Method to develop high oleic acid soybeans using conventional soybean breeding techniques
Inventors
Bilyeu, Kristin • Shannon, Grover • Lee, Jeong-Dong • Pham, Anh Tung
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA • University of Missouri St Louis
Publication Number
US-9035129-B2
Publication Date
2015-05-19
Expiration Date
2030-07-08
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a soybean plant with mutations in FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B. Moreover, the present invention is directed to seeds from said plants with altered ratios of monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats. In particular, the present invention is directed to plants where the plants exhibit elevated levels of oleic acid.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a soybean plant with mutations in the FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes, resulting in seeds that exhibit elevated levels of oleic acid, with oleic acid content ranging from about 65% to about 85% of total fatty acid content. These mutations produce an altered ratio of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fats in the seed oil. Conventional breeding techniques are used to develop non-GMO soybean lines containing these mutant alleles, enabling efficient incorporation of the enhanced oil quality trait into elite soybean varieties.
The problem addressed is the need for novel vegetable oil compositions with improved fatty acid profiles, specifically higher oleic acid content, to meet both edible and industrial demands. Oleic acid is healthier and preferred for various applications, but commodity soybeans typically produce only about 20% oleic acid. Existing biotechnological approaches largely involve transgenic modification, which presents regulatory challenges. Hence, there is a need for non-transgenic methods to produce soybean plants with elevated oleic acid content in their seed oil.
The invention demonstrates that mutation in FAD2-1B alone leads to only minor increases in oleic acid content. However, combining mutations in both FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B results in synergistic, dramatic increases in seed oleic acid content—up to around 85%, which is significantly higher than levels in commodity soybeans. The mutant alleles are stably inherited, and the high oleic acid trait is stable across different environments. This approach avoids the costly regulatory requirements associated with genetically engineered plants and produces soybean lines suitable for commercial use.
Claims Coverage
The claims include two independent claims that cover populations of soybean seeds and methods of producing plants with elevated oleic acid content. The main inventive features focus on genetic mutations in specific FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B sequences, the resulting oleic acid content in seed oil, and the selection and propagation of these traits.
Soybean seeds comprising mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes
A population of soybean seeds that stably reproduce having a first polynucleotide encoding a mutant FAD2-1A gene (either SEQ ID NO: 7 or M23 mutant characterized by deletion of FAD2-1A as in SEQ ID NO: 5) and a second polynucleotide encoding a mutant FAD2-1B gene (SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3), where the seed oil has about 65% to about 85% oleic acid content.
Mutations defined by specific amino acid substitutions in FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B
The soybean seeds comprise mutant FAD2-1A with an amino acid substitution of serine to asparagine at position 117 (S117N) or the M23 deletion mutant, and mutant FAD2-1B with amino acid substitutions of proline to arginine at position 137 (P137R) or isoleucine to threonine at position 143 (I143T).
Method of producing higher oleic acid content plants by breeding
A method comprising crossing soybean plants carrying the mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B sequences and preserving the trait of about 65% to 85% oleic acid content in the progeny by breeder selection, resulting in plants producing seeds with a higher oleic acid content than wild-type plants.
Oil composition from the soybean seed population
Oil made from the described soybean seed populations includes a detectable amount of the mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B sequences and has from about 65% to about 85% oleic acid content.
The independent claims cover soybean seed populations carrying specific mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B alleles that produce high oleic acid content seed oil, methods of breeding plants with these traits, and oils derived therefrom. The invention centers on particular deletions or substitutions in these genes that synergistically increase oleic acid levels up to about 85%.
Stated Advantages
Provides a non-genetically modified (non-GMO) method to produce soybean plants with high oleic acid content, avoiding lengthy and costly regulatory processes.
Enables stable inheritance and expression of the high oleic acid trait in different environments, ensuring consistent seed oil composition.
Allows integration of the enhanced oil quality trait into elite soybean varieties efficiently using conventional breeding.
Produces soybean oil with improved properties for food, industrial, biodiesel, and lubricant uses due to increased oleic acid and reduced saturated fatty acids.
Offers an alternative to transgenic approaches with commercial appeal by meeting consumer and industry demands for healthier vegetable oil sources.
Documented Applications
Soybean oil for the food industry including cooking oils, salad dressings, sandwich spreads, margarine, bread, mayonnaise, non-dairy coffee creamers, and snack foods.
Industrial uses such as biodiesel and biolubricant production where improved cold flow and oxidation stability are desired.
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