P0816 Genomics of Lipid Biosynthesis in Cacao

Yufan Zhang , The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Siela Maximova , The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Zi Shi , The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Lena Landherr , The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Mark Guiltinan , The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Fats and oils are essential components in human diets and plant derived oils account for a large proportion of our daily consumption. Extensive research has been conducted to characterize the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway in plants, providing an opportunity for breeding and generation of new varieties of oil-producing plants with improved yield and quality traits.  In 2010, the genomes of two types of the Theobroma cacao plant were sequenced (Criollo and Forastero). Utilizing the knowledge of lipid biosynthetic pathways from other species we identified and annotated 85 orthologous lipid biosynthesis genes in the Criollo genome, which is 13 genes more than in Arabidopsis. To verify the role of these genes in lipid biosynthesis in cacao, we have begun to test their functions using an Agrobacterium-mediated transient leaf assay.  After expression of the individual genes in leaf tissue, total lipids are extracted and separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid profiles are analyzed by gas chromatography.