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Castor-oil plants genetically altered to produce new bio-lubricants.


Byline: ANI

Washington, June 28 (ANI): Scientists of the University of Almeria have genetically altered the castor-oil plant castor-oil plant

Large plant (Ricinus communis) of the spurge family, probably native to Africa and naturalized throughout the tropics. It is grown commercially for the pharmaceutical and industrial uses of its oil and for use in landscape gardening because of its handsome,
 so as to use it as a factory to produce bio lubricants.

The scientists identified and provided a series of genes that are responsible of the biosynthesis Biosynthesis

The synthesis of more complex molecules from simpler ones in cells by a series of reactions mediated by enzymes. The overall economy and survival of the cell is governed by the interplay between the energy gained from the breakdown of compounds
 of lipids that can be used to obtain transgenic castor-oil plants with an acid profile appropriate for the different requirements of bio lubricants.

The idea is to obtain an oil with a higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids Noun 1. monounsaturated fatty acid - an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in olive oil and chicken and almonds  (oleic o·le·ic  
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or derived from oil.

2. Of or relating to oleic acid.
 and palmitic), which are the compounds required to classify an oil as a bio lubricant.

Another one of the objectives to be attained is the identification and characterization of specific regulatory genetic sequences, called promoters, which drive the expression of such genes to the seeds of castor-oil transgenic plants.

A promoter is a specific part of the gene responsible for the creation or accumulation of a desired product in certain tissue or organ.

With such modification, in the case of castor-oil plants, the idea is for fatty oils to get accumulated in the seed without affecting other parts of the plant, thus avoiding negative agronomic a·gron·o·my  
n.
Application of the various soil and plant sciences to soil management and crop production; scientific agriculture.



ag
 effects.

Almeria experts have already managed to isolate and clone the desired promoters and their behaviour is currently being checked - with good results- in tobacco plants.

The use of this species to validate the developed method is due to the fact that they are a traditionally used model system.

The team of scientists is also working on the introduction of genes into castor-oil plants with a technique that is effective and reproducible for the production of generally applicable bio lubricants.

That is, they aim to make a great battery of bio lubricants with different applications: automobile industry automobile industry, the business of producing and selling self-powered vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, farm equipment, and other commercial vehicles. , aero generators, industrial engines and motors, etc. (ANI)

Copyright 2009 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency.  (ANI) - All Rights Reserved.

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Publication:Asian News International
Date:Jun 28, 2009
Words:311
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