Transformation of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> L. for production of larger seeds and increased amount of biodiesel

Abstract

The development of green energy is important to mitigate global warming. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is a promising candidate for the production of alternative biofuel, which could reduce the burden on the Earth's resources. Jatropha seeds contain a large quantity of lipids that can be used to produce biofuel, and the rest of the plant has many other uses. Currently, techniques for plant genetic transformation are extensively employed to study, create, and improve the specific characteristics of the target plant. Successful transformation involves the alteration of plants and their genetic materials. The aim of this study was to generate Jatropha plants that can support biofuel production by increasing their seed size using genes found via the rice FOX-hunting system. The present study improved previous protocols, enabling the production of transgenic Jatropha in two steps: the first step involved using auxins and dark incubation to promote root formation in excised shoots and the second step involved delaying the timing of antibiotic selection in the cultivation medium. Transgenic plants were subjected to PCR analysis; the transferred gene expression was confirmed via RT-PCR and the ploidy level was investigated. The results suggest that the genes associated with larger seed size in Arabidopsis thaliana, which were found using the rice FOX-hunting system, produce larger seeds in Jatropha.

Biotechnological Research Progress in Jatropha, a Biodiesel-Yielding Plant

“…The transformation was confirmed using GUS histochemical analysis. The presence of the transgene was confirmed using PCR and DNA gel blot hybridization [ 67 ].…”

Leaf Culture Technique For High-frequency Regeneration of Non-toxic Variants of Jatropha curcas Plantlets

“…The seed or oil cannot be consumed by humans or animals because of the toxins phytates, protease inhibitors, saponins, phorbol esters, and curcin are present (Sobrinho et al, 2022). Some Jatropha accessions from Mexico and Ecuador are edible (Chacuttayapong et al, 2021). The oil is also utilised in production of medicine, lubricants, paints, candles, and soaps (Attaya and El-Sarag, 2017).…”

Oxicam-type nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs enhance <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated transient transformation in plants

“…We chose Jatropha because the transformation methods typically utilize vegetative tissues such as cotyledon explants (Figure 3A, B). We transformed Jatropha using A. tumefaciens (strain EHA101) harboring selection vectors (PalSelect A-3 vector, Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) by the transformation procedure used has been described previously by Enoki et al 2017 andChacuttayapong et al 2021, and added 100 µM TNX to the co-cultivation suspension. To determine the efficiency of transformation, we introduced selection vectors that enabled us to evaluate the transformation rate by PCR-based genotyping and RT-PCR for the expression of the transgenes (detailed information in Supplementary Materials and Methods; Figure 3C).…”