Assessing the potential to reduce the saturated fatty acid composition of NuSun(TM) and high-oleic sunflower lines

Authors: Vick, Brady; Jan, Chao-Chien

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2007
Publication Date: 3/1/2007
Citation: Vick, B.A., Jan, C.C. 2007. Assessing the potential to reduce the saturated fatty acid composition of NuSun(TM) and high-oleic sunflower lines. 29th Sunflower Research Workshop, January 10-11, 2007, Fargo, ND. Available: http://www.sunflowernsa.com/research/research-workshop/documents/Vick_SatFatComp_07.pdf

Interpretive Summary: The saturated fatty acid content of NuSun(TM) (mid-oleic) sunflower oil is usually reported to be about 9%, as compared to about 11% or greater for traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil. We wondered whether it would be possible to further reduce the saturated fatty acid composition of NuSun oil by the introduction of the reduced saturated (RS) fatty acid trait from RS3, a germplasm stock released by USDA-ARS. In the experiment reported here, we prepared four RS hybrids: two NuSun hybrids, one high-oleic hybrid, and one traditional high-linoleic hybrid. These RS fatty acid hybrids were planted in two locations, Fargo and Minot, ND, in 2006, and the fatty acid compositions were compared with their analogous unmodified hybrids, as well as with three commercial NuSun hybrids. By introgressing the reduced saturated fatty acid trait from genetic stock RS3, we were able to lower the saturated fatty acid content of traditional NuSun seed oil from a range of 8.9 to 12% to a range of 8.7 to 10.6%. A reduction of 2.5 percentage units was typically observed with the experimental NuSun hybrids. Comparison of the RS NuSun hybrids reported here with commercial NuSun hybrids showed that some commercial NuSun hybrids have already achieved reduced saturated fatty acid levels. Other commercial NuSun hybrids could benefit by introduction of the low saturated fatty acid trait from sources such as RS3. The high-oleic and high-linoleic hybrids were similarly reduced in saturated fatty acids. We also noted a significant environmental effect on saturated fatty acid composition. Lines grown in Minot were 1 to 2.5 percentage units higher in saturated fatty acids than those grown in Fargo. The nature of this environmental effect is unknown, but temperature during seed set is well-known to have an effect on fatty acid composition.

Technical Abstract: The saturated fatty acid content of NuSun(TM) (mid-oleic) sunflower oil is usually reported to be about 9%, as compared to about 11% or greater for traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil. We wondered whether it would be possible to further reduce the saturated fatty acid composition of NuSun oil by the introduction of the reduced saturated (RS) fatty acid trait from RS3, a germplasm stock released by USDA-ARS. In the experiment reported here, we prepared four RS hybrids: two NuSun hybrids, one high-oleic hybrid, and one traditional high-linoleic hybrid. These RS fatty acid hybrids were planted in two locations, Fargo and Minot, ND, in 2006, and the fatty acid compositions were compared with their analogous unmodified hybrids, as well as with three commercial NuSun hybrids. By introgressing the reduced saturated fatty acid trait from genetic stock RS3, we were able to lower the saturated fatty acid content of traditional NuSun seed oil from a range of 8.9 to 12% to a range of 8.7 to 10.6%. A reduction of 2.5 percentage units was typically observed with the experimental NuSun hybrids. Comparison of the RS NuSun hybrids reported here with commercial NuSun hybrids showed that some commercial NuSun hybrids have already achieved reduced saturated fatty acid levels. Other commercial NuSun hybrids could benefit by introduction of the low saturated fatty acid trait from sources such as RS3. The high-oleic and high-linoleic hybrids were similarly reduced in saturated fatty acids. We also noted a significant environmental effect on saturated fatty acid composition. Lines grown in Minot were 1 to 2.5 percentage units higher in saturated fatty acids than those grown in Fargo. The nature of this environmental effect is unknown, but temperature during seed set is well-known to have an effect on fatty acid composition.