Mission:
Multi-disciplinary research is conducted to develop fundamental knowledge and novel processes for the conversion of agricultural crops and their processing byproducts into value-added food, fuel, and non-food biobased products. Enzymatic, chemical, physical, fermentation and other environmentally sustainable processes are developed to convert surplus crops into value-added functional food ingredients, industrial gums, biodegradable materials, renewable fuels and health-promoting nutraceuticals. The Unit has the Agency's only process engineering unit with the facilities and expertise to do pilot plant research involving basic theoretical investigations, process development, scale-up, simulation and economic feasibility studies. Processes are developed at the bench and pilot scale to make the technology directly transferable to a broad range of end-users and bridging the gap between laboratory and industry. The unit conducts research with true multi-disciplinary teams made up of Chemists, Food Technologists, Plant Physiologists, and Chemical, Mechanical, Biochemical, Cost, and Food Engineers. To facilitate technology transfer, CRADA's and other research agreements are developed with industry and trade association partners.