Biochemistry of high stearic sunflower, a new source of saturated fats
Fats based on stearic acid could be a healthier alternative to existing oils especially hydrogenated frac-
tions of oils or palm, but only a few non-tropical species produce oils with these characteristics. In this
regard, newly developed high stearic oil seed crops could be a future source of fats and hard stocks rich
in stearic and oleic fatty acids. These oil crops have been obtained either by breeding and mutagenesis or
by suppression of desaturases using RNA interference. The present review depicts the molecular and bio-
chemical bases for the accumulation of stearic acid in sunflower. Moreover, aspects limiting the accumu-
lation of stearate in the seeds of this species are reviewed. This included data obtained from the
characterization of genes and enzymes related to fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol assembly.
Future improvements and uses of these oils are also discussed.