Transforming potato industry waste into valuable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics
Potato Bazaar Desk9 December 20255 views5 min read
Transforming potato industry waste into valuable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute are working in partnership with Grampian Growers and Aberdeen University on Phytoscosmo, a project that aims to transform the stems and foliage of the potato plant, known as potato shaws, or potato haulms, into high value ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
From field waste to frontline ingredient in medicines and cosmetics
The Scottish seed potato industry produces approximately 51,200 tonnes of potato shaws annually as a byproduct of seed potato cultivation. The removal of shaws is an essential crop management practice that stops further tuber growth and ensures quality, storability, and disease resistance. This above-ground foliage is typically cut and discarded in the field.
However, the potato shaws offer significant untapped potential, producing various high value compounds, including solanesol, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries and is normally derived from tobacco leaves.
Scotland’s seed potato sector powering a new circular bio-economy
The Hutton is internationally renowned for potato research and is the UK’s biggest R&D centre for potatoes. It has extensive expertise in delivering commercially successful varieties and a track record in delivering applied science for the agricultural industry.
It is home to the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), which works in partnership with academics, industry and government in the UK and beyond to carry out scientific research to future proof the potato industry and support economic resilience and growth. It develops solutions that will help ensure the future of potato as a sustainable and profitable crop that provides nutritious food for all and supports the British economy.
This project seeks to develop an ethical and more sustainable source of solanesol that would reduce reliance on tobacco cultivation, lower carbon emissions and contribute to Scotland’s circular economy.
From field waste to frontline ingredient in medicines and cosmetics
The Scottish seed potato industry produces approximately 51,200 tonnes of potato shaws annually as a byproduct of seed potato cultivation. The removal of shaws is an essential crop management practice that stops further tuber growth and ensures quality, storability, and disease resistance. This above-ground foliage is typically cut and discarded in the field.
However, the potato shaws offer significant untapped potential, producing various high value compounds, including solanesol, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries and is normally derived from tobacco leaves.
Scotland’s seed potato sector powering a new circular bio-economy
The Hutton is internationally renowned for potato research and is the UK’s biggest R&D centre for potatoes. It has extensive expertise in delivering commercially successful varieties and a track record in delivering applied science for the agricultural industry.
It is home to the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), which works in partnership with academics, industry and government in the UK and beyond to carry out scientific research to future proof the potato industry and support economic resilience and growth. It develops solutions that will help ensure the future of potato as a sustainable and profitable crop that provides nutritious food for all and supports the British economy.
This project seeks to develop an ethical and more sustainable source of solanesol that would reduce reliance on tobacco cultivation, lower carbon emissions and contribute to Scotland’s circular economy.
Filed underAgriculture