National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) is a research center that is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The center is located in Peoria, Illinois, and its primary goal is to find new industrial and food uses for agricultural commodities.

History

The NCAUR was established in 1940 with the aim of finding new ways to use surplus agricultural commodities. The center has been instrumental in the development of many important agricultural innovations, including the mass production of penicillin and the development of soybean oil-based biodiesel.

Research Areas

The NCAUR conducts research in several key areas:

• Bioenergy: The center is involved in research to develop new ways to convert agricultural commodities into biofuels. This includes the development of new fermentation processes and the use of genetic engineering to improve the efficiency of biofuel production.

• Food Safety: The NCAUR conducts research to improve the safety of the food supply. This includes the development of new methods to detect and control foodborne pathogens, as well as research to improve the nutritional quality of food.

• Sustainable Agriculture: The center conducts research to develop new methods for sustainable agriculture. This includes the development of new crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, as well as research to improve soil health and water quality.

Notable Achievements

The NCAUR has been involved in many significant agricultural innovations. Perhaps the most notable of these is the development of the process for the mass production of penicillin during World War II. The center has also been involved in the development of soybean oil-based biodiesel, which is now a major source of renewable energy in the United States.

See Also

• Agricultural Research Service
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Bioenergy
• Sustainable Agriculture

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Agriculture.

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research Resources
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