Flagship Theme: Plant oils as industrial feedstocks

Flagship leaders: Prof Sten Stymne and Dr John Dyer

See the publications section for reports and presentations from this theme.

Summary

Petroleum is a finite resource that provides essential fuels and raw materials for society and industry. Alternative sources of energy and industrial feedstocks are required to maintain and enhance the quality of life in both developed and developing countries. The seed oils of plants are structurally similar to long chain hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, and thus represent excellent renewable resources for oleochemical production. Some seed oils could replace petroleum in direct uses, such as lubricants and fuel. Moreover, specialized seed oils could provide novel bio-materials that would replace petroleum used in the production of paints, plastics and composite materials, for example. While many plant species are known to produce high amounts of industrially important fatty acids in their seeds, scientists have been unable to determine the number and type of genes that are required for the production of high amounts of the desired fatty acids in engineered crops. Therefore, a concerted, integrated research programme is required to establish the knowledge base and molecular tools required for optimizing the production of industrially important oils in high-yielding, agronomically important crops.

User/Consumer benefit

Production of industrial oils in crop plants would provide renewable sources of raw materials for industry, increase the competitiveness and viability of the agricultural sector of society, reduce dependence on foreign oil imports, and help initiate the transition from a crude oil-based society to a sustainable, bio-based economy.

Scientific challenge

Although many wild plant species are known to produce oils containing high amounts of industrially important fatty acids, expression of genes for industrial fatty acid biosynthesis in agronomically important crops has routinely resulted in much lower accumulation of the desired fatty acid than that observed in the source plant. To increase economic potential, it will be essential to identify the bottlenecks that limit fatty acid production and establish the knowledge base and molecular tools required for rational engineering design.

Economic benefits and risk analysis

This research programme will generate the scientific basis for the domestic production of industrial raw materials that are typically derived from imported petroleum. Industrial oils would be produced in non-food crops, which decreases both perceived and real risks associated with transfer of traits to the food chain.

Private sector involvement

Private companies will play a key role in identifying desired oil traits as well as developing end-products from plant-derived materials. This close interaction between private companies and scientists provides a unique opportunity to develop the technology platforms that will underpin a robust, bio-based economy.

		Crambe: Development of safe and robust oil crops for the production of industrial oils will be an important target for the Plant Oils Flagship. Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) has great potential to be developed into such a platform crop for industrial oils. Top: Crambe flowers Bottom: Crambe seeds


		Bitter Melon: The seeds of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) are rich in industrial valuable conjugated fatty acids. Genes for the synthesis of the conjugated fatty acids will be used in the Plant Oils Flagship to produce these fatty acids economically in high-yielding oil crops. Top: Bitter melon fruit Bottom: Bitter melon seeds