Transforming potato industry waste into valuable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries
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.
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.
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.
“By fully exploiting the shaws for solanesol and other uses, the project will provide an additional income stream for farmers, especially during suboptimal harvest years, and create a viable UK-based business centred on potato co-products.
Dr Gordon McDougall – James Hutton Institute
“By leveraging the potential of potato shaws, the project will make more complete use of the potato biomass, reduce agricultural waste, and create new economic opportunities for Scottish farmers.”
Sofia Alexou, project lead at Grampian Growers said: “This project is particularly significant for Grampian Growers and the wider potato industry. It offers an opportunity to add value to agricultural by-products while addressing key challenges such as waste reduction and economic resilience. By unlocking new revenue streams, the project supports Scottish farmers and enhances the profitability of co-operative models, demonstrating the potential of innovation to strengthen rural economies.”
The Hutton is one of the world’s leading scientific research institutions and is at the forefront of transformative science for the sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources. Its scientific expertise is shaping resilient agricultural practices and enabling communities to thrive.
Based on 12,800 hectares of Scottish seed potatoes grown in 2024, the industry could yield up to 120 tonnes of solanesol annually, presenting an opportunity for farmers to diversify income streams and support a more resilient agricultural model.
Solanesol is the precursor for coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2, widely recognised for their antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. It is a vital component of various pharmaceutical products used to treat migraines, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
This innovative initiative is driving new commercial opportunities in sustainable biomanufacturing across Scotland and the UK, helping to meet global demand for bio-based products. Thanks to the growing use of solanesol in cosmetic and naturaceuticals (products that are derived from food sources that are purported to provide extra health benefits), demand increased from 4,000 tonnes in the early 2000s to 66,000 tonnes by 2022.
Professor Heather Wilson from the University of Aberdeen, said, “Exploring the quality and yield of solanesol extracted from locally sourced potato shaws, and evaluating its potential applications across the cosmeceutical and related industries, represents an exciting and impactful area of research.
“This work not only supports the transition to ethical, tobacco-free sourcing of high-value compounds, but also advances sustainable innovation showcasing how science can unlock new value from agricultural by-products and strengthen the resilience of rural communities across Scotland and beyond.”
