20256801244232

Prickly pear cactus (PPC, Opuntia spp.) is a nutritious perennial that thrives in semi-arid regions of the U.S.

It is treated as an agricultural nuisance where considerable federal and private resources are spent on cactus eradication programs.

This nutrient and phytochemical-rich climate-resilient crop presents a superior substrate in industrial chemical and biofuel bioreactor fermentations.

Additionally, PPC thrives on arid and semi-arid marginal land not suitable for other agricultural applications.

This stakeholder-driven project will investigate a vertically integrated sustainable PPC system within five objectives:

1) Assessment of yield, quality of PPC under varying agricultural practices, stakeholder extension outreach and education, barriers of implementation.

2) Optimization of fermentation strategies to carboxylic acids that are precursors to many agrochemicals and biofuels and optimization and standardization of PPC-based food ingredients in collaboration with food industry stakeholders.

3) Evaluate glucose-regulating properties of optimized PPC-based foods in human clinical nutrition pilot studies, including extension outreach and education for underserved consumers.

4) Conduct socio-economic assessment of PPC production and consumption to develop a sustainable and impactful PPC food systems.

5) Establishment of a sustainable extension outreach and education network, high-impact research, development, and training opportunities to underserved students and 9-12 teachers while bringing cutting-edge agricultural, engineering, food science, and nutrition research to underserved students to overcome barriers to engage confidently in agricultural or scientific activities and careers.

Perform feed-back-integrated internal and external assessment of research, extension and education activities.

This project is highly relevant to USDA priority areas: strengthening the bioeconomy and supporting nutrition security.

This vertically integrated project will develop a high-value PPC-based production chain supporting local and regional food systems while supporting nutrition in underserved rural communities and mentoring our future leaders in climate responsive agriculture and food processing.

The vast extension and education networks of involved minority-serving institutions will ensure sustainability.

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

NOT APPLICABLE

10.310 - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (IFSN) [USDA - NIFA]

College Station, Texas 77843-0001 United States

Single Zip Code

NOT APPLICABLE

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 01/14/30 to 07/21/25.