Employing heterologous thioesterases and acyl transferases expression for the development of coconut-like canola seed-oil

Establishing canola seed oil with high medium chain saturated fatty acids for North American consumers remains demanding. Currently the entire oil that is rich with saturated fatty acids is imported from Asian and South American countries. Canola mostly harbors mono-unsaturated fatty acids with minimal polyunsaturated fatty acids. We are working towards making canola with maximum medium chain saturated fatty acids. We will introduce enzymes (thioesterases) from plants that are capable to produce high amount of medium chain fatty acids into the model plant (Arabidopsis) and canola. Our research involves three approaches to investigate for the best strategy to obtain optimal coconut-like seed oil in canola. In the first approach: we will be expressing these thioesterases in wild type Arabidopsis and canola, in the second approach: we will be expressing these thioesterases in Arabidopsis mutants that have minimal polyunsaturated fatty acids, and in the third approach, we will heterologously co-express, with these thioesterases, specific enzymes to ensure the supply of substrates for the synthesis, and the proper storage of the medium chain fatty acids in seeds.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marcus Samuel

Student:

Partner:

Farmer's Legacy Biotech

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Calgary

Program: