KAUST Develops Innovative Technology To Convert Food Waste Into High-Value Commercial Products

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has introduced a technology that transforms spoiled food waste into valuable commercial products. This initiative supports Saudi Arabia's environmental sustainability goals and encourages a circular economy. The technology, developed by KAUST Professor Pascal Saikaly, converts expired dairy and fruit beverages into chemical products useful in animal feed, aviation fuel, and pharmaceuticals.

The research team includes experts like Dr. Bin Bian from Nanjing University, Dr. Hari Ananda Rao, and Dr. Krishna Katuri. They have created a biotechnology process that changes waste into short-chain carboxylic acids (SCCAs) and medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs). These acids are crucial in industries such as polymer production, cosmetics, and soaps.

SCCAs have a market value of about $300 per ton, while MCCAs can be worth nearly ten times more. This technology effectively converts waste into valuable resources without needing external chemical additives. A pilot study is underway to implement this technology with several dairy and beverage companies in Saudi Arabia, providing over 500 liters of waste weekly for experiments.

Professor Saikaly highlighted the economic potential of expired food, stating it should not be viewed as mere waste but as a resource with significant value. The research team has also discovered how to extract casein protein from the waste. This protein can be used in fish and poultry feed production, reducing costs and enhancing national food security.

The new technology features a modular design that can be easily integrated into factories. This allows manufacturers to process waste on-site, eliminating transportation needs, reducing emissions, and lowering operating costs. The study represents years of research in microbial engineering at Saikaly’s lab.

Dr. Katuri explained the chemical compatibility between dairy and fruit juices: "Chemically, dairy and fruit juices make an ideal waste combination. This is because the lactose sugar found in dairy and the fructose and sucrose sugars in fruit juices complement each other for the microbial chain elongation."

Supporting Sustainability Goals

This project is part of KAUST's broader efforts to convert waste into valuable products, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision for a sustainable, net-zero carbon economy. The innovative approach demonstrates how expired food can become an economic asset while supporting environmental goals.

The extracted casein is expected to benefit aquaculture and poultry industries significantly since feed accounts for about 70% of sector expenses due to imports by the Kingdom. By using local resources like casein protein from waste, these industries can reduce costs effectively.

With inputs from SPA