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.

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