Quality Characterization, Preservation, and Enhancement.  Fundamental research will clarify the roles of metabolic processes, product composition, molecular structure, and physical state in determining end-use quality and functionality.  Technologies and techniques will be devised to better measure quality attributes.  Genetic improvement of crops and animals for quality attributes will lead to the best possible product quality at the farm gate.  Research to prevent spoilage or contamination of harvested products by managing or eliminating post-harvest pests and pathogens, especially those resulting in formation of mycotoxins, will alleviate commodity trade barriers and quality and economic losses attributed to microbial or insect infestation.  Efficient technologies and improved or new equipment will be developed to maintain or enhance product quality during harvest, storage, transport, and marketing.  Improved processing techniques will be developed to maintain quality of products.  Research will also develop new technology for product grading to provide rapid, accurate, and reproducible information on quality.  The improved quality and the improved grading will make agricultural products from the United States more competitive and marketable domestically and overseas.

New Processes, New Uses, and Value-Added Foods and Biobased Products.  This research component will result in new uses of agricultural products and co-products.  Innovative new processes will be created and existing ones adapted for the extraction and purification, or manufacture, of superior products from agricultural commodities.  Application of these innovative technologies will expand the range and value of agricultural products and reduce the cost of their production, making processed goods from the United States more competitive.  Sources of natural products will be identified for use as nutriceuticals, pharmaceuticals, biopesticides, or other high-value uses.  This program will identify alternate sources and create technology leading to an expanded, diverse range of value-added food and nonfood products from commodities and undervalued byproducts of agriculture.  New and alternative crops will be mined for valuable materials.  Biobased products developed under this component will create new markets for farm products, stimulate rural economies and employment, be more friendly to the environment, and reduce dependence on imports.