, 2014. dergipark.
org. en/ en/ pub/ sdufenbed/ article/ 222049 Balkıç, R., Polat, İ., Gübbük, H., "The Effects of Different Locations on Fruit and Seed Characteristics in Naturally Growing Wild Carob Genotypes in Antalya", MAKU Journal of the Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, 15(2), 74–80, 2024. doi.
org/ 10. 29048/ makufebed. 1454370 Gübbük, H. et al., "The Effects of Different Grafting Times on Graft take and Survival Rates in Carob", Journal of Akdeniz University Faculty of Agriculture, 25(2), 73–76, 2012. avesis.
Mediterranean. edu. en/ activitycitation/ index/ 1/ 46636c87- 1… Yavuz Küçük, A., Duraklı Velioğlu, S., "Determination of some chemical properties of the product offered for sale under the name of 'carob extract' and comparison with carob molasses", Gıda, 47(5), 889–903, 2022. doi.
org/ 10. 15237/ food. GD22033 Çakır, Ş., "Determination of fruit pulp production and quality from carob", Master's Thesis, İnönü University, 2009. abacus.
Innu. edu. en/ items/ 9bafc9f1- d1bd- 4247- BF72- 4D7093A... Foreign sources
Batlle, I., Tous, J., "Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.)", Promoting the Conservation and Use of Underutilized and Neglected Crops 17, IPK Gatersleben / IPGRI, Rome, 1997. hdl.
handle. net/ 10568/ 104277 Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., Simons, A., "Ceratonia siliqua", Agroforestree Database 4.0, World Agroforestry Centre, 2009. apps.
worldagroforestry. org/ treedb2/ AFTPDFS/ Ceratonia_sili... Tous, J., Romero, A., Hermoso, J. F., Ninot, A., Plana, J., "Fruiting and Kernel Production Characteristics of Ten Mediterranean Carob Cultivars Grown in Northeastern Spain", Journal of the American Pomological Society, 62(4), 144–150, 2008. journal.
americanpomological. org/ index. php/ jofaps/ article/ … Bosch, J., Del Pino, F. G., Ramoneda, J., Retana, J., "Fruiting phenology and fruit set of carob, Ceratonia siliqua L. (Cesalpinaceae)", Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, 44(4), 359–368, 1996. doi.
org/ 10. 1080/ 07929978. 1996. 10676657 IRTA Open Archive, "Agronomic and commercial performance of four Spanish carob cultivars" (recording). repositori.
irta. cat/ handle/ 20. 500. 12327/ 4264 Correia, P. J., Martins-Loução, M. A., "Seasonal variations of leaf water potential and growth in fertigated carob-trees (Ceratonia siliqua L.)", Plant and Soil, 172(2), 199–206, 1995. sapientia.
ualg. pt/ entities/ publication/ 29bd966c- 4312- 406f... Varnava, A. I., Manganaris, G. A., Stavrinides, M. C., "Assessing the biodiversity and the impact of pollinators on carob production", PLoS ONE, 18(10), e0291431, 2023. doi.
org/ 10. 1371/ journal. pone. 0291431 Ghanemi, F. Z., Belarbi, M., "Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Ceratonia siliqua L. leaves", Journal of Natural Product Research and Applications, 1(1), 69–82, 2021. journals.
univ- tlemcen. dz/ JNPRA/ index. php/ JNPRA/ article/ do... Španjol, Ž., Dorbić, B., Vučetić, M., "Rogač (Ceratonia siliqua L.) – Šumska voćkarica pogodna u prevenciji i obnovi izgorenih površina na kršu", Vatrogastvo i upravljanje požarima, X(1–2), 5–24, 2020. hrcak.
SRCE. hr/ index. php/ en/ clank/ 366885 European Commission – CORDIS, "Research and identification of a commercially feasible carob pulp byproduct with nutritious properties in human diet and health" (QLK1-CT-2001-42409), 2001–2002. Cordis.
europa. eu/ project/ id/ QLK1- CT- 2001- 42409 European Commission – CORDIS, "DEMICROCAROB – Development and market uptake of an innovative type of micronized dehydrated carob", Horizon 2020, 2017–2018 (781793) and 2018–2020 (829698). Cordis.
Scientific Resourceseuropa. eu/ project/ id/ 829698
