Metabolic Engineering of Moss for Sustainable Oleic Acid-Rich Oil Production
Abstract
Triacylglycerols (TAGs), the predominant storage lipids in plants, are integral to vegetable oil composition. The anticipated surge in vegetable oil demand by 2030 necessitates sustainable production strategies. Oleic acid, a vital omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid with diverse industrial applications, faces challenges in current production methods due to its low prevalence in plant seed-based oils. This study focuses on metabolically engineering Physcomitrium patens (moss) to improve oil production, mostly TAG with a higher proportion of oleic acid through stable expression of these avocado-derived transcription factors and enzymes. We successfully demonstrated a significant increase in TAG content, particularly oleic acid, through transient co-expression of four avocado (Persea americana) genes, namely WRINKLED1 (WRI1), WRI2, diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1), and phospholipid: DGAT (PDAT1). We hypothesize that expressing avocado genes in moss will enhance oleic acid production, providing a sustainable alternative for the oleochemical industry. The cDNA of avocado genes will be cloned into an expression vector via gateway strategy followed by PEG-mediated protoplast transformation and screening. Positive cell lines will be cultured, and lipid analysis via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by gas chromatography will be carried out for TAG quantification and fatty acid composition analysis. Lipid droplets will be visualized and quantified by Nile Red staining followed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. We expect to demonstrate a substantial increase in oleic acid production in mosses. The transgenic moss will provide an eco-friendly solution for the oleochemical industry, addressing the growing demand for oleic acid in an environmentally conscious manner.
Start Time
16-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 11:30 AM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate Student - Masters
Faculty Mentor
Aruna Kilaru
Faculty Department
Biological Sciences
Metabolic Engineering of Moss for Sustainable Oleic Acid-Rich Oil Production
Triacylglycerols (TAGs), the predominant storage lipids in plants, are integral to vegetable oil composition. The anticipated surge in vegetable oil demand by 2030 necessitates sustainable production strategies. Oleic acid, a vital omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid with diverse industrial applications, faces challenges in current production methods due to its low prevalence in plant seed-based oils. This study focuses on metabolically engineering Physcomitrium patens (moss) to improve oil production, mostly TAG with a higher proportion of oleic acid through stable expression of these avocado-derived transcription factors and enzymes. We successfully demonstrated a significant increase in TAG content, particularly oleic acid, through transient co-expression of four avocado (Persea americana) genes, namely WRINKLED1 (WRI1), WRI2, diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1), and phospholipid: DGAT (PDAT1). We hypothesize that expressing avocado genes in moss will enhance oleic acid production, providing a sustainable alternative for the oleochemical industry. The cDNA of avocado genes will be cloned into an expression vector via gateway strategy followed by PEG-mediated protoplast transformation and screening. Positive cell lines will be cultured, and lipid analysis via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by gas chromatography will be carried out for TAG quantification and fatty acid composition analysis. Lipid droplets will be visualized and quantified by Nile Red staining followed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. We expect to demonstrate a substantial increase in oleic acid production in mosses. The transgenic moss will provide an eco-friendly solution for the oleochemical industry, addressing the growing demand for oleic acid in an environmentally conscious manner.