ENGINEERED PLANT BIOMASS FOR BIODIESEL AND BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION

摘要

The disclosure encompassed herein relates, in part, to a method for increasing energy density of plant biomass that can be used for production of renewable fuel, such as biodiesel oil and/or ethanol. In an aspect, genetic engineering for enhanced sugar accumulation can be achieved by overexpressing a bacterial enzyme sucrose isomerase. Sugars or oils extracted from the plants of the disclosure encompassed herein may be used for industrial purposes such as heating, producing bio-fuels such as biodiesel fuel, or lubricating applications.

主权项

1. A gene expression cassette which enhances content of biofuel synthesis precursors in plant biomass, as compared to unmodified plants, wherein the gene expression cassette comprises:
a) at least one transcription regulating nucleotide sequence, wherein the transcription regulating nucleotide sequence is: i) a constitutive promoter; ii) an inducible promoter iii) a tissue-specific promoter iv) a developmentally regulated promoter v) a nucleotide sequence which is the complement or reverse complement of any of the previously mentioned nucleotide sequences under i) to iv), and functionally linked thereto; and vi) a combination thereof, b) at least one gene selected from the group consisting of: i) a gene encoding sucrose isomerase (SI); ii) the sequence as set forth in FIG. 1; iii) a gene encoding amylase; iv) a gene which suppresses starch synthesis; and v) combinations thereof.