Biotech Updates

Australian Growers to Produce Super-High Oleic Safflower

April 27, 2012

New varieties of safflower containing high amount of oleic acid are being developed by researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia. These new varieties are expected to provide the grain growers with the opportunity to produce and supply renewable and sustainable plant oils that will replace petroleum-based feedstocks used in industrial lubricants and fluids.

The research team used gene silencing technology to increase the level of valuable oleic acid in the seed by turning off the conversion of the oil into undesirable polyunsaturates.

According to the CSIRO report, safflower is ideal for Australian biofactories as it is a very hardy and adaptable crop that can withstand warm season conditions and should cope well with the expected stresses of climate change.

Read more details at http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/Supercharged-safflower.aspx.