From zero to hero: Increasing potato waste value 10,000-fold

The least valuable part of potato residue that currently goes to landfill could increase in value 10,000-fold, say the Danish researchers transforming them into natural additives. The aim of the project, which is being coordinated by Technical University of Denmark, is to develop tools that scan potato residues for protein sequences with properties that could be used to produce additives. These proteins could be used to make a range of natural food additives from preservatives and flavouring agents to emulsifiers, the researchers said. Currently, however, many of them are being used for low-value animal feed or simply being thrown out as waste. One of the challenges will be to develop an extraction process that is cost efficient and effective. The project, dubbed PROVIDE (Protein valorization through informatics, hydrolysis, and separation), will run for the next five years with a budget of DKK 21 million, two thirds of which comes from investment from Innovation Fund Denmark. Five companies have already signed up to the project, one of which is KMC Ingredients. More