Kent scientists are working with companies to transform wasted cherries into healthy, nutritious food ingredients and using seaweed waste to boost agricultural crop health and growth in new projects funded by Growing Kent and Medway.
If successful, the new products will not only benefit the environment by reducing waste but also create new revenue streams and value for the businesses. The two projects were each awarded £25,0000 by Growing Kent & Medway, as part of six projects funded to advance sustainable innovation in UK plant-based food and farming.
Cherry on the cake
Dr Marina Escurra is working with Kent-based fruit grower, Rent A Cherry Tree Ltd, to test the nutritional value of powders made from the pulp left over after pressing their cherries into juice. The powders could be used as natural food ingredients, an alternative to chemical additives in ultra-processed foods.
Michael Dallaway, Managing Director of Rent A Cherry Tree, said: ‘Our previous collaboration with the University of Kent discovered our cherry pulp is rich in anthocyanins, natural compounds with established health benefits. This project will now test the health properties of our cherry powders and their potential as high-quality food ingredients.
‘There are currently no 100% natural, British cherry powders on the market; our innovation will fill this market gap while developing capabilities to upcycle agricultural waste, driving future commercial and environmental benefits.’
Seaweed on soils
Nutri-San Ltd create animal feed from sustainably farmed seaweed. Their pelleting process creates waste seaweed powders, which Dr Sara Lopez-Gomollon, who works alongside Dr Escurra in the School of Natural Sciences, will test as a natural fertiliser for use in agriculture. The trials aim to demonstrate the benefits of their residue powders in boosting plant growth, improving soil health, and enhancing the crops’ resilience to environmental stresses.
Michelle Marin-Chau, Director of Nutri-San, said: ‘These trials will not only help us move towards zero waste, but also help farmers become more sustainable by reducing the need for chemical inputs and fertilisers.
‘This project builds on our ongoing partnership with the scientists at the University of Kent, and we hope the funding will pave the way for long-term field trials. There is already significant evidence of the power of seaweed as a biostimulant, and this could lead the way to establishing its use in more crops, helping the environmental sustainability of our farming systems in the UK.’