AN OSWESTRY student has become a published scientist with research that could pave the way for the future use of pigments in fallen autumn leaves as a sustainable alternative to modern food dyes.

Natalia Twardowska, 18 and a Sixth Former at Adcote School, near Oswestry, focused her research on finding an alternative to natural food colourings that rely heavily on monoculture.

Her study involved research into an efficient method of identifying and extracting the different coloured pigments in fallen autumn leaves, developing new methodology which is less expensive than commonly used scientific methods.

Natalia was able to carry out her research thanks to a science partnership between Adcote School and the University Centre Shrewsbury that gave her the opportunity of working in university science laboratories alongside senior lecturers.

Her study, which began on fallen horse chestnut leaves in Autumn 2019, was last week published in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE.

The idea for her research was inspired by an autumn walk with her parents in her native Poland, three years ago.

“I was looking at the autumn colours of the trees and started thinking about how trees could be used more, in an environmentally responsible way,” said Natalia.

“Artificial dyes in the food industry are harmful to human health, while natural dyes require a lot of processes and irrigation and rely on monoculture.

"I thought that the colours in autumn leaves could be a solution to this problem, and we could plant more trees which would benefit the environment.”

Natalia now plans to take her research further in the next stage of her scientific journey with an international research team, with a place to study biochemistry at the University College London this coming September.

READ MORE:

Emma Barnett, Adcote School’s head of KS4 Science said: “From the first meeting at Shrewsbury University it was apparent that Natalia had a burning passion for science.

"The depth of research she carried out was remarkable and the manner to which she presented herself showed maturity beyond her years.

“I am incredibly proud of her achievement and I believe she will go on to push the frontier of science. I am also grateful to Dr Chris Sharp, her mentor at the university. Without him this would not have happened.”

Dr Sharp added: “It was a pleasure to assist Natalia in her research at the UCS laboratories as part of our out-reach programme with local schools.

"This is a huge achievement for a budding young scientist and I hope this is the first of many publications in Natalia’s research career.”