Autumn leaves contain a range of interesting substances such as pigments, carbohydrates, proteins and compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing leaf-processing technologies.

Pigments from autumn leaves can be used to color cosmetics and textiles. Compounds obtained from the leaves may be suitable for use as food coloring and preservatives, and as nutritional supplements. In addition, these colorants could be used to improve the nutritional properties of edible plant cells under development at VTT.