Researchers from the Laboratory of Biotechnology, at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a way to increase the oil content in tobacco leaves. This is the next step in using plants for biofuel source. Working paper the results of their study published online in Plant Biotechnology Journal
According to Vyacheslav Andrianov, Ph.D., assistant professor of cancer biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, tobacco was able to produce biofuels more efficiently than other agricultural crops. So far, the plants used by the producers of perfume to smell enhancer. However, most of the oil content is usually more common in tobacco seeds. According to research, approximately 40 percent oil content of oil per dry weight.
From the culture of tobacco plants able to produce normal seedlings seeds about 600 kg seeds per hectare. Oil content of seeds have been tested for use as fuel for diesel engines. However, Dr. Andrianov and his colleagues are trying to find a way of distilling the leaves of tobacco, so that the oil actually produced from the leaves.
Dr. Andrianov said, "Tobacco is very attractive as a biofuel, because it does not intersect in food production. We have found a way to manipulate genetically, making tobacco leaves more oil content. In some cases, the modified hybrid seeds capable of producing 20 times more oil on the leaves. "
Tobacco leaves contain 1.7 percent to 4 percent oil content per dry weight. Plants engineered to overexpress is one of two genes, diacyglycerol acytransferase (DGAT) gene or a leafy cotyledon 2 (LEC2) gene. DGAT gene modifications served to increase about 5.8 percent of oil per dry weight in leaves, which is roughly double the normal amount of oil produced. While LEC2 gene modification is used to encourage an increase of 6.8 percent of oil per dry weight.
"Based on these data, representing the tobacco plants that contain essential oils as an energy source. In addition, can also serve a model for high utilization in the plant biomass for biofuels"
said Dr. Andrianov.
***
Scientists at Michigan State University have identified a new protein necessary for chloroplast development. This discovery could actually create crop varieties that were observed can be directed specifically for biofuel production. Chloroplasts, in a special compartment in plant cells, convert sunlight, carbon dioxide received from air and water from the soil into sugars and oxygen ("fuel" for the plant) during photosynthesis. The newly discovered protein, triglactosyldiacylglycerol 4 or TGD4, pushing all the work.
"Nobody knew how this mechanism works simultaneously before we know the protein," said Christoph Benning, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology MSU.
Protein, according to him, directly affects photosynthesis and how plants create biomass (stems, leaves) and oil.
The results of a study published in the journal The Plant Cell Edition August 2009 showed how TGD4 very important for plants to make chloroplasts. Plants that do not have the protein die before they grow beyond the embryonic stage. When you understand how it works TGD4, allowing scientists to create plants that will be used exclusively to produce biofuels. Most of the plants used to produce oil today, such as corn, soybeans, and canola, oil buildup occurs in the seeds.
Other members of the MSU research team is a research assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Chang-cheng Xu, Jilian Fan research technician, and undergraduate biochemistry Adam Cornish. The research was funded by the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation. Benning research was also supported by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.*** [Pikiran Rakyat 09062011]
According to Vyacheslav Andrianov, Ph.D., assistant professor of cancer biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, tobacco was able to produce biofuels more efficiently than other agricultural crops. So far, the plants used by the producers of perfume to smell enhancer. However, most of the oil content is usually more common in tobacco seeds. According to research, approximately 40 percent oil content of oil per dry weight.From the culture of tobacco plants able to produce normal seedlings seeds about 600 kg seeds per hectare. Oil content of seeds have been tested for use as fuel for diesel engines. However, Dr. Andrianov and his colleagues are trying to find a way of distilling the leaves of tobacco, so that the oil actually produced from the leaves.
Dr. Andrianov said, "Tobacco is very attractive as a biofuel, because it does not intersect in food production. We have found a way to manipulate genetically, making tobacco leaves more oil content. In some cases, the modified hybrid seeds capable of producing 20 times more oil on the leaves. "
Tobacco leaves contain 1.7 percent to 4 percent oil content per dry weight. Plants engineered to overexpress is one of two genes, diacyglycerol acytransferase (DGAT) gene or a leafy cotyledon 2 (LEC2) gene. DGAT gene modifications served to increase about 5.8 percent of oil per dry weight in leaves, which is roughly double the normal amount of oil produced. While LEC2 gene modification is used to encourage an increase of 6.8 percent of oil per dry weight.
"Based on these data, representing the tobacco plants that contain essential oils as an energy source. In addition, can also serve a model for high utilization in the plant biomass for biofuels"
said Dr. Andrianov.
***
Scientists at Michigan State University have identified a new protein necessary for chloroplast development. This discovery could actually create crop varieties that were observed can be directed specifically for biofuel production. Chloroplasts, in a special compartment in plant cells, convert sunlight, carbon dioxide received from air and water from the soil into sugars and oxygen ("fuel" for the plant) during photosynthesis. The newly discovered protein, triglactosyldiacylglycerol 4 or TGD4, pushing all the work.
"Nobody knew how this mechanism works simultaneously before we know the protein," said Christoph Benning, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology MSU.
Protein, according to him, directly affects photosynthesis and how plants create biomass (stems, leaves) and oil.
The results of a study published in the journal The Plant Cell Edition August 2009 showed how TGD4 very important for plants to make chloroplasts. Plants that do not have the protein die before they grow beyond the embryonic stage. When you understand how it works TGD4, allowing scientists to create plants that will be used exclusively to produce biofuels. Most of the plants used to produce oil today, such as corn, soybeans, and canola, oil buildup occurs in the seeds.
Other members of the MSU research team is a research assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Chang-cheng Xu, Jilian Fan research technician, and undergraduate biochemistry Adam Cornish. The research was funded by the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation. Benning research was also supported by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.*** [Pikiran Rakyat 09062011]
