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The production of very-long-chain PUFA biosynthesis in transgenic plants: towards a sustainable source of fish oils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2007

Johnathan A. Napier  and
Olga Sayanova
Johnathan A. Napier*
Affiliation:
Crop Performance and Improvement Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
Olga Sayanova
Affiliation:
Crop Performance and Improvement Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Professor Johnathan Napier, fax +44 1582 763010, johnathan.napier@bbsrc.ac.uk
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Abstract

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There is now considerable evidence of the importance of n-3 long-chain PUFA in human health and development. At the same time, the marine fish stocks that serve as the primary sources of these fatty acids are threatened by continued over-exploitation. Thus, there is an urgent need to provide a sustainable alternative source of the n-3 long-chain PUFA normally found in fish oils. The possibility of using transgenic plants genetically engineered to synthesise these important fatty acids has recently been demonstrated. The approaches taken to realise this outcome will be discussed, as will their prospects for providing a sustainable resource for the future.

Keywords

DesaturaseElongasePUFATransgenic plantsSustainability
Type
Meeting Report
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 64 , Issue 3 , August 2005 , pp. 387 - 393
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2005

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