BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT95-0568 - Production of novel starch polymers in maize, wheat, barley and potato

FAIR-CT95-0568
Production of novel starch polymers in maize, wheat, barley and potato

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Biopolymers/Gums : Biotechnology : Crops for Biopolymers/Gums : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Plant Genetics : Starch

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR1-CT95-0568
	Total Cost	3,639,064 ECU
	EC Contribution	2,400,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/96
	Duration	36 Months

Production of novel starch polymers in maize, wheat, barley and potato

Objectives

Technical Approach

Conventional breeding techniques have yielded interesting plant genotypes with altered starch properties in maize. However polyploidy of both wheat and potato have prevented the generation of such genotypes in these two important starch storing crops. This program aims to further improve starch quality in maize and to overcome the biological bottlenecks occasioned by the polyploidy of the wheat and potato genomes.

Expected Results

I. Direct Results

the generation of waxy (starch with no amylose) wheat through antisense technology
the generation of transgenic wheat overexpressing Escherichia coli glycogen metabolism genes
the building of double mutant maize genotypes with interesting starch properties
the selection of mutant potatoes with altered starch structures for further improvement by classical breeding
the setting of experimental plant systems to assay the consequences of transgene or antisense expression on starch structure
the building of hybrid starch metabolism enzymes with novel biochemical properties

II. Indirect Results

the development of a starch reconstitution system in E. coli
a better understanding of the origin of starch phosphorylation in potatoes

a better understanding of starch granule building through the analysis of mutants to improve the understanding of the link existing between starch structure and technological benefits

These improvements can only be achieved through an integration of research and development. This multidisciplinary approach unifies the expertise of carbohydrate biochemists, industrial starch processors, seed companies, geneticists, molecular biologists and physico-chemists

Applications

Two branches of the industry will benefit from this research. These include the starch processing companies and the plant breeding companies. The outcome is essentially the production of valuable cultivars that will hopefully expand the range of products processed from starch and possibly obviate the need for some of the post-harvest chemical processing.

Results To Date

Increase in starch dry matter content has been achieved through the use of a transgenic potato containing a recombinant overexpressed barley endosperm ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Antisense constructs directed against the major wheat granule-bound starch synthase have been produced and are currently under investigation. Single and double mutant maize lines with altered starch crystalline organisation are currently selected. Major breakthroughs in the understanding of amylose and amylopectin synthesis and of starch phosphorylation have been achieved in the programme. These include the discovery of a glucan-trimming pathway required for amylopectin synthesis and the establishment of an in vitro synthesis system for amylose biosynthesis. The use of an antisense approach has led to major insights as to the origin of phosphorylation within potato amylopectin.

Improving starch granule structure through a
multidisciplinary approach in maize, wheat, barley and potatoes.

Contacts

Coordinator

Prof Steven BALL / Universite Sciences et Technologies de Lille Flandres-Artois / FRANCE

EC Scientific Officer

Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant