Value-Added Products From Plant Materials

CRIS # 3655-41000-003-00D

Timeline: October 1, 1999 to August 31, 2004.

Personnel:
Scientist: Paul Weimer (0.3) Research Agricultural Engineer (vacant, 0.8) Total SY = 1.1
Technical Support: Michael Boettcher (1.0), Chris Odt (0.2)
Non-permanent Support: Grad Students (2.0), Undergrads (2.0 full-time equiv.)

Importance:
Perennial legumes, such as alfalfa, have a number of desirable attributes including: (1) highest per acre protein production of any crop, (2) perennial with nitrogen fixing capabilities which conserves soil, and reduces establishment and energy costs, (3) deep and extensive root systems that increase water infiltration and improve yields of other (cash) crops grown in rotation with legumes, as well as breaking pest cycles. Expansion of alfalfa acreage, however has been hampered by the fact that its high fiber content has limited its use to ruminant rations. Fractionation of the crop into low and high fiber fractions make possible a number of new uses. These value-added renewable products could increase acreage, profitability, and jobs in the rural sector in a highly sustainable way.

Objectives:
• Improve the efficiency and capability of the fractionation process.
• Increase the number and value of products from all fractions.
• Replace products from non-renewable resources with bio-based products.
• Increase the acreage of perennial legumes grown in rotation with cash crops.

Projects:
• Production of food- and feed-grade protein concentrates.
• Production of carotenoids and pigmenting substances.
• Production of industrially valuable enzymes (e.g. phytase, cellulase) in transgenic alfalfa.
• Fermentation of alfalfa fiber to chemical feedstocks (e.g., ethanol, lactic acid).
• Fermentation of fiber using microorganisms producing their own fiber-digesting enzymes.
• Use of residual fiber as filters for pollutant removal.
• Use of fiber and fermentation residues as a structural material (fiber board).
• Evaluation of forages and bioenergy crops for bioconversion potential.

Impact:
Forage crops are currently valued at around $10 billion annually. A 10% increase in acreage would thus be valued at around $1 billion. Moreover, high value products like phytase and xanthophyll can total to more than $1000 per acre of alfalfa. Because most of the processing for value-added products would have to take place in reasonable proximity to crop production, due to time and transportation constraints, jobs would be created in the rural sector which would, in turn, stimulate the rural economy. Displacement of petroleum-based products with bio-based products will have a positive effect on both the environment and on our international trade balance.