Abstract
The health benefits of oat (Avena sativa L.) are mainly associated with
its mixed-linked beta-glucan. Mixed-linked beta-glucan is not metabolised by
digestive enzymes. It lowers the cholesterol levels of blood and balances the
glucose and insulin contents of serum after meals. These physiological effects
reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Our aim is to increase the
beta-glucan content of Finnish oat cultivars through genetic engineering. The
ultimate aim is to use plant-derived genes to elevate the beta-glucan content
of oat to levels not obtainable through traditional plant breeding methods.
Embryogenic cell cultures were started from mature embryos of oat cultivars
‘Aslak’, ‘Veli’ and ‘Kolbu’. Microscopic- and HPLC-analysis of beta-glucan of
seeds, apical meristems and cell cultures were carried out. Gene transfer of
microbial 1,3-beta-glucan synthases by particle bombardment was performed.
The beta-glucan was mainly localized in subaleurone layers of oat seeds by
Calcofluor staining. The molecular weight of oat seed beta-glucan was ca. 2
000 000 and the amount varied from 40 to 60 g/kg. In apical meristems trace
amounts of beta-glucan were observed. In cell cultures the molecular weight of
the beta-glucan was ca. 200 000 and the amount varied from 2 to 3 g/kg. Gene
transfer experiments with microbial 1,3-beta-glucan synthase genes have been
started in order to evaluate their effect on beta-glucan contents of oat cell
lines. The cloning of plant beta-glucan synthase genes is on the way.
References
Salmenkallio-Marttila, M., K. Katina & K. Autio, 2002. Effects of bran
fermentation on
quality and microstructure of high-fiber wheat bread. Cereal Chem. 78:
429-435.
Suortti, P. 1993. Size-exclusion chromatographic determination of beta-glucan
with postcolumn
reaction detection. J. Chrom. 632: 105-110.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 17th EUCARPIA General Congress |
Editors | J. Vollmann, H. Grausgruber, P. Ruckenbauer |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
Event | 17th EUCARPIA General Congress: Genetic Variation for Plant Breeding - Tulln, Austria Duration: 8 Sept 2004 → 11 Sept 2004 Conference number: 17 |
Conference
Conference | 17th EUCARPIA General Congress |
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Country/Territory | Austria |
City | Tulln |
Period | 8/09/04 → 11/09/04 |