Science close to making plant biofactories

Campbell -- Australian researchers say they are a step closer to turning plants into "biofactories" capable of producing oils to replace petrochemicals.

Scientists working within the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization -- Australia's national government body for scientific research -- report a major advance by accumulating 30 percent of an unusual fatty acid, or UFA, in their model plant, Arabidopsis.

UFAs are usually sourced from petrochemicals to produce plastics, paints and cosmetics, said the researchers who are focused on developing technologies for making a range of UFAs in oilseeds.

"Using crops as biofactories has many advantages, beyond the replacement of dwindling petrochemical resources," said Allan Green, who is leading the research. "Global challenges such as population growth, climate change and the switch from non-renewable resources are opening up many more opportunities for bio-based products."

He said the production of biofactory plants can be matched to demand and will provide farmers with new, high-value crops bred to suit their growing conditions. The technology, he added, is low greenhouse gas generating, sustainable and can reinvigorate agribusiness.

The team detailed their research this week in Chicago during the Fifth Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.