“The introduction of melon sugar production technology in our country can bring great benefits to the economy and food security,” he said. Melon fructose is cheaper than sugar, and is also harmless to patients with diabetes and similar diseases.

    Vohid Lapasov, student of the Faculty of Agrobiotechnology and Food Security of Samarkand State University, scholarship holder of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, conducts research on the topic “Healing properties of melons and the role of microelements in the cultivation of gourds”.

    “Today there are more than 160 varieties of melons in Uzbekistan,” Vahid Lafasov said. - They differ in terms of ripening, yield, taste, shelf life. The sugar content of Central Asian melons is 14-16%. Due to the high content of fructose, the skin of the melon is very sweet, and with a high content of glucose it becomes soft. These properties determine the medicinal properties of melons and their importance in folk medicine.

    The healing properties of melon were first described by Ibn Sina. With melon seeds and peel, the scientist treated patients with cardiovascular diseases. He also noted that he has the ability to remove kidney stones. It has long been used medicinally to treat bronchitis, tuberculosis, headaches, anemia, and to clear the airways. In his research, Vahid Lafasov is trying to develop new technologies to improve the technology of growing melons, considering such medicinal properties. First of all, the treatment of melon seeds with microelements plays a key role in this. Seeds are treated with microelements to improve seed quality, increase yields and accelerate crop maturation. Trace elements increase the yield of melons and improve the quality of seeds. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with microelements promotes rapid growth. Increases vitality.

    According to Vahid Lafasov, a technology for obtaining fructose from melon is also being developed. It is known that in our country the technology of obtaining sugar from natural products only from sugar beets has been introduced. However, you can also get sugar from melons. The idea is to make fructose from melon juice in the form of a syrup. To do this, it is important to increase the sucrose content in grown melons. The introduction of sugar technologies in our country can bring great benefits to the economy and food security. This is due to the fact that melon fructose is cheaper than sugar, and is also harmless for people with diabetes and similar diseases.

    Vahid Lapasov has published research papers in about 20 national and 10 international journals and is in the focus of the general public. His scientific adviser is Farhod Khoshimov, Professor of the Department of agrochemistry and plant protection. Winner of the Olympiad in natural sciences. He is also the winner of the Online Agronomy Olympiad in January. In the Samarkand Central League of Laughter, he won the league championship as part of the “Ilkhom” university team. Currently, he works as a laboratory assistant at the College of Agrobiotechnology at SamSU.

Iroda Bekmurodova,

Samarkand State University

information officer,

Photos by Shavkat Akramov.