Rubisco Unleashed: The Leaf-Based Protein That Could Change Everything

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies, host Sharon Cittone sits down with Ross Milne, CEO of Leaft Foods, to explore one of the most under-reported scientific breakthroughs in modern food innovation: the successful commercial extraction of Rubisco, the most abundant and until now, most elusive protein on Earth.

Ross shares his journey from designing some of the world’s largest food factories to pioneering a new protein category derived from green leaves, particularly alfalfa. Together, they unpack the science behind Rubisco, how Leaft cracked a century-old challenge, and why leaf-based protein could redefine sustainable nutrition, regenerative agriculture, and climate-aligned food production.

The conversation goes deep into the environmental advantages, the integration of farmers into this emerging value chain, and the realities of bringing a novel food technology to market, from partnerships in Japan and pet nutrition to early consumer products. Ross also offers a rare look at where Rubisco fits into the future of food and how “rewriting photosynthesis” might become one of the century’s most powerful food-system tools.

A must-listen for anyone interested in food innovation, climate solutions, and the next frontier of protein.

Special Offer:

Listeners get 40% off their first order at Leaft Foods. Visit their website at https://www.leaftblade.com/ and use the code JUNKIES at checkout.

About Ross Milne

Ross Milne is the CEO of Leaft Foods, a company on a mission to bring the world's most abundant protein, Rubisco, extracted directly from green leaves, to consumers and food companies across the globe. After leading the development of the breakthrough technology behind Leaft's end-to-end extraction process, Ross is now driving the company's evolution from successful pilot demonstration to true industrial scale, positioning Leaf Rubisco as a high-functioning ingredient for food companies seeking step-change improvements in both functionality and sustainability. 

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to FoodTech Junkies

00:50 Meet Ross Milne: From factory design to food innovation

02:00 Rethinking plant-based protein through engineering

03:26 What Ross learned inside the global food system

10:10 Understanding Rubisco: The “utopia protein.”

13:03 The breakthrough science that made extraction possible

19:48 How Rubisco reframes plant-based protein

23:14 Farmers, alfalfa, and building a new value chain

28:34 Rethinking photosynthesis for scalable food solutions

28:56 Circularity and environmental impact

30:27 Why leaf-based protein is so resource-efficient

33:41 One Health: Linking nutrition, climate, and ecosystems

35:57 Market traction: Japan, pet food, and early consumer products

43:27 Lessons from bringing novel tech to market

48:04 What a Rubisco-powered future could look like

52:09 Lightning Round: Personal insights and fun moments

57:39 Closing thoughts + where to find us