Wrapping assorted chocolates in small boxes for Christmas presents.
Every festive season, our love for chocolate brings joy—and a mountain of waste. From discarded cocoa shells to factory offcuts, the chocolate industry faces a significant environmental challenge, contributing to carbon emissions and landfill. But what if that indulgence could also be a force for good?
In a groundbreaking partnership with global chocolate brand Mars, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has unveiled a discovery that offers a sweet solution to this bitter problem. Scientists have found a way to transform chocolate factory waste and carbon dioxide into C-phycocyanin—a vibrant, natural blue coloring agent that is completely food-safe and poised to tap into a global market valued at more than $275 million by 2030.
Algae: The Unsung Hero
An ancient strain of red algae, known as Galdieria yellowstonesis, literally consumes the sugars from chocolate waste to grow into a protein-rich biomass. The result is a stunning blue pigment, recently deemed food-safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that offers a natural alternative to artificial dyes. This pigment is used across food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
KAUST’s method offers significant advantages over conventional pigment production, including reduced costs and increased yields. Mars’ involvement, providing chocolate samples for the research, showcases a compelling model for how major food producers can drive green initiatives.
Scientific Insights and Industry Impact
KAUST Associate Professor Kyle Lauresen, lead author of the study published in Trends in Biotechnology, explained the innovative approach: “Our work studying the metabolism of algae is uncovering new ways to turn waste into valuable products sustainably. Chocolate production, for example, generates waste when process lines start and stop. We realized this waste could be a useful food for Galdieria.”
“Additionally, the recycling of factory waste into feed for microorganisms like algae to produce valuable products helps local industry contribute to a circular economy. This is especially relevant for food producers, who are facing increasing pressures in relation to production costs, waste management, and climate change.”
Mars Corporate Affairs Director for the Middle East and Africa, Obai Rahim, emphasized the importance of such collaborations: “Mars is committed to fostering innovation and sustainability through meaningful partnerships with leading academic institutions like KAUST. We are pleased that our chocolate samples could support this collaborative research, and we were delighted to welcome the KAUST team to our KAEC facility.”
Future Prospects and Sustainability
This project reflects Mars’ dedication to advancing science and developing sustainable solutions, especially those that leverage local resources and expertise. The exploration of blue phycocyanin production from Galdieria grown on food waste aligns with Mars’ vision for a more sustainable future and its ongoing efforts to reduce food waste and promote circular economic practices.
For their experiments, Lauresen and his research team collected waste from a chocolate factory in Saudi Arabia. The researchers plan to further develop their process by assessing the scalability and technical capacity of Galdieria production processes on locally available wastes, helping more businesses in Saudi Arabia make the critical shift towards a circular carbon economy.
Meanwhile, the implications of this research extend beyond the chocolate industry. By transforming waste into valuable products, this method could inspire similar initiatives across various sectors, encouraging a broader adoption of sustainable practices.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, innovations like these offer a glimmer of hope. By turning waste into opportunity, KAUST and Mars are not only addressing a pressing environmental issue but are also paving the way for a more sustainable and economically viable future.
