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Life Cycle Assessment on Osmotically Dehydrated Cut Potatoes: Effects of Shelf-Life Extension on Cultivation, Waste, and Environmental Impact Reduction

Author

Listed:
  • Sotiris Kottaridis

    (Draxis Environmental SA, Athens Branch, 317 Mesogeion Avenue & Lokridos, 15231 Athens, Greece)

  • Christina Drosou

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece)

  • Christos Boukouvalas

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece)

  • Magdalini Krokida

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece)

  • Maria Katsouli

    (Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece)

  • Efimia Dermesonlouoglou

    (Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece)

  • Katerina Valta

    (Draxis Environmental SA, Athens Branch, 317 Mesogeion Avenue & Lokridos, 15231 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

In this study, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of osmotically dehydrated, fresh-cut, pre-packaged potatoes compared to conventional untreated ones. The case study focused on a small processing line in Naxos Island, Greece, aiming to extend shelf-life by up to 5 days. The analysis covered the full value chain, from cultivation to household consumption, considering changes in energy and material use, transport volumes, waste generation, and cultivation demand. Three scenarios were assessed: (i) conventional untreated potatoes, (ii) dehydrated potatoes using market glycerol, and (iii) dehydrated potatoes using glycerol from vegetable oil treatment. Systems and life cycle inventories (LCI) were modelled in OpenLCA v2.4 software with the ecoinvent v3.11 database, applying the Environmental Footprint (EF) method, v3.1. The selected impact categories included the following: global warming potential, water use, freshwater ecotoxicity, freshwater and marine eutrophication, energy resource use, particulate matter formation, and acidification. Results showed that applying osmotic dehydration (OD) improved environmental performance in most, but not all, categories. When market glycerol was used, some burdens increased due to glycerol production. However, using glycerol from vegetable oil treatment resulted in reductions of 25.8% to 54.9% across all categories compared to the conventional scenario. Overall, OD with alternative glycerol proved to be the most environmentally beneficial approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Sotiris Kottaridis & Christina Drosou & Christos Boukouvalas & Magdalini Krokida & Maria Katsouli & Efimia Dermesonlouoglou & Katerina Valta, 2025. "Life Cycle Assessment on Osmotically Dehydrated Cut Potatoes: Effects of Shelf-Life Extension on Cultivation, Waste, and Environmental Impact Reduction," Waste, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:3:y:2025:i:2:p:20-:d:1676527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christina Tsouti & Christina Papadaskalopoulou & Angeliki Konsta & Panagiotis Andrikopoulos & Margarita Panagiotopoulou & Sofia Papadaki & Christos Boukouvalas & Magdalini Krokida & Katerina Valta, 2023. "Investigating the Environmental Benefits of Novel Films for the Packaging of Fresh Tomatoes Enriched with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Compounds through Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Patrik Mouron & Christian Willersinn & Sabrina Möbius & Jens Lansche, 2016. "Environmental Profile of the Swiss Supply Chain for French Fries: Effects of Food Loss Reduction, Loss Treatments and Process Modifications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Kumar, Rohit & Bhardwaj, Arvind & Singh, Lakhwinder Pal & Singh, Gurraj, 2023. "Quantifying ecological impacts: A comparative life cycle assessment of conventional and organic potato cultivation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 486(C).
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