The Need

Food waste is one of the most pressing—and overlooked—challenges in modern food systems, driving environmental harm while squandering valuable nutrients and economic potential. At the same time, consumers and industry are searching for sustainable practices that deliver real commercial value, not just good intentions. Bridging these needs requires innovation that transforms waste into functional, market-ready ingredients. Upcycled foods offer a compelling solution: they reduce waste, lower environmental footprints, and unlock new revenue streams—setting the stage for next-generation products that are both sustainable and nutritionally impactful.

The Technology

UpcycleBites are high-protein, high-fiber puffed snacks made from discarded watermelon rinds. By combining watermelon rinds (with or without fermenting) with pea protein and starch in an extrusion process, watermelon rinds can be transformed into enhanced snacks with amino acid completeness, improved digestibility, and bioactive nutrients like polyphenols and L-citrulline— a clean-label solution for the booming plant-based market.

Commercial Applications

• Functional snacks
• Sports nutrition
• Upcycled ingredients
• CPG and private-label brands

Benefits/Advantages

• Premium Positioning: Clean-label, sustainability-driven narrative.
• Market Differentiation: Combines health benefits with waste valorization
• Enhances Nutritional Value: watermelon rind is high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and L-citrulline and fiber, which have been linked to improved muscle recovery in athletes and hunger satiety.
• Extrusion Integration: Adaptable to standard extrusion production equipment to produce shelf-stable, puffed snacks.
• Customizable Formulations: Adaptable for different protein sources and starch bases. Can be coated with various flavors