JOil, Temasek pioneer high oleic acid jatropha seeds

In Singapore, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory and JOil have successfully developed genetically modified jatropha plants with high oleic acid content in seeds. JOil is expected to further develop commercial varieties with this trait for commercialization.

“Oleic acid is the most desirable oil component for the purpose of biofuel, it gives the best balance between cold flow property and oxidation stability. We managed to achieve greater than 75% seed oleic acid content, much higher than the 45% in regular seeds, through specifically down-regulating a Jatropha gene in a seed specific manner”, commented Dr. YE Jian, the team leader of the group of scientists who developed this first GM Jatropha with a commercial trait.