Location: Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research
Project Number: 6054-10600-010-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 10, 2026
End Date: Apr 2, 2031
Objective:
Objective 1: Develop invasive carp biomass utilization strategies to produce agricultural coproducts and safe, functional ingredients for aquaculture feeds and human food products
Objective 2: Identify and mitigate the agricultural impacts of invasive species across the Mississippi River Basin
Approach:
Research activities will focus on two integrated components that address the mandated objectives for minimizing the impacts of invasive species in the Mississippi River Basin. For Objective 1, experimental studies will characterize the biochemical, physical, and functional properties of invasive carp biomass to enable development of safe, high value agricultural coproducts and ingredients for aquaculture feeds and human food systems. Processing parameters, compositional attributes, and performance metrics will be systematically evaluated to identify pathways for reliable utilization of invasive carp as a sustainable raw material. For Objective 2, field based and laboratory based investigations will quantify agricultural impacts of priority invasive species across the Basin, including pathways of establishment, ecological mechanisms of damage, and interactions with agricultural production systems. Evaluation of detection methods, assessment of species distributions, and analysis of mitigation strategies will generate actionable data required to support evidence based management. Combined efforts will establish a scientific foundation for reducing economic and operational losses to agriculture while enabling development of value added uses for invasive species biomass.