BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-1896 - Production of novel fructans through genetic engineering of crops and their applications

FAIR-CT96-1896
Production of novel fructans through genetic engineering of crops and their applications

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Detergents : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fine Chemicals : Paints/Coatings/Plastics : Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics : Plant Genetics

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-1896
	Total Cost	2,043,642 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,327,475 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/97
	Duration	48 Months

The production of fructans through transgenic crops and their application

Objectives

This project comprises a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to obtain transgenic crops for the production of novel, tailor-made fructans with a wide range of applications in food and non-food industries.

Technical Approach

So far, fructans have found limited application in food and non-food due to a number of factors, the most important ones being the low quality of the available fructans as well as the poor agronomic performance of the traditional fructan containing crops like chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. These limitations cannot be overcome by traditional breeding practices or chemical processing and hamper severely the development of this branch of industry.

Genetic engineering of plants offers new perspectives within this field. This technology has demonstrated the feasibility of introducing new traits into plants including the biosynthesis of new carbohydrates like fructans. By applying genetic engineering techniques it will be possible to overcome the major drawbacks of the current fructan technology and realise a flexible, cost-effective production of novel types of fructans in transgenic crops which justifies further exploration of the food and non-food applications as mentioned above. Moreover, agriculture will benefit from these developments as further diversification of its products will be realised.

Expected Results

Several genes encoding fructosyltransferases of different origin are currently available within this project. These include bacterial genes that encode fructosyltransferases able to synthesise high molecular weight fructans as well as the first genes of plant origin that encodes a fructosyltransferase able to synthesise a low molecular weight fructan. In addition, several constitutive as well as developmentally regulated plant promoters combined with intracellular targeting signals are available and will be used to make synthetic genes most optimal for fructan biosynthesis in transgenic crop plants. Target crops for the production of tailor-made fructans include sugar beet as well as chicory for which genetic transformation is routine now.

Expression in transgenic model plants of bacterial fructosyltransferase genes recently resulted in the accumulation of significant amounts of fructans, which demonstrates the feasibility of the approach. The transgenic plant material resulting from these research efforts are analysed molecularly, physiologically and agronomically in order to determine the limiting factors for fructan production through transgenic crops. With the availability of transgenic fructan accumulating plants it will be possible to develop the extraction procedure, perform chemical and structural characterisation studies and explore the food and non-food applications of these novel fructans.

Applications

In food, fructans could be applied as low-calorie sweetener, dietary fibre and bulking agent. In addition, fructans may stimulate growth of the health promoting bifidus-flora in the human digestive system. It is anticipated that these developments will result in the availability of a healthier food package for the consumer without making concessions to quality and enjoyment.

Non-food applications could include the use of fructans and its derivatives as a raw material in the production of biodegradable plastics, cosmetics and sequestrants as well as co-builder for the detergent industry. The biodegradability of fructans and its origin from a renewable resource make it potentially valuable as a "green" chemical. Therefore, the fructan technology can in principle contribute to the reduction of the waste issue as well as the appeal to scarce materials.

Results To Date

The progress made so far within the different tasks of the project has been largely according to the planned activities as described in the Technical Annex. The isolation of genes encoding plant-derived fructosyltransferases genes has been very successful which is key for a steady progress of the project. Furthermore, a substantial amount of transgenic material including model and target crops has been generated which will be assessed for its value in the downstream tasks aiming at the exploitation of the fructan technology. The identification of transgenic events resulting in the accumulation of exploitable levels of fructan will be the next major objective to be achieved within this project.

Chicory

Contacts

Coordinator

Rindert PEERBOLTE / Advanta Seeds BV NETHERLANDS

EC Scientific Officer

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

Participant