Waste material from the food industry or from any industry that processes agricultural materials is commonly used for animal feed or composting. However, being rich in carbohydrates, proteins and bioactive compounds, the agro-industrial waste has a potential for the wider utilisation and revalorization of waste. Potato peels are waste material originating mostly from the food and catering industry. On one hand, they are used as an animal feed, but the low protein content requires protein supplementation for achieving feed efficiency. In other words, the protein content of potato peel is negligible when used as an animal feed. On the other hand, the protein fraction from potato peels, among other compounds, contains peroxidase – an enzyme that is used in immuno-histochemical staining and diagnostic assays, production of biosensors, polymer and hydrogel formation, removal of xenobiotics from industrial wastewater etc. Thus, extraction of water-soluble components from potato peel can be performed, and the remaining solid phase can still be used as animal feed or composting. In this way, double use of the waste material is achieved, making the waste revalorization even more efficient.

Bearing this in mind, the first part of the project is focused on extraction of peroxidase from different potato (peel) cultivars and defining the optimal conditions for peroxidase extraction from potato peel. Next part is focused on purification of the crude enzyme extracts by several biochemical techniques. Afterwards, characterization of peroxidase will be performed, which will give us information about the physical and chemical properties of this enzyme. The final outcome will be purified peroxidase ready for commercial use with identified properties. The purpose of a commercial peroxidase from potato peel is to offer an alternative to other already available commercial peroxidases, only more cost-efficient and sustainable, as it is isolated from waste material.