Improved Industrial Properties by
Transgenic Production of Novel Fatty
Acids in Soybean Oil
Genetic engineering also allows for genes to be transferred
across plant species. In this regard, many plant
species produce high levels of novel fatty acids with
potential industrial value in their seeds. These plants
typically have limited agronomic potential. Research
efforts have been directed towards the identification of
genes associated with the synthesis of these novel fatty
acids with the eventual goal of transferring these genes
to existing oilseed crops such as soybean. Examples of
this research include the identification of the gene from
pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) encoding an
enzyme that introduces conjugated double bonds into
polyunsaturated fatty acids. Expression of this gene in
soybean seeds resulted in the accumulation of calendic
acid, a novel conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acid, to
amounts of 20-25% of the total seed oil (Cahoon, Ripp,