Production of Ricinoleic Acid in Plants as a renewable material for the polymer and lubricant industry

The main aim of this proposal is to produce ricinoleic acid in plants at a high level allowing it to be used as a renewable raw material for the manufacture of: [1] Nylon N-11 - which is a main component of hydraulic fluid pipes in engines. [2]Lubricants to replace mineral based oils. These have applications in the areas of gear/transmission and hydraulics. Additionally we wish to investigate: [1]The metabolic assembly and chanelling/compartmentalisation of the ricinoleic acid/triacylglycerol pathway in plants [2] Explore the possibilities of using ricinoleic acid as a wider feedstock for production of novel polymers and other applications. [3] Development of B.carinata as an industrial oil crop for UK.

The main aim of this proposal is to produce ricinoleic acid in plants at a high level allowing it to be used as renewable raw material for industry. This will involve us : [A]Elucidating metabolic assembly and chanelling/compartmentalisation of the ricinoleic acid/triacylglycerol pathway in plants [B] Exploring the possibilities of using ricinoleic acid as a wider feedstock for production of novel polymers and other applications. [C] Developing B.carinata as an industrial oil crop for UK. Specifically the research objectives are: 1. Construction of transformation constructs for Arabidopsis, B.juncea and B.carinata 2. Transformation of Arabidopsis, B.juncea and B.carinata 3. Analysis of transformed plants 4. Lipid analyses of transformants and developing castor 5. Over-expression of cDNAs for specific genes for production of antibodies 6. Production and evaluation of antibodies 7.Cloning of additional genes involved in TAG biosynthesisin Ricinus, which we have not yet isolated 8. Production of ER and isolation of sub-domains concerned with TAG biosynthesis