Method to develop high oleic acid soybeans using conventional soybean breeding techniques
Inventors
Bilyeu, Kristin D. • Shannon, James Grover • Lee, Jeong-Dong • Pham, Anh Tung
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA • University of Missouri St Louis
Publication Number
US-9198365-B2
Publication Date
2015-12-01
Expiration Date
2032-01-17
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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 is directed to soybean plants with mutations in the FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes resulting in seeds with altered ratios of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Specifically, the plants exhibit elevated levels of oleic acid, with seed oleic acid content reaching about 75% to about 85%, which is a significant increase over traditional commodity soybean levels.
The problem being addressed is the need for novel vegetable oil compositions from plant sources that provide healthier forms of fatty acids, particularly high oleic acid content. Oleic acid is beneficial for human health by reducing cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risks, and is used widely in food and industrial applications. Previous methods to increase oleic acid involved transgenic approaches, yet there is a demand for non-genetically modified (non-GMO) soybean lines with high oleic acid levels.
The disclosed method uses conventional breeding techniques to produce non-GMO soybean plants with combined mutations in both FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes. While mutation in FAD2-1B alone yields minor increases in oleic acid, the combination of mutations in both genes results in dramatic elevation of oleic acid content in seeds. This approach allows efficient introgression of the trait into elite soybean varieties without reliance on transgenic methods.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering methods of producing high oleic acid soybean plants, compositions of such plants, and methods for making soybean oil containing high oleic acid levels. The inventive features primarily focus on specific mutant alleles of FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes and their combined effect on oleic acid content.
Method of producing soybean plants with high oleic acid content by crossing plants with specific FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B mutations
A method comprising crossing a first soybean plant having a mutant FAD2-1A allele characterized by a single base deletion of adenine at position 543 or 544 in SEQ ID NO: 9 with a second soybean plant having a mutant FAD2-1B allele encoding either a proline to arginine substitution at position 137 (P137R) or an isoleucine to threonine substitution at position 143 (I143T) in SEQ ID NO: 12, and obtaining progeny comprising both mutant alleles to produce seed with about 65% to about 85% oleic acid content.
Soybean plant comprising mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B alleles producing seed oil with elevated oleic acid
A soybean plant containing a first polynucleotide sequence with a single base deletion of adenine at position 543 or 544 of SEQ ID NO: 9 for mutant FAD2-1A, and a second polynucleotide sequence encoding FAD2-1B mutants with either the P137R or I143T amino acid substitutions, wherein seed oil from this plant has about 65% to about 85% oleic acid content.
Method of making soybean oil with at least 65% oleic acid involving crossing plants with specific mutant alleles
A method comprising crossing plants harboring the defined mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B alleles (as above), obtaining progeny with both mutations, cultivating the plants to produce seed oil with at least 65% oleic acid, and processing the soybeans to extract the oil.
The independent claims collectively cover conventional breeding methods to combine defined mutant alleles of FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B producing soybean plants with seeds having greatly increased oleic acid content (65-85%). The claims further cover the resulting plants themselves and methods of producing oleic acid-rich soybean oil from these plants.
Stated Advantages
Efficient incorporation of high oleic acid trait into elite soybean varieties without the cost and regulatory burdens of transgenic methods.
Production of soybean seeds with greatly elevated oleic acid content (up to 85%), offering improved nutritional quality.
Oleic acid-rich soybean oil has enhanced functionality in food products, biodiesel, and lubricants, including better cold flow properties and stability.
Non-GMO soybean lines enable market acceptance without the regulatory delays associated with genetically modified crops.
Documented Applications
Use of soybean oil rich in oleic acid as a healthier dietary fat for reduction of cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risks.
Application of high oleic acid soybean oil in food industry products such as cooking oils, salad dressings, spreads, margarine, mayonnaise, non-dairy coffee creamers, and snack foods.
Industrial applications including biodiesel and biolubricants benefiting from improved cold flow and stability characteristics.
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