Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faruk Aylar, a faculty member in the Department of Geography at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, has announced the discovery of the "Moon Milk" bacterium in Hayat Kayası (Life Rock) Cave, located in Samsun’s Bafra district. This marks the first time this bacterium has been identified in Türkiye. Dr. Aylar stated that this bacterium has potential antibiotic properties and could be used in pharmaceutical production. He also noted that similar substances have already been utilized in the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and Scotland.
The analysis of the "Moon Milk" bacterium, discovered in Hayat Kayası Cave between the Esençay and Başaran neighborhoods in Bafra, is currently being conducted by microbiologists. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylar emphasized the significance of the study, saying, "This research is a pioneering study in Türkiye. Our initial findings are highly promising. Although the process will take time, we are working towards transforming this substance into a patented product."
Highlighting the rarity of Hayat Kayası Cave in the Black Sea region, Dr. Aylar stated, "Located in Bafra, Hayat Kayası Cave is among Türkiye’s most distinctive caves in terms of formation and structure. It has a karstic structure formed by the dissolution of limestone. The cave is a significant natural heritage site with a length of 170 meters and a roughly ‘T’-shaped layout. Inside the cave, the special substance known in international literature as ‘Moon Milk’ is formed due to microbial activity. This formation is typically found in the ‘twilight zone’ of the cave, a section that is neither too bright nor completely dark."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faruk Aylar highlighted that the research is being conducted in collaboration with experts from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at OMU. He stated, "Our goal is to enhance the cave's scientific value and reveal the potential benefits of the 'Moon Milk' bacterium. We have obtained our initial findings and visit the cave regularly every month. This study could yield significant results as the first of its kind in Türkiye."