Sunflower transformation

When hygromycin B was used to select transformants, as in the case of Arabidopsis thaliana (56), a callus stage had to be introduced into the transformation and regeneration system because hygromycin inhibits shoot morphogenesis. In certain cases kanamy-cin can also inhibit morphogenesis, as in sunflower transformation... 

The transformation of sunflower oilcake is similar. The globulin corpuscles are denatured in low moisture conditions to form a continuous matrix. The real difference lies in the structure of the peptide chains compared to starch. A lot of different interactions take place between the proteins and their texturation does not result in a simple thermoplastic flow, as happens for starch. 

Jerusalem artichoke has been the source of genetic material for the transformation of other crop species. Numerous transformations have been conducted with cultivated sunflower, and some with sunflower-Jerusalem artichoke hybrids, but no attempt to date has been made to improve Jerusalem artichoke as a crop via genetic transformation. However, Jerusalem artichoke is a classic tissue culture species (see Section 9.3), while much of the experience gained with transgenic sunflower is applicable to Jerusalem artichoke. Therefore, the means of transforming Jerusalem artichoke are largely in place. 

Escandon, A.S and Hahne, G., Genotype and composition of culture medium are factors important in the selection for transformed sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) callus, Physiol. Plant., 81,367-376,1991. 

Graybum, S. and Vick, A.B., Transformation of sunflower (Helianthus annum) following wounding with glass beads, Plant Cell Rep., 14, 285-289, 1995. 

Moyne, A.L., Tagu, D., Thor, V., Bergounioux, C., Freyssinet, G., and Gadal, P., Transformed calli obtained by direct gene transfer into sunflower protoplasts, Plant Cell Rep., 8, 97-100, 1989. 

As the content of nonfatty materials in sunflower seeds decreases as the oil content increases, the moisture content corresponding to one critical moisture value is inversely related to the oil content, as shown in Table 16 [based on Muller (50)]. For critical moisture levels above 15%, the rate of respiration of seeds increases. Respiration is accompanied by an exothermic transformation of organic substances of seeds, creating conditions that may lead to spontaneous combustion (50). 

Formerly the Chinese Rung Food, Vegetarian Zone (2949 Fifth Ave., o 619-298-7302) has taken on a more international flair. Additions such as the spinach mushroom lasagna and the mushrooms Aphrodite - fresh mushrooms stuffed with spinach, onions, walnuts and sunflower seeds - have transformed the aging eatery into something special. Die-hard Rung Food fans needn t worry entrees such as the sesame mock chicken are still on the menu. The popularity of Cafe India (3760 Sports Arena Blvd., s 619-224-7500) stems from its all-you-can-eat vegetarian lunch buffet. The buffet is served daily at this little gem near the sports arena. 

In our Laboratory, we are involved in a general programme on the selective transformation of fatty acids (or of methyl esters) and glycerol issued from sunflower oil (1,2). We have studied recently the preparation of esters of glycerol, specially monoglycerides, which are important intermediates for the manufacture of lubricants, emulsifiers, surfactants used in the industries of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food,... (3). 

Barta A. The expression of a nopaline synthase human growth hormone chimaeric gene in transformed tobacco and sunflower callus tissue. Plant Mol. Biol., 1986 6 347-357. 

C.H. Pearson, K. Cornish, C.M. McMahon, M. Whalen, DJ. Rath, N. Dong, and S.Wong, "The rationale for transforming sunflower into a rubber producing crop", in Issues in New Crops and New Uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria,Va, 2007. 

Fatty acid methyl esters are now the main intermediates in oleochemistry. Epox-idation can be considered as a transformation currently applied to triglycerides that is easy to perform on an industrial scale, compared with the production process for fatty alcohol. Therefore, why should epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters not become one of the commodities of the future The commercial development of these compounds requires easy, environmentally friendly (e.g., avoiding catalyst use) routes of low production cost as well as identified industrial outputs. Such considerations were taken into account in this study both rapeseed methyl esters (RME) and high-oleic sunflower methyl esters (HOSME) were used as starting materials. 

Large quantities of linoleic acid are present in plant oils (sunflower, com, soya, peanut). It is first transformed into y-linolenic acid (GLA), which contains three double bonds. Sometimes there is a shortage of the enzyme catalyzing this process in the body, then the insufficiently low levels of y-linolenic acid lead to skin symptoms. This acid is only present in very few plants, so these symptoms can only be treated with the exceptional oils (borage, evening primrose and blackcurrant seed). 

The photoperoxidation of high oleic sxmflower oil with singlet oxygen is an efficient reaction for the synthesis of functionalized triglyceride derivatives. In this reaction, high oleic sunflower oil and oxygen are the only reactants, which makes this transformation very attractive from an environmental point of view (74). 

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