Boosting oleic acid composition of cardoon seeds through FAD gene regulation
Research initiative to identify and regulate fatty acid desaturase (FAD2 and FAD3) genes in industrial cardoon to increase oleic acid content in seed oil. Targets bioenergy crop improvement by understanding genetic control of fatty acid biosynthesis pathways.
Overview
Industrial cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) is a promising but underutilized bioenergy crop whose seed oil composition varies dramatically across genotypes. Oleic acid content ranges from 289 to over 795 g/kg of oil depending on the accession, making it an attractive target for breeding programs aimed at higher-value oil profiles. This research initiative seeks to uncover the genetic regulators behind this variability by identifying and characterizing the FAD2 and FAD3 fatty acid desaturase genes, which control the conversion of oleic acid into linoleic and linolenic acid. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms opens the door to breeding cardoon varieties with significantly elevated oleic acid content for food, feed, and bioenergy applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Chemical profiling of seed oil across multiple cardoon genotypes revealed oleic acid ranging from 289 to over 795 g/kg, with linoleic acid averaging 44.5% across all populations
- Wild cardoon populations average 289 g/kg oleic acid, while domestic accessions average 472 g/kg; select industrial lines ('DC1', 'DC3', 'DC7') exceed 795 g/kg
- FAD2 catalyzes desaturation of oleic acid (C18:1) to linoleic acid (C18:2); FAD3 catalyzes conversion of linoleic acid to linolenic acid (C18:3)
- Genomic comparison of FAD2 and FAD3 sequences across genotypes with contrasting oleic acid profiles
- RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis during seed formation and maturation to identify differential expression patterns
- Field trials using randomized block design with sampling from early flowering through seed onset
- Estimated project duration: 1 year; estimated budget: approximately 40,000 €
Technology readiness level
This is an early-stage research initiative at Technology Readiness Level 2–3 (technology concept and experimental proof-of-concept). Chemical characterization data from multiple cardoon genotypes already exist, providing a strong empirical foundation. The next phase involves molecular identification of FAD2 and FAD3 genes and validation of their regulatory roles through controlled field experiments and transcriptomic profiling. The research is positioned to generate foundational knowledge for downstream breeding programs targeting improved oil composition in cardoon.
About National Research Council
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) is Italy’s national public research organization, a large multi‑disciplinary network of institutes distributed across the country and coordinated from Rome. Its model places researchers in regional campuses and co‑located laboratories next to universities, hospitals, and industry, enabling rapid collaboration and access to shared core facilities, testbeds, and prototyping. Companies engage through framework agreements, contract research, joint labs, and researcher secondments, with dedicated liaison staff to streamline engagements. Research is supported by competitive funding from the European Commission, Italian national ministries, and regional programs. A technology transfer office advances IP protection, licensing, and spin‑out formation.
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