Description:
Biodiesel can substitute for conventional petroleum diesel in almost all applications. Oftentimes, use of biodiesel requires engine modification since biodiesel has different
solvent properties and often degrades natural rubber. Since use of biodiesel is increasing rapidly, alternative biofuel supplies are needed to accommodate the growing demand. Michigan State Universitys GLBRC inventions provide a source and production method for novel plant oils, acetyl-triacylglycerols (ac-TAGs), with possible uses as biodiesel-like biofuel and-or as low-fat food ingredients. By combining an ac-TAG-related enzyme with a method for catalyzing large-scale synthesis of ac-TAGs, in a single crop, many
benefits can be obtained. The inventions have lower viscosity and fewer calories per mole than TAGs. Pilot experiments by the inventors have achieved approximately a 60 mole percent accumulation of ac-TAGs in seed oil.
