FAIR-CT97-3585 Transformation of chicory into a high value non-food crop

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Biological Conversion : Biotechnology : Bulk Chemicals : Chemical Conversion : Crops for Bulk Chemicals : Crops for Fine Chemicals : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fine Chemicals : Plant Genetics : Sugar

	Contract No:	FAIR-CT97-3585
	Date Prepared:	December 2000
	Source:	Third Annual Progress Report

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Third Annual Progress Report Abstract

Objectives

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a biennial crop native in Europe. The tap roots contain inulin - a fructose polymer - that is currently being used for food products. Inulin also has high potential for use in non-food applications. Of the few inulin producing crops known, chicory is the best in terms of agricultural and industrial exploitation. However, the properties of inulin in the native chicory crop do not meet the requirements required for processing and chemical modification, necessary for successful application in non-food industries. This project aims to upgrade the quality and volume of chicory inulin through genotype improvement. Another aim of the project is develop protocols for chemical derivatisation of HDP (high degree of polymerisation) inulin to allow the development of green chemical products for non-food markets. The project will also assess the functional properties of derivatised inulins as well as their application in several non-food markets.

Activities

Inulin metabolism in the chicory tap root is controlled by an number of enzymes which control the biosynthesis and degradation of inulins. To genetically improve the HDP-inulin- producing properties of chicory, the relative expression of the genes involved in inulin metabolism will be modified. New derivatives of inulin, which are required in order to exploit new non-food markets are being created by four different chemical routes.

Progress

Good progress has been made in two out of three strategies used to influence the inulin profile by genetic improvement. In a number of transgenic plants, the introduction of an extra gene involved in inulin metabolism resulted in a substantial change in the inulin profile. This result alone would already make the project highly successful. A second promising result obtained last year was the isolation inulin genes from other asteraceaous species, which were found to synthesise inulin with the desired profile. As part of the third strategy various genes controlling the degradation of inulin were isolated from chicory. The finding that more than one gene could be responsible for degradation of inulin in chicory, was unexpected. Therefore, adopting the third strategy (the control of inulin degradation) was much more complex than originally envisaged. Nevertheless, knowledge concerning such regulation has greatly increased.

The derivatisation part of the project has so far resulted in at least one very promising application. All functional and application aspects of carboxymethylated inulin was comprehensively investigated last year. A very interesting non-food application for native inulin has been identified. The first functionality tests were promising and will be extended into the final year of the project.

Achievements

Results have been presented at a number of conferences, including the 4 th International Fructan Symposium (August, 2000) and the Plant Protein Club symposium on Added Value Products from Plants, July 2000. Publications have arisen from the Proceedings of the Eighth Seminar on Inulin (France, 1999, ISBN 90-804818-2-3).

Future Activities

These will include the following aspects:

• Seed production of promising genotypes giving a better inulin profile
• Further analysis of transgenic chicory plants on biochemical, molecular level and, if applicable, the effect of semi-field conditions on the tap root inulin profile
• detailed enzymatic analyses of promising gene products
• preparing a number of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, especially the molecular and biochemical aspects of fructan synthesis in chicory
• finishing of derivatisation programme, final functionality and application testing
• scaling up of production process of inulin derivatives having commercially interesting applications