A potato shaw is the part of the potato plant that grows above ground, comprising of the stems and leaves.
The Scottish seed potato industry generates more than 51,000 tonnes of potato shaws annually.
As part of an essential crop management practice to stop further tuber growth and ensure quality, storability and disease resistance, the shaws are traditionally discarded after harvest.
Now, an ambitious project from the University of Aberdeen is unlocking their hidden potential.
The initiative aims to extract solanesol from the discarded shaws, a compound vital for producing coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2, key ingredients in cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.
Currently sourced mainly from tobacco, solanesol demand has soared from 4000 tonnes in the early 2000s to 66,000 tonnes in 2022.
This project offers an ethical, sustainable alternative to tobacco, reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions and creating new income streams for Scottish farmers.
By leveraging this potential, the project will make more complete use of the potato biomass, reduce agricultural waste and create new economic opportunities for Scottish farmers and cooperative members.
With 12,800 hectares of seed potatoes grown in Scotland, the industry could yield up to 120 tonnes of solanesol annually, driving circular economy innovation and strengthening rural resilience.
Funded by Innovate UK through the Launchpad: Bio-based Manufacturing - Scotland programme, this project brings together industry expertise from farmer-owned co-operative Grampian Growers, with researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the James Hutton Institute.
Supported by Alder BioInsights’ sector-leading strategic consultancy and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society’s (SAOS) cooperative expertise, the consortium is driving new commercial opportunities in sustainable biomanufacturing across Scotland and the UK, meeting global demand for bio-based products.
Sofia Alexiou, 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 cooperative models, demonstrating the potential of innovation to strengthen rural economies."
Professor Giovanna Bermano, Honorary Chair at the University of Aberdeen, who will collaborate on the project, said: "This pioneering research lays the foundation for future innovation, ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing sustainable, eco-friendly natural products for the cosmeceutical sector."
"By demonstrating how agricultural byproducts can be transformed into high‑value compounds, the project sets the stage for subsequent research and commercialisation that will drive innovation, reduce environmental impact and secure a competitive advantage for UK science and industry."
Professor Heather Wilson, Chair in Immunology, at the University of Aberdeen, explained: “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."