Biotechnology as Applied to the Oils and Fats Industry

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Abstract
Three areas where biotechnology is applicable to the oils and fats industry are described. 1. Biotechnology and oil plants includes the cloning of high‐yielding trains of oil palms to yield progeny in large numbers relatively quickly. Mutation of oilseeds to change the fatty acid composition is also being carried out in various laboratories. 2. Biotechnology with enzymes encompasses the use of microbial lipases for the interesterification of triacylglycerols to form cocoa butter substitutes, as well as the use of lipases to hydrolyse selectively particular fatty acyl esters. Some industrial developments in these areas appear imminent. 3. Biotechnology with micro‐organisms can be seen as an alternative means of producing oils and fats to existing routes though the economics are against such processes being taken up for all but the most expensive oils and fats. A range of oils can, however, be produced by bacteria, algae, yeasts and moulds. Micro‐organisms can also be used to transform alkanes and fatty acids to provide various fatty acid derivatives which could be of value. The biochemistry behind lipid accumulation is described. This provides an understanding of the regulatory enzymes which need to be controlled in order to achieve high accumulations of lipids. From such information, it then becomes possible to consider metabolic manipulation of the organism to improve its fat yield. By extension of these arguments, possible opportunities for genetic engineering into both micro‐organisms and plants then become evident.