Algae and caterpillars confirm plant oil conversion at MSU

Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) believe an engineered plant with oily leaves could improve biofuels production.

The results of the study show that researchers could use an algae gene, involved in the production of oil, to engineer a plant that stores lipids or vegetable oil in it leaves.

‘Many researchers are trying to enhance plants’ energy density, and this is another way of approaching it,’ Christoph Benning, MSU professor of biochemistry, was quoted as saying. ‘It’s a proof-of-concept that could be used to boost plants’ oil production for biofuel use as well as improve the nutrition levels of animal feed.’

To double-check leaves had boosted oil levels within their leaf tissues when spliced with a one-celled algae gene, Benning and his team then fed them to caterpillar larvae which saw them gain more weight than those that just ate regular leaves.

‘Further, if algae can be engineered to continuously produce high levels of oil, rather than only when they are under stress, they can become a viable alternative to traditional agricultural crops,’ he adds.