Gene editing approach to increase oleic acid content in olive oil via FAD2 gene manipulation

Overview

This research program focuses on improving olive oil quality through genetic manipulation of the Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FAD2) gene. The FAD2 gene plays a central role in determining the oleic-to-linoleic acid ratio in olive oil by converting oleic acid (C18:1) into linoleic acid (C18:2). By understanding and ultimately editing this gene, the project seeks to produce olive oil with higher oleic acid content, improved nutritional profile, and extended shelf life.

The initiative addresses a key challenge in the olive oil industry: the natural variability in oil quality across cultivars. By identifying the genetic basis behind high-quality oil production, the research enables the development of superior olive varieties with desirable fatty acid compositions.

Technical specifications

Research approach:

• Gene target: Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FAD2), responsible for oleic-to-linoleic acid conversion
• Genetic resource: 106 genotypes collected globally and maintained at the Tunisian olive oil tree research center
• Current activities: Genotyping and phenotyping of the germplasm collection, followed by association mapping
• Future validation steps:
  • Measuring oleic acid and linoleic acid ratios in oils extracted from Tunisian olive tree collections
  • Identifying genotypes with high oleic acid and low linoleic acid profiles
  • Sequence capture or whole genome sequencing of high- and low-performing individuals
  • Comparative genomic analysis of the FAD2 gene to discover genotype-to-phenotype associations

Key applications:

• Premium olive oil production with enhanced nutritional value
• Extended shelf life through improved fatty acid stability
• Marker-assisted breeding for high-oleic olive cultivars
• Foundation for gene-editing strategies targeting FAD2 in olive

Technology readiness level

The research is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. The team has established a diverse germplasm collection of 106 genotypes and is actively conducting genotyping, phenotyping, and association mapping. Future validation will involve biochemical analysis of oil fatty acid profiles and genomic sequencing to confirm the relationship between FAD2 gene variants and desired oil quality traits. The project is positioned to generate actionable genetic markers and candidate gene targets for olive breeding programs.