Healthy drink based on recycled beetroot leaves

Purpose and goal:

The aim of the project was to evaluate and optimise methods for extracting and concentrating nitrate from beetroot leaves. A secondary aim was to investigate the possibility to scale up the production and identify collaborators in the food industry where the product can be produced.

We have identified a company which can press beetroot leaves into raw juice. Another company has been consulted to concentrate the raw juice by vacuum evaporation. The methods and capacity of the facilities have been evaluated. Expected results and effects: - Beet leaves has been harvested and pressed into 400 litre raw juice

- The juice has been concentrated and the method has been evaluated - The capacity of the used facilities has been evaluated

- An alternative and more energy- and cost efficient method for concentration has been discussed with researchers at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Approach and implementation:

We have identified the Plant Protein Factory in Alnarp as a collaborator. The company has harvested and pressed beetroot leaves into raw juice.

Furthermore, the raw juice was sent to Balsgård Foodtech. They concentrated the raw juice by evaporation under vacuum. Samples were taken from the concentrated juice to measure nitrate, nitrite, nutritional value and to ensure microbial safety. Costs and the possibility of scaling up production in the facilities have been evaluated.