Turning agriculture waste into new industries

INCREASING the value of agriculture waste and turning it into new products will be the outcome of a new $10.9 million research consortium led by the University of Adelaide.

The Research Consortium – Agricultural Product Development – has been granted $4 million over four years.

The University of Adelaide is contributing $2.3 million (cash and in-kind) with the remaining support coming from a range of partners.

The Consortium will bring together a total of 18 partners to develop high-value products from agricultural waste: nine South Australian-based companies from the agriculture and food sector, and another nine national and international academic institutions and industry partners.

“Agriculture is already a key contributor to Australia’s economy but its huge potential to generate high-value products and create new postfarm gate industries has not yet been realised,” says Professor Vincent Bulone, Research Consortium Lead Investigator and Director of Adelaide Glycomics at the University’s Waite campus.

Some biomolecules that can be derived from Australian crop waste show anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer or gut-health properties; while others provide mechanical strength or texturizing properties in food, structural materials, lubricants and cosmetics.

Examples include anthocyanins from apples and cherries, and chitosan from mushrooms for use in skin care products; sulforaphane from Brassica vegetables with potential benefits for diabetic patients; and cellulose used for composite materials.

The outcomes from this major research consortia will contribute to the creation of new post-farmgate industries through the development and commercialisation of value-added products from agricultural waste.

A strong focus of the Consortium will be attracting students and researchers and providing training across multiple disciplines and industrial specialisations.