Author
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Cahoon, Edgar |
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KINNEY, ANTHONY - DUPONT NUTRITION & HEALTH |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The industrial value of soybean is limited by the fatty acid composition of its seed oil. Efforts have been undertaken to increase the industrial potential of soybeans by the introduction of biosynthetic pathways for novel fatty acid structures. The production targets of this work have included epoxy fatty acids, fatty acids with conjugated double bonds, and very-long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids. Vegetable oils enriched in these fatty acids are highly desired for industrial applications including coatings, adhesives, and hydraulic lubricants. Species that accumulate novel fatty acids in their seed oils are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and typically have limited agronomic potential. Using an EST approach, we have identified cDNAs for a number of novel fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes from species such as Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) and Momordica charantia (bitter melon). These cDNAs have been successfully introduced into soybean to generate seeds that accumulate moderate amounts of novel fatty acids. The technical challenges that lie ahead include the identification of biochemical factors that limit the accumulation and proper metabolism of novel fatty acids in soybeans. |
