Plant-derived oils are mixtures of saturated, monounsaturated (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) in ratios that are less than ideal for industrial uses. Vegetable oil containing high oleic levels and minimal linoleic/linolenic levels have long been considered a desirable replacement for petroleum-based precursors in the manufacture of plastics, lubricants and cosmetics etc, due to the unique physical and chemical properties. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed produces oil that predominantly contains oleic and linoleic acids, and no linolenic acid. Traditional breeding programs have developed safflower seed with oleic acid levels in the range of 75–85%. However, like other oilseeds, the remaining linoleic acid component, at 12-18%, is undesirable for industrial use due to its increased propensity to oxidise relative to oleic acid. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a safflower seed that produces high oleic oil but contains very low linoleic content. Two genetically modified safflower events were developed by the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and are being commercialized by GO Resources Pty Ltd. The events contain a construct designed to down regulate two safflower fatty acid biosynthesis genes. Down regulation is achieved using RNAi technology and is targeted to the seed using a seed specific promotor. Down regulation of the two safflower genes leads to accumulation of 92% oleic acid and ~2% linoleic acid in the seed, Super High Oleic Acid Safflower Oil (SHOSO). Details of the development and commercialization of this new GM crop in Australia will be presented.
