Enhancement of sesame omega-3 fatty acid content using Fusarium moniliforme bifunctional desaturase gene

Abstract

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the precursor for the synthesis of essential fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. The dietary requirement of omega 3 fatty acid is 1.59 g for females and 2.06 g for males. There is an urgent need for enhancing omega 3 fatty acid in vegetative sources. Sesame oil is unique in its flavor and medicinal properties but it contains only traces of ALA. In this study attempts were made to increase the omega 3 fatty acid content in sesame seeds using a bi-functional ∆12/ω3 fatty acid desaturase gene from Fusarium moniliforme . Sesame seed-specific promoter isolated from oleic acid desaturase was used for high and tissue-specific expression. The fungal bi-functional ∆12/ω3 fatty acid desaturase gene under the control of sesame seed-specific promoter was transferred to sesame the ALA content in transgenic sesame was evaluated. Expression of fungal ∆12/ω3 fatty acid desaturase gene resulted in increased ALA content up to 12 fold in transformed sesame plants compared to untransformed control. • Transgenic sesame plants were generated using fungal bi-functional desaturase gene to enhance omega 3 fatty acid. • This opens the possibility of using sesame leaves for omega 3 fatty acid production. • Constitutive promoters produce more of ALA throughout the plant than the strong oleic acid promoter in seeds.