Research article2020Peer reviewedOpen access
High level accumulation of EPA and DHA in field-grown transgenic Camelina - a multi-territory evaluation of TAG accumulation and heterogeneity
Han, Lihua; Usher, Sarah; Sandgrind, Sjur; Hassall, Kirsty; Sayanova, Olga; Michaelson, Louise V.; Haslam, Richard P.; Napier, Johnathan A.
Abstract
The transgene-directed accumulation of non-native omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil of Camelina sativa (Camelina) was evaluated in the field, in distinct geographical and regulatory locations. A construct, DHA2015.1, containing an optimal combination of biosynthetic genes, was selected for experimental field release in the UK, USA and Canada, and the accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) determined. The occurrence of these fatty acids in different triacylglycerol species was monitored and found to follow a broad trend irrespective of the agricultural environment. This is a clear demonstration of the stability and robust nature of the transgenic trait for omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in Camelina. Examination of non-seed tissues for the unintended accumulation of EPA and DHA failed to identify their presence in leaf, stem, flower, anther or capsule shell material, confirming the seed-specific accumulation of these novel fatty acids. Collectively, these data confirm the promise of GM plant-based sources of so-called omega-3 fish oils as a sustainable replacement for oceanically derived oils.
Keywords
omega-3; Camelina; metabolic engineering; GM field trials
Published in
Plant Biotechnology Journal
2020, Volume: 18, number: 11, pages: 2280-2291
Publisher: WILEY
UKÄ Subject classification
Plant Biotechnology
Publication identifier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.13385
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105696